August 4th--35 weeks! This is exactly how far along I was when I delivered Porter. Baby is approximated to be over 18 inches and 5.25 lbs (like picking up a honeydew melon). OB appointment on the 3rd went good. Good news to hear I tested negative for group B strep which they swabbed me for the precious week. I measured 35 (right on) and baby heartbeat was good and strong! He checked me vaginally and I was still dilated to a 1 & 50% effaced (thinned). I saw the perinatalogist the same day (Dr. Esplin) and we were shocked that Caleb's MCA was almost the same as the previous week. The trend had been going up so we thought he would be worse but he was great! It was about 58. Amazing! Since the number had not gone up he felt confidant that there was no need to check it again, so no need to see him the last two times but just continue with the NST's twice a week to check on baby. Awesome! So went from 4 appointments a week to only 3. (Picture in black shirt 8/2)
I ended up taking pictures on 3 different days during the 35th week, just in case. I never got a "day of" picture when I had Porter and I don't want to miss out on that again. I want to have a picture of baby belly just before he's born! (Picture in white top with flower design 8/3)
(Picture in blue shirt 8/5)
Porter helped me with pictures one day and he was so cute! So glad I got a picture of him giving Caleb a kiss. Wish it was a better quality picture and better lighting and background, but I'll take it!
August 11th is our official 36 week mark. (Picture 8/8...same day I got my hair done by my friend; full head of blonde highlights and a badly needed trim which was taking off an inch; can't believe how much hair I still have) At this point a baby is packing on the pounds gaining about an ounce a day. A baby of this gestational age is about 6 lbs and 18.5 inches long. In a week baby is considered full-term or term. Before 37 weeks it's preterm and after 42 weeks is post-term.
That week I had NST's on Monday the 8th and Thursday the 11th. Everything went great! On Monday the monitor showed two fairly big, long contractions, but I didn't feel them. Why can't I be hooked up when I feel something at home? I would like to see what those look like on screen. On Wednesday the 10th I saw my OB, Dr. Lunt, and all was well! He checked me and still dilated 1+ and thinned out. I brought my medicine for another progesterone injection but he said there was no need. Apparently they typically stop those at 36 weeks, and if baby were to try to come now it would be fine. Dr. Lunt did tell me not to go into labor that night, however, because he was taking his family to see "The Little Mermaid" at Tuacahn. I gave him rave reviews and told him they would enjoy it. Baby heartbeat was great, I measured 35, and I will need to be seen again next week. Even though that appointment will only be the day before delivery, he said we'll want to check how the cervix is, which will make a difference for the induction the following day. Thursday the 11th I started feeling the pressure and having "real" contractions all day. The NST did show contractions but the nurse said they weren't regular or close enough to do anything about it. Wonder if it will be a week of this... So down to only two appointments left! One NST and one more OB visit, then it's hospital time to get our baby out!
We are having a labor induction (having labor started/induced medically before going into natural labor) for the safety of baby Caleb. If it's done for a non-medical reason (i.e. convenience or preference), it's called an 'elective labor induction'. If it's for a medical reason then it is called an 'indicated labor induction'. That's what our situation is (the latter); both my OB and the perinatalogist have said there is no reason to keep baby in longer than term (37 weeks) to put him at risk for severe anemia. They said it's better to deliver him as soon as possible, but not too early of course. Dr. Lunt scheduled the induction for August 18th and these are the 'instructions' they gave me from the hospital about that day:
"Medical Induction. We look forward to caring for you and your new baby as your doctor has scheduled you for an elective induction on 8/18. We will make every effort to call you in the morning hours of the day you are scheduled. Occasionally, however, depending on the number of patients needing care that day, you may be called at any time on the day you are scheduled--from midnight to midnight. Please plan to leave your home within 30 minutes of this phone call, and have advance arrangements in place for transportation and childcare. You may continue to eat lightly until we call. If you have any further questions, please call us at 688-4430. We wish you the best as you welcome your newest family member.
The Staff of Labor and Delivery"
Porter is such a fun, cute, silly little guy. I just love how Porter always lines up his toys; in this case his animals. (8/2)
Being on restricted activity and semi-potty training (hence the recent pant-less, bare-bummed boy), Porter and I have been spending many days at home...aaaaall day. He watches shows and plays with toys. This day I gave him Disney stickers and he decorated himself. (8/4)
So cute and what a creative little guy!
I'm in a current habit of reading the newspaper in the mornings/afternoons while Porter and I eat breakfast or lunch. Porter decided to read as well. (8/5)
My silly little guy. I sure do love him!
