38 weeks!! (3-31-11)

This very well could be my last blog before the baby is born! :) Tomorrow is my last day of work, and I'm ready to get the show on the road :) I feel huge, nothing fits and I just want to hold that sweet girl in my arms!

I'm more excited than nervous, people ask if I'm nervous, and I say not really. I know labor is not going to be a picnic, it's going to hurt and be exhausting, but almost every woman does it, and I'm ready too. Or maybe reality just hasn't hit yet ;) sometimes I look in the mirror and still can't believe that I am pregnant. I'm going to have a baby. I'm going to be a mom. It's so crazy to think about! But I know when the contractions begin and when she is finally in my arms, it will all be real!

Had a doctor's appt yesterday, everything is good and I'm dilated 2 cm! That doesn't really indicate anything, as I could go in tonight, or it could be another 2 weeks before I dilate any more.

Not really anything else to write about I guess...just waiting for when this baby girl decides to show her face to the world :)



How Big is the Baby at 38 Weeks Pregnant?
At 38 weeks pregnant your baby is rapidly approaching 6.3 pounds, and the length will remain about 19 to 20 inches from now until birth.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is still focusing on putting on weight. Did you know that after delivery, your healthcare team will conduct an Apgar test on your baby? Many parents become obsessed with the Apgar score their child receives after birth, so it is worth a mention or two.

The Apgar score is simply a way that your doctor can evaluate the overall condition of your newborn immediately after birth. This score may sometimes be helpful for evaluations that occur later.

An Apgar evaluation is given one minute after birth and then again after five minutes of birth. Your doctor or nurse will make note of the following things:

• Your baby's color after birth (bluish or pink).
• Your baby's respiration.
• Your newborn baby's heart rate.
• Your newborn baby's muscle tone.
• Your baby's reflexes.

The one minute score reflects how easily your baby handled the birthing process. A high score generally indicates that your baby will do well in the postpartum period. A low score might indicate that your baby requires observation or further tests to make sure that everything is ok.

The second test is given to measure how well your baby is handling his new environment outside the womb.

Your baby is given a score based on the following parameters:

• Color - 2 points for pink body, 1 point for close to pink with blue arms or legs, 0 for blue or pale coloring all over.
• Respiratory - 2 points for a strong cry, 1 point for a slow or weak cry, 0 points for no crying.
• Heart Rate - 2 points for heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute, 1 point for a heartbeat under 100 beats per minute, 0 points for no heart beat.
• Muscle Tone-- 2 points for vigorous movement, 1 point for small flexing of the limbs, 0 points if the baby is still.
• Reflexes - 2 points if your baby cries during the test, 1 if your baby makes a little bit of a fuss, 0 if your baby doesn't make any noise during this exam.

Generally a high score, or a score between 8 and 10, means that your baby is in very good condition. A lower score might necessitate some further testing.

36 weeks! (3-17-11)

Less than a month to go!!! Only 4 weeks...its so hard to believe I was saying down to single digit weeks 5 weeks ago! I am so incredibly excited and ready to be DONE with pregnancy! I know I will miss feeling her move around inside me, which makes me smile so much, but I know it will be ever better to hold her in my arms and kiss her sweet little face!

Yesterday as I was driving to work, it kind of just hit me. "I'm going to have a daughter. I'm going to be a mom." It's such a crazy feeling, scary and exciting at the same time!

My final shower was last Saturday with my dad's family, it was so much fun, all my aunts are so crazy fun and I wish I saw them more! I got lots of nice gifts and I think we have everything we need, for her arrival anyways. Monday night we went to Target and bought the last few things we needed and ordered an extra carseat base and my breast pump online which came in the mail yesterday. I still need to do some of her laundry and pack my hospital bag, but other than that, I'm ready!!



How Big is the Baby at 36 Weeks Pregnant?
By 36 weeks pregnant, your baby is now 5.9 pounds and about 18.6 inches or longer! Your little one will soon enter the ranks of heavyweight champs as you continue your pregnancy week by week and you approach delivery!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is still working on putting on weight during pregnancy week 36. While that may not seem very exciting, keep in mind that this is his primary job from now until delivery. This is probably the one time in your baby's life where he they can put on pounds with wild abandon.

Did you know that some researchers believe your baby actually releases a signal to trigger labor? There are several theories. Some believe that when your baby's brain is completely mature, it sends a signal to the fetal adrenal glands. These glands then start to secrete the hormone cortisol, which may alter the metabolism of estrogen and progesterone, resulting in labor.

Other researchers have postulated that the fetal lungs secrete signals indicating they are mature, as well as enzymes that result in the release of prostaglandins, which help the cervix ripen and help the uterus to contract. This is highly likely as the body does release prostaglandins around the time of birth.

Your Growth and Development
You may think you simply can't get any bigger at 36 weeks, but don't forget you still have four weeks of growing left! Some women may even have a little bit more!

The capacity of the uterus and abdomen to stretch during pregnancy is truly a remarkable phenomenon. At no other time will the body transform at such a rapid rate than during pregnancy. Amazingly that, while it takes nine months for the uterus to stretch to many times its normal size (from the size of a small pear to beign able to hold a seven pound baby), by your six week checkup your uterus will already be back to its normal pre-pregnancy size already.

35 weeks! 3-10-11

Wow the last 2 weeks have just flown by! My website business has been pretty slow the last year or so and then all of sudden I have like 4 new projects! Definitely making the evenings pass by! Work has been quite busy too and the weeks are just flying by :) Only 5 more til my little munchkin girl is here!

I had a baby shower for Joel's side of the family on Sunday. It was beautiful and great to see his extended family that I rarely ever see. I got so many nice gifts too! One more shower for my dad's family this Saturday then I'll be done with showers for life(for me anyway)! We are pretty much set, just need to buy a few more things. Our apartment is SO crowded, I'm really looking forward to moving in July!

Went to the doctor twice this week, on Monday for ANOTHER (3rd) UTI and Wednesday for my regular checkup. Doctor says she is head down and measuring on track :) I was hoping she may be a little bit ahead and come early, but oh well ;) She will come when she's ready! Hopefully not late though! Next appt is in 2 weeks, pelvis exam :( then will be going every week until she's born.

How Big is the Baby at 35 Weeks Pregnant?
Wow! By pregnancy week 35, your baby probably weighs more than 5.3 pounds and is 18.2 inches long!

Your Growth and Development
By pregnancy week 35, your baby is still working diligently on gaining more fat to keep her safe and warm in the first weeks after delivery. Your baby's suckle reflexes should be well developed now. If born prematurely at pregnancy week 35, most babies will still be able to breastfeed with little trouble.

Your Growth and Development
Your uterus at 35 weeks pregnant is a whopping 6 inches above your belly button. You may have gained close to 30 pounds by 35 weeks.