This Little Bun Is Almost Done at 37 Weeks!

   Just reached my 37th week today! Had my last-minute prenatal appointment yesterday, as a routine my blood pressure and urine had been checked. Thank God all were normal and about my weight, I've measured 72.7 kilograms (last time it was 71.6 kgs).

    I had undergone Cardiotocography (CTG) in which my baby's heartbeat and uterine contractions were monitored, commonly done during the third trimester.

   Had another special ultrasound afterwards and so happy to see my baby girl once again. Just to share, normally they do ultrasounds only during the Nuchal Translucency Scan (NT Scan) at first trimester, and another between 18-22 weeks which is the Anatomy Scan.

   With my previous pregnancy, only had two ultrasounds. With this third, I was given a monthly appointment for the doctor to monitor my low-lying placenta, in which glad to know went up already during my prenatal ultrasound last month.

The anticipation grows!💖

God willing, we'll see you soon baby! 👩💖👶

   My precious little girl weighs 2.6 kilograms now which the doctor said was normal at this stage.

   I was asked if there were any uterine contractions, so far all is well with this pregnancy, told the doctor just some tightening of my belly were I was asked how often they were and told him just sometimes and not always.

   And also due to having a really bigger belly in here, told the doctor that at times my previous caesarian scar is sore that might be due to the stretching of my skin. Though the soreness is not that frequent and only seldom, I think it's important that I brought it out for him to know which he checked right away.

   I was asked to lie down, he did some pressing here and there on my scar, at times hard. He asked me if they were painful which I answered yes as when he pressed it out, somewhat it makes a bit of pressure in there.

   Afterwards, he asked me if I wanted to have an earlier caesarian delivery which really surprised me. I am still overwhelmed with my previous prenatal appointment knowing I will be meeting my little princess next week and here I am now, was given the chance to meet and see her more sooner than expected!

   If I were given the chance to select a date for this elective caesarian, I would actually love to pick up the date November 4 as that's my son's birthday and God willing he will turn 4 years old this Saturday. 

   Now, being given an earlier date is more of a surprised to me as it would be a close birth date with that of my little boy which is more special then. 

   Whatever it is, as long as what is good for my baby, especially what God has planned, I will go for it as I believed that will always be my best choice regardless of which date I will be scheduled into. Having a healthy baby and a smooth pregnancy journey, I really couldn't asked for more!

   So blessed to be a mother once again. Can't wait to meet my little precious. A million thanks to God!

   

This little bun is almost done! 👶

Worth the weight... 😍  

Heart's desire! 💖

Labor of love! 👨💖👩

  

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

Inside the Womb at 37 Weeks

 Photo courtesy of Babycenter

Photo courtesy of The Bump 

Photo courtesy of What To Expect

Photo courtesy of Parents

Photo courtesy of Your Baby Library

Child length: measures 19.1 inches from head to heel (baby is as a romaine lettuce)

Child weight: 6.3 pounds

At this stage: At 37 weeks pregnant, your baby’s lungs are likely mature but that doesn’t mean he’s finished growing yet. In fact, until the end of week 38 he’s technically considered “early term,” and he's still packing on about a half an ounce per day or half a pound a week.

Baby's done! Your baby is perfect, although he or she will still add a little meat to their bones over the next few weeks. 

The big development this week is that your baby's lungs should be mature enough to breathe independently, which is the reason why babies are considered to be carried to term at 37 weeks. All that inhalation and exhalation of amniotic fluid over the past 9 months has paid off, and your baby is now itching to take that very first breath of air.

Baby is probably going to town on those thumbs of theirs about now, which as well as acting as a method of comfort and a sleep aid, also plays a part in developing the suckling action that will help Baby take those first sips of breastmilk or infant formula from a bottle teat.

The umbilical cord begins passing antibodies to your baby in preparation for delivery. By stockpiling antibodies, your baby will be better prepared for the disease and germs he'll encounter outside the womb. Your baby's senses are also getting more time to hone their burgeoning skills. He can hear and recognize your voice. Once he's born you'll be able to see him turn his head in your direction when he hears you speak. He knows his mom! Along with his hearing, his eyesight is improving each day. His fingers are also becoming more coordinated. He can grasp his face or toes. And after birth he'll be able to grab onto your finger.

So what's keeping your little one busy while waiting it out until D-day? Practice, practice, practice. Right now, your tiny superstar is rehearsing for his big debut, simulating breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, sucking his thumb, blinking and pivoting from side to side (one day you feel his bottom on the left side, the next it has flipped around to the right).

Here's an interesting fact: Your baby's head (which, by the way, is still growing) will be at birth the same circumference as his chest. And guess what's making an impression (literally) these days on those shoulders and hips? Fat causing little dimples in those cute elbows, knees and shoulders, along with creases and folds in the neck and wrists.

During the few weeks (or days) left before you deliver, your baby may add up to 14 grams of fat each day. At the same time, some of your amniotic fluid is starting to be reabsorbed by your tissues, slightly decreasing the fluid around your baby. This may make it feel as though your baby is moving less, but he's actually just as active as before within his increasingly cramped quarters. As your uterus stretches, more light will permeate your baby's space, and he will move his eyes toward it.

Because placental hormones are now stimulating your breasts to produce milk, those same hormones will cause your baby's mammary glands to swell too. They will shrink back down to size after birth.

At this point, about 3 percent of babies are still breech (positioned with their head up and their feet or buttocks closest to the cervix). Your practitioner may do a pelvic exam to assess the baby's presenting parts. Your baby's feet, hips, head, and buttocks are all fairly easy to distinguish by now.

Your Body

   It could happen any day now, so taking things easy, doing the last of the preparations and keeping an eye out for signs of labor are important. You may be feeling a little more tired than usual, and some women also report feeling a little sad; a combination of being perhaps a little fed up of the pregnancy, and an anxiousness about life with a newborn.

If you've been lucky enough to escape the dreaded stretch marks this far, you may start to notice a few red marks this week. The final weeks of pregnancy are notorious for creating new stretch marks as the skin covering the stomach is stretched to its very limits. These marks will fade as your uterus shrinks following the birth, although a few silvery lines may remain. They're nothing to be ashamed of, so wear them with pride!

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your healthcare provider know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though your baby’s quarters are getting cozy, he should still be as active as before.

Thickened and increased discharge is normal around now as your body prepares for labor. Anything particularly mucous-like is probably a part of your mucous plug that can fall out in pieces over a period of weeks, or all at once. It doesn't mean labor is imminent, but it's certainly an exciting sign that things are making a start.

You might be seeing your Doctor or midwife more frequently now as they keep an eye on Baby's position in the womb, and the state of your cervix.

Pregnancy symptoms that you might experience during this stage:

   At 37 weeks pregnant, symptoms can be confused with signs of labor. Here’s what you might be feeling this week:

Heartburn. Baby continues to put pressure on your digestive system as you near your due date.

Spotting. A little bit of spotting is normal at week 37 of pregnancy remember, your cervix is extra sensitive while you’re pregnant, so sex can irritate it and make it bleed. But call your doctor if it's more than just a few drops of blood. Vaginal bleeding could be a sign of a problem with the placenta (such as placental abruption) and it is important to seek treatment right away. Also, don’t confuse spotting or bleeding with the “bloody show,” a discharge tinged with blood that’s a totally harmless sign your cervix is changing to prep for delivery.

Stretch marks. Sorry, but new stretchies might appear on your 37 weeks pregnant belly and each week from here on out. Keep that body oil on hand and lather up when you can. Also, keep drinking lots of water, even though you’re heading to the bathroom, oh, every two minutes.

Abdominal pressure. If baby has dropped down into your pelvis in anticipation of labor, he or she is putting increased pressure on your abdomen, which might make you feel some new aches and pains down below and a greater urge to pee too!

Trouble sleeping. It’s normal to be up in the middle of the night in late pregnancy. Some strategies for getting more Zzzzs: Get plenty of light exercise during the day, drink lots of water except right before bedtime and limit your caffeine intake.

Contractions. At 37 weeks, cramping or contractions are to be expected. After all, you’re going to have a baby soon, your body’s ramping up! You may find that your contractions go away if you sit or lie down. That means they’re Braxton Hicks not real labor contractions. Make sure you stay hydrated, since dehydration could put you into early labor.

Nausea. An upset stomach is pretty typical almost any time during pregnancy. But now that you’re so close to your due date, it could be a sign you’ll go into labor soon. (Whoa!) If your nausea is severe if you’re vomiting especially, tell your OB so he or she can rule out illness or a pregnancy complication such as HELLP or preeclampsia.

With the above pregnancy discomforts, still lower back pains here and there, that lately makes it more harder for me to get off from bed.

Having some pelvic pressures lately especially when I am walking or when I roll over in bed. Everytime I get up from sleeping, at times my pubic bone cracks/pops, it's the same sound as when you crack your back.

Also again, frequent visit to the bathroom. It's just a bit weird that lately, I've been feeling an urge to poop. Just yesterday, around 3am in the morning having some diarrhea like cramps were the pain radiates around my lower back, too. Haven't experienced labor yet, so might be an early sign to watch out for.

Braxton Hicks contractions or tightening of my tummy at times especially when baby moves.

Carrying low which started at an earlier stage in which for me somewhat a big help as it doesn't give me breathless nights, I'm able to sleep well and frankly speaking never had any sleepless nights.

Overall, having a smooth pregnancy journey in here! All is well, feeling good at this stage despite these common pregnancy discomforts. Thanks be to God!

Days left to birth:  1 day left via caesarian delivery

21 days left (93% 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)