Week 37

It’s already the end of week 37.  No checkup during these 7 days, but there will be a non-stress test tomorrow morning.  So far, nothing much to update on the status of the baby.  My wife thinks she’s a bit lower in her abdomen now, so we’ll find out tomorrow.  It has been an interesting week for my wife, though.  She’s been doing a lot of exercise.  Most days, she’s walked between 5 and 10 km, done plenty of squats, and some yoga stretches.  The doctor told her to move a lot.  She’s also done some cleaning around the apartment, just to keep moving.

The most interesting thing is that the baby’s foot has been pushing against the wall of her abdomen.  Quite often, we could feel her foot.  It makes it feel so much more real, knowing that’s our daughter’s foot.  My wife has also been feeling plenty of pain periodically.  Could be Braxton Hicks contractions, or something else entirely.

We’re unsure of how the baby will be born or when.  But tomorrow, we should be finding out if a Caesarian section is recommended or not, due to the bigger than average size of the baby or whether she’s descended into the pelvis.

Full Term!

Today was the first day of week 37, which is full term.  The baby could be born healthy any day.  My wife went to the clinic today to do some tests and check on the baby.  We were hoping to be able to set a date when the baby would be born, too.  However, that’s not how it turned out.

The baby hasn’t descended yet, and there’s no dilation at all.  The pain she’s been feeling could either be her pelvic bones spreading to prepare for birth or Braxton-Hicks contractions.  She also found out she has a low iron level, so she needs to take some iron pills.

My wife has to do a lot of exercise.  This includes walking up hills and stairs, doing squats, and yoga.  This is to help the baby lower herself to get ready for birth, and to help the cervix dilate.  If this doesn’t happen by next week, the baby may have to be born by Caesarian section, as she’s a bit bigger than average.  The birth may still happen next week, but we don’t know yet.

Week 35

A visit to the clinic on a holiday seems a bit unusual.  But we went because our baby wasn’t in the right position.  Well, the good news is, she’s back to being head down!  Very good news!

She’s doing quite well.  She’s now 2586 grams, which is a bit bigger than normal.  Everything is pretty much the same as last week, except she’s put on weight.  Her kidneys and liver are now fully functional, and her sense of touch is now working well.  Mostly all that’s left is to gain weight.

Mom is now able to be more active.  After the past week of relaxing and resting, she’s now been told to move a lot.  If she keeps moving, the baby should settle down into her pelvis.  So, lots of walking, exercise and she plans to do some cleaning around the apartment.  The doctor also said that even if she feels abdominal pain, she should keep moving.  Exercising and yoga will get her ready for the birth, which could happen within the next 2 or 3 weeks.  The baby is as active as ever, as well.

We got some really good ultrasound pictures this time.  After being a little camera shy, she put on a great show this time.  We have a wonderful 2D view of her face, as well as two 3D pictures.  We got a bonus picture because she was being a clown.  She made all of us laugh.  It’s the third picture below.  We couldn’t believe the luck in getting a picture like this!

Good quality pictures this week. On the left is her face. On the right is her nose, mouth and chin.

3D picture of her face. She's looking really chubby!

This is the most incredible picture we have of her. The doctor was very amused. She's sticking her tongue out!

Great picture, isn’t it?  Next appointment at the clinic is on the first day of week 37, which is full term!