Thirty Eight Weeks

How far along: 38 weeks as of Tuesday, June 19.  Still hanging in there.
Size of baby: Beansprout weighs about 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and is about 19.5 inches long, the length of a leek.  His organs have matured and are ready for life outside of the womb.  Wow.  Time for him to think about making an appearance!  I am more than ready. 
Movement: Well, this one is a little long this week, so I will add it to the "Extras" section at the end.
Sex of baby: Boy!
Sleep: Ok.  I'm waking up at least three times each night, and I am not able to sleep in much.  I'm not overly tired, though.  I'm also having some hip and back pain, but nothing too troublesome.
Cravings: Frozen yogurt.
Symptoms: Swelling, some sharp abdominal pain on my right side that the doctor says is likely caused by Beansprout pushing on an organ and irritating it.  When the doctor was checking out this pain, she noticed that there was something "bouncy" in the vicinity and was worried that he had moved from head-down to a sideways position.  She checked, and luckily, Beansprout is still hanging out upside down.  Thank goodness!
What I'm looking forward to: Meeting Beansprout.  Please come soon, baby!

Extras: I had a little scare today.  I have noticed decreased movement from Beansprout over the last couple of days.  I know that he's getting cramped in there, so it is more difficult for him to move.  Usually, when that happens I drink some orange juice and he gets going right away.  That worked yesterday, so I wasn't worried.  Today, though, I drank the juice and got only a couple of movements from Beansprout in response, even after waiting 15 minutes or so.  I called the doctor, who told me to come in to labor and delivery, even though I felt some movement, because it was a noticeable change in Beansprout's normal pattern.  Of course, I am freaking out at this point and am petrified that there is something wrong.  We head over to the hospital, where we got star treatment.  I got set up in a room right away and had a nurse to myself.  She hooked me up to the fetal monitor and said they'd do an ultrasound to check Beansprout's amniotic fluid level.  Beansprout looked great on the monitor and had a strong heartbeat, which fluctuated appropriately in pace.  He also had a fine level of fluid (on the low side, but ok for this late in pregnancy) and was moving some during the ultrasound, although I couldn't feel anything.  I did see him blink, though, which was so neat! 

They monitored me for an hour, and I felt no movements for the first forty-five minutes or so.  During the last fifteen minutes, he started perking up, and I got several comforting movements.  The doctors told me that in this last week or so, I may not feel too many movements because of the lack of space and the positioning of the baby.  Despite knowing this, it is very hard not to worry when Beansprout isn't moving as frequently as he was before.  At the end of the day, Beansprout is looking great, and I have to trust that he's doing fine even when I can't feel him as much.  Let's just say I am ready for him to arrive so that I don't have to worry every day!  Come on Beansprout, we're ready for you! 

On a less anxiety-inducing note, we are finishing final baby preparations.  My mom arrived on Friday and is staying through the birth.  It is very nice to have her here to help me with the last-minute errands; thanks, Mom!  Mark installed the car seat today (correctly; we got it checked by a police officer!), and all of the furniture is set up in the nursery, other than a small table which my aunt is bringing on Thursday.  The newborn clothes, blankets and towels are washed.  We just have a few pictures to hang, and then we'll be good to go.  It's go time!

Thirty Seven Weeks

How far along: 37 weeks as of Tuesday, June 12, 2012.  I am now full term, and Beansprout can arrive whenever he chooses!  Of course, it would be nice if he would choose a day in the 39th week.  Just a hint, Beansprout.
Size of baby: Beansprout weighs nearly 6.5 pounds and is a bit more than 19 inches long (size of a stalk of Swiss chard).  His lungs are likely mature enough to survive in the outside world without assistance.  He also could have a full head of hair at this point!  I had very little hair at birth, so it will be interesting to see whether he has hair and how much of it he will have.
Movement: Still moving around, and I'm still loving it.  There's nothing better than knowing he's safe and healthy. 
Sex of baby: It's a boy!
Sleep: Ok, except I wake up so frequently, so it's very interrupted sleep.
Cravings: Popsicles, cereal.
Symptoms: Hand and feet swelling, Braxton Hicks contractions (Finally!  Hopefully that means there is some progress being made). 
What I'm looking forward to: Meeting this baby very, very soon!  I can't wait to hold him for the first time.

Thirty Six Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks as of Tuesday, June 5, 2012.  The funny thing is that I thought I didn't look so big in this shirt, until I saw the photo.  That is definitely a boy belly.
Size of baby: We had an ultrasound this week, and Beansprout is estimated to weigh 6 pounds, 4 oz.  (which Babycenter helpfully tells me is the weight of a crenshaw melon).  That is right at the 50th percentile for 36 weeks, so I was glad to hear he's no longer in the "above average" category.  Of course, the technician was quick to point out that the estimate could be off, in either direction, by a pound, so who knows how big Beansprout will actually be.  He is about 18.5 inches long.  He is shedding the lanugo that covered his body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the white cottage cheese like stubstance that covered him and protected his skin.  He swallows these substances, which I had no clue happened, and they form part of the meconium that is his first bowel movement.
Movement: He's still moving, but I really can't put a pattern to it like they say most people can.  He moves enough to keep me from getting worried, but sometimes if I feel like I haven't noticed many movements I will take time to relax and count.  He always meets the 10 movements per 2 hour minimum.
Sex of baby: Boy!  And now I have had numerous strangers comment on my "baby boy," without my telling them anything about the sex, or even mentioning the pregnancy, just because of the way I'm carrying.  One woman on the elevator at work told me her mother always said boy bellies look like bullets right out in front.  The cashier at an ice cream shop told me to "feed my boy" (I took him up on the demand by ordering ice cream rather than frozen yogurt, which I hope Beansprout appreciated, as I'm sure my hips and thighs did not!).  And the Russian document manager at work commented about my "baby boy."  Guess I couldn't pull off a surprise delivery, even if I wanted to!
Sleep: Not so great.  I'm waking up several times during the night, plus I'm having trouble sleeping in the morning.  I think it may be my body's way of preparing me for the baby!
Cravings: Ice cream and popsicles.  Must be summer!
Symptoms: Ankle and feet swelling, swelling in my fingers, fatigue (thanks to the lack of sleeping).
What I'm looking forward to: Setting up the baby gear and beginning to decorate the nursery.  Also, full-term!

Thirty Five Weeks

How far along: 35 weeks as of Tuesday, May 29, 2012.  Man, that belly looks big! 
Size of baby: Beansprout weighs about 5 pounds, 4 ounces (the weight of a honeydew melon) and is over 18 inches long.  I had a doctor's appointment today, and he is measuring right at 35 weeks, so I am hoping he won't be too huge at birth!  His kidneys are fully developed, and his liver can process some waste.  He's now basically fully developed, he's just working on gaining weight these last few weeks.
Movement: Still moving around nicely.  I can feel and see rolls across my abdomen as he moves!  The doctor even got a glimpse of his movements today as she was feeling for his position.  He still appears to be head down, so it looks like, knock on wood, no breech baby for us!
Sex of baby: It's a boy!
Sleep: I haven't been getting enough of it lately.  I am waking up earlier than I'd like in the morning and having trouble falling back asleep.  Hopefully I will be tired enough soon that that will stop happening.
Cravings: Chocolate, chips, generally things that aren't good for me, so I am trying to avoid them!
Symptoms: Ankle swelling, some pain in the center of my lower uterus that the doctor says is Beansprout moving down and putting pressure on my cervix.
What I'm looking forward to: Decorating Beansprout's room!  My aunt and grandmother graciously came over yesterday to paint it.  I chose a Williamsburg blue color, which looks great on the walls, and I think will complement the navy, light blue and red bedding and accessories nicely.  I am so excited to get everything set up.  The crib will be delivered on June 13, and then we just have to wait for the glider to arrive.  It's getting close to go time!

Extras: As you can see, this photo is taken from a new vantage point: our new house!  The background is pretty boring, but you can see the belly in all of its glory.  We moved into the house this past weekend, and we are settling in nicely.  The dogs, especially Rowan, LOVE their new backyard.  Finn likes to wag his tail at the terrier who lives next door; Rowan likes to bark at him.  Everything is pretty much unpacked, with the exception of the baby's room, because we're waiting for the paint to dry before we move furniture in.

Thirty Four Weeks

How far along: 34 weeks as of May 22, 2012.
Size of baby: Beansprout weighs about 4 pounds, 12 ounces (the weight of a cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long.  He is adding fat layers to his body, making him rounder and smoother.  His central nervous system is maturing, and his lungs are continuing to mature. 
Movement: Beansprout is still moving around, and I'm making sure to pay attention to his movements.  I don't feel many kicks any more, since he is running out of room, but I can feel him move positions and roll around.
Sex of baby: Boy!
Sleep: Still ok, with some soreness in my hips after sleeping on my side for too long.
Cravings: Mexican food, ice cream, cereal.
Symptoms: Some ankle swelling, sore feet after standing even for short periods of time.
What I'm looking forward to: Meeting this baby soon!!

Thirty Three Weeks

How far along: 33 weeks as of Tuesday, May 15, 2012.  Moving right along!
Size of baby: Beansprout weighs a little over four pounds, the weight of a pineapple, and is about 17 inches long.  Now that sounds substantial!  At my doctor's appointment this week, he is measuring just about five days ahead.  His skin is becoming smoother, and his skeleton is hardening.  The bones in his skull still aren't fused, though, and they won't fuse entirely until early adulthood.
Movement: After last week's scare, I paid attention to Beansprout's movements each night.  I did feel him the requisite five times in an hour (and always more than that), so I felt much better.  In fact, although I was supposed to have another non-stress test this week, I didn't have to do it, because Beansprout did so well after the apple juice kick he got at last week's test. 
Sex of baby: It's a boy!
Sleep: Doing fine, although it is hard to turn over and hoist myself out of bed at night.  I know what people mean when they say they feel like a beached whale.
Cravings: Nothing specific this week.
Symptoms: Some ankle swelling, backaches, weird pains low in my abdomen that I feel only when standing.  I think it's the baby pressing on my bladder.
What I'm looking forward to: Moving soon!  It is a ton of work to get ready to move, especially because Mark has been so busy with work and unable to help much.  A huge shoutout to my aunt, grandmother, mother, and friend, Adeline, who have helped me pack.  We definitely couldn't have done all we need to do without the extra sets of hands.  I can't wait to be in the house, though, and to have the peace and quiet of an actual neighborhood!

Thirty Two Weeks

How far along: 32 weeks as of May 8, 2012.
Size of baby: Beansprout weighs about 3 pounds 12 ounces (the size of a large jicama?) and is about 16.7 inches long.  However, I had a doctor appointment today, and he is measuring a week ahead.  So, again, it looks like he's going to be a big guy.  And, apparently, he will gain 1/3 to 1/2 of his birth weight in the next seven weeks, so the growing is going to keep on going!  He now has toenails, fingernails, and hair, and his skin is becoming soft and smooth.
Movement: Oh, boy.  This category is detailed today.  I'll describe at the end of the summary.
Sex of baby: Boy!
Sleep: Still fine.
Cravings: Sweets, salads from a local create-your-own salad place, Mexican food (shocker!)
Symptoms: Some swelling in my ankles.  Also, I can't believe I forgot to mention this for last week's post, but my right big toe has been numb for about two weeks!  It's apparently normal and nothing to worry about, just a nuisance.  It's the strangest thing, and it's only the one toe.
What I'm looking forward to: Our baby preparation class tomorrow.  We get a tour of the hospital where we'll deliver, and we learn some baby care techniques.  Also, we watch a birth video.  Here's hoping Mark doesn't pass out!


Here's the long story for Beansprout's movement: I had my 32 week appointment today.  The doctor was asking about how things are going, and I mentioned that I feel the baby move much more often during the day than at night.  I said it seems to be the opposite for most people.  I expected her to say, "Oh, that's normal, different babies have different movement patterns."  Instead, she asked whether I feel him move at least 5 times an hour at night.  I wasn't sure, and I haven't really been paying attention, because he's so active during the day.  So, then she orders a non-stress test, to make sure Beansprout is doing fine.  The real name of this test should be called the "stress test," because it is extremely stress-inducing for the mama!  They strap two monitors around your belly to measure the baby's heartrate and determine whether you're having contractions.  Every time the baby moves, you click a button.  The heartrate and contraction numbers are charted on a piece of paper that continually runs throughout the process. 
So, for 30 minutes, I lie there, anxious and worried, and Beansprout moves 12 times.  His heartrate was stable in the 140s.  I thought everything was fine, since he moved more than 5 times and his heartrate was stable.  But, once the nurse sees the pattern, she brings me apple juice and has me test for another 30 minutes.  The apple juice woke Beansprout up, and he went crazy moving, which made his heart rate fluctuate from the 130s to the 160s.  Apparently, that's what you want to see: that the baby responds to movement by experiencing changes in the heartrate.  If his heart rate hadn't fluctuated with the apple juice, they would have been concerned.  But, since it did, he received a clean bill of health, which was a huge relief!  I do have to go in next week to repeat the test.  This time I will be drinking juice ahead of time!
We also learned that I am having no contractions, and that Beansprout hasn't dropped at all.  So, it looks like he's camping out for the long haul, and my fears of premature delivery were unfounded!