Bumpdate: 36 weeks

This week brought on many new changes with my body. I am really starting to feel more pressure down there along with the uncomfortableness of her dropping on my bladder! I am also getting cramps and Braxton Hick's contractions.

Yesterday's appointment went really well! Didn't gain any weight this week so I am still at +13 lbs. Blood pressure was the same as last week at 136/80. My doctor was really happy with the report of my NST from last week and she said everything looked perfect. Baby's heart beat was much better at 155bpm yesterday. I also found out that I do not have Group B Strep so that's good news! She did another cervical check and although I am not dilated she could tell that my cervix has softened and that baby has dropped since last week! Making progress! I go back next Wednesday for my 37 week check-up!

• How many weeks are you? 36 weeks
• What fruit size is your baby? Baby is the size of a honeydew!
• Cravings/Aversions? Nothing much this week!
• Any big milestones or updates? At 36 weeks she weighs about 6 pounds! Her bones have been storing calcium and have become stronger, but they are still somewhat pliable. The flexibility helps the baby accommodate the limited diameter of the birth canal without injury. Fetal kicks may actually feel more like a sliding motion now as she begins to run out of room.
• Symptoms? As I mentioned above, I am feeling a lot of pressure, cramps, and Braxton Hick's contractions. 

Here are my 7, 8, and 9 month belly shots! 3rd trimester bump!

Bumpdate: 35 weeks

35 weeks pregnant -- 35 days to go! I can't believe it! This week wasn't too exciting. We had a free weekend so we decided to go visit my in-laws and new nephew! It was nice to see everyone.

I had my 35 week appointment today and it didn't go as I expected. My blood pressure was okay at 136/80, I have gained 3 pounds which puts me at a total of 13 pounds for the pregnancy, and my urine sample came back normal. We did the GBS test which was a breeze and I had a cervical check for the first time today. No dilation. I didn't think there would be anything substantial since I am still pretty early for cervical checks. But she is still head down which is great!

Then she checked baby's heart beat with the Doppler. It was very high...around the 190's. She kept the Doppler on her for a couple minutes, but it didn't go down. She immediately wanted me to go to the hospital for a NST (non stress test). When I got there I was taken back and hooked up to the monitors. A monitor to catch baby's heart beat and another to monitor any contractions. Baby was super active which the doctor's were very happy about. Her heart rate would go up when she was moving and then back down which is what they wanted to see. I was having quite a few contractions, but they were not concerned. After and hour of monitoring they discharged me. They said that everything looked great and I shouldn't be worried at all. They attributed the little scare to a very active baby and the fact that I hadn't eaten anything all morning. I was planning on eating right after my appointment (which I always do), but being sent to the hospital didn't allow me to eat and by that time it was lunch time.

I am so relieved that Maggie is okay. I am happy that my doctor took the necessary precautions by sending me to the hospital, but I don't want to go back there again until I am in labor!

• How many weeks are you? 35 weeks
• What fruit size is your baby? Baby is the size of a honeydew!
• Cravings/Aversions? Gummy bears... so odd!
• Any big milestones or updates? At 35 weeks she is mostly developed now with the majority of her effort geared towards rapid weight gain. Her skin is now less wrinkled as she gains even more body fat. Studies show that if she were to be born at this stage she would probably do very well, with little to no long-term health issues.
• Symptoms? Same amount of Braxton Hick's as last week.

 

I have scheduled all of my weekly appointments up until 40 weeks! Next Tuesday is my next one and I will be checked again for dilation/effacement at every appointment from here on out.

Bumpdate: 34 weeks

34 weeks was pretty low key. Not too much going on. We had our 4th and final Lamaze class on Sunday. I can't believe that our classes are over! We really enjoyed them and hope they make somewhat of a difference when I am actually in labor. We still have our breast feeding class coming up in 2 weeks.

• How many weeks are you? 34 weeks

• What fruit size is your baby? Baby is the size of a honeydew!

• Cravings/Aversions? Tortilla soup from Max & Erma's.

• Any big milestones or updates? At 34 weeks she can now open and close her eyes. Research shows that her pupils also constrict when exposed to bright lights. Finger nails and toe nails are now well-formed and may often grow up from the nail bed to reach the tip of the fingers and toes.

• Symptoms? Same amount of Braxton Hick's as last week. My energy is definitely not where it used to be.

Bumpdate: 33 weeks

We had our 3rd Lamaze class over the weekend and again, it went really well! I wish we had a class each week up until my due date and not only 1 more left! This week we learned about the many medical interventions...the pros/cons, advantages/risks to each. Then we did a bunch of pushing exercises which was interesting! 

The nursery is pretty much done! I can't believe it all came together so wonderfully! We still have a shower in a few weeks so I will be putting the finishing touches on the room once that's over. I will post pictures on here once it's done!

• How many weeks are you? 33 weeks

• What fruit size is your baby? Baby is the size of a honeydew!

• Cravings/Aversions? Nothing much.

• Any big milestones or updates? At 33 weeks she weighs about 4 pounds and will continue to gain about 1/2 pound each week until birth! In addition to nutrients, the umbilical cord is supplying her with immune proteins called antibodies that will help her fight infections after birth.

• Symptoms? More Braxton Hicks's. Feeling more and more pressure "down there." Not much else went on this week, symptom-wise.

I had my 33 week appointment on Thursday the 8th and everything went really well! Baby's heartbeat was a strong 155bpm. Blood Pressure was good at 132/80. No weight gain which is really exciting! My fundal height was only measuring 2 weeks ahead (35cm)...my doctor said that the belly measurement is evening out now. I go in for my LAST bi-weekly appointment on Wednesday the 21st where they will do my GBS test and also check my cervix for the first time. Then we are on to weekly appointments! Crazy!