29 Weeks Pregnant -- Only 11 more weeks to go!

Can you believe it is almost November already?  Wow, time sure does fly by! Today marks 29 weeks of pregnancy.  It's been such a wonderful and easy pregnancy so far.  God sure has blessed me with that.

Last week was a busy week...we finished up getting our bathroom re-done the day that Jesús' brother and his family came into town to visit.  So we were busy cleaning and getting all the dust out of the house so it would be clean by the time they came.  Then, we had a great time visiting with the family and spending time with them for the 4 days they were here.  So now, I am a little tired and catching up on some rest.  But it is all worth it. :-)

Mommy Update:

Week 29 Bump

Last week, as you know, we had a 3D ultrasound done on Sunday.  Well, on Wednesday, we had another ultrasound scheduled so that they could check to make sure my placenta was positioned well (which it is now) and also to check on baby.  Everything checked out well, she is growing and doing well and looks completely healthy.  Also, on Wednesday, I did the 28 week gestational diabetes (GD) test.  My doctor called me back and told me my numbers were a little high, but not to worry.  However, he wants me to take the 3-hour GD test just to confirm whether or not I have it.  I am a little anxious about the outcome of the test, but am trusting God that whatever happens He will help me through it.  So I take that test this Thursday morning...please pray that I will have good results and not be diagnosed with GD.

I had my normal checkup with the doctor last week as well.  My blood pressure is good and everything else checked out well.  I told him about the numbing in my hands and also the pain I have in my pelvic area and he said that this is all normal.  Which I figured. :-)  So, he said not to worry as long as when I rest the pain subsides a little...which it does.

Lastly, I am starting to get a little nervous that we don't have anything for our daughter yet...as far as furniture goes.  Her room isn't set up at all...or cleared out yet.  We are 11 weeks away!  We need to get going on this.  We do have the crib....but it's in Indiana.  So we will pick that up in November sometime.  I just need to get a dresser or two...or maybe an armoire.  I don't want to spend alot of money on it so I'm checking craigslist every day!  So hopefully I will find something I like soon!

Baby Update:
So, at the ultrasound on Wednesday, the doctor told us that she was approximately 3 pounds 2 ounces!  So she is larger than what the websites say is average...which is about 2 1/4 pounds.  When I asked the doctor about that, she said that those websites are normally low on their averages.  So we'll see...who knows how large she will get in the next 11 weeks!  I just have a feeling that she's going to be a 9 pound baby...

So, right now, she is a little over 15 inches long from head to heel.  Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. Her sleep-wake cycle is now well developed, but she spends most of her time sleeping. She has started to develop REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep, or the dreaming stage of sleep.  (I wonder what they dream about??)  From now until birth, she will be packing on the body fat and weight.

She is moving around like crazy now.  I think since she is bigger I just feel more of her movement.  I started counting kicks at night (since the doctor told me to start keeping track).  I am supposed to feel at least 10 kicks within an hour.  Well, I felt 10 kicks within 5 minutes each time!  So she's a mover!  Either that, or she already has that competitive spirit that mommy has (thanks to the Herring side of the family! ha!).  Last night she was giving me combo punches...it was hilarious!  None of them hurt yet...so I'm thankful for that.  :-)

So...that is all for now.  Please keep my in your prayers on Thursday morning.  I will let you know the results in my next blog.  Take care!!

Love
Lisa

28 Weeks (7 months) Pregnant Today!

Today marks the 7 month mark of my pregnancy.  I can't believe I am this far along already! We had a 3D ultrasound on Sunday morning and I had a regular checkup yesterday (Monday).  The 3D ultrasound was AMAZING! We were able to see what our little girl looks like and to me she looks like her daddy.  The first thing I noticed was that she had daddy's nose and then after a few more minutes I noticed that her jawline and chin were like her daddy's.  I can't wait to see her in real life and meet her!


Mommy Update:
As I said above, I also had my regular checkup on Monday morning.  Everything is good -- my blood pressure is good and her heart beat is still strong.  Also, I was able to ask my doctor about the numbing that is happening in my hands (primarily my left hand) and the pain in my pelvic area and he said this was all normal.  He suggested I wear the braces for carpal tunnel on my hands as that may help a little.  Also, for the pelvic pain, he said as long as it gets better after resting (which it does) then it is completely normal.  So, all if well with me.  Tomorrow I will be taking the test for gestational diabetes (the 1-hour test) to make sure that I don't have it.  Also, we are getting a second Level 2 ultrasound to make sure all is well with baby and my placenta.  Overall, I still feel good, but I noticed I am walking a little slower now...and a little wobbly :-)

Baby Update:
This week, she weighs about 2 1/4 pounds and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. Her hair is growing longer, and her beautiful eyelashes and eyebrows are also growing longer and thicker. She can also blink her eyes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through the womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.  I have been able to feel her movement more and more this past week since she is getting bigger and stronger.

Well, that is all for this week.  I hope you are enjoying these updates.  Until next week....

Wishing you many blessings,
Lisa

27 Weeks -- I am in the 3rd trimester!!

So, today I am officially in the 3rd trimester! [At least, according to most calculations I am...there are some websites/doctors that calculate it differently.]  So we are on the final journey of this pregnancy.  I still can't believe I'm pregnant...God is so good!

Mommy Update:
I was able to go home to Indiana last weekend and see my family.  That was a nice visit and they were excited to see me and my belly! Jesús had to stay back at home because we are getting our bathroom re-done and he wanted to be there in case any questions came up.  So it was just me (and our little girl) visiting this time. I was able to find a couple new shirts at my favorite resale shop (The Revolving Closet) so I am happy about that! I hate paying full price for maternity clothing (actually, any clothing!) so I always love it when I find something there.  Physically I am still feeling the same and overall I feel really good. :-)  I weighed in today and I am up 4.8lbs from last weeks weigh in!    The last weight gain like that was back in week 24.  So total weight gain so far is 18.2 pounds.

Baby Update:
This week our little girl should weigh about 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended.  She is waking and sleeping at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and maybe even sucking her fingers. Her brain is very active now since more brain tissue is developing. If I feel any rhythmic movements, then most likely it is her hiccuping!  Her reproductive organs are now in their proper place and her ovaries contain all of the egg-producing follicles that they will ever make in her lifetime (this is amazing to me!).

It's funny because I was just telling my family that she has regular times of movement now.  Normally I feel her move first thing in the morning when I wake up.  Then again, I feel small movements right before lunchtime.  Then, around 8-9pm she really starts moving! She gives me some big kicks in the evening.  Then, like clockwork, I wake up at around 1am because I have to use the bathroom and she moves after that as well.  So it's pretty cool that she is on a somewhat regular schedule now.  I wonder how much that will change after she is born? I know it will have to change since she'll need to be fed more often...but I will be interested to see if she is more of a night person since she is more active in the evening....I guess we shall see!

Next week we have 2 ultrasounds scheduled.  The first one is not with the hospital.  It is a 4D ultrasound. I can't wait for that!  The second one is another level 2 ultrasound to make sure all is well.  So it's a busy week next week and we'll get to see our little girl twice :-)  Yay!  Have a good week!!

God bless,
Lisa

26 Weeks -- Baby is the length of a scallion!

We are at week 26 already! Six and a half months pregnant...I can't believe it!

Last night we went on a tour of the birthing center at Sherman Hospital.  It was very informational and lasted about an hour.  We saw the labor/birthing rooms, which are all private rooms.  In the room there was the bed (of course), a chair that turns into a bed that can be used by Jesús if he needs rest (ha ha! I'm sorry, but I can't imagine him sleeping if I'm in pain...that is not him), the warming table/scale for baby, TV w/DVD player to help pass time by, a shower that can be used during labor (I
can have warm water streaming down on my back to help with pain), and I can request a squatting bar for the bed that will assist us during labor.  Also, they have a whiteboard where I can put all my "requests" of how I want my labor/delivery to be.  That way all the nurses see what my desires are.  I can bring in my own music as well and have lights dimmed to make the environment more calming. However, honestly, my plan is to labor as long as I can at home before we go to the hospital.  We have timed our drive to get there and it only takes 10-12 minutes to get there.  So hopefully I won't have to be in the labor/delivery room for more than a few hours.

After delivery, she told us that they have a policy that they call "The Golden Hour".  Where the baby is placed directly on mommy's abdomen/chest, skin-to-skin, for an hour so that baby and mommy can bond and also begin breastfeeding right away.  It also is the best way to regulate baby's body temperature.  This made me so happy! This is something I was going to request in my birthplan, but it eases my mind knowing that they already have this policy so they understand the importance of the skin-to-skin contact right after birth.  During this time, it is uninterrupted time between mommy, daddy, and baby. Then after the Golden Hour, the baby is assigned a nurse that is called "Baby's First Friend" or BFF.  The BFF will put the baby on the scale/warmer (which is located right next to mommy's bed) and take all the measurements and give her her first bath. During that time they will be cleaning me up and packing all of us up to transfer us to the mother/baby room which is a private room as well.  So all in all, we will have about 2 hours before visitors can see our baby.

Once I am in the mother/baby room, then visitors can come in.  However, they do have a time designated between 1-3pm where they request that visitors don't come because it is "nap time" for mommy and baby.  It just gives mom's and dad's a break from visitors so that they can nap or bond with the baby without being interrupted by anyone, including nurses. They said for a normal delivery that we would be in that room for 2 nights and then will be discharged.  Sometimes, if everything is good, they will discharge after only a one night stay at our request.


She also took us to see the Special Care Nursery for babies who are sick or might have fluid in their lungs.  She explained that to us.  Then she showed us where c-sections were performed and explained procedures concerning c-sections. She was able to show us where the regular nursery was, however, I wasn't able to look at any babies because they had the blinds closed for privacy issues. Bummer! :-)

Lastly, she explained the security measures that are taken to protect the baby.  Jesús and I will both have wristbands that match the bands that are on each ankle of our baby.  Also, our baby will have a magnetic band that will set off an alarm if the main door is open an
d our baby is too close to the door or is taken outside of the maternity area.  If that happens, all elevators will go to the 3rd floor (maternity area) and be stuck there so no one can leave.  So, it is pretty secure.

So, all in all, I feel very good about having my delivery at Sherman.  Also, I feel so relieved to know that our baby girl will be with us as all times unless we request she be taken to the nursery (which is highly unlikely to happen!)

Now, for the updates:

Week 26

Mommy Update:
I still feel good, even though I do still have ligament/joint pain. Also, my left hand is bothering me a bit because it keeps getting numb if I have my arm bent for too long or if I am laying down and it is above my head (if that makes sense).  I know this is normal because the blood isn't able to get down to my hands which is causing the numbing effect.  I think it is carpal tunnel syndrome which can happen to women who are pregnant, but normally the symptoms go away after birth.  So, that is what I am hoping!  I am just massaging my forearms, wrists and palms to try to lengthen and loosen any tight muscles and tendons and that has helped alleviate most of the numbness.  Other than that...all seems to be good.  I am still doing my nightly exercises (squatting, pelvic tilts, and kegals) to help prepare for delivery...so I feel confident I will be ready!

Baby Update:
The network of nerves in baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both mommy and daddy's voice as we chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. She's continuing to put on baby fat and now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches (about the size of a scallion) from head to heel. Her face is getting rounder and fatter, as her fat reserves are giving her face a more rounded appearance. By now she can make coordinated hand and feet movements. She frequently brings her hands and feet to her mouth. If born early, she now has a 60 percent chance of surviving!

Well, that is all for this week. I know this was a long post, but I had to tell you about the birth center tour.  Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

God bless,
Lisa

Week 25 Pregnancy Update

Today marks 25 weeks of pregnancy.  It seems that each week goes faster and faster.  I know that towards the end it will probably seem slower and slower...but right now time is flying by!

Mommy Update:
I feel pretty good.  I am having more ligament pain now. Especially when I first get up from sitting down, it takes a minute to work itself out. It seems to hurt worse when I have a full bladder, so the pressure/heaviness is what triggers the pain I think.  It's not a pain that is so bad that I can't stand it...on a scale from 1-10 (ten being the worst pain I've ever felt), it's probably a 4 initially, but then goes down to a 2 after I walk around for a little while.  So, not too bad.  Plus, I'm seeing my chiropractor on a regular basis so I know that is helping me stay aligned and in good health.  Oh, I also learned that my uterus is about the size of a soccer ball now!

I weighed in again today, as normal.  I am up 0.2 lbs this week which is a total weight gain of 12.8 lbs.

Baby Update:
Baby girl has been moving around alot this past week.  I love it!  She's given me a couple of hard kicks that shocked me a bit...but it didn't hurt. I was just surprised at her strength! She's about 13 1/2 inches from head to heel and about 1 1/2 lbs.  She is starting to grasp her hands and wiggle her fingers and toes. And nails are starting to form on the fingers and toes.  She's also adding some baby fat to her body so her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more like a newborn.  She's growing more hair -- and if we could see it, we'd be able to tell what the color and texture is!  She also has a sense of equilibrium, so she now knows which way is up and which way is down.  Also, if she were born this week, she'd have a good chance of survival.  (However, I want her to stay nice and cozy for now and continue to grow healthy and strong!)

Next Monday we are taking a tour of the birthing center at Sherman Hospital.  It will be good to see the rooms and get a sense of where I'll be during the last part of labor.  Since the hospital is only 5-10 minutes away, my goal is to try to labor as long as I can at home so that I can walk around and use the techniques I am learning in the Bradley Method class we are in. Plus, I will be more relaxed at home in my own environment so that will help.

Well, I think that is all for this week.  Have a blessed week everyone!