37 week check-up

Had my 2nd to last appt with my OB today and thank goodness, cuz I'm sick of sitting in that waiting room for hours! Good appointment, all is well.  I'm measuring 39wks (I finally asked).  I haven't gained any weight since last week and have gained a total of 33 overall, so far. HB was strong at 140 and BP is good.  My cervix is still closed nice and tight.  I'm looking forward to getting a peek at Jett next Monday at my last u/s with Dr. Miller and then my final appt with Dr. Stewart on Tuesday.  Jett's birthday can't come soon enough, I'm ready!!

37 Weeks!

This week, medically, I am considered "Full Term"!! How exciting is that?! My lil man could come any minute and most likely be perfectly ready for life on the outside.  But, we want him to stay in for 13 more days at least...I really like the idea of carrying him to 39wks. :-)  Contractions, Pressure, and just overall body achiness has increased and the discomfort is growing right along with Jett daily. I've made it this far, what's a couple more weeks right?...sigh. I'm slowly but surely checking off my list of Things To Do Before Jett Comes.  I pulled my sewing machine out and made the cutest burp cloths for him and will have them monagrammed this week....here they are (pre-monagrammed)

Also, I started packing my hospital bags today, as much as I could anyway, there are a few things that will have to go in last minute.  But, I do feel way more prepared and organized with what I have done.  Tomorrow, Scott is going to clean the car for me then we're going to get his carseat in place.  I'm pretty sure that's about all I can do up to this point...now we just wait for the day to arrive.  I have an appt this week and two next week...next week is going to be KA-RAZY!  Will update more later.....

36 weeks!

36 weeks today and will be 37 weeks tomorrow!!  OH MY!  Really I could have him anytime now, but I'm keeping fingers crossed he waits til his appointed day...which is only 14 days away now!  I had my beautiful Joel at 36 wks, thank goodness he was ready to be born that soon; and had Jordon and Jared both at 38 wks. Jared struggled a bit at that time and I had wished he wouldn't baked a little longer, so hopefully at 39 wks Jett will be good to go!
I had my weekly check up this week and all is looking great, stable and quiet.  Cervix is still closed, Jett's getting bigger and all is well in my world of pregnancy.  I was informed that my delivery time of 12pm had been changed to 7:30am, so I will have to get to the hospital bright and early at 5:30am that Friday.  I already know I will most likely not be getting any sleep Thursday night...I will be much too excited/nervous/etc.  So, hopefully, I can get myself to nap a bit during the day.  Then once Jett is in my arms and we're both settled we can snooze together. :-)
I haven't had very many contractions, just a few here and there and some painful cervical pressure from time to time.  Jett's still moving around very well in his limited space, I think we'll both be relieved when he's out and can move around more freely.  Only two more dr visits with Dr. Stewart and one more u/s with Dr. Miller.... getting antsy to meet my lil man!!

My firstborn graduated from Middle School this week!!  High School Bound!  



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.

Week 35

Well, I'll be 36 weeks tomorrow, so running just a wee bit behind on this update.  I had another ultrasound with Dr. Miller this week.  I was disappointed because Nadine, the u/s tech that always gets me such great pics, was out, so I didn't get any great pics. :-(  The doc did say, and I quote, "Your kid looks like a million bucks!".  That was so great to hear!  He's gone from 5lbs 5oz to 6lbs 3oz in 2wks!  I can't wait to see what he'll end up weighing on his birthday.  So, he's growing wonderfully and doing great...Thank you, Father.  My next ultrasound will be in 3wks, which is actually the same week my c-section is planned...so not much longer now!  I have noticed some more contractions and cramps, not many though, I would say at least 2-3 a day.  They're not very strong or painful, just uncomfortable.  I notice I get them more when I'm active and doing alot on my feet, so all the more reason to take it easy these last few weeks.  I really want to make it til my d-day.  I have a good feeling I will.

My oldest graduates from Middle School this weekend.  I can't believe how fast time has flown...my baby will be a highschooler at the same time we welcome his 3rd little brother into our family...so sweet. I can't wait to see the boys with him, helping, holding, making him laugh, teaching him. :-)  I know it will be an adjustment to our normal routine, but I have a feeling it will all go very smoothly and I'm excited to get started!

35 weeks

How Jett's doing this week:



 

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

34 week Appt

Well, I had an enlightening appt today with Dr. Allison.  First, all is still looking wonderful with baby, HB in the high 140's, weight and measurements on target.  I did mention to her the occasional cramping and cervical pressure and she did check my cervix.  The cervix is still high and closed, so that's good.  She said the baby's head is right there pushing down on it, which explains the occasional pressure.  I figured that's what it was and glad that's all it is.

Next, we talked about the cyst, she finally got the reports back from Dr. Miller.  She said it is roughly about the size of a softball, so not little in the least.  She said she is going to try to remove it during the section (which is good), but she wants me to be prepared with the fact that she MAY end up having to remove the whole ovary, depending on what things look like when she gets in there.  I thought that might be a possibility, but it seemed more of a likelihood when she said it and they greatly saddens me.  She really does think the cyst is harmless and if so might be easier to dissect while maintaining as much ovary tissue as she can.  She did say if the cyst looks suspicious (tumor-like), it would be best to remove the ovary so she could get the complete cyst out for testing.  Once the cyst is removed it will be sent to pathology for testing, then we will know where to go from there.  Either it will be harmless and out of my abdomen, so essentially done with it.  Or if it comes back proving to be cancerous in any way I will have to see a Gynecologist to see what the next plan of action would be.  I hate to even think in that direction, but at this point it is a possibility and it really scares me.  I pray I do not have cancer in my body, I pray the cyst is harmless and can be removed while preserving my ovary, I pray my uterus will be spared from any future complications and remain intact and fully functioning.  I pray I can keep a positive outlook until things are more certain and not allow any fear and anxiety to overcome me. 

My next u/s is next Monday, then I'll see Dr. Stewart again in 2wks, then every week thereafter.

Week 34

Here's my promised bathing beauty shot...haha

Back from the vacay and glad to be back in the comfort of my own home.  There's nothing like your OWN shower and bed!  We enjoyed our little getaway and now we're back and full steam ahead to baby day!  We have lots on the calendar for May, so I know my last 4 wks of pregnancy will speed past.  Now that me and baby are just about out of space, it's getting harder and harder to enjoy the gift that is pregnancy.  My only comforts are knowing he's doing so well, growing rapidly, and will soon be here!  The day I got back from the beach I had a few episodes of cramping and cervical pressure, which I'm sure is all completely normal seeing how far along I am, but I do want to mention it to the doc this Tues at my next appt.  I'm curious to know if I'm dilated at all, but don't know if she'd be willing to check that.  I seriously can not live without Zantac (an OTC heartburn med) being in my system 24/7!  I'm sitting here now, at 9pm, still burning from lunch (haven't had any dinner), and all because I haven't taken any today! Ugh...it's hard for me to decide what's worse nausea or heartburn!  I haven't had any BH's in a long time, no swelling, and pretty much doing great. 

Here's what lil man is up to:

 

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.

Enjoying my 33rd week at the BEACH!

Gulf Shores, AL

Glad we're staying at a place with an indoor pool... I'm sitting here watching the kids swim while it's thunderstorming outside. :-(  Of course last week was gorgeous everyday, go figure.  When we arrived yesterday it was lovely, the waters were a little nippy, but beautiful outside.  I knew there might be a chance of rain today, including a small chance tomorrow.  With tomorrow being our last full day here, I'm really hoping we'll be blessed with some sun before we leave.  Rain or Shine, the kids are enjoying their time in the pool and we are having a great time together.  I was able to swim some yesterday and it felt Oh So good on my big, pregnant body. :-)  I'll be getting back in for a swim in a little bit.  And I'll have to get the boys to take a pic of me in my cute maternity swimsuit!
Today, I am 33w5d's along and still feeling great!  I've been taking Zantac for the heartburn which has been virtually relieving me from all heartburn!....It's been wonderful!  I think both Jett and I are quickly running out of room.  His movements can be pretty uncomfortable now, at times.  He has his times of stillness (sleeping, I'm assuming), then his times of lots of activity.  He responds to my touch, which I love. <3  I had another ultrasound this past Monday, with Dr. Miller.  Everything is still looking absolutely perfect!...So Glad!  Jett is now weighing in at 5lbs 5oz (up a pound and a half in 3 weeks!)...pending Jett goes to 39wks (which I pray he does)..I do believe he will be my biggest babe yet.  He's still chilling upside down..lol.  He did not provide us with any good face shots this visit, he had his little hands right in front of his face.  She was able to get one shot that shows on chubby cheek, nose, and an eye (which I think may have been open).

I will go back and see Dr. Miller in 2wks, since he'll be out of town in 3wks.  All looks good though and my lil man is doing fabulous... that's all I could ever ask for!  Now, back to enjoying my babymoon with my three amigos. ;-)

How your baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) 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.