39 Weeks + Appointment

Total weight gain: 29 lbs
Fetal size: a watermelon! (approximately 7+ pounds & 19-20 inches long)
Movement: When the baby decides to get active it can really get uncomfortable and hurt. Definitely a strong one!
Symptoms: Heart burn and pubic bone pain as usual. Now getting up several times a night.

Dilation/Effacement: 1.5cm/50% "very soft & ready to go"
B/P: 110/66
Weight Gain: nothing since last weeks appointment

I made it past the girls ballet recital and my OB being in Cancun last week! I think that is what I got most anxious about. I have walked 6.8 miles (including curb walking and some very light jogging) in the past 24 hours to try and get things going. So far...nothing. 

I did ask about getting my membranes stripped today but the OB didn't want to do it this time. He did this when I was pregnant with Emma and I never asked for it with Scarlett. I think since it was an 11am appointment, it could have resulted in a late night delivery for him. That's ok because I remember it being very painful.

Baby Sweatman, we are ready for you now!!! We are scheduled a pitocin/amniotomy induction for Thursday, June 12th. It is crazy to think that in less than 48 hours we will be finding out if this little one is a boy or girl! 

38.2 Week Appointment

I had my routine weekly appointment this morning but it was with the PA since my OB is out for the week. I could tell OB was not her strong suit as she struggled finding the heartbeat with the doppler...she eventually got it.

Fetal HR: 142
B/P: great
Total weight gain: 29lbs (the .5lb difference is being weighed with clothes on vs how I weigh myself at home).

I did get a cervical check but I am 99% positive she never even found my cervix. That is something I can feel when performed right and I usually have a contraction afterwards. She just seemed far off. She said "well... its far back there and.... you are closed". My impression is she never found it and just said that to cover herself. It is ok though - I didn't want her stirring up anything by poking around and causing labor this weekend.

Next appointment is Tuesday with my OB - and hopefully my last appointment!

38 Weeks

Total weight gain: 28.5 lbs
Fetal size: a pumpkin! (approximately 7 pounds & 19-20 inches long)
Movement: I did have to pull out the doppler the other night b/c the baby wasn't moving during it's usual time. Needless to say, the baby decided to wake me up at 3am with crazy movements and wouldn't stop.
Symptoms: The contractions and heartburn have significantly decreased but I was very uncomfortable yesterday afternoon with cramping. Now having some lower back discomfort (constantly feels like I need to pop my tailbone) and I have been very tired.

Overall, I felt much better this past week compared to my 36th week. Delivery isn't feeling so imminent right now, which I am happy about at the moment. I am, however, starting to feel completely overwhelmed. My to-do list isn't shrinking but only seems to be growing. A clean house only lasts for 1/2 a day before the girls destroy it. My patience is being tested and I am not winning. 

On a more accomplished note: I have finished prepping and freezing all my planned casseroles for after delivery. We went to a few baby stores to pre-look at going home outfits for both genders. The girls picked out a sweet grey puppy dog to bring home for the nursery. 

All 3 girls are now guessing the baby is a boy. I was shocked when Emma changed her vote since she was SO adamant on having a sister. I was sort of relieved hearing this though because now I know she's ok with the idea of a brother. We have been doing a lot of talking about being happy no matter what the baby is since God decides what is perfect for our family. I can not wait to introduce these girls to the baby!!!

Next appointment is Thursday with the PA since my OB is out of town this week. The girls have ballet rehearsal Thursday & Friday evening followed by the big recital on Saturday morning. My only goal left is to make it past June 7th before having this baby! Come next Monday, I will be doing all I can to kick into labor! 

37 Weeks {Full Term}

Total weight gain: 27.5 lbs
Fetal size: a winter melon! (approximately 6-7 pounds & 19-20 inches long)
Movement: The baby really likes to make my belly lopsided and stick its butt out making a very awkward belly shape for me!
Symptoms: Contractions, contractions, contractions. 

I had regular, time-able contractions for 7 hours straight on Friday. They were definitely more uncomfortable than the typical braxton hicks I have been having but they never increased in intensity. I did make sure to get the dishes, laundry & floors done just in case. I drank a BUNCH of ice water to try to get them to relax and it just wasn't working. Finally, after a warm bath and going to bed for the night I was able to sleep them off. I only slept 4 hours last night due to cramps, contractions, heart burn & insomnia. Got to love the tail end of pregnancy!

The baby is now considered full term and should be able to breathe on its own when born. The baby now drinks an estimated 15oz of amniotic fluid per day!

I have been working on freezing meals for after the baby (which is new for me). I now have 1 meatloaf, 2 casserole pans of King Ranch Chicken, pizza dough, a batch of cookie dough balls & Belgium waffles ready to go!

I had my routine OB appointment this morning and all is well. 
B/P: 106/68
GBS results: NEGATIVE! (no antibiotics needed in labor - yay!)
Dilation: 0.5cm, "soft" with no effacement
Fetal weight (estimated per OB feeling on my belly): 6-7 lbs "it's not a big baby"

Part of me is disappointed in the lack of cervical change after all the contractions but part of me is also relieved knowing that I want to get past June 7th (the girl's ballet recital) before delivering. I will see the PA next week as my OB will be out of town. Keep cooking little one...

36.2 Week Appointment

I had my routine OB appointment this morning and all is well!

B/P: 100/70
Weight Gain: 3.5lb since last appt 2 weeks ago
FHR: good & strong
FH: on track
Fetal Position: HEAD DOWN!!

The GBS culture was collected and an internal exam done. I am not dilated yet, which I expected. I wasn't dilating this early with any of my girls. I am actually reassured with this because my OB is out of town during my 38th week and girls have a big ballet recital coming up that I want to get past before delivering. He thinks I will make it to 39 weeks just fine assuming my water doesn't spontaneously break in the mean time.

I go back next week and will be checked for dilation again at each weekly visit until delivery.

36 Weeks {9 Months}

Total weight gain: 26.5 lbs
Fetal size: a honeydew! (approximately 5.75-6 pounds & 18.5 inches long)
Movement: This baby has gotten very strong and active! Cody says I have an alien belly when the baby gets super active.
Symptoms: The random contractions I've been having have started getting more intense and the baby has started pushing downwards randomly, which stops me in my tracks. I was very uncomfortable yesterday afternoon-evening with contractions, pressure & back discomfort.

We got a lot accomplished yesterday afternoon. The car seats have been completely rearranged in my car in preparation of the baby and picking Reese up from Kinder starting in the Fall. So the infant car seat is officially installed in my car :) I also got my 1st freezer meal prepped and frozen yesterday. I plan on doubling a few dinner meals over the next few weeks and freezing the extra portion. I didn't do this with my other deliveries but I think we will appreciate the convenience this time. 

I have an OB appointment this Thursday. The GBS (Group B Strep) culture will be collected to see if I need antibiotics in labor (I have always been negative in the past). I will also be checked for any dilation/effacement at this time but I am not expecting much at 36 weeks. 

Nursery Update: The curtains and bumper arrived this past week and are in place! It really feels like a nursery now. I can't wait to start adding a gender color to the room soon!

Silk Curtains

Crib with Custom Bedding

The Bedding

Grey Plush Bunny

I'm really happy with the way this nursery is coming together! Gender neutral was probably the hardest nursery to plan since I didn't want to go the yellow or green neutral route. I know it will look great once it gets personalized after the baby is here!

35 Weeks

Total weight gain: 26 lbs
Fetal size: a coconut! (approximately 5-5.5 pounds & 18+ inches long)
Movement: Cody & I were laughing the other night at the acrobat show this baby was performing!
Symptoms: Insomnia pre-baby is just cruel

I can't believe I am 35 weeks with only 35 days until my due date! Fetal hearing is now fully developed and amniotic fluid volume has now peaked. 

I gained way too much weight this past week and I knew I had eaten terrible. Papasitos, late night steak & lobster, chili dogs, & a huge batch of homemade cookies. If you have tasted these cookies before, then you will understand my moments of weakness ;)

I am happy to report that the lady who made the crib bedding has offered to stuff the bumper some more so that it is nice and plush like I had expected. I can't wait to get the curtains and bumper set up so the room feels more complete!

34 Week Appointment

I had my routine OB appointment this morning at 34.1 weeks and all is well!

BP: 120/72
Fetal HR: approx. 150's (baby was swimming around)
Fundal Height: 34cm
Weight Gain: 2lbs since last appt 2 weeks ago

My OB told me again how well I am doing with weight gain this time. I go back in 2 weeks and the GBS culture will be taken at that time along with the start of internal exams.

34 Weeks

Total weight gain: 22.5 lbs
Fetal size: a butternut squash! (approximately 4.5-5 pounds & 17.2-18.7 inches long)
Movement: Baby LOVES my evening desserts :)
Symptoms: Contractions have been less this week, thankfully. Insomnia is still brutal though. 

I am so relieved to be at the 34 week mark! All the major developmental milestones have been hit and now this baby just needs to work on gaining weight and lung development. The fetal rapid weight gain is starting and will continue until delivery. 

Sunday afternoon was my "diaper sprinkle" baby shower that was so generously hosted by a sweet friend. I am blown away at all the generosity and love towards this baby! It was truly a beautiful day with a bunch of family and friends! I should have some pictures to post of that soon.

Baby Shower Goodies

The crib bedding arrived yesterday (curtains still to come). I wish I could say I loved it but I am disappointed with the bumper padding quality. It is not nearly as fluffy as I am used to on our other custom crib beddings. Overall, I love the look of the pattern, fabric & colors. 

I see my OB for a 34 week check up tomorrow morning and should be having one more 2 week appointment at 36 weeks before going weekly. 

For anyone who thinks we secretly know the gender and aren't telling - WE DO NOT KNOW!!!! I would never go through this much effort on designing a gender neutral room if we had found out the gender. I honestly don't understand the point of keeping it a surprise unless we were also surprised along with everyone else. I can not wait for Cody to announce the gender at delivery for the first time! 

33 Weeks

Total weight gain: 21.5 lbs
Fetal size: a durian fruit! (approximately 4 pounds & 17-18 inches long)
Movement: This baby feels like it is everywhere at once! I wonder how big he or she will be!!
Symptoms: I am contracting practically daily now and actually got into a time-able pattern Sunday night. Time to increase the water intake! Unfortunately, the insomnia has hit again this week. 

The baby is practicing coordinating breathing movements with sucking &swallowing, which would explain all the hiccups lately! The fetal bones are hardening (except for the skull for delivery) and the baby could grow a full inch this week. The baby is also keeping its eyes open during awake periods. 

I had a thyroid appointment yesterday and she wants to decrease my dose of medication slightly since I didn't gain weight like she had anticipated. I had gained 2lbs since the last appointment 6 weeks ago. She said I may start sleeping better too. She did make the comment that I "look ready to go. The baby looks big and low" (this coming from a thyroid Dr. with not much experience on pregnancy). The good news is I don't have to go back to see her until 2 months postpartum! 

I have a diaper sprinkle this weekend and an OB appointment next week already!

32 Week Appointment

This morning I had my regular OB appointment at 32.1 weeks. Here is the update:

BP: 110/68
Fetal HR: 150's
Fundal Height: 32cm (on track for 32 weeks)
Weight Gain: none since last appointment a month ago

My OB literally gave me a high five for not gaining any weight. He said "you are doing awesome this time". I have not been eating differently so I really don't know why I maintained this past month. However, I am happy that I am doing better this pregnancy than my last two.

I start going for check ups every two weeks now!

32 Weeks {8 Months}

Total weight gain: 20 lbs
Fetal size: a squash! (approximately 3.8-4 pounds & 17 inches long)
Movement: The baby is getting very strong and lets me know if he or she doesn't like how I am sitting. 
Symptoms: Braxton hicks and mild heartburn continue

I haven't gained weight since 28 weeks. I am sure the stomach bug I now have (after a week of caring for sick little girls) has caused the weight loss for this week. I am going to make sure baby is measuring on track at my appointment. 

I am so happy to have hit the 32 week milestone! At 32 weeks alveoli (air pocket cells) start to form in the lungs the baby should have breathing movements up to 40% of the time. The lower esophagus muscles are functional now. Glomeruli function (blood filtering capillaries in the kidneys) is now complete. The next milestone is at 34 weeks and then we are in the home stretch! 

I have a 32 week OB check up tomorrow morning. This will be my last monthly appointment and then I switch to every two weeks x 2 appointments, then weekly till delivery! 

My "diaper sprinkle" is in 2 weeks and I can't wait to stock up on the necessities for this baby! I have created a neutral wish list on Amazon so I can do a quick check out with anything I still need before delivery. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime free 2-day shipping! 

31 Weeks

Total weight gain: 20.5 lbs
Fetal size: a pineapple! (approximately 3.5 pounds & 16.7 inches long)
Movement: Lots of good strong kicks this week!
Symptoms: Lovely round ligament pain when getting out of bed; braxton hicks this past week

Only 9 weeks to go and in the single digit count down! This week wrinkles on the skin are disappearing and fat deposits are storing.

30 Weeks

Total weight gain: 20 lbs
Fetal size: a large cabbage or a (very large) cucumber! (approximately 3.25 pounds & 16 inches long)
Movement: The baby is getting more and more active. I tend to have a knee rolling around on my upper left quadrant. The baby has been getting a lot of hiccups too. 
Symptoms: Holy heartburn!!! The past 3 days have been unreal with the heartburn flare ups!
Exercise: Went on two 1mi power walks and desperately wanted to start running! I miss running so much!

Only 10 weeks to go until we meet this little one! I lost .5lb this past week and I am surprised but I will take it!

I actually had my 2nd gender specific dream on Sunday night. I dreamt that we had a gender reveal party and when we cut the cake it was pink in the middle (meaning a girl if you are unfamiliar with gender reveal parties).

I have worked out a deal with an Etsy seller and she is allowing me to pre-order a gender specific blanket & a changing pad cover for 25% off and I will notify her at delivery which gender the baby is. This allows her to pre-order all the fabric and be prepared to make the specific items quickly after delivery and get them in the mail to me within a few days after the baby is born. She will also pre-send me samples of each fabric so I can pre-match craft paints to the fabrics prior to delivery.

Who says you can't be prepared with a "Team Green" (gender surprise) baby?!

I am relieved almost all of our baby gear is not gender specific! The carseat is red, stroller is black, baby whale tub is aqua, the highchair is expresso and cream, the baby swing & vibrating chair are cream.

Things I need to get taken care of soon: get a new baby monitor, diaper bag (my zipper broke from overuse on mine but I could manage to keep using it), & stock up on diapers & breastfeeding supplies. I am thankful a friend is hosting a "diaper sprinkle" for me in May to help me stock up on necessities!

29 Weeks

It's time for a pregnancy comparison!

29 weeks with baby Sweatman #4

29 Weeks with Scarlett
(I can't even keep these same shorts up this time around)

29 Weeks with Emma

29 weeks with Reese

Total weight gain: 20.5 lbs
Fetal size: an acron squash! (approximately 3 pounds now & 15-16 inches long)
Movement: The baby thought it would be fun to move around during the entire 2hr movie at the theater last night!
Symptoms: I had a very hard day today emotionally

I thought my baby belly was bigger this time around but now that I see the comparison I think it is smaller than with Scarlett. 

I am shocked that I didn't gain any weight this past week! Especially since we had date night last night and I ate way too much at a fancy steakhouse followed by a Starbucks coffee, handful of movie theater candy, & a bowl of ice cream when we got home. I am sure next week will catch up to me. The scale and I have a love/hate relationship. 

It is crazy to think we are in April now and in just a few short months our little gender surprise will be here! We received our first official baby gift for this baby the other day! We are so close to meeting this little one!

28 Week Appointment

Yesterday I went to my regular OB appointment and was informed I PASSED my oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)!! Normal cut off value is 130 or 140 depending on the OB and the lab. My starting fasting glucose before the test was 75. An hour later after the glucose load I was only 63!!! This is actually considered low, but he was not the least bit concerned. I was just so happy I don't have to do the 3hr OGTT.

The fetal HB was nice and strong and he called the baby a "swimmer" b/c s/he was moving around during the doppler. I am measuring right at 28 weeks for fundal height. I asked him to feel for fetal position and the baby is head down for now!!!

28 Weeks {7 Months}

Total weight gain: 20.5 lbs
Fetal size: an eggplant!
Movement: I got kicked really hard the other day that it actually hurt and made me jump!
Symptoms: Suprapubic bone pain when I am sleeping, which causes a lot of tossing & turning. My belly button has popped out on the top, which didn't happen till the very end with my girls!

Hello 3rd Trimester!!!

My next OB appt is tomorrow and so far I have not been called about my glucose test. So I am assuming I passed...no news is good news! I will find out for sure tomorrow and ask him to feel for position. I am pretty confident this baby is now head down.

Reese is adamant that we name a baby boy "Thomas". She will suggest it over and over multiple times a day. Sorry Reese, "Thomas" is not happening! When I tell the girls the boy name I like versus the boy name Cody likes they each pick the one that Cody likes (of course, they are daddy's girls)!  So I think I am getting outvoted if this baby is a boy. We still have time to decide ;)

We pulled the baby swing and vibrating chair out of the attic and I have washed & assembled them back together in the baby's room. This has made the girls very excited!! They go put baby dolls in them and start rocking the swing. Reese walked up to the swing today and said "Hello, my little angel!" I love moments like this!! Reese has been getting to feel the baby kick a lot lately and even kissed my belly yesterday. 

I think these girls will be wonderful big sisters to this little boy or girl!

27 Weeks

Total weight gain: 19.5 lbs
Fetal size: a rutabaga!
Movement: Baby is most active in the very early morning hours or around 9pm at night. I don't feel much throughout the day.
Symptoms: Was very uncomfortable with my stomach being sore/tender/cramping this past week. I think the baby was positioned funny.
Running: None, probably done until after delivery. 

The baby should be around 2.5 pounds and the pupils can now react to light!

This past week wasn't my most comfortable. My stomach was very sore, tender, cramping. I think the baby was in a funny position or turning around, which made it uncomfortable. It seems to have passed now. 

I completed my oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) this past week and haven't been called with any negative news yet. No news is good news! I have my OB appt next week @ 28 weeks. I just had my thyroid appointment yesterday and she is increasing my Tirosint dose a bit more. She had my fasting glucose level of 75, which is good. She thinks with that start level I should have passed the 1hr OGTT for my OB. Fingers crossed!!

26 Weeks

Total weight gain: 17.5 lbs
Fetal size: a head of lettuce!
Movement: Still getting kicks & punches both down low and up high, no hiccups this week.
Symptoms: Nothing this week
Running: I think I may be a stopping point with running, not sure yet. Went for a .75mi walk + 2hr walk around the zoo this week. 

Thankful for no weight gain this week!

The baby should be about 1.5-2 lbs now and about 14 inches from head to heel. Tear production has begun along with the sense of smell.

We finally ordered custom crib bedding and curtains for the nursery. It took some time finding something gender neutral that we liked but I think it will look great for a boy or girl. The bumper is grey & white and the skirt and curtains are grey to match the walls. We will add plum for a girl or navy for a boy afterwards!

25 Weeks

Total weight gain: 17.5 lbs
Fetal size: a cauliflower!
Movement: Baby has been crazy active lately!
Symptoms: Had several headaches this week but no contraction issues. 
Running: None. Starting to wonder if I am at a stopping point or not for this. It was nice to not have the recovery time this week.

In the next few weeks I have to go spend an hour at the lab for my glucose tolerance test. Next appointment is at 28 weeks. Crazy to think I'm getting so close to the 3rd trimester already!!

The girls are really starting to love on the baby belly. They constantly put their little hands on my tummy. Reese refers to the baby as "she" when she is talking but says she wants a brother "because she doesn't have one of those yet". Emma still refuses to talk boy names with me because "it's a girl!" She is so determined on having another sister! Scarlett says "baby" but I am not sure how much she understands yet.