35 Weeks

THIS WEEK
I am 35 weeks pregnant, if I were going to our due date there would be 35 days left but for us we're looking at 25 days until our delivery. Or sooner, let me explain, this week has been "eventful" as I started having these dull aches and they would last longer than I would like but they would eventually go away however at 34weeks 4days those dull aches became sharp and no amount of water or laying down would ease them, although they would come and go which was comforting as it was different from my abruption - I was starting to feel very worried so when Daddy came home we headed to L&D. We were soon hooked up to an nst and although it showed minimal to no contractions, the doctor assured we did the right thing by coming in and wanted to rule out preterm labor. When she checked my cervix I was dilated between 1-2cm and 'shorter than usual' and although this could be normal progression to labor as this isn't my first pregnancy she wanted to make sure that the pains I was experiencing weren't changing my cervix. Four long and uncomfortable hours after we had arrived I was discharged, my cervix hadn't changed and although they couldn't completely rule out preterm labor I did appear to not be in active labor and with how close we live to the hospital she reviewed when to come back (or even if I am just worried) and ordered I take it easy, reducing my activity level to zero for the next few weeks to try and get to 37 weeks without changes to my cervix just incase. Although I know we are nearly to full term and baby girl is developed enough that she would be okay coming early, it was so scary and nerve wracking as we waited between cervix checks wondering if we would possibly have our baby girl that night. Thankfully not and I am going to spend the next few weeks doing as much as I can to keep her growing healthy and strong inside. Just a few more weeks Lillith, mommy & daddy can't wait to meet you but as long as you're safer inside - stay there :)

BABY UPDATE

Baby girl is the size of a cantaloupe over these next few weeks; weighing anywhere between 4.2lbs - 5.7lbs and measuring from the top of her head to the tips of her toes anywhere from 17 inches to 18.5 inches. 

Our baby girl is entering a stage of rapid growth and weight gain, over these next few weeks she will gain anywhere from a pound to several however by now she should have reached her height limit while in my belly. At about the halfway mark of my pregnancy her weight was only 2% body fat but by now that percentage has soared to 15% and will likely reach 30% at term.

MOMMA UPDATE
I am so relieved that we are home and baby girl is growing safely within me, this week was very stressful and I am just trying to adjust my restlessness to accommodate bed rest. I have been so sore this week, as I mentioned above, and those sharp pains still make me nervous but I'm trying to just take it easy. With the preterm labor scare we are feeling a little more pressure to get ready, just incase, I was so frustrated that my nearly packed hospital bag was sitting at home while we were at the hospital wondering if we were going to have our baby girl that night. Needless to say, it put our butts in gear (or at least mine as I've been fighting the nesting urges for weeks already) to just get it done. I am still fighting off that sinus cold from the end of last week, seems to be at the end of the cold and I am hoping I don't get it for a third time (and that it is done making it's rounds through our house). I'm officially back to doing kick counts, the timed on paper ones, not the idly noting 6 movements but twice a day I have been ordered to have a snack, lay down and time 6 movements in at least two hours which shouldn't be a problem for our strong little miracle. Which her movements continue to get stronger everyday it seems, sometimes I'm completely surprised by her strength and while she remains in her breach position she seems to like to put her little feet into my ribs and I can't believe she is big enough to do that!

Measuring 47.5 inches

DADDY MOMENTS
Taking me to the hospital at a moments notice, even if it were just to ease my worries. I also still, absolutely love seeing the bond Daddy and Lillith already have as he talks to her and she kicks and rolls about.

FAVORITE PART OF THE WEEK
Does not being in active preterm labor count?

LOOKING FORWARD TO
Seeing my obstetrician this week, although now we have more to discuss than my upcoming c-section.

xo, Anne.