"Overdue" Update (40W, 4D)

My estimated due date was August 11, 2009. The average length of gestation is 40 weeks, however, a pregnancy is considered full-term if birth falls between 37 to 42 weeks of the estimated due date. A baby is not considered "overdue" until 42 weeks. Apparently as many as half of babies will go past their due dates.

I have a non-stress test and biophysical profile scheduled for this Monday, August 17. If the results are good, the midwives will likely let me go up to 42 weeks, but if the results show that the outside world would be a more favorable environment for the baby then we will have to talk about an induction.

I know this little girl will arrive when she is healthy and fully ready.

40 Week Update

How far along? 40 weeks and no baby in sight!
Total weight gain/loss: As of Thursday afternoon, up ANOTHER 3 pounds since last week. The swelling has got to stop at some point.
Stretch marks? Not yet!
Sleep: I'm up almost every hour on the hour.
Best moment this week: Getting closer to meeting our baby.
Movement: It feels like she's wiggling down.
Food cravings: Oatmeal raisin cookies. Chocolate.
Gender: Still a girl!
Labor Signs: It's personal.
Belly Button in or out? Still looks like a Cheerio.
What I miss: My feet and wearing normal shoes.
What I am looking forward to: Meeting our baby!
Weekly Wisdom: Remember that an estimated due date is just that - an estimate!
Milestones: Going past my due date. I didn't think I would :(

37 Week Update

(37W1D Belly)

How far along? 37 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Up 1 pound since last week. Total gain: 32-37 lbs depending on starting weight.
Stretch marks? Not yet!
Sleep: Maybe someday I will sleep through the night again.
Best moment this week: One week away from being done with work.
Movement: I'm convinced that she is trying to escape.
Food cravings: Boiled peanuts and Heavenly Hash ice cream (not together)
Gender: Still a girl!
Labor Signs: Lower back pain every once in a while.
Belly Button in or out? Popped out and looks like a Cheerio.
What I miss: Wearing cute summer clothes.
What I am looking forward to: Meeting our little girl!
Weekly Wisdom: Let someone go ahead of you in the line at the store. It may pay off.
Milestones: Baby is estimated to weigh 6.5 pounds! She is estimated to gain another 1/4 pound a week.

36 Week Update

How far along? 36 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Up 3 pounds from last week. I asked why and the midwife directed me to look at my feet. Apparently the weight gain is from fluid retention.
Stretch marks? I still haven't seen any, but that doesn't mean I won't get them.
Sleep: It seems like I'm up about every three hours.
Best moment this week: The changing table has been put together! GBS test was negative!
Movement: She hit my sciatic nerve a few times today. Wow, that hurt!
Food cravings: None really.
Gender: Still a girl!
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks are increasing in frequency. Nothing timeable or consistent though.
Belly Button in or out? Popped. Very weird looking.
What I miss: Beer. Have I mentioned this before? My ankle bones.
What I am looking forward to: Getting the rest of the things we need, interviewing pediatricians, finishing packing my hospital bag.
Weekly Wisdom: Put up your feet when they look like snausages!
Milestones: Baby is shedding her "fur".

35 Week Update

How far along? 35 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I gained two pounds since the last appt. I'm up 33 pounds total-ish.
Maternity clothes: The pants I wore yesterday made me feel like I was in a vice grip. I may be wearing elastic waist bottoms for the remainder of my pregnancy!
Stretch marks? I still haven't seen any, but that doesn't mean I won't get them.
Sleep: I've been waking up with a headache ... I think it has to do with twisting my neck in my sleep.
Best moment this week: TBD
Movement: She's gyrating toward the exit.
Food cravings: None really. DH bought some sunflower seeds the other day and I have been eating a lot of those.
Gender: Still a girl!
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks are increasing in frequency. Nothing timeable or consistent though.
Belly Button in or out? Popped.
What I miss: Being able to go more than 15 minutes between bathroom breaks!
What I am looking forward to: Family and friends baby shower this Sunday!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't slack off on preparing for a natural birth!
Milestones: Baby weighs at least 5 pounds plus. Her further development consists of putting on weight (about an ounce a day) and growing lots of brain cells!

34 Week Update

How far along? 34 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Approx. 31 pounds to date (Only 1 pound gained in 4 weeks!)
Maternity clothes: Shirts still fit, but I could use a couple new pairs of shorts
Stretch marks? I still haven't seen any, but that doesn't mean I won't get them
Sleep: Surprisingly, sleeping on my left side has actually become somewhat comfortable
Best moment this week: We took the hospital tour and preregistered last night.
Movement: Very strong!
Food cravings: Sporadic. I wanted a Sprite the other day. Last night we had Thai food, though there wasn't a very strong craving that drove us to eating it.
Gender: Still a girl!
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks are increasing in frequency. Nothing timeable or consistent though.
Belly Button in or out? Starting to pop out!
What I miss: We miss our beloved Liger!
What I am looking forward to: Eating a Caesar salad after this little one is born! My baby shower at work :)
Weekly Wisdom: Ice packs feel gooooood on swollen ankles!
Milestones: Baby's lungs are almost fully developed!

33 Week Update

How far along? 33 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Between 26-31 pounds depending on my starting weight.

Maternity clothes: I need to do a load of laundry so I'll have something to wear.
Stretch marks? I have not seen any yet (knock on wood!)
Sleep: I'll take what I can get!
Best moment this week: This was a very sad week for us as we lost our beloved cat, The Liger, on Wednesday.

Movement: Random gyrations throughout the day.
Food cravings: Nothing really comes to mind.
Gender: Still a girl!
Labor Signs: Very random BH contractions. I had one last Friday, but I can't recall any other than that.
Belly Button in or out? Flat, stretched, weird looking.
What I miss: The feeling of a good night's sleep.
What I am looking forward to: Finishing painting the nursery and putting together the crib.
Weekly Wisdom: If I am tired, I should take a nap.
Milestones: The average baby is the weight of a pineapple this week.

32 Week Update

32W1D

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Approx. 30 pounds to date.
Maternity clothes: I need some new pants and shorts. Several of the ones I have now are tight.
Stretch marks? I think they are scheduled to arrive soon.
Sleep: Sucks.
Best moment this week: We found out that our baby's due date is our regular sushi chef's birthday. I guess that must be why I'm craving sushi so much!
Movement: Her head butts up against my bladder. How fun do you think that is?
Food cravings: I am in need of sushi.
Gender: Still a girl!
Labor Signs: None that I am aware of.
Belly Button in or out? Flat, stretched, weird looking.
What I miss: Shopping for cute non-maternity summer clothes.
What I am looking forward to: Moving forward with my Hypnobabies home study courses.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't overdo it!
Milestones: The baby's skin has accumulated enough fat that she is no longer see through!

31 Week Update

This belly picture was technically taken at 30W6D because DH has to leave extra early for work Tuesday morning and won't be able to take the picture on our usual day.


How far along? 31 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: No weight gained since last appt 2 weeks ago :)
Maternity clothes: Still wearing them.
Stretch marks? None yet!
Sleep: I'm finding ways to get more comfortable.
Best moment this week: My Nestie Bookclub Baby Shower!
Movement: Why does she think it's funny to kick me in the ribs?
Food cravings: None really.
Gender: Still a girl!
Labor Signs: Sporadic Braxton Hicks contractions.
Belly Button in or out? Flat, but if I stretch my stomach a certain way, I can get it to stick out. It's kind of creepy.
What I miss: Caesar Salad (again).
What I am looking forward to: Reviewing my birth preferences with the midwife.
Weekly Wisdom: It is empowering to educate yourself about your birth choices.
Milestones: DH finally took a belly shot! Picture below :)

30 Week Update

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 25-30 pounds depending on what I consider starting weight.
Maternity clothes: Still wearing them :)
Stretch marks? None yet!
Sleep: Eh.
Best moment this week: We are going back for another 3D/4D U/S since she didn't show her face much.
Movement: Gyrating alien!
Food cravings: Not really.
Gender: Still a girl!
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? Flat.
What I miss: Beer (again).
What I am looking forward to: 2nd 3D/4D ultrasound Friday.
Weekly Wisdom: I don't feel wise right now.
Milestones: The first coat of paint is up in the nursery!

29 Weeks

How far along? 29 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 25-30 pounds depending on what I consider starting weight.
Maternity clothes: Pants/shorts starting to get tight!
Stretch marks? Haven't spotted them yet! (Keeping my fingers crossed that they stay away). I have heard stories that some people don't get the stretch marks until AFTER the baby is born.
Sleep: Still waking up a lot throughout the night :(
Best moment this week: 3D/4D ultrasound on Friday (my birthday!)
Movement: Felt the weirdest movement/sensation on my right side practically in my ribcage!
Food cravings: Not really.
Gender: Still a girl, unless 3D/4D ultrasound proves otherwise.
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? Flat.
What I miss: In a way I miss having conversations that don't revolve around pregnancy. I feel like I might annoy others and it seems like my pregnancy is the only thing I talk about.
What I am looking forward to: 3D/4D ultrasound Friday.
Weekly Wisdom: Trust your care practitioner.
Milestones: Feeling distinguishable hiccups. Going from midwife visits every 4 weeks to every 2 weeks now.

28 Weeks

How far along? 28 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Not sure. Hopefully not too much since the last time. My stomach capacity isn't what it used to be since all my organs are getting squished upward in this short torso!
Maternity clothes: May have to buy some new ones in bigger sizes.
Stretch marks? They are lurking. I can tell.
Sleep: Not sure what this means anymore.
Best moment this week: Getting closer to the 3D/4D ultrasound.
Movement: Daily kickboxing classes held here.
Food cravings: Whatever I can fit in there that won't give me an awful case of heartburn/acid reflux.
Gender: Still a girl, unless 3D/4D ultrasound proves otherwise.
Labor Signs: I think I have BH contractions every once in a while.
Belly Button in or out? Threatening to pop out soon.
What I miss: (TOO MUCH INFO WARNING): Being able to see my "lady parts" when I look down.
What I am looking forward to: My birthday, which is on the 29th and happens to be during my 29th week. How weird that things worked out that way!
Weekly Wisdom: Keep to-do lists. Otherwise pregnancy amnesia will cause you to forget any and all obligations.
Milestones: This week the baby can blink!

27 Weeks

How far along? 27 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Won't know until my next appt at 29 weeks, 2 days.
Maternity clothes: My cute maternity skirt from the GAP is getting tight!
Stretch marks? Still haven't spotted any, but I know they're hiding out, just waiting to make their move.
Sleep: Not too bad. Found a new position for the body pillow so it seems to be helping.
Best moment this week: Being able to finally tell the difference between hiccups and kicks.
Movement: She is an acrobat.
Food cravings: Sushi, Frosty from Wendy's
Gender: Still a girl, unless 3D/4D ultrasound proves otherwise.
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still stretching. Flattening out.
What I miss: Sleeping through the whole night.
What I am looking forward to: 3D/4D ultrasound at the end of this month!
Weekly Wisdom: Even if you think you've been lucky and avoided constipation, don't be too sure it won't creep up!
Milestones: Officially in the 3rd trimester!

26 Weeks

How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Not sure since the appointment last week.
Maternity clothes: Still wearing them.
Stretch marks? I hope not.
Sleep: I miss it.
Best moment this week: Being close to the third trimester.
Movement: She's been keeping still for the most part. Still moving here and there are night and in the morning. I wish she would move more.
Food cravings: Nothing particular comes to mind.
Gender: Still a girl, as far as we know - I will be scheduling a 3D/4D ultrasound soon to confirm.
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still stretching. Flattening out.
What I miss: My ankles
What I am looking forward to: That 3D/4D ultrasound that I still need to schedule.
Weekly Wisdom: Conduct research in order to make informed choices about your birth experience.
Milestones: Less than 100 days to go!

25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Depends upon true starting weight: somewhere b/t 19-23 pounds.
Maternity clothes: Present
Stretch marks? Only on "the girls" so far.
Sleep: Don't even remember what this feels like.
Best moment this week: Passed the 1-hour glucose tolerance screening on Thursday!
Movement: At night, in the morning, little kicks throughout the day.
Food cravings: Food. Just food.
Gender: Still a girl, as far as we know - I will be scheduling a 3D/4D ultrasound soon to confirm.
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still stretching. Flattening out.
What I miss: Sleeping on my back.
What I am looking forward to: The third trimester.
Weekly Wisdom: Double check to make sure the bathroom door is locked at work.
Milestones: The baby has hair this week and is practicing "breathing", which means I may feel her hiccup!

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: More than 15 pounds because that's what it was 2 weeks ago. I don't have a scale at home.
Maternity clothes: Pants are not falling off as much as they were when I thought I needed to wear them at 12 weeks :)
Stretch marks? No (:::keeps fingers crossed:::)
Sleep: Still trying not to sleep on my back, but it's difficult
Best moment this week: When DH feels her kick.
Movement: Mostly at night, but I feel kicks from time to time throughout the day - same as two weeks ago
Food cravings: Salad, enchiladas
Gender: Still a girl, as far as we know
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In, but stretching
What I miss: Beer
What I am looking forward to: Seeing my belly "roll" when she moves.
Weekly Wisdom: Despite what the "must have" registry checklists say, you do not need to register for a potty seat.
Milestones: Reaching the 24 week "viability" mark.