Week 27: Cauliflower

And after our 3-D scans … it seems even more real than it had before. He’s more and more active and you can even sit and watch my tummy “bump” from time to time. It’s so crazy … and we can’t wait for him to make his big debut!! As always … info is from www.babycenter.com.

How your baby's growing:This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

How your life's changing:The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions about postpartum birth control before your baby arrives. If you're considering a tubal ligation, be aware that most states require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your caregiver. (You can still change your mind later.)Beyond orange juice

Symptoms you should never ignore

So many aches, pains, and strange feelings arise during pregnancy that it can be hard to decide what's normal and what warrants a call to your doctor or midwife. To complicate matters further, some symptoms may be more or less urgent depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Here's a rundown of symptoms that could be a sign of a problem. If you have any of these complaints, call your doctor or midwife immediately:
Before you reach 37 weeks:
• Pelvic pressure (a feeling that your baby is pushing down), lower back pain (especially if it's a new problem for you), menstrual-like cramping or abdominal pain, or more than four contractions in an hour (even if they don't hurt)
• An increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge — if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody (even if it's only pink or blood-tinged)
At any time:
• Your baby is moving or kicking less than usual
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain or tenderness
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting, or watery discharge
• Pain or burning when you urinate, or little or no urination
• Severe or persistent vomiting, or any vomiting accompanied by pain or fever
• Chills or a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Blurred or double vision, or seeing spots or "floaters"
• A severe or persistent headache, or any headache accompanied by blurred vision, slurred speech, or numbness
• Any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, anything more than mild swelling in your fingers or hands, or severe or sudden swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles, or a rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week)
• Severe or persistent leg or calf pain that doesn't ease up when you flex your ankle and point your toes toward your nose, or one leg significantly more swollen than the other
• Trauma to your abdomen
• Fainting, frequent dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or palpitations
• Difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or chest pain
• Severe constipation accompanied by abdominal pain or severe diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours
• Persistent intense itching all over
• Any health problem that you'd ordinarily call your practitioner about, even if it's not pregnancy-related (like worsening asthma or a cold that gets worse rather than better)Even if you don't see your symptom on the list above, trust your instincts and call your caregiver whenever you have a concern about your pregnancy. If there's a problem, you'll get help right away. If nothing's wrong, you'll be reassured. This Week's Activity:Sign up for a breastfeeding class. If you are a first-time mom and planning to breastfeed your baby, it's a good idea to take a breastfeeding class. Ask your caregiver or childbirth education teacher where you can take one. Or call La Leche League. It can help you locate breastfeeding resources in your area.

As for me …

• I can feel him having the hiccups often. Just as I do. I think my favorite instance to date was last Sunday when I had to work. We had a game Saturday night and it was daylight savings. So getting to the office at 8:30am (my body thinking it’s 7:30am) I was A LOT tired. There was a moment when I was quite literally falling asleep at my desk. The only thing keeping me awake … his hiccups. I rubbed my tummy and told him to be quiet so mommy could sleep.


• My back … yup … Mike is giving me back rubs with a lot of frequency now. Thankfully he’s so good at it and such a great guy that he does. But I think it’s time I set up an appointment for a prenatal massage to really get deep down for me. And give him a rest.


• And the leg/foot cramps are definitely coming back. I’m realizing how important it is that I’m getting my potassium and water intake with those coming back. Because they hurt so bad. Especially when it’s my right foot since it’s still not 100%.


• We’re keeping an eye on the swelling in my feet. Each doc visit I’ve had no protein in my samples which means that I’m still out of the woods for pre-eclampsia but I still have to be aware. Another sign is rapid weight gain (4lbs in one week) and that hasn’t happened. The swelling does go down when I get off my feet and not sitting at my desk too long. I now have a little step ladder under my desk that I put my feet up on and that’s really starting to help as well. (thanks Stevie!! It’s the one she used when she was pregnant 2 yrs ago). \


• I will start my “kick counts” on Thursday this week. This means that I have to select a time (same time every day) after a meal and count how long it takes to get 10 movements/kicks. It MUST occur under 2 hours otherwise I have to call L&D (Labor and Delivery). I’ve been “practicing” and he seems to take 30 minutes or less which is the goal. \


• Classes … ugh … Mike and I are so behind. We’re just so busy. But I have to get these scheduled. We will … we have to …

I just wanted to touch on a topic really quickly … Mike and I know that everyone wants to be around for the joyous moment that which is the birth. But also realize that it will be difficult for those out of town or even close by. Given work schedules, etc. Not to worry everyone … he won’t be here in a matter of minutes even when he does decide he’s ready. An EDD or “estimated due date” is just that. Estimated. He could come on June 20th but there’s only a 2% chance of that occurring (sorry Michael … I know you really want him to be born on Father’s Day J). He can come earlier and he come later. He’ll come whenever he darn well pleases. Although I keep teasing that because I’m notoriously a “little late” in everything I do in life … that he’ll be early to prove a point to me.

With that said … for those on the outskirts or out of town … Donny/Jamie and Missy … plan on coming later. Being here “for the birth” is so hard to plan. Since I’m not a candidate for a c-section (fingers crossed it stays that way) we can’t pinpoint when he’ll be here for sure. I’d hate for any of you to take time off to be here around the time of the birth and still miss it. Whether he came early before you arrived or later after you left. Our suggestion … come when we KNOW he’ll be here. Even if I haven’t had him yet … they won’t let him stay in there forever. Because it’s not good for either of us. They’ll induce usually about 10 days later, putting me right around July 1st. So come for the 4th of July weekend. I know I’ve already mentioned this to Donny but just thought we’d share our thoughts with everyone.

We hope everyone is doing well … spring is finally starting to appear and I know we’re enjoying it here in the bay area. Don’t let work keep you too busy (take your own advice Danielle) and take a chance to watch the trees and flowers bloom!!! We love you all …