Bumpdate: 40 weeks

I am officially overdue! I can't believe I have made it to 40 weeks! A lot happened this week. Symptom-wise, this week was a lot like last week; random contraction, cramping, and lots of walking.

On Tuesday I had my 40 week appointment. First, we had an ultrasound to check the fluid level and her size. Everything looked really good! She is measuring in the 38th percentile at 7lbs10oz. The fluid level was at a 10 which was normal. They could see calcium deposits on my placenta, but this is normal. The placenta starts to age at this late in the game.

Then we had my regular check-up with my doctor. My blood pressure was a little high at 138/80, but she assured me that it's normal for it to creep up at the end of pregnancy. I didn't gain any weight this week so still at +16lbs. I had another cervical check and I made some progress! I was 1/2cm dilated and 75% effaced! My doctor also said that she has dropped some since last week too. I was very happy to hear that something was progressing!

We also scheduled an induction date for next Tuesday the 1st at 8pm. They will start me out with Cervadil right away and then start Pitocin the next morning. So no matter what we will have a baby by Wednesday!

• How many weeks are you? 40 weeks / 1 day
• What fruit size is your baby? Baby is the size of a newborn baby :)
• Cravings/Aversions? Nothing much
• Any big milestones or updates? At 40 weeks her brain has developed remarkably over the past 9 months, but it will continue to expand crucial neural pathways for the next few years following birth.
• Symptoms? Same as last week...random contractions and cramps. No indication that I will go into labor anytime soon.

Bumpdate: 39 weeks

Very uncomfortable this week! Every movement comes with aches, pains, and cramps....especially while sleeping! I am so ready to meet her! I have started feeling "real" contractions and not just Braxton Hicks. I got a few in a row a couple days last week, but they never stuck.

I had my weekly appointment today. I've gained 2lbs and I am now at +16lbs for this pregnancy. My blood pressure looked good at 132/80. Fundal height is 40cm and her heart beat was 155bpm. I was checked again and...surprise surprise...no change AT ALL! Still not dilated and only 50% effaced. I was pretty bummed to hear this since I have felt so different this week.

• How many weeks are you? 39 weeks
• What fruit size is your baby? Baby is the size of a watermelon!
• Cravings/Aversions? Nothing much
• Any big milestones or updates? At 39 weeks her organs are well-developed and ready for function outside the womb. She continues to practice breathing and her lungs continue to produce surfactant.
• Symptoms? Started to feel "real" contractions this week. More pressure and cramps. Very uncomfortable doing almost everything!

Bumpdate: 38 weeks

We had a pretty laid back week. After my appointment last Wednesday up until Sunday I wasn't feeling any Braxton Hick's at all. Monday hit and I was feeling a ton of pain in my upper right abdomen...called my doctor and she said it was normal and probably just the uterus expanding and brushing my ribs. I've been still feeling cramping and some contractions this week, but nothing substantial.

I had my 38 week check-up today. I've lost a pound since last week putting me at 14 lbs total. Blood pressure was good at 132/80. Fundal height was 38cm which is perfect. Baby's heart beat was in the 160's which my doctor was fine with. Had another cervical check and, of course, no progress has been made since last week. Bummer! I agreed to a membrane sweep, but obviously they couldn't do it since I'm not dilated yet. We will try again next week. Once I got home I noticed a ton of dark brown discharge which I am assuming was just because of the cervical check.

• How many weeks are you? 38 weeks
• What fruit size is your baby? Baby is the size of a watermelon!
• Cravings/Aversions? Nothing much
• Any big milestones or updates? At 38 weeks baby is still getting heavier each day. By now she weighs close to 7 pounds. Her digestive system has not fully developed, in part because it had not yet begun processing food. Her first taste of breast milk after birth will help her digestion develop further.  She has spent some time swallowing proteins in the amniotic fluid which will help form her first bowel movements. 
• Symptoms? A lot less contractions, but the same amount of cramping. I also experienced some dizziness which I hope doesn't come back! 

Bumpdate: 37 weeks

FULL-TERM, baby! Very happy we have made it this far and that we are both healthy! This means we have 3 weeks until my due date! I really think she will not be making her appearance anytime soon.

This weekend was my last baby shower on Sunday. We had a great time, had nice weather, and got everything we needed for her. We got a bunch of big ticket items (swing, monitor, and high chair) along with many other things including tons of clothes! I went to Babies R Us the next day to return some things and buy the remaining items that we will need. I think we are all set for her arrival!

Sunday night was rough for me. After a long day I was having horrible lower back pain. It was constant and the only thing that I could do was rock on my yoga ball. Finally after 4 hours of this I was able to fall asleep and when I woke up the next morning I felt better. I was getting worried that it was the start of labor, but I am glad that it stopped!

Today I had my 37 week check-up. It was a pretty boring appointment. Blood pressure was good (I forgot to ask what it was), I gained 2 lbs this week, and my urine sample came back fine. Fundal height is measuring 38cm and her heart beat was in the 150's today. She checked me again and I have made little to no progress since last week. Still not dilated and 50% effaced. But the baby's head is still down which is good news. We'll see if there's any change next week!

• How many weeks are you? 37 weeks
• What fruit size is your baby? Baby is the size of a watermelon!
• Cravings/Aversions? Nothing much this week!
• Any big milestones or updates? At 37 weeks she continues to practice breathing, moving around, sucking her thumb, and blinking. Her vagina, clitoris, and labia majora are now well-developed.
• Symptoms? Back pain, cramps, and the same amount of Braxton Hicks. Still have good energy!

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.