Belly Pics at 37 Weeks

37 Weeks and Full Term!

Had my weekly appointment this morning. Matt was able to go as well since it was in the morning. I still weigh 136 (haven't gained any the past 2 weeks) but she said this was fine cause I'm smaller and my total weight gain is still pretty good (22 pounds). I measured 35cm (down one from last week) but the midwife said this could be due to the baby coming down lower in my pelvis - so that would be a good thing.

We talked about my itchy stretch marks. They are SOOO incredibly itchy - I literally could not get to sleep last night for a long time because they itched so bad. She said there's unfortunately not a lot you can do for that. She suggested using Aveeno lotion that has oatmeal in it. She also said I could rub a little hydrocortisone cream on there as well if I needed to.

I am full term now (although my due date isn't for another 3 weeks) so I can go anytime and it will be fine. We talked some about things you can try to help soften the cervix and release the hormone that supposedly helps to bring on labor. She said that taking evening primrose oil has really helped a lot of women and also rasberry tea leaf (helps to get some contractions going). So I can start trying both of those.

I asked about whether they do vaginal exams and she said they don't really unless there's a need because there is no way to indicate how far away labor is from that. She said some women can be 3-4 cm for several weeks and others who aren't dilated at all can literally go the next day. So there's really no need to do them. At 39 weeks (2 weeks from now), she said that they can start doing membrane checks. Basically what they do is stick their finger up inside the cervix and rub around underneath the amniotic sac which will help to also soften the cervix and help with bringing on more contractions. They don't let anyone go beyond 2 weeks past their due date.

Once I turn 40 weeks, they will have me come in twice a week to see the midwife and also to have a non-stress test and ultrasound to make sure amniotic fluid level is good and baby is in no distress.

The baby's head is still in place well - right down in the center of my pelvis. I'll be having an ultrasound this Friday - they want to check the baby's actual position, amniotic fluid levels, and fetal growth. Matt is taking the day off on Friday so he will be able to go too.

Well - I think that's about it - enough for one appointment, right?!

Time is slowing...

Time just seems to be dragging now but the end is in sight - 25 more days to go! Went to see the midwife again yesterday. Everything was great. I weighed in at 136 (same as last week so no weight gain) and measured 35cm (1 week less but that's normal). Baby's heartbeat sounded good and steady. My Strep B test they did last week came back negative so I don't need to have antibiotics during labor/delivery. Besides that, nothing new. I go back again next Monday. Hopefully only 3 more appointments would be nice! Let's hope she's on time or a little early!

Last week we had our last childbirth class and got our certificate of completion - yeah for us! Apparently we are officially ready for childbirth now - guess we'll see! We also took a tour of the birth center at the hospital. It is really nice and the rooms are great - all private. I get room service with whatever I want to eat off the menu 24 hours a day - yeah! I'm also the geek who asked if there was wireless internet available in the rooms. There is so that means Matt can bring the laptop and hopefully post a few pics and news of her birth! Her picture will also be posted on the hospital's website: http://www.ohlooknps.com/vbh/.

All I can say is I am ready to have her! Ready to get rid of all the aches and pains in my hips/lower back. Ready to get rid of my heartburn. And most importantly, ready to see her and hold her! She's been so active and her movements at times are REALLY noticeable. You should see my belly jumping out and her contourting it in all these weird positions! It's SO crazy to really think that there is a real baby living inside there!

35 Weeks and Car Seat

Update from my appointment today: I gained 2 pounds this week (up to 136) and I measured right on my week (35cm). I had the Strep B test done today and will have the results of that next week at my visit. Nancy, the midwife, said that the baby is head down right in my pelvis where she should be. She also said that the baby weighs about 6 pounds right now and she expects I will probably have about a 7.5 pound baby. We also talked a little more about what I am planning to do in regards to pain medication/epidural and whether I am planning to breastfeed. I am planning on having an epidural but don't want to have it done too early if possible so as to not slow the labor down and so I can be able to get up, walk around, get in the tub, etc. as long as possible. So my goal is to probably have it done around 5-6cm. That is all subject to change though seeing as I have never done this before and don't know what it will feel like! And I've decided to attempt breastfeeding and see how that goes as well.

We got the car seat installed this weekend at the fire station. It makes us realize the time is drawing near now when we see the car seat back there! Only 5 more weeks to go!! Here are some pics of our baby girl's room (my sister made the canvas paintings hanging above the dresser!) The bigger canvas painting has Isaiah 43:1 on it - I have called you by name; you are mine!

34 Weeks

Had another appointment yesterday with the midwife. I am SO glad that I had to by accident see a midwife last time because I absolutely love seeing them! I have definitely decided to switch over to them so they will be delivering our baby. I talked with her this week about the differences between midwives/doctors, what if there is complications they can’t handle, need a c-section, etc. She was very informative and said they work closely with the doctors in the practice so if there is anything that goes wrong they are always right there on call (which hopefully nothing will!). She was very reassuring and willing to take the time to talk with me. The midwives are also there during your labor as well as delivery, not just like a doctor who will come in at the last minute to deliver your baby. She said that they are there for you and will do whatever they can to help you through everything – rub your back, help you get in the whirpool, etc. So that will be wonderful to have that extra support – after all I am paying them a bunch of money so they should! J They are totally neutral on epidurals too – she said that they support whatever the woman feels is best and what they want – they’re not all like “oh you need to try to do it natural.” Matt and I just feel really good about them. There are 3 of them that rotate on call – Nancy, Mary, and Tamra. Mary is newer to the practice and young but she is absolutely fabulous. I will see Nancy next time.

The appointment went well. I made up for the 2 pounds I didn’t gain last time – I gained 4 pounds the past two weeks so I know weigh a whopping 134 (total gain of 20 pounds). My uterus is growing well too – measured 33cm this week – so only one week off my actual time (34). Mary said that I am definitely just having a smaller baby which will have part to do with that – and that on both ultrasounds the baby was on the 22nd percentile – so smaller but she said still completely healthy and fine. She felt around to see what position the baby was in again – man, does that feel uncomfortable! Her head is down but is off to my right side/pelvis area. So she still needs to move around and have her head in the center but she has a little time to do so. I start going every week now – so another appointment next Monday (it’s getting much closer!).

On a side note, sleeping through the night is now a distant memory for awhile I guess! There’s always something that keeps waking me up in the nights – and that then usually wakes Matt up too. We decided that it must be getting us ready for having the baby and not getting straight through sleep!