Long week – two words put together never meant so much.
First off. We started off the week one car short. I had to take mom to be to work each morning while we waited to get her car fixed. By Friday the car should be fixed (I am writing this as of Thursday).
Then when we went to the doctor for mom to be’s checkup we were told on Tuesday that we needed to come back by Thursday in order to get a growth ultra-sound. Mom to be was retaining a lot of water so they wanted to make sure baby to be was okay. So from Tuesday till Thursday we were in a holding pattern and waiting to see why she was retaining so much water. The mid-wife also put mom to be on bed rest for a couple of days to see if that would help. It did and after our second checkup we learned that everything was pretty much okay, for now. Baby to be is a big one – they weighed him at about seven and a half pounds (of course ultra-sounds are not always accurate, he could be this weight or smaller). That’s at 35 weeks which I am finding out (being a man we don’t know these things) is big for a baby at this stage in the pregnancy. Another check up next week, and another day of bed rest for mom to be on Friday.
Tonight (Thursday) we are scheduled for a tour of the hospital so we can get a feel for everything we may need the day of the birth. That should help a lot.
Then on Saturday and Sunday we have what they are calling intensive child-birth classes. Saturday goes from 9-4 and Sunday 9-1.
That’s it so far. We are hoping and praying all goes well for the rest of the pregnancy.
As of writing the information above I have since been to the Birthing Center and the first day of the intensive child-birth classes.
First off, the birthing center is super nice. The rooms are almost like hotel rooms with beds that can be contorted to fit any kind of pregnancy position, just so mom to be can deliver as comfortable as possible. They have all the amenities there as well, including a birthing ball, birthing tub, a refrigerator in the room for cold snacks, and various other things that will help with the before and after birthing process.
The first day of intensive child-birth classes went off exceptionally well with a lot of useful information for dad and mom to be. We thought we were well versed, but we learned even more stuff on Saturday. On Sunday we will be there for a shorter period. So the day won’t be so tough. Mom to be is currently resting as I write this after Saturday’s session.
I’ve included two things this week from the 3D pregnancy website. The first is what mom to be’s body is going through – Your Body and the second is all about baby to be – Your Baby. I thought this might give you a little more insight into what is going on with mom and baby to be.
Your Body
As Patrick Swayze put it, “Nobody puts baby in a corner!” Doubly true for your little tenant. Your baby has pretty much taken over your entire torso by now. Over the past few months, he’s squished and mushed all of your organs out of the way. Any day now, he’ll make a final move and shove your heart up and to the left to make more room for himself. (See, he’s got your heart in his hands already.)
Before all this pregnancy stuff, your uterus was a small ball the size of your fist and was tucked neatly away behind your pelvis. Today your uterus is the size of a small watermelon and reaches all the way up to your ribs.
At this point in your pregnancy all the blood has gone to your belly … literally. Nearly 1/6 of your body’s total blood volume is chugging around in the vessels in your uterus. So that’s why you feel so lightheaded all the time!
Starting this week you’ll visit your OB or midwife weekly. Every time you go you’ll probably beg her to tell you when she thinks your babe is coming. Unfortunately, her guess is about as good as yours. Even if you’re dilated, there’s no telling exactly when baby will make his appearance (unless you have a scheduled C-section, of course.)
Your Baby
This week the final touches are being added to your mini-masterpiece and most of his development is going to packing on the pounds. While baby’s movements may be becoming less jerky, he may do his final somersault in the womb soon—to put himself into the head-down position for birth. Other fascinating facts:
Your little Karate Kid can’t quite pack the punch he used to due to the limited space inside the womb these days. You’re likely to feel more wiggles, stretches and rolls than kicks and jabs. The extra layer of fat your baby is adding will create those cute dimples on your baby’s elbows and knees. His liver has begun processing his waste products, so you know which organ to thank when he has his first blowout up the back of his onesie.
Baby’s nails are growing so long they may curl over the tips of his tiny fingers and toes before he sees a pair of clippers. He’ll be in serious need of a mani-pedi once he’s born (as will you).
Your baby is now about 5½ pounds and over 18 inches long—about the size of one of those price-club sheet cakes.
via 35 Weeks Pregnant – 3D Pregnancy Calendar
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