37 weeks... full term!

The baby weighs close to 6.5lbs and may be about 20 inches in length from head to toe. At this point, the baby's head is cradled in my pelvic cavity, surrounded and protected by my pelvic bones. This position makes some much needed space for it's growing legs and bum!

Many babies have a full head of hair at this point, some locks even measure around 1 inch in length. Don't be surprised if the baby's hair is a different colour than yours, dark haired couples are often taken aback when their children are born with bright red or blond hair, and fair haired couples can likewise produce babies with dark hair. And of course, some babies are born with no hair at all.

Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered the baby from 26 weeks has disappeared, and so has much of the vernix - the whitish substance that covered the baby. The baby will swallow this as well as the other secretions and store them in her bowels. This will become the baby's first bowel movement, a blackish waste called meconium.

So, at my 37 week appointment, the doctor did an internal exam. Wouldn't you know it, I'm 1cm dilated!!! The baby is head down and pushing against my cervix still. So, she suggested we do a stretch and sweep. Basically, the doctor stretches open my cervix, and sweeps under the bag of water. This is intended to get things going, if the baby is ready.... so we'll have to see how things go. I know that I could stay 1cm dilated for weeks, but I'm really crossing my fingers that I'll be holding my beautiful little baby soon!

Showers of Joy, for the little girl or boy!

Shannon did it... she surprised me :)

I knew she was planning a shower, and I knew it was at my house - but the date was forever escaping me. When I came home yesterday from visiting Rob's family, sure enough the street was filled with cars of people we knew, there were balloons on the porch and my house was full of smiling faces!

It was a wonderful, fun day and I couldn't have asked for anything more from Shannon. She did a wonderful job planning, organizing and pulling it off. There were about 40 ladies in attendance, endless amounts of food (Thank you to the people that helped with the food).

And, no... I'm NOT 6 ft around!!! One of Shannon's games was to take some ribbon streamers and guess how big my belly is! We had a couple of close calls, but there were some WAY out there ones too! Shannon bought something like 450ft of streamer, because she figured I was about 6ft around, and she didn't want to run out! Sorry to disappoint you all! :):)

Anyways, the little bean got so many wonderful gifts, and we were completely spoiled by all our friends and family, as usual. Now, we just have to wait for the bean to arrive, and I'm hoping it's any day now!

36 Weeks

The baby is still gaining weight, about an ounce a day - now at about 6lbs. The baby is measuring about 19 inches from head to toe. At this point, there is an increased pressure in the lower abdomen, this is called lightening or engagement, where the baby drops toward the cervix. This gives me a little more breathing room, but walking will become more difficult.

The good news is that by the end of this week, the pregnancy is considered full term, and I could give birth any day now! Babies are considered full term between 37 and 42 weeks, before 37 is premature and after 42 is post-term. At the weekly doctors appointment, the doctor may check for dilation (when the cervix opens) and effacing (when the cervix thins). The baby's position will also be checked, to estimate how far teh baby has dropped into the pelvis.

I had my OB appointment today, the last of the 2 week appointments, I'm in every week now :) We did my swab for Group B Strep and I'll get those results before my next appointment. Group B Strep (or GBS) is a bacteria that about 30% of women carry. It poses no risk to the mother, but there's a risk of infection to the baby. So, should the results come back positive, they recommend antibiotics after the water breaks.

Aside from that, we also did a surprise internal exam, the baby is head down and firmly pressing against my cervix. Hopefully, this means that I'll go into labour sooner rather than later (after all, I'm full term at the end of the week!) A couple people said it looked like I dropped, but personally, I think the baby is getting higher! It may just be a tall baby stretching out...

Anyways, we're on our way!

35 Weeks

The baby now weighs about 5.25 pounds and is about 18 inches from head to toe. You may find an elbow, foot or head protruding from your stomach when the baby stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of the uterus and abdomen stretches thinner, it will let in more light. The baby wills start to develop daily activity cycles. This week, the little one is sporting fingernails, and has a fully developed pair of kidneys. It's liver is also able to produce some waste product. At this point, there is much more baby and much less amniotic fluid in your uterus which has expanded to 1000 times its original size!

I went for my first ever prenatal massage today - Oh. My. God. I have no idea why this idea hasn't taken off yet! I don't hear from a lot of other preggo's that they've gone for massage. Already, my hips are less sore - it was unreal, like all the pain was rubbed away! I still feel a little bruising in my pelvic area, but I can honestly say, I'm like a new person! I booked another for 2 weeks from now, putting me 3 weeks before my due date, and exactly when I'd like to start my own little natural labour induction!

Anyone interested in walking the mall for hours?:D

A letter to my unborn...

Dear baby,

I want to tell you how wonderful you are, even before you're born. I can tell you're exceptional, and I pray every night that wonderful things happen in your life. Daddy and I are preparing for your arrival a little bit each day - we've painted your room, set up some furniture and hung some shelves. Daddy thinks your room is too bright, but I love it and I'm sure you will too!

I wanted to tell you some things, before you're born and we lose the precious time we have together now. I wanted to tell you how much you're wanted, Daddy and I were blessed with news of your arrival shortly after our wedding, and it was the happiest moment of my life - I'm sure Daddy would say the same. I want to tell you how much you're loved - not just by Daddy and me, but by all the people already in your life. Your aunts & uncles are all waiting patiently, to hold you and cuddle you. Your grandparents are all so excited to finally meet you - I'm sure you'll be spoiled like crazy!

I want you to know that I'll miss your little nudges, when you don't think I'm paying attention... feeling you move in my belly is the best part of my day. Ask Daddy, even when I'm having the worst day, and all I want is to not be pregnant anymore, even when I'm on the verge of tears from sleepless nights... all you have to do is move a little, and a smile crosses my face that could light up the universe.

I want you to know about Daddy, and the look on his face when he finally felt your nudges. He was so frustrated and impatient because I could feel you, but he couldn't - one night he put his hand on my belly, and you moved! I've never seen a look like the one on your Daddy's face before. He said he felt like you reached out and poked him, saying "Hi daddy, I'm here!". Maybe you were...

Now, when you move around, it's so much easier to see and feel - in fact, almost everyone has felt your little rolls and nudges! I won't lie to you, when you push your little bum into my ribs, and I have to catch my breath, it can get to be uncomfortable... but then I rub the area your pushing against, and you relax. I guess you're just running out of room, and need to stretch too! The one thing I noticed is that you love to be rubbed! If Daddy and I can't feel you in my belly, we pick a spot and start rubbing, and sure enough, you push yourself up against our hands! I'll try and remember that when you're here, and make sure you get your massages!

My darling baby, I could go on forever about how much you mean to me, and how you've already changed my life. And I'm sure that I'll spend all my days reminding you of how special and important you are - but until then, I have to be satisified telling you that I love you, and I can't wait to meet you.

Be safe, my baby - we'll see you in a few short weeks!

All my love,
Mommy

34 Weeks

The baby now weighs more than 4.7 pounds and is 18 inches from head to toe. The baby is filling pout and getting rounder - the fat layers are needed to regulate body temperature after the baby is born. Now is a good time to start talking to the baby, if we already haven't (we have) as hearing is now fully developed. Don't feel ridiculous if you're already chatting in baby talk, some evidence shows that newborns pay closer attention to higher pitched tones.

If you're nervous about going into premature labour, you'll be happy to know that 99% of babies born at 35 weeks can survive outside the womb, most have no major problems. Although the baby's central nervous system is still maturing, her lungs are nearly developed by now.

Many women start to notice a tingling sensations or numbness in the pelvic region or pain nas they walk. This may be caused by the pelvic joints loosening, to get ready for labour.


I had my OB appointment today, and all is looking great! The baby is head down, which is good news for a natural labour :D The heartbeat was 154bpm, which is a very healthy number, I'm measuring perfectly and we're right on track!

Madison was over the other day, and she finally felt the baby move! She was getting jealous that everyone else had felt the baby moving, and the look on her face was priceless!

I've got most of the things I need to pack my hospital bag - I went to Walmart to buy some nighties, they say you're more comfortable in your ow clothes, although I can't imagine being too comfortable at all! What I need now are just things for the baby, and some last minute packing things, like snack foods and what not.

2 more weeks until my next appointment - then we're on to the once a week appointments!

33 Weeks

The baby now weighs about 4.2 pounds and measures about 17 inches from head to toe. Hopefully, the baby is getting ready for delivery, by turning upside down. The next couple weeks are crucial, because some babies will turn around again! The baby's skull is still quite pliable and not completely joined, in part so that it's easier to to pass through the relatively narrow birth canal. The bones in the rest of his or her body are hardening though, and the baby's skin is becoming less red and wrinkled. As a first time mother, the baby's head move down and begin pressing firmly against my cervix (happens in 50% of cases). Second time moms find this doesn't happen until the week before or right when labour starts. Also, the swelling and water retention (Oedema) may begin now. Staying hydrated is the best way to combat water retention!

So, I've given my notice for my last day of work!! I won't lie, I was a little nervous - I know that my boss is nervous too. I looked at the calendar, and decided that I want to get a couple things done. The baby is due on a tuesday (not that it couldn't come earlier or later) so I'll be ending work 18 days (2 work weeks) before my due date on April 3rd. The only possibly way I'll be working later, is if my replacement needs the extra week of training. But I'd REALLY prefer not to, so I can just get some rest and relax for a bit, before our little one comes to join us!

Rob's feeling the baby all the time now, but it doesn't take away the smile from his face each and every time! His favourite is when the baby is 'freaking out' and pushing super hard and kicking a lot in the same place. He loves it, I find it's a bit uncomfortable!