Left to go: 5 weeks and 2 days
Can't believe I only have 5 weeks to go. Maybe less than that!
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| Me at 34 weeks and 4 days Robert said he didn't realize I snuck a watermelon back to Tampa under my shirt. |
I talked to the Dr. about all the things that had happened over the previous week. Thankfully my blood pressure came in at exactly normal (120/80).
Side note on blood pressure: The doctors had brought me in on Tuesday morning (Sept. 17th) before we flew home for Momma. Just to ensure I was ok to travel and discuss any concerns I had about the baby during stressful life situations. It was nice for them to see me in person and check on me and Bea. My blood pressure was elevated that day which is understandable. I was stressed about my mom, but the blood pressure elevation was more related to catching our flight out of town. I always get so nervous if we're running late to the airport since there are SO many factors that can slow you down.
Anyways, I was relieved to see normal blood pressure. The only thing the nurse commented on was that I had lost weight since the last visit. I think it was about 3-4 pounds? Not surprising as up until the funeral was over last week eating was just not something I could do. Too much anxiety and nerves. I did make myself eat somethings for Bea's sake as I had medicines and vitamins to take. Apple slices and cheese seemed to be the easiest. When the funeral was over my dad took me/Matt/Andrea and Robert to eat at O'Bryan's in downtown Tuscumbia. I polished off a plate of chicken fingers, loaded baked potato and a salad bar run. Obviously the anxiety had decreased.
Ok - back to the appointment details. The Doctor was very sympathetic about my mom and very reassuring about Bea. She measured my belly and said I was actually measuring a little big. I was already measuring 35 weeks at 34 weeks and 2 days. Not a huge difference since it's only a few days, but they'll monitor it. I laughed to myself because on my 32 week appointment I measured right on track (between 32 and 33 weeks) and now after losing 4 pounds I'm measuring a week early. I guess Bea's Marmee is fattening her up. :-)
Her heartbeat was strong and steady at 150 - which is a bit faster than it was on the 32 week visit. I think she was asleep in the last visit because she was def. NOT asleep in this one. She was moving around so much the Doctor had trouble catching a spot to get a good reading on her heartbeat. We could hear the movements on the heartbeat monitor and and I could feel her rolling around at the same time. It was pretty funny. She's never been a fan of the ultrasound wand and now it seems the heart monitor was bugging her too.
The Doctor warned me about making sure she's moving and cautioned me not to panic as over the next few weeks as her movement would change as she slowly starts to run out of room in there. It was a good reassurance for me. The Dr. basically said any bump or nudge counted as a movement because some of the bigger, rolling movements wouldn't work anymore as she will just get too big to do them.
The next visit on October 8th - 36 weeks - is a big one. They're planning an ultrasound to determine Bea's size and position. They'll check me for any labor signs or progress and I'll have a culture done for Group B Strep.
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| Had to throw in this belly shot from my work "photo studio". |
Mommy's Feeling:
Tired, occasionally sad, excited, nervous, ready.
The last two weeks have really been something. I couldn't describe them accurately because my emotions would run between completely devastated to laughing hysterically. I said goodbye to my mom, celebrated her life and had some WONDERFUL time with Daddy, Andrea, Matt and Robert. I had to go home for sad reasons, but because we were there - we were able to celebrate Matt's birthday with his family. We got to visit with family and old friends out on my parent's back deck and enjoy the wonderful cool weather. (And the bugs which made a feast of my toes and ankles.) I think we made the most we could out of the sadness and I am so glad I was able to enjoy the company of some very beloved people. So while the week sucked (for lack of a better word) - at the same time it really didn't.
That's where the occasional sadness comes in. Of course I'm still dealing with missing my mom, coming to terms about what that means in my life, worrying about my dad and my sister, etc. But those feeling come and go pretty quickly. I have a couple moments a day and giving into that moment makes me feel better as I am able to move on afterward. It's a little time for prayer, reflection, a few tears and quiet and even though the thoughts are sad, the feeling afterward is always that of relief.
Now when it comes to actual labor - that's where the excitement - the nerves - and the readiness come in. We missed our prepared childbirth class while we were out of town, but were able to reschedule it in October. (Let's just hope Bea doesn't come before then.) The class gives you a tour of the birthing facilities, goes over some late pregnancy and labor details, and teaches you a relaxation and breathing technique for labor. I'm mainly going to see the hospital facilities and the other tips are just extra.
So there's my gamut of emotions for this week. Probably going to stay that way for a while though the percentages of things felt are def. going to change. (I know excitement and readiness levels are only going up!)
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| Had some fun in the antique mall with my Dad on Monday. He wouldn't let me by these nuts for Bea.....I can't imagine why... |
Bea's Feeling:
Still kicking away. Some of these nudges are pretty big. I feel her get the hiccups a lot. Andrea got to feel a good case of the hiccups when I was home. It's pretty adorable.
Matt felt her rolling around in there on Wednesday night and declared it "creepy" and said I was keeping a snake in there! I told him to imagine what that felt like on the INSIDE!
Still can't catch a video of her playing around. I was glad Daddy and Andrea got to see my belly bumping around when I was home. We say she's playing with my mom in there. If the bumps I'm feeling those times are any indications - then they're having a blast. She also sleeps a lot too, so I know my mom is rocking her - and getting her time in before it's time to send her down officially.
I have no idea how much she weighs - but if my belly is measuring 35 weeks then she's probably over 5.5 pounds. According to my baby app on my phone she is the size of a large cantaloupe (I've also seen honeydew mentioned.) Another website, which uses actual items instead of fruit, said Bea was the size of a ukelele. She'll move up to beach ball status next week.
Daddy's Feeling:
I hope she arrives in the next four weeks. I am ready to see her.
She keeps getting bigger - I think she is going to be taller than me.
And Ashley is a cute pregnant lady.
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| Wil, begging Beatrice's pardon, to reach across my belly and beg for more candy corn. |
Upcoming Events:
Sept. 29th - Baby shower with Tampa friends. I am excited to see what baby fun my two friends, Heather and Jessica have come up with.
October 8th - 36 week appointment
October 11 - My last day at USF
October 12-13 - Prepared Childbirth class at St. Joseph Women's hospital
I almost forgot! Bea has hit the 34 week mark - which, according to my Doctor, means that if I were to go into labor they wouldn't stop it. Bea is mature enough to do ok outside my belly! Yay BB!!
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