34 Weeks

Every week I get an email from  http://www.babycenter.com/  updating me on what my baby is doing, how she's developing, what to expect, and lots of other fun facts and thoughts/advice from other woman expecting around the same time as me. I love it. 

Here's what they had to say at 34 weeks...


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.
If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly and possibly your thighs and buttocks as well, you may have a condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short).

Up to one percent of pregnant women develop PUPPP, which is harmless but can be quite uncomfortable. See your practitioner so she can make sure it's not a more serious problem, provide treatment to make you more comfortable, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Also be sure to call her if you feel intense itchiness all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.

Slide your way to slumber "In the third trimester, turning over in bed is a nightmare. The solution? Big satin pajamas and even satin sheets — the slipperiness of satin helps tremendously!" — Carrie

Pretty spot on for the most part. Dr. Judd says she is more like 4lbs right now, but it's hard to tell for sure. She is head down and ready to go, but no sign of her arriving early... yet. 

As far as me... they always get it perfect. 

Next Dr. appointment is October 8th. They'll test me for group B strep at that vist, then we're on to weekly appointments to make sure we're on top of things and are ready for her when she's ready to come.

A word of advice to my pregnant friends... sign up for emails from babycenter. Go here to register. It's free. You'll get a weekly email like the one above, links to learn more about things like PUPPP and preeclampsia, assurance that you aren't crazy and that what's happening to you is normal, and the option to send the email to your significant other so that he can better understand what you're going through. Truly a brilliant set up.