Baby Bump #2 Week 38 & Hospital Tour

Week 38

Baby Size

19.75 in

leek

Baby Weight

6.8 lb

Baby

Although your baby is full term with fully functioning organs, his brain and nervous system will continue to develop well into childhood and his teen years.

You may be wondering what your baby will look like. Many parents are often surprised by the hair or eye color of their baby at birth, but note these characteristics may change as they grow older.

Body

Before your pregnancy your uterus weighed only two ounces. By now, it has stretched large enough to hold your baby and weighs around two and a half pounds. Your baby is now considered full-term but he or she will still continue to grow until you deliver.

Your breasts will also reach their full size and your overall weight gain will slow, stop or even drop a little. At this point, waiting for your baby is a challenge. Many practitioners recommend taking this time to relax and move towards planning and preparing for your time with your newborn.

Me:

This week has been really great, right until Friday.  I think my body just knew I was done with work.  Therefore, it has started to get just a little closer to bringing Pyper into our world.  There have been moments in the last couple of days were I think she could come out any minute, then other moments were I think she won't come out anytime soon.  I have been having constant Braxton Hicks, but they have not been painful, just annoying.  I have to pee every thirty minutes, and feel like I have gone poop 10 times in the last two days.   They say that maybe my body starting the cleansing process, but that can start up to two weeks before labor. 

 My water also never broke with Bo, so I have no idea what that feels like.  Last night I woke up in the middle of the night, and I felt kinda wet, so I started looking things up.  I could have either just sneezed in the middle night or I have a slow leak.  So I just changed and went back to bed, and I felt fine for the rest of the night.  I'm glad I have an appointment tomorrow morning, so I can make sure that I don't have a slow leak.  

Week 38 (Wed)

Week 38 (Fri)

Week 38 (Sat)

 It may be hard to tell in these pictures but she is really starting to drop

I feel like we are ready for her after this weekend, shopping is done, hospital tour is done, baby items are out of storage, laundry is done, prescriptions refilled, crib is back together, bags are packed and phone trees have been revisited. Now just need to wash the baby bottles, and wait for Pyper to want to make her appearance.

Since we had Bo, our hospital has created a while new building for expecting mothers.  It's called The Mother and Baby Center. (I don't want to put a link because I don't want people  looking for it to come to my blog, however you should look it up because the website has a lot of cool info on it.)
 I am so excited to give birth there.  When we went on the tour I got a little teary eyed while we were touring, because it really hit me she could be here any day now. 

Here are some pics of the new birthing center

One of the birthing rooms

One of the recovery room with memory foam beds (when I was there with Bo, the beds were so uncomfortable, so I am so EXCITED about the new beds)  They also have full sized couches for beds for Josh instead of the uncomfortable fold out chair)

Check out the bathrooms in our room

Each room is also equipped with 32" TV's with DVD players, as well as an I-pod doc.  The I-pod doc is really cool because we can listen to music while I labor.  The rooms are also a lot bigger, so when people come to visit they won't feel like they are sitting on top of each other. 

Any day now.

Getting ready for baby Pyper

So as my due date approaches I started to look online at the weeks leading up to labor, because honestly I don't remember any of them from Bo.  After much surfing, I found this article about signs and planning for the hospital.  It was a great reminder of the things to be paying attention to as well as remembering what I brought to the hospital for Bo that I needed and what I brought that I don't plan to bring again.  It also got me thinking about the things I did not have when I came home from the hospital.  Now that my summer job is over I realized all of the little things I better get done before she arrives. I better make a checklist  of things they don't mention. 

o   Put crib back together

o   Pack our hospital bag

o   Clothes for me

o   Clothes for Pyper

o   Mybreast friend

o   Nursing cover

o   Cameras

o   Note pad/Pen

o   Phone /phone charger

o   Snacks for Josh

o   Clothes for Josh

o   My pillow

o   Double check our plans with the people watching Bo, and our pets

o   Revisit our calling tree

o   Get new born/ post birth supplies

o   Clean breast pump

o   Wash bottles

o   Get new baby items out of storage that we have not yet

o   Buy newborn diapers

o   Get heavy maxi pads

o   Refill all meds and vitamin’s, so I don’t have to when I get home

o   Fill our fridge with food so we don't have to go shopping after she gets her

o   Get Bo a big sister gift, and a gift for her to bring to her baby sister at the hospital

Next Appointment Monday July 1st, hopefully she can give me an estimation of how much longer she thinks it will be until we meet our new baby girl.

Signs of Labor - Pregnancy Planner

Different women feel oncoming labor differently. Some feel no symptoms until they are right in the beginning of labor. Others have many symptoms such as cramping for weeks before labor actually begins. During labor four major changes occur:

• Ripening- the softening of the cervix
• Effacement- the thinning out of the cervix
• Dilatation-the opening of the cervix
• Station- the movement of the baby’s head onto the ischial spines

Labor Facts -

• Only five percent of women actually deliver on their due dates. The typical range for delivery is two weeks before to two weeks after the actual due date.
• The average length of a first labor is 14 to 17 hours. Subsequent labors generally last 6 to 8 hours.
• The position of the baby can effect the length of labor.

Prelude to Labor
Before labor actually begins, many women experience some of the following:

• Braxton Hicks contractions - These “practice” contractions (sometimes felt throughout the second half of pregnancy) tend to be irregular and are focused in the abdomen, as opposed to beginning in the back. They generally cause no changes in the cervix. Many women find that walking may give some relief.
• Lightening - Lightening, or “dropping,” occurs when the presenting part of the baby moves down into the pelvis. This often relieves shortness of breath, but can increase pelvic pressure and frequency of urination. In first time pregnancies, lightening may occur several weeks of just a few hours before the onset of labor. In subsequent pregnancies, lightening does not generally occur until just before labor begins.
• Weight loss - After all of those weeks and months of gaining weight, many women lose two or three pounds before labor even begins.
• Bursts of energy - Many women experience a burst of energy before the onset of labor. Often referred to as “nesting,” many women find themselves cleaning and preparing their homes for the arrival of the new baby.
• Activity of baby - The baby may become slightly less active as labor approaches. You should still feel the baby move several times an hour - if you don’t, call your health care provider immediately.
• Changes in the cervix - Particularly for women who have already had a baby, the cervix may begin to change weeks before labor begins.
• Increased vaginal discharge - Discharge may become thicker and may even be blood tinged.

Signs of Labor

• Contractions - In true labor, contractions will become very regular and will often start in the back and work their way toward the front. They will become progressively stronger and closer together. While walking often stops Braxton Hicks contractions, it will often make real contractions stronger. Time your contractions from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next.
• Rupture of membranes - Also known as “water breaking,” this may be experienced as either a gush of fluid or a slow trickle. Call your health care provider immediately, and be prepared to tell him/her the color of the fluid, the time of rupture, and the movement of the baby.
• Bloody show - As the cervix readies itself for labor, the mucous in the cervix will often emerge from the vagina.
• Effacement and Dilation - The cervix must thin out (effacement) and dilate (enlarge) in order to deliver the baby. The cervic must be 10 centimeters dilated in order for the woman to push.

Braxton Hicks Contractions
Before you go into true labor, you may experience what is known as Braxton Hicks contractions, or false labor. These are labor-like contractions, often felt for many weeks, that help to prepare your cervix for true labor by thinning, softening, and sometimes even opening your cervix slightly. The contractions often occur more frequently as you get closer to your due date and in the afternoon, evening, after you have exercised, or at other times when you are tired. These contractions can range from mild, when you can’t even feel them, to severe, where they can be quite painful.
Some ways to tell if you are feeling Braxton Hicks contractions are to:

• Time your contractions- False labor contractions are often irregular and don’t get close together as time goes on. True labor contractions come at regular intervals and get closer together. They last from 30 to 60 seconds.
• Try to move around. False labor contractions often stop when you walk, rest, or change position. Real labor contractions do not stop as you move around.
• Notice the strength of the contractions- False labor contractions do not increase in intensity. True labor contractions steadily get stronger.
• Note the place of the pain- Pain from false labor contractions are usually only felt in the front while true labor contractions often start in the back and move to the front.

If you begin to feel contractions, time them for one full hour and write down how they feel. Don’t hesitate to go to the hospital if you really can’t tell if you are in labor. It is better to be safe than sorry.
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor’s office or the hospital:

• You have symptoms of labor before you are 37 weeks
• You feel your water break even though you have no contractions
• You have vaginal bleeding
• You have constant severe pain
• You have a fever or chills
• You feel your baby moving less

What Should I Bring to the Hospital??
Some time around 33 to 36 weeks might be a good time to pack that overnight bag and leave it near the door, as you really could deliver at any time over the next month. Many women like to have some “comfort” items in the labor room, including:

• watch or clock with second hand for timing contractions
• radio or CD/cassette player and your favorite tapes, if music soothes and relaxes you
• camera and/or video equipment if you want to capture the moment. Women & Infants does not allow the use of video and audio equipment while the birth or a medical procedure is in progress.However, this equipment is permitted during labor and after the birth of the baby or the completion of medical procedures. Still photography is permitted during the birth experience or at any time during your hospital stay. For the privacy of other patients, families are asked to refrain from filming other babies in the nursery.
• lotions or oils you might like for massage
• tennis ball or plastic rolling pin for firm counter-massage if you are experiencing lower back pain

At Women & Infants, the clothing that you wear on arrival is usually sent home and we will provide you with a “johnnie” (hospital gown) to wear during your stay. Following are some additional items that you may want to bring:

• toothbrush and toothpaste
• deodorant
• shampoo and soap
• nightgowns and robe (if you plan to breastfeed, be sure that your nightgown has the appropriate openings)
• shower shoes
• breastpads
• comfortable undergarments (bras and underpants)
• additional toiletry items

Clothing will be provided for your newborn infant as long as he or she stays in the nursery. It is recommended that you have clothing for yourself and your baby brought to the hospital the day before you are scheduled to return home.

Baby Bump #2 Week 37

Week 37

Baby Size

19.75 in

leek

Baby Weight

6.8 lb

Baby

Although your baby is full term with fully functioning organs, his brain and nervous system will continue to develop well into childhood and his teen years.

You may be wondering what your baby will look like. Many parents are often surprised by the hair or eye color of their baby at birth, but note these characteristics may change as they grow older.

Body

Before your pregnancy your uterus weighed only two ounces. By now, it has stretched large enough to hold your baby and weighs around two and a half pounds. Your baby is now considered full-term but he or she will still continue to grow until you deliver.

Your breasts will also reach their full size and your overall weight gain will slow, stop or even drop a little. At this point, waiting for your baby is a challenge. Many practitioners recommend taking this time to relax and move towards planning and preparing for your time with your newborn.

 

Me:

 This week I have been either really tired or full of energy.  I think I took more naps then Bo this last week, and have never been so thankful that she is so good at just laying down in her bed on her own then I have been this week.  I have had a really hard time falling asleep at night though even when I have been tired.  Everyone keeps asking me are you ready for Pyper to be here, and I can honestly say NO.  I really want to get through this week of work.  Being the lead of the SIP program really makes me feel like I need to finish it, even though we have a back-up plan, I like to finish what I start.  However after our tour of the new birthing center at Abbott on Saturday she is welcome to come at anytime.  I'm also looking forward to 6 weeks off before going back part time.

Week 37

 

Midwife Appointment Weeks 37/38 Baby Cleve #2

We had our 38 week midwife appointment, but I am still 37 weeks until tomorrow.  We really didn't talk about much today just checked my stats and told me to come back in another week.

  

We did however talk a little about Bo's doctor and what I like and don't like about him.  I told her about how I felt like they have should have a checklist of milestones that your child should be at, and I thought it was weird that they didn't ask me any of those questions.  She said that was a great idea, and she was going to e-mail the pediatric department about that.  She was also surprised that they didn't ask me any of those questions.  I also found out that the other pediatrician at our clinic retired, and they are looking to hire a new pediatrician, so it will be interesting to see who they hire.

OK, back to Pyper

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 37/38

Blood Pressure: 94/68 (Back to normal)

Baby's heart beat: 140
Fundal Height: 36 cm 

Weight gain: 28 lbs.
Effaced: ?
Dilated: ? 
 My cervix is to far back for her to really check, but she thinks that it is fairly thick. I really don't remember her having this problem with Bo, but I'm not worried if she's not.


Results from Bo 
Week 37

Blood Pressure: 114/76

Baby's heart beat: 140
Fundal Height: 34cm

Total Weight gain: 39 lbs. 

Effaced: 0%
Dilated: 0cm

It's about that time...

We are two and a half weeks away from our due date of July 9th, and we want to know your predictions on when our daughter will be welcomed into our world.  Take a minute to click on the link below and fill in your predictions.  Can't wait to see who is the closest.

Baby Poll

Good Luck!

Baby Bumb #2 Week 36

Baby Size

18.75 in

crenshaw melon

Baby Weight

5.75 lb

Baby

Your baby is still gaining weight and becoming rounder in appearance. By the end of this week your baby will be considered full term.

The presention of your baby is likely head-down. For babies that are not, your practitioner may recommend an external cephalic version, a technique to manually manipulate your baby into the head-down position.

Body

Just a month away from your due date you're likely feeling very anxious for your baby to deliver. Your baby will continue to grow and the amniotic fluid that surrounds him or her will actually decrease a bit as your body absorbs some of it. This decreases the amount of room your baby has to move and this might also cause you to notice smaller fetal movement. 

ME: 

Between working nights/weekends and spending my days with my baby girl, this week has just flew by.  I have enjoyed that although I can still feel her moving they are less intense and don't hurt anymore.  I am really starting to enjoy every moment now, and seeing my crooked stomach just makes me laugh.  It has also been really cool to feel limbs from the outside and have Josh feel them too.  It is so weird how different pregnancy can be from one child to the next.  I am getting more and more excited to hold her in my arms.  With Bo I was ready to be done being pregnant around this time, but this time I really am not ready for her to come closer to her due date.  This might just be because I know I have to work until the 28th of June.  

Start of week 36

End of week 36