38 Week Bump Update

How far along: 38 weeks

Gender: Girl

Weight gain: 44 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Wearing leggings, maternity tops and mostly my husbands sweatshirts.

Sleep: Sleep is still pretty good.  I sleep soundly the first 3-5 hours, then awake for 1-2 hours & sleep again until morning.

Symptoms: This past week I started having pain in my fingers at night that feel swollen stiff.  I asked my Dr. about it and he said its carpal tunnel related to pregnancy.  Luckily it should go away gradually after giving birth.

Worst moment: Going to my appointment on Monday with the hopes of being scheduled for an induction and being told to come back again next week for another check.  When the Dr. said I could be induced at 39 weeks, I took it as if it would happen immediately when I hit that date.  On top of it all, I haven't progressed any since my last appointment.  Still holding to 4cm dilated and 80% effaced.

Miss anything: Pants that fit.

Movement: She is moving less but still very healthy.  I went for non-stress test Monday night after mistakenly mentioning she wasn't moving much the night before unless being poked by my husband.  However, the test showed she is doing great.  I guess she has run out of room b/c I don't experience the limbs moving across my belly anymore that I had become accustom to feeling.

Cravings: Still apple juice,  I had a glass of champagne last weekend and it was delicious & SWEETS.

Looking forward to: The hubby and I have date night plans on Sunday for Restaurant Week.  Would be nice to get one last night together just the two of us, but at the same time I wouldn't mind if Liv decides to make her grand appearance beforehand.

I have to really lean over these days to see my feet.

Thirty-Seven Weeks

How far along are you: 37 weeks and 5 days 
Baby is: Dr. told me last night he thinks she is 7 lbs.

Movement: Mostly at night. She is obviously nocturnal like her daddy.

Total weight gain/loss: I've gained 41 lbs...WOW that is a big number.

Stretch marks: None yet and I am keeping my fingers crossed that they do not appear in the next 2 weeks.





Sleep: When I am asleep, it's deeply.  I have been very tired early each night this week and sleep soundly the first few hours. Typically I wake up and have a hard time falling back asleep. But once I do, I am asleep until my alarm goes off in the morning.

 
Favorite moment this week: Going to the doctor's last night and hearing I have continued to progress.  I am now 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced. He has agreed to induce me at 39 weeks if she does not decide to come sooner.  He thinks I could be one of the cases that goes full term and still needs drugs to jump start labor. I am sooo happy he isn't making me wait until after my due date to induce b/c I am ready NOW.

Symptoms: Heart burn here and there.  Sore heels from the extra weight. Swollen feet/ankles.  But overall pretty good.

Looking forward to: Meeting Olivia and seeing what she looks like.  I have this gut feeling she will be a little clone of my husband.  Will she have lots of hair or no hair?  My mother told me it's an old wives tale that heart burn meant your baby had a full head of hair. We shall see soon.

Currently craving: Still enjoying my fudgsicles.  Seems like I am craving sweets more now than ever...especially chocolate.

Now that's a big belly!

35 & 36 Bump Updates

How Far Along? I have officially made it to the 9 month mark, which I wasn't sure I would see still pregnant. Last Wed I had a regular appointment and happened to mention some fluid leak which resulted in being sent directly to L&D to be checked for a rupture.  I tried to negotiate with the Dr. about monitoring the leak overnight and making an informed decision in the morning in order to avoid going to the hospital but he was not having it.  When he checked at the office I was already 1-2 cm dilated and was concerned about infection.  I notified my family I was being sent for tests and would be home later.  Never did I think they would keep me overnight.  A non-stress test and ultrasound were ordered to check on Miss Olivia and see if she was still swimming around in enough fluids.  I felt dumb though sitting at the hospital while experiencing no labor signs.  I thought for sure now I was going home and told my husband to cook some noodles as I was starving b/c I hadn't eaten in 7 hours.  A doctor on call came in to check me and said I tested positive for a leak, was 3 cm dilated & contracting and they were keeping me overnight to monitor.   I am sure there was shock written all over my face along with disappointment that I had to stay.  More importantly I was pissed that they had ordered a clear diet.  I was ready to inhale a whole refrigerator but instead was restricted to jello and ice chips.  

It was confirmed what I already thought that Miss Olivia is a feisty one.  All night the nurse had to continually come in and move my monitor b/c she would move away from it.  When they double banded the monitor down she began to kick me in that exact location.  She was trying to let everyone involved know who is in charge.  I think between my stubbornness and her father's temper, we are in for a very strong willed little girl.  

After very little sleep, I was anxious for one of my doctors to check and provide an update on the outcome of the day.  I knew I was either going home or being induced.   This was the point I started to bleed a little and lost my mucus plug according to the nurse.  My mind started to race about missing my own baby shower over the weekend.  Would they still have it without me? I felt awful after all the time, effort and money spent by my sisters to plan such a special day.  Therefore, I couldn't have been happier when the news came that my fluids had gone back up, there was no more amnio fluid leaking and I was going home.  I am pretty sure I was dressed and packed to leave in about 2 minutes.  I wasn't waiting around for the doctor to change his mind.  It was an all out sprint to get the heck out of there.

Total Weight Gain: As of my last appointment, I have put on 38 lbs.

Stretch Marks? None. 

Sleep: Pretty good considering my size.  My poor husband may not feel the same way since I have apparently started snoring the last few weeks.  I blame my weight.

Movement: She has been much calmer lately with the exception of our little stint in the hospital when she partied hard.

Food Cravings: Bring on the food!

Symptoms: Last week heart burn hit me hard. This week everything hurts from my hips down. 

Best Moment This Week:  My beautiful mermaid themed baby shower on Saturday.  I think my sister should forgo teaching and take up party planning b/c she thought of every detail.  Miss Olivia is beyond spoiled and I am lucky to have the most amazing sisters who go above and beyond one's expectations.  I might be biased, but I think my shower was the best I have ever attended.

Looking Forward To: My doctor's appointment this afternoon to see if there has been any more progress.  I stayed up until midnight to wash and organize her stuff just in case.  I couldn't bring her home to the chaos that was her room yesterday.