Today I am 37 wks + 2days and I just had my doctor appointment.
At 37 weeks:
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.
Since I have had kidney trouble during the pregnancy, my doctor may induce me a little early, depending on 'how ripe' I am at 38 weeks, which is next week. I see him weekly now and he started checking my cervical position today. Regarding labor stations, I am -2. Which from what I understand, means that he is 2 centimeters away from being just at the cervix (point 0) which is when he will begin his descent into the actual birth canal. You can be anywhere from -3 to +3 which is when he will be 'crowning' (showing his head to the outside world). Here is an animation since my explanation may not have been very clear:
My doctor stressed that if I have any leaking of fluid or contractions (even painless braxton-hicks) every 5 minutes, just to go directly to labor & delivery at Mary Immaculate and he may induce me to get Lucas off my kidneys. I am very excited to think that he could come as soon as next week! I am glad he is in head down position, my cervix was soft and -2 station is better than -3!
Also, my test results came back for Group B Streptococcus came back negative so I won't be needing antibiotics in an IV during the birth which is great. Blood pressure was great too. My next appointment is on Tuesday January 6th, and I will be 38 wks +3 days. I am kind of hoping to have him then--partially because of the excitement, partially because he won't be as big as he will in 2 more weeks, partially because John's parents will be here on the 8th and they will get to spend lots of time with him, and partially because John will be able to take his full 10 days of paternity leave, before his deployments in the end of January/beginning of February. Please pray for everything to go smoothly and safely--and for me to have the strength to do this! I can't wait to see his face!!!
*And to see John's face in reaction to holding his baby*
7 comments:
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I am getting so excited! I can't believe he is almost here. I remember your announcement video :) Wow. What a beautiful ride it's been, right? I know my ride has been wonderful! Even if with occasional downturns. I still enjoyed it <3 I am what a beautiful experience. I am so happy that you are happy Sam. Can't wait to read more of your updates :)
I too am very excited for you! If I lived closer I would ask if you'd want me as your doula. Just for support to keep you going. I did a lot better when I hired my midwife to be mine. If you get a great nurse you won't need one they are there to help you. And you'll have John. I just wanted Brandon in there as well, thought it weird to me to have others, especially family. Yet for Ethan a whole bunch of doctors in training (I guessed) came in to observe and I just let them. Crazy. You'll find the nurse might seem to do more then the doctor. My doctor just caught Sophie, sewed me up and left. Also congratulated me. But you know what I mean. Tell John through the whole process you need encouragement and strength from him. It is scary but after it's all over you'll forget. Why do you think women have more babies? (As well because they love kids.) I hope John's prepared:) I might have told you this but I focused on Brandon's eyes and it helped me. Though if he looked away during a contraction I let him know:)Forget about all of the horror stories and just focus on getting your baby out and in your arms. That feeling is the best you will ever have and it really is different for your first. Though for me Sophie felt like my first since Ethan was whisked away. If it turns into a c-section just remember to get up and walk as soon as you feel able. That should help. They'll probably tell you that too. I can't wait!
Oh maybe buy some honey sticks or packets of honey to give you a boost of energy when your ready to push. It really helped me. Just a tip. I'm getting so excited thinking about it. Please feel free to call and let me know all went well. I love you guys! Sorry about the long response I just love this whole process your going to be doing.
iris- thanks! Yeah it seems to have gone by fast, but then I think about how much has changed in my family otherwise and the time seems correct....and then I see pictures of me at 16 weeks, and can't believe how skinny i looked! I thought i was showing then, and i can only hope i look like that again someday. but yes I am so excited and anxious to have him and finally be a mom.Are you going weekly now too? Have they checked your cervix? I am hoping for a big improvement next week- lets get it going! I just really hope he's facing back so I won't have horrible back labor like my mom did with sarah, and my friend shawna had with her son alex.
Brianne- thanks for all your input! Dude if you were here I would definitely have you there to get me through it. I will have john read your comment too---i really hope he is supportive, but i have to say, i can't see him being serious enough to try to be coaching me through like i really want him to do...i think he may end up either just laughing or yelling at me...isn't that sad? lol. I shouldn't assume that, but i am just judging from past experiences lol.
I like that you wrote a blog about it with pics. I was going to suggest you do that. And you know what? I almost wanted to write one like that too! I was putting on my band this morning, the one that I made for my jeans and it fits so snug and tight. I thought, I remember when I made them, they were a little loose, but I wanted to leave room for when I got bigger. Sure glad I did that.
I just wrote a blog about my dr's visit. No, he didn't check my cervix and I didn't ask. I am going weekly after my next visit.
I asked my doctor if our son was facing back and he said if he wasn't, I would see a dent or a dimple in my stomach because his back wouldn't be there. I NEVER heard of that. Have you?
Oh and I wanted to correct my weird sentence up there LOL
"I still enjoyed it <3 I am what a beautiful experience."
What I meant to say is what a beautiful experience. I think I was going to start a sentence with I am...but didn't complete the thought :P
Ooh, I like that honey idea. I never knew that.
Sounds like you might not need to be induced, I mean, your cervix is already soft! That was exciting to read!
I don't mean to sound discouraging but I don't think you should go into this depending on John or anyone else to coach you. Especially since you guys haven't taken any courses on birth. If he DOES end up doing a great job coaching you then that is just icing on the cake. I think you should try to rely on your own strength and when that gives out, I bet John will step up to the plate and give you that little extra "push" that you need.
Brianne's right about the nurses. They do EVERYTHING! The doctor simply gets the baby out and sews you up. Some nurses are so nice and supportive (some aren't). But you'll be in labor for probably a long enough time that you'll have a few different nurses since their shifts are 12 hours long. I'M SO EXCITED!!!
Wow sooo exciting! Question have they by chance done an ultrasound to see how big he is yet?
They are doing mine next week which will be 36 weeks for me!
I am just curious!
iris- i got what you meant in your typo sentence lol. No I hadn't heard of the dent in your belly if they are facing out...I hope he's not!he's moving around a lot and I hope i have him soon--my doctor got my hopes up for having him in my arms now! John too...we went out and bought the last of the baby stuff today.*
Sarah- yeah, I am not depending on John really, i am just really excited to see his reaction in such a huge experience, and the way he talks about it already makes me think it will change him so much and give him a purpose you know? I can't wait to feel that with him and love someone we created together. I am getting paranoid and anxious to go to the hospital every time i feel something now lol. I hope it happens soon!
jenny- NOOOOOO! they didn't do an u/s to check the size! aw..i will have to ask them on tuesday if they will, but i hope i won't have to wait that long! We are all having boys so soon! can;t wait to share experiences and pictures!
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