35w update

How far along: 35w.  This is a goal that at times I was not sure I’d make.  Now that it’s FINALLY here, all I can think is – GET HER OUT!  And yes, while I’ll admit that I am uncomfortable, tired of doing Lovenox injections, weary of biweekly appointments, missing my little boy, and ready to be out in the real world, my impatience stems more from my concern for BG’s safety than my own wellbeing.

According to BabyCenter.com, this is all we need to know about a baby’s development at 35 weeks gestation:

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). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

Total weight gain: Um, supposedly, I’m up 9 pounds in 3 weeks.  I’m in denial.  Since the baby isn’t growing too well, I can’t blame her, so, that means….the weight is all mine, and it’s probably from too many things with the word “chocolate sin” in the name.

General disposition:  Out.  I want her out.  Get her out.  It’s time for her to be out.  Please, take her OUT!!!  (Any questions?) 

Sleep:  Random.  When it’s good, it’s fantastic.  When it’s bad, it’s awful.  Very few mediocre night in the past weeks; seems to me that we are in the “all or nothing” stage.

Best moment this week: -- 

Movement:  She is bruising me from the inside.  I’m not even joking.  One of the drawbacks of her IUGR is that she still has plenty of room to maneuver in utero, so she is fully capable of doing somersaults, flips, and karate chops, and fully delights in doing so.  Reassuring, yes; comfortable, no.  

Labor Signs/Body Changes of Note:  I keep trying to find adequate nursing bras, and they are all too small.  I’ve reached to point of giving up until I’m back home from the hospital.  Since stopping two of my medications (per doctors’ orders), I’ve noticed an increase in the number of contractions I’m having; thankfully, the intensity hasn’t increased with the frequency.  There have been a couple other indicators that my body is ready to get this show on the road, but I’ll spare you from the explanation that would require multiple uses of the word “mucus.” 

What I miss : Freedom to be and do.  I want to be able to get together with friends, plan dinner parties, head to the park with my boys….but instead, I’m just still in this season of waiting.  Worth it, for sure, but nonetheless, restrictive.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting our daughter; giving her a name.  Introducing her to her grandparents.  Celebrating the completion of our family of five.  It’s hard to imagine that it will be within days…

Does she have a set birthday:  Unless something is drastically wrong at my growth ultrasound on Thursday, Baby Girl will arrive sometime on Monday.  Don’t worry; I will assign someone to update the blog.

Does she have a name yet: No.  I promise.  We’re not just being secretive.  She has not been named, and most likely won’t be until she is in her daddy’s arms.  Sorry to keep trying all y’alls patience.

Are we ready: Absolutely, unequivocally, overwhelmingly YES!