Starting week 42!

Kathryn, you are 41 weeks developed, today!  The world around us is getting antsier and more anxious, but you, me and Jared are keeping the zen.  After all, you can't rush perfection.  We love you very much.

Here's a 41 week picture from today.  Kathryn has dropped, she is in a good position, and she continues to move a bit every day.  Jared checks for her heartbeat and movement on a daily basis.  I have been having prodromal ("fake") labor for about two and a half days--the contractions hurt, but are not overwhelming--more annoying.  They are not properly time-able--some will be 5 minutes apart, others will be 30 minutes apart, or even hours later.

The "When to Expect" website that I mentioned a few posts ago now says I have a 65% chance of delivering this week.  I really thought it would be higher than that!  They say their best guess on Kathryn's weight would be 7lbs and 13oz.  I feel like she is probably a little heavier than that.  

The last time I was at the birth center (when I was 39 weeks and 4 days), I was scheduled for a biophysical profile that's to take place tomorrow morning.  Basically, it's an ultrasound and a non-stress test, just to make sure that it's okay for us to keep waiting.  If you pray, you can pray that both of these go well and that we will not face pressure for an induction.  Jared and I want to have a natural and non-medicated birth, as long as Kathryn and I can remain safe and healthy.      

40 weeks and Chugging Along!

Kathryn, all the websites or books that I've used to update your growth, top out at 40 weeks.  Frustrating, seeing as the average first time pregnancy, when left to develop naturally, will last an average of 41 weeks and 1 day.  Anyway, today is your due date and you are comfortable where you are.  I still feel you moving around (mostly trying to stretch out your feet) and the midwife at our appointment Monday said you were in prime position for delivery--finally, straight up and down.  Your heartbeat was good at 140, and you are measuring just fine.  We love you very much.

My blood pressure is good and I've gained 30 pounds now--more than what I hoped, but only by 5 pounds.  I will not have another regular appointment with the Birth Center.  If I remain pregnant, the next time I'll go will be next Friday, for an ultrasound at UNC and then a non-stress test at the Birth Center, to make sure that it is okay to keep waiting.

Since I don't have much news to share, here's an awesome (and foul-mouthed, just a warning) blogger and her great tips for being a new dad.  I've also included her suggested comebacks for folks who ask, "Have you had that baby yet?/When are you having the baby?"

http://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2010/6/7/new-dad-survival-guide-8-essential-tips.html

Comebacks for the question, "Have you had that baby yet?"

1) I'm trying to hold it in so I can finish this novel I'm reading.
2) Oh, I had it, I just left it in the car today.
3) Jerkthatstatestheobvioussayswhat?
4) Don't worry, you'll know when your husband starts paying child support.
5) I had it yesterday but I'm trying to shoplift this basketball so could you leave me alone?
6) Sure I did, I just love maternity clothes so much that I duct-taped a bowling ball onto my belly and carry on like usual.

And lastly, the top 5 things I've learned from pregnancy and the top 5 things I've appreciated/enjoyed about pregnancy.  Just for some levity and because I'm probably going to be too tired to remember much about it once Kathryn does arrive.

Top Five Things I've Learned:
(1) Give your husband just a tad more grace than you usually do.  Your hormones are making you into even more of a stereotypical crazy woman than normal.  He honestly does NOT get it, even though he's trying.  Try to be patient.
(2) Accept that there are still insanely inappropriate people out there who will say all kinds of things that should never be said to pregnant women.  But don't feel you have to let them get away with it.
(3) Everyone has advice.  Be open, listen to it, nod your head.  But don't feel like you have to do what they say, no matter who it is.  This is YOUR pregnancy and YOUR baby.  YOU know what's right for you and yours.
(4) Start early in your preparation for baby--including everything from building a registry, to figuring out what you want your nursery to look like, to exercising and eating right, etc.  You will not have the energy or patience or time to do all of this in the last trimester.
(5) Babies cost a lot even before they arrive.  While Jared and I have held to our original ban on frilly-butt clothes and have kept only a limited amount of pink "stuff", we have accepted any and all offerings from people.  If we decide we can't use part of it, we use it to bless someone else who's expecting.

Top Five Things I've Appreciated/Enjoyed:
(1) For once in my life, it's okay to have a belly!
(2) The majority of this pregnancy has been easy--moderate morning sickness (but only at home, I never got sick at work or elsewhere), no complications, manageable aches and pains.
(3) Several people in my life have given me the back-handed compliment that I have "childbearing hips/hips meant for making babies."  I actually do--my thickly built frame has done me many favors during pregnancy.
(4) I have gotten to know Jared in surprising new ways in the last ten months, and love him more and more.  He is such a great daddy already.
(5) We have been so blessed by friends and family who have given us bags of gently used items, thrown us baby showers, gifted us at baby showers, and shared in our happiness.  Thank you.

39 full weeks and starting week 40

Kathryn, you will definitely be here sometime in the next three weeks!  This week, more lanugo (downy hair) is falling out, and you may still be shedding vernix (white, greasy substance).  You are most likely done with putting on pounds and inches.  The average newborn weighs 7.5 to 8.3 pounds and is 20-21 inches long.  Your lungs, brain, bones and reflexes are all developed--around this point, it is up to your little body and my body to agree on when you come out!

I still feel movement every day, even if it's just a little bit.  Mostly, Kathryn is pushing her feet up the top of my belly, or she has hiccups.  At our weekly visit on Monday, I got another good report on my blood pressure, my weight (I LOST half a pound), my belly measurement and Kathryn's heartbeat.  I still enjoy pregnancy and don't feel the need to complain about it.  After miscarrying Angel, I feel blessed to be able to carry this child.  And, I know women who would give the world to have the most miserable pregnancy, if it meant being able to grow and then raise a child of their own.

There is a fun website called "When To Expect" that uses birth data and statistics to make guesses about your birth.  Their calculations are based on the 2009 and 2010 public birth certificate data from the CDC's Division of Vital Statistics.  There were something like 8 million US babies born in those years, and the website extracts the average data for matching pregnancies, based on your answers to a few questions.  Keeping in mind that way too many of those pregnancies were probably scheduled inductions or c-sections, the website says I have a 48% chance of delivering this week (6/20-6/26), and a 32% chance of delivering the week after (6/27-7/3).  It also guesses Kathryn's weight at 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

Anything left on our "to-do" list could be done before or after the birth, so we're pretty much good to go now.  We're good to wait, too.  :)

Week 39 is Starting

Hello, Kathryn!  You keep building up a layer of fat this week to help regulate your temperature once you're out, but there's no real telling anymore how much you weigh or how long you are.  Most books would say you're about the average this week, at 19-21 inches long and seven or eight pounds.  Boys tend to be a little heavier than girls at birth.  Your head has dropped a little bit into my pelvis--not enough to really hurt or affect my walk, but it's a sign that you're getting yourself ready.  You still move every day, but the peak of your movement was several weeks ago, when you had more room.  Your brain continues to grow and your pink skin is turning more white.  We love you very much.

Several people now have asked me if the midwives have changed my due date.  I figure I will take advantage of my little soapbox here to inform folks that one's due date is usually only changed within the first trimester (three months).  In fact, my midwives originally thought my due date was June 18th, based on when I *should* have ovulated, which was based on my last menstrual cycle.  However, once I had my first ultrasound, the technician was able to measure Kathryn and, with a higher degree of certainty, say that Kathryn was not big enough to be due on June 18th, and that, more likely, she was a week behind and would come around June 27th.  So, no, my due date will not be changing any.  (And if you've read some of my other posts, you know the due date is fairly meaningless, anyway!)  Speaking of, here's a link to a great article that one of my friends shared with me today.  http://voices.yahoo.com/the-lie-edd-why-due-date-isnt-you-1958162.html?cat=25   

I'm feeling uncomfortable, but not miserable.  I ask Jared to do a lot of things that require bending down or lifting, and he's great about helping.  I take some Tylenol each night to relieve my pelvic pain and help me sleep.  I go to the Birth Center on Mondays for check-ups and to the chiropractor once or twice a week to help with keeping my pelvis aligned and my ligaments nice and loose.  I do keep busy, and still have a couple of things I'd like to get done before Kathryn arrives.  This week I have made chili and sausage balls to keep for meals, received the last few things from our registry that we wanted to have before Kathryn comes, washed baby clothes and put away items in the nursery, bought nursing bras, had the car seat bases inspected, had my hair cut and nails done, and stocked up on paper and toiletry products so we don't have to worry about running out in the next few weeks.  I still feel like this pregnancy has flown by and feel very grateful that I've had no complications, drama or terribly unpleasant symptoms.  God is good to us and I try to be mindful to give thanks each day.

Week 38 starts today

Kathryn, we start week 38 today!  It really has gone fast.  You'll grow to about 6.8 or 7 pounds this week.  The average newborn weighs 7.5 pounds (that number is skewed because of inductions and C-sections that happen before the baby is ready or even "due"), and is about 20 inches long.  You've got a firm grasp and organs that are now mature enough for outside living.  Most of the hair (lanugo) and greasy covering (vernix) is disappearing.  You're plumping up your fat cells and taking in more antibodies to grow your immune system.  You're squirming and pushing, but not kicking anymore.  If your eyes are brown when you're born, they'll most likely stay brown.  If they are grey or blue, they may stay blue, or they may turn hazel or green.

We have anywhere from a day to five weeks left.  Jared and I aren't anxious--we know Kathryn will come when she's ready, and we don't want to hurry her.  She is still "floating"--her head hasn't actually rested into my pelvis.  So, that right there tells me it'll probably at least be 3 more weeks.  I still have acid reflux and some leg cramping, and swelling in my legs and feet.  Jared says my stretch marks remind him of a red watermelon--so charming.  :)  It is difficult to sleep, and painful both to lie still and to turn over.  Sometimes I take Tylenol before bed, to try and help it.

Jared and I took this morning to have our "new parent" pictures taken at the Preston Woodall House in Benson, where we were married almost five years ago.  It was fun, and we're glad the rain held off!  I'll have weekly appointments at the Birth Center on Mondays, until Kathryn decides to arrive.    

36 full weeks...full term!

Kathryn, this week you are "full term", but you still have growing to do.  You are 6.3 to 6.5 pounds this week, and have most likely finished your growing lengthwise.  Your lungs are mature enough, or almost enough, to function on their own outside of me.  You continue to practice blinking, sucking, breathing and turning from side to side.  Your head is down, and I can feel your hiccups in my left hip--that's still where your back is.  So, I get a lot of kicks/pushing against my right side.  We love you very much.

I'm having a lot of Braxton Hicks, which are annoying but not painful.  And getting comfortable is tricky.  Good sleep is hard to come by, too.  But, I don't have bad swelling, trouble breathing, high blood pressure, or any other clinical issues that would make me high-risk.  And I've gained 27 pounds.  A healthy weight gain for a whole pregnancy is 25-35 pounds, so I'm good with that.  I feel blessed that this pregnancy has been such a "non-event", after losing Angel.  I'm a mother to two, now--one in my womb, one in my heart. 

Jared and I aren't accepting pelvic checks for effacement or dilation--all it tells us is that we're making progress, which we know is happening anyway.  Some women stay dilated at 3 centimeters for three weeks.  Others are completely closed one day and fully dilated the next.  We'd rather not have the possibility of bacteria/infection, or for someone to strip my membranes without my consent or knowledge.  We know Kathryn will come when she's ready, and she'll let us know when that is!   

Starting Week Thirty-Six

We are 35 full weeks, one more week until Kathryn is considered full-term.  We are starting month nine...Jared and I are very ready, and yet don't feel ready.  There are still some items to buy, food to prepare, and Jared has some reading to do.  Kathryn, this week you may be about 6 pounds and 20-20.5 inches long.  Most of your systems are well-equipped for life now.  Your brain is developing a lot this week and you practice your blinking.  You're shedding your downy coat of hair and the waxy vernix that has covered you.  We love you very much.

This week, you may drop lower into my pelvis, preparing for birth.  I can only hope that you're head down, now.  I've been to the chiropractor twice and have been doing exercises to encourage you to get in the right position, but won't know if you've complied until our ultrasound next Tuesday.

I have a constant achiness and pressure in my pelvis, and it is very difficult to get truly comfortable.  I am fatigued really easily, and that still kind of bothers me--I feel like I should be able to accomplish more each day.  Kathryn squirms and turns, but there are very few kicks or jabs these days.  Braxton Hicks contractions are pretty frequent, but easy to ignore.  That's really about it--no drama or big complaints here! I'll try and update again on Tuesday regarding our next appointment.

Starting week 35!

This is the last week of Month Eight....time has gone so slowly lately!  Kathryn, at the end of this week you will probably be 19-20 inches long and 5.5 pounds--about the weight of a honeydew melon.  You may have topped out on your height by now, but you'll continue to gain about a half a pound every week from now on.  Your brain and lungs continue to develop at a quick pace.  We love you very much.

We had an appointment today and I was so disappointed to find out that the baby is in an oblique breech position.  This is when the baby's head is pointing toward mom's hip, instead of down toward the cervix: 

I was advised to sit on our birthing ball (an exercise ball) as much as possible from here on out, to get her to turn.  One of my biggest fears at this point is that Kathryn remains breech and I'm forced to get a C-section.  My uterus is measuring fine and I've gained 22 pounds--the average women have gained 24-29 by now. 

We did run up against some opposition to our birth plan today.  In it, we share that we don't want to receive Pitocin to help deliver the placenta after the birth.  The midwife I saw today is the one our Bradley Method birth instructor called out specifically as a strong advocate to this "active management of the third stage of labor".  She read that part of our birth plan, and immediately wanted to argue with us about it, saying she hoped that we would abandon that idea and trust her and her experience of being at 3,000 births thus far.  There was a little fear-mongering, too--I was surprised but very glad that our birth instructor had already taught us about this and warned us about this exact situation!

As for me: I tire easily, and I have a lot of achiness and painful pressure in my pelvis.  Sometimes when I get up, it feels like my pelvic bones will break.  I still have occasional acid reflux, and I don't sleep well.  Honestly, not very much to complain about, considering all the symptoms considered normal!

Jared's co-workers threw us a shower this past week--I'm glad that Jared is thought of so highly that they wanted to do that for us!  It was very special.  We have another shower--our fourth and last--this coming Sunday with our church's connect group and other church friends.  Looking forward to spending time with everyone together!    

Week 34 starts today!

Kathryn, we start week 34 today!  It'll most likely be another 6-8 weeks before you arrive, which is fine.  At the end of this week, you'll be 4.75 to 5 pounds (an average cantaloupe), and 18-20 inches long.  All your organs are almost mature, except your lungs, and your skin (now pink instead of red) keeps smoothing out.  You are hopefully settling head down, which we'll check on next week at our appointment.  We love you very much.

I still feel very blessed with how this pregnancy is going.  Maybe it's easier because I have a longer torso, maybe it's because I've always been a "solidly built" woman, or maybe I just have a different perspective since losing my first child to miscarriage.  But for the most part, I feel fine.  "Typical" symptoms" at this point should include nasal stuffiness, constipation, hemorrhoids, backaches, hair growth in the wrong places (chin, neck, back), shortness of breath and breast leaks.  I'm not experiencing any of those! 

What I do have is trouble sleeping (I wake up to turn over occasionally), mild swelling, stretch marks, and some leg cramping.  Not a big deal, really. 

Our couples' shower last weekend was so nice.  Many friends came, the food was delicious, the cake was beautiful, the decorations were lovely.  The weather was....ok.  At least it wasn't colder or raining!  We have about 30% of our registry fulfilled at this time, and we still have two showers!  I found out yesterday that Jared's company plans on throwing us a little shower next week--we feel so loved!  This will make four showers....amazing. 

Next birth center appointment is next Thursday!  We'll have an ultrasound to check on Kathryn's position, size, and to double-check that she is a girl. 

32 Full Weeks, Starting Week 33

Kathryn, this is the start of a few "growing" weeks for you.  This week you will grow to weigh a little more than 4 pounds (a good sized pineapple) and might top out at 19 inches for length.  You are almost finished growing length-wise--then you will really start to fill out width-wise!  The amniotic fluid has maxed out, meaning there is more of you than there is of fluid.  On one hand, that'll mean your kicks are more sharp (less cushioning), but you may do less of them because there is less room for you.  Also this week, I am passing along a lot of antibodies as you build up your own immune system.  At this point, you can only protect yourself from the mildest bacteria and germs.  We love you very much.

I have gained 21 pounds as of a week ago (it's probably 22 by now).  That's good--the average is 22-28 by now.  More good news: I am still sashaying as opposed to waddling.  I'm not having to deal with headaches, hemorrhoids, protruding navel, shortness of breath, or "leakiness" from my breasts.  My blood pressure still looks great and I don't have gestational diabetes or dangerous swelling.

However....my acid reflux continues to try and kill me.  My ears can sometimes feel blocked and I have increasing trouble with sleeping.  I have a smattering of stretch marks, spider veins and varicose veins, and a lot of achiness and pelvic pressure.  I'm wearing my new support band and applying the vitamins (see last week's post) most of the time, and it does seem to help a little.

I never imagined that I could stay so busy without having a job to go to!  It's crazy how much there is to be done in the house, in the yard, or with running errands or scheduling appointments for various things.  I manage to stay busy all day, every day.  Kathryn's second wall decal FINALLY arrived yesterday (after five weeks of waiting and opening a case on Etsy against the shop owner), so maybe we can get back to decorating and arranging the room.

Our next shower is Saturday, hosted by our moms, and then we'll have one last shower two weeks after that, hosted by our church connect group.  Next birth center appointment is in two weeks exactly!

Start of Week 32 and Month Eight

This week, Kathryn will grow to weigh 3.75 to 4 pounds and be 18 to 18.9 inches long.  She'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks!  She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair.  Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth, and is no longer transparent in any way.  She fills almost all the space in my uterus now, but may still have enough room to do somersaults.  Kathryn is practicing opening her eyes, swallowing, breathing, kicking and sucking.  We love her very much.

  

                 

                                                       A 32-week-old baby in the womb

I had my latest appointment today at the Birth Center, and everything's still looking good.  Her heartbeat is about 150, which is a little high, but anything below 160 is still considered normal.  I was told my weight gain and blood pressure look fine.  I brought up some concerns--I had some bruising on my upper left thigh that wouldn't go away, a big lump on the left side of my groin, and low, pelvic pressure.  It was determined that they're all related: the bruising is actually spider veins, the lump is a clump of varicose veins way under my skin, and the pressure is, well, pressure.  They tell me I have "vulvar varicosity", basically, that my left side is enduring a lot of pressure from the baby and uterus, and it's breaking down a little bit on that side.  So now, I get to wear a special support band and apply vitamin E and C oils to my skin daily.  

My blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since I got pregnant.  My acid reflux is back, and I occasionally get Braxton Hicks contractions, although they have been nearly absent the last two weeks.  Kathryn moves a lot--it seems she does more jumping or shuddering than kicking or punching.  I have pelvic pressure and achiness, mild swelling, a little bit of varicose veins/spider veins/stretch marks, and a little bit of difficulty sleeping.  All in all, I really don't feel I have much to complain about.  I still really enjoy pregnancy and feel blessed that things have gone so well, and that Kathryn is healthy and growing.  I try to remember to thank God for these things every day.    

Jared will be adding me to his insurance next week, and they have agreed to include the Birth Center in their network!  This is a big answer to prayer and saves us about $2400 of prenatal/maternity/newborn costs.  It is a week and 2 days until our next baby shower, and three weeks until the next appointment, where they will do an ultrasound to make sure that Kathryn is head-down.  Time seems to be passing slowly, but I try to keep on top of things to make sure that the last few weeks don't sneak up on us!

Into the last 10 weeks

Kathryn, it feels like there's such a short time until you're here, and yet it seems so long.  It still could be three months/12 weeks before you're here, but it's 10 weeks until your due date and we are now starting the eighth month of pregnancy. 

By the end of this week you'll be 16-18 inches long.  You'll weigh about 3.3 pounds (about four naval oranges) and you're heading into a growth spurt.  You can turn your head side to side and fat is accumulating on your limbs.  You've been making trillions of brain connections and can now process information, track light, and perceive signals from all five senses.  We love you very much.

You've been moving a lot, but I still feel like you are head up.  I would feel better if you were head down, but I know there's still four weeks before I need to start thinking of doing exercises to make you turn.  Not only do you kick, punch and roll, but sometimes you seem to shudder. 

I had a lot of pain in my abdomen, almost like cramping, on Tuesday and again today.  It got my attention, but I feel it's probably tummy trouble and not something more serious.  I'm also going to the bathroom more, have a couple areas of varicose veins, have occasional headaches and I'm fairly fatigued, even doing easy things.  I'm having a little trouble sleeping, mostly due to sleeping on my sides--it hurts to keep sleeping on one side, and it takes so much effort to turn over that it wakes me up.    

I've been very productive at home this week, after finishing out my time as a teaching assistant at Lockhart last Friday.  I heard today that the new assistant--the woman who was supposed to take my place--isn't being hired at all.  I feel bad for the new teacher that I left behind because I know that class is incredibly hard with two adults in the room--much harder with just one!  But, I'm in a much better place now.  The only hard part left is changing insurance providers--such a pain. 

Our next appointment is in one week and our couples' shower is in a little more than two weeks! 

Starting the 30th Week

Kathryn, you are probably 10-12 weeks away from your birth date!  The last three weeks, especially have seemed pretty fast.  You're 16-17 inches long, and weigh about three pounds.  You'll pack on weight for the next month and a half--about half a pound a week.  The amount of amniotic fluid around you is starting to decrease, and your head and body are now proportioned like a newborn's.  Your eyesight is developing, but your vision at birth will be about 20/400--you'll only be able to make out objects a few inches from your face.  And you will start shedding your lanugo (downy body hair), since you can regulate your own body temperature now.  We love you very much.

I have one day left at my teaching assistant job--mostly sweet, but slightly sad.  There are about twelve ladies that I love working with and will miss very much.  Other than that....I'm good to go!  I have a meeting on Monday morning with a temp agency that I hope will give me a few good assignments before Kathryn arrives. 

I am feeling pretty good--I have a couple of stretch marks (no biggie), a couple varicose veins (they don't hurt and they're small and way up on my thighs), and my ankles and feet get a little swollen during the day.  I am also tired--I sleep fine, I just don't get enough sleep.  And I'm a little irritable, but I think that's mostly due to my work situation and it'll get better very soon. 

 Yesterday, Jared and I fell out of our hammock (it wasn't a weight problem), and I have an angry bruise on my backside.  I wasn't concerned, but then Kathryn didn't move all day today, which is abnormal for her.  I called the Birth Center, and they wanted me to come in today, even if it was after hours.  They hooked me up to a monitor and measured her heartbeat, kicks, and any contractions for 20 minutes.  We both got a stellar report at the end--I wasn't actually worried that something was wrong, but I guess it's nice to have a definite "yes, everything's just fine".  I'm glad that God is taking care of all of us. 

I think our next appointment is still two weeks away.  Our big shower that our mothers are hosting is in a little more than three weeks!  There is still a lot to do, but I believe I'll actually have time and energy for it, starting next week. 

Twenty-Ninth Week

You keep growing and changing, Kathryn!  We want you to stay inside, but if born in the next two weeks, you have a 90-95% chance of survival.  This week you will grow to 2.5-3 pounds, and could be 15-17 inches long.  You are getting close to your birth length, but still need to chub up.  Your muscles, lungs and brain are working hard this week to develop.  Your eyes now have color--most babies' eyes are blue when they're born, but can change over the first six months.  You can distinguish bright light coming through my belly.  Your space is getting a little cramped, but you'll most likely keep up the kicking and stretching.  We love you very much.

When I write my next post, I'll only have one more day left of being a teaching assistant.  It's starting to feel real--the school has chosen my replacement and I received an "exit questionnaire" from Wake County today.    The students and parents still don't know--I intend to send a note home on Monday.

My acid reflux is back, but not as bad as it had been.  And I have stretch marks and the occasional Braxton Hicks contraction.  But, I feel blessed to be having what I consider a great time in pregnancy.  I don't have varicose veins, an itchy belly, back pain, trouble sleeping, stuffy nose, a popped belly button, hemorrhoids, or headaches.  Maybe those will all come next week, who knows.  But I feel confident and content in my body--I feel strong.

This weekend is busy!  We have birth class, a picnic with our church connect group, a baby shower, and a dinner celebration for my parents' 30th wedding anniversary.  And then Monday is our next appointment at the birth center.

Hello Third Trimester

We start week 28 today, Kathryn!  This is the beginning of the third trimester.  You might be settling with your head down, but of course, I can't tell.  You are about 2.5 pounds and are 15-16 inches long!  You will start blinking this week--an important skill, just like the ones you already know--coughing, sucking, taking practice breaths and hiccuping.  When you sleep, you now have a REM phase, which means you could be dreaming.  Your lungs are nearing full maturity, but still have a little ways to go.  You are also developing billions of neurons in your brain and adding more body fat.  We love you very much. 

I am excited to be this far along, but keeping an eye on the calender and trying to keep ahead of feeling "rushed".  Your nursery is coming along nicely, and you have NO NEED for clothes until about Christmas--friends have been very generous (and sales have been very good).  

a "nightlight" of sorts--lit cherry blossom

crib, changing table, and toy/supply cube.  Those bamboo shoots (and cherry blossom stems) will go on the walls once we receive the decals we ordered.

window flower planter that I painted pink to hold books on the wall

chest for clothes, diapers, etc...book holders, rocking chair

  
The average woman gains 11 pounds this trimester.  If I gained that much, I would be around 25 pounds heavier.  That sounds like a pretty good number to me, but I will try to keep it between 20 and 25.  I'll be visiting the birth center again in less than two weeks--they are wanting to see me more often now that I am closing in on the last few months.  

I DID offer my resignation from work this week, effective after three weeks (now two).  Everyone but the principal has been very understanding, and I feel a huge relief from the decision.  I'll switch over to Jared's insurance, and will join a temp agency for as long as I'm able to work.  

Kathryn is moving and kicking throughout the day, with patterns in the morning and late afternoon and late night.  I do have some achiness and shortness of breath, scattered Braxton Hicks contractions, and my acid reflux is trying to come back.  But other than those small things, I think pregnancy really suits me.  I enjoy the way I look and I feel confident again in my body, and the fact that it was made to do this job.  Pregnancy just feels "natural" to me.

Two more weeks of work, a little less than two weeks until our next appointment, and 90 days until our due date--but Jared's guessing July 2nd and I would be amused if she held out for July 4th instead.  :)

Starting Week 27!

Peanut, this is the last week of the second trimester!  You weigh around two pounds and you are 14.5 or 15 inches long from head to heel.  You recognize my voice and sleep and wake at regular intervals.  Brain tissue is developing very actively.  Your lungs are immature but would be capable of functioning if you were born now.  You can now cry, and you probably are sucking your thumb, which calms you and strengthens your cheek and jaw muscles.  We love you very much.

Most women have gained 16 to 22 pounds by now--I have gained 12-13.  I'm proud of myself!  The acid reflux has been giving me a break for a couple of days, and I'm thankful.  However, I am dealing with a lot of soreness, occasional foot cramps, and exhaustion.  I still sleep okay, I can still get around fine, I don't have any swelling or discoloration, and my innie is still an innie.  

I am just about ready to quit my job.  It is a toxic environment where I get no support.  Every few days, someone "above" me wants me to add another thing to my list of duties.  I can't get it all done or even remember it all during the day, so then it doesn't get done, and people get mad at me.  Whenever I might try to complain about how heavy the load is, how incompetent/clueless/unhelpful the new administration is, how challenging my class is, etc, I get a reprimand to "be more positive".  

The main reason I still go to work is guilt.  I would feel incredibly guilty leaving the other TAs with an added load.  I would feel guilty about jumping ship just as a new teacher was coming aboard.  I would feel guilty about leaving parents/students in the lurch as everything they knew about their first year in school changed.  I would feel guilty that the school just threw me a baby shower, and I thank them by saying, "see ya".  

But is that guilt warranted?  Or is it a throw-back to my years of poor self-esteem?  Is it worth it to not have the guilt, and instead have the stress, unhappiness, demoralization, despair even?  Is it worth it, knowing that continuous stress causes premature birth and low birth weight?  As a side note, yes, there is the matter of no more second paycheck and having to start paying for healthcare about three months early...but we were expecting that anyway, and what I'm paid is a disgustingly low amount anyway.  

We had a regular appointment this week and everything looked great.  Peanut's heart rate was good, growth was good, and I took my gestational diabetes test and haven't heard anything yet, which is good news.  

Life goes on, but change may be on the horizon. 

26th Week starts today!

So much happens this week!  Your hearing is fully developed, Peanut.  The nerves in your ears are sensitive and can hear when Jared and I talk.  When you react to sound, your pulse increases, and you can even move in rhythm to music.  Your lungs are growing and developing, but are not yet mature.  You inhale and exhale the amniotic fluid to practice breathing.  Patterns of your brain waves would look like a full-term newborn's at this point, and you have patterns of sleeping and waking, which I can chart based on when you're active and when you're still.  You weigh somewhere between a pound and two thirds and two pounds, and you measure 14 inches from head to heel.  Your eyes start to open this week, too--not much to see, but you will be able to perceive when I'm in a place that's lighter or darker.  We love you very much.  

As for me....acid is still a big problem.  I am waiting on a call back from my doctor to see what they recommend.  The birth center is hesitant--well, almost adamant about not recommending medication for issues.  They want me to have root beer and peanut butter after every meal to fix the acid, and that's just not going to cut it!

My lower pelvic joints are hurting, and my muscles ache through the day.  I feel tired and I am out of breath, doing what used to come easily.  I feel you moving on and off through the day, even when I am fully immersed and active in my job.  I am thankful that I'm still sleeping fairly well, and that Peanut's not kicking me in the ribs yet.

Work is terrible--if I wasn't pregnant, I would've been looking for a new job in January.  After tomorrow, there are eleven more weeks of school (not including three weeks of track out).  I've never started my count down so early!

Before week 27 starts, I'll have gone to another birth center appointment, done my glucose test, and turned 29 years old.  Busy week for me, just like Peanut! 

Six Months, into week 25!

Peanut, you're 24 weeks, or six months, and a day.  You've reached what's called an "age of viability", meaning if you were born now, you'd have a 50-70% chance of surviving, although you would also have a 50-60% chance of a severe disability.  We want for you to stay in for as long as you can!  Head to heels, you measure about 13 1/2 inches.  If we were still measuring crown to rump, you might be about nine inches long.  You weigh about a pound and a half and are putting on baby fat, so your skin will begin to smooth and fill out.  The skin's also becoming opaque.  We could now discern your hair color and texture if we saw it.  Your nostrils are unplugging and your vocal cords are functioning, which means possible hiccups.  By the end of this week, your finger and toe prints are visible and your eyelids begin to part and the eyes open.  We love you very much.

Jared saw you moving tonight and it was very exciting for him--he loved it.  I haven't actually taken the time to watch my belly, so I haven't seen your movements, but I do feel them on and off through the day.  Occasionally it hurts a little.  Otherwise, the acid reflux is still very bothersome.  I started Prilosec for it, which doesn't work completely but works much better than Pepcid, Zantac, etc.  I am far from graceful and have lost a lot of self-awareness when it comes to hitching up my maternity jeans, etc. 

I wanted a calm and joyful type of pregnancy, but work is more or less a hellhole, currently.  Between defiant, non-compliant, and/or disrespectful students....a non-supportive--even malicious--administration....and constant additions to all my regular duties, I dread going to work, deal with blood pressure spikes and feelings of anger/hopelessness while I'm there, and feel discouraged and crabby, or weepy, when I am home.  I have no reason to think things will change in the near future.  

It's another three weeks until the third trimester starts.  I'll have an ultrasound in three days and a birth center appointment in about 11 days.  We'll share Peanut's name sometime in the next month! 

Start of Week Twenty Four

Peanut, you're 23 full weeks and starting week 24!  At the end of the week, you'll be 6 months along, but we won't be in the third trimester until the end of week 26.  This week, you'll grow to somewhere between 1.2 and 1.5 pounds.  And you're growing to somewhere between 9 and 11 inches long, about like an ear of corn.    Your brain is growing quickly and your lungs are developing branches of the respiratory "tree".  You're making white blood cells and you can hear various loud sounds.  You've got eyelashes, eyebrows and hair, but there's no pigment yet, so the hair is all white.  We love you very much.

You're moving around daily, sort of mid-morning, early evening and at bedtime.  Jared was able to feel you move this week, and it was very exciting for him.  I wonder if he could hear you at all, if he listened to my belly.  I read to you sometimes and try to talk out loud as I go around the house.  This is my last week of track-out, so, starting March 4, I'll be back at work, and I'm really not looking forward to it.

The acid reflux is really bothering me--I think I'll have to buy a half gallon of milk to keep at work.  No pill has helped me so far.  I'm also tired a lot and achy in my pelvis.

The Monday after next is our next ultrasound, to check on the retroplacental bleed that was seen 5 weeks ago.  And it's 3 weeks until my next birth center appointment, my first shower (hosted by the school's Social Committee), and my birthday!

 24 weeks in the womb

24 week baby--note the non-pigmented eyebrows

22 full weeks

Peanut, today starts week 23 and month six!  Your skin is fairly saggy, since it grows faster than the fat underneath.  But your fat deposits should start catching up, starting this week.  By the end of this month, you should be filled out pretty nicely.  And your skin is still translucent, which will start to change this month, too.  You're anywhere from 8.5-11.5 inches long and a little over 1 pound.  You can feel varying types of movement and loud noises that become familiar to you now probably won't faze you when you hear them outside the womb.  We love you very much. 

I was diagnosed by my family practitioner this week with bronchitis and a sinus infection.  It had been just one month since I went in for a sinus infection, and just five weeks before that I had another.  I was given a double dose of antibiotics and I pray that this will finally get me better.  I did have morning sickness again this past week, and the acid reflux has been terrible.  Tums, Rolaids, and regular Pepcid doesn't work.  My monthly appointment was today, and I asked for something more.  The midwives said I could try Zantac, a higher strength of Pepcid, and drinking rootbeer/eating peanut butter after each meal.  I'm not holding out hope that these things will work.  Little girl's heartbeat is in the 140s and I'm measuring just right.   

A couple of people at the grocery store have asked if I need extra help with things, I suppose from noticing my belly.  Unless I wear a billowing, large shirt, it's getting hard to miss.  The average pregnant woman should've gained 12-15 pounds by now--I have gained 8, which is on target for me.  I need to work on drinking more water each day, and starting to get exercise 4-5 days out of the week.

My next ultrasound is in 2.5 weeks, and I'll have my glucose screening at my next birth center appointment in one month.