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!

Bumpdate: 32 weeks

We had a pretty busy week! Thursday was the grandparent class that I attended with my mom. It was good for me to go since Marcus and I aren't taking a "newborn care" class and this was very similar to that. Mom liked the class a lot too. 

Our nephew was born Saturday, July 27th! My sister-in-law, Jordan, gave birth via c-section to an 8lb handsome little boy. Marcus and I took the trip up there Saturday afternoon to visit all of them. It was awesome to meet our nephew for the first time! We are planning on taking the weekend of August 17th to go up there and visit them again.

Sunday was our 2nd Lamaze class and hospital tour. I really hope the relaxation techniques we are learning will be put to good use. I really enjoyed the different breathing & labor positions that we learned. Our hospital tour went really well! Makes me even more excited to have this little girl!

• How many weeks are you? 32 weeks

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

• Cravings/Aversions? My appetite has increased this week. Not cravings or aversions, but I always feel hungry!

• Any big milestones or updates? At 32 weeks her skeletal muscles are growing stronger and her bones are hardening even more. She's looking like a newborn every day. As her circulation continues to improve and she gains more fat, she can regulate body temperature better and may start to shed the fine layer of hair called lanugo. More hair is starting to grow on the top of her head and, due to increased pigmentation resulting from more melanin production, it now has some color.

• Symptoms? More Braxton Hicks's. Lot of uncomfortable heartburn at night.

Bumpdate: 31 weeks

Very busy week! We had an info meeting with the pediatrician we are going to use and it went really well! We really like the practice and they had great hours. I'm excited to get that off my to-do list. This weekend Marcus's family came down and we got to swim some which was nice.

We had our first Lamaze/labor/birth class on Sunday; the first of 4. We really liked it! I really really like our instructor and the way she teaches. This week focused on the process of labor and delivery, signs or labor, and breathing techniques through each contraction. Next week we have a hospital tour included!

Tuesday was our check-up and growth scan. Because my fundal height was measuring 3 weeks ahead at our last appointment my doctor wanted me to go in for an ultrasound this week. Well, everything looks perfect! Baby measured in the 45th percentile and currently weighs 3lb 12oz! They estimate that she'll weigh just under 7.5 lbs at birth! She's even head down! The fluid level also looks great and the tech thinks she will stay head down the rest of the time. I hope so! Her heartbeat was 146bpm.

My blood pressure was a little better than last week and my doctor was very happy with the readings from my at-home monitor this past week. I gained 2lbs since my last appointment 2 weeks ago so my total is at 10lbs now. She measured my belly and I am now measuring at 37cm!!!! That's 6 weeks ahead! However, she wasn't concerned at all since baby is at such an average weight.

• How many weeks are you? 31 weeks / 1 day

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

• Cravings/Aversions? Nothing much this week!

• Any big milestones or updates? At 31 weeks she is starting to move around more, flip upside down, rotate, and even turn her head from side-to-side. Her brain is now fully developed, with speech and language centers in the process of development. Complex neurological connections and learning will continue throughout the pregnancy and long after birth.

• Symptoms? I had a few Braxton Hick's contractions the other day, about 4 back-to-back that were really intense. Hoping that doesn't happen again for awhile! 

My next appointment is scheduled for Thursday, August 8th at 8:10am!

Bumpdate: 30 weeks

I've hit yet another milestone! I am officially in the 30's! The countdown has begun!

• How many weeks are you? 30 weeks!

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

• Cravings/Aversions? I have been loving my ice cream this week! This summer heat isn't making this craving manageable either...I eat a bowl almost every 2 days! Fruit is also a craving.

• Any big milestones or updates? At 30 weeks fetal REM activity occurs at this stage indicating distinct sleep and wake cycles. She may spend much of the time sleeping, but her sleep cycle is not necessarily timed with mine. She can now open, close, and blink her eyes. Her vision is still rather poor at this stage and will remain so for a few months after delivery.

• Symptoms? Same as last week. BH's & sleep issues. 

We had our first baby shower this past weekend! It was hosted by my aunts, sisters, and godmother and it was at my parent's house! It was a wonderful day and they decorated the space inside so beautifully! The shower was an owl theme; owl fruit bowl, owl cupcakes, owl decor! We had about 20 people show up and we all had a great time. Baby girl received many gifts! We got her Rock N' Play, Pack N' Play, travel system, blankets, toys, and TONS of clothes!