Maternity update: 36 weeks!!!

Four. More. Weeks!!! Give or take whatever. I was late with both of the boys and was induced, but I went a day early with Mackenzie. So who knows when this wee babe is planning on making her debut! Honestly, as much as I would like to have her born on the actual due date, or even a little before... I would love to keep her in till the beginning of November. Mainly because I am not going to miss trick or treating. ; )

My weekly e-mail update:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (about the size of a head of romaine lettuce). She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-36-weeks_1125.bc?read_more=1&scid=mbtw_preg36&pe=MlU0a3hYc3wyMDEzMTAwMQ..

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35 weeks

(I am thinking that this workout tank top might need to retire. : )

 36 weeks

DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS: Last week is when I started having my weekly appointments. I had another one this morning. Everything is going great! My blood pressure was 100/60, no weight gain, no urine sample issues, and I am measuring 35 cm at 36 weeks. She said I was measuring a little small last week as well, so it isn't a big deal. I think that is crazy! I was just telling Ryan the other day I feel like this baby is going to be huge because I can't breathe, and my lower abdomen and back are always sore! Today was the first time she checked to see if I was dilating or effacing. Can I tell you how much I dislike those appointments! Find a happy place, find a happy place. The cloud pictures they have on the ceiling tend to help! Quite serene. She said I am dilated to about a fingertip, so not very much at this point. The baby was super active at the appointment, and the nurse got a kick out of seeing my stomach moving all over the place. Baby girl's heart rate was 160. 

CRAVINGS/AVERSIONS: Kind of craving sweets still, like brownies and doughnuts. Veggies are kinda gross at this point, so I have to force them down. But if someone else prepares them, it is like magic. I will go to town with them. I am having to eat smaller meals, just more often. I am super sensitive right now to spices, like cumin, chili powder, ginger, ect. They definately irritate my heartburn.

SICKNESS/PAINS: Heartburn/nausea, tender lower abdomen, sore back. I think my hips are starting to loosen up more because I feel like I am walking like I just rode a horse for 48 hours straight. I am not sleeping well lately. Either tossing and turning, or having to go to the bathroom. I have had to take some cat naps here and there, and that seems to help.

EMOTIONS: They are doing a little better! Thankfully! I cry a little easier again right now though, like for random commercials and when my kids get me upset haha. I am starting to feel like the end of this crazy (for me) pregnancy is in sight! I am getting more and more excited to meet this little spirit. I love her already.

WEIGHT GAIN: As of this morning's weigh-in, I haven't changed, and I am still up 23 lbs total. It is arranged different than last pregnancy though, my clothes are definately fitting different. Like think along the lines of Chris Farley...

EXERCISE: I am keeping running to a bare minimum now, it just hurts my lower abdomen too much at this point.  I miss it, but I know that I will be that much more excited to run when I am able! So over the last two weeks, I have been walking, the Firm dvd, stationary bike, bootcamp, mowing the lawn, free-weights, a little prenatal yoga, and I am including a bit more stretching than usual.

NAME GAME: Still undecided : )