Day 69: A Few More

You can hardly tell from this picture that I'm almost 37 weeks pregnant

I've had a few more contractions today than I've been having, but am still not in active labor.  They're getting a little stronger and longer in duration, but they're not at all regular, and I still think labor is a ways off.  But we shall see.  I'm getting more and more uncomfortable by the day, and more impatient for this baby to come, but I'm willing to wait as long as Baby Boy needs and will try to keep myself busy in the meantime (all our baby prep is basically done, so I'll have to find other things to occupy my time).  Tomorrow I'll be 37 weeks along, so worse case scenario, there are only a few weeks left and Baby will be here before we know it.  I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, so we'll see what she says as far as whether or not I've progressed this week, but like I said, we might just be waiting for a few more weeks. 

Day 67: In For The Long Haul?

I was taken off Nifedipine, my anti-contraction medicine, on Monday, after being on it for eleven weeks (between weeks 25 and 36). The entire time I was on it, doctors had to keep increasing my dosages because I was still experiencing contractions and other preterm labor symptoms, though the medicine thankfully kept my cervix stable and Baby Boy was able to stay put.  I even wound up in the hospital at 28 weeks because the medicines weren't able to stop labor from starting.  Thus, I would have bet that I would be one of those women who instantly go into labor after stopping the meds. Ironically enough, after months of constant contractions (sometimes 10 or more an hour), things have strangely settled down now that I'm off the medicine and bed rest and have increased my activity level.  Several women on the message boards I looked at today said they either went full-term or even past their due dates after stopping Nifedipine (Procardia) at 36 weeks.  J is convinced that that will be the case with me, and I'm becoming more and more convinced that I'll have to be induced at 41 weeks. I might just be in this for the long haul, but we shall see. Whatever be the case, I'm not in active labor yet (just a few contractions here and there) and I am getting a little bit impatient for this baby to get here.  But he can take all the time he needs, and I'll just keep myself busy in the meantime.  We'll keep everyone posted when something starts happening.

Day 56: We Made It To 35 Weeks

 

Thanks to faith, medicine, hospital intervention at 26 and 28 weeks, and A LOT of prayer (ours and others'), I am 35 weeks pregnant.  If I make it past 10:40 tonight (and I have NO notions that I won't), I will have carried this baby longer than I carried B who was born at exactly 35 weeks.  I am only dilated to a one at this point and contractions are occasional and irregular, so we're still going strong.  I will be taken off of bed rest and all my medications in seven days!  I can't wait.  My contractions could very well go crazy once medicine and bed rest are taken out of the equation, but then again, maybe I'll go full term.  We shall see, and I'll keep you updated.

I also finally got my field trip in that I didn't get last week.  J and I went to lunch and then I rode around Target in a scooter (Jarom was horrified at my lack of scooter-driving skills and had to help me back up and maneuver down the aisles a few times so I didn't knock anything over).  We got our blue bath tub and a few clothes.  Our Pack N' Play is apparently on back order, so hopefully it will get here in time for us to bring Baby home.  I had fun going on a date with J and am so glad to be 35 weeks along, as I am confident Baby would be fine if born anytime from here on out.  I know we made it this long on faith and prayers, so thank you for sending yours!  Now we'll see if we can make it full-term!

Some of our loot:  the Superhero onesies have capes on the back . . so cute!

 

Highlights of Week Thirty-Five (33 week fetal age):

• Baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long (hopefully . . . we’re all short over here, and B was only 17 inches long at this point).  Just because he’s not doing somersaults, doesn’t mean he’s not still kicking and rolling.  I often see/feel a bum, elbow, foot, or hand protruding from my belly.
• He tips the scales at about 5 pounds, 4 ounces or more, about the size of a honeydew melon.
• Baby is head down in pelvis to prepare for delivery.
• Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks (hopefully) putting on weight.   Baby will put on about half a pound a week from here on out.  
• Baby Boy's body is growing rounder due to developing fat layers.  He still probably doesn't have enough fat deposits beneath his skin to keep warm outside the womb, but fat stores are accumulating in the legs and arms. These layers of fat will help him regulate his body temperature after birth.
• Although Baby's central nervous system is still maturing, his lungs are nearly fully developed (boys' lungs do generally take longer to develop than girls' lungs, however).
• His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. 
• Baby's reflexes are coordinated.  He can turn his head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light and touch. 
• Eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping.
• Baby is sporting full-length fingernails and toenails.
• Lanugo, the baby fuzz that protects baby's skin in utero is starting to disappear. The cheese-like coating on baby's skin, vernix caseosa, is getting thicker to keep Baby moisturized for the big day.
• Hair continuing to grow on head. 
• By end of week, Baby will start to develop daily activity cycles.
• Brain development continues to advance quickly.
• Baby’s digestive system is putting on its finishing touches in preparation to take baby’s first meal in a few weeks’ time.