38 weeks

9 Months 


As you know, you've arrived at the final leg of your pregnancy journey, and if you're still carrying your little love around, they've just about reached their birth weight (somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds is average depending on whether they're a boy or girl). There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so lets do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up (their first black baby poo), lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain (that'll keep growing with them for years to come), and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.


How far along? 38 weeks
Due Date: August 13, 2010

Total weight gain/loss: +12.5 ish. Not bad... haven't gained anything in 2 weeks and now almost 2. Hm.
Maternity clothes? Yea.
Sleep: Once I find my comfy spot... I'm a-ok. Before I'm comfortable I'm very uncomfortable. Oh yea - I woke up to some contractions last night. :P

Best moment this week: All the work in the basement and contractions starting!

Movement: Yes. But less... she's really running out of space!

Food cravings: Not really.
Food aversions: I haven't noticed anything lately... but I have to avoid peanuts and peanut butter because they comes back later :P indigestion, heartburn... whatever you call it, it is uncomfortable!
Gender: It's a girl!
Labor Signs: Yes! Contractions started being 'consistent' at 10-20 mn Thursday morning... by last night we were at 8-15... They slowed down a lot today... we'll see what happens. The waiting game has started!
Belly Button in or out? Half out... I can feel it through my shirt
What I miss: Subway!!! (Cold Subway!) But I've been good this long, I'm going to wait out these last few weeks and then eat a celebration sub!
What I am looking forward to: Labor! :) I know, silly - right? Well, that's what it is going to take to get this baby here!
Milestones: My last day at work is today!

37 weeks

At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. Meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life.
You're now officially considered full term! That's something to proud of (if not just a tad impatient). At this point, your little 'un is pretty much leveled off in weight gain, at slightly more than six pounds and around 20 inches in length. As you already know, the waiting game is now in full swing, although you're bowels might be getting the jump start on you.


How far along? 37 weeks
Due Date: August 13, 2010

Total weight gain/loss: +11. Same as the last 2 weeks!
Maternity clothes? Yea.
Sleep: Once I find my comfy spot... I'm a-ok. Before I'm comfortable I'm very uncomfortable.

Best moment this week: I'm pretty sure she's dropped even farther now... my belly is really sitting on my lap at work... and I waddle, a lot!

Movement: Yes. But less... she's really running out of space!

Food cravings: Fresh food and sweets. ... Especially Oreos!
Food aversions: I haven't noticed anything lately... but I have to avoid peanuts and peanut butter because they comes back later :P indigestion, heartburn... whatever you call it, it is uncomfortable!
Gender: It's a girl!
Labor Signs: Yes, I'm calling this labor. False labor or very early labor I'm not sure but the contractions are getting stronger and I'm 1cm dilated!
Belly Button in or out? Half out... I can feel it through my shirt
What I miss: Subway!!! (Cold Subway!) But I've been good this long, I'm going to wait out these last few weeks and then eat a celebration sub!
What I am looking forward to: This weekend we have friends coming over to drywall the basement and hang out... I can't wait to see how it looks!
Milestones: Eliana is full term! Means she's done cooking and can come out anytime... she's just warming now!

37 weeks.... will post soon!

Okay... forgot to do this week's post... busy weekend ahead. It will be posted, just not right now :)

36 weeks

The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm). Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just in case you didn’t get it quite yet: you’ve got yourself an adorable and hungry 6.5 lbs 20 inch baby—are you ready?

How far along? 36 weeks
Due Date: August 13, 2010

Total weight gain/loss: +11. Same as last week.
Maternity clothes? Yea.
Sleep: Once I find my comfy spot... I'm a-ok. Before I'm comfortable I'm very uncomfortable.

Best moment this week: I'm pretty sure she's dropped even farther now... my belly is really sitting on my lap at work... and I waddle, a lot!

Movement: Yes. Lots of it. I LOVE when other people get to see my belly move.

Food cravings: Fresh food and sweets. ... Especially Oreos!
Food aversions: I haven't noticed anything lately... but I have to avoid peanuts and peanut butter because they comes back later :P indigestion, heartburn... whatever you call it, it is uncomfortable!
Gender: A little wiggly girl!
Labor Signs: A couple contractions an hour at the most... I think still Braxton Hicks but definitely uncomfortable especially if I'm not sitting.
Belly Button in or out? I can feel it through my shirt sometimes... starting to poke out.
What I miss: Subway!!! But I've been good this long, I'm going to wait out these last few weeks and then eat a celebration sub!
What I am looking forward to: Strep-B test this week... not really a 'looking forward to' but we need to find out if I'm positive or not... we want 'not'.
Milestones: At the end of this week she will be considered full term... yes, this may be next week's milestone as well :) I think it is pretty important!

35 weeks?!?!

I can hardly believe I'm at 35 weeks!
... 35 weeks down, 35 days to go!!

Congratulations! You’re now carrying nearly 6 lbs of baby not counting their amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, or the placenta itself. We’re impressed because that’s a LOT of work non-stop. Are you feeling proud of yourself yet? Well, get to it—you’ve done an amazing job! At this point, your little grower is almost busting out of the womb size-wise, which make their restricted attempts to move much challenging. Of course, your stubborn little sucker is still trying to move around as if they weren’t in a cramped space. And the accumulationg baby fat deposits are starting to level off so your little butter ball will be padded and warm when they head out of their super snug little home. http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/calendar/week35
How far along? 35 weeks.
Due Date: August 13, 2010

Total weight gain/loss: +11. :) I'm good with that.
Maternity clothes? Yea.
Sleep: A little hard to get to sleep... once I'm asleep I'm very asleep... when I start waking up in the morning I do a lot of shifting around to be comfortable.

Best moment this week: Visiting the hospital for a tour Thursday night. The lady who led really needs to learn to walk slower... but she was very full of information. Easy to get to Labor&Delivery and lots of necessities are provided - snacks and food etc. :)

Movement: All. The. Time. No need for me to track her movement. Her most active times are morning, afternoon and 9-10pm.

Food cravings: Fresh food and sweets.
Food aversions: I haven't noticed anything lately... but I have to avoid peanut butter because it comes back later :P indigestion, heartburn... whatever you call it, it is uncomfortable!
Gender: A little wiggly girl!
Labor Signs: Not true labor... but is is possible that she pushes and it causes a contraction? Because that is how it feels.
Belly Button in or out? I can feel it through my shirt sometimes... starting to poke out.
What I miss: Subway!!! Seriously... especially now that it is hot - I want to eat not-hot food.
What I am looking forward to: This is an uneventful week coming up ... I'm looking forward to that! :)
Milestones: We had the last ultrasound this week - her kidney is the same, which is what we were looking for this time. We got to see her face again and she looks like a little baby doll! She DEFINITELY has my nose :) ... and hair... "LOTS of hair!" The tech could see it on the ultrasound! WE even saw it once she showed us what we were looking for.

Other: Baby pics :)

34 weeks

 Feeling huge.

Obviously the big change for you is the notable weight shift (known as “lightening” or “engagement”). Now that your baby is resting deeper in your pelvis, you may find yourself walking as if you're carrying a watermelon between your legs. Yes dear, you’re officially “waddling” these days. Try to comfort yourself with this thought: it’s nearly over. Soon, you’ll just have to carry your adorable little watermelon in your arms. And in a rare spate of good news: this weight shift means you can breathe easier now that your lungs aren’t compressed.

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 far along? 34 weeks.

Due Date: August 13, 2010

Total weight gain/loss: +10... I gained 3 this week? I guess I did eat more.
Maternity clothes? ...... Yea.
Sleep: Like a rock.

Best moment this week: making it through the week. I was so tired and sore. :P

Movement: Constantly... especially when I'm trying to concentrate!

Food cravings: Fresh food and sweets.
Food aversions: I haven't noticed anything lately.
Gender: A little wiggly girl!
Labor Signs: No. Thankfully. I think I'm starting to confuse Braxton-hicks and her pushing out on my belly so I'm not sure :P
Belly Button in or out? I can feel it through my shirt sometimes... not an outty really... but not totally in!
What I miss: Subway!!! Seriously... especially now that it is hot - I want to eat not-hot food.
What I am looking forward to: This is an important week! Tuesday is our next ultrasound and Dr appt and Thursday we are going to visit the hospital for a tour. :)
Milestones: I'm pretty sure she's dropped. Between Monday and Tuesday to be exact. I know because I could walk normally on Monday but Tuesday was another story entirely. :)

Other: Watch close around 13-15 seconds!