We're Getting Close 36 Weeks - the countdown begins! Even though I've read that 37 weeks is considered "full term," my OB said he considers it at 36 weeks so today is that day. The Bean could be born now and would most likely have fully functioning lungs and not need any special care. What a milestone!
I've been doing OK. I still get tired pretty easily but I've had a bit more energy. My bladder feels full all the time and I've been waking up a lot during the night, although it seems like I can get a good stretch of sleep in between 2 and 6 a.m. Joy. John went to PA for a long weekend and is coming back tonight. I got a bunch done while he was away, and the attic is in much better shape for my parents' arrival. They'll be here in 2 weeks - wow! I've been feeling cramping on and off as well as some pelvic pressure and twinges in my cervix. All normal from what I've been told, and it really feels like my body is preparing to birth this baby. I've been feeling pretty calm about the whole thing, I really think the Bradley classes have been good for that. No feelings of panic or terror, and I'm not even that anxious - yet. I'm sure there are a few more levels of discomfort to get through before I get antsy about the bean's arrival date.
I visit my rheumatologist tomorrow and can start my Christmas shopping there by hitting a homemade chocolate store my parents love. Wednesday I have a prenatal and my first weekly non-stress test plus an ultrasound to measure amniotic fluid. I'll have these every week from now until the end. Then Thursday we're planning to go to our "optional" Bradley class since she'll be doing a trial run of the labor. Should be fun!
2006-11-08 (35 weeks)
Good Prenatal Visit I just wanted to make a quick update as I had a great visit with the doctor today. My blood pressure was back to normal - 110/78, and he said that the swelling, weight gain and all my other symptoms were perfectly normal at this point in the pregnancy. His advice was to keep resting a lot and to drink lots of water. My headaches seem to have cleared up too. Don't know if it's the weather or possibly the raspberry leaf tea I've been drinking at night. It's supposed to prepare the uterus for delivery so I started drinking it a few days ago.
The doctor also said I'm measuring at 36 weeks, so only a few days ahead. He said based on what he could feel the baby seems to be of an average size and he doesn't think it's going to be an enormous baby. Yay! He also said my ovarian cyst, which I can feel on my left side really prominently now, could cause me to measure a little ahead. He did the Group B Strep swab today so I'll get the results of that next week. I'll be visiting weekly now to do non-stress tests and to take ultrasounds to make sure the amniotic fluid and placenta are good. He didn't do an internal though, which I was happy about. He said he would start doing them at 38 weeks and that sounds good to me. I'm happy not to rock the boat and just let things be so they will progress on their own, and he feels the same way. He also said that as of Monday I will be 36 weeks and will be considered full term! I thought it was 37 weeks based on what I've read but he goes by 36 weeks. Wow!
John is going to Pennsylvania with a friend for 4 days so I'll be alone this weekend. Everything should be OK so I'm not getting worried about it. I'm hoping to use the time to get major cleaning done in the house, which I haven't had the energy to do during the week. We have our last Bradley class tomorrow night and then he leaves on Friday.
2006-11-06 (35 weeks)
More of the Good/Bad Balancing Act
Oh what a crazy week it has been, I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll start with my health. I officially gained 4.5 pounds in 1 WEEK. I didn't make any changes to my eating to merit the gain - in fact I ate pretty healthy all week with plenty of homecooked meals. Yet I stood by and slowly watched the scale creep up. I'm fairly certain it's water weight, which I've managed to avoid so far. My hands and feet are bloated now, and they haven't been for the earlier part of the pregnancy. They're not horrible (my shoes still fit) but I never get that kind of bloating so I think that's what the issue is.
I've also had a steady headache along with lots of fatigue over the past week. That, combined with the huge weight gain, prompted me to go to the local grocery store and use their blood pressure machine to check myself as I know those are early indicators of preeclampsia. My blood pressure has been on the low side for the entire pregnancy - about 110/60. Well, when I went yesterday it was at 142/78! I checked again and got a reading of 140/83 and started to panic. I finished my shopping and came home and just broke down to John as I was convinced I'd be put on bed rest and possibly have to have an induction or a c-section, foiling all my hopes for an uncomplicated natural childbirth.
After he got me to calm down, I called the doctor and she sent me over to the hospital to get some tests - just to be on the safe side. My 3rd trip to Labor & Delivery (the 2nd one was our hospital tour 2 weeks ago). It was empty in there this time and they quickly hooked me up and got a blood pressure reading of 122/72, which made me feel better immediately. They think the high reading at the grocery store was due to my being stressed and running around beforehand, or possibly the machine's calibration being off. Anyway, after a few tests they determined all is well with me and the baby and they sent me on my way with a recommendation to just take it easy. Which I've been doing since I have hardly any energy!
Some positive things happened this week too. I got my hospital bag put together (good thing too as we did a trial run with it last night) and the carseat is now in the car. I also got the car waxed and washed inside and out so it won't present a biohazard for my parents or the bean. I've been plugging away at my list of things left to get for the baby and it's relatively small now. In any case, the baby could come at any time and I feel like we're prepared for the bean's arrival now. Which is good since a woman in my Bradley Class who was due 5 days before me gave birth last weekend! Her daughter was over 5 pounds and was able to breathe on her own, yay! That just reminds me that nature does not follow a calendar.
I had another growth ultrasound on Friday and all is well with the bean. They're estimating his/her weight at 6 pounds and 4 ounces already! I know those estimates can be way off, so I'm not getting antsy about having a huge baby. I've believed all along that this kid will come out at around 7-8 pounds just like most kids do. All the other growth factors were good, everything is right on target. And we got a few more pictures so I've updated the photo album. I go in for a prental this Wednesday and they will do the Group B Strep Test to determine if I'll need antiobiotics during labor. I hope not, but if I do the doctor said I could have a heplock so that I can stay moble more easily during labor.
2006-10-30 (34 weeks)
Has Time Sped Up? It sure seems like time is going by quickly now. Only 2 more Bradley classes left, and we had our tour of the hospital last Monday. It was good, we felt better after seeing where the birth will happen and asking a few questions. I also finalized my birth plan last night for the most part, and I've been slowly crossing things off my project list. I did a little shopping on Friday and feel more prepared for the Bean's arrival too. We have little things in the house now like infant acetaminophin and diaper rash ointment. I also picked up some cheap gowns for the hospital and a robe so I'll be more comfortable there. I have most of the stuff assembled for the hospital bag - no I just have to get the bag out of the basement and pack it!
I can't believe this pregnancy will be "full term" in 3 weeks. Wow. In my mind, that means the baby will be coming in the next 3-6 weeks. I'm definitely ready. I've been feeling good for the most part, although more uncomfortable. My lower back hurts more now, and I get short of breath much easier. I can feeel the Bean taking up my entire abdomen. It's weird, but cool to feel little parts like feet and what I guess is the butt sticking out. My energy level is pretty low, for me, but I've been taking naps in the afternoon for an hour or so and that seems to help.
On the home improvment front, John has almost finished repairing the floor in the attic and we should be able to paint it next weekend. The guest bed and dresser are already set up, it's just a matter of arranging the furniture properly now. Then he has to install the ralings along the incline and top of stairs and the attic will be ready for my parents. Of course the painting won't be finished and there are other minor things like installing blinds and curtains, but it will essentially be ready.
I've got a busy week planned with a bunch of appointments. Friday morning I'm getting an ultrasound in the morning and then a prenatal massage in the afternoon. I can't wait for that - it seems like forever since my last one. And Saturday morning we have an Infant/Adult CPR class at the hospital in the morning. Guess I better get to it!
