Another appointment

Just got back from the doctor's office. Nothing too spectacular to report. No dilation, but I am about 50% thinned out. Right on track for a baby on or near the 23rd of November. I'm retaining fluid for the first time, which isn't such a joy. My feet and legs were a little swollen but nothing too bad. We go back again next week. We're going next Wednesday instead of Thursday to the doctor. My doctor is going on a trip to Europe and will be gone from Nov. 6 through Nov. 20, so she's really hoping I stay on track and just wait until she gets back before I have the baby.

Are we there yet?

Okay, so I've been a blogging slacker. I would like to blame on the amount of work I'm trying to get finished before I'm on maternity leave. However, I'm just generally lazy these days. I've reached the uncomfortable stage and I just don't have a lot of motivation to do much of anything. My back is still achy and wow, do I waddle! Getting in and out of bed should be an Olympic event, so I could at least win a medal for all my efforts. But, less than a month to go. The nursery is practically ready--I'll post pictures when the painting is done and everything is in its place. I still haven't packed a bag for the hospital, but really, I figure I have plenty of time for that.

The next doctor's appointment is tomorrow morning. We'll see if there's been any progress by that point. I'm doubtful, but I guess you never know.

36 Weeks

Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Well, our little guy is definitely head down. That's not been a problem for him. His feet are right up under my ribs, particularly on my right side, which is really not so comfortable. We start going to the doctor every week now, so I'll get to see the ladies of Women's Health Group all the time.

35 Weeks

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.


Well, he may not be doing somersaults, but he sure is moving around a lot. It feels like he's just pushing on me trying to make more space and there's not any more space in there!

A Baby by Thanksgiving!

Well, that's at least our doctor's prediction. Had an appointment this morning and everything is still looking good. Blood pressure and weight are right on track. We'll know more after our next appointment in 2 weeks, but our doctor thinks we'll have Little Man here by Thanksgiving. She wants Nov. 21st because she's on call that night. At my office the over/under date is Nov. 15 and most people are choosing before the 15th.

34 Weeks

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

The Daily Whine

I am not going to post this on a daily basis, but at least for now, I must whine. We are now at 33 1/2 weeks (not that I'm anxious or anything) and I have officially hit the miserable and uncomfortable stage. I'd seen glimpses of this stage, but they were temporary. Well, not anymore.

My back has pretty much hurt all day. Just that lovely, dull ache in the lower and middle back. It is not comfortable to sit, stand, or lie down. So basically, it hurts just to exist! I feel like I've chewed an entire bottle of Tums. I know I haven't, but it feels like it. Heartburn, acid reflux--it's all good stuff. And Little Man is just moving constantly. Our doctor told us we should be able to count something like 10 movements in a 30-minute period. Hah! This little guy does 10 movements in 20 seconds. His range of activity consists of hanging out right on top of my bladder, pushing his feet or some other appendage into my ribs so that I can't breathe, or (and this is my personal favorite) positioning himself so he is perfectly horizontal in my belly as if to try and stretch out my belly even more. But there's a problem with that--there's no more room! I don't know how he's going to grow any more in the next few weeks.

So, there's my lamenting for the day. I'm officially miserable. I can't decide if this stage is better or worse than the first trimester of being sick all day and sleeping non-stop.