About Us

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After an 8 year battle with infertility and countless struggles, our family is finally complete. This blog chronicles the journey it took for us to start and build the family we always wanted. Background on the blog (started in 2012, just days before I found out the embryo transfer for our son worked).... I decided to start a blog after realizing I have only been able to make it through my TWW's (two week waits) with the help of Google and with the openness of other women suffering from infertility sharing their own stories and giving others hope. I have time and time again found my exact symptoms on other women's blogs and felt an overwhelming sense of calmness they provided me. I thought it was time to pay it forward and hopefully provide this same thing to other women on their own journeys.

Friday, October 5, 2012

40w6d - Victor's birth story


Victor's Birth Story

Mike and I arrived at the hospital to get checked in around 4:45pm Thursday October 4th.   I was their to receive a cervical ripener the evening prior to my scheduled induction.   I was hoping to receive Cervidil but found out that I was to receive Cytotec, a drug not approved by the FDA for cervical ripening for inductions.   Needless to say I was really apprehensive about getting it for that purpose then.  I was hooked up to the monitoring equipment to monitor the baby's heartrate and my uterine contractions.  

Around 9:00pm the nurse who was watching us came in and asked if I was feeling the contractions I was having.  I had no idea I was contracting but she said I was contracting every two minutes on my own.  My OB came in shortly there after to tell me they were no longer going to do any cervical ripening because I was progressing well enough on my own.  He checked me and I was 2 centimeters and 50% effaced.  He told me to rest and he would come back and check me around 4:00am.

On Friday, October 5ht, my mom arrived just shortly before 4:00am to be with Mike and I.  At 4:00am I was dilated still at 2cm and was 75% effaced.  They started the pitocin drip at a low amount and ruptured my membranes (broke my water).   There was soooooooooooooooooo much amniotic fluid that it gushed down all the way to my feet.   The labor progressed and my contractions strengthened (still 2 minutes apart) with the pitocin running.   Around 6:30am I was rechecked and had progressed to 3cm.  I decided why suffer with the increasing pain and decided to get an epidural.  

The anesthesiologist came in around 6:30am.  Only 1 of my 2 support people were allowed to stay in the room for that so my mom had to leave.  That was probably for the best because it was really painful having the epidural tube placed into my lower back.  I have scoliosis so my lower back curves to the right and it was hard for him to guide in the needle/tube correctly.  I had to sit on the edge of the bed for the insertion and was told to lean forward and rest my elbows on my legs.  Needless to say with the gigantic belly in the way I couldn't get my elbows to touch my legs.  My nurse, bless her heart, stood in front of me and I gripped her hips as the anesthesiologist was doing his thing.   It was so painful I was gripping her hips and digging my nails into her.  Poor woman.  I even started to cry and she shooshed me to comfort me.  

With an epidural you are required to get a bladder catheter so when you lose most feeling in your lower body you don't pee yourself since you can't walk to the bathroom.  The insertion of the catheter wasn't that bad.  It was just uncomfortable.  HOWEVER, the feeling of the balloon in my bladder holding the catheter in my place was excruciatingly uncomfortable and wouldn't let up.

Two hours later, at 8:30am, the epidural had done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.  Most likely from my scoliosis.  I wasn't feeling a single iota of pain relief and on top of that the catheter was still excruciatingly uncomfortable.  Rather than having them redo the epidural and risk not only the pain of it being reinserted but it not working again I decided to just have it removed and be done with it.   Plus, the the thought of having the damn catheter removed sounded like heaven.   So they removed the epidural tube and the catheter.  The feeling of having to pee was still so strong, like it was the whole time I was catheterized, that I wanted to go sit on the toilet.  The damn nurse would not let me out of bed because "I just had an epidural."  Hello?!  The damn thing did NOTHING to numb any part of me whatsoever.  My legs were 100% in working order.  Still, she insisted on getting a wheel chair to get me from the bed to the toilet 5 feet away.  That was the shorted wheel chair ride in history.  Anyways, I digress.  Catheters...I hate you.

While all of this was going on my pitocin dosage was being increased intermittently.  The pain was increasing very steadily.  I was given a shot of nubane for the pain.... this pain reliever also did nothing.  Why was I so resistant to pain relief?!?  The pain also had moved into my lower back/pelvis.  It was literally the worst pain I've ever felt in my entire life.  Even worse than all three kidney stones I've passed combined.  I was hoping all this pain meant the end was in site, but when they checked my at 12:30pm, I was only 4cm dilated.  I wanted to cry.

I labored on.  I tried EVERYTHING to relieve the pain.  I got in the shower.  I sat on the yoga ball.  I got on my hands and knees.  I even used the "texas roll" leg holder thingy.  NOTHING eased up my back labor and it was only getting worse.  Might I remind you the contractions were still every two minutes as they had been the entire time.

When they checked me again at 3pm, I was only dilated to 5cm.  So I only got 1cm in 3 hours.   They wanted to see 2cm to 3cm an hour with the high level of pitocin I was now on.   I just couldn't go on.  I was delirious and literally wanted to die.  So when my OB suggested a c-section, due to my "failure to progress " it was literally music to my ears.  I was ready.  I just wanted to pain to end.  Because of the failure of the epidural they feared the spinal (which they typically use for csections) might not work either (because it's also delivered in the spine).  If this were the case, the only way to proceed would be to put me under a general anesthetic and no one would have been allowed in the operating room with me.  My poor mom started to cry with worry and my husband had to leave the room he was so chocked up.  

I was wheeled, alone, to the operating room.  Mike was to come in after the spinal was performed but because it took over 20 minutes for the anesthesiologist to successfully maneuver my crooked spine he thought something terrible happened to me.  After those 20 minutes, I could slowly feel the pain and all sensation disappear from my tortured body from the chest down.  Mike was brought in to sit by my side.  I asked the OB to tell me before he started cutting because I thought I still had some feeling and was scared he'd start before I was numb.  He started without telling me and I hadn't felt a thing.  

A few minutes later, at 4:16pm, on Friday October 5th, Victor Edward Schloss was born.  He topped the scales at 9 pounds 6 ounces.  I loved hearing his cry.  It was one of the most emotional experiences of my life when they carried him over past the curtain so I could see him.  He was just absolutely beautiful.  







Wednesday, October 3, 2012

40w4d - Infertility irony

Soooo, the irony of still being pregnant... I tried for 4 years to get pregnant and now I am trying everything I can think of to get unpregnant and have this baby already!   I had acupuncture yesterday to try and induce labor.  I had a few more braxton hicks than normal last night and even a few cramps.  But I am still pregnant as of today so I don't think the acupuncture worked.  :(

Monday, October 1, 2012

40w2d - Eviction plan

We had a sonogram today to measure Victor's size and amniotic fluid as well as some other stats.  He was practice breathing the whole time and it was adorable.   I also had a non stress test which Victor passed with the help of some juice.  After that we spoke with the OB and came up with an eviction plan.  We will go in Thursday evening at 5pm for the Cervidil application.  We will then spend the night and induce labor Friday morning. 

Saturday, September 29, 2012

40w0d - Pregnancy belly progression photo


40w0d - Belly shots






40w0d - Weekly update


(pumpkin)


How Far Along: 40 weeks!!!  MY DUE DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long.

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

Stretch Marks: I think they have slowed their onset.  Hopefully this is the last week for them to grow!

Sleep: Well, since the last blog, about 1/2 of the nights have been filled with nightly contractions.  Thursday night they were pretty intense but there were only about two.  Last night I had none.  :(

Best Moment of the Week:  Making it to today.  I can't believe I have made it to my due date!

Movement: I tell Mike he just wants to come out.  He's so cramped in there.  Poor little guy.  His movements are reflective of his lack of space.

Food cravings:  Nothing much this week.  Although I keep eat each meal like it will be my last (aka enough to hold me over during labor).   I had Mexican on Tuesday and Thai on Thursday!  I can't believe I only gained 1 lb this week.

What I Miss:  My sanity.  I just want him to be born.  I can't concentrate on anything else.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Meeting my son!!!

Milestones: Reaching my due date today!!

Emotions:  Cranky and impatient.  Enough said.

Symptoms:  Cramps during the night a few nights here and there.


Friday, September 28, 2012

39w6d - No progress

Still only 1 centimeter dilated and 50% effaced. So I have a sonogram and NST (first ever) scheduled for next Monday. I'll be 40w2d. After those 2 things I'll meet with the OB again to be rechecked. Pray for progress! My main OB wants to wait until 41w2d to induce (a Monday 10/8). I'm going to insist on being induced at 40w6d (a Friday) at the latest. Ironically, the other OB in the practice said if I was his patient he would for sure induce me next week. Why did I get stuck with the OB who doesn't like to induce? Lame!

39w6d - One day left...

...until my due date.  I just kinda always thought I would have had him by now.  It's surreal.

Reflecting....

I've been pregnant almost this entire year.  The transfer was on January 12th.  The embryos (yes, don't forget Victor could have had a twin) were 5 days old when they were transferred.  So that is equivalent to me conceiving on January 7th.  So really, I've been pregnant for the entire year exact 1 week.  Man humans take a long time to gestate!  

Victor was actually conceived on July 23rd, 2011.  He was cryogenically frozen between July 28th, 2011 and January 12th, 2012.   He was 1 of 7 live embryos we created.  May the other 6 know I will  never forget about them as they were his siblings, even if only for a few days.

Here's a little reminder of the chart they gave us way back in February (around 7 weeks).


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

39w4d - Can't concentrate

Holy crap.  Only 3 days.  I can't concentrate to save my life.  I can't even concentrate long enough to write more than a few sentences for this post.  I just assumed I'd go before or on my due date.  Now I have to plan for the other option...me not going by my due date.  I have already lined up labor inducing acupuncture for next Tuesday at 3:30.  People wonder why am I rushing this?  Well, those are the same people that have never gone through FOUR YEARS of infertility and read the horror stories of still births because of aged placentas (which CAN happen prior to 42 weeks).   Sorry for the negative-nancy vent.  I am just going crazy these days with up and down emotions.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

39w0d - Belly shots




39w0d - Weekly update


(watermelon)

How Far Along: 39 weeks!!!  Only 7 DAYS until my due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  It's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.)

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

Stretch Marks: I THINK they look they same as last week but honestly I try not to look at them as much these days.

Sleep: Horrible.  I wake up in pain constantly or I wake up and I can't feel my hands.  And at least once a night I wake up and cannot fall back asleep for about an hour.

Best Moment of the Week:  Best (and most painful) moment of the week was finding out I am 1 centimeter dilated already.  Although, sadly, it sounds like my OB won't induce until after 41 weeks.  Soooooo far away.  I was hoping for an induction as soon as my due date hit if I wanted one.

Movement: He's usually quite active each evening.  Sometimes for hours.  It's crazy.

Food cravings:  I'm back to craving junk food.  I hadn't consumed french onion dip in weeks but the other day I took down 1/2 a tub of it with chips.

What I Miss:  This category will always be devoted to missing some form of movement capabilities.  Not much longer and I'll have my full range of movement back once he's born!

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Meeting my son!!!

Milestones: I am 1 centimeter dilated.  Woopty doo!  I wish I was in labor!  :)   Another milestone....I wore sneakers to work all this past week.  :)

Emotions:  Spent.  I want this baby in my arms ASAP!!!!

Symptoms:  Cramps during the night the last several nights.  Back ache all day on Friday.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

38w5d - Single digits!

9 days!  Single digits!  Time seemed to fly but now it is dragging.  I plan EVERYTHING so not being able to plan when he's born is painful for me.  lol.  I am going to ask my OB about when I can schedule an induction.  I'm hoping he says anytime after 40 weeks.  In which case I'll push for Monday, October 1st, which will be 40 weeks and 2 days or Tuesday, the 2nd.  I know I should wait until he wants to come out but I'm just so scared of aging placentas and all that crap.  I've come this far if something like that ever happened I'd die.  I know.  I'm a crazy woman!

Monday, September 17, 2012

38w0d - Mike and I go on a date

So Mike and I woke up Saturday morning and decided to go on a date.

First, we went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel (photo no actually of our local establishment).


Next, we headed over to Fuhrman's Cider Mill to get some cider.  We were also hoping to pick up some gluten free bakery items for myself but they no longer sell gluten free items because of low demand.  Boo.


After that we went down to Presque Isle and walked around Perry's Monument (link to full album:  https://picasaweb.google.com/118318226625393950086/20120915PerryMonumentWithMike?authuser=0&feat=directlink).



Finally we went to Wegman's to get some groceries.  :)   (Also not my photo.)


Saturday, September 15, 2012

38w0d - Belly shots

My face is soooooooo puffy!!!

Also, I swear to God we don't pose Digbee.  He just is weird and always comes over when we do these weekly photoshoots!!!



38w0d - Weekly update


(length of a leek)


How Far Along: 38 weeks!!!  A whole week past full term!  Only TWO more weeks until my due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek).

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   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.)

Stretch Marks: More and more everyday!!!  Even above my belly button now!

Sleep: Stillllll bad.  Same as before, whatever side I was sleeping on either my hip or shoulder is either in pain or numb.  So I just flip flop sides allllllll night long in between my 4 to 5 pee breaks.  Plus, when I do rollover, it feels like all of my internal organs are being crushed by my humongous son.

Best Moment of the Week:  I had a pedicure today and had my toes painted blue (for a boy).   Not the sexiest toenail color ever but I think it's fitting with a boy on the way!

Movement: Slowing down these days.  He is running out of room!  On Friday I literally saw my belly pulsating.  I googled it and it seems it was him practicing breathing.  I asked the OB that same day about it and he said he's most likely kicking.  Ummmmm.  No.  I think I know the difference between kicks, hiccups, and full body rolls by now.  It was none of those things.  Stupid man.

Food cravings:  I've actually been craving sweet over salty lately so I have been eating my peanut butter and chocolate cereal a lot lately.

What I Miss:  Being able to roll over without difficulties.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Giving birth!!  I want to meet him so badly!!!

Milestones: I think making it to full term last week was the last milestone.  Now I just can't wait to meet him!!!!!

Emotions:  Kinda like last week I have been really fearful of stuff.  Like if I am home alone I get all freaked out someone is going to break in.

Symptoms:  I think my feet are finally starting to feel the pains of pregnancy.  I was hoping to get by without hitting this point but the last 2 days my feet are killing me after work.  I guess I can't complain, as I made it all the way through without this symptom until now!







Saturday, September 8, 2012

37w0d - Belly shots




37w0d - Weekly update - FULL TERM!


(length of swiss chard - whatever that is... where do they find these???)

(winter melon)

How Far Along: 37 weeks!!!  OFFICIALLY FULL TERM TODAY!!!!   Only THREE more weeks until my due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard).

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)  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.

Stretch Marks: More every week but each one is a badge of honor!

Sleep: Still bad.  I think it will be bad until I pop out Victor.  I wake up and whatever side I am sleeping on, that hip is just killing me.  Or that shoulder is killing me.  Only silver lining is that I had another sleepgasm last night.  I love pregnancy hormones!

Best Moment of the Week:  TODAY!!!   Getting to full term!  I can't believe we made it!  God is indeed good!!!

Movement: Yes.  He moves the most in the evening when we are watching shows.  He also moves quite a bit in the mornings before I get out of bed.  He hardly moves at all at night.  I hope that's a good sign that his sleep patterns are already pointing to him sleeping at night.  Crossing my fingers!   He has had hiccups again this week but not after every single meal so they aren't as frequent I would say as they used to be.

Food cravings:  I think my cravings have actually somewhat shifted from salty to sugary.  I have been eating cereal again (which I haven't done in MONTHS).  Although that could also be because I am retaining my fluids these days and the last thing I need is salt!!

What I Miss:  Being able to reach my toes.  My nail polish looks horrendous.  I actually scheduled a pedicure for next Friday to have them done for me.  lol.   That and my feet are callousy from sandals all summer and I want them nice for labor and delivery if I'm going to (and others are going to) look at them in stirrups.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Now that he's full term I am looking forward to meeting my son!!!!!!!!!

Milestones: Making it to full term!!!!!

Emotions:  I never really experienced fear of delivery until recently.  I stand sideways and visually imagine my baby taking up all that space and wonder how in the hell is that going to fit out of you know what!?

Symptoms:  Nothing new.


Saturday, September 1, 2012

36w0d - Belly shots

My face is really puffing up!!




36w0d - Weekly update


(crenshaw melon - whatever that is)

How Far Along: 36 weeks!!!  Only ONE more weeks until full term and 4 until due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  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.

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   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.  At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Stretch Marks: Oh yes.  More and more each week.  Even above the belly button now on the sides.

Sleep: Holy crap it has been bad.  I wake up like 8-10 times each night and whatever hip I am sleeping on is just killing me.  Thanks relaxin (the hormone shifting my hips).

Best Moment of the Week:  I set up his bassinet in our bedroom and we are going to rearrange some of the furniture in there to give it more room on my side of the bed.  I am also going to pack my hospital bag this weekend!!  My list has 70+ things on it to bring if you can believe it.

Movement: Yes, less strong though each day as he gets more cramped.  He also hiccups all the time which I thought was cute until I googled it and google said that it can be a sign of cord issues.  I asked the OB about it and he said hiccuping is super normal.  Of course I wish I hadn't googled it though because I am a worry wart!

Food cravings:  Again, nothing really.  I haven't been able to eat much lately with how small my stomach is with having to compete for space with my uterus.

What I Miss:  Sleep.  I whoever is reading this is probably laughing since I won't get that back for months if not years from now!

What I'm Looking Forward To:  1 more weeks and he's full term!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milestones: Making it to 36 weeks.

Emotions:  Excited to be so far along.  I can't believe we are just weeks away!

Symptoms:  Nothing new.



Friday, August 31, 2012

35w6d - OB appointment

Had my weekly OB appointment today.   All is well.   They did the Group B Strep swab so that was pleasant.  lol.  I gained 2 lbs since last Monday so that sucks but I hardly have been eating so I don't feel bad as it's mostly all baby and fluid retention.  :)  

Saturday, August 25, 2012

35w0d - Weekly update


(honeydew)

How Far Along: 35 weeks!!!  Only TWO more weeks until full term and 5 until due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com):  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).

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   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.

Stretch Marks: Don't remind me.  They are growing exponentially at this point.

Sleep: Well, with the damn UTI I have been chugging water so I am up more often to pee each night.

Best Worst Moment of the Week:  My appointment got cancelled Monday, only to have to go to a morning appointment on Wednesday, only to find out I have a UTI!  Hell of a fun week!   On good notes, the physician's assistant did feel around and determined he is head down!   I also got a tour of Labor and Delivery during my last birthing class.  It is so nice there!

Movement: He rolls all around in there.  I can see waves from his body parts.

Food cravings:  I've actually been pretty hungry and craving more food than usual this week.  Dangerous thing when I am so close to tipping 200lbs!  lol

What I Miss:  Not peeing when I cough.   Not having heartburn.   Not being gigantic.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  2 more weeks and he's full term!!  So I am looking forward to September 8th!!!

Milestones: Making it to 35 weeks.   My blog has also hit 30,000 views!!!

Emotions:  Excited to be so far along.  I can't believe we are just weeks away!

Symptoms:  Nothing new.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

34w4d - Ughhhhh

Ughhhhhhhhh.   Soooooo.... I have a UTI.  :(  I was supposed to have an OB appointment on Monday, but some gigantic transformer exploded and a lot of the city lost power, including my OBs office.  So I assumed they'd squeeze me in yesterday, but no.  So they finally squeezed me in at 9 am today and everything went great!  Only gained 1 pound in a little over 2 weeks - so I'm happy!  lol.  Heartbeat was great.   Measured great.  She even felt around and said he was head down... which is great!  So I was on my way out of the office, and she ran up to me saying "Good, I'm glad you're still here!"  I knew THAT couldn't be good.  She said I had white blood cells in my urine which means a UTI.  Sigh.  So they put me on a twice a day for 7 days antibiotic called Macrobid.  I just took my first pill with lunch.  I googled it, as I probably shouldn't have, and Dr. Google just resulted in a lot of women freaking out because the instructions say clearly to not take it after 38 weeks of pregnancy because it could cause some blood disorder in the baby.  I will only be 35 weeks this Saturday but OF COURSE I am now freaking out (as usual).  I know the OB wouldn't prescribe something if it wasn't ok so I just have to relax and trust them.   It's just hard when I read that.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

34w0d - Belly shots




34w0d - Weekly update


(cantaloupe)

How Far Along: 34 weeks!!!  Only 3 more weeks until full term and 6 until due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com): Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long.

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   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.

Stretch Marks: More each day!

Sleep: Pretty good this week actually.  I still pee on average twice a night I have been sleeping soundly.   I still wake up and have hip pain but I just flip over and go back to sleep.

Best Moment of the Week:  I think everyday from now on will be the best moment of the week.  Getting closer each and every day to meeting my son is just amazing.

Movement: He kicks less but does whole body movements more.  I can feel him sliding around in there.

Food cravings:  Nothing really this week.  Eating is actually annoying these days.  Nothing sounds good and I just feel forced to eat.

What I Miss:  I miss everything now.  I can't even reach parts of my body to itch if I have an itch now!

What I'm Looking Forward To:  September!  With the rate August is going it will be here in no time.

Milestones: Making it to 34 weeks.  He now has a 99% chance of survival

Length of PregnancyLikelihood of Survival
23 weeks17%
24 weeks39%
25 weeks50%
26 weeks80%
27 weeks90%
28-31 weeks90-95%
32-33 weeks95%
34+ weeksAlmost as likely as a full-term baby
(which is 37 weeks by the way)

Emotions:  Excited to be so far along.  I can't believe we are just weeks away!

Symptoms:  Nothing new.  Still have that mid section pain but the doctor says its normal and its just pain from stretching.


Saturday, August 11, 2012

33w0d - Weekly update


(pineapple)

How Far Along: 33 weeks!!!  Only 4 more weeks until full term and 7 until due date!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

Size of baby (from babycenter.com): This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark.  Personal note:  Although some of my apps say he weighs more so really he could be well over 4 pounds!

My baby this week (from babycenter.com):   He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Stretch Marks: More each day!

Sleep: This week has been pretty crappy sleep wise.  I wake up and which ever hip I am sleeping on is killing me.  I guess my body is releasing a hormone now (ironically called relaxin) to help my hips start shifting for birth.

Best Moment of the Week:  Today!  My birthday and 33 weeks all in one day!  I can't believe he's almost here!

Movement: Oh yes.  He gets crazy in the evenings.  Mike gets to feel him more and more and my mother in law, Dotty, has also got to feel him move!

Food cravings:  Chocolate Orgain (chilled of course).  Enough said.  I could literally drink 10 of these a day.

What I Miss:  Oh my.  Even rolling over in the middle of the night is starting to get tough.   So I guess I just being able to move around.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  September!  With the rate August is going it will be here in no time.

Milestones: Making it to 33 weeks.  He's packing on 1/2 a pound a week!

Emotions:  Excited to be so far along.  I can't believe we are just weeks away!

Symptoms:  Nothing new.  Still have that mid section pain but the doctor says its normal and its just pain from stretching.