38 weeks

IT'S A BOY!

January 9th, 2008

Jack Elias is due March 5th. We've started our child birth classes and picked our pediatrician. It's beginning to seem real! I feel pretty good, though my back has started to hurt often - stretching and walking help. I have mild heartburn but nothing a few Tums can't handle. The acne problem I've had throughout pregnancy continues full-force, and I had my first braxton-hicks contraction recently. I wouldn't say I'm tired of being pregnant yet, but I can see that day coming. I am excited about meeting our little man! It's hard to believe in 2 short months a baby will be joining us, and our lives will be dramatically changed forever!

January 22nd

I am 34 weeks today and still feeling pretty good on the whole. Today, I feel tired and big and clumsy, though. Oh wait, maybe that's because I AM! I had a dream last night that I was holding newborn baby Jack on my stomach, lying in bed. He was sleeping, and it was the most wonderful, serene feeling. It's the first dream I've had where things were normal. I've had dreams where he's born premature and one where he was born looking about 12 months old. I had a shower last weekend, and there's another one coming up this weekend. Between that and our childbirth classes, it's really seeming close!

February 5th

36 weeks today! Jack has been moving a whole lot over the past week. What's going on there?! Last time we saw the doctor, we did a biophysical fetal profile, because Jack's weight is a little on the low side - 16th percentile. He passed the BFP with flying colors, though! We'll do a BFP every Wednesday morning until he's born. If his growth drops off too much or his heart rate doesn't do well, they'll have to induce early, but I'm thinking and hoping that won't happen.

I feel pretty good. My daily walks are shorter and less intense, though. I get tired and out of breath quickly. Plus, walking makes me have to pee. It does make my back feel better. I'm still doing prenatal yoga once a week. It's awesome - feels great! My new symptom is that I wake up several times a night with the middle of my left hand asleep and achy - weird.

February 21st

38 weeks, 2 days today. At our appointment on Tuesday, our doctor said he wants to induce sometime next week. He's concerned about baby Jack's slow(ish) growth rate, though he's passed all his NST's and BFP's. They used the doppler on the umbilical cord last visit, and it sounded good - the rate of it's pulsations was normal. I'm nervous about the idea of inducing early, but I'm also nervous about leaving him in there, if he's really not getting enough nourishment. I'm excited about meeting him soon, too. It's a whole lot to think about - overwhelming, in fact.

I feel pretty good compared to a lot of people at this stage. My hands and feet are a little swollen. I have heartburn, and I have to pee ALL THE TIME! I've actually tinkled in my pants a little once or twice. I'm emotional, moody, tired and distracted, but I think we're as ready to become parents as a couple can get. As nervous as I am, I can't wait to hold him and see his little face!