35 week update

I can't believe it's down to the last 5 weeks!

• How far along: 35 weeks 3 days
• Size of baby: On the ultrasound today, the baby measured 6lb 3oz (64th percentile). His/her head was in the 80th percentile....how fun. That should mean an 8.5 lb baby around the due date. 
• Latest Dr. appt: I've been going weekly for non-stress tests--NST-- (sitting in a cozy recliner while the baby's heart rate is monitored) and it has been fine each time (looking for variation in heart rate to match movement). The baby looked GREAT on the ultrasound today....lots of movement, practicing breathing movements, hands in the mouth, wiggling feet, and I even saw hair on his/her head! BP was 115/75.
• Total weight gain: 25 lbs. Surprisingly, I only gained a pound in the last 3 weeks.
• Gender: still a surprise!
• Movement: The kicks are really uncomfortable at times, especially in the evenings and it looks like there's an alien in there from the outside. Every now and then, I'll feel a foot or hand stick out the side. If I push it back in, he/she pushes it right back out. :)
• Sleep: I'm starting to wake up more to go to the bathroom, but usually go right back to sleep easily. I am generally uncomfortable in the bed by 6:30, so I just get up. I'm so fortunate to still be able to get about 8 hours at night!
• Cravings: Nothing in particular. After my last Dr. appt at 32 weeks, they called to tell me that I was anemic, so I've been trying to eat more red meat. I still can't handle the thought of a steak, but I've eaten a few hamburgers. I started taking iron supplements and feel a lot better!
• Symptoms: Just feeling BIG! Still going to the chiropractor regularly, but having some sharp sciatica pains every now and then. Nothing too terrible though.
• What's next: Continued NSTs each week and I'll see the Dr. again in 2 weeks, at 37 weeks. 

He got a great shot of the baby's face today!

The big 35 week belly. I'm not so sure this will be a 'smaller' baby because of the 2 vessel cord. ;)

20 Weeks: Half Way!

I can't believe it, but we're half way to meeting this sweet baby!

*I never know what to call the baby, since we're not finding out the gender, so to avoid calling the baby "it", I'm going to refer to him/her as Baby C (since Arabelle and Bo are A & B....not saying the name will start with a "C"...you know we haven't even discussed it!)

I had my 20 week ultrasound today and got lots of cute shots of the baby's profile. Baby C had their hands up near the face the whole time.

Pregnancy Highlights:

• How far along: 20 weeks 4 days
• Size of baby: About the size of a banana, 10 inches from it's head to heel. On the ultrasound, Baby C weighed an estimated 13 ounces (40th percentile)!
• Total Weight Gain: 7 lbs since my last appt....YES, 7 lbs in a month! I guess I really DID enjoy the Christmas season to the full extent. ;) 9 lbs total. Not too bad for half way, but more than ever for me. 
• Maternity Clothes: Definitely for pants. I've got several shirts that still work and have been wearing Lindsey's size Small maternity shirts. I'm sure I'll grow into my Mediums soon! 
• Gender: We didn't look when he did the measurements on the lower half (bladder, femur, umbilical cord, etc.), so we really don't know!
• Movement: Definitely feeling lots of kicks and jabs now throughout the day. I can see and feel the baby move from the outside now too. This is my favorite part!
• Sleep: I am still exhausted by the end of the day and want/need my 8 hours at night. 
• What I miss: Having a lot of energy, running
• Cravings: No cravings really...still can't stand the thought of a hamburger or steak right now. 
• Symptoms: I still feel nauseated most of the day, but it eases a bit right after a meal. Obviously the growing belly and baby kicks!
• Best moment of the week: seeing the baby on ultrasound today!

The ultrasound did show one issue, a single umbilical artery (SUA). Normally there are two arteries (delivering nutrients to the baby) and one vein. In 1% of pregnancies, the umbilical cord just has 2 vessels, 1 artery and 1 vein. SUA can be a marker for other problems (chromosomal and congenital malformations), but everything else on the ultrasound looked fine and my blood work for chromosomal disorders was normal, so there's no reason to think there's any other issues. The only thing is the risk of the baby not getting enough nutrients and growth slowing later on in the pregnancy, so there will be some extra monitoring as I go along. I'll go in a couple of weeks for a level 2 ultrasound in Macon just to get a more in-depth look at everything. This may mean I'll have a 7 lb baby instead of a 9.5 lb chunkster! ;)

In the mean time, we're just praying that everything is fine and trusting in God's plan. 

20 weeks

*Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7