What "They" Say About Our Baby's Development: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.
Mama: By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy. If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly and possibly your thighs and buttocks as well, you may have a condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short). Up to one percent of pregnant women develop PUPPP, which is harmless but can be quite uncomfortable. See your practitioner so she can make sure it's not a more serious problem, provide treatment to make you more comfortable, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Also be sure to call her if you feel intense itchiness all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.Weekly Food Comparison: A cataloupe (yuck!)
The Good: More rolling and swishing in my belly...
The Bad: More contractions...
The Weird: Getting exhausted so easily. No longer seeing my feet at all. Not being able to bend in half anymore (putting on pants is hard and socks is basically impossible!)
Currently Craving/Avoiding:
Avoiding: Certain foods that don't seem appealing - changes all the time.
Craving: Fruit, Thin Mints!
Doctor Updates: Seeing my doctor today for an NST and appointment.
Total weight gain/loss: 25 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yes, all bottoms and dresses. My regular, non-maternity tops are starting to get too short as my belly pops out more!
Stretch marks? 2
Sleep: It's ok...I wake up tired all the time though
Best moment this week: Feeling him have hiccups, almost daily, in the mornings. Washing all of his baby clothes, blankets, and sheets to get ready for him to arrive.
Movement: Constantly
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Popping out more and more
What I miss: Not being tired from walking to the bathroom at work (granted, it's a long hallway!)
What I am looking forward to: Seeing the painting his Uncle Sean is painting for him, packing my hospital bag this weekend.
The Weekly Belly Bump: 34 week photos!
No comments:
Post a Comment