30.4 Week Ultrasound!

May 28th 2013

Today was an exciting day! I finally got to see my baby boy and see how much he has grown since our last ultrasound ten and a half weeks ago. 

Jamie and I went to this really swanky fetal medicine clinic and we sat in a small room with a flat screen TV in front of the bed where we were able to watch the entire ultrasound! The technician was great and she measured all of his body parts as well as his fluid levels. Also, she checked his cord, his kidneys, and his heart. The doctor said that he is looking great and that all of his body parts are measuring in the correct percentile. Baby is already estimated to weigh close to 4.5 pounds which is HUGE! Although an ultrasound at this point in pregnancy can often be wrong about the weight of the baby-but still...he's almost 5 pounds now!!!! 

The bad news is that he is head down right on my cervix and my cervix is stressed. The doctor told me that I need to have another follow up ultrasound in 2-3 weeks to determine if my cervix has shortened. If it has, the doctor told me that my midwives would then need to prepare me for an early birth. So...I'm not sure what will happen when I go back but I was told to take it easy for the time being. The ultrasound was great, but now I'm worrying about my increased risks for premature birth. 

Baby's nose and mouth

Baby's Foot

Baby's fist and face

Baby's head and face with his mouth open

Side profile of baby

7th Midwife Appointment Part 2.

May 28th 2013

30 weeks 4 days 

Today I went in for my full midwife appointment. We met with a new midwife today who was really nice and took the time to answer all my questions. 

She took my blood pressure, which was great as always. I also weighed myself and I gained one pound so now I'm up a total of 11 pounds. The midwife also measured my belly, which was measuring at 32ish weeks. The midwife also checked his heart rate which was 150 BPM. 

I got some bad news at my appointment unfortunately. I was originally going to St. Paul's hospital, as it offers more choices, but then I was offered a spot at BCCH, which I was thrilled about as it is the only local hospital with a birthing tub. I really want to attempt a natural labor and delivery and I feel that being able to labor and deliver in the tub would help me to be successful. Now that BCCH closed the Cedar ward where they have the birthing tubs, I no longer have the option of a water birth. So now I have to rewrite my birth plan and explore other options. At least St. Paul's hospital has a tub that I can sit in during labor. 

At my appointment I asked a bunch of questions. Firstly I asked if I need to be vaccinated against whooping cough, as I had read that it was a recommended vaccine to get while pregnant. The midwife had never even heard of that so she said she would consult with the other midwives and get back to me.  I also asked if they do cervical checks once I am full term, and she said that they don't do it, but at 41 weeks they offer a stretch and sweep of the membranes. I asked if they do massage during labor and if they will try and stretch the perineum and she told me that they do provide massage and some of them can even provide acupressure massage, however, she personally does not try and stretch the perineum as she found it tears more easily that way but that each midwife has their own philosophy regarding that. I also asked if they will provide referrals for a family doctor or a paediatrician and she said that they no longer do that, but directed me a website where I can find a doctor. 

Overall it was a good appointment and I am booked for three more appointments next month-two of which will discuss preparation for birth and complications. 

30 Weeks!!!!!

May 24th-May 30th 

How Far Along: 30 weeks!!!  Only 7 more weeks until full term and 10 until due date!

Size of baby: Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage).

My baby this week:   A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Sleep: I've been falling asleep pretty fast lately and sleeping for about 9-10 hours a night. Still getting up at least twice to pee.

Best Moment of the Week: Knowing that I'm finally 30 weeks pregnant and that I could be holding my son in less than 2 months!!!!!

Movement: Yes-baby has been moving a lot this past week except for that one night I ended up in the hospital lol.

Food cravings: Pizza, sushi, and whatever I happen to see on commercials lol!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

What I Miss: Being able to walk normally. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Seeing my baby again on our ultrasound. 

Milestones: Having the energy to deep clean my entire apartment today! 

Emotions:  Getting bored sitting at home and wish I could still be working, but otherwise I've been fine. 

Symptoms: Major pubic pain, round-ligament pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps, exhaustion, swelling. 

7th Midwife Appointment Part 1.

May 23 2013

29 weeks 6 days

So today I went for my seventh midwife appointment armed with lots of questions and excited to learn how much my baby has grown. Unfortunately after waiting about 10 minutes, I was told that my midwife had to rush to the hospital as the on-call midwife was sick and unable to go. 

So I was able to have a quick mini checkup. I weighed myself and I was so relieved to see that I hadn't gained a single pound since my last appointment three weeks ago! So far, I'm up a total of 10 pounds and I hope not to gain too much more during these last ten weeks. The midwife checked my blood pressure, which was good as usual and she checked the baby. She was able to feel his head and back and said that he was head down and in a great position! Also, he is measuring at 31-32 weeks-ahead as usual. His heart rate was 150 BPM just like last time! 

I expressed my concerns that he has always been measuring ahead and that at my detailed anatomy scan, the tech was unable to measure his hands. Thankfully, the midwife ordered me another ultrasound so hopefully I will be able to go within the next week or two. 

I rescheduled my appointment for Tuesday so hopefully then I will be able to ask all of my questions. 

My first trip to labor & delivery

May 19th 2013

29 weeks 2 days

The day was a busy one and I was up early and out all day and night for a friend's birthday party. I hadn't felt the baby move much during the day but I didn't think anything of it because he is sometimes quiet during the day. 

At night, when I lay down to go to bed, the baby usually moves around like crazy, but when I lay down finally at 12:45, he wouldn't move at all. I tried laying on my left side on the couch and on my bed. I tried drinking cold water and poking and prodding my stomach but he still wouldn't move!!!

Since I'm past 28 weeks, I am supposed to call the midwife if the baby doesn't move at least six times in two hours. So I called in around 2 am and she decided I should go to the local hospital for fetal monitoring. 

So at 2:15 am I arrived at the hospital with my husband and I went up to the labor and delivery floor. I had to put on a gown and lay down on the hospital bed. Then the nurse came in and placed two fetal monitors on my belly-which were connected to a heart rate machine. As soon as the monitors started working, they picked up the baby's heart rate immediately. I had to lay there for 45 minutes but I got to watch the baby's heart rate going up and down on the monitor just as it should. And of course when I got there, he started moving around. I cannot believe how stubborn this little boy is already!

The nurse also measured me and as usual, I was measuring over two weeks ahead. Before I left, I was assured that his heart rate was going up and down and was measuring perfectly! 

Thankfully, I got to leave the hospital after only being there for a couple hours and hopefully I won't need to go back until I'm in labor!

29 Weeks!!!!!

May 17th-May 23rd

How Far Along: 29 weeks!!!  Only 8 more weeks until full term and 11 until due date!

Size of baby: Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.

My baby this week:  His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Sleep: Same old, same old. It takes a while to get comfortable and I wake up a couple times to pee. 

Best Moment of the Week:  Feeling him kick up a storm every morning and night and watching the delight on my husband's face when he gets to feel the baby!

Movement: Baby has been moving around like crazy!!!!

Food cravings: Been indulging in ice cream lately...have to have it every day!

Gender: BOY!!!!!

What I Miss: Work...I actually miss going to work because I like to be busy, but I know that being off my feet is what I need to do to keep baby boy healthy. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Next week, my baby will have completed 75% of his stay in the womb hotel!

Milestones: Baby is over 3 pounds! 

Emotions: Pretty stable, although there are times I succumb to laughing/crying fits!

Symptoms:  Same old symptoms, except this week I have been getting some major braxton hicks.

28 Weeks!!!!!

May 10th-May 16th 

How Far Along: 28 weeks!!!!!

Size of baby: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to her heels.

My baby this week: He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Sleep: Pretty much the same-been getting up twice a night to pee at least! 

Best Moment of the Week:  Getting some new maternity tops that fit, and setting up the nursery!  

Movement: Yes! Baby boy is moving so much and getting the hiccups!

Food cravings: Still dreaming about that passion tea lemonade...

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

What I Miss: Beer...not gonna lie, wish I could "crack open a cold one."

What I'm Looking Forward To: Getting the rest of the baby items I need to completely finish the nursery. 

Milestones: If born early, baby boy now has a 90-95% chance of survival! 

Emotions: It's been a really stressful week-with the advice of my doctor and midwife, I decided to leave work early. 

Symptoms: Braxton hicks, exhaustion, round ligament pain, acne, heartburn, nausea, vomiting. 

Bellies To Babies Expo!

May 5th, 2013

27 weeks 2 days

So I went to my first ever baby expo! Basically what it entails is a whole bunch of vendors with individual booths set up in a ballroom. Each vendor has a draw you can enter to win something for free-whether it be services or a gift ect ect. There was also a grand prize shopping spree and a super trendy stroller that could be won. 

What was great about the expo was that each vendor had pamphlets and I got a lot of valuable information about paediatric dentists, breast feeding, placenta encapsulation, cloth diapering, and RESPs.  I also got a lot of info about crap I will never use like special wooden teethers, over priced photo shoots, and space-age strollers that look like they are made to push around aliens instead of babies. 

Unfortunately, it was like 30 degrees outside and it seems as though there was no air conditioning in the building so I felt like I was going to pass out! Who thought that putting a couple hundred pregos in a hot, crowded building would be a good idea?

One of my favourite booths was the Tender Tooshies cloth diapering booth. I bought three cloth swim diapers which are adjustable to fit babies from 9-35 pounds, as well as baby leg warmers, a pacifier clip, reusable breast pads, and socks with grippy soles! 

Overall, the expo was a lot of fun and I got to go with my mom too! 

Grow Baby Grow!

What a difference 13 weeks makes! The picture on the left is me at 13 weeks, and the picture on the right is me, 13 weeks later at 26 weeks! I didn't realize how big my belly had grown until I put these images side by side! 

27 Weeks!!!!!

May 3rd-May 9th 

How Far Along: 27 weeks!!!  Third trimester!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Size of baby: This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended.

My baby this week: He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Sleep: Been sleeping really badly so far. Now that the weather is starting to get hot, I'm getting even more uncomfortable. 

Best Moment of the Week: Attending the Bellies to Babies expo! 

Movement: Love feeling my little man move! Although his movements are supposed to be irregular, it still freaks me out when he has his lazy days and doesn't move as much! 

Food cravings: Still could go for a Passion Tea Lemonade and some spicy salmon sushi!

Gender: BOY!!!!!!

What I Miss: Being able to easily put shoes and socks on. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Shopping for summer maternity clothes!

Milestones: Made it to the final trimester! Baby boy has completed two thirds of his stay in the womb hotel! 

Emotions: Feeling geriatric and frustrated at my inability to do things I used to! Also, realizing that I am outgrowing my maternity shirts is really depressing! 

Symptoms:  Nothing new. Nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, acne, braxton hicks, round ligament pain, pelvic pain, heart burn. 

Sixth Midwife Appointment

May/1/2013

26 weeks, 5 days

So today I went in for another midwife appointment. I was pretty excited to know that I would be coming every two weeks for my appointments, instead of four weeks. The first thing I was asked when I got there, was why I was coming in again so early, considering that my last appointment was only two weeks prior. This really annoyed me, because I was not the one who scheduled the appointment or told me to come in after only two weeks. I just feel like all of the midwives that work in the clinic should be on the same page and that I shouldn't be made to feel stupid for their mistakes. Sigh. So this midwife told me that after 28 weeks, I need to be coming every 2 weeks, but then my next appointment wasn't scheduled until four weeks later! 

After that fiasco, I discussed my concerns about my recent weight gain. Luckily, I did not gain any weight for the first half of my pregnancy, but from weeks 20-27, I gained 10 pounds! 10 pounds may not seem like a lot considering that I am just entering my third trimester, but a ten pound gain in less than two months is a little scary. My midwives assured me that it was normal and that I would be gaining more weight from now on, as the baby is growing so much! Considering that I don't wait to gain a pound a week for the last trimester, I've decided to cut back on my treats and make an effort to be more active. The problem is, with morning sickness and nausea, I try and eat whatever I feel like I can stomach, which is carbs a lot of the time. Also, with asthma and pelvic pain, it's hard to do any activity without being in pain and losing my breath. 

The results from my GTT were discussed, and I was assured that I do not have any problems with my blood work! 

The midwife also took my blood pressure, which was good as usual. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat again, which was 150 BPM. The midwife measured my uterus, which measured at 29 weeks. Considering that the baby is measuring 2-3 weeks bigger at each appointment, I may be sent to have a growth ultrasound so they can better determine his size. I guess I will find out at my next appointment if I will be sent for another ultrasound or not...

Glucose Tolerance Test

April 28th 

26 weeks, 1 day

So I decided to get the dreaded glucose tolerance test (GTT) over with as soon as possible, so I went on a Saturday so that my husband could be with me. 

First of all, I had to get up early-which normally wouldn't be so bad, but ever since getting pregnant, I feel so tired that my whole day is shot. 

Secondly, I had to fast for ten hours prior to the test-I couldn't have water, food, or even gum! Asking a pregnant woman to not eat is torture!!!!! 

When I got to the clinic for my appointment, I realised that I forgot the stupid requisition form so Jamie had to go all the way back home to pick up the form before returning to the clinic. Because of this, I was a half hour late getting started and that meant I had to go even longer without food. 

Since I went on a Saturday morning, the tiny little clinic was packed and it was really stuffy. I asked if I was allowed to go stand outside or walk around and I was told that I had to remain seated for the whole two hour duration of my test! For me, having to sit still for two hours in a crowded, stuffy clinic is really taxing. 

The first part of the actual test involved a blood draw, which tested my sugar levels, as well as my iron and blood cell count ect. After the blood test I had to chug this glucose drink that looked like orange pop and tasted like extra sweet, flat orange pop. I was amazed with myself that I was able to chug that nasty sugar drink in 30 seconds and keep it all down!!!! 

After waiting for an hour, I had to have a second blood draw. And after waiting for another hour, I had to have a third blood draw. Unfortunately for me, I have really crappy veins and I had to have all three blood draws taken from the same little vein in my arm. Eight days later and it's still bruised...

Thankfully, there is this awesome on line service called Myehealth, where you can access the results of lab work. Later that night, my results were posted and I learned that ALL of my blood work came back normal-which means that I do not have gestational diabetes! 

What a relief! I was convinced that I would get it for sure, so I was really happy to learn that I avoided that complication. 

This is my poor arm the day after the test...the picture doesn't even come close to capturing how awful the bruising really is. 

26 Weeks!!!!!

April 26th-May 2nd

How Far Along: 26 weeks! The last week of the second trimester. 

Size of baby: He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

My baby this week: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Sleep: Sleep is okay. I mean, how good of a sleep can a person have when they're getting up multiple times a night to pee and are tossing and turning until they can finally find a comfortable position?!

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing my husband's face when my baby kicked his hand for the first time!!!! Also, my sister in law feeling him kick and the baby kicking and moving around so much that myself and others can see him moving through my shirt! 

Movement: Yes. Some days the baby is moving non-stop and other days he barely moves at all. Very random. I like the days when he's moving a lot! 

Food cravings: Spicy salmon sushi! FINALLY, after craving it this whole pregnancy, I had a delicious mouth watering piece of salmon sashimi and a couple pieces of a spicy salmon roll. SOOOO GOOD! 

Gender: Boy!!!

What I Miss: Being able to paint my toenails!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Making it to the third trimester! 

Milestones: At 26 weeks, a baby has an 80 percent chance of survival if born. 

Emotions: I think I've been fairly emotionally stable. 

Symptoms: Same old, same old. Nausea, vomiting, acne, heartburn, exhaustion, braxton hicks.