And it’s official … I’m getting bigger. Lol!! We finally took belly pics this weekend but I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance to upload them. And the panoramic of the nursery. Sorry! As soon as I can … I’ll send them on … I promise. Getting harder to get comfy. Which makes me anxious considering the fact that I know I still have ~3.5 months left. Eek!! As usual … below is the update!!
How your baby's growingHead to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.
See what your baby looks like this week.
How your baby's growingHead to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.
See what your baby looks like this week.
How your life's changingYour baby's not the only one with more hair — your locks may look more full and lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can — the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.
You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. Unless your caregiver has advised you otherwise, it's fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.
When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your caregiver will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.
Have you started thinking about baby names yet? Choosing a name is an important decision, but it should be a fun one, too. You may want to consider family history (Great Grandpa Zeb), favorite locations (Venice, where you honeymooned), or cherished literary or film characters (Greta, Meg, or Atticus, for example). Check out a couple of baby-name books to help you brainstorm, too.
3 Questions About...Third trimester prenatal care
Q1.How often will I see my caregiver in the third trimester?
Between 28 and 36 weeks, you'll see your caregiver every two weeks. One month before your due date, this will increase to once a week.
Between 28 and 36 weeks, you'll see your caregiver every two weeks. One month before your due date, this will increase to once a week.
Q2.What will she do at each appointment?
• Ask how you're feeling physically and emotionally and follow up on any issues raised at your last appointment. Among other things, she'll want to know if you're having contractions, vaginal bleeding, or unusual discharge; if you're having headaches; and if you're feeling anxious or depressed. Let her know if you have any symptoms that haven't been addressed.
• Ask about your baby's movements. She'll remind you to call if you sense that your baby has gotten less active. At some point, she may ask you to start counting your baby's movements for a set period of time each day.
• Weigh you and check your urine for signs of preeclampsia, urinary tract infections, and other problems. Take your blood pressure and check your ankles, hands, and face for swelling.
• Check your baby's heartbeat and do an abdominal exam to estimate your baby's size and position. She'll measure the distance between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus to see if your baby's growth rate seems normal.
• Possibly check your cervix. Don't expect a pelvic exam at every visit. Many caregivers don't do one unless they have a specific concern, such as preterm labor. Once you pass your due date, your provider will check your cervix to help decide whether (or when) to induce your labor.
• Tell you what to watch out for. She'll tell you about the signs of preterm labor and preeclampsia, and review other warning signs that should prompt a call. As your due date nears, she'll discuss the signs of labor and let you know when you should get in touch with her.
• Go over your labor and delivery questions. Make a list with your partner and bring it to a prenatal visit.
• Discuss postpartum decisions like whether you plan to breastfeed or circumcise your son. She'll also discuss your options for postpartum contraception. If you haven't found a doctor for your baby, your caregiver can give you some names.
• Ask how you're feeling physically and emotionally and follow up on any issues raised at your last appointment. Among other things, she'll want to know if you're having contractions, vaginal bleeding, or unusual discharge; if you're having headaches; and if you're feeling anxious or depressed. Let her know if you have any symptoms that haven't been addressed.
• Ask about your baby's movements. She'll remind you to call if you sense that your baby has gotten less active. At some point, she may ask you to start counting your baby's movements for a set period of time each day.
• Weigh you and check your urine for signs of preeclampsia, urinary tract infections, and other problems. Take your blood pressure and check your ankles, hands, and face for swelling.
• Check your baby's heartbeat and do an abdominal exam to estimate your baby's size and position. She'll measure the distance between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus to see if your baby's growth rate seems normal.
• Possibly check your cervix. Don't expect a pelvic exam at every visit. Many caregivers don't do one unless they have a specific concern, such as preterm labor. Once you pass your due date, your provider will check your cervix to help decide whether (or when) to induce your labor.
• Tell you what to watch out for. She'll tell you about the signs of preterm labor and preeclampsia, and review other warning signs that should prompt a call. As your due date nears, she'll discuss the signs of labor and let you know when you should get in touch with her.
• Go over your labor and delivery questions. Make a list with your partner and bring it to a prenatal visit.
• Discuss postpartum decisions like whether you plan to breastfeed or circumcise your son. She'll also discuss your options for postpartum contraception. If you haven't found a doctor for your baby, your caregiver can give you some names.
Q3.What tests are coming up?
Depending on your situation you may be offered:
• Hematocrit/hemoglobin: This blood test for anemia is usually repeated during the third trimester. (If you were tested when you took your glucose challenge test and the results were normal, it might not be repeated.)
• Gestational diabetes testing: If you have a normal glucose screening test between 24 and 28 weeks, consider yourself done. But if your screening results are abnormal and you haven't yet done the glucose tolerance test, you'll be tested now.
• Rh antibody screening: If you're Rh-negative, the antibody screen will be repeated (usually at the same time as your glucose challenge test) and you'll get an injection of Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks. In the unlikely case that some of your baby's blood gets into your bloodstream, the Rh immune globulin will protect you from developing antibodies that could pose a risk to future babies or even this one. (Note: if your baby's father takes a blood test and is found to be Rh-negative like you, you'll know that your baby is also Rh-negative so you won't need the Rh immune globulin.)
• Biophysical profiles and nonstress tests: If you have certain pregnancy complications or you've passed your due date, these tests will be ordered to check on your baby.This Week's ActivityDedicate time to your partner this week. Treat your partner to a romantic surprise. Write down all the things you love about him, tell him why you think he'll be a great dad, or just go for a stroll while holding hands. Take time to connect on a physical and emotional level and celebrate what connects you and makes you love one another. Try to do something at least once a week that clearly communicates the importance of your partner in your life, says clinical psychologist Diane Sanford.
As for me …
Depending on your situation you may be offered:
• Hematocrit/hemoglobin: This blood test for anemia is usually repeated during the third trimester. (If you were tested when you took your glucose challenge test and the results were normal, it might not be repeated.)
• Gestational diabetes testing: If you have a normal glucose screening test between 24 and 28 weeks, consider yourself done. But if your screening results are abnormal and you haven't yet done the glucose tolerance test, you'll be tested now.
• Rh antibody screening: If you're Rh-negative, the antibody screen will be repeated (usually at the same time as your glucose challenge test) and you'll get an injection of Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks. In the unlikely case that some of your baby's blood gets into your bloodstream, the Rh immune globulin will protect you from developing antibodies that could pose a risk to future babies or even this one. (Note: if your baby's father takes a blood test and is found to be Rh-negative like you, you'll know that your baby is also Rh-negative so you won't need the Rh immune globulin.)
• Biophysical profiles and nonstress tests: If you have certain pregnancy complications or you've passed your due date, these tests will be ordered to check on your baby.This Week's ActivityDedicate time to your partner this week. Treat your partner to a romantic surprise. Write down all the things you love about him, tell him why you think he'll be a great dad, or just go for a stroll while holding hands. Take time to connect on a physical and emotional level and celebrate what connects you and makes you love one another. Try to do something at least once a week that clearly communicates the importance of your partner in your life, says clinical psychologist Diane Sanford.
As for me …
- Baby certainly feels heavier than a pound and a half. Maybe that’s because the tiredness is starting to come back to me?
- Hair has always been full but it’s certainly coming out like normal. Although I will say … it’s silkier and shinier than it’s been in a LONG time. And THAT I’m enjoying.
- Yes I’ve noticed I’m not as graceful as I once was. And especially because my right foot still isn’t up to “dani speed” yet. And my ankles are swelling at the end of the day. All I can is fortunately … we only have 10 games left. Renewals are just around the corner which mean late nights too … eek!! But starting around May 1st things should be calming at the office for me and will help me out the last 2 months. *fingers crossed*
- Glucose test completed … results are good. No need for follow up. To be honest, I’m not sure if they tested the other things mentioned in this list. But doc said I’m good for now … so I’m sure if they need to suck my blood again … they’ll let me know. I’m very fortunate that the Kaiser labs are open on the weekends. It’s been VERY helpful. - We’ve been thinking about baby names for a while now. But we’re not telling … We will however take suggestions.
- I’m anxious about starting the doc visits every 2 weeks in about 3 weeks time. Only because of the season winding down and renewals starting. Makes it a little more difficult. But I have to do it … it’s best for me and baby. And fortunately I have someone on my side … even if Brandon/Don don’t understand … Brandon’s girlfriend is a neo-natal nurse she’ll help me out if he gets lippy. Lol!! But I doubt he will. He’s always been very easy to talk to when it comes to what I need for the baby and doc appts.
- It’s been suggested that I start taking my allergy medicine to prepare for allergy season since it’s just around the corner and some trees are already starting to bloom. I will start that sometime this week or weekend to keep ahead of it.
- We’ll need to start looking into pediatricians. But first we need to figure out if PwC is taking away Kaiser come July 1st!
- I’ve been given forms to pre-register for the hospital. I’ll be turning those over the next appointment. As well, starting in about 2 weeks I’ll be keeping track of “kick counts”. This means that at the same time every day, I have to see how long it takes to feel the baby kick, punch, rollover, etc. It must take less than 2 hours to feel 10 movements. If not, then I have to call L&D.
Activity this week … it seems like I’m usually ahead on these although there’s one we’re still behind on. But THIS one … we do normally without being told. We had a rough start to Sunday morning when Mike’s work laptop crashed and left him with ~5 hours of work that needed to be completed before the start of Monday. Stressed and panicked … we went for a walk to get breakfast. It was a nice morning to hang out and be with each other. Walk hand in hand and talk about how abnormal we are to have such a seemingly normal and loving relationship. J Hope everyone’s weeks are going well … busy here for both Mike and I. But we’re trucking through it like normal. Love to you all ………..
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