I’m a day late on my weekly pregnancy post because I had my 36 week appointment yesterday afternoon and wanted to write this after so I’d have more to update you on!

I’ll start with a recap of that appointment and then jump into the normal update.

This is a profile shot of his face and you can see his little lips sticking out! 🙂

At my 36 week appointment I had an ultrasound as well as an office visit. The ultrasound actually ended up being at Maternal Fetal Medicine because the tech at my office went on maternity leave unexpectedly early. It ended up being a blessing that my appointment was at MFM because I got some great reassurance.

First, everything looked good and he’s measuring perfectly on track. Fluid levels were great (which is a big thing they check for on this ultrasound) and they estimated that he weighs about six pounds and some change. It is still so hard for me to believe that I have a six pound baby inside of me. It’s incredible!

Part of the standard protocol at MFM is that a doctor comes in and does a quick scan after the tech takes all of their measurements. The doctor asked why I was ordered for a 36 week ultrasound and I mentioned the Echogenic Focus of the Left Ventricle that has been on all of our ultrasounds since 18 weeks. He immediately said, “they should have never told you about that! It’s unnecessary to worry moms about that.” He said that about a year ago new guidelines came out that recommend NOT telling moms about these foci and that they’re actually very common. He said as long as all of my other Down’s Syndrome testing came back low-risk, it’s absolutely nothing to worry about (the previous thought was that the EF could be a soft marker for Down’s).

Although I was trying really hard not to worry about the EF on his heart and my doctor has been very low-key and unworried about it, it was always in the back of my mind as a what if so it was the best news I could have possibly heard yesterday. So any other moms that have dealt with this, I hope this news helps!

It was also super interesting to find out where he was positioned after guessing what body parts have been kicking and punching me for so long. He is head down and has most of his body nestled on my right side. His booty is all up under my ribs on the right side. As of right now he’s sunny side up (posterior) but I hope he rolls over before he decides to make his way out! I’ll definitely be doing lots of positioning exercises these last few weeks to encourage him to move in the right direction.

After my ultrasound, I met with my doctor. He did the group B strep swab and a quick cervical check. I’m 80% effaced but no dilation. He said he’s happy with that and will check me again in two weeks.

I shared with him that I’m still having pretty regular Braxton-Hicks contractions as well as some cramping and he said those are good things at this stage of pregnancy and mean that my body is preparing. He told me I’m 100% cleared to do whatever I want to and whatever feels good with no restrictions. He’s good with baby coming anytime he’s ready and knows I want things to progress as naturally as possible.

I’m personally hoping he stays cozy in there for a few more weeks because this mama needs this last little bit of time to get her ducks in a row! 🙂

36 WEEKS PREGNANCY UPDATE

There’s not a lot to update on baby’s development. He’s gaining about an ounce a day and just getting chubby and cute for his arrival. Lungs are doing their final preparations to be strong and healthy for life outside the womb and his liver, kidneys, circulatory system and immune system are good to go.

Side note: he is moving like CRAZY in there! It’s wild and I can definitely tell he’s so much bigger now. It’s hard to believe that his whole body used to fit on the ultrasound screen now we can only see a head or a foot at one time!

HOW I’M FEELING AT 36 WEEKS PREGNANT

Weight gain/body changes: I’ve gained right around 25-26 pounds. I have a faint linea nigra. Belly button is definitely more of an outie these days. Still no stretch marks (keeping fingers crossed) or swelling of hands or feet. My blood pressure was super normal at my appointment yesterday.

Symptoms: 

• My breasts started leaking last week!!! It’s not enough that I need to use any sort of pads at this point but it was definitely a surprise! It’s a clearish liquid that I’m guessing is the start of colostrum.
• My breasts are also starting to get a little more tender again.
• Mild cramping that feels like light period cramping. Mostly in the middle of the night when I get up to go to the bathroom and early in the morning.
• On and off low back, sacrum and pelvic pain, especially at the end of the day.
• My skin has cleared up!
• Itchy belly if I don’t keep it lotioned up. I’m using lavender oil and Burt’s Bees Belly Butter.
• So much peeing. Especially at night. I get up to go at least 3-5 times a night now and sometimes it’s just the tiniest amount I have to pee even though I feel like I really have to go. I think his head has engaged more and is putting more pressure on my bladder.

Workouts: I spent quite a lot of time covering off on this last week and I’m sticking with my plan for these last four weeks. I’m doing tons of walking and aiming for about three miles a day along with yoga as much as possible. Walking just makes my body feel so good…it alleviates discomfort in my back and pelvis…and it’s also so good for getting baby in position. My doula told me to keep the walking and the yoga up and that being active will help so much in these last few weeks.

I’m teaching one strength class a week, which still feels super comfortable and manageable.

Food aversions/cravings: I’m doing pretty good on this front and eating fairly regularly. There’s definitely that overall leaning towards more carbs but most foods are appealing to me right now. I’m still a no go on red meat and seafood, especially shellfish. I’m a definite go on CAKE.

Fun shares: 

• I’ve LOVED the Instagram conversations I’ve had with you guys this week over post-partum underwear needs. My mom and I went to Target on Monday and she bought me these lovely briefs. I posted an Instagram Story about it and the responses from ranged from: “Yes, you need these” to  “I wore regular bikini cut underwear/hipsters” to “steal the hospital mesh underwear” to “forget it all and just go buy some Depends.”
• We have one more baby shower on Sunday with tons of friends, staff and students from the studio. I’m excited about it and ready to get everything settled in the nursery afterwards! 🙂
• I had to buy a pair of maternity shorts because things are getting desperate when it comes to pants. It felt like a waste to buy something new for these last few weeks but oh well! I think I can wear them PP for a while too. Love those stretchy side panels!

To dos:

• Ahhh…still have to pack that hospital bag!
• Order my breast pump through Aeroflow. I’ve got all my options!
• Get my name changed on my medical insurance and medical records with the hospital system.
• Secure permanent subs for my maternity leave. Not sure how long I’m going to take and when I’ll come back to teaching so I want one person taking over each class versus looking for someone weekly.
• Wrap up a couple more photo shoot projects.
• Start wrapping up blog projects that need to be done before baby.
• Get everything tasked and scheduled out for my marketing coordinator at the studio to execute while I’m on maternity leave.
• Put the final touches on finishes for the den that I just refreshed. Almost there!
• Keep writing those thank you notes! I’m making progress but want to have them done before he comes!

QUESTIONS

Talk to me for real about the first few days/weeks postpartum. What do you wish someone would have told you about? What brought you the most comfort/least comfort? How did you feel? 

Talk to me about help after the hospital. Did you have anyone come stay with you and help? My mom and I are trying to decide when she’s going to come back and Tanner’s mom has offered to help as well. I think I might want a few days/a week on our own but I’m not sure…is that a bad idea? Am I crazy?