38 Week Bumpdate!

38 Weeks, 1 Day 

Size of Baby::: Still about 19-22 inches long and about 7 pounds...Might get a closer idea of his weight at the ultrasound we are having this afternoon...Keep reading to learn more about that!
He is a watermelon still! Hoping not to make it to pumpkin!

Symptoms::: 

• Potty breaks like crazy 
• SWELLING! Feet, hands, legs, face...I feel like I'm starting to look like a little chipmunk! 
• No contractions yet :( 

Signs of Labor::: Besides starting to dilate and efface, not much! Some hip pain which my nurse told me is my hips spreading out to get the baby through, so I guess that's a good sign! No contractions yet. Not even much for Braxton Hicks any more. Baby is head down and starting to engage, though. 

Cravings::: I haven't had any major cravings this pregnancy really. Lately I have been loving watermelon....and anything sweet! I feel like I have a 24/7 PMS sweet tooth! Except when I have PMS I can give in to the craving and not gain weight...not the case during pregnancy...  

Something I Miss::: Laying on my stomach. As the weather here has gotten nicer, I have been spending a lot of time outside. On Monday my legs got quite a bit of sun....only on the fronts. Can't exactly lay on my stomach and tan the back side next! Soon enough :) Oh and painting my toenails and not having to pay someone to do it...I will not get a pedicure...I will wait! 

Stretch Marks::: Hanging in there and still NONE! Hoping I can make it these last 2-3 weeks that way! 

Wedding Ring::: Definitely off. My hands are sooo swollen too. It will actually be weird to have non-swollen feet again... 

Belly Button::: It pokes out a little bit and you can see it through my shirt, but nothing major. 

Milestones:::

• My uterus weighed roughly 2 ounces before pregnancy...it now weighs around 2 and a half pounds! 
• Baby has a firm grasp and will be able to hold our fingers when he is born! 
• If baby has brown eyes when he is born, they will likely stay brown. If they are steel gray or dark blue, they may stay gray or blue or turn hazel, green or brown
• Baby just continues to grown and fatten up...all of his organs are ready to go!
• Still 1 cm dilated

38 Week Surprise::: A single red rose and card...and a bag full of things to "induce" labor or help strengthen my uterus...pineapple, bananas, dates, twizzlers, red raspberry leaf tea, etc....so far, nothing ha ha 

Looking Forward to::: Bringing Christian home. Labor being done and just starting our life as a family of "4" including the Bax man of course! Oh and going on a diet! Can't wait!!! I've never been more excited in my life to diet! ha ha OH! And hopefully getting to wear my wedding ring again soon! Basically getting back/getting to do all the things I have missed this whole pregnancy :) Ooooo but before all that...I'm excited for my massage I'm getting on Friday! Maybe I can get them to rub my ankles at the spot that is supposed to put you in labor :) ha ha But first....

Dr. Update::: So if you have been following my updates, you have seen the picture of my ugly, swollen feet.... Well, they are still pretty swollen, as are my hands and legs and now my face. I look like a little chipmunk! At my appointment this morning I had also gained a crazy 6 pounds in 1 week!!! EEEK!!! My blood pressure is also up...its higher than normal in general but I usually have slightly lower blood pressure so its extra high for me. My doctor did some blood tests which he is checking on, but no protein in my urine. However, with all the other symptoms, its pointing to pre pre-eclampsia. I'm going for a biophysical ultrasound today at 12:15pm and they are going to check baby's breathing and blood flow and things like that. If anything looks questionable, I could be induced today! I also have another doctor appointment on Monday just in case. Normally I wouldn't go back until Wednesday. Doctor said I could end up induced next week even...Nothing to really worry about, but all new things! 

2 Weeks to go!!! 

OR...

13 days!!! 

Almost in the single digits! 

Come on, Christian!
OR....
TODAY!!!! 
or even next week... 

 

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Effacement vs. Dilation

Now that I'm 38 weeks and having weekly doctor appointments, I'm also getting checked weekly for dilation and effacement. 

At 36 weeks I wasn't even a centimeter dilated.

At 37 weeks I was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Making progress! 

We will have to wait and see what I am at my doctor's appointment tomorrow.

While I'm not a doctor or nurse, I have done some research and reading into what exactly "dilation" and "effacement" are. 

My main conclusion is this: 

Dilation means nothing without effacement and effacement means nothing without dilation. 

You need BOTH before you can push and delivery that baby. 

WebMD does a great job of explaining effacement and dilation. Dilation is how much the cervix is open and effacement is how thin or thick the cervix is. 

Here is a great visual from Mayo Clinic: 

In figures A and B, the cervix is tightly closed and still thick. 

In figure C, the cervix is 60% effaced and 1-2 cm dilated. 

In figure D, the cervix is 90% effaced and 4-5 cm dilated. 

The cervix must be 100% effaced and 10 cm dilated before you can push and delivery the baby. 

It is also important to note, that how dilated and effaced you are, can be somewhat varied. It is all really just a matter of opinion and not very scientific. One doctor or nurse may check you and say you are 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. Another doctor or nurse may say you are only 1 cm or even 3 cm and 60 or 80%. 

The nurse who taught my childbirth class said that new nurses will check you and then go out of the room and put their hands in a 3D chart and guess which feels closest to what the patient felt like. That then determines the dilation. 

To help you get a visual, I found this great food comparison chart on Baby Center that relates a food to a certain centimeter of dilation. 

So you need to go from closed all the way to an opening the size of a bagel...no biggie, right? :) 

Another important thing to keep in mind...you can be only 1 cm dilated for forever and then all of a sudden BOOM! you are in labor and contractions are opening and thinning your cervix and its time to have a baby! 

OR you could be stuck at 3-4 cm (for example) and not go in to labor until you are induced. 

There really seems to be no magical number for dilation or effacement. However, progress in either area is showing that you are heading in the right direction. But then again, no progress doesn't mean you won't make your way into labor either....

Hope this helps a little! 

You can also check out Elizabeth Allen's book Laboring Well to read more in detail about effacement and dilation from a nurse's perspective.

 

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Packing My Hospital Bag

It's almost time!! Time for Christian to get here that is! I will be 38 weeks tomorrow so he could be here really any time! Or...we could be still waiting for as long as 3 weeks. My doctor induces me 1 week past my due date if baby isn't here yet. 

Hubby and I are planners and our hospital bags are packed and the car is loaded! We took a childbirth class that was 3 weeks long starting when I was about 28 weeks. Hubby decided I needed to get my bags packed ASAP after that! So I did! I have probably been packed since about 32 weeks or so. 

In my 3rd Edition of my 'New Mama Questions' post, I got some great feedback via comments and facebook messages for what to pack! Thanks to all of you who responded! 

Since our bags are all packed and the car is loaded....I kinda missed getting pictures of what I packed. But here is my list: (I probably overpacked...but that's just how I am...)

For Me

1. Labor outfit - Black skirt, black tank top and black sports bra (I'm going to wear this instead of the hospital gown...unless I change my mind) 

2. Robe 

3. Slippers 

4. Bobby pins to pin my hair out of my face 

5. 2 Nursing tanks 

6. 2 Pairs of yoga pants 

7. 2 zip up hoodies 

8. A black strapless cloth sundress (I'm going to wear this instead of a gown while we are at the hospital and after baby is born) 

9. Meds 

10. 2 Bath Towels (1 for me and 1 for hubby) 

11. Facewash 

12. Breast Cream

13. Granny panties 

14. 2 pairs of socks 

15. Chapstick 

16. Glasses 

17. Hard candy 

18. Water Bottle 

19. Make up Bag

20. Pillow 

21. Toothbrush/toothpaste

22. Shampoo 

23. Earrings (I heard this is nice to feel more pulled together for pictures) 

24. Hairdryer? Might not get used but I can be hopeful, right? :) 

For Hubby: 

1. Water Bottle 

2. Drink mixes for his water

3. Snacks (Granola bars, jar of peanut butter) 

4. Razors 

5. Shaving Cream 

6. Glasses/contacts 

7. Pillow 

8. Boxers

9. Socks

10. 2 t-shirts

11. Hoodie

12. iPad 

For Baby Christian: 

I put all of his stuff in a gallon size ziplock bag. 

1. Car Seat

2. Hat 

3. Blanket

4. Going Home Outfit 

5. Burp Cloth

6. Socks 

7. Nail clippers 

8. Boppy 

Other Items: 

1. Card Games 

2. Magazines

3. My purse with insurance card and driver's license

4. Baby Book 

5. Hand Sanitizer 

6. Camera and extra batteries 

7. Chargers (Cell/ipad) 

8. Childbirth Book 

Everything is basically packed but some of these items are on a list to be added last minute: 

1. Pillows x2

2. Make up bag

3. iPad and charger

4. Cell chargers

5. Magazines

6. Hair brush 

7. Hair dryer 

There you have it! Now...just to use it! 

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Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: BEAUTIFUL!!! Now...let's just hope it's finally here to stay! Sitting outside as I write this...Highs in the 60s all week! Some rain expected but trying to remember this will get the grass nice and green!

{What's Cooking}::: To be honest, I only have 2 meals planned for this week...

• Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa and Chicken 
• Turkey Breast Tenderloin...which I need to figure out how I want to cook this still

Will hopefully be doing a lot of grilling with the great weather! 

{My To-Do List}::: YAY! Got everything done last week! Now to see how productive I can be this week :)

• STILL working on our wedding photo book...Might I admit that I have barely started it? :/ I'm starting to think this may 1) not be finished before Christian gets here...or 2) plain just never get finished....
• Sweep out the garage
• Get a haircut
• Shampoo the carpets...I have been looking forward to this for a LONG while!!! :) 
• Go for lots of walks and enjoy this weather! 

 

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May is for Moms - An interview with myself

May is my month! Baby Christian will be born THIS month! So crazy! It has went soooo fast! 

May is also the month for Mother's Day! I'm linking up with All My Happy Endings for the May is for Moms linkup! 

This is a three part linkup that will take place the first 3 Sundays in May. Ooops...my first post is a day late...

For the first linkup, it's an interview with ME! 

1. Before you ever had children, how did you feel about being a mother? 

For as long as I can remember, I have always dreamed of being a mommy. I would struggle to answer the "what do you want to be when you grow up?" question because I just wanted to be a mommy...a stay at home mommy...and that wasn't your typical "answer" to this question. Being a mommy was the most fulfilling and exciting thought I had about my future!

2. Since becoming a mother, what is something that has happened that you never thought would?

Well, since I'm still just pregnant, I can only answer this based on pregnancy...But since becoming pregnant, one that that has happened that I never thought would is that pregnancy is not fun. At least not for me! The whole "enjoying your round belly and not feeling fat and just soaking in your 'glow'" thing has yet to happen to me... 

3. Is being a mother less difficult, more difficult, or exactly how difficult you imagined? 

Again, based on my experience of pregnancy, it has been more difficult than I imagined. However, I have also been blessed with the opportunity to just focus on being pregnant and having a healthy baby, so I can't complain too much!

4. What is your fondest memory of being a mother (so far)? 

I would have to say seeing my little boy on the ultrasound screen at our gender reveal scan in New York City! It was so precious getting to see him suck his thumb and move around in my belly. This was the first time that I felt like a "mom" and not just a fat lady! I also would add seeing him in 3D was a pretty fond memory and all of his little kicks and jabs! Can't wait to make memories with him in my arms real soon! 

5. If your children only learn one life lesson from you, what do you hope it is?

I hope they learn that Jesus loves them. He loves them for who they are and who He made them to be, NOT for what they can do. I hope they learn that Jesus is their Savior and following Him will never steer them wrong.  

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Thankful Thursday - FINALLY Spring!?????

Spring is FINALLY here!! Sort of??

Yes, we did get dumped with SNOW AGAIN!!! 

I can could sit outside and enjoy the sunshine...or like this week is now bringing, April Showers/Snow! 

However, April is now over...so we SHOULD just be getting May Flowers...

I'm still thankful, though, for changing seasons. While winter was, and continues to be, a long season, the past few seasons of life have flown by! 

Dating...led to...

Marriage...led to...

Pregnancy...and soon will lead to...

BABY! 

Right now I'm trying to enjoy each "season" for what it is...whether it be snowy days in April, or rainy/snowy days in May...I know that God is in control and "for everything there is a season". 

And as much as I'm ready to have this baby, I'm just trying to "enjoy" the last few weeks of having a baby bump and feeing his sweet little kicks in my belly before he starts walking around the world! 

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37 Week Bumpdate- FULL TERM!!!

37 Weeks, 2 Days

Size of Baby::: I think watermelon is as big as it gets...so staying there! Between 19-22 inches long and 6.5 - 7 pounds!

Symptoms:::

• Frequent trips to the potty...both day and night! Sometimes I will go to the bathroom and then 2 minutes later I'll say to hubby "did I go to the bathroom yet??" and he will say yes and I will of course need to go again anyway
• I've been sleeping a lot more soundly and waking up less this week
• Had some massive swelling lately...mainly in my left ankle/leg and recently in my right wrist/hand 

Pretty nasty!! Can't wait for this to be done. 

• Still some minor cramping in my back and lower belly but no "real" sign of contractions yet
• Had a scare of some spotty vision, dizziness and a headache on Friday...all potentially signs of pre-eclampsia. The doctor had me come in and get my blood pressure checked and everything was fine...up a little for me but was still normal...

Cravings::: Summery drinks! 

Something I Miss::: Wine! I can't wait to have a glass! That and a Mike's Hard Lemonade! The Raspberry variety :) Yum! These warm temps are making me want summery drinks! Oh and wearing my wedding ring...I wasn't even able to get it over my knuckle to wear it for our maternity pics over the weekend :( Boo. 

Stretch Marks::: Nope! Keeping my fingers crossed!! 

Wedding Ring::: Off :( Hopefully it will be able to go back on very shortly after baby Christian is here! Don't even wear my fake any more because it just doesn't feel comfortable. 

Belly Button::: Poking out but not popped. 

Milestones:::

• Baby is considered full term now! Although, my doctor said they are trying to change that to be 38-39 weeks instead because mortality increases the closer baby is to due date
• Baby's lungs will likely be mature enough to adjust to life outside the womb if born now
• Baby boy's testes have descended into the scrotum
• Baby continues to practice breathing, moving around, sucking his thumb, and blinking
• Most babies will have a full head of hair by now 
• Boys generally weigh more by now and at birth
• Doctor appointments are now weekly and I am checked for dilation and effacement at each appointment...1 cm dilated and 50% effaced this week...

37 Week Surprise::: A Coupon Book of fun things to be used now or after baby! Coupons include trips to Nelson's in Stillwater for Ice Cream, 10 minute back rubs, a full day of diaper duty by daddy, a home cooked romantic dinner, etc. Can't wait to start using some of these! :) 

Looking Forward To::: Getting to see our maternity pics that we took over the weekend with Brittany from Beautiful Era Photography!! And finally getting to meet and hold Christian!!!!

Here are some shots hubby took of the photography taking my pics. I'll be sure to show the final product once we get the photos back :)

Posing for a silhouette  photo.

And a few sneak peaks!! 

3 Weeks!! 

Or...

20 days!!!! 

Almost in the teens and then its single digits! 

Sure has went FAST!

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