My Baby
Sure, 37 weeks is the magic number -- that's when your baby is officially deemed full-term, even though pregnancy may go to 40 weeks or beyond! But this week is also an important one for early arrivals, since almost all babies born at this stage or later survive and go on to have very healthy, normal lives. By this time all of his major organs are fully functioning except the lungs, which need just a bit more time to mature completely. This week your baby will also start to shed that downy hair (lanugo) that's covered his body for the past few months. He'll lose most of this fuzzy coating by the time he's born, but you may spot some errant hairs on his back or shoulders.
At around 4 pounds, your baby's taking up a lot of space in your uterus now -- so much so that it's getting a bit crowded for kicking. So don't be alarmed if you don't feel him moving quite as much, though it's a good idea to count your baby's movements occasionally to make sure all's well in there (it's best if you can do this while you lie on your left side for a while). If you feel anything fewer than 10 kicks, rolls, flutters, etc., in two hours, call your doctor to double-check that everything's A-OK.
Sure, 37 weeks is the magic number -- that's when your baby is officially deemed full-term, even though pregnancy may go to 40 weeks or beyond! But this week is also an important one for early arrivals, since almost all babies born at this stage or later survive and go on to have very healthy, normal lives. By this time all of his major organs are fully functioning except the lungs, which need just a bit more time to mature completely. This week your baby will also start to shed that downy hair (lanugo) that's covered his body for the past few months. He'll lose most of this fuzzy coating by the time he's born, but you may spot some errant hairs on his back or shoulders.
At around 4 pounds, your baby's taking up a lot of space in your uterus now -- so much so that it's getting a bit crowded for kicking. So don't be alarmed if you don't feel him moving quite as much, though it's a good idea to count your baby's movements occasionally to make sure all's well in there (it's best if you can do this while you lie on your left side for a while). If you feel anything fewer than 10 kicks, rolls, flutters, etc., in two hours, call your doctor to double-check that everything's A-OK.
My Body
While a teeny part of you might be thinking "Get this kid outta here ASAP!" we bet the rest is sincerely hoping he'll stay in there a while longer. As your due date approaches, it's a good idea to learn the signs of early labor, just in case. These include your water breaking (which could result in a gush of fluid or just a trickle), some not-too-painful tightening of the uterus, period-like cramps, vaginal bleeding, increased pressure in the pelvic area, and diarrhea. With the exception of your water clearly breaking, don't worry too much if you experience one of these symptoms, since they don't always result in premature labor. But do tell your doctor right away, to be on the safe side.
While a teeny part of you might be thinking "Get this kid outta here ASAP!" we bet the rest is sincerely hoping he'll stay in there a while longer. As your due date approaches, it's a good idea to learn the signs of early labor, just in case. These include your water breaking (which could result in a gush of fluid or just a trickle), some not-too-painful tightening of the uterus, period-like cramps, vaginal bleeding, increased pressure in the pelvic area, and diarrhea. With the exception of your water clearly breaking, don't worry too much if you experience one of these symptoms, since they don't always result in premature labor. But do tell your doctor right away, to be on the safe side.
My Life
Hey all you working mamas -- it's time to start thinking about when you want to start maternity leave! Some women opt to work right up until their due dates, which gives them more time to be home with their babies toward the end of their leave. Others prefer to wrap up a week or two early, so they can relax and finish any last-minute baby prep. But here's another great option we love, especially if you have a long commute: Propose working from home a day or two during the last few weeks prior to taking off. It will help you ease into your leave without eating into your actual sanctioned time off. Oh, and one more thing: Don't forget to factor in any remaining vacation or sick days when you sit down with the calendar to hammer out your exit strategy; many companies will let you count them toward your time off.
Hey all you working mamas -- it's time to start thinking about when you want to start maternity leave! Some women opt to work right up until their due dates, which gives them more time to be home with their babies toward the end of their leave. Others prefer to wrap up a week or two early, so they can relax and finish any last-minute baby prep. But here's another great option we love, especially if you have a long commute: Propose working from home a day or two during the last few weeks prior to taking off. It will help you ease into your leave without eating into your actual sanctioned time off. Oh, and one more thing: Don't forget to factor in any remaining vacation or sick days when you sit down with the calendar to hammer out your exit strategy; many companies will let you count them toward your time off.
I can't believe I'm 7 months pregnant and into the 8th month now! People have been telling me all along about how fast pregnancy goes. They sure weren't kidding! I know I've said that before, but it really never ceases to amaze me just how fast this all happens!
Yesterday we had another child birthing class. After finding out about the change in class schedule (we were supposed to have a class next Wed., but they cancelled it and moved it back to the following week, and the last class is now the first week of December), we got to take a tour of the birth center, which was nice. We were able to get an idea for rooms I'd like to be in, as well as where our parents should go when I go into labor. That makes things nice and takes some of the stress away.
For those of you who are wondering, Frisbie's visiting hours are from 8am to 8pm, but the birth care unit is a little more flexible with things like that. That doesn't mean it will be okay to show up at 8pm, but if you came later in the day, you'd be allowed to stay a little longer too.
I have to go into work today, and for some reason, I'm kind of dreading it! I feel a little weird today, and I don't know what's causing it. I'm not sure if it's pregnancy related stuff or not. There are some issues that have come up with some of the residents that I know I'll have to deal with today, and I don't really want to. Also, I got an e-mail from my boss yesterday asking if I'd gotten any work done on this one thing we need to provide some numbers for, and I told her I couldn't because I didn't know what numbers I was supposed to be using, and I know nothing about the program, so I don't know what numbers I am looking for!
Anyway, I don't want to get into a rant about it anymore. It's something I am just going to have to go and face and deal with and then come home and be done with it until Monday. Just keep telling myself, I only have 14 or 15 more days there until my maternity leave! (Remember - I work only 2 days a week!)
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