Week 39

Hello and Welcome to Week 39!

I am so pregnant it hurts. I don't want to hear any more about people that are having babies unless it's me. This week 3 people that are all on their 1st baby and due within a week or 2 of me had their babies this week, early. One woman was a month early and still had a 6 lb 5 oz baby! Everyone is healthy and happy and no longer pregnant. Now, I had enjoyed most aspects of being pregnant. On more then one occasion I have mentioned in these messages all the pros and cons of my pregnancy but I hope with a distinct emphasis on the pros. Today I am fully in the con column. My feelings will probably change tomorrow. I am just jealous of the families that currently can hold the babies they've been carrying for the last 8-9 months. I know my time is coming soon, but right now time is moving at a snail's pace.

Eric and I both have colds. We are getting over them now, but it's been annoying all week. I think I've had 6-7 hours of sleep over the last 2 days. I am uncomfortable all the time and the heartburn is destroying my esophagus. I am actually concerned about any lasting damage to my esophagus because the acid from my stomach has been an issue this entire pregnancy, but it is insanely bad right now. It is keeping my up at nights and I have no idea what else I can do. Giving birth is the only thing that will relieve my stomach. I am also snapping at Eric and I don't mean to. I am just so tired and uncomfortable and I have been taking it out on him a little because he lives with me. I am trying to be nice however my success rate has dropped dramatically. And I don't want to do anything. I don't want to cook, clean or think. I have to get my bag together for when I do go into labor and I haven't even done that yet. It's as if Eric has to hold my hand and walk me through all this. I know what has to be done and I have no motivation to get anything completed. The only thing I want to do is finish the blanket I began knitting for the baby a few months ago. I haven't touched it in 6 weeks and the last 3 nights I've had marathon knitting sessions. It is almost done, but it will probably take another 10 hours or so.

I had a wonderful baby shower last weekend. Everyone was so generous with their time and gifts. And it was so nice to see family that I haven't been able to in the last few weeks or months. It was great. My Aunt Andrea was kind enough to host the event, and I have to say I'm glad she did because I sometimes forget the vast number of my extended family and she has a very large house! I know that she and my mother worked very hard to make it a lovely event so I want to thank them both very much. The baby is definitely set for the first few months and I don't think I'll need to buy any baby lotion, shampoo and soap for at least a year! This baby is very lucky to have such a large family that is so excited to have a new member. And I am very lucky to be able to be a part of its arrival. And during the shower I found out that my cousins wife is expecting twins! How wonderful is that. I love that we are beginning a whole new generation.

Eric and I went for my weekly check-up yesterday. So far I've gained 29 pounds and the midwife is pleased with the amount of fluid surrounding the baby. She estimated that the baby is about 6.5 pounds and the heartbeat was in the 140's. And she basically told me to get comfortable. Although the baby could come at any time she said that Eric and I should go out to eat, see some movies and enjoy ourselves. Great advice if I felt like doing anything and if Eric wasn't up to his eyes with work. Right now a date with my couch is all I'm really looking forward to!

Now for the fun stuff: The baby's internal organs and systems are now fully developed. The baby is ready to enter the world. Its once spacious home inside my uterus has become cramped, and it has little room to stretch out arms and legs. The baby is now 6 pounds 13 ounces (so this baby is right on target according to my midwives) and is about 14 inches long from crown to rump. Below are the weekly renderings.

Love to you all!

Desiree

Week 38

Hello all and Welcome to Week 38!

I have lost the battle with the waddle. It saddens me to say this, but I have had to come to terms with my current duck-ness. When I walk my belly moves in one direction and my butt moves in the opposite. I have also had to move to sneakers (which I hate) in the past week. The reason is two-fold: 1. With the weather conditions and wet leaves blanketing the streets in Philadelphia, it is just safer for a clumsy pregnant woman. And 2. my feet begin to swell at the end of the day in my regular shoes, so it becomes uncomfortable to walk home. So sneakers (for the time being) it is. Not necessarily the fashion statement I want to be making, but with 3 weeks left until my due date I figure I can live with it.

So I am in my 37th week, just about to enter my 38th and it is evident that my body is getting ready for this baby to be born. I experienced 3 hours of painful contractions Tuesday night. They were 10-20 minutes apart and lasting between 45 seconds and 1 minute. And then they were gone. Yesterday I had waves of back pain for about 7 hours. I wasn't experiencing any painful contractions, just the normal painless Braxton-Hicks, but the back pain was quite distracting. And the baby completely changed position yesterday for the midwife. The baby was positioned on my right side for the last 2 months. No change, it was very happy there. Yesterday in the car ride to the birth center the baby moved from head down, laying on my right side to head down laying on my left. Right now the baby's butt is high and dead center in my belly with the head and face facing downward. The perfect position to be born. So everything is moving right along. I feel like I'm now on the clock and this baby can be born any minute. In reality I'll probably have a December baby. And as if I wasn't already keenly aware of every movement, hiccup and pain that I experience, there is now the added "Could this be it" that goes quickly through my brain. I know that this is all normal and veteran mothers probably have become accustomed to this process to a certain degree. However, but for my calm exterior I am a body of goo and nervousness. I still feel like I have nothing completed. In fact the baby didn't have a stitch of clothing until I went to the store yesterday in a slight panic that I wouldn't have anything to dress it in to come home. My mom had to remind me that I have to wash the clothes before the baby wears them. I know I'll be a fine mother, but there are times I am such a dolt. I was so glad she said something about washing the clothing. I would have remembered, but not at that moment.

Eric painted a Keith Haring inspired mural in the baby's room this week. I love it. He put a pregnant figure in it to represent me and 2 cats to represent ours. It looks great. If you don't know who Keith Haring is here are a few photos of the mural he did in Philadelphia that Eric restored about 8 years ago. He was a very famous pop artist that died of AIDS in the 1990's. You may recognize his work from other projects.





The mural that Eric painted in the baby's room is monochromatic to keep with the subtle color and light concept that we have in there.

As a quick side note, I have mentioned to you all about how much being pregnant has slowed me down while walking. Last week I was waddling underground in the Philadelphia Concourse on my way to the subway when a man with 1 leg on crutches zooms past me to get the the El station. He literally had 1 leg and handily beat me in speed down the corridor. It was then that I knew I was truly slow.

Now for the fun stuff. The baby is developed enough to survive outside of the womb. The lungs, now filled with amniotic fluid, are ready to take their first breaths of air. The eyelids flutter open and shut preparing for its first view. The baby is just about done growing inside me (Yay!). According to babyzone.com the baby is nearly 6 pounds, six ounces and 14 inches in length from crown to rump. However, according to my midwife yesterday I do not have a 6 pounder inside me. She said average size. I'm hoping between 7 and 8 pounds. We'll soon see. Below are the weekly renderings.

Love you all,

Desiree

Week 37

This week I realized for the first time that when I sit down my belly actually rests on the top of my thighs. I’m sure it’s been that way for a couple of weeks, but I only just noticed this phenomenon. The heft of the belly is amazing. It makes complete sense that the belly would be heavy, but I really didn’t know or think about it at all beforehand. I’ve gained 26 ½ pounds so far and it is all in the front. Moving around is a joke anymore. Eric was making fun of all the odd breathy noises I now make when I try to do just about anything. But he sees me when I am not trying to save face in front of anyone. When I am around any of you the chances of hearing a loud sigh out of me is slim. I do have an image to keep up (even if it’s in my own head)! J

I am so excited to be moving into November! I know my due date is at the end of the month and I could easily go into December, but I have hit the warning track. I am just about done the pregnancy and I am elated. I can’t wait to meet my baby. I can’t wait to start this new adventure. I can’t wait to get my body back! The closer we get to the due date the more impossible it becomes to get this whole event out of my mind. The pregnancy and the baby is the complete focus of my life at this point. I am annoyed when I have to concentrate on something else. I just want to stay home and prepare. I am not nesting as much as I am anxious for everything to get started. I am feeling contractions more often, but they are not strong and they have no pattern so they mean nothing. Just my uterus getting ready. Not that I am looking to rush anything, the baby will come when it wants to, but the anticipation I feel is crazy.

I’m just excited. There is nothing else to say about it. Happy and excited.

The birthing class we are taking is going well. I really like what she has to say and it gives me confidence that I am able to go through this process naturally without any medication. It’s a very personal decision to attempt a no medication labor. I’ve been very honest and straightforward with everyone when they ask me about my labor plans but this may have been a mistake to a certain degree. I know that everyone either has their own birth story or have heard many from friends and family. Inevitably people want to tell me about their (or someone else’s) horror stories. Or they think I have no idea what I am getting into wanting a non-medicated birth. I understand that everyone wants to pass along helpful information, but this is not helpful to me. If anything these comments place small seeds of doubt in my head. I am a very strong believer in positive reinforcement and encouragement. The faith that Eric has in me to do this well has helped me throughout this entire process and it will continue when we reach labor. Even if he doesn’t completely understand how the relaxation and visualization techniques will help me, he never doubted me or my desire to do this. It’s a very funny line. I think that I am as well prepared for a non-medicated birth as I possibly can be. I am going to do my best to make this happen. I feel that I have chosen to have this baby in an environment that celebrates natural birth. This is very scary for some people however; I am perfectly at ease with my choice.

Now for the fun stuff: The baby now favors certain body positions. Typically the baby enjoys resting with its head down and its rump toward my ribs, which so happens to be the ideal placement for delivery. (Yay baby!) The baby’s movements will become less frequent as it has less wiggle room. From now on the baby’s growth will be slow and steady as it continues to put on weight and fill out. The baby weighs in around 6 pounds this week and its length hovers around 13.2 inches from crown to rump. Below are the weekly renderings.

Week 36

Hello all and Welcome to Week 36!

I guess this makes me 9 months pregnant, or at least a few days shy of that official mark. I am due in 36 days, November 29th. As far as my physical body is concerned the actual birth day can’t come soon enough. In terms of everything else I can afford to wait the 4 weeks or so. I feel a little like Jabba the Hut. When I’m down I stay there for a long time and it takes a huge effort for me to move. My couch just sucks me in. Eric called me a Weeble the other day. All of these analogies work. Pregnant women are funny. Our bodies are completely taken over by this alien growing inside us and we don’t mind. In fact, we find it exciting, even though our daily activities are dramatically altered by this unknown being in the bulging belly. My abdomen is a rock. If only it was this solid when I wasn’t pregnant! Eric is amazed daily by the hardness of my belly. It may give me the motivation to do some sit-ups after the baby is born. Probably not, but who knows.

I was speaking to my mom last night about how long it takes me to walk home now (about 36 minutes, just so you know) and how much it bothers me. In my head, pregnancy is a small issue and I should be able to overcome the physical limitations. Logically I know that I have to take it easier and that I shouldn’t be discouraged about how long it takes me to get places. But in my head I know how long it used to take me (22 minutes) and I feel that I should be able to still make that pace. I would actually rather take a 15-20 minute walk after I get home because I have no time or distance pressures being generated from my own head. It doesn’t make sense logically, but it makes sense to my ego. Some days I can get over it. Yesterday was not one of those days. Yesterday I didn’t get much sleep and was awoken by the worst Charlie Horse of my life. It brought tears to my eyes, my ears started ringing and I saw stars. My calf was sore all day and when it came to moving around my pelvis screamed out every time I took a step or tried to get comfortable. I was very happy that a co-worker offered to drive me home otherwise I would have probably taken a cab. Even with the ride I got home at the same time I would have had I walked. I need to get over this time thing and soon because, let’s face it, walking around with a baby I’m not going to be winning any time trials.

Everything continues to be going well. I have gained 25 pounds so far, which is completely normal. I was freaked out about gaining 6 pounds in 2 weeks, but the baby probably went through a growth spurt and I haven’t been shying away from the Halloween candy that has been lurking in my house and office. Generally speaking I eat healthy, but there is something about a tiny Snickers bar that calls my name and sings in my ear. Not a big deal, but I think I did my part in the 6 pound gain this last time.

Eric surprised me earlier this week by putting all of these weekly messages on a blog website. So if you ever want to go back and read previous weeks emails without the hassle of looking through your inboxes, you can now just go to the blog. Here’s the link: http://desireesbabyupdates.blogspot.com/
You can also reach Eric’s website and blog from my page as well. Let me know if you have any issues.

Now for the fun stuff: the baby is considered full term at this point and it looks completely developed. The soft, fuzzy hairs that once covered the body begin to disappear. The baby continues to add fat layers, which will help it stay warm once it leaves the womb. During these last weeks the baby has developed sleeping patterns, and it often has very little to do with night and day! The baby weighs in about 5 pounds, 10 ounces and stretches to around 12 inches from crown to rump. Weekly rendering are below.

Love,
Desiree

Week 35

I am tired. I am so tired. My belly is gigantic (at least to me) and it is difficult to turn in my sleep, get out of bed, off the couch, etc. I feel like a cartoon exaggeration of my former self. I’m all boobs, belly and butt. I’m an “S” curve. And moving around as a humongous S is a little humorous. I am working so hard not to waddle. I am not a duck. But, when my body becomes very tired at night and I am alone with Eric I let the waddle come home to roost. I have no reason to hide it at that point. However, at work, walking home and any other time I may be conscious of how I look, I walk with 1 foot in front of the other, in my heels and sashay down the street. Or at least I try. Sashaying conveys a little speed and attitude in your walk. My current pace is that of a snail and the attitude in my face is more of a pained strain, but I am trying. I find wearing my big sunglasses helps.

You are all getting this on a Thursday because tomorrow I am in the wedding of my lovely cousin Tara. It’s a blessing that Bridesmaids are not required to walk fast down the aisle. No one will have to ask me to slow down. When I found out I was pregnant I gave Tara the option of not having me as one of her bridesmaids because I knew I’d be 8 ½ months along and probably huge by now. I didn’t know how see had envisioned her bridal party and I didn’t want to mess anything up. But she’s a trooper and has no problem with me being in her wedding. I think I currently look and feel better then what I had projected myself to be living through at this point (thankfully), but I hope when she sees me in my dress tomorrow that she agrees.

Last night Eric and I had another birth class. Now we watch birthing videos every week, but this week’s video was so much more graphic then I had expected. The baby was crowning and then just stopped and she was held with the baby in that position for what seemed like 10 minutes. All of the other births we have watched had at least the head out after it started crowning. That did not happen with this woman and I have to say it was the most uncomfortable I’ve been watching these videos since the class began. A Baby Story it was not.

I have another doctor’s appointment today. This every 2 week thing is a little annoying, but I would rather them be on top of everything rather then leave it all to chance. I know Eric is a little tired of having to drive out to Bryn Mawr again, but what are you going to do. Now all the conversations are about what happens after the baby is born. Do we have a pediatrician (almost, we have great recommendation), if it’s a boy will he be circumcised (undecided), am I going to breastfeed (as long as I possibly can), do we have childcare picked out (it’s a very fluid thing right now, but we are working on it), etc. We have a lot of decisions to make but everything is coming together in its own time. I’m trying not to rush anything at this point even though its against my natural tendencies.

As a quick little side note, I was walking home yesterday down 12th street and a man comes up to me and says “Congratulations!” He pauses and then says “You’re having a girl”. I said, “thank you. We’ll see soon” and walked away.

So, here’s the fun stuff. According to Babyzone.com the baby’s muscles are maturing along with the rest of its body. The baby can hold its head up and turn it from side to side. The baby will practice its newfound muscle tone by stretching out its arms and kicking its legs (I can verify that this happens all day long!). If this baby is a boy then the testes have descended into their proper place. The baby’s eyes are now open when awake and closed when sleeping. The baby is about 12.8 inches from crown to rump and weighs nearly 5 pounds. Below are the weekly renderings.

Week 34

My week has been almost fully centered on the financial markets. It’s been stressful, frustrating and mind-numbing. My own personal life is a little more stressful as well, but that’s just because I have a ton of commitments over the next 3 weeks. I think all of this has possibly had an adverse effect on the baby. On Wednesday the baby seemed very sluggish. I was concerned, but not overly so because I was still feeling it move. Yesterday when I woke up the baby was not moving with me, which is not normal at all. So I called the midwives and they recommended that I have breakfast and then count the movements over and hour. The baby moved 5 times in 40 minutes, but I still wasn’t feeling better about the situation because the movements still felt sluggish. So Eric and I went to the Birth Center and I was hooked up to a fetal monitor for about an hour. Everything is fine. And by last night the baby was acting more like itself. So who knows? Maybe the baby was extra tired. Maybe it was telling me I need to slow down, de-stress and take it easy. Maybe it’s going through a growth spurt and the space finally became way too tight. All I know is that the baby was up with me today, moving and kicking up a storm and I am much happier feeling it all.

Overall, most of my anxiety over the baby and becoming a mother has subsided for the most part. Eric has been a huge part of my calming down process. He has been so cool this whole time. I know he’s excited and probably going through his own set of worries, but he allows me to freak out a little and then brings me back to earth. Also, I think he is the one that is actually doing the nesting. Eric has always done 80-85% of the household cleaning. In the last month of my pregnancy he has bumped that up to almost 100%. He has been an absolute dream. He also deals so well with my daily complaining now that so many things hurt all the time. He massages my back and feet, most of the time without having to be asked to do so. And he is very patient. I don’t know how I would have survived the last week without him being there. I’m not trying to get too gushy, but he really has been a rock and I want to acknowledge just how wonderful he has been. I know that I’m going to be fine and the baby is going to be fine because he is there for us and that makes me very calm inside.

There isn’t much to talk about this week, so let’s get to the fun stuff. The baby’s senses are continuing to develop. If I talk to the baby it can hear me. Its whole world is full of sounds now. It can hear my stomach growling, my lungs breathing and my heart beating. The baby’s skin has turned from red to pink and it has started preparing for life outside the womb by storing iron in its liver. The baby stretches to about 12 inches from crown to rump and it weighs in at about 4 ½ pounds. If it continues to grow at this rate I will have an 8 pound baby. We’ll see what happens. I’m hoping for something in the 6 pound range! Below are the weekly renderings.

Week 33

I really, really, really think this baby is a boy. I can’t tell you why, it’s just a recent development for me. Like our politicians, I have been flip-flopping on what gender this baby is. However, now I have a strong feeling that it’s a boy. And although I really don’t care what this baby turns out to be, there is a part of me that wanted a girl. I know girls. I have so many girls in my family. I feel equipped to deal with a girl. A boy scares me a little, but they are terribly adorable as well. And then they grown into wonderful men (like my husband). I would be very proud to raise a little boy that closely resembles his father in temperament, kindness and humor.

But who knows. This baby could still be a girl. I would be shocked, but it could be.

Eric and I had another doctor’s appointment yesterday and the heartbeat has slowed down dramatically to the 120/bpm range. Eric just smiles every time the heartbeats get slower. Supposedly (according to an old wives tale) a slower heartbeat is a clue for having a boy. I think he’s as nervous about having a girl as I am about having a boy. He’s now getting more excited thinking that it’s a boy. There was a period of time a couple of months ago when the heartbeats were in the 150/bpm range that Eric thought it may be a girl. I know that made him a little apprehensive. But when we left yesterday he had a smile on his face. I think he likes the idea that if our baby is a boy then he will have a little boy cousin to pal around with too. Even though our nephew Julian will be 1½ years older then our baby they are still close in age and we hope they will grow up to be close friends. Eric never had any cousins close to his age. His brother is 7 ½ years younger then he is and his cousin is 9 years younger. Because I was lucky enough to have so many cousins and siblings close to my age there was always someone to play with, talk to, etc. I want that for my baby and my future babies. I want them to have someone their age to share anything they want with. It’s a special bond between siblings and cousins. And if my family begins with 2 young little boys playing around and having fun then I really couldn’t be happier. I really hope Julian and this baby have so much fun growing up together. I’m very excited to see what the future will bring.

So I have gained 19 pounds as of yesterday. Right on schedule and doing fine. I have 57 days until the official due date, but then again that’s at best a guess. I could have this baby on Christa’s birthday (12/12) and it would still be considered on time. Anywhere from 2 weeks before the date to two weeks after is normal. It’s a birth month approximation, not a due date. I think I will be highly disappointed if I don’t have this baby until mid December. I’m already tired and in some type of pain most days. Bedtime is my favorite time of day. I can’t wait to go to bed with my big body pillow. I don’t want to do much else once I get home. My back is tired, my feet are tired and my belly is tired. I can’t imagine going through another 7 weeks+ feeling this way and getting bigger but I am also not the only pregnant woman that feels this way 32 weeks in. I feel fine, I’m in good spirits, I’m just pregnant.

So here is the fun info. The baby is head down now. It’s been that way for a few weeks, but I guess the baby has settled. So hopefully he/she will stay there! The baby also has a daily routine. There are definite times during the day where the baby is active and times when I believe it is sleeping. According to some, once the baby is born it’ll most likely continue with its in-utero pattern. Along with its routine, the baby has favorite positions. Right now the baby is more on my left side, and it has been that way for quite a while. The baby weighs about 4 pounds and stretches to over 11 ½ inches in length from crown to rump. Below you will find the weekly renderings.