38 Week Check-Up

Here are the exciting stats from my 38 week check-up today!

BP: 98/62
WG: 1/2 lb.
Fetal HR: 140 bpm
Fundal Height: 38 cm
Dilated: 3cm
Effaced: 60-75%
Station: -1

They said I'm a labor waiting to happen! Woot! Woot!

38 Weeks: Leek

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. (Babycenter.com)

I am slightly discouraged to be writing this week's update. On Monday, I had contractions ALL DAY, ranging from 3-12 minutes apart. However, they never got painful, or consistent. When I went to bed, I was still having contractions, and during the night I was awakened several times by strong ones. This encouraged me, and I thought that when I got up Tuesday morning and started moving around, things would progress. Instead, they died off completely. Bummer. I was pretty disappointed, but I believe that God is teaching me to trust Him, and be patient. Hard lessons to learn when you are this uncomfortable.

I'm feeling very tired and achy again this week. My joints are loose, and ready for delivery. I continue to feel my stomach muscles slowly ripping apart, which has been happening for 3 straight weeks now. My skin is stretching again too, causing more stretch marks and and insatiable, constant itch. On a normal day, I have probably around 20 contractions. This week, hopefully, brought more progress with having so many on Monday. With every contraction, I'm sure my body is getting that much closer to being ready. I just hope it's almost there.

To go along with my bodily aches, I just feel discouraged at this point. It hurts every time I move, I can NEVER get comfortable, I itch like crazy, I don't have nearly enough energy or agility to keep up with Sophia, much less the house... I realize that having this baby will create a whole new challenge, but I'm ready to try that one now. At least I will be able to move. I'd really appreciate any prayers for my attitude and emotional state in these last days. I am fighting so hard every day to be patient and trust God, and do it with a good attitude. God is helping me through these days and making them bearable, when I let Him. But on those days when I get stubborn and try to do things on my own, my world seems to crumble.

37 Week Check-Up

Had my check up today. Not quite as much progress as I was hoping for.

Blood pressure: 98/62
WG: -1 lb.
Fundal Height: 38cm
Fetal heart rate: 145 bpm
Dilated: 2cm
Effaced: 30%
Station: -1

On the bright side, my midwife told me that with this being my second pregnancy, everything will happen faster, and I will do most of the dilating/effacing during actual labor, whereas with first pregnancies, you need to dilate and efface some before labor begins. She was also very pleased with all the cramping I've been having, and left saying, "Well, maybe we'll see you next week for your check up. Otherwise, I'll see you upstairs for delivery!"

Any day now. I'm waaaaaaaiting.

37 Weeks: Swiss Chard

Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard*). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz. (Babycenter.com)

*Note: The comparisons they are drawing between the size of my baby, and produce, are getting reeeeally weird. So if you were thinking that too, I'm with ya. And if you are one of those people who has actually heard of all this produce, maybe we should be better friends. You'd probably be a healthy addition to my life.


Exciting progress this week! I have started to feel my body change in preparation for delivery. I have been really crampy for the past four days now. I woke up this morning, and still have cramps (prementrual type cramps). I remembered this happening before Sophia was born too, so yesterday I went back and looked at her blog to see when I felt that way. It was EXACTLY the same week last year, about a week before I delivered. If my dates are more accurate for when I'm due, then this would be right on track (Sept 25th was the original due date).


I have also been feeling extremely sore and achy all week from loose joints, especially in my hips/pelvis, and neck. It's hard to explain, but my joints really do feel loose, and like they are not supporting the weight of my body as well.

As always, I have been extremely tired. A little more so this week than normal. I think my body is working overtime with all the changes taking place.

I believe the time is drawing near. I really don't think I have three full weeks left. I believe Poppy will make an appearance before that. My prediction is that within the next 2 weeks, baby will be in my arms, not my belly. Don't hold me to it, that is just my guess from the way my body is feeling these days.


UPDATE: Baby dropped last night! I have been feeling a significant increase in pressure on my pelvis today, and still very crampy all day. Getting closer!

36 Week Check-Up

This week started the cervix checks, and weekly visits. From here on out I have appointments every Thursday til the baby arrives.

Here's the progress report:
BP: 108/66
WG: 2 lbs
FH: 34 cm
Fetal HR: 136bpm
Dilated: 1 cm
Effaced: very soft (didn't give me a percent)

We confirmed that the baby is head down. I also signed my waterbirth consent form, and pre-registered at the hospital and with our insurance. We're ready for ya Poppy! You can come on out anytime.