Baby’s size: Around 6 pounds and 19 inches long. Every book/app seems to say something different, so I try to go with whatever the most average measurements are. However… I had my 36-week appointment, and my fundal height measured at 31-32 weeks. Suddenly I’m four to five weeks behind? I’m scheduled for a growth ultrasound this coming week, so hopefully we’ll get a good look at her actual size.
Maternity clothes?: Yep. I’m hoping I can still wear tees and shorts for these last few weeks (I have maternity jeans, but no long sleeves). I’m okay with the fall weather waiting to get here until I can fit into my jackets and sweaters again.
Gender: Sweet baby girl!
Symptoms: Still some sciatica. It seems to strike out of nowhere, and it doesn’t seem to matter if I’ve been sitting or standing for most of the day.
Sleep: I wake up a lot at night, but when I’m sleeping, it’s actually pretty good-quality shut-eye. I dream about holding her almost every night, and I had another dream about what she looked like this week. I’m holding on to that image of her sweet, chubby cheeks and big beautiful eyes as I get through these last few weeks of pregnancy.
Movement: Still lots! Her movements are getting more painful though.
Cravings: None.
What I miss: Just having running/getting around being easier.
Anything making you queasy or sick?: I’ve mostly felt good this week!
Belly Button in or out?: Flat and sometimes poking out.
Exercising?: Ran 19.9 miles, walked 1 mile. Fitbit total: 76,842 steps. Somehow it seems like I need a bathroom break after the first mile of running, but after that, I’m usually good for another 2-3 miles. I’m still not sore or in any pain when I’m running, which amazes me, because I think I had some serious hip pain with my other babies by this point. I think the support belt and better shoes have a whole lot to do with it.
Mood: Phew. I have been pretty emotional about everything this week. More details on that below.
Best moment this week: Taking Kaya out on her real birthday and celebrating her!
Looking forward to: Seeing this little girl at our ultrasound this week, and hopefully hearing that she is growing well in there.
Big sisters: They practically squabble over who gets to kiss my belly first/for the longest amount of time. They love this little baby so much. I can’t wait for them to kiss her for real when she arrives!
Comparison: 36 weeks with Kaya; 36 weeks with Kaelyn. Same shirt, same weight, such different bellies!
Anything else?: Since my fundal height measured 4-5 weeks behind, I have a growth ultrasound this coming week. One of the midwives warned me that if the baby is under the tenth percentile for size, they’d discuss inducing at 37 weeks. I know that is a big “if”, but it has made me so nervous! Induction is something I’d like to avoid, but I also just want to know my baby is okay.
I also found out this week that I tested positive for Group B streptococcus (GBS), so that complicates my hope for an unmedicated birth a bit. I really would have liked to labor at home for as long as possible, but I need to get there at least four hours before she’s born to receive the required antibiotics. It just makes things a little trickier.