December 24, 2011
December 20, 2011
Christmas is coming!
We're really looking forward to Christmas and family coming to visit! And we know all those family members would love if Baby Wynne made a Christmas appearance while they're in town!
We are full-term now (37 weeks) , so a delivery at anytime would be OK, but I think Ryan and I are hoping for an early January arrival!
We are full-term now (37 weeks) , so a delivery at anytime would be OK, but I think Ryan and I are hoping for an early January arrival!
(Thanks Aunt Kimmy for the adorable tree ornament!)
December 19, 2011
Baby Bump Week 36
My initial reaction when I saw this week's photos was: "Wow, am I really that big!?!"
I guess that is a good thing, because I don't feel totally huge (most of the time!).
So here are the "normal clothes" and "black dress" photos.
(click on the "bump" label on the right to see photos from week 20 on! Crazy!)
I guess that is a good thing, because I don't feel totally huge (most of the time!).
So here are the "normal clothes" and "black dress" photos.
(click on the "bump" label on the right to see photos from week 20 on! Crazy!)
 |
| Week 36 Baby Bump |
 |
| Week 36 Baby Bump |
 |
| Week 36 Baby Bump |
December 18, 2011
Dr appts Week 36
Two doctor appointments in one day. Sigh.
The early morning appointment was with the perinataologist. These are my favorite! This is when we get to see Baby Wynne (of course, the whole point is to measure size, not have a photo shoot, but we enjoy the viewing much more than the measuring!). Ryan was even able to come with me!
We watched Baby Wynne for a good 20 minutes while the tech took measurements and printed out some photos for us (the best ones are below). Baby Wynne mostly slept during the ultrasound, despite being awake all morning up till that point. As usual, he/she was a bit stubborn and faced away from us (toward my back) for most of our show, but then gave us a glimpse of the face near the end.
The tech was able to get a lot of good measurements and let us guess an estimated weight. At first, I said 20lbs (because I am feeling like poor Baby Wynne is squished in there!) and then I seriously guess 7lbs -- and was right on! Based mainly on measurements of Baby Wynne's belly and head, the tech is pretty confident that she/he weighs 7lbs. This is given with a +/- 1lb differential (meaning the baby could really weigh 6lbs or 8lbs), but the tech tried to convince us that she is usually right with her estimates.
So ... more than 3 weeks of growing left and Baby Wynne weighs 7lbs!!!
Based on these measurements, if Baby Wynne doesn't come on her/his own, it is likely we will be induced before the official due date (of January 11th).
On to the second appointment of the day, this time with my regular OB. As always, it was busy and I waited for a while, then got shoved into a tiny little ultrasound room for the whole appointment. They did the typical measurements (heartrate, blood pressure, my weight, etc) and then had to do a few other tests that are standard at 36 weeks. They did an internal exam to swab for Group B Step bacteria (which will be treated with antibiotics if it comes back positive) and took some blood. The also checked Baby Wynne's position (head down!) and my cervix (good times!). The doctor also confirmed that it is unlikely they will let us go until the official due date since Baby Wynne is measuring so big right now.
I will now be going weekly to the OB to get checked right up until Baby Wynne arrives!
The early morning appointment was with the perinataologist. These are my favorite! This is when we get to see Baby Wynne (of course, the whole point is to measure size, not have a photo shoot, but we enjoy the viewing much more than the measuring!). Ryan was even able to come with me!
We watched Baby Wynne for a good 20 minutes while the tech took measurements and printed out some photos for us (the best ones are below). Baby Wynne mostly slept during the ultrasound, despite being awake all morning up till that point. As usual, he/she was a bit stubborn and faced away from us (toward my back) for most of our show, but then gave us a glimpse of the face near the end.
The tech was able to get a lot of good measurements and let us guess an estimated weight. At first, I said 20lbs (because I am feeling like poor Baby Wynne is squished in there!) and then I seriously guess 7lbs -- and was right on! Based mainly on measurements of Baby Wynne's belly and head, the tech is pretty confident that she/he weighs 7lbs. This is given with a +/- 1lb differential (meaning the baby could really weigh 6lbs or 8lbs), but the tech tried to convince us that she is usually right with her estimates.
So ... more than 3 weeks of growing left and Baby Wynne weighs 7lbs!!!
Based on these measurements, if Baby Wynne doesn't come on her/his own, it is likely we will be induced before the official due date (of January 11th).
On to the second appointment of the day, this time with my regular OB. As always, it was busy and I waited for a while, then got shoved into a tiny little ultrasound room for the whole appointment. They did the typical measurements (heartrate, blood pressure, my weight, etc) and then had to do a few other tests that are standard at 36 weeks. They did an internal exam to swab for Group B Step bacteria (which will be treated with antibiotics if it comes back positive) and took some blood. The also checked Baby Wynne's position (head down!) and my cervix (good times!). The doctor also confirmed that it is unlikely they will let us go until the official due date since Baby Wynne is measuring so big right now.
I will now be going weekly to the OB to get checked right up until Baby Wynne arrives!
MEASUREMENTS:
Mommy's Weight Gain: +2 lbs (6lbs total)
Mommy's Weight Gain: +2 lbs (6lbs total)
Cervix: Not dilate or effaced at all yet!
Baby's Heartrate: 165 bpm (in the morning) and 130bpm (in the afternoon)
Baby's Estimated Weight: 7lbs (82nd percentile)
Baby's Estimated Weight: 7lbs (82nd percentile)
 |
| More weird 4D ultrasounds ... but Baby Wynne is just so cute! Week 36 |
 |
| Week 36, 4D cute little face |
 |
| A more traditional ultrasounds shot of the left side of the face and some little hands! |
 |
| Apparently Baby Wynne has a full head of hair!! |
Little hiccups
Baby Wynne's new favorite activity -- hiccups!
At least 3 times a day (sometimes more!), I feel Baby Wynne hiccuping like crazy!
It happens at all times of day and night and can last for a few seconds or about 5 minutes! So far today, Baby Wynne had hiccups at 4:45am, 11am, 3pm and 4:30pm.
Cute. But totally weird too.
My whole belly moves ... even Ryan could see it! ... and Baby Wynne usually starts shifting around, as if trying to get comfortable.
There's not too much scientific information out there about fetal hiccups, but no one seems to be concerned about it. Like in adults, it is a spasm of the diaphragm. In unborn babies, some doctors think hiccuping is one way babies practice breathing and strengthen the muscle to do so.
I have also read that there is a correlation between hiccups in the womb and newborns that hiccup! So we'll have to see if Baby Wynne is a hiccuping little newborn!
At least 3 times a day (sometimes more!), I feel Baby Wynne hiccuping like crazy!
It happens at all times of day and night and can last for a few seconds or about 5 minutes! So far today, Baby Wynne had hiccups at 4:45am, 11am, 3pm and 4:30pm.
Cute. But totally weird too.
My whole belly moves ... even Ryan could see it! ... and Baby Wynne usually starts shifting around, as if trying to get comfortable.
There's not too much scientific information out there about fetal hiccups, but no one seems to be concerned about it. Like in adults, it is a spasm of the diaphragm. In unborn babies, some doctors think hiccuping is one way babies practice breathing and strengthen the muscle to do so.
I have also read that there is a correlation between hiccups in the womb and newborns that hiccup! So we'll have to see if Baby Wynne is a hiccuping little newborn!
December 14, 2011
Dr appt Week 35 -- virtual edition
Another email/phone call "appointment" with my GD dietitian.
During this 2-week span, I have noticed that my glucose levels have gone up a bit. Not much (still below the "threshold" most of the time), but consistently higher. I haven't changed my diet at all, so I was slightly concerned.
Now that we're getting so much further along, I have found sleeping to be a little more difficult. I do go to the bathroom pretty often, but I also struggle falling asleep because it's just hard to get comfortable. Also, with the last weeks of work, I am still up at 5:30am, regardless of how little sleep I get!
This reduction in sleep apparently may be one reason why my glucose levels went up. Sleep = good! :)
Also, I guess it's not uncommon for insulin resistance (which is what GD is) to increase as the pregnancy goes on. We only have a month left, so the insulin resistance may continue to increase as the baby grows and I put on another couple pounds!
The dietitian was full of assurances that this is all normal and I shouldn't worry. She suggested a bit more walking around and more sleep! Nap time sounds great to me! :)
Two more (real) doctor appointments this week ... and then at least one appointment a week until Baby Wynne arrives! We're really getting close now!
During this 2-week span, I have noticed that my glucose levels have gone up a bit. Not much (still below the "threshold" most of the time), but consistently higher. I haven't changed my diet at all, so I was slightly concerned.
Now that we're getting so much further along, I have found sleeping to be a little more difficult. I do go to the bathroom pretty often, but I also struggle falling asleep because it's just hard to get comfortable. Also, with the last weeks of work, I am still up at 5:30am, regardless of how little sleep I get!
This reduction in sleep apparently may be one reason why my glucose levels went up. Sleep = good! :)
Also, I guess it's not uncommon for insulin resistance (which is what GD is) to increase as the pregnancy goes on. We only have a month left, so the insulin resistance may continue to increase as the baby grows and I put on another couple pounds!
The dietitian was full of assurances that this is all normal and I shouldn't worry. She suggested a bit more walking around and more sleep! Nap time sounds great to me! :)
Two more (real) doctor appointments this week ... and then at least one appointment a week until Baby Wynne arrives! We're really getting close now!
December 11, 2011
December 5, 2011
Baby Bump Week 34
The weeks seem to be getting shorter as Baby Wynne is getting bigger!
Here are this week's baby bump pictures!
As always, a "normal clothes" and some "black dress" photos!
Here are this week's baby bump pictures!
As always, a "normal clothes" and some "black dress" photos!
 |
| Week 34 Baby Bump |
 |
| Week 34 Baby Bump |
 |
| Week 34 Baby Bump |
December 4, 2011
Certified for Birth!
As you probably know, Ryan and I have spent the vast majority of our life in school. Collecting degrees and now helping others collect degrees. So the debate for taking a birthing class came to an end when we found out we got an actual certificate (too bad Ryan's name isn't spelled correctly!)!
In addition to getting a new "diploma", we also learned a bit about the birthing process.
Well, I do want to say that we knew a lot of the stuff already. We've read a lot of pregnancy books. Our friends have all had lots of babies. And we're biologists, so we know a bit about the actual process of it, like the stages and the hormones involved, all the anatomy of it, how the drugs work, etc. That part wasn't as helpful for us as it may have been for others, but there were some terms that we learned to describe things that we didn't know previously. It's good to know the terms used by the nurses.
I think the most valuable portion of the class was the hospital tour and learning how things worked. It made me feel a bit more comfortable for when we actually have to go there for "the big day". I am not someone that feels comfortable at a hospital. All of my hospital visits have been to see friends or family members that were very sick. Hospitals are "bad" places in my mind. They make me anxious ... the smell ... the thought of germs ... yuck.
But our maternity ward is nice! It smelled very clean!! And it was bright and sunny. Nice views of the river! Our own private room (for delivery and recovery)! Lots of nice nurses, everyone is friendly and helpful. We found out where to check-in, where to park, what to do. It made me (and Ryan) feel more prepared and less anxious. Definitely worth taking the class!
On an interesting side note, we were one of two couples that took the Saturday class. The other couple -- a woman with a PhD in physics and her husband who is finishing his PhD in physics at the University of Rochester. She grew up in Ontario (not too far from Buffalo) and he grew up near Ryan's hometown in PA. Seriously ridiculous. It really is a small world!
Now that we're officially certified, I feel like we're ready for the birth of Baby Wynne. Of course, I hope Baby Wynne waits at least 3 more weeks!!
December 2, 2011
Dr appt Week 34
Another (surprisingly quick) appointment with my normal OB. I actually met with the doctor this time and not just the PA. It was especially quiet at the office today, so she wasn't even as rush and frazzled as they usually are at my practice!
Just the same old stuff ... weight, urine, blood pressure, heartrate. Nothing exciting -- which I am happy with!
Next appointments are in 2 weeks (yay!)!
MEASUREMENTS:
Mommy's Weight Gain: 0 lbs (4 lbs total)
Baby's Heartrate: 145 bpm
Just the same old stuff ... weight, urine, blood pressure, heartrate. Nothing exciting -- which I am happy with!
Next appointments are in 2 weeks (yay!)!
MEASUREMENTS:
Mommy's Weight Gain: 0 lbs (4 lbs total)
Baby's Heartrate: 145 bpm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)