37 week update (FULL TERM!!!)

Last Saturday marked 37 weeks - aka FULL TERM!!  YAY!!  That means if I go in to labor right now - baby will be ready.  I'm not feeling any different really.  Just more of all the usual symptoms - more sleepless nights, more breathlessness, sore feet, etc. especially pelvic pressure.  I feel like I have to drag my belly around now.  The lack of sleep doesn't seem to be affecting me that much though.  I'm still productive at work and still want to do things at home.  It's just that physically I can't - which gets really frustrating.  I love the fall season and there is nothing more that I like to do at this time of year than go on long walks with the dog.  Well, none of that for me these days!  I'm lucky to be able to take her on a walk for 4 blocks.  LOL!  The fall season always inspires me to start cooking up a storm too - also something I can't do so much due to not being able to stand on my feet for long periods of time.  Boooo!!!  Thank God for crockpots though:)

Good news is that it'll be all over soon.  I have less than 3 weeks til my due date and even if the lil guy decides to be late, this time next month I will definitely NOT be pregnant!  Seems weird to think about.  We spent so much time and energy to get pregnant that when we were finally successful it seemed like a dream at first.  I still couldn't believe it well in to my 2nd trimester.  But something changed between then and now - it became normal to be pregnant and almost feels like I've been pregnant for much longer than I really have been.  I look back to 1 year ago when we were just starting to go thru our first IVF cycle and I cannot believe that it was only 1 year ago!  I was so uncertain about any of this and had so much anxiety about the unknown - how I would react to the meds, how many tries it would take, the financial and emotional cost.  So much has happened both physically and emotionally since then.  Even our identities have changed.  Before we viewed our infertility as a part of who we were - something that we just had to live with.  But now, we don't see ourselves that way anymore.  It was just a temporary condition that we had to conquer - it was never who we were... but that's what it really felt like.  That sense of desperation and failure was so normal that we didn't notice feeling that way after awhile.  I'll never forget what that felt like and am actually grateful that God gave us that cross to bear because it has truly made us better people.  We will never consider ourselves as fully "fertile" though.  Getting pregnant did not magically cure our infertility.  IVF and God blessed us with a baby and we are forever grateful.  But when we start to talk about a possible #2, it will still not be as easy of a decision for us to consider as it would for fertile couples.  I think that will be something that we will both want (still have to wait and see for how things work out with this lil guy) - but chances are it still won't be easy.  ...Anyway, I digress....this is a thought for another day!

Back to the present - things have been such a whirlwind!!  The main culprit is work.  I have had deadline after deadline for the past 2 months - driving me CRAZY!  I wanted to take it easy my 3rd trimester and be able to "coast" until the end at work.  But it has not turned out that way.  So my blogging endeavors have been just posting my weekly or biweekly belly pic.  I do have week 37 but have been lazy transferring the picture to the computer.  I wish we had started taking the pics with just my iphone - that way there would be none of this plugging in stuff to get the pic on the computer!  Ah, how spoiled I have become!  Used to be that I had to go to CVS to get the pics developed and I had to wait a whole hour for someone else to develop them.  Then to get them on the computer I would either have to request a CD or scan them in.  Things have definitely gotten simpler!  And now I complain about just having to go downstairs to get the camera and plug it in.  Ack!  Oh well, I'll post it later tonight I swear!

So I'm in between deadlines today.  Just coming off of the last mega push last Friday.  Gearing up for the next push coming up next week but it should be a much easier deadline.  After that who knows what I'll be working on!  I wanted to start my leave on October 28th but unless I have a valid medical reason - like I gave birth or I'm having quantifiable difficulties (feeling like a beached whale is not a quantifiable difficulty), I cannot start my leave until I deliver.  UGH!  People at work have said that I could go on leave whenever I feel like I'm not productive anymore but that's not what HR says.  Oh well.  Hopefully it won't be much longer.  And if I go past my due date I don't think my OB is going to want to let me keep the lil guy in there much longer due to my stature - it's just not healthy for the baby.  My supervisor is allowing me to work from home pretty much full time.  So that helps out a lot especially since I can barely fit in my last pair of maternity jeans.  Just sitting at work is damn uncomfortable regardless of what I'm wearing though.  I have a thick cushion on my chair to help with my tailbone and pubic bone pain (but to no avail) and I have a short foot rest under my desk to try to alleviate the swelling - but none of these really help.  By the afternoon I am always so swollen and the pain is almost too much.  I am MUCH better at home sitting on my couch with thick cushions & feet on my ottoman.  It's really shocking how much better I feel.  So that's what I've been doing and will continue to do so until it's go time!  Plus by working at home I am just a 10 minute drive away from the hospital where I will be delivering at - so should I go in to labor while I'm working I won't have to dangerously drive myself or ask someone at work to drive me home (which would take 30 minutes).  Hubby works from home pretty much full time so he'll be here to load up the car and take us to the hospital when I'm ready.  They really say to take your time too in getting to the hospital - maybe even take a nap or go to bed if I start contractions at night.  I feel like taking a nap or going to bed is totally unrealistic at that point but once contractions are 5 minutes apart I am to call my OB.  Assuming she says I'm ready, we'll leave for the hospital - not the second I feel the first contraction.  So I don't think it'll be mad chaos but still would rather not have to deal with contractions or possibly my water breaking at work.  LOL!

So things have been going well pregnancy-wise.  No issues to report.  Relatively uneventful - except for the beginning when I was spotting constantly.  We had our final ultrasound today to check for "estimated fetal weight".  Baby might not be as big as we had feared he would be!  He weighed in at 6 lbs. 11 oz.  His head is measuring 9 cm.  Still small enough to fit thru a fully dilated (10 cm) birth canal.  I know he'll grow between now and labor day, but it's a good sign I guess.  We have to go back tomorrow for my regular check up and to discuss the results with my OB.  I'm hoping she'll be optimistic that I can do it vaginally.  However, it'll probably still be a wait and see approach since I'm smaller than most people - I'm confident about my hips though! 

I will post another update tomorrow after my appointment.  OB will be checking my cervix too so we'll see what she finds!  Fingers crossed that something is happening up there!!

36 week belly pic

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  38 lbs - scale at OB's office was indeed wrong at my 34 week weigh in.  YAY!!  (goal at 40 weeks was 35 lbs - goal is now 42 lbs)

Maternity Clothes:  Yup!  Hope it stays warm enough so I don't need to buy a coat or sweaters.  Still wearing my flip flops!

Movement:  Lots of shifting.  Still likes punching my ovaries and bladder from time to time.

Sleep:  Ugh - very tired but too uncomfortable to get quality sleep.  I actually dread bedtime and am eager to get up in the morning.  Don't quite know how I'm still functioning on all cylinders.

Gender:  still a BOY!

Symptoms:  pubic bone pain, vagina pain, round ligament pain at times, Braxton Hicks contractions, carpal tunnel syndrome, hands beginning round 2 of swelling, leg cramps when sleeping, sore feet, bones all over body crack when first getting up to move, tailbone pain, feet swelling and aching, still SO HOT all the time.

Cravings:  still ice cream!

Things I Miss:  stamina, bending over, ability to walk normally, my wedding ring, regular underwear!

Highlight of the Week:  My sister was down visiting this weekend.  Was good to see her!  Also all our registry items have been fulfilled.  YAY!!  We are officially ready to go!  Car seat is even installed and has been inspected by AAA.

Last Appointment:  last Tuesday, 10/1 - 35 week OB check up.  All is looking good!  Cervix is closed nice and tight.  Got the vaginal strep test in case I do deliver vaginally.  It came back all clear!

Next Appointment:  Wednesday, 10/9 - 36 week OB check.  Should be another basic check - perhaps a cervix check.  Not sure.

Preggo Lifesavers:  maternity belt, boppy cuddle pillow, adjustable flip flops, ceiling fans, macaroni & cheese & hot dogs - num num!

35 week belly pic

34 week belly pic

How Far Along: 34 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  not sure... scale at OB office says 42 lbs; home scale says 38 lbs!  (goal at 40 weeks was 35 lbs - goal is now 44 lbs)

Maternity Clothes:  Am now graduating from maternity shirts to my hubbies old t-shirts for lounge wear at home.  My black maternity pants don't fit in the hips anymore - so I'm always in my maternity jeans at work.  Thank God for a flexible dress code!

Movement:  I think I felt baby's foot or knee the other day!  Something small and hard was sticking out of my belly.  I rubbed it and after a couple wiggles, it went away.

Sleep:  about 50% of my sleep was quality sleep this week.  This is very good for me!

Gender:  BOY!

Symptoms:  pubic bone pain, vagina pain, round ligament pain at times, Braxton Hicks contractions, carpal tunnel syndrome, hands beginning round 2 of swelling, leg cramps when sleeping, sore feet, bones all over body crack when first getting up to move, tailbone pain.

Cravings:  biggest one is ice cream.  This week's treat of choice: drumsticks!

Things I Miss:  stamina, bending over, ability to walk normally, my wedding ring, regular underwear!

Highlight of the Week:  breastfeeding class - very informative!

Last Appointment:  last Tuesday, 9/17 - 34 week OB check up.  All is looking good!

Next Appointment:  Tuesday, 10/1 - 36 week OB check.  They will check for group B strep at this appointment.  This is the first of my weekly OB appointments!  Cervix checks start at ~37 weeks.

Preggo Lifesavers:  maternity belt, boppy cuddle pillow, adjustable flip flops, tums!

34 week OB check

Not much new to report.  Just had my 34 week OB check today with my regular OB doc.  All is looking great!  I gained a laughable 6 lbs in the past week - there has got to be some mistake with that number because at home yesterday I was actually 1 lb. less than what I weighed at my u/s last Monday.  My OB didn't seem too concerned - just raised her eyebrows and said with a smile, "Welllll we'll just keep an eye on that..."  She went over the results of the u/s and said everything looked great.  We started talking about baby's size and she confirmed that baby's size is probably more to do with genetics since my gestational diabetes result was nowhere near the threshold.  So we are not going to redo that test.  She did say that we will probably do another u/s at 38 weeks to check on baby's size.  If baby is still very large, we will discuss the possibility of a c-section.  She said after babies get to be over 9 lbs, they have a very hard time fitting thru the birth canal - especially since I'm pint sized, the likelihood of my body being able to birth a baby of that size naturally is very low.  We'll see though.  I'm sort of bummed about the high possibility of a c-section - was all gung-ho about a vaginal birth.  My recovery period at home and in the hospital will be longer if I need a c-section.  But at least my hooha won't be stretched to the max and torn to bits!  Plus baby won't have to go thru that stress.  She didn't say anything about about a planned c-section though - just that if that's the road that we think we're going down, she would let me approach labor naturally as long as I wasn't way past my due date.  I asked about the possibility of having to do fetal nonstress tests (NSTs) since baby might run out of room and not grow as well and therefore may need to induce.  My OB said that she doesn't expect that I'll need to do those tests since I don't have the risk factors as follows:

• diabetes that's treated with medication, high blood pressure, or some other medical condition that could affect your pregnancy.
• gestational hypertension.
• baby appears to be small or not growing properly.
• baby is less active than normal.
• too much or too little amniotic fluid.
• a procedure was done such as an external cephalic version (to turn a breech baby) or third trimester amniocentesis (to determine whether your baby's lungs are mature enough for birth or to rule out a uterine infection). Afterward, your practitioner will order a nonstress test to make sure that your baby's doing well.
• past your due date and your practitioner wants to see how your baby is holding up during his extended stay in the womb.
• previously lost a baby in the second half of pregnancy, for an unknown reason or because of a problem that might happen again in this pregnancy. In this case, nonstress testing may start as early as 28 weeks.
• you have a medical problem that may jeopardize your baby's health.
• baby has been diagnosed with an abnormality or birth defect and needs to be monitored.

She might have me do NSTs later if baby should start moving less - but since I have adequate amounts of amniotic fluid & baby is head down, she is expecting that baby will have enough room to move right up to delivery.  We'll see though!  Next OB check will be in 2 weeks.  After that it will be weekly visits and the cervix checks for effacement & dilation (thinning & opening of the cervix) will start soon after!

32 week belly pic

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  36 lbs. (goal at 40 weeks was 35 lbs - goal is now 44 lbs)

Maternity Clothes:  Ummm yea, everything maternity except for undies.  Wearing plus size undies now, if I have to go up another size I may invest in some maternity undies.

Movement:  Very noticeable now.  Baby is shaking his behind as I type - sticking it out to the left now.  He was doing something to my bladder today while I was trying to grocery shop - felt like punching.  Very uncomfortable!  Baby does not move around like clockwork right now - although seems to be a lot more often than before.  Most active in the evening and after meals.

Sleep:  What is sleep?  I have not had any for a month!  No seriously, waking up every hour or 2 to either pee or adjust my sleeping position because something is bothering me.  Common sleeping complaints: my hips ache, arms fall asleep, terrible leg cramps, too hot, or just generally can't sleep for no reason.

Gender:  BOY!

Symptoms:  pubic bone pain, vagina pain, round ligament pain at times, Braxton Hicks contractions, carpal tunnel syndrome, hands beginning round 2 of swelling, leg cramps when sleeping, sore feet, bones all over body crack when first getting up to move, tailbone pain.

Cravings:  biggest one is ice cream.  Other big ones: carbs, cereal, cold beverages

Things I Miss:  shaving my legs, painting toes, bending over without farting, working out, sushi (!), sitting in my work chair without being in pain, my normal sized boobs.

Highlight of the Week:  baby boy's brain looks normal now!

Last Appointment:  today, 9/9 - 32 week follow-up ultrasound with high-risk OB

Next Appointment:  Tuesday, 9/17 - regular biweekly OB check-up

Preggo Lifesavers:  maternity belt, boppy cuddle pillow, foot massagers (the kind you put on the floor and just roll your foot over... or hubby's hands), pedicures, air conditioning

Follow-up on baby's brain

We had our follow-up ultrasound this morning to check on the development of baby's brain.  At our 24 week heart echo the doctor thought that baby's 3rd ventricle was larger than normal.  So he said we should come back to check on it at 32 weeks.  After 8 long weeks, the verdict is finally in.  There is nothing wrong with baby's brain!  Yay!!  I was pretty worried about it at first, but after a week or so I became at peace with the situation.  There still was anxiety about it of course but I didn't google too much and tried to have faith that baby was fine.  The weeks went by fast too which helped.  I was preoccupied with showers and getting the nursery in order.  But now we have our proof that baby does not have hydrocephalus or anything else wrong with him for that matter.  Phew!  Baby had his head down (same as with the earlier ultrasound) which is good, but that meant a lot of poking and proding at my lower abdomen to get a good look at his head.  So I'm a bit sore now.  I'm glad I emptied my bladder beforehand though!  My bladder control hasn't been the best lately and I'm not sure I would've been able to hold it.  We got 3D pictures of baby's face which was unexpected!  The tech asked us if we wanted to see it.  I hesitated because babies sometimes look deformed and ugly in those pictures, but said 'yes'.  I'm glad I did because he is looking so cute!  I posted the pics below along with the regular ultrasound pics.  He had his arm and hand up by his face at first.  The tech got some shots and then tried jostling him around a bit to get him to move his arm.  He did but the expression on his face after that was priceless - he looked pissed!  LOL! 

After ruling out the brain issue, a great deal of time was spent this morning figuring out how big baby is.  Like I said the other day, I have been very curious about this!  They started measuring - first the head, then belly, arms, and legs.  The numbers that appeared on the monitor have the measurement in weeks right next to them so we could see if the size was big for his age or what.  So his head came up at 34 weeks, arms & legs at 32 weeks, belly at 36 weeks.  Whoa.  Then they combine these numbers to come up with an approximate weight.  Average weight for 32 weeks is 3 lb 12 oz.  Our baby is coming in at 5 lb 3 oz!  Almost 1.5 lbs over the average.  Yikes!!  At first the tech thought that they might want to redo my gestational diabetes test but the doctor said that since my hubby was big too, they will probably just assume it's genetics at play and forgo the additional testing since she said my levels 4 weeks ago were pretty far below the threshold.  They'd leave it up to my regular OB though.  So we'll see what she says next week at my check-up.  Hubby asked the doctor how long they let women go if they have babies measuring very large and she said that as long as I didn't have gestational diabetes, the cutoff for an early delivery is 11 lbs.  LOL!!  I really hope this baby is not that big at delivery!  Hubby said jokingly that I may have to tone it down on the ice cream since baby is turning in to a little porker.  NEVER!  Besides, I don't eat the full-fat kind and it's giving much needed calcium to the baby!  Fat is good for baby too.  It'll keep him warm when he comes out of the womb.

Honestly, I'm not shocked at how big he is.  But it does make me a bit more apprehensive of a vaginal delivery than before.  I try to remind myself that my mother-in-law delivered my hubby (who was a giant baby) vaginally and she is teeny tiny.  So I'm just going to buck up and use this time to increase my tolerance to pain.  Hopefully when the day comes, baby's head will fit inside my pelvis.  That's really the only parameter that matters during labor - well that and a cervix that dilates properly.  Lord knows my pelvis has been stretching a lot - that's all the pain I've been feeling down there.  I'm thinking that I should try and tone up my arms a bit though.  They are so weak after months of inactivity and I will need them to push!  So I may start doing some bicep curls with a 5 lb dumbbell.  Perhaps some tricep extensions too.  Wish I could do the chest, but push ups are a no-go (can't use my ab muscles - don't think I have any of those left anyway!) and I can't lay flat on my back because the weight of the baby and uterus would cut off blood supply to my legs.  I do have these bands though that have an attachment that I can hook up to a door - so I could do chest presses standing up.  Hmmm, we'll see. 

We had our 3rd childbirth class last Thursday (the 4th and last class is this week).  This included a tour of the maternity floor which was so exciting!  The maternity suites have a huge bathroom, men's lounge area (LOL) complete with wireless internet, futon-type couch, microwave, refrigerator, 2 tvs, & a desk.  Our hospital utilizes the LDRP concept - patients stay in one room for labor, delivery, recovery, & postpartum.  They have a nursery for the newborns but most moms choose to have their baby stay with them in their room which is awesome too.  Of course if you want a good night sleep after delivery you can have the nurse take baby to the nursery.  It all seemed very intimate.  You can have as much privacy as you choose, while still being in the hospital.  Seeing the suites and maternity floor eased the anxiety of giving birth even further.  We may not be in the comfort of our own home, but we'll still be comfortable and will be taken care of well.  These classes have been really great at easing the anxiety too.  I definitely recommend taking advantage of these if your birthing hospital offers these!  We have our last class this Thursday which will go over basic newborn care.  Then we have a separate class next Monday on breastfeeding and another in a couple weeks on infant CPR.  Then we'll be pros!  Not quite, but we fully expect to learn how to be parents as we go.  We won't know everything right away! 

3D ultrasound photo with hand in the way

Hand still in the way

C'mon!  Move your hand, baby!

Finally moved his hand, but look at that pouty face!  Awww:)

Standard u/s profile shot

Standard u/s face shot