Ready For Baby at 35 Weeks 💖

           On my 35 weeks today... Seems like only yesterday, time really flies so fast!

God willing, coming soon! 👩💖👶

Ready for baby... 

   Just had my prenatal check-up yesterday. As a routine, had my blood pressure checked,  my urine and also weight. Thankful all was normal, I now weigh 71.6 kilograms. 

   Hubby and I saw our precious little girl once again during the ultrasound.  The doctor checked the measurements, showed us every parts of her including the amniotic fluid.  So glad to know that my placenta has already moved up as before it was low-lying. Thanks be to God everything was fine, the doctor even told us that our little girl is a big baby. She now weighs 2.4 kilograms.

   As our baby being big at this stage, I was told to avoid sweets. Actually, I'm not fond of sweets, I am more into salty and spicy foods but at times I only eat sweets due to cravings at times. I was also asked to reduce my carbohydrate intakes especially rice.

   Afterwards, as my due date approaches (23rd of November), we were told to wait to discuss about the said matter. As soon as another doctor comes in, he was already announcing to us the scheduled date of my birth delivery which is on the second week of November. It was very overwhelming, I felt so happy and excited! 

   It just happened so fast! We had discussed about the risk of a repeat C-section, histories of my past pregnancies, the age of my kids, how they have been doing lately and some others. Right after, I was given my other upcoming doctor's appointments like my next ultrasound and Cardiotocography.

   Lastly, I signed the waiver/giving my consent to undergo a caesarian delivery.   

   Can't wait to share the good news to my kids while we're on the way home as just like us they are also excited on that big day. Just to share, both of them do a countdown everyday... It always puts a smile on my face! Big sister Amber always reminds me of how many days left til' we get to see baby while her little brother Moses looking at her, eyes filled with awe. They love their baby sister so much!

   

Mom in waiting... 💖

In my womb, I loved you... 😍

   Every day that passes is another day closer to meeting my precious princess! 👧

Can't wait to hold my precious little girl in my arms... 👩💖👶

   For my upcoming appointment, I'll be having my Group B Streptococcus test (GBS) on the 26th.

  

  For now, let's take a peek on what's happening this week:

Inside the Womb at 35 Weeks

 Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Photo courtesy of The Bump

Photo courtesy of Parents

Photo courtesy of Your Baby Library

Child length: measures 18.2 inches from head to heel (baby is as big as a pineapple)

Child weight: 5.3 pounds

At this stage: At 35 weeks pregnant, Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. He is seriously competing for space with every other organ scrunched into your torso. His once skinny arms and legs are now quite plump and irresistibly, squeezably soft.

Something else that's developing at a mind-boggling pace these day: your baby's brain power. While all other organs take a rest now after 9 months of gruelling work, the brain continues to work overtime, learning how to send messages to other parts of the body. Luckily, the part that surrounds that amazing brain, the skull remains soft. And for good reason: A soft skull will allow your baby to squeeze more easily through the birth canal.

He now looks like the newborn that you'll be welcoming into the world in a few weeks (only five more to go!). Your baby is also maturing on the inside too. He continues to practice his breathing movements, which move amniotic fluid in and out of his lungs to aid in their development.

The air sacs of your baby's lungs are becoming lined with surfactant, a chemical substance that keeps lungs expanded after each breath. This will help your baby breathe on his own outside the uterus.

His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete. He'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight. Your baby will put on a pound or more of baby fat before you meet him or her.

Baby’s hearing is now fully developed, and your 35-week fetus responds best to high-pitched noises. If you are pregnant with a boy, you would see on a 35 weeks pregnant ultrasound that his testes have probably fully descended (bet you hadn’t thought about that one!).

In preparation for birth, he is now upside down in your uterus. At this point, your unborn baby should be positioned with her head facing down toward the cervix and vagina. About 97 percent of babies have adopted this position by this point; the rest remain in what's known as breech position -- when the butt or feet are in place to come out first. If your baby's among this minority, it does increase your odds of needing a C-section, but there's a good chance your healthcare provider can correct the problem by turning him around manually with pressure applied on your belly. Called an external version, this process has about a 65 percent success rate.

Your Body

   Growing, growing, growing. Yup, baby and you. Now that you’ve reached 35 weeks pregnant, your uterus has grown to about 1,000 times its original size, a number that might sound exaggerated to everyone else but to you it probably feels more like a million. You can expect to gain about a half-pound each week until you give birth.

   Your abdomen may be stretched so large that you're starting to worry your baby is too big, but nature usually does a good job of matching up babies and moms. In any case it's hard to accurately assess a baby's weight at this point because as your baby grows, your amniotic fluid level rises and the placenta grows too.

   Your uterus which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to pee more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

   This week or next, you may have a Group B Strep Test. For it, your doctor will take a swap of your vaginal area and rectum and have it tested for bacteria called Group B Strep. This bacteria is common and isn’t going to make you sick, but it could be harmful to baby if he or she is exposed to it at birth, so knowing whether you have it is important. If you do, you’ll be given antibiotics during the birth to prevent exposure, and that’s that. Easy peasy.

   A labor signal to watch for is extra-thick vaginal discharge that's pink or even a bit blood-tinged. This is the start of your mucus plug dropping. The mucus plug is a ball of tissue that's been blocking your cervical opening during pregnancy to keep your uterus safe from germs. Losing your plug doesn't mean that labor's starting ASAP, though. Many women lose their plugs up to two weeks before labor officially begins.

Pregnancy symptoms that you might experience during this stage:

   As you wrap up your eighth month, you’re probably feeling some of these 35 weeks pregnant symptoms:

Frequent urge to pee. Yup, your bladder's being pressed on by baby (or babies, if you’re 35 weeks pregnant with twins), who’s likely sitting pretty low in your pelvis, getting ready for birth. Don’t let the extra trips to the bathroom deter you from drinking lots of water though dehydration puts you at risk for preterm labor, so drink up.

Constipation. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: make sure to get plenty of fiber in your diet. If you’ve tried everything and are still struggling with constipation, ask your doctor if it’s okay for you to take a fiber supplement or a stool softener.

Aches and pains in the hips and pelvis. These ouchies are continuing and you may even be feeling a few new ones. While you’re dealing with discomfort, look on the bright side: It’s a sign your body is getting ready to deliver your baby. Yep, all of this pain actually has a purpose! Your ligaments are loosening so that baby can make his or her way out of your uterus and into the world.

Braxton Hicks Contractions. At 35 weeks pregnant, you may have noticed an increase in the number of contractions you're having. It’s kind of crazy how hard your belly can get! Just keep an eye on those contractions; rest when you get them and drink lots of water.

With the above pregnancy discomforts, lower back pains are what I'm still dealing with each day especially when I get off from bed or when I stand up from long periods of seating.

I have noticed that I was frequently going in and out of the bathroom lately, might be due to I've been carrying my baby so low in my tummy. A more oblong-shaped belly that puts pressure on my lower back and pelvis at times.

Carrying low somewhat helps as I am lucky to seldomly experience shortness of breaths especially when laying down in bed. Still, I'm able to catch up enough sleep at night. 

Lastly, some Braxton Hicks contractions here and there at times especially when my baby moves a lot. She's really pretty good in doing somersaults, rolling here and there!

Overall, feeling good at this stage despite these common pregnancy discomforts. Thanks be to God!

Days left to birth:  21 days left via caesarian delivery

36 days left (87% of your pregnancy is completed)

Due date: 23 November 2017

Data Sources: Babycenter, The Bump, What To Expect, Parents.com, Due Date Calculator (YourDueDate.com)

Weighting For You At 32 Weeks! 💖

  

This little bun is almost done! :)

   Less than 8 weeks left til' my due date, 23rd of November! Wow, how time flies! :) But since I'll be having another caesarian delivery, God willing will give birth at an earlier date just like my previous twos.  This gives me a bonus of seeing my baby more sooner! 😊

Weighting for you... 💖

Blessed and thankful! 😍

   Every day that passes is another day closer to meeting her.  I am so excited! From the very beginning of this pregnancy, I already had this special bond with my baby. She is so precious to me! 💖

My gift from Up Above!

Can't wait to hold my precious little girl in my arms... 👩💖👶

   I'll be having another prenatal check up this week and an ultrasound next week, always happy and excited in here to hear my baby's heartbeat and see her once again! :)

  

  For now, let's take a peek on what's happening this week:

Inside the Womb at 32 Weeks

 Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Photo courtesy of The Bump

Photo courtesy of Parents

Photo courtesy of Your Baby Library

Child length: measures 16.7 inches (about the size of a large jicama)

Child weight: 3.8 pounds

At this stage: At 32 weeks pregnant, your baby's taste buds are developed, she may acquire a preference for the foods you eat, which she samples when she swallows amniotic fluid.

Your baby will gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Once again, your baby's bones go through yet another hardening phase around now, helping your baby with posture and strength and, of course, acting as a vital method of protection outside of the uterus. Your baby's skull will remain soft which helps it squeeze through the birth canal without doing too much damage to either of you. Known informally as the "soft spot", this part of the body doesn't actually firm up until early adulthood!

Your baby's brain is hugely advanced already, and by now your voice, and other voices around your baby will be very familiar and recognizable to him or her. The brain is also busy taking in everything there is to see, as your baby's eyes are open constantly during the waking hours now. Granted, there's not much to see in there, but it's all preparation for life outside of the womb.

Your baby is definitely big enough by now to survive outside the womb. Her lungs are maturing, and her heart rate is starting to slow down a bit. However, research shows that the fetal heart rate speeds up if the mother is stressed, so stay as relaxed as you can to help your baby stay peaceful.

She has definite sleep-and-wake cycles, but she probably sleeps about 70 percent of the time. Ultrasounds reveal that sometime between 32 weeks and 36 weeks babies develop the ability to dream. They have definite periods of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. Your baby also has periods of quiet alertness in which she listens to the exciting sounds beyond her dark room.

Between 32 and 38 weeks, your baby will also probably settle into the head-down, bottoms-up position in your pelvis in preparation for birth. That's because the fetus' head fits better at the bottom of your inverted, pear-shaped uterus, plus it’s easier during childbirth if your baby comes out head first. Fewer than five percent of babies prefer the bottom-down (or breech) position by full-term so don't worry if your little bean hasn't assumed the head-down position yet. There's still a good chance she'll flip before birth, even in the tight confines of your uterus.

In these past few weeks, it's all about practice, practice, practice as she hones the skills she'll need to thrive outside the womb from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. In anticipation of that momentous transition to mouth feeding, your baby's digestive system is all set and ready to go. And though you're weeks away from D-day, your baby's looking more and more like a newborn: As fat accumulates under her skin, it's no longer transparent and is now opaque.

Your Body

To accommodate your and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. And with your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

A 32 weeks pregnant belly should measure about 30 to 34 centimeters from the top of the uterus to the pelvic bone. Sometime between now and around week 34, baby will “drop” from up near your ribs to down near your pelvis, where he or she will hang out in the head-down position until delivery. When this happens you may notice you suddenly go from “carrying high” to “carrying low.” This isn’t a guarantee though; some babies don’t drop until mom’s actually in labor.

Pregnancy symptoms that you might experience during this stage:

Intensity is building in the symptoms department, since heartburn and contractions tend to get more noticeable around week 32 of pregnancy. But we’re guessing you’re so excited about baby’s impending arrival, these 32 weeks pregnant symptoms aren’t slowing you down at least not too much.

More Braxton Hicks contractions. Those “practice contractions” are likely getting more frequent and stronger. (This might be confused with 32 weeks pregnant cramping.) There’s one big difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and the real deal: These guys go away. Real contractions just keep coming. Women who are 32 weeks pregnant with twins are at higher risk for preterm labor, so definitely watch for contractions that don’t let up.

Darker nipples. Whoa! Suddenly those areolas look darker. No one knows exactly why, but one theory is they darken so that baby can see them better for breastfeeding. Your body’s pretty amazing, huh?

Shortness of breath. Don't worry: baby is getting plenty of air. You’re not though, so don’t push yourself too hard.

Heartburn. Go ahead and pop an antacid. They’re safe for most moms-to-be to take during pregnancy.

Leaky boobs. Your breasts are probably noticeably bigger and they may even have begun producing colostrum, which is the thick yellow fluid that baby will eat in the first few days of life. Don’t be surprised to see a little bit leaking at this point. Yikes!

Vaginal discharge. Might seem a little gross, but the increased discharge is your body’s way of preparing for delivery; it prevents infection down there. Keep your eye out for the mucus plug—this thick, gooey (sometimes bloody) substance covers the cervix until a few days (or just hours) before labor, when your body expels it. Another thing to keep an eye on: discharge that seems more like a watery liquid. If you’re having a constant flow that’s more like water than discharge, your water might have broken, causing a slow leak. If that’s the case, call the OB and get to the hospital stat.

With the above pregnancy discomforts, I've been feeling some shortness of breath lately at times when I lay in bed. Thankful that I don't have any heartburn yet. Major pregnancy discomforts are still lower back pains (left tailbone) which I'd been experiencing as early as my pregnancy started, which also goes to my right sometimes. 

Darker nipples yes as well as vaginal discharge which are just normal that I've been having for weeks. Some Braxton Hicks contractions here and there at times, too.

Frequent urination, lucky that I don't have to wake up in the evening from time to time, it's only when I woke up in the morning. Maybe because  I don't drink that much anymore before going to bed. Overall, feeling good at this stage despite these common pregnancy discomforts. Thanks be to God!

Days left to birth: 53 days left (81% of your pregnancy is completed)

Due date: 23 November 2017

Data Sources: Babycenter, The Bump, What To Expect, Parents.com, Due Date Calculator (YourDueDate.com)

31 Weeks!

   (Late published)

Just turned 31 weeks today! During my previous prenatal check-up, my weight measures 67.9 kilograms. Yay! :)

  My next appointment is on the first week of October and another ultrasound is scheduled on the second week of next month. Also on this month, I'll be having my Group B Streptococcus Test.

  At this stage, feeling my baby's movements here and there every time. I'm just so happy knowing that active babies are healthy babies. Thanks be to God!

   

 Let's take a peek on what's happening this week:

Inside the Womb at 31 Weeks

 Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Photo courtesy of The Bump

Photo courtesy of Parents

Photo courtesy of Your Baby Library

Child length: measures 16.2 inches (about the size of a asparagus)

Child weight: 3.3 pounds

At this stage: At 31 weeks, your baby is practically perfect at this point. He or she has hair covering the head and eyebrows, finger and toenails, and limbs and organs all in the right places. Of course, the brain is developing all the time, and your baby's senses are heightening constantly, but the only further development that is important before birth is of the lungs.

Your baby's brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever. Connections between individual nerve cells (he's got to make trillions of them!) are being made at a super fast rate. He's now processing information, tracking light and perceiving signals from all five senses. Sure, your baby can't smell anything right now, but that's only because he's still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. Lucky for you and your baby yours will be one of the very first scents he breathes in, a scent that will quickly become his very favorite.

Your week 31 fetus is going through major brain and nerve development. His or her eyes are developing too, the irises can now react to light! (A little light does shine into your 31 weeks pregnant belly at times!) In fact, all five of baby’s senses are in working order.

Can you believe all five of baby’s senses are fully developed at 31 weeks pregnant? Baby's also getting smarter!

Your baby can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump up as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

You may notice that your baby moves more when you talk to him. You'll probably start feeling different kicks now as his body continues to grow, but the kicks you do feel will be harder. They might even hurt, especially if he's practicing karate chops on your groin.

Baby's getting so big, he or she's probably crowding your lungs, which is why you might find yourself winded on a normal walk up the stairs.

Baby’s position at 31 weeks? Head down! At least he or she probably is. Your OB will check to see for sure at your next appointment.

So what's your little dove doing all day while you're busy feathering your nest for his arrival? Making faces, hiccuping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along your uterine wall and even sucking his thumb. In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (what little suckers!).

Baby is very close to his or her delivery length now and shouldn't get too much longer before the birth, which is great news for your cramped uterus.

Your Body

You might actually feel a little… dumb. You’re not! It’s just that many moms-to-be find themselves acting absentmindedly during the third trimester. Some say that “pregnancy brain” isn’t a real thing, but can you honestly think of another time in your life when you’ve had as much on your mind as now? We’re guessing no. That right there is enough of a reason to be so forgetful at week 31 of pregnancy.

Pregnancy symptoms that you might experience during this stage:

From week 31 of pregnancy on, you’re bound to feel a lot of the same symptoms you’ve already been experiencing. Some may get worse, and some may become bearable. Here are the most typical 31 weeks pregnant symptoms:

Shortness of breath. You might start to have more trouble getting around as you get heavier and more short of breath. Remember not to push yourself too much. It’s good for you and baby to get some exercise, but definitely take breaks to rest as much as you need to.

That out-of-breath feeling may get better toward the end of your pregnancy, when your baby drops down into your pelvis in preparation for delivery. Until then, be sure to stand as straight as you can (given the weight you're carrying around) and sleep propped up or on your side so that your lungs have more space to... well, breathe.

Dry, brittle nails. Sure, you’re having extra finger- and toenail growth, but that can make those nails feel dry and easily broken. Some moms-to-be have success with a moisturizing cuticle oil. This may also be the perfect excuse for a spa mani-pedi.

Braxton Hicks contractions. To ease the discomfort of Braxton Hicks, drink plenty of water and change positions often. This will prevent those “practice contractions” from turning into preterm labor. If you have certain pregnancy complications, or if you’re 31 weeks pregnant with twins, you’re at higher risk for preterm labor.

Leaky boobs. That yellow liquid is baby's first food, called colostrum, and your body’s getting it ready for the big arrival.

Frequent urination. Your bladder's just as crowded as your lungs are. Not much you can do about it except mentally plan more bathroom breaks into your daily routine.

Backaches. Be sure to keep stretching to ease your aching back. That prenatal yoga class can help!

Trouble sleeping. It’s no wonder you can’t sleep when your back hurts, your belly’s contracting, you can’t find a comfortable position, oh—and you have to keep getting up to pee!

Lower Back Pains. You may be noticing more hip and lower-back pain. What gives? Pregnancy hormones are relaxing the ligaments and tendons throughout your pelvic area so that the bones can spread to make room for delivery. Your expanding uterus may also be putting some pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your buttock and hip area and down the back of each leg, triggering chronic tingling or numbness along its path -- a condition called sciatica. But it's usually not serious, it won't affect the baby and it will likely become less intense as he shifts around in there.

With the above pregnancy discomforts, I've been feeling some shortness of breath lately while I lay in bed, but some other nights no. Major pregnancy discomforts are lower back pains (left tailbone) which I'd been experiencing as early as my pregnancy started, which I also feel on my right at times. I have also some minor upper tummy spasms when I walk or when I lay in bed. Also some Braxton Hicks contractions at times but seldom. 

Frequent urination, lucky that I don't have to wake up in the evening from time to time, it's only when I woke up in the morning. Maybe because  I don't drink that much anymore before going to bed. Overall, feeling good at this stage despite these common pregnancy discomforts. Thanks be to God!

Days left to birth: 65 days left (77% of your pregnancy is completed)

Due date: 23 November 2017

Data Sources: Babycenter, The Bump, What To Expect, Parents.com, Due Date Calculator (YourDueDate.com)