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Monday, February 16, 2009

Baby Update -- Week 35, 5 Weeks to Go!

Wow, week 35. 7/8 of the way done. In some ways, it feels like it's taking forever. In others, it feels like it's flown by. Today is one of those days where it's dragging.

I'm not quite sure how, but it feels like this little one is pressing on something internally that's making it difficult to breathe. I've got a bit of pressure right around the breastbone, and there's a lot of movement in my tummy with pushing on the sides and center. Wonder if my angel had a growth spurt over the weekend. :) It's been a slow day today as a result, but not unbearable.

Last night, I had on and off minor issues with some heartburn, but it wasn't until 4am when I got up to use the bathroom that a new issue developed. My entire left arm from shoulder to hand felt like it was going through growing pains. No tingling, no numbness, no pain. Just a minor ache that annoyed me enough to keep me awake. I ended up waking hubby with my tossing and turning around 5 and he gave my arm a massage which helped. I managed to catch another hour of sleep, then the dog came in to be taken outside. Again, another hour, then it was pointless, and we both got up...dark circles under my eyes and all. *yawn*

Again, though, it's all part of the process, and not unmanageable. Just a bit uncomfortable.

In other news, I've been feeling more frequent belly tightening and contractions, although no labor contractions. I've noticed other women about where I am increasing their watermelon-betwixt-the-legs waddle, but I haven't started that yet. It's just becoming a bit harder to get up and down from sitting and lying down, and my walk is a bit slower.

I know once this your miracle baby is on the outside, this will all be a dim memory. So, I'm catching the cat naps whenever possible and keeping myself hydrated with water, trying to imagine how all of this will be much funnier in hindsight. Speaking of funny, how about a few words from my precious little porker inside...






All right, to set the record straight, I'm trying not to cause Mommy too much discomfort, but it's getting rather cramped in here. If I don't move a bit, I'm going to get stiff. My muscles need some activity. At least she lets me know when she's in pain. I try to move as best I can when that happens.

So you can see things from my side, I'm now nearly 6 lbs minus all of this stuff attached to me that's help keeping me nourished and alive. Mommy has a lot of reasons to be proud. She's doing great, and I'm now trying to decide when I want to make my appearance. She's done an amazing job, and I'll be so happy to finally meet her face-to-face. I know I'm going to love her and Daddy very much.

For now, though, I'm almost busting out of the womb size-wise, but I'm quite snug in here. From what I hear, I have more room than most babies, so it's not so bad. I'm not likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but I'll still be kicking at a steady pace, perhaps throwing in a punch or two. My kidneys are fully developed, and my liver can almost do its full job. Most of my basic physical development is now complete. That means, I'll spend the next few weeks putting on yet a little more weight. I'll try not to make it too much.

Here's a scary thought. Mommy's uterus is now one-thousand times bigger now than when I first came to be. Yikes! I'm 35 weeks with 35 days to go...





Back to Mom again. I have my 35-week appointment this week and will likely get the group B strep test as well as monitored for cervical effacement (thinning of the cervix) and dilation in order to predict labor. It'll be exciting as I move into weekly check-ups now to hear my progress and possibly get a closer estimate of delivery date.

My uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside my pelvis from the start — now reaches up under my rib cage. If I could peek inside, I'm sure I'd see more baby than amniotic fluid now, and that's exciting. My ballooning uterus is crowding my other internal organs, too, which is why I've had these breathing issues and pressure. At leats I have an explanation.

Last week, we finished our birthing class and had our pre-admission appointment at the hospital. Wow! So much information and so many details. We also scheduled an appointment with a pediatrician to meet him beforehand and get set up for post-delivery.

Oh, and my MIL called to say she might take some time off after the baby to come up and help out with anything I need, plus prepare some casseroles for us to freeze and heat when we need to eat. I'm sure nutrition for me will be the last thing on my mind to start, and I'm willing to take any help I can get! My SIL wants the baby born between March 13th and 16th so she can come the week of Spring Break to help. LOL! We'll see what this little one has in mind.

Me? I'm praying for before March 20th so the birthday can fall between the two grandmothers' birthdays. That's not too much to ask, right? :) I mean, that gives this baby a choice of 20 days between March 1st and March 21st. Sounds like a plan to me. *winks*

That's about all for today. I'm back to tending to hubby after he had his wisdom teeth pulled today. Poor baby. :(

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4 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey there! Waking up in the night is just preparation for when the baby gets here ;) Trust me, lol. But I hope you don't have that problem any more! Not very much longer for you...and lol on hoping the baby comes at a certain time. I was hoping for Feb 13 since that was my late grandfather's b-day (and he happened to be born on a Fri too). Anyway, I'm off to respond to last weeks blog...

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Hehe, yeah. I've given this little one a fairly wide berth of choices. LOL! Will have to wait and see if the baby picks one of them. Really praying for around the 20th though as it will fall right before Spring break and my sister-in-law with her 2 kids will be here all week to help out. Will find out soon!

Cheryl said...

You look wonderful! I don't remember having that last trimester waddle with my son, but I sure had it with both my girls; the first one, of which, dropped early and I had a heck of a time climbing stairs for the last month.

It's good that you're enjoying this time because there is a feeling of loss once you give birth. You go to lean a book on your belly and there isn't one. LOL!

I keep going back and forth on if there is one more baby for us. Even after giving birth to 3 kids, labor is still a bit scary to me. And, I'll be 41 this summer, so that's another consideration. Oh, and of course the youngest one is going off to full-day Kindergarten in September, so it would really be starting all over again.

Hope you get some sleep tonight.

Cheryl

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Oh, I can imagine the feeling of loss. Already, I rest my hands on my belly and wonder about the distancing when the baby is in the crib and not inside of me. I'm sure the joys far outweigh the loss though.

Found out today baby is head down so it's likely only a matter of time before the pressure begins on my pelvis. Oh joy!

Good luck deciding on #4. I want to be done with our 2 by 35, so that means our 2nd will be less than 2 years younger than our first. Works for me. I prefer them close.