Home Stretch

Its amazing how quickly the last 36 weeks have gone by...and now they have completely slowed down. We only have 4 weeks left before our due date but this last week has felt like FOREVER long. I knew it would be that way but I was hoping it might move a little faster. Since our hospital visit, we have had two appointments. The first one was just a normal appointment. Pee in a cup, weight, blood pressure, baby's heart rate, any questions? At this appointment, the doctor said that as long as I wasnt having more than 6 contractions in an hour and they werent painful, just drink a lot of water and everything will be fine. Of course, my body is difficult and had anything from 4 in an hour to 10 in an hour but I refused to go back into the hospital. I figure I know my body and I would know if something was really wrong. Everything is fine and dandy now.

My last appointment was a little more eventful. I had to get a Group B Strep swab. Group B Strep is present in 30% of women and doesnt cause any symptoms at all. However, if you are positive and the baby comes in contact with it (vaginal delivery), it can cause issues with the baby. So if you are positive, you have to be on IV antibiotics when you go into labor for at least 4 hrs before the baby is born. I am hoping to not have an IV of any kind (just a Heparin Lock) so being GBS positive would stop that plan. Luckily, Im negative! So as of now, no IV! My doctor also performed my first internal exam (with the exception of when they checked during my hospital visit). At 35 weeks, I am not dilated but I am 50% effaced. I was a little surprised to have any progress at all but the real test will come if I have made any more progress. We will probably find out at my appointment on Thursday if anything has changed.

Ive been having more cramping and pain with my normal contractions over the last week. I definitely feel them in my low back and low stomach. I know its just my body practicing and I dont have to breathe through them at all. But they do give me a chance to practice some of the breathing techniques we learned in our birthing classes. They are definitely there more often when I go into work instead of working from home. I think its because when Im at home, I can put my feet up and get comfortable instead of sitting upright all day in an office chair. I will probably start working from home exclusively either next week or the week after. As of now, my first official day of maternity leave is October 7th. Anyway, Baby Abel has also been moving around a little more often over the last few days. The only problem with that is that its starting to get painful when he moves around instead of enjoyable. Sharp kicks and punches are not as much fun. And at some points, it feels like he stretches out so much that he puts pressure on some nerve or something in my lower middle back. It feels like someone is stabbing my back...not so fun.

We have also made some progress in getting ready for the baby to come home. Brad installed the car seat the other day and we washed the covers and everything. I packed up the diaper bag (that my awesome Aunt and Uncle gave us) with what we have. We still need some travel wipes and things like that and Im not going to pack clothes in there till I know how big he is going to be. I printed out a list of things to pack for our hospital bag but we are still missing some things to pack so I havent started on it quite yet. We will be purchasing those items this weekend and finalize everything we are bringing with us. We are almost there! Brad and I are definitely getting more anxious and ready to go. Im sure the next 4 weeks will DRAG on.

Brad actually tried to log on one night and put another post up but after writing a long 45 min post, it somehow got deleted and he gave up. Im gonna bug him till he does it again. I love getting his insight :).


How far along? 36 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 38 lbs...Definitely retaining water (yucky swollen feet)

Sleep: Still up to pee a lot but now its harder to get back to sleep. That could be because its an act of God to roll over these days.

Best moment this week: GBS negative!!

Movement: Starting to hurt but glad he is moving around.

Food cravings: Still Cherry Limeades...someone mentioned doughnut holes earlier today and they sounded DELICIOUS!

Gender: Boy...still

Belly Button in or out? Out

What I miss: Seeing my feet...Im so over being pregnant.

What I am looking forward to: Believe it or not, seeing my sweet husband's face when he gets to hold his little boy for the first time.

Milestones: Full Term!!

And I will leave you with a picture of my sweet baby boy. :)