41 weeks

I don't know how to turn the counter off, but it should stop today at 41 weeks. I've been awake since 4.15. The alarm will go off at 5.45 to get us up so that we can start getting ready to go to the hospital. I need to be there at 7.30 to start the process. Luckily we can drop the kids off at daycare at 6.30 so we have plenty of time to make the drive up 395 to Alexandria.

It is still hard to believe that later today Maximilian will be here.

Yesterday was a really nice day. It was great to have a little extra time to spend with Mark. And we had a low key day of doing little things around the house. And then Mark took us all out to dinner at Red Robin to celebrate our last night as a Family of Four. After today, there will be 5 of us. It just doesn't seem real. But yet with Max kicking around, I know it must be true. :)

One last day...

I decided to start my maternity leave today. That gives me today to rest and nap. And also to try to finish nesting. There are things I would like to get done. But on the other hand, if all I do is nap then that will be good enough as well. Mark agreed to stay home with me today too. Which is nice, because I feel very emotionally needy at the moment and I didn't really want him to not be where I was. So today is our last day to be at home by ourselves. Tomorrow morning we will go to the hospital and Max will be born. It seems more than a little scary to know that such a big change is coming. I guess it says something about pregnancy that I can be almost 41 weeks pregnant and still in some sort of denial about a baby being the end result of all of this. :)

I'm glad to have this day of rest to get prepared.

Unless he decides to show up today. Which would be fine by me. :)

Questions kids ask...

I will try not to be disturbed by seeing that I am 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant... I know it it be true, but it isn't necessarily nice to see it in black and white...

Julian had some fun questions for me this morning:
This morning Julian said he is worried that it isn't safe for me to be home alone. Max might come and no one would be here. I told him Matt is home and lives nearby or I could call 911 or I could call Mark. He asked how far Mark's office was and I said 15-20 min and he said that wasn't bad.

He thinks Max will have hazel eyes like me and hopes Max will have dark hair like he does. He said he doesn't want to dye his hair. I said that was fine. He asked if people could have different color hair. We talked about Mark's hair being black and white but that mostly people have hair that is one color. I also told Julian that Max will most likely have blue eyes when he is born but they might change.

Julian also wanted to know if I would immediately be skinny again. I told him I would immediately be skinnier by the size of Max but that it would take a while for me to go back to my previous size. He seemed content with that answer. Funny enough he asked this question before I accidentally bumped into him with my belly during teethbrushing time.

There were some other general questions too. He asked about Max coming on Thursday. I said he would come on Thursday because the hospital would give me some medicine to help him come out. And that he needs to come out then because the placenta is what keeps Max healthy and it wouldn't necessarily do a good job after Thursday. He seemed content with that. And he asked if Max would come before then and I told him we didn't know. We just knew it would be no later than Thursday.

Still waiting...

The weekend was good. No contractions to speak of, but plenty of kicking from Max. We are making our plans with the assumption that Max will not arrive until Thursday. He might still surprize us. But we are planning for Thursday. My folks should be able to get the kids on Friday afternoon and watch them for us for the weekend until Max and I get discharged from the hospital. Mark will be staying with us the whole time.

Feeling sick...

Last Sunday I was really sick and we were hopeful that it was a sign Max was coming soon. It wasn't. Today I am feeling really sick again. And again hopeful that it is a sign that Max will arrive soon.

I am happy to report that I can now breathe through my nose sometimes. Not all the time. But sometimes. And that is a huge improvement.

I am feeling better about having a date for being induced. It is good to know that no matter what Max will be out by this time next week. And we are working on plans to deal with Nik and Julian over the weekend if Max comes early. If we make it to Monday without having Max then we are back to relying on kindercare and school to take care of the kids for the bulk of the day. That makes me feel much better, since I am worried about asking too much of my friends who are willing to take care of the kids while we are at the hospital.

I'm going to try to rest and relax as much as possible today to see if I can start feeling better. Being very still seems to help. I got the kids off to kindercare so there is no where else I need to go today. So there is no need to move off the couch unless I want to. I can sit here with my laptop on my lap and be productive.

Induction Scheduled

Max was given his eviction notice today. If he doesn't choose to make a move on his own, I will be induced at 7.30am on Thursday. The nice thing about 3/27 is that it is our 5 month wedding anniversary. The bad thing is that it is a week from now. And he has done absolutely nothing to try to move out on his own. He's happy where he is. His head isn't even fully engaged yet. No dilation. No effacement. Nothing. He is just not ready to move out.

Maybe Charlotte is right. He's enjoying the cheesey pie too much and knows he won't get to have any for a long time after he is born.

So hard to know...

It is so hard to know if the contraction-like sensations I am feeling are real or Braxton Hicks. They are happening more and more frequently and they are lasting for longer periods of time. So maybe I am starting to have Max. But then again, I have had other cramp-like contraction-like sensations over the past few weeks and they were all nothing. So I don't know. But it is possible that Max has decided to make an entrance tomorrow and he is gearing up now. I'd like to think that my son would inherit some of my traits. Although I perhaps didn't want obsessive schedule obedience to be the key trait. :) I assume that Max will look mostly like Mark, since Mark's first two kids look so much like him. But I won't know until I see Max. And even then his looks could change in the first few months. My white-haired nephew was born with black hair. I was born with very dark hair. My brother had black hair. And we all have light colored hair now (although mine is only "golden" because of M. David and the magic of boxes of hair dye).

So in summary, it is possible that I am actually feeling real contractions. Also possible that it is all fakery on the part of my body. Just tormenting me with my lack of control and lack of information. :)

Still Waiting

I'm still feeling fine. And very happy about it. Max is still kicking around sometimes. And he had the hiccoughs earlier this morning. I've had a few little cramp-like sensations but nothing that says he is looking to make a move any time soon. But since I am back to feeling ok I am less concerned with his desire to stay put.

I still have a bit of a head cold but it seems to be clearing up without any major issues. I can't breathe, but my throat feels fine.

This morning Chloe was still very interested in being close to me and Mark when we were sleeping. She again came up to almost where our heads are in her quest for some snuggle time. But then when I was working earlier this morning she showed a complete lack of respect for me and Max. She jumped up on the right hand side of me and then decided that she wanted to sit on the arm of the chair on the left. So she just walked right on top of Max. I wish he had kicked her, but he was sleeping or resting or not interested in being hostile to the cat. So she got away with it. I was so surprized that I wasn't able to react. She is a funny cat.

My dentist appointment went well yesterday. Thanks to Max I avoided Xrays. How I hate them. And although Max has been changing my body chemistry and potentially sucking nutrients out of my teeth, I made it through the last 6 months with no issues. No cavities, no major issues at all. So all is well until I go back in 6 months and have to have the xrays done.

And now, time to get back to work...

No news...

I was quite sick over the weekend. The baby books said that hormone shift to prepare for work can cause queasiness. So I was hopeful. But now I feel better. And I have to say that I am totally fine with not feeling sick like that yesterday. From 11pm on Saturday to about 3pm on Sunday I wasn't able to keep anything down. It was not a fun time. But now I feel fine again. So I will go back to waiting and wondering. :)

Max is still plenty active, although he has seemed to slow down on his kicking. I think he is totally out of room in there. And all the books say that he should start kicking less as he runs out of room.

Time to get to work...

39 Weeks Down, 1 to go...

I had my check up today. I'm good. Max is good. Everything was fine. No real signs of progress, although clearly the baby is going to exit my body in the not too distant future. So all was well.

I asked which way Max was facing today. I had assumed (and I don't know why) that he would have his spine aligned with mine. So he would be facing front or facing back. But Max was facing sideways. His head is still down. His spine was along my right side with his butt under my ribs. His feet and hands are on my left side. He is still able to wiggle around and kick and punch and generally make a ruckus. He likes to push with his butt to try to make more room. It isn't really possible, but I guess he likes to try.

He was up against the steering wheel again today. I was able to scoot my seat back again to gain a little bit of room. So I can keep using my car. I do know that I can trade cars if needed, but I feel more comfortable in my car for the moment. My parking garage at work is small and weird, so I would rather be dealing with my tiny car than dealing with a bigger car that I would be worried about smushing.

I have been having a lot of contractions. They all seem to be Braxton Hicks contractions. So that is fine. They don't mean anything and they aren't doing anything. But they also are not terribly painful. Just uncomfortable. I have had a little bit of leg cramping at night but nothing too terrible. And Max seems to like to grind his head into my bladder which is less than exciting. But not a terrible problem. I'm still pretty mobile, although once I am down on the ground it is almost impossible to get back up. I can squat down briefly, like to put the yogurts in the fridge, but if it is more than a few seconds I am unable to stay squatting. If I opt to then sit down on the floor I definitely need help to get up. And not just Mark offering me one hand to help me get up. I need him to use both hands, put his feet against mine, and then lean back and haul me up.

Mark did try to install the carseat in the van. Unfortunately it did not fit. Because the seats in the van do not adjust backwards. So the carseat just doesn't fit. So he took the seat behind his seat out of the van and put the second row seat back in behind my seat. I can scoot my seat forward and the carseat can fit. We just can't do the same on his side because it will interfere with Mark's ability to drive. So we can make it work it just isn't the solution we had intended. And when we get a new van or car we will be sure to check out the car seat before we make a purchase!

Here's the 39 week update:
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_39.htm
How Big is the Baby at 39 Weeks Pregnant?
By pregnancy week 39 your baby now probably weighs between 7 and 7 and a half pounds, and is likely between 21 and 21 and a half inches long during pregnancy 39 weeks!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
During week 39 it is common to have early signs of labor. During labor and delivery your baby's heart rate may be monitored. Fetal heart rate monitoring helps your healthcare team evaluate your baby during labor to make sure that everything is going as planned. If any problems arise they can be detected and hopefully adjusted for early on in labor.

Typically when your uterus contracts the oxygenated blood flow to your placenta is restricted. Because this is a natural process it will not be a problem for most babies. However, in some cases this can result in fetal distress. Fortunately a fetal monitor will be able to assess whether or not your baby is stressed.

Your healthcare provider can monitor your baby's heartbeat either through external fetal monitoring or internal fetal monitoring. External fetal monitoring can be used any time during labor. A belt with a receiver can be strapped onto your abdomen. It works much like ultrasound does in detecting a fetal heart rate, providing a little feedback strip that tracks your baby's heart rate during and in between contractions.

An internal fetal monitor may be used to assess your baby's heart rate as well. To do this an electrode would be placed on your baby's scalp inside the body. You need to be dilated at least 1 cm and your membranes must have ruptured in order to use this type of monitoring.

Your Growth and Development
You are probably starting to wonder what your baby looks like during pregnancy at 39 weeks if you haven't already. Since your belly isn't changing much at 39 weeks pregnant why not dwell on your newborn baby's looks! Will he look like you or your partner? Perhaps your baby will take on traits of your ancestors, resembling neither of you too closely!

One thing you will notice when your baby is born is that newborns look strange! Some people might say that is being nice, but there are those of us that truly believe the site of all newborns is simply beautiful.

Newborn babies of all types share several common features and characteristics. They typically have big heads, short or no necks, and distended abdomens. Most are born with a misshapen head that resembles a cone head, particularly if you were in labor for an extended period of time. Your baby's head will have soft spots called fontanels, which are openings in the skull that allow your baby's bones to compress during delivery. This is necessary for your baby's head to fit through the birth canal. Cute huh?

When your baby is born you may notice his genitals and breasts are swollen. This is due to a higher than normal dose of female hormones transferred from you to the baby right before delivery. Fortunately these 'irregularities' will disappear in the days following delivery.
Your baby's skin may be smooth as a baby's bottom, or you may find that your baby is born with acne or other red spots. This is perfectly normal. Some babies are born with a condition called pustular melanosis, which is little pus filled bumps on the skin.

Other babies are born with birthmarks. There are several different types of birthmarks. The more common include angel kisses and stork bites. Birthmarks may not show up immediately, but sometimes grow during the first few weeks of life. Others get smaller as your baby gets older.

Some baby's are born with red and blond hair even when both parents are dark haired. Keep in mind that regardless of your newborns hair color, there is a relatively good chance your baby's hair will change colors once or twice as they are growing. It isn't uncommon for a baby born blond to turn into a brunette.

Fortunately your baby's skin will start to clear up in a few weeks. You probably won't have to worry about acne or pimples again until the teenage years!

Changes in You
It's almost time to deliver at pregnancy 39 weeks! You have continued your pregnancy week by week and now you feel ready! Or, at 39 weeks pregnancy you may be feeling worried, anxious, excited and tired! Many women experience a variety of emotions after delivery. The more you are informed the better equipped you will be to handle them.

Once you deliver your baby your hormones will drop suddenly. This typically results in some postpartum distress. More than 80 percent of women in fact will report feeling some form of the blues immediately after birth. Remember that this is normal, and should subside in a short period of time.

Single Digits...

So I said I was going to avoid the baby blog today because it would say 9 days. But then I just had to post.

I am finishing my work day from home. I am on the couch with my feet up on the ottoman, trying to make the swelling manageable. Chloe jumped up on the couch on my right side. There isn't much room there today because when I sat down she was sleeping on the left side of the couch. And I just sat in the empty spot (aka Mark's spot). Because there was limited space, Chloe wanted to get to the other side. And I watched her as she had to really prep to jump over me. Because I am just that much bigger than usual. She made it. And she made it in one jump. I have to say I am stunned, because my cat is an idiot. She falls down when doing every day cat things. She doesn't know how to absorb any of the impact of a jump. But yet she made it over me and Max.

She is still being very clingy in general. She is letting Mark pet her a lot. She is sleeping as close to me as she can. When I woke up this morning (after sleeping for 7 hours! woo hoo!) she was sleeping as snuggled up with Max as was possible. And yet she doesn't seem to be sleeping on the glider, glider ottoman, changing table, or crib in Max's room.

In other Max's Room Updates, I got all of his clothes unpacked into the dresser. He is one lucky boy. And I can't wait to start dressing him up and taking pictures. :)

Dropped...

So Max has dropped. I thought it would be impossible to have to pee more than before. But I was wrong. I was up 5 times in the night. But conveniently (?) enough, I was already awake, so it was less of a struggle. I slept from 11.30 - 2am and then from 6-8am. I am not pleased. I feel like a zombie. I'm trying to eat myself awake. So far it isn't really working. Mark suggested a nap, but there is no time for a nap until about 6pm and at that point I may as well just stay up for 2 more hours and go to bed. I hope that tonight is a night when I catch up on sleep.

Tomorrow my office is doing a festive lunch for me. So that should be nice. It is hard to believe that this is my last week in the office. It is a little scary when I look at the blog count down and see 10 days. And know that today is the last double digit day...

I have been having some contractions today. Nothing regular. Just a couple here and there. But as each day goes by I feel like I need to do a better job of keeping track of when the contractions are coming. In case they start coming regularly. I'm pretty sure I'll notice when they are coming at more than one an hour. :)

We got a lot done this weekend. The to do list was very long. And still is quite long. But much was accomplished. Max has a dresser and some of his clothes are in it. The glider is upstairs with the gliding footstool and with a pillow decorating it (that will later be wedged under my arm). The van now has the bench seat in the back and the two booster seats are there. The baby car seat has been removed from the box. We have tried it out with the stroller. I know how to attach the car seat to the stroller, remove the carseat from the stroller, and how to fold up the carseat. Mark is going to install the carseat base into the van (hopefully today) and that will be one step closer to bringing Max home. I also packed 90% of the stuff for the hospital. I need a pair of slippers and a few other little things. Everything else is in either the bag that says Claire (for me during the birthing process), Max (for me and Max after I give birth), or in the diaper bag. I also received the little shirts for the kids to wear for their first photos and they have been washed in the baby detergent and are currently in the dryer. I also washed the maya wrap and set it to dry.

I am feeling better about our level of preparedness.

We even talked about the diaper service this morning. We know that we are going with Modern Diaper Service but we are going to wait a few weeks until we set up the delivery. We figure we will use up all the disposable diapers we got as gifts during the first few weeks and then switch him over to cloth after we are a little more used to the routine. And his umbilical cord should be taken care of by then too.

We continue to feel very very lucky as we look around his room and see all the many things that people have given or loaned us. I bought him some stuff and I made him some stuff, but 95% of what we have for Max was a gift or a loan. We feel overwhelmed by the generositiy of our friends and family. Thank you all.

38 Weeks

Today not only marks 38 weeks, but is also the 2 year anniversary of our first date. :)

I gained 1 pound over last week for a total of 19 pounds. Even Fudge of the Month can't make me have a crazy weight gain at this point! :)

Max and I had a check up today. Sadly today's doctor ruptured his achilles tendon on Valentine's Day so he has to use a little cart for his leg. I was impressed at how well he was able to get around. He was able to get from the wheeled leg cart to the wheeled doctor chair without falling on the ground. I don't know that I would have ever been able to do that.

The checkup was fairly uneventful. My blood pressure was good. Max is fine. His heartbeat was nice and strong. His heartbeat is on the right side of my body, but I don't know if that means anything. I guess I should have asked the doctor if that means he is facing out or facing backwards. Either way, he has started to drop, but he hasn't dropped very much. No signs of labor. Max is still very very active much of the time. My next checkup is next Thursday.

I'm still having trouble sleeping. And then I feel exhausted during the day because of the lack of sleep at night. I go to bed but I am uncomfortable. Ah well.

We still need to put together the new dresser for Max so that we can put his clothes away. But we got the Amby sheets washed and I put the sheet on the Amby today. So that is one more thing done and ready for his arrival. I'm working on another hat for him to match one of his smaller sweaters. I can't have him without a matching hat, right? :) I have also made a list of things I need to pack for the hospital but I haven't actually put the stuff into bags yet. I guess I'll have to get cracking on that...

And here is the 38 week scoop:
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_38.htm
How Big is the Baby at 38 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby is rapidly approaching 7 pounds during pregnancy at 38 weeks. The length will remain about 21 inches from now until birth even though you continue to develop during your pregnancy week by week.

Your Growth and Development
Your belly size will remain pretty constant from 38 weeks pregnant and beyond, though you may notice your belly appears lower than before, particularly if the baby has dropped a bit further into your pelvis.

Changes in You
At 38 weeks pregnant you may start to worry about the labor and delivery process. If you haven't already, you should visit the birthing facility you plan to deliver your baby at so you have time to find out where everything is.

Have you packed your hospital bag by pregnancy week 38? If you haven't you better sit down and do it today. You could go into spontaneous labor at any point in time as you continue your pregnancy week by week.

Milk Chocolate = Nutrition, right?

I am delighted to announce that the first shipment of Fudge of the Month arrived today. I have 4 kinds of fudge in one convenient box. I have tried the raspberry milk chocolate fudge. It was good. I have orange cream, chocolate amaretto, and milk chocolate fudge still to sample. And then I will sample them all again and again until they are gone and I have to wait for the next shipment to arrive. I figured the milk part of the milk chocolate fudge was going to be good for Max. So that made it a reasonable thing to post on the baby blog. :)

Also I would like to express my disgruntled-ness that J. Lo named her baby Max. That was my name. And she took it. Along with Christina. And several other famous people. I can't even be bothered to name them.

Max was the name that Mark and I picked out. We both liked it. And we are going to stick with it. I just hope there are not lots of other Max's out there when he is starting school.

I met with my boss today and she agreed that a week from Friday will be my last day in the office. I will work from home between then and Max's arrival. I will then be home for 4 weeks on leave. And then I will be working part time (3 hours a day, ideally) for the other 8 weeks of my FMLA time off. It is nice to have that sorted out.

So soon? So long?

So on the one hand it seems like I have been pregnant forever. And on the other hand it seems like Max is going to arrive so very very soon and in an unexpected kind of way. We know in our heads that he is due in a little more than 2 weeks. And 2 weeks seems like a long time to have to wait to get to know him. And on the other hand it seems like no where near enough time for us to finish getting ready!!!!

We got a dresser for him this weekend. I assembled the Amby Baby last night (except tightening the nut on the top). We need to assemble the dresser and put his clothes into it.

I ordered shirts for the kids from etsy.com. Tattletaledesigns is a super lovely lady who is making some super cute stuff for Max's arrival. I am delighted. I have been working on gathering stuff ready for packing for the hospital. I have a list. I think we own everything on the list.

But we still have tons of stuff in the wrong places. We need to move the glider upstairs into Max's room, but first we need to assemble the dresser because the glider will take up the space we need for the assembly process! And we need to move stuff out of the front room so that our guests/helpers have somewhere to sleep. And this includes moving all the stuff that was given to us with Nik and Julian's mother decided to move to NC. We have a van load of toys and clothes that need to be put somewhere... It is nice to have so much stuff for them, but not so nice to be faced with trying to find a place to store all the stuff when we were already operating on a slightly overloaded basis... Hopefully it won't take us long to take care of moving stuff around.

I was also able to get the all important hair dye appointment over the weekend. I can't have my first photos with Max include fair roots! So now my hair is evenly reddish. Yay for that. Yay for M. David!

I also made a tiny little hat for Max to wear in his first photo. It matches the blanket I made for him. I will also pack a number of cutie onesies for him in case that seems like a better photo opportunity. :) And I have one other hat that I think I would like to try to make for him if I have enough time in between prepping for his arrival and my other knitting projects...

37 weeks = Swiss Chard

Weight gain is now at 18 pounds. My blood pressure was fine. Max's heart beat was fine. Max is right on track for size. Max is also still head down. They did a check and I am not dialated or effaced or anything. The contractions are happening at a rate of a couple a day, but they are just for entertainment value. They are not a sign of anything starting to happen. I'm still uncomfortable and feel huge. Sleeping is increasingly difficult. Esp when the kids come in and ask me questions early in the morning instead of just letting me sleep! It is lucky that Mark is such a good sleeper since me turning on the light to read myself back to sleep doesn't bother him.

My group B strep test came back negative so that is good news. If it had been positive I would have needed to have anti-biotics during labor, but now I'm off the hook for that.

Nothing much else to report. Max is very active. And I'm just waiting for him to be cooked. My belly button is poking out more and more although not yet fully popped.

Here's the 37 week update:
http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-37-weeks_1126.bc
How your baby's growing:
Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.
Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard).
Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

How your life's changing:
Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.) Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. That way, if the result isn't yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you'll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics.
It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before.While you're sleeping, you're likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.

Surprising Facts: Signs of labor
There's no way to predict when labor is going to start. Your body actually starts "preparing" for labor up to a month before you give birth. You may be blissfully unaware of what's going on or you may begin to notice new symptoms as your due date draws near.
Here are some things that may happen in the weeks or days before labor starts:
• Your baby drops. If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel what's known as "lightening" a few weeks before labor starts as your baby descends lower into your pelvis. You might detect a heaviness in your pelvis as this happens and notice less pressure just below your ribcage, making it easier to catch your breath.
• You note an uptick in Braxton Hicks contractions. More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks contractions can signal pre-labor, during which your cervix ripens and the stage is set for true labor. Some women experience a crampy, menstrual-like feeling during this time.
• You pass your mucus plug. The mucus plug is the small amount of thickened mucus that blocks the cervical canal leading to your uterus. The plug may come out all at once in a lump, or as increased vaginal discharge over the course of several days. The mucus may be tinged with blood (which may be brown, pink, or red), in which case it may be referred to as "bloody show."
• Your water breaks. Most women start having regular contractions sometime before their water breaks, but in some cases, the water breaks first. When this happens, labor usually follows soon. (If contractions don't start promptly on their own, you'll be induced.) Whether the amniotic fluid comes out in a large gush or a small trickle, call your doctor or midwife.

How can I tell if I'm in false labor or true labor?
Sometimes it's very hard to tell false labor from the early stages of true labor. Here are some things that might help you sort it out:
• False labor contractions are unpredictable. They come at irregular intervals and vary in length and intensity. Although true labor contractions may be irregular at first, over time they start coming at regular and shorter intervals, become increasingly more intense, and last longer.
• With false labor, the pain from the contractions is more likely to be centered in your lower abdomen. With true labor, you may feel the pain start in your lower back and wrap around to your abdomen.
• False labor contractions may subside on their own, or when you start or stop an activity or change position. True labor contractions will persist and progress regardless of what you do.

Belly button

My belly button has not yet popped out. But I think it will soon. It is showing definite signs of pooching out...

Today as I was waiting in line at McDs for some emergency lunch food, a stranger said Congrats to me. I was so focused on needing to eat and so not expecting a guy to comment to me about my pregnancy. I was startled. And then as I was getting my drink two women looked at me and asked somewhat incredulously "when are you due?!?" When I said 3 weeks they said I had a long way to go. I guess that is a good thing?

Tomorrow is an all day meeting at work. I have a bad attitude about it. It just seems overwhelming to me to sit in a chair and focus all day. I won't have a way to put my feet up. And it is an all day thing. I am not sure I can make it through all that...

Meanwhile the last of the baby clothes are in the washing machine. Almost everything Max owns has been washed with the special baby detergent. Within 90 minutes everything should be clean and dry and ready for him. Now I just have to find a place to keep it all. :)

It is starting to seem more real...

So tonight was the last night of knitting class. Max is due in exactly 4 weeks. Knitting classes go for 5 weeks. So this was the last knitting class that I will see to the end. Next week a new class will start but Max will arrive before they finish their 5 week session. And I won't be able to help out with the classes for quite a few weeks. That makes it seem all the more real. I'm going to have a baby and my life is going to change. I know that. But in some ways it also seems like I am just going to be pregnant forever. I've been pregnant for so long. And I have tried not to focus on having a baby since that seemed like a good way to drive myself crazy while waiting and waiting and waiting for it to be time for Max to arrive. But now we are down to less than a month. Max could arrive at any point during that month or after that. And when he does, things will change. Concrete specific things. There are the general things like still not being able to sleep. But there are other things like not being able to teach knitting class. It will all be worth it to have Max here. But I guess it is good there is such a long adjustment period. I am sure that nothing will be able to prepare me for what comes next. But at least there is a good long time for me to try to prepare myself. :)

36 Weeks

I had my 36 week checkup today. Max is still doing very well. His heart rate was good. His size was exactly on target. And he's still very active. I also got a good review today. My blood pressure was down from last week. I weighed myself this morning and I was actually down a pound from last week for a total gain of 14 pounds. At the doctor's office I showed a gain but that was after lunch so I'm not concerned about that. I always weigh myself at the same time of day so I think my measurement is more accurate. The doctor today was one of my favorites so I'm glad she was the one Mark got to meet during an appointment. She also said that her estimate is that Max will be 7.5 pounds when he is born. I like that answer better than last week's doctor's estimate! She says there is no reason to expect that Max will be extra large. My low weight gain is also another sign that he isn't likely to be a monster baby.

Because tomorrow marks 36 weeks, Max is now considered full-term. If I go into labor right now they will not try to stop my labor. I'm clear to give birth whenever Max feels ready. He has not dropped yet, so it probably won't be any time soon. :)

I like to think that all of the extra Easter candy I have been eating is a factor in losing a pound. And that I should eat even more Easter candy this week to see if I lose another pound. Even if my theory is wrong I will get to eat lots of delicious Easter candy. Creme eggs, cadbury's mini eggs, russell stover vanilla cream eggs. It is all just so delicious.

I took a little bit of video of Max moving around inside me yesterday. I'm working on posting them to YouTube for your viewing pleasure. He's a very active little boy. Although I am eager to meet him, I will miss feeling him kick around.

I'm still having trouble sleeping. And when I wake up my hips and back just ache and ache. It is very hard for me to walk across the bedroom in the morning. Luckily by the time it is going-to-school time I am usually able to walk again. And I'm fine most of the day. By evening I feel tired and a bit achy again. It is hard for me to fall asleep and I wake up frequently and have trouble getting back to sleep. I know that I won't be sleeping a lot after Max arrives, but there is still something to be said for being able to sleep face down without having someone kick you to tell you he is being crushed!

Here's the 36 week update:
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_36.htm
How Big is the Baby at 36 Weeks Pregnant?
By 36 weeks pregnant your baby is now right about 6 pounds and is about 20.6 inches or more long! Your little one will soon enter the ranks of heavyweight champs as you continue pregnancy week by week and he approaches delivery!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is still working on putting on weight during pregnancy week 36. While that may not seem very exciting, keep in mind this is his primary job from now until delivery. Round babies are healthy babies. This is probably the one time in your baby's life they can put on pounds with wild abandon. If you were to peak inside your womb, you'd probably see your baby giddy with glee.
Did you know that some researchers believe your baby actually releases a signal to trigger labor? There are actually several different theories. Some believe that when your baby's brain is completely mature it sends a signal to the fetal adrenal glands. These glands then start to secrete the hormone cortisol, which may alter the metabolism of estrogen and progesterone, resulting in labor.
Other researchers have postulated that the fetal lungs secrete signals indicating they are mature, as well as enzymes that result in the release of prostaglandins, which help the cervix ripen and help the uterus to contract. This is highly likely as the body does release prostaglandins around the time of birth.

Your Growth and Development
You are round and beautiful during pregnancy 36 weeks. Your uterus during pregnancy at 36 weeks is now more than 5 and a half inches from your navel. You may think you simply can't get any bigger by pregnancy at 36 weeks, but don't forget you still have four weeks of growing left! Some women may even have a little bit more!
The capacity of the uterus and abdomen to stretch during pregnancy is truly a remarkable phenomena. At no other time will the body transform at such a rapid rate than during pregnancy. Amazingly, while it takes nine months for the uterus to stretch to several times its normal size during pregnancy, by your six week checkup it will be back to its normal pre-pregnancy size already.

Changes in You
You are probably getting more and more anxious for delivery by 36 weeks pregnant. You probably still have a good 4 to 5 weeks to go however even at 36 weeks pregnant, particularly if this is your first pregnancy. Full term is defined as gestation between 37 and 41 weeks. That means your baby could come any time between then and that would be perfectly normal.
While some women hope and pray that their baby will come early by pregnancy week 36, the vast majority actually come a little later than we expect. Relatively few women actually deliver on their exact due date, though many do in the days just before or just after.
The level of amniotic fluid in your belly is relatively constant. Your baby will actually swallow a certain volume of amniotic fluid each day during pregnancy. Typically your baby will go on to excrete this fluid as urine. There is a balance between your baby swallowing the amniotic fluid and the baby excreting the fluid as urine that is maintained each and every day.
If this balance is not maintained the amount of fluid in your womb will increase or decrease significantly, causing a condition called polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios respectfully. These conditions are relatively rare though it may affect up to 8 percent of pregnancies. Abnormal amniotic fluid volume is more common in the third trimester than in the second though it can occur at any time. Your healthcare provider will be able to measure your baby's amniotic levels via ultrasound during your pregnancy if he suspects abnormal amniotic fluid volume.
If you are feeling a bit clumsy lately, you aren't alone. When was the last time you saw your toes? One of the best things you can do for yourself in the last few weeks of pregnancy is go for a light swim. Swimming is wonderful during the last half of pregnancy, if for no other reason that it renders you practically weightless, which can relieve a lot of the pain and stiffness you might experience in the last half of pregnancy.
Remember however to stay away from the hot tub until after delivery. You can however enjoy a warm bath as well during the last half of pregnancy. Many women actually climb into the tub during the early phase of labor to help relieve some of their discomfort.
Whether this is your first pregnancy or last, take a few moments to savor the feeling of your baby moving about your belly. There simply is nothing quite like it, and in the grand scheme of things pregnancy is just nine short months of the long journey of life. Your newborn baby will eventually grow into a teenager and then an adult. Before you know it you will look back on these days of bloating, weight gain and fatigue with awe and longing!

Nik's latest question

So this morning on the way to school Nik was again asking about Max being in my tummy. We made a decision at the start of my pregnancy to not delve into the details of where Max is. Tummy was good enough for two young boys.

Nik's questions today started with the standard questions about what Max is doing. Is he growing in my tummy? Is he not yet ready to come out? The standard questions I get on a regular basis. He likes to know if Max is awake or if Max is sleeping and growing so that he can get bigger so that he can be born.


Today we had a new question... Will I be sick when Max is born? Apparently Nik thinks that I will be puking Max up out of my tummy when he is ready to be born.

Things I Will Miss

Max has the hiccoughs. Both of the kids were able to feel them. Nik asked if the baby was crying. And followed up with saying that he doesn't cry when he has the hiccoughs either. Very cute.

I enjoy feeling Max move around. It is reassuring since I tend to freak out if he is still for too long. The kicks make me feel like he is doing well. And since I wanted to be pregnant for so long, it is really cool to be able to actively feel some sort of sign of him growing in there.

I also enjoy that Max is silent at the moment. And feeds himself automatically with no active interaction from me. I hear that those two things will be things I will miss greatly in the future.

I do not miss not being able to sleep on my stomach or on my back. Or the difficulty I have sleeping in general. I can sleep on my side, but it isn't comfortable. Sitting on the couch is good, but I am not one for sleeping sitting up. And my feet de-swell much better when I am actually flat...

Number Fun

I'm 35 weeks pregnant today with 35 days to go.

And today is also officially 8 months. Although since the official math defines my pregnancy as starting 2 weeks before conception, that's a little bit weird. But that's how the math is done and therefore today marks 8 months.

Max is still kicking up a storm and seems to like to kick along with the clicks of my keyboard.

35 Weeks = Honeydew Melon

When I weighed myself this morning I was up one pound from last week for a total weight gain of 15 pounds. So I am right on track.

I had my checkup today with a doctor from the practice. He was very nice. My blood pressure is just fine. My weight gain is just fine. My feet didn't look very swollen at all. The doctor says I can keep working like I am now (mostly working from home with my feet up on the ottoman). The doctor also recommended that I try to see a specialist about my headaches since today is Day 8 of this headache (although really only the first two days were really bad).

Max is doing great. The doctor confirmed he is head down. His heart rate is very good. He measures exactly the right size. And the doctor estimated his weight at 6.5 pounds.

When I got home from the doctor I made myself a boboli pizza. I ate it with the plate resting on my tummy. Max seemed to think it would be fun to try to kick the plate off my belly. He has been a very active kicker today. Although I guess that is still basically true of every day.

I'm working on my list of folks to notify when the baby comes, so if you aren't sure that I have your email address, let me know!

And now here's the 35 week scoop:

http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-35-weeks_1124.bc
How your baby's growing:Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Last Pre-Natal Class

The stupid chick wasn't there, so that made it nice. We also got our certificate of achievement to show that we were there for all 6 classes.

I wasn't sure how useful the class was going to be last night. The first 4 classes were all about labor and delivery and that was key information. Last week was all about breast-feeding, also critical information. And last night was on the transition from hospital to home. Mark has already done that twice and both kids are still alive, so I felt good about our odds. But the class was actually very useful.

The teacher gave us some basic info on taking care of the baby. And some more advanced info on how to not be peed on by a boy baby, how to fold the diaper so that it doesn't rub against his cord stump, and how to buritto the baby up to keep him calm. I also learned that the new recommendation is that you give a baby a pacifier when you put them into bed because it helps reduce the chance of SIDS. Apparently if they are sucking then they are not in such a deep sleep and it helps to keep them alive. We also learned more about jaundice and some other potential issues and how to deal with them.

Another key set of info from last night's class was information on how to take care of myself after giving birth. Lots of good tips there on how to deal with the after effects of giving birth. I like to feel prepared!

I am really pleased with our teacher and how she organized the class. I think it was time and money well spent. And super duper thanks to everyone who pitched in and helped out with the kids so that Mark and I were able to go together.

I was really tired last night before and after the class. And I got into bed and felt wide awake. Not cool. Today I feel very tired, very cranky, and very not into being at work. I have a ton of meetings before I can escape and I feel like I have a lot of things that require me to use my brain and lot a lot of brains available to devote to the tasks at hand. I did manage to vote this morning and I got both kids off to school on time (Tuesdays are extra complex because J has a French class at 7.45 on Tuesdays). I have no after work commitments today (M will take both kids to MyGym tho so I will have an hour at home by myself) so I am looking forward to being able to go home and rest and relax.

Max is very active this morning so I guess he is feeling no ill effects from my lack of sleep.

Chloe decided last night that instead of sleeping near my feet or Mark's feet she had to sleep between us. Actually it would be more accurate to say she was sleeping between Max and Mark. She was right up next to Max all night long. It was a little funny to hear her purring and to feel Max kicking around.

And now, time to try to pull myself together to be useful at work...

34 Weeks = cantaloupe

Today I am up 2 pounds over last week for a total of 14 pounds. I'm also seeing some swelling in my hands, although my feet were better this morning. Last night I had a really brutal headache. I took codeine and I used ice packs on my head but it didn't seem to do much to ease the pain. I was able to sleep ok and I felt better when I woke up this morning. Not great, but better than last night.

Max is very active already this morning. Maybe he is making up for sleeping through Kick Counting Time last night. 7pm came and went and it wasn't until 9pm that he decided to demonstrate that he still knows how to kick.

I don't have a doctor's appointment this week. I go in next Thursday for my next check up.

Here's the 34 week update:
http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-34-weeks_1123.bc
How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her 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.
How your life's changing: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.

http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_34.htm
How Big is the Baby at 34 Weeks Pregnant?
By 34 weeks pregnant your baby is now almost five pounds and just shy of 20 inches long!! More so than ever before your baby resembles a miniature being from pregnancy 34 weeks on.
Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is continuing to grow and fill out during pregnancy week by week. In fact, that is his primary job during pregnancy at 34 weeks and beyond. Not much changes from 34 weeks pregnant and on except your baby is adding valuable meat to his bones. Keep in mind that the weights presented each week in our week to week guide are only estimates. Some babies will weigh in a bit larger and others a bit smaller. Some babies will also be longer or shorter. Every baby is unique.
There are many factors that make estimating the weight of your baby challenging as you continue pregnancy week by week. Many women like to get an estimate about how big their baby is during their prenatal visits. However, most estimates can be as much as 1 to 2 pounds off in either direction.
There are many reasons for this. It is difficult to guess how much the baby will weigh combined with the placenta and amniotic fluid. Even with ultrasound your healthcare providers best estimate may be off. Ultrasound however can be a valuable too to help predict the weight of the baby.
During an ultrasound your healthcare provider will take many measurements to help estimate the baby's weight and size. Among the more common measurements include the diameter of your baby's head, the circumference of the head and abdomen and the length of your baby's femur.
Estimates are more likely to be within ½ to 1 pound when an ultrasound is used.
Your Growth and Development
Your uterus at pregnancy 34 weeks is now just about 5.6 inches from the top of your navel. You may notice that you look similar to or different from other pregnant women who are as far along as you are. Every woman carries her baby differently. Some tend to carry more wide, while others carry lower or higher. It really depends on a number of factors. You may even carry differently from one pregnancy to the next!
There are many women that believe the way you carry represents the gender of your baby, but by and large this is an old wives tale! It is fun to guess however, particularly if you are waiting until delivery to determine the sex of your baby!
Changes in You
You probably are getting a little bit uncomfortable by pregnancy week 34. You are also likely to start feeling anxious to meet your newborn baby during pregnancy week 34 or thereafter.
Some women start to worry about whether or not their baby will fit through the birth canal at about this point in time. Generally your healthcare provider will not be able to predict whether or not your baby is too big to fit through your pelvis. This diagnosis is typically made during labor, when your physician can determine how the baby is fitting into your pelvis.
Just because you are petite doesn't mean that you won't be able to delivery a large baby. There are many women who are petite that go on to deliver babies 8 pounds or more.
Some women also start wondering when their baby will 'drop' sometime after week 34 pregnancy. Dropping is the term that refers to the process whereby your baby's head enters the birth canal. It generally occurs in first time mothers a few weeks before delivery. In moms who have already given birth, it may not happen until a day or two before labor begins.
When you do drop you should notice a change in your abdomen. You might notice your baby is resting lower. You might also notice that it suddenly becomes easier to breathe, in part because you have 'lightened' your load and now have more room available in your upper abdomen.
It is also common to start feeling some pressure in the vagina after the baby drops. Some women worry that their baby might fall out. Talk to your doctor if you feel the pressure is severe. Your healthcare provider can check to see exactly how low the baby's head is. Usually everything will be fine, you simply need to adjust to your baby sitting a little lower than you are used to.

Pre-Natal Class #5

Sadly the stupid pregnant chick was wrong about when she was being induced. She was at class this week because she is having her baby NEXT Friday. And she was just as annoying and stupid as ever. One of the highlights was her finding out that she can't microwave the baby's bottle. She seems to feel like putting the bottle in a bowl of warm water is too time consuming. At least she won't be there next week, right?

The class this week was all about breast-feeding. I was very interested to learn as much as I could this week at class. I went to the La Leche League meeting with Krista last Saturday and I learned a lot there. And so this class was a good review of some of that information and provided more information as well. I am starting to feel better about the idea of breast feeding. I definitely want to do it but I have a lot of worries that I won't be able to do it. Everyone seems to be saying there are lots of ways to get help and that Max and I can learn together how to be successful. There is another La Leche League meeting on March 1st and I am hoping to make it to that meeting as well. That meeting is focused on possible troubles with breastfeeding and how to overcome them. Sounds like an ideal class.

Next week's class is our last class and we will be learning about the transition from hospital to home. I'm curious to see what that involves. Mark has successfully kept two kids alive so I am not too worried about the transition. :)

The joys of kids...

Last night I was making dinner. Julian asked me if I wanted to play I Spy. I said sure. He went first. He said "I spy something huge." I looked at him and laughingly said "Is it me?" and he said Yes! I said "I spy something jerky." And he laughed and said "Is it me?" He went on to say that he meant it in a good way because at least I know the baby is still there. I'm pretty sure I will know when the baby comes out, but I guess Julian doesn't know how that part works. :)

Hospital Tour

Yesterday was our tour of Alexandria Hospital. We got back from NC in time to change from the van to my car. After 9+ hours in the car between Saturday and Sunday we were ready for a little change of scenery. :)

The tour was great. We met up near the gift shop and learned how to get from that entrace to the labor and delivery ward (up the elevators and there you are). We were able to see the triage unit (where I had my monitoring done) and the other rooms. The rooms are pretty large and have lots of chairs and a couch for people. The bed is also super adjustable. It can be a flat bed or a chair or a lot of things in between. We also saw the kitchen area (they call it a nourishment center) where they have ice chips and juice and a microwave.

We went up and saw the maternity ward where you have 2-3 days of recovery. We got confirmation that the kids can visit during visitation hours (11am to 8pm) so that is good. And Max will stay in the room with me except for some visits to the nursery for weigh-ins and other monitoring. We also learned where the cafeteria is. :)

One of the areas of concern for me is the parking situation. Mark will have to drop me off at the door and then park the car. Or we can valet park, but then you can't get your car back if the valet service is closed. So we'll have to see when I go into labor and how ok I am at check in time. Or maybe when we call someone and beg for them to bring Mark some taco bell that person can also move Mark's car from the valet parking to the regular lot. :)

When we were doing the tour there were 5 women in labor. We saw no one freaking out. We heard no screams. Everyone seemed very calm and capable. That helps a lot with my stress level. I wouldn't say I am looking forward to giving birth, but I am feeling calmer about it.

I also was able to go to a La Leche League meeting on Saturday morning with Krista and that really helped me feel better about breastfeeding. Delivery is not optional, but breastfeeding is. But because I feel so strongly about wanting to breastfeed, I am focusing on learning as much about that as possible so that I am prepared. It sounds like there are a lot of resources at the hospital to help with getting started, and then the La Leche League and my friends who have successfully breastfed. I know I am not alone and that there are lots of ways for me to get the help I need. That all helps a lot too.

Max seemed to enjoy the Super Bowl. He was his normal super active self. He seems to tolerate the laptop on my lap much more easily than he does me reading a book and resting my hands on my belly. This is good news for me. He still kicks about a bit but he is less distracting than at other times. I have to say that being able to work from home with my feet up on the ottoman is making a huge difference in my ability to continue working.

33 Weeks

First the good news...

I gained 1 pound over the last week, just like instructed. That puts me up a total of 12 pounds.

When I went to the doctor this afternoon Max was so active that it was hard for the midwife to check his heartbeat. She was laughing because everytime she applied any pressure he squirmed away. He also kicked her other hand when she rested it on my belly. :) Max is measuring exactly 33 weeks.

And then the bad news...
I got really lightheaded while I was there. I'm drinking enough water so it isn't dehydration, although it is possible that the head cold was just enough to make me feel not so good. My blood pressure was fine. My swelling is not so bad as it was last week. But they still want me to reduce my work hours. At this point I can still work full time but I need to do more of my time at home and less of my time in the office. I'm working with the help desk folks to make my laptop function remotely, so hopefully by tomorrow afternoon I'll be able to work from home as effectively as I do from work. And I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks for a checkup. It is nice to have them move me back to every 2 weeks instead of every week.

And here's the normal update:
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_33.htm
How Big is the Baby at 33 Weeks Pregnant?
By pregnancy week 33 your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and may be a little over 19 inches long!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is busy concentrating on weight gain during pregnancy week 33 and during the remainder of your pregnancy week by week. Your amniotic fluid may be at the highest level it will reach during your pregnancy at 33 weeks. Your baby's brain has been busy growing rapidly during pregnancy at 33 weeks, increasing the size of your baby's head by as much as 3/8 of an inch. Your baby's skin will start changing from red to pink as fat begins to accumulate beneath its surface.

Your Growth and Development
By 33 weeks pregnant your uterus is a little over 5 inches above your navel. You may have gained up to 28 pounds by 33 weeks pregnant, though some women will have gained more. During this point in pregnancy many women find that they gain weight faster than at any other time. This is partly due to the rapid growth your baby is experiencing. Most babies will put on 5-9 ounces every week from this point out!

Changes in You
You are probably giddy with excitement by pregnancy 33 weeks at the thought of delivering your baby. Hold on however, you still have a few more weeks to go! You might consider pre-registering at the hospital sometime after pregnancy 33 weeks. Pre-registration will help speed up the admitting process once you are well on your way to delivery. If you are like most women you probably don't want to think about paperwork when you are in the throws of labor.

You are probably experiencing edema or swelling as you continue your pregnancy week by week. This can be particularly noticeable if you live in a hot climate or are in the throws of the third trimester in the middle of summer. Remember to rest on your left side as much as possible to help minimize swelling.

Some women experience pain, numbness and tingling in the fingers and wrists at about this point in pregnancy. It isn't uncommon for the tissues supporting your hands and wrists to swell, which can cause a condition resembling Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The Carpal Tunnel is actually a bony structure in the wrist. When the tissues surrounding it swell, the nerves running through the carpal tunnel can get pinched.
If you work in a job that requires frequent typing, your healthcare provider might suggest you wear a brace to help relieve some of the aching. You should also take frequent breaks to help reduce the discomfort in your hands and wrists.

Questions from Nik and Julian

Nik has now moved beyond asking me "Are you going to pop?" and has asked a few other funny questions.

He asked if the baby is a bad baby when he kicks me (Nik often gets in trouble for kicking the back of my seat in the car or for kicking me under the table at meals).

He asked about my "tele-button" instead of my belly button. He seems to have a new fascination with my huge baby belly.

Last night when Max was so active, Julian came downstairs because he had dropped something on his toe. Since he quickly forgot which toe was hurt, we didn't rush to provide medical attention. He was able to feel Max moving around a whole lot. And is very curious about how big Max is. We gave him a bag of flour to feel, to get an idea for how heavy Max is, but he doesn't seem to really remember how heavy that was. He was asking if Max weighs as much as the tv remote or the computer keyboard. This morning when we were doing laundry he was comparing Max to the box of laundry detergent. He has now said he is worried that Max will be too heavy for him to hold because the laundry detergent (13 pounds) is too heavy. I let him know that we would be having him hold Max while sitting on the couch so that he doesn't have to worry about it and that Max will probably be somewhere around 7 or 8 pounds when he is born so we will have some time before we are at the box of detergent mark.

Fourth Pre-Natal Class

I have a little bit of a cold so I am a little slow to update on this week's class.

Turns out there is really no good way to get the baby out. The video on c-sections freaked me out a little bit. They showed the curtain between the mom's head and body as being really close to her face and it made me feel claustrophobic.

The stupid chick was still there. The worst of her many questions this week was "What is pre-term labor?" even tho she missed a class because she had pre-term labor. The good news is that they are supposed to induce her on Friday so she should not be in class any more.

We also did more complicated breathing patterns. I was surprized at how hard it was to focus on an ad hoc breathing pattern and that was without any contractions or anything. We also learned a lot about the various medications available and the best time to get each one.

Last night Max was SUPER active. Mark and I had settled in for our normal routine of watching A Daily Show and The Colbert Report (through the power of tivo we watch the previous night's show around 8.30pm). Max was all kinds of fired up. He was probably active without a break for about 30 minutes. And at one point he had the hiccoughs too. Not that it slowed him down from his dance routine. At the end he stopped kicking but tried to just expand his space by pushing against me. On the plus side he isn't kicking me in the ribs or causing me any pain or anything. So that's all good.

I also have finished the first baby sock for him. I had the second sock class last night and I learned how to finish the sock. I started the second sock but it is going to need a bit more work before I can declare it done and have a matched pair. I generally enjoyed the process and I am excited to start making another sock.

I should also add that I had the most fantastic of baby showers courtesy of Wendy. Thank you to Wendy and her family for organizing it and to everyone who attended. I had a fantastic time. And Max will certainly not need to be naked!

And Mark found the Ivory Snow so we are now ready to start washing his clothes ready for him to wear them. :)

The 32 Week Scoop

I'm working from home today to try to keep things on an even keel. I'm still hopeful my laptop will be ready and I will be better able to work from home and be productive. Monday is an all day meeting for me, but I should be able to get home by 3.30 and rest and relax before prenatal class. Spending time on the couch with my feet up definitely helps with the swelling. The doctor yesterday also gave me a prescription for heartburn medicine to take twice a day to prevent heartburn. I'm pretty happy with that. :)

I definitely have trouble getting off the couch by myself and find that at work I need to sit down where I used to be able to stand and talk to people for fairly long periods of time. Having a footstool at home for when I am sitting to the kitchen table makes a huge difference. The kids have adjusted to it being stored under the table. Nik likes to look at things when I am cooking and he now knows to duck under the table to get the footstool. And he's pretty good at putting it back when he is done!

Here's the scoop on 32 weeks:
http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-32-weeks_1121.bc
How your baby's growing:
By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:
To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.
You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back.
Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_32.htm
How Big is the Baby at 32 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby continues to put on weight during pregnancy at 32 weeks, and is now almost 4 pounds. By 32 weeks pregnant your baby is also just under 19 inches long.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
By 32 weeks pregnant your baby now has toenails and fingernails to complement her frame, though it will probably be a while before your baby requires an official pedicure or manicure.
Your baby continues to grow strong and put on weight during pregnancy at 32 weeks and in the upcoming weeks.

Your Growth and Development
By pregnancy 32 weeks the total volume of blood circulating in your body is about 40 to 50 percent higher than it was before you became pregnant. This added blood volume helps accommodate your fetus. You are probably still gaining about one pound per week during pregnancy 32 weeks. Some women find they are experiencing more shortness of breath at this time during their pregnancy. Be sure you avoid overexertion and take time to rest during the day.
You might start experiencing pain in your buttocks and lower back among other places by pregnancy week 32 as your center of gravity shifts. Take care when walking to avoid unnecessary falls or slips!

Changes in You
If you are having twins, during pregnancy week 32 your uterus would probably be the same size it would be at 40 weeks in a singleton pregnancy! In a single pregnancy the uterus typically measures about 5 inches above the belly button now. The increasing size of your uterus can contribute to heartburn and indigestion as well as a sense of breathlessness during pregnancy.
At this point you should make an effort to drink lots of water as you continue your pregnancy week by week and consume foods high in fiber to help combat constipation, which is typically during late pregnancy. As you continue to grow your hips will start to expand and your ligaments will stretch to help prepare your body for labor.

32 Weeks = An Eventful Day

So today I went in for my 32 week check up with the midwife. My blood pressure was fine and my weight gain was fine (1 pound a week for the last two weeks for a total gain of 11 pounds), but I raised the issues I have seen over the last two weeks. Those issues include headaches, pain in my ribs on the right side, swollen feet, swollen ankles, and pain on my right side under my ribs. So they decided that they needed to do a bunch of test to see if I had pre-eclampsia. And they decided that it would be better for me to go to the hospital and do the tests and have the monitoring. The hospital runs the tests immediately instead of sending them off and getting the results in 2 or 3 days.

So I called Mark freaking out. And we decided that we both had 1pm meetings (mine was with my boss to talk about key issues for the week and my schedule) so we would go after the meetings. This worked well with the hospital's schedule too since they would have some time to deal with my paperwork before I arrived. So I went to work and had my meeting and then headed to the hospital.

It wasn't hard to find and I was able to park and then get to the labor and delivery ward without issue. They started working on my paperwork. The good news is that they not only had my pre-admitance form, but they also were able to fill in all of the other info from talking to me today. So when I show up in labor later, everything will be taken care of.

They hooked me up to the monitors and started checking my blood pressure and Max's heartbeat. They also confirmed that I was not having contractions. Max moved around a bit after the first hour and made it a little more difficult to track his heartbeat, but his heart rate was around 140 most of the time. I didn't realize that he is getting a work out in the womb. Whenever he gives a big kick his heart rate goes up. And then settles back down. They had us on the monitors for about 2 hours. And Mark was there with me for most of the time so that really helped to reduce my stress.

My blood pressure was fine all three times they checked it. And the bloodwork all came back just fine too. And they confirmed my guess that I am O positive. :) The people were all very nice. And the midwife in the hospital today is the same one I have my 33 week appointment with. So that is good for me for when I go back in next Thursday.

The doctor (same doctor I saw at my last visit to the doctor's office -- I like her a lot) said that I am allowed to keep working now, but that I need to keep an eye on my stress level. And if I don't keep my stress level down then she will have to stop me from working. So it looks like my plan of changing my work hours to keep my commute short works well with my doctor's idea of reducing my stress. I'll be working 9.30 to 3pm in the office and doing the rest of my hours from home. I'll go in tomorrow just long enough to get my laptop and then I'll be really set up to work from home and get more done.

I'm tired now so you will have to wait to get the 32 week update.

3rd PreNatal Class

Tonight's class was a little bit different. It was dominated by a stupid person and we had a video of 3 people giving birth. The stupid person wasted a lot of class time on things like "So the baby will be a Virginia resident just because he is born in Virginia? I was born in Florida but I am a Virginia resident" and "I thought you said there wouldn't be an automatic IV when I went to the hospital but I went in last week and they gave me an IV." The instructor explained that for pre-term labor one of the first things they do is try to hydrate you because that can stop contractions. The stupid person again asked "But you said you didn't have to have an IV and they made me have an IV." And the instructor again tried to stress that it was because she was having PRE-TERM labor. There was something else where everyone else in the class was able to answer the question the second time she asked it, but my coping skills are blocking those details out.

The birthing video wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. But it wasn't great. I don't need to see it again. They didn't focus a lot on the gore. Mostly it was focused on how three different couples coped with the stages of labor. All three couples were non-medicated. I'd like to see a video that shows what happens when you walk in and say "I want drugs and I want them now" so that I will have a better idea of what my process will be like! :) It was also really good to hear that the doctor's office has an episiotomy rate of 5%. And that they have a very low rate of 4th degree lacerations. They have a lot of techniques for avoiding tears and cuts and I have to say I really like to hear that...

Max is still kicking around happily. We have been doing our kick journal for the last week. Tonight it took 5 minutes for us to count all 5 kicks. We started counting at 7pm which was about an hour after I ate dinner. We always try to count at 7pm. It usually takes about 10 minutes, but sometimes it has taken more like 45 minutes, with 8 of the 10 kicks coming right at the end. I think we are just getting unlucky sometimes and Max is sleeping during counting time. He is active enough that I'm not really worried about him not moving around enough. But we are doing the journal to provide a baseline for later in case it is needed.

Tonight we also learned more about what to pack for the hospital and how many people can be in the room when I am giving birth. I can have up to 5 people in the room but Mark will be the only person. I hadn't realized that there could be as many as 7 medical personnel in the room. I think that is only when needed towards the end and that it would mostly be a nurse, the midwife, and the guy with the drugs. Good to be prepared for a whole lot of people to be there. We had mostly figured out the stuff we needed for the hospital, but we hadn't realized we needed to provide the name of the pediatrician. We already have one for the kids so we will just provide that info to the hospital. It is an easy fix. We also knew we needed the insurance cards and we are waiting for them to arrive. So again, easy enough to get that ready in the not too distant future.

31 Weeks

My unofficial weigh in today has me up 10.5 pounds. The goal was to be up 11 pounds next Thursday at my doctor's appointment. So I seem to be well on my way to meeting that target.

After Tuesday's extreme exhaustion followed by a baby growth spurt, Max and I seem to be back to living in harmony. I'm having trouble getting comfortable at night because of his weight, but I'm hopeful I can find a position that will work for me. I seem to have slept pretty well last night after I fell asleep, so here's hoping it is just a matter of falling asleep that first time. He is still very active, sometimes when I am trying to fall asleep. He sometimes kicks gently, but most of the kicks are now obvious to the eyes of an observer.

Today is very snowy. It is so beautiful. But it also makes me happy that I am a part time teleworker who doesn't have to travel into DC today for a meeting. :) I am very lucky indeed.

Here's the 31 week scoop:

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/31weeks/
Your baby's arms, legs and body continue to fill out -- and they are finally proportional in size to her head. She weighs about 3.3 pounds/1.5 kilograms and looks more like a newborn. She measures about 16 inches/ 41 centimetres from crown to toe.
You may notice your baby isn't moving around as much. Don't worry; she's just running out of space in your uterus. As long as you can feel her squirming, you'll know she's just fine. Believe it or not, she still has plenty of growing to do. You can expect her to gain at least two more pounds/900 grams before delivery. Your baby's organs are continuing to mature and she is passing water from her bladder: good practice for the urinating she'll do after she's born. Soon you can wonder what your baby is wishing for -- brain scans have shown that fetuses have periods of dream sleep around month eight.

http://www.pregnancy.org/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment3.php#week31

The rate of physical growth slows down just a bit, but even though she doesn't get much longer, she will gain a lot of weight the rest of the pregnancy.
Fat continues accumulating. This layer of fat turns her skin from red to the rosy pink she will have as a newborn.
Calcium, phosphorus and iron are being stored and his bones are growing and hardening.
Your baby is 16.2 inches (41.1cm) long and weighs 3.3 pounds (1502gm)
His brain enters another period of rapid growth, producing hundreds of billions of new nerve cells! Amazing!
She may move to the rhythm of music. Studies with heart rates show that she also prefers some types of music to others -- already!
Lungs are the only major organ left to complete development. Remember, that while you may be anxious to meet your little one that these last few weeks can be vital - with each day increasing your baby's ability to breathe on her own.

Pre-Natal Class #2

Last night was our second class. It was focused on labor, although we did a little of the relaxation breathing at the end. Mark was happy that we were able to both breathe this time at class. :)

The class is good and it slowly showing me that denial is not going to be a good coping mechanism for dealing with labor. I told Mark that I had changed my mind about having a baby but he seemed to think it was a little late to be thinking like that. I will admit that hearing what will happen and what to expect is really helping. And hearing that the longest part of the labor is typically the part that is not totally painful beyond belief. That's helpful information.

Next week we learn about delivery.

I was also able to ask the midwife teacher about my heartburn which had been 28 hours of unrelenting pain at that point. She asked about headaches, and I said I had a headache but that having a headache was not unusual for me. She asked if I had any swelling but since I still have ankles, that was eliminated. She said it was possible that the spaghetti sauce we had on Sunday was the issue, even tho it wasn't spicy. Could be I am just sensitive to it now. But then Mark and I were thinking back and I had heartburn before dinner on Sunday so it wasn't necessarily the tomato sauce. At this point we don't know why I was suffering but the pain has stopped and I'll just settle for that. We also now own other meds that I can use if I have heartburn. So hopefully we will not have a repeat of yesterday's unending pain.

Meanwhile yesterday seems to have worn me out completely. I have no energy. So I'm going to take a sick leave today and rest. Because I see no other choice. Getting the kids where they need to be is proving to be totally exhausting. Getting myself into work and being functional is just too much for me to handle today. So hopefully a day of rest today will solve the problem and tomorrow will be a better day.

30 Weeks - Head of Cabbage

My weigh in this morning put my down a half a pound from last week. My official weigh in at the doctor's appointment shows me up 2 pounds over the last two weeks. So they are happy with that. I'm up 8.5 pounds, and they would like me to gain about a pound a week for the next 10 weeks.

The baby's heartbeat was good, my blood pressure was good, and they are pleased that I still have ankles. I asked about my arms falling asleep at night and she said it was related to having extra blood and wrists not being able to swell up. So unless it becomes a major problem, not to worry about it. She said I could try sleeping in wrist guards to see if that solves the problem. That's a pretty easy solution so I may give it a try.

I've done all the paperwork for the hospital, so I have an appointment in 2 weeks for another check up and they will schedule a visit to the hospital at that time. I will also need to check with the prenatal class to see if that includes a scheduled visit to the hospital.

Max seems to be pretty active. He's starting to put pressure on me instead of just wiggling about. I usually can't identify what part of him is pushing on me, although I feel pretty sure I had a foot the other day. After I moved his foot to make myself comfortable he moved his butt to make himself comfortable and was not interested in moving to help me out. Today he seems to be tucked up against me more than usual which is putting some pressure on me internally. I'm not to the point of taking a shower to make him budge yet, but that may still be part of my plan for the day...

Here's the scoop on 30 weeks:
http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-30-weeks_1119.bc
How your baby's growing:
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

How your life's changing:
You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_30.htm
How Big is the Baby at 30 Weeks Pregnant?
By 30 weeks pregnant your baby weighs almost 3 pounds and is just about 17 inches long!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is continuing to grow and develop during pregnancy at 30 weeks, filling out your uterus more and more every day. You have probably noticed an arm or leg moving across your belly at one time or another. Many parents have a lot of fun playing "guess the body part" as their unborn baby moves underneath mom's belly during pregnancy 30 weeks. This game is even more interesting as your pregnancy week by week continues. A hard round lump is likely either the head or your baby's bottom, whereas a longer flat surface may be your baby's back. Your healthcare provider may be able to help you identify your baby's bumps and lumps at your next prenatal visit.

The volume of amniotic fluid in your belly will slowly start to decrease as your baby starts to take up more and more space in your belly.

Your Growth and Development
Your uterus is now about 4 inches above your belly button at pregnancy week 30. You are now in the home stretch of pregnancy by pregnancy at 30 weeks, and quickly running out of room to expand!

Changes in You
You are probably starting to feel more tired by 30 weeks pregnant. This is due in part to the increasing levels of progesterone in your body during pregnancy 30 weeks and in part because you are probably having trouble getting comfortable enough to sleep at night. If you haven't already invested in a body pillow or two by now, you should.

Your balance is probably quite a bit skewed by 30 weeks pregnant. In addition pregnancy hormones have allowed your joints to loosen. Many women find that their feet go up an entire size during pregnancy. This is due to these loosening joints. Most of the time if your foot grows during pregnancy, it will not go back to normal after (sorry ladies!).

Many women find that they are experiencing more emotional swings once again when they enter the third trimester.

2 Kids and a Baby to say nothing of the cat...

Ok, so maybe not everyone knows Jerome K. Jerome...

So last night after dinner Max was being pretty active. He was active most of yesterday afternoon. Mark thinks it was because I was feeling stressed about the school meetings (which went well in the end). Since Max was visibly active, Mark and I called the kids over to look. I was also wearing a dress that had 2 vertical panels set into it, and Max was moving around between the black of the dress and the right-most panel which was grey. So it was pretty easy to point out to the kids where to look. So they saw him. And put their tiny hands on my tummy and felt him. It was the first time that they have been able to feel him, and the first time that Nik has tried. Nik then turned around and looked at the sonogram pictures on the fridge and commented that it was that baby that was in my tummy. It was so sweet. And such a great connection for him to make.

Today Max is just as active but I'm stuck at work instead of taking Max home to play with his brothers. :)

First Pre-Natal Class

I'll start with answering Bob's question first. Yes, we did end up sitting on the floor just like you always see in movies. That was at the end of class.

We got there at 7pm with no real issues. It seems to take us each about 20 minutes to make the drive at that time of day. We went and got signed into the class. The first half of the first class was taken up with introductions, due dates, and finding out what everyone wanted to get out of the class. Being a control freak, I want to learn as much as possible ahead of time so that when things pop up unexpectedly I will feel a little bit more in control of the situation. I understand that I can't control everything, but I would like to at least feel like I know enough to make a reasonable decision. I think it will help that this is M's third child so he knows a bit more about what will actually be happening.

We looked at some photos of babies at various stages of development. They had one photo of 28 weeks and since I'm almost 30 weeks now it was good to see that. A little scary to see the 36 week picture since that baby was a whole lot bigger than the 28 week baby.

It was some good basic information. Nothing really new or amazing, but it was presented well and gave a good overview of what is coming up next.

At the end we did the relaxation exercise. M and I learned that we need to modify our position because I felt relaxed but he couldn't breathe. There has to be some middle ground where we can both breathe. :) We are going to try a couple of relaxation sessions at home to practice before the next class. I learned the deep cleansing breathe and a deep regular breathing pattern. Next week more breathing patterns will be added in.

It seems like this class is nice because in addition to giving a review of the basics, it covers labor, breastfeeding, and the transition to being at home with the baby. For M it was also a good overview of the ideals of my doctor's office. It is a collaborative practice between the doctors and the midwives, and since they work with Alexandria Hospital, they are also fairly flexible on birth plans. So I think that makes both of us feel pretty good.

As I said to M, taking the class is really interfering with my primary coping skill of denial. I've been pregnant for a long time (almost 7 months) and I have a couple of months to go. I know that the end result is a baby, but it is easier to just focus on the pregnancy and not really focus on the birth part. This class is making me face the reality of what it to come, but I think that will be good because it will also give us time to figure out what we want during the birth process. I have already been able to tell M that I do not want him to leave the room other than for potty breaks. And I don't want anyone else in the room other than medical professionals. We also need to work on our plan for what to do with N and J if we have custody of them when I go into labor. 10 weeks suddenly doesn't seem like any time at all....

29 weeks

The official weigh in has me up 1 pound from last week for a total of 9 pounds gained over 29 weeks. I expect to gain at least a pound a week for the rest of the pregnancy now that the baby is going to be putting on so much weight.

I seem to be finally recovering from my cold. Today is the first day in over a week that I have actually felt ok.

Max had been pretty quiet this morning until I started doing the update. Maybe he can sense I am talking about him. :) He tends to be an active baby, moving around a lot and kicking frequently. Happily he hasn't yet kicked me in a painful way. And he's still pretty nice about kicking, waiting a moment, and then kicking again in the same place. That makes it easier for other people to feel him moving.

I'm still having frequent heartburn but it is less than it was before I got some tips on how to handle it. Nightime is still pretty tough for me. Between the heartburn and the cold and the constant need to pee, it is really hard for me to get to sleep. And tired as I might be during the day, I can't seem to get a nap. Someone calls or someone needs something or I just can't get comfy enough to fall asleep. I'm hoping to catch up on some sleep over the weekend.

My parents are coming up today and bringing the crib. I bought the crib set over the weekend so I am very excited about getting the bed set up and the sheets on it. I think that will make me feel a lot more prepared. :)

Here's the 29 week update:
http://www.pregnancy-info.net/babydevelopment_29.html
You are 29 weeks pregnant. Now baby's head is proportionate to the rest of her body. Your baby continues to gain weight and fat gathers under her skin. By now, the brain controls a primitive form of breathing. Her eyes are also moving inside the sockets and are able to respond to light and dark.
Your baby's adrenal glands have also started to produce the hormones including androgen and estrogen which stimulate the hormone prolactin in the mother's body. This causes her to make colostrum, a nutritious milk that feeds baby in the first few days after birth.
Feel Like a Punching Bag?Those first few delicate flutters that you first felt way back in your pregnancy have now turned into sharp jabs and hard kicks, some powerful enough to take your breath away! Yes, baby is active now but if, for some reason, you do notice that it's been a bit quiet in there, keep count of fetal kicks. If you can't feel anything, drink some fruit juice and then lie down; this can often lead to some baby gymnastics! You should be counting about ten fetal movements each hour.

http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/pregnancy_week_29.htm
Week 29
How Big is the Baby at 29 Weeks Pregnant?By pregnancy week 29 your baby weighs about 2.7 pounds and is more than 16 and a half inches long!
Your Baby's Growth and DevelopmentBy 29 weeks pregnant baby has now entered the third trimester, week 29! From pregnancy 29 weeks and beyond you will experience among other things rapid weight gain. Your baby's muscles and lungs will continue to develop and mature during your pregnancy at 29 weeks and the weeks ahead. At 29 weeks pregnancy your baby's brain is also developing and maturing, with billions of neurons forming daily. Your baby requires more nutrition than ever from 29 weeks pregnant and beyond, so it is important that you do everything possible to eat well and get plenty of sleep during this important developmental period!
Your Growth and DevelopmentBy 29 weeks pregnancy your uterus is now about 3 and a half to four inches above your belly button. Your weight gain may be as high as 25 to 26 pounds by pregnancy week 29. You definitely look and feel pregnant for the remainder of your pregnancy week by week!
Changes in YouWelcome to the third trimester! By pregnancy at 29 weeks you may begin thinking about all of the neat aspects of having a newborn baby, such as labor and delivery!
By pregnancy week 29 you are probably plagued by heartburn once again, as your belly grows more and more substantial each day. You should be paying attention to your baby's movements each and every day from pregnancy week 29. In general you will notice patterns of rest and wakefulness in your baby. If you notice any abnormal movement patterns or a substantial reduction in movement be sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Now more than ever it is important that you eat several small meals per day. Your baby needs the nutrients, and your digestive processes have slowed tremendously due to rising levels of progesterone and the decreasing space in your belly.
It is also important that you drink plenty of water during the third trimester to help ward off constipation, which can result in hemorrhoids.
Now is the time to start enjoying the last few weeks of your pregnancy. Many women find this time liberating. This is the last time you will have to pamper yourself for quite some time to come. If you are in the mood you should take some time to grab a facial or pedicure while you still can. Nothing makes a laboring mother look better than a set of well manicured toes!

http://pregnancy.emedtv.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/29-weeks-pregnant.html

29 Weeks Pregnant: An Overview
Now you're 29 weeks pregnant -- only 12 more weeks to go.

As you embark on the final months of your pregnancy, expect to put on at least 10 more pounds. One thing to keep in mind when looking for parking spots is to make sure to have a little extra room on your side. At 29 weeks pregnant, there is no more slipping quickly in or out of the car. You may have already learned that you need to have the car door completely open so that you can get out. You may even need a little help from your partner.

At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is about 10.5 inches in length from crown to rump and weighs about 2 pounds, 12 ounces.

As your baby continues to grow during week 29 of pregnancy, his or her movements will become more frequent and vigorous. Some of the movements may even take your breath away! If you notice a decrease in movement from your baby, you should do a fetal kick count by counting the number of times that your baby moves in one hour. By the time you are 29 weeks pregnant, your baby should move at least 10 times in one hour. If your baby moves less than 10 times, talk to your healthcare provider.

When you are 29 weeks pregnant, your baby has also learned to use its brain to control primitive breathing. This means that if your baby is born now, he or she could probably breathe independently. He or she is also a lot better at controlling body temperature at this point in your pregnancy.

Other fetal development that is occurring around week 29 of pregnancy includes the following:

The baby will be able to turn his or her head to find the source of a bright light. Your baby is continuing to become more sensitive to sounds, tastes, and smells.
The fat layers will continue to form.
The head is in proportion to the rest of the body.
The eyes can move in the sockets.
The bones are fully developed, but they are still soft and pliable.
The baby will begin to store iron, calcium, and phosphorus.

During week 29 of pregnancy, your baby's adrenal glands (glands right above the kidneys) will begin to produce hormones such as androgen. These hormones will travel to the placenta and stimulate it to make estrogen. This estrogen will stimulate your body to form the hormone prolactin.

Prolactin is a hormone that will cause you to make colostrum, which is the milk that will feed your baby in the first few days after birth, if you choose to breastfeed. Colostrum is richer in protein and lower in fat and milk sugar than the breast milk that comes a few days after delivery. It also contains antibodies that may help protect your baby from disease.

From time to time, you may begin to experience pelvic pain. This happens as your uterus is growing, the ligaments that hold it are stretching, and the pelvic bones are shifting. Most of the time, you'll feel this pain in the groin area or the inside of the thighs. It is common with activities such as walking, exercising, lifting your legs to get out of bed, or putting on your underwear. You may also experience it when laughing, coughing, or sneezing. Resting or adjusting your position should help.