John Patrick D III, was born last night, August 28 at 9:39 pm. He weighed 6 lbs 8 oz and is 21.5" long. He officially shares his birthday with his mommy. He was born yesterday on my 31st Birthday! Both him and I are doing good. I'll post some pictures and my birth story once we go home.
Lately I feel like I've been riding on a roller coaster that just won't stop. Between all the NSTs that my little guy has failed, the high bp, the L&D trips, and all the b/w, I'm glad to say this is all coming to an end.
My OB last week had told me no more NSTs because the little guy has been failing every single one of them. So instead, I was going in for BPP u/s. Well this morning my little guy decides not to cooperate at the u/s and fails the u/s. This kid is not out yet and he's all ready driving me nuts. He was such in a deep sleep that he was not moving nor was he practicing his breathing. I must of been on the u/s machine for 40 minutes and nothing. Eventually he did move, a little, but at least enough to record. His breathing, he did not do and totally failed that part. The u/s tech called up my OB and guess what? He sends me for a NST at the hospital. Are you kidding me? After all the times he's failed that. So I drive to the hospital and go see the nurse. She was all ready waiting for me because my OB had called her to tell her I was on my way. I get on the machine and guess what? Not only did he pass the NST with flying colors, the nurse said that was one of the best NSTs she's ever seen. Do I understand this little boy? So after that I went to go see my OB.
He did another internal and no progress at all. He has no intentions of coming out anytime soon. My OB told me if he had failed the NST as well this morning, that he was going to send me to L&D to be induced today. So the plan is as following; repeat the BPP u/s tomorrow morning. If he fails that, I will be induced tomorrow. If he passes the u/s, I will be induced Friday (August 28 which is my birthday). Thursday night between 6:30 - 7:00 I will have to check myself in in L&D and Friday morning the induction will begin. Looks like my little boy will share his birthday with his mommy. Because my cervix has not made any progress I need to go in the night before so the nurses can start giving me medicine to see if things can progress. My OB said that with everything that has been happening lately and with my history of MTHFR, he doesn't want to wait any longer.
So before this weekend I will meet my little boy!!! I really need to start packing and make sure I have everything ready for the big arrival. I'll keep you all posted on how everything goes tomorrow and the rest of the week.
We are in single digits now. 9 days left to go until my due date! I can't believe how close we are getting to meet our little boy.
I have a BPP u/s this morning and than I'm off to my OB for an appt.
FULL TERM BABY!!! I can't not believe I am only 2 weeks away from my due date!!! WOW!! I know that any day now could be the day that I will finally meet my Baby D. Baby D is the size of a watermelon and I've been eating a ton of it lately. 
Baby
Week 37 - 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.
Week 38 - Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.
Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)
Updates
NST - Last week my OB decided that he wanted me to go twice a week for NSTs now. Well that hasn't worked out too good because he's failed every single one of them except one. And that one that he didn't fail, the nurse kept pressing down on my belly and poking him around for him to move. It has been stressing me out quite a bit these NSTs, the fact that he's not passing them. I swear it's like he knows we are going for NSTs and he purposely won't move and just fall asleep. Just this week alone I've been sent for an AF u/s and a BPP u/s and he passes those with flying colors. So today after another failed NST my OB decided that he no longer wants me to have them done. Thank God! No more worrying about those so I just have a BPP u/s scheduled for next week and that's it.
Blood Pressure - Has been quite high lately that it's ended me in the L&D again. This week alone I have been to L&D twice, once for a failed NST, and the second for high bp. The nurses there are starting to know me. Today, Thank God it was normal. Whenever it's high my OB checks to see if it's pre-eclampsia and thank God it has not been that. I'm sure this warm weather has not been helping me at all. So needless to say my week has been pretty busy at the hospital. My had my appt with him on Tuesday and today I had another appt with him.
Internals - I have had 3 including todays and I have made NO progress what so ever. I have been getting more BH but I guess they are not strong enough to make any progress. We will see how I'm doing next week.
I all ready washed all of his clothes and have put them away in the drawers. I also installed the car seat base in my car this afternoon. I just have to get it check to see if it's installed correctly. This weekend I'm going to start packing my hospital bag. It's crazy to think that I'm due in 14 days. I have 3 weeks at most to meet Baby D because my OB said they let you go up to 41 weeks before they induce labor. I'm hoping he arrives sometime on or before his due date. I have a feeling he will be born right around his due date. It's a feeling I've had for awhile now and let's see if my intuition is right.
Weekly Survey
How far along? 38 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Gained 42 lbs (I'm hoping I don't get to the 50 lb mark)
How much does baby weigh: I'm thinking about 7 lbs now
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Lately I have been getting up once to use the bathroom, but overall pretty good
Best moment this week: Knowing that after 2 failed NSTs he's doing good
Movement: Not as much as before because I'm sure he's running out of space
Food cravings: Watermelon
Gender: boy
Labor Signs: BH and NO progress
Belly Button in or out? In and I don't think it will pop out
What I miss: Being able to do things without my big belly being in the way
What I am looking forward to: Meeting my little boy!
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy every moment of your pregnancy because it goes by so fast
Milestones: FULL TERM!!!
I can't believe I've entered my 9th and last month of pregnancy.
36 weeks and 4 weeks left to go!
Baby
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.
Childbirth Class - So we had our class last Saturday and it was pretty good but long. We decided to go to the all day class instead of once a week for 5 weeks. They talked a little about everything, car seat, labor, complications, excersizing, breathing, etc. We also got a tour of L&D which was nice. So know we are all done with that.
Vacation - Was a lot of fun. We spent 3 days with John's family in CT and all we did was relax at the beach. All of his sibiling and step-sibilings joined us, so all together there were 14 of us. I did enjoy going to the beach and just relaxing. It definitely did help my swollen feet because they look so much better. The rest of the week John and I just took it easy at home. We did go another day to the beach and on Saturday he golfed 18 holes. I did go on the golf course with him, but I sat in the cart and watched him play.
Ultrasound & OB visit - So I had my appointments on Wednesday and I was so happy that John came with me. It was so cool to see Baby D again on the screen. He's head down and his head is really low now. I knew it must of been because I have been feeling some pressure in my pelvis lately. He now weighs 5 lbs 14oz although it could be off by 1 lb in each direction. I still think he will weigh in the low 7lb range, but who knows. We got 2 3D pictures of him and 2 2D of him. I'll have to load them up so you can see him. Than we went to go see my OB. When the nurse called me in to check my blood pressure and weight my blood pressure was pretty high. Lately it had been a little high but nothing like that day. I was put into a room and my OB came in really quick, did the Group B Strep test and an internal. As for the internal, no progress at all, cervix is completely shut tight. He than had me go into his office and was on the phone with L&D. He was very concerned about my blood pressure being that high because he though it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
After he told John and I what I was going to have done at L&D we made our way over there. I had a urine test, b/w, my bp was being taken every 15 minutes, and put on the NST machine for 2 hours. My bp came down right away and everything else came back normal. If there were any signs of pre-eclampsia he was going to wait until today and than possibly induce me this week. I'm dying to meet my little baby, but I don't want him to come this early. So after 2 hours I was sent home and was told to take it easy from now until the end.
So that's what I've been doing, relaxing and just taking it easy. I've been napping in the afternoons and just trying to not do anything at all.
I had a follow up visit with him this morning and although the bp was still a little high, he wasn't very concerned with it today. He did test me again for pre-eclampsia so hopefully I'll get the results next week when I see him. My GBS results were not even either so I still don't know if it's positive or negative. He did another internal and no progress again. He did feel the baby's head though so I know he's pretty low. He said that with a first pregnancy he didn't expect to see any progress at 36 weeks. So I see him again next week. From here until the end I now go for NSTs twice a week.
I've been getting a few cramps here and there. I think my uterus is preparing for the big day. They feel like very mild menstrual cramps. I mention the cramps to him and he said it's very normal to feel them now.
I'll have to post my 36 week belly shots later.
Weekly Survey
How far along? 36w4d
Total weight gain/loss: Gained 38 lbs
How much does baby weigh: 5 lbs 14 oz
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I toss and turn a lot but overall sleep is still good
Best moment this week: Seeing Baby D on the ultrasound machine
Movement: Oh yeah. Sometimes he's so active it looks like he's having a party
Food cravings: Fruit
Gender: boy
Labor Signs: Cramps and BH
Belly Button in or out? In and I don't think it will pop out
What I miss: A nice cold beer on a hot summer day
What I am looking forward to: Cooler weather
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy every moment of your pregnancy because it goes by so fast
Milestones: Entering my 9th and last month of pregnancy
I'm down to 35 weeks and 35 days left to go, woohoo!!!! I can't believe I'm getting so close to meet my little guy.
Baby
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.
Sciatic Nerve - The PT has really helped me a lot. I went from so much pain that I could hardly walk to having no pain at all. I'm SO glad my OB sent me there. I still feel a little sore on the days that I go there but for the most part I feel almost 100% cured. When I'm home, I continue to do my exercises as the teach me there so I can speed up this process.
Heartburn - It has officially hit me and it's not fun! It doesn't seem like certain foods make it worse, it just happens to appear every so often.
Swelling - BIG TIME!! My feet look like Fred Flintstone. Not only are the feet swollen, but my ankles, my calves, and my fingers. I can no longer where my engagement or wedding band. I notice that on days that the humidity is really high is the worse. Sometimes just walking down the stairs is a little uncomfortable from the feet being so swollen. I've talked to my OB about this and he said it's very normal and of course there is nothing I can do. Thank God it's summer and I wear flip flops all the time.
So this Saturday, John and I are going to our all day child birth class. I'm so excited. I want to see what they say and take a tour of L&D, although I've been there a few times all ready. It will be different just getting a tour and an explanation of all the equipment and stuff. Plus I'm hoping we get some good information.
We are also leaving on Vacation Sunday morning!!! This will the last time that I go away until Baby D arrives. From here on, I'm going to stay around the area in case something happens. It will be nice to go away to the beach and just relax. We are going on vacation with his family so it will be nice to hang out with them. There are 14 of us getting together so it should be fun!!!
On Wednesday morning I'm going for a growth u/s. I can't wait to see my little guy and see how big he is getting. Since John took the whole week off, he will be coming with me. He has only gone once, when we found out it was a boy, so I'm glad he will get to see how much bigger the baby is. After that, I having my appointment with my OB. John has never gone to any of my appointments, he has never met my OB, so I'm so glad he's coming with me. First, he will finally meet my OB, and second he will see how the appointments are and how the office is.
Belly Shots
35 Weeks
34 Weeks
Weekly Survey
How far along? 35 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Gained 35 lbs
How much does baby weigh: 5 lbs (I'll know on Wed after the u/s)
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I toss and turn a lot but overall sleep is still good
Best moment this week: Feeling better from my sciatic nerve
Movement: Oh yeah. Sometimes he's so active it looks like he's having a party
Food cravings: Nothing in particular
Gender: boy
Labor Signs: I've been getting the occasional BH but that's it
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Not having my feet, ankles, calves, and fingers swollen
What I am looking forward to: Childbirth Class and VACATION
Weekly Wisdom: Don't have one
Milestones: 35 weeks and 35 days to go!!!!
Week 34
Baby
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.
I had a very nice weekend. Saturday afternoon, John and I met up with his mom, sisters, aunt, and cousin and we all went to the beach. It was so nice to just sit and relax. Than we met up with them later that night for dinner. His aunt, cousin, and one sister had never been up our way since our wedding, so it was nice that they came and saw the house too. I'm glad that Baby D's room is getting somewhat ready because they were able to see the progress.
Sunday was my baby shower!!! It was so nice to see a lot of family and friends. I got so much stuff, especially clothes. This little boy is going to be dressed for a very long time. Now all I have to do is put away the clothes and separate them by size.
Last Thursday I had my first physical therapy session and boy did that help. That night was the first night I was able to toss and turn in bed without any pain. I'm going this evening for my second session and hopefully I'll feel even better. I'm hardly in pain anymore which is good. I guess my OB was right when he said that the therapy would definitely help me.
Weekly Survey
How far along? 34w5d
Total weight gain/loss: Gained 35 lbs
How much does baby weigh: Approx 4-5 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I'm tossing and turning a lot lately
Best moment this week: My baby shower
Movement: Yes
Food cravings: Nothing in particular
Gender: boy
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Not feeling so hot all the time
What I am looking forward to: Vacation next week
Weekly Wisdom: Don't have one
Milestones: My baby shower because it just makes it feel I am that closer to meeting him
