First time momma

False alarm... kinda. I was having contractions, but they weren't bad enough even though they were a lot worse than the ones I'd had off and on for the last week. They monitored baby and contractions, checked me again to see if the contractions made progress (nada), did all my paperwork (one less thing to do today) and looked over my birth plan (had a bunch written in pen :/ lol I didn't have time to reprint it!). Then they sent me home with sleeping pills and T3 to try get some sleep! It worked but I had to take both sleeping pills so I was awake for an hour before I took the 2nd one (per her suggestion since I never take sleeping pills.

I'll be back later today for cervadil and probably stay in hospital since my fluid is low (like a 2.5... not sure if they measure fluid levels the same in the states as they do here but that seems super low to me). Time to pack some bored games and chug some water! Baby is still moving great and I'm getting really excited!

For those of you who don't have babies yet and find it awkward to be checked down there... it is still awkward for me, but not as bad as it used to be! I'll let you know how I feel about it after I push something out of there with everyone watching! Haha!

41 weeks

If you know me in real life, you will be in HUGE trouble if you share this information (especially today's) with anyone!

Dr appointment:

• 1 cm dilated (still... booooo!)
• 25-50% effaced (up from 10-20%) he told me 25% then when writing it down in my records said 50%... weird eh?
• still soft
• still posterior (made the check borderline painful. very hard to reach)
• baby at a -1 station (from -3/-4 last week and 2 weeks before that!) super excited about this because it means I'm not imagining the feeling of a rock in my bum! haha

NST/Ultrasound

• baby's spine on my left
• cord all good
• heart adorable beating like a mouth opening and closing
• didn't see any big movements on the ultrasound
• fluid low so I'm on a list for induction for wednesday morning/afternoon. I'm a priority.
• NST frustrated the nurse/Dr/whatever she was because it wasn't baby's active time so we didn't get a lot of movement
• had a bunch of pretty consistent early labour/BH contractions during the test
• SUPER uncomfy position to stay in especially on my back. If I get to my induction and they need to use pitocin, I want a portable monitor! It was TERRRRRRIBLE being stuck in one position strapped to monitors!

And here's the interesting part: I was on the list for tomorrow morning/afternoon to get induced for low fluid. However, I'm having contractions and heading to the hospital shortly. Here's hoping it's not a false alarm... these hurt more!

Contraction 0:01:17 / Start 22:53:37
Rest 0:05:23 / Stop 22:54:54
Contraction 0:00:52 / Start 23:00:17
Rest 0:04:47 / Stop 23:01:09
Contraction 0:00:59 / Start 23:05:56
Rest 0:04:07 / Stop 23:06:55
Contraction 0:00:55 / Start 23:11:02
Rest 0:05:21 / Stop 23:11:57
Contraction 0:01:05 / Start 23:17:18
Rest 0:03:56 / Stop 23:18:23
Contraction 0:00:46 / Start 23:22:19
Rest 0:04:05 / Stop 23:23:05
Contraction 0:00:56 / Start 23:27:10
Rest 0:05:40 / Stop 23:28:06
Contraction 0:00:53 / Start 23:33:46
Rest 0:02:19 / Stop 23:34:39
Contraction 0:00:16 / Start 23:36:58
Rest 0:09:33 / Stop 23:37:14
Contraction 0:00:50 / Start 23:46:47
Rest 0:05:00 / Stop 23:47:37
Contraction 0:00:36 / Start 23:52:37
Rest 0:05:48 / Stop 23:53:13
Contraction 0:00:53 / Start 23:59:01
Rest 0:03:50 / Stop 23:59:54
Contraction 0:00:42 / Start 00:03:44

How your baby's growing:

A bit over 20 inches long, your baby has continued to grow and may now weigh almost 8 pounds. As cozy as he is, your baby can't stay inside you forever. For your baby's safety, your practitioner will talk with you about inducing labor if your baby isn't born in the next week friday at 11 days post due date is when they get you on the list here. we spoke about that today at my appt — earlier if there are any problems. Most practitioners won't let you wait more than two weeks past your due date to give birth because it puts you and your baby at increased risk for complications. About 5 to 6 percent of women have prolonged pregnancies that extend three or more weeks beyond their estimated due dates. Babies born at 42 weeks and beyond can have dry parchment-like skin and are often overweight. Waiting that long to deliver also increases your chance of developing an infection in your uterus that could be dangerous for your baby or of having a stillbirth. this is what makes me the most anxious... praying that all will be good! What's more, your labor is more likely to be prolonged or stalled, both you and your baby have an increased risk of injury during a vaginal delivery, and you double your chances of needing a c-section.

How your life is changing:

It's hard not to be anxious when your due date comes and goes and you're still hugely pregnant (especially when well-meaning family and friends keep calling to check on your status!). But don't fret — you won't be pregnant forever. There's a good chance you'll go into labor on your own this week, hope hope hope! and if you don't, you'll be induced by 42 weeks, or earlier if you or your baby has any problems.

The methods your practitioner uses to induce labor will depend on the condition of your cervix. If your cervix hasn't started to soften, efface (thin out), or dilate (open), it's considered "unripe," or not yet ready for labor. In that case, your practitioner will use either hormones or "mechanical" methods to ripen your cervix before the induction. Sometimes these will end up jump-starting your labor as well. seems like it might have done it to me! Depending on your situation, the procedures can include stripping or rupturing your membranes, or using drugs like oxytocin (Pitocin) to start your contractions. stripped my membranes today... barely felt it! atm I'm a candidate for cervadil (prostaglandin) If these and other methods don't work, you'll end up having a c-section.

In the meantime, be sure to tell your practitioner immediately if your baby's movements slow down or if any fluid is leaking from your vagina.

40 weeks

How your baby's growing:

It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

How your life's changing:

After months of anticipation, your due date rolls around, and... you're still pregnant. It's a frustrating, but common, situation in which to find yourself. You may not be as late as you think, especially if you're relying solely on a due date calculated from the day of your last period because sometimes women ovulate later than expected. Even with reliable dating, some women have prolonged pregnancies for no apparent reason.

You still have a couple of weeks before you'll be considered "post-term." But to be sure your baby is still thriving, your practitioner will schedule you for testing to keep an eye on her if your pregnancy continues.

You may have a biophysical profile (BPP), which consists of an ultrasound to look at your baby's overall movements, breathing movements (movement of her chest muscles and diaphragm), and muscle tone (whether she opens and closes her hand or extends and then flexes her limbs), as well as the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds her (important because it's a reflection of how well the placenta is supporting your baby).

Fetal heart rate monitoring (called a nonstress test or NST) will generally be done as well — by itself or as part of the BPP. Or, you may have what's known as a modified BPP, which consists of an NST and an ultrasound to assess the amount of amniotic fluid.

If the fetal testing isn't reassuring — the amniotic fluid level is too low, for example — you'll be induced. If there's a serious, urgent problem, you may have an immediate c-section.

Your practitioner will also check your cervix to see if it's "ripening." Its position, how soft it is, how effaced (thinned out) it is, and how dilated (open) it is can all affect when and how your labor is induced. If you don't go into labor on your own, you'll be induced, usually sometime between 41 and 42 weeks.

Pre-WW, pre-pregnancy and current picture comparison

Got the inspiration from someone on a fb group today to put my pictures all together and see what I look like now compared to what I looked like around the same weight while NOT pregnant...

First picture: side shots (had no side shot of me at my heaviest pre WW)
Left: 2 weeks pregnant
Right: 39 weeks pregnant

Second picture: face shots

Left: August 2011 at starting weight

Middle: NYE 2011 down 30ish lbs (lost another 5 before finding out I was preg) 2 weeks pregnant

Right: August 2012 up 35ish lbs (right around WW starting weight) and 35 weeks pregnant

Third picture: front shots

Left: August 2011 at starting weight

Middle: NYE 2011 down 30ish lbs (lost another 5 before finding out I was preg) 2 weeks pregnant

Right: September 20/2012 up 40ish lbs (about 5 more than starting WW weight) and 39 weeks pregnant

39 weeks

• Dr appointment was my last one before my Dr goes on holidays
• baby from U/S last thursday measures about 50th%ile for head and belly size. head is differently shaped (not basketball round but more oblong I think) and femur length is in the 90th%ile. sounds like we'll have a tall baby. estimated weight last week was about 8lbs
• t minus 6 days until my due date and a max of 17/18 days before we would be getting induced if baby isn't here
• I'm torn because I'd love my Dr to deliver baby but I'm tired of being pregnant. I'm hoping baby puts me in labour tonight and comes tomorrow before Dr leaves! lol :) best of both worlds!
• feeling stretched to the max!
• much more pelvic pain and back pain. it's so hard to get comfy at night and hurts to roll over to change positions and to get up to go to the bathroom

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

How your life's changing:

At each of your now-weekly visits, (we've been weekly for like 3 weeks already) your caregiver will do an abdominal exam to check your baby's growth and position. She might also do an internal exam to see whether your cervix has started ripening: softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening). But even armed with this information, there's still no way for your caregiver to predict exactly when your baby is coming. If you go past your due date, your caregiver will schedule you for fetal testing (usually a sonogram) after 40 weeks to ensure that it's safe to continue the pregnancy. If you don't go into labor on your own, most practitioners will induce labor when you're between one and two weeks overdue — or sooner if there's an indication that the risk of waiting is greater than the risks of delivering your baby without further delay.

While you're waiting, it's important to continue to pay attention to your baby's movements and let your caregiver know right away if they seem to decrease. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, so far baby is super active like ALL the time! lol and a noticeable slowdown in activity could be a sign of a problem. Also call if you think your water may have broken. Membranes rupture before the beginning of labor in about 8 percent of term pregnancies. Sometimes there's a big gush of fluid, but sometimes there's only a small gush or a slow leak. (Don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. Call even if you only suspect you have a leak.) Especially important being GBS+ as well. I hope contractions start first rather than water breaking. I'd rather avoid induction! If you rupture your membranes and don't start contractions on your own, you'll be induced.

38 week adventure

So last thursday I went to my Dr appointment and found a BP up around 140/90. Well that's a lot higher than usual and a huge jump from the week before. My Dr decided to send me to the hospital for monitoring. He figured I'd be there for 24 hours for monitoring.

We got there... waited around for a room for an hour. All the antepartum rooms were full so I got put in a LD room. Lovely little pee test, blood work, blood pressure, NST and more blood pressure. First BP showed what the Dr saw. After lying down for the NST for 30 mins or whatever, my BP was back at 120/80ish or whatever normal was for me.

Then they sent me home... that was a stressful day. We didn't know if I'd be stuck in the hospital to deliver the baby or not... All was good though.

At my appointment, I was dilated 1cm (boo but 1cm more than last week!), soft (but not effaced) and posterior. Oh well, that will change in labour if it doesn't before :P

We didn't tell anyone about the hospital visit though. No reason to stress anyone out.

38 weeks

37 weeks / 38 weeks

Nothing really to say since my 37 week dr appt update... I'm pretty sure baby did indeed drop though this last week.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. I'm betting brown based on hubby's eye colour though! If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How your life's changing:

For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. I have a to do list for me and one for hubby. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Still no swelling thankfully. I still have ankle bones and my fingers are normal. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called pre-eclampsia.

My to do list: 
organize the storage in the garage
organize my desk and bins
empty my hard drive
clean the bedroom clutter
sew nursing pads
make monogrammed taggies for baby
pack hospital bags (labour bag, food bag, baby bag) and put in REAL bags not shopping bags

Hubby's to do list: 
clean the toilet
store his lego somewhere other than the kitchen table
clean the books in the corner by his desk
secure the DVD shelf to the wall
empty the tupperware from the back of the car

37 week Dr appt

Since I know I'll forget all of this by monday I'm going to post it now.

• group B strep + (boooooo) will write more on this below
• internal exam to check dilation and effacement next week
• baby seems to have dropped a bit more, head doesn't wobble as much as it did last week
• because Dr is away for my entire 40th week and a bit before that, he's scheduled me for another ultrasound to assess size, fluid, and position just in case I deliver before he's back (so the on call Dr has all that info)
• heart rate normal
• BP normal (after checking with the original cuff, it read 140/whatever, so he rechecked with a bigger cuff and it read 118/whatever lol)
• fundal height 37cm
• fundal height puts baby at about the 60th%ile for growth according to the Dr's charts and has been in normal the whole time
• Dr estimating I'll deliver a 7.5lb baby (I doubt it... expecting 8.5ish)
• Dr estimating I'll deliver shortly after he comes back from vacation (Oct 1+ at 41+ weeks)
• REALLY REALLY hoping to deliver before Oct 4ish because the thought of feeling like I need to entertain MIL and SIL while in the hospital trying to learn how to feed/bathe/diaper my baby is just killing me... delivering by the 4th would mean I should be out by the 6th if all is good and they're arriving on the evening of the 5th.... plus if I deliver before they arrive, there will be no drama if they decide they are above the rules that we set for our stay in the hospital
• inductions for my Dr would start at about 11 days after your due date which in my case would be the 5th and there is a possibility of being bumped for someone who's having complications if I'm just a normal post term with no complications... that might mean that MIL/SIL wouldn't get to see baby

What being positive means for my labour:

• go to hospital AS SOON AS my water breaks
• IV antibiotics at least twice 4 hours apart during labour
• if water doesn't break before labour, go in with the 5-1-1 rule like normal

So it really doesn't mean much for my labour except I have to get an IV... which is a huge PITA considering my hospital doesn't do routine IV's for natural labouring moms (except for epidurals, pitocin, dehydration or c-sections). Hopefully I can get a heplock so I don't have to be all corded in between doses.

Info on group B strep:

What is Beta Strep, or Group B Strep? Group B Strep, or GBS is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestinal tract, rectal, or vaginal areas. Up to 30% of women have these bacteria in their vaginal flora at one time or another. Most of the time this bacteria lives in balance with other bacteria and is considered normal, however if it grows out of balance or travels to other parts of the body, such as the blood stream, the urinary tract, or meninges, problems could occur.

How Can GBS affect my pregnancy or my baby? Pregnant women infected with GBS could develop urinary tract infections, amnionitis, or endometritis. Amnionitis could cause the membranes to rupture prematurely, resulting in a pre-term baby. GBS disease could also cause a stillbirth. In most cases, however, women with GBS colonization remain asymptomatic and are only carriers of the bacteria.

If a woman is a carrier, the concern is the possibility of the baby contracting the bacteria as he/she passes through the birth canal or before birth if the membranes rupture and the bacteria passes into the amniotic fluid. Most babies exposed to GBS during birth have no symptoms and do not contract any illness, but in some cases Early Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Septicemia (ENGBSS) could result. Here, GBS bacteria infects the bloodstream and could potentially spread to the meninges (water which surrounds and protects the brain) resulting in meningitis. This could lead to brain damage or death in the baby. Other effects of the disease in babies include pneumonia, cerebral palsy, hearing or vision loss, and learning disabilities. A premature infant is at much higher risk than a full term baby of developing ENGBSS.

Most cases of GBS infection in babies are of the early onset type, which occurs within the first week of life, and often within the first 24 hours. There is also a late onset type, which is the type that most often results in meningitis and this can occur after the first week up until about three months of age. Late onset of GBS infection is only caused by exposure during birth 50% of the time, and the rest of the time is unknown.

What are the signs and symptoms of GBS in an infant?The first four to six hours after birth are the most crucial time for acute observation. Signs and symptoms to watch for are problems with temperature regulation, breathing problems and grunting sounds, fever, seizures, and stiffness or extreme limpness. All of these will be carefully monitored by your health care provider.

How often does GBS infection affect people?Different sources off different statistics on GBS infection. The Group B Strep Association estimates that 8000 babies each year in the US contract serious GBS disease, and that of these 800 will die. Another source sites that 300 babies die each year from GBS disease. The CDC estimate that the risk of a baby contracting GBS disease is .5/1000 births. Although all sources agree that it is a very small number of babies affected, strict protocols have been written by the CDC that affect an extremely large number of women and their babies.

What is the current protocol?

In 2002 the CDC wrote new GBS protocols that call for all pregnant women to have a rectal/vaginal culture to detect GBS between 35 and 37 weeks and for those who test positive to receive I.V. antibiotics during labor if certain risk factors develop that would increase the baby's chances of developing ENGBSS. These risk factors are:• Preterm Labor(less than 37 weeks)• Rupture of membranes before 37 weeks• Rupture of membranes for more than 18 hours• Temperature in mother higher than 100.5 during labor• GBS found in urine

Problems with current Protocol

One problem with the present protocol is that GBS colonization can come and go. A woman, who tests positive at 36 weeks, could become negative by the time she goes into labor as her body creates its own balance yet she will still be considered positive and receive treatment. And vice versa, she could test negative and become positive by the time she starts labor and go untreated.

This present protocol has led to 1/3 of all pregnant women and their babies being treated with I.V. antibiotics during labor which has caused and increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria, not just in GBS strains but other bacteria such as E. coli. This has led to an increase in babies being infected by other bacteria as well as some strains of GBS which are resistant to all know antibiotics.

A study of 43 newborns with blood infections caused by GBS and other bacteria found that when the mother was treated during labor with I.V. antibiotics, 88-91% of the infants' infections were resistant to antibiotic treatment. In mothers not treated during labor 18-20% of the infections were resistant.

Another less serious effect of the I.V. antibiotics is that they also wipe out the natural, healthy flora in the mother's (and baby's) body creating an environment for unhealthy flora like Candida to grow. Thrush, an infection of Candida in a baby's mouth, has become rampant since the development of this protocol.

Allergic reactions to antibiotics are also a real concern. Ten percent of mothers will have a mild reaction and one in 10,000 will experience anaphylactic shock, a severe allergic reaction to the antibiotics which threatens the lives of both mother and baby.

In women who test positive for GBS and receive no antibiotics, less than 1% of babies will become ill from GBS infection according to CDC estimates. Are these dangerous protocols truly worth it?

Are there alternative protocols?

The effectiveness of herbal therapies on GBS has not been scientifically proven and most likely won't as the drug companies won't benefit from herbal treatments for disease. However, it must be assumed that if a woman carries GBS in her body, she also carries the antibodies which will also be pass to the baby. There are herbal which could support this natural immune response in the body and keep GBS in check.

The following is an herbal regimen the mother could use during the 5 weeks prior to her due date:

• Echinacea-tincture or tea once per day• Garlic- 1 clove or 6-8 capsules per day• Vitamin C- 1000 mg/day• Probiotics- daily, follow directions on bottle• Vitamin E- 400 IU per day

This protocol can be used by women who choose not to be screened but are still concerned about GBS or by women who have tested positive for GBS but who choose to have a home birth and no antibiotic treatment, or those who just want to treat prophylactically(not testing but want to just make sure).

Another safe alternative treatment that can be used during labor is rinsing the vaginal and rectal areas with Hibiclens solution every 4-6 hours until baby is born. Hibiclens is the brand name for chlorohexidene, an antiseptic solution that is safe for both mother and baby yet very effective in reducing the incidence of GBS and E. coli infection in newborns. Unlike the herbal regimen recommended above, there have been specific scientific done which have proven the efficacy of this treatment (J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2002 Feb; 11 (2) :84-8 and British Journal of medicine 1997 Jul 26;3 15 (7102):216-9). This treatment can be used if the mother tests positive for GBS and her water breaks without labor or if other risk factors develop during labor. Your health care provider can answer any questions you may have about this safe and effective option for prevention of GBS infection in your baby.

37 weeks

This week:

• full term
• GBS test last thursday (the swab hurt my bumhole :/ that's an EXIT, not an entrance)
• internal exam indicates baby was DEFINITELY head down... bumped Dr's fingers through my cervix with its head
• baby is not in my pelvis yet (hasn't dropped) -3/-4 station
• cervix closed, high, and thick (0 dilation, 0% effaced) super awkward how difficult it was for the Dr to reach my cervix
• internal exam itself wasn't super awkward... for the pap smear he had to get his face right up in my lady bits... for this one, I didn't even have to scoot down the table, it was all by feel (since there's no way he can SEE up there to check dilation lol)
• my Dr is heading on vacay Sept 20th to Sept 30th. I'm hoping baby comes before the 20th or after the 30th. I'd really like him to deliver baby for me but honestly, I don't think it will make too much difference having a different Dr up in my bits.
• kinda debating if I want to see baby come out with a mirror or not... I don't really want hubby to see that though :/ I can't imagine how gross it might look
• I've given a lot of thought to nursing. I'm going to be a nursing mom who DOES NOT use a cover or leave the room. I'll do it discreetly and maybe use a cover or leave the room until baby and I get it down pat without flashing people. Nursing is not dirty and by hiding it, I think we're giving all those people who think it's gross and wrong, fuel for their fire against the non outspoken moms. If I'm at YOUR house and you are uncomfy with me nursing I'll go to a different room but I won't be carrying a cover to just cover up.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

How your life's changing:

Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. Still don't think I've had many of those, if at all. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. Yup, it's irritating :/ If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. Nope, nothing yet. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.)

Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. Should get them on thursday :) That way, if the result isn't yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you'll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics.

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. I've been falling asleep on the couch every night... 2-4 hours total. Once I wake up on the couch, I often go to the bed since I'm usually half asleep at that point. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before. Oh boy, definitely... baby likes to hang out in my side which hurts!

While you're sleeping, you're likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.

36 weeks

Not much to say this week. Dr appointment tomorrow (thursday) and he'll probably do an internal exam and the group B strep test (ick)... Baby is certainly strong and big and I'm getting really tired of being pregnant. Is it september yet?

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of 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 covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

35 weeks

This week:

• more painful movements than before. a few have caused me to yelp or say ouch
• measuring 34cm fundal height
• BP normal
• Dr. is thinking baby is head down
• still get dizzy standing or walking around a lot
• sleeping terribly
• pains in my low uterus when rolling over in bed and walking/standing a lot
• my hips pop when I roll over
• still love the rolls and watching baby kick my belly and DH
• heartburn hasn't been too bad lately
• breathing is getting harder
• definitely can't eat as much

How your baby's growing:

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.
 
How your life's changing:

Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week. Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she'll do a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). (Don't worry — the swab is the size of a regular cotton swab, and it won't hurt at all.) GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that's why you weren't screened earlier in pregnancy.) If you're a GBS carrier, you'll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby's risk of infection.
 This is also a good time to create a birth plan. Using our form will help you focus on specifics — like who'll be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay after you deliver. It will give you a starting point to discuss your preferences with your medical team. Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your plan to the letter, but thinking about your choices ahead of time — and sharing your preferences with your caregiver — should take some of the anxiety out of the process.

Things I still need to get (diapering finished)

For diapering:

- 7 more infant prefolds ($1.50 each) half prepped (3/7 washes)

- 24 premium prefolds ($2.00 each) prepped
- large wetbag/pail liner ($30) washed and hanging on the wall

- strong 3M hook to hang wet bag on (since our floor space in the baby's room is very full) ($10 tops)  update 8/20 hubby bought a 50c hook and installed it yesterday

- RLR to strip used diapers :) ($2.00 a pouch) diapers all stripped

- diaper cream ($10 for a large tub and $3 for a trial size) have my trial of CJ's in monkey farts smell and a roll on tube in mango, sugar and mint along with my coconut oil

- cloth wipes (36ish, need to make 8x8 2 ply flannel) (free) I have 40 2 ply wipes and 12 1 ply wipes

Would like:

- diaper sprayer (not necessary until 6 months old but will help to reduce stains now and cost of flushable liners at that point) (about $50) 
- a couple sets of diaper pins (but I have snappis to use and those will work if I don't get them)

For breastfeeding:

- pump (buying a manual if I don't get an electric) ($40) a manual from the U.S. for super cheap

- storage bags

- nursing bras for night and day (tried some cheap ones on and they gave me severe cone boob... looked really gross. so I'll be buying some good ones once my milk comes in)

- lansinoh breastfeeding cream ($15)

- tops that attach to my bra to keep my tummy covered while nursing ($25 to buy, $10 to make)

Would like:

- bottle warmer (kiinde) ($70)
- steam bags for cleaning pump (if I get an electric pump)

34 weeks

This week:

• baby feels a ton heavier
• a bought a support belt which helps a bit
• crotch pain
• lower uterus pain
• my Dr's office is closed (started friday the 11th and goes until monday the 20th)
• baby had the hiccups about once a day, sometimes twice and they drive me NUTS lol
• I got all the diapers stripped and stuffed. check out my diaper stash page for pictures
• I've been trying to get on top of chores in the house since I'm a SAHM next year and we almost NEVER clean :/ I made a chore chart and I've got small jobs to do every day.
• I'm really looking forward to baby being here.

How your baby's growing:

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.

How your life's changing:

By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Oh boy this week there were like a million more pee breaks than last week. Baby dropped or switched positions or had a huge growth spurt or something that is causing more pressure on my bladder and pain to me. 

Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy. I pretty much get dizzy anytime I'm standing. I don't have stamina for much of anything anymore.

If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly and possibly your thighs and buttocks as well, you may have a condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short). Thankfully, nope.

Up to one percent of pregnant women develop PUPPP, which is harmless but can be quite uncomfortable. See your practitioner so she can make sure it's not a more serious problem, provide treatment to make you more comfortable, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Also be sure to call her if you feel intense itchiness all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.

33 weeks

Baby is feeling really heavy now and I am really uncomfy. Sunday and Monday were super hot days here for us. I can't wear sleeved shirts anymore really or I get really hot and sweaty and feel like I'm gonna pass out more than I usually do. I have no stamina for standing or walking a lot. I'm loving the kicks and rolls I'm getting from baby. They make me so happy. Just today, CG started this new thing where I get a butt/head right in my side. I feel like I have a stitch in my side and when I press on it, lo and behold, it's a baby... lol seems to really love my right side and dislike my left side. Also, really loves my ribs. I like to sit around the house with my shirt pulled up under my boobs so I can see my belly move. It's so cool to watch. I don't feel stretched to the max yet which is good considering I probably have 7 more weeks to go at least before baby comes. Prenatal classes start tomorrow.... oh and there goes that lovely baby/stitch in my side again :/ lol

How your baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) I believe the weight... I feel it on a regular basis... and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How your life's changing:

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep sitting is fine most of the time as long as I don't slouch... sleeping takes a LONG time to get to sleep and get comfy. then I have to pee and start all over again. in 12 hours in bed, I'm lucky if I get 8 hours of sleep (tops) — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. none yet

Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. happens occasionally while in bed but I can't get comfy with my arm in a funny position. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

Many women are still feeling sexy at this stage — and their partners often agree. You may need to make some adjustments, but for most women, sex during pregnancy is fine right up until their water breaks or their labor starts. Sexy or not, sex is long gone right now... it's been SUPER painful since 24 weeks and I was paranoid since before then so we haven't done anything much.

Things I still need to get (updated)

For diapering:

- 7 more infant prefolds ($1.50 each) en route

- 24 premium prefolds ($2.00 each) en route
- diaper sprayer (not necessary until 6 months old but will help to reduce stains now and cost of flushable liners at that point) (about $50) 

- large wetbag/pail liner ($30) en route

- strong 3M hook to hang wet bag on (since our floor space in the baby's room is very full) ($10 tops)

- RLR to strip used diapers :) ($2.00 a pouch) bought 2 packs

- diaper cream ($10 for a large tub and $3 for a trial size) bought organic virgin coconut oil to use and I still need to get a tub and a trial size of CJ's BUTTer. update 8/07, bought a trial of CJ's.

- cloth wipes (36ish, need to make 8x8 2 ply flannel) (free) DONE! woooo!

 

For breastfeeding:

- pump (buying a manual if I don't get an electric) ($40)

- storage bags

- nursing bras for night and day

- lansinoh breastfeeding cream ($15)

- steam bags for cleaning pump

- bottle warmer (kiinde) ($70)

32 weeks

Not much to report... lots of movement like always and some heartburn has left me with a lump in my throat since monday... blah

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:

To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. And when I get heartburn, it's pretty bad :( Hard to sleep... To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often. Tried that, not comfy to actually sleep and I already eat little bits at a time.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor. No signs of PTL thankfully. Baby needs to stay cooking!!!

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

Why must you do this to me?

World of Warcraft is releasing its newest expansion the day after my due date... chances are baby won't be here by then but why couldn't they have released it this summer. I need entertainment! lol

If baby isn't here by then, I want to go to the midnight release again :) I'll be nice and warm. If baby is here, well then we won't go obviously. I guess late night BF sessions will be coupled by some WoW playing to stay awake lol.

31 weeks

I can't recall all that I was thinking this last week. I really should start writing things down as I go through them or something.

I redid my registry and found most of the items on Canadian websites. Stupid Canada is SOOO expensive. For example: Medela Harmony Manual pump is $29.99 on amazon.com and $64.99 or something at TJ's Kids. That's really stupid.

My mom came home from her course that she left for the day before we got back from vacation. She went "woah, you grew" lol :) Now my parents are headed off for a maximum of 3 weeks... It will be interesting to see how baby grows between now and then. I have to work on a small list of things to have shipped to my grandma's house for my parents to bring back. I'm thinking the Medela Harmony and our Baby Jogger HyChair since I haven't found the HyChair anywhere that ships to Canada yet. Also have to order the rest of the prefolds that I want for baby and perhaps an infant insert for the mamaroo. I imagine that it would work in the seat of the stroller when we get it as well.

We started painting shelves for the baby's room. I'm super excited to get them up. I bought some RLR for stripping all my used diapers and I'll get those stripped and ready for baby to use.

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot too, (dancing all night long lol) so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy. Definitely not worried because of the movement :)

How your life's changing:

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Nope, haven't felt any yet. The only tightening is when baby shoves on the front and that's only in those spots. Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; only cramps around here are gas cramps, and those suckers still hurt so much... an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before. Lower back pain when getting up from lying down but that's normal and not contraction like.

You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. No leaking that requires pads at all. Tiny bits throughout the pregnancy and quickly dries, unnoticed. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!

If you're having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons from your doctor, and what the procedure involves. We discussed this and decided way back at like 10 weeks.

Things I still need to get

For diapering:

- 7 more infant prefolds ($1.50 each)

- 24 premium prefolds ($2.00 each)
- diaper sprayer (not necessary until 6 months old but will help to reduce stains now and cost of flushable liners at that point) (about $50) 

- large wetbag/pail liner ($30)

- strong 3M hook to hang wet bag on (since our floor space in the baby's room is very full) ($10 tops)

- RLR to strip used diapers :) ($2.00 a pouch)

- diaper cream ($10 for a large tub and $3 for a trial size)

- cloth wipes (36ish, need to make 8x8 2 ply flannel) (free)

For breastfeeding:

- pump (buying a manual if I don't get an electric) ($40)

- storage bags

- nursing bras for night and day

- lansinoh breastfeeding cream ($15)

- steam bags for cleaning pump

- bottle warmer (kiinde) ($70)

29/30 weeks

2 week recap:

• vacation: driving all the way to NV was easy and I didn't have to pee much as long as I didn't drink too much
• baby shower (in separate post)
• didn't get enough water/milk while on vacay
• baby kicks are almost 90% shoves now and I rarely get one shove at a time
• iron is at the low end of normal... 14 the Dr said but I'm not sure what the middle of normal would be so I'm on a supplement which should give me some energy
• I love watching my stomach move up and down as baby moves around and I love the feeling of the trippy rolls. They're cooler than the shoves.
• DH got whacked in the face so hard that it kicked his face off my stomach.
• baby loves to sit so close to the outside of my stomach right now that I can push and feel where the majority of its body is
• heartburn isn't really frequent but it makes me miserable when it shows up
• the pelvic pain really hurts but it's not super bad thankfully
• baby has lots of diapers now :)
• definitely have had a few miserable evenings lately but they're the worst ones so far in 30 weeks
• not ready for labor yet but I'm hoping closer to the end I get some miserable days so I look forward to getting baby out and am not so scared
• fundal height is 31cm

This is pretty much a dream pregnancy I think and I'm feeling very blessed and lucky to have it this easy. I'm trying really hard to not take advantage of anything.

29 weeks 

last week in the 20's woohoo!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day. Wasn't so great at milk or water drinking while on vacay last week... I'm gonna get back on that now!

How your life's changing:

Your baby's very active now. Oh boy, I believe that! This kid never stops moving I swear!! Your healthcare provider may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let your provider know if you ever notice that your baby is becoming less active. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. No constipation, I'm really lucky there but when heartburn shows up, she stays for a long time! The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion. Sluggish digestion can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation.

Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy. Fortunately, they usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth. Clear so far and hoping I don't have to deal with any... fingers crossed!!!!!

If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your provider before using any over-the-counter remedies during pregnancy, and let your provider know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.

Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy. This happens when lying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might notice that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. I notice this but so far laying on my back doesn't make me dizzy, just occasionally hurts because of my heavy belly. To avoid "the spins," lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

 

30 weeks
10 weeks to go! Tomorrow (really today since it's like 1am) marks 9 weeks and 6 days left, which is also 69 days!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). Wow baby puts on 1/4 to 1/2 a pound per week at this point. That's amazing... A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.) Good to know.

How your life's changing:

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. I've got lower iron too which apparently probably makes me tired. I'm on 300 mg/day supplements so we'll see if that makes me more awake. I definitely go through random tired streaks but I'm able to stay up late if I sleep in late. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Joints relaxing cause sharp stabbing knife-like pain in my pelvic bones when rolling over in bed, getting in and out of bed and occasionally walking around. It's no fun but thankfully not as bad as it could be.

Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size. Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.