39th Week

Well the stork arrived and brought me the most wonderful gift.

Bryce Anthony Fritz

Born 11/12/13 @ 18:59
8lbs 14oz, and 22.5" long

Stay tuned for an update...my hands are a little full at the moment while I figure out this "mommy" thing.  :)

Thanks to all of you for your support!!!

38th Week

Another week has passed… welcome Week 39  (I’m nervous and excited!)

I wonder if this will be my last weekly pregnant photo?

Week 38 was a busy one in terms of medical appointments.  At my weekly OB check-up, my BP was once again elevated so Dr. A sent me to the Queensway Birthing Centre for some tests and blood work.  I was hooked up to a fetal monitor where I listened to Bryce’s heart rate for the duration of my visit.  It ranged from 134 when he was quiet to 180 when he was moving around.  I was also attached to a “contraction” monitor and had 4 episodes of painless “uterine activity” in 20 minutes.  After speaking with the on duty physician, she had me come back 2 days later for follow-up tests.  Apparently one of the blood test results came back with a high result (indicating my Kidney’s are stressed) but they were not concerned enough to keep or induce me.  Dr. A. also had me book an ultrasound for Dec. 20^th (just in case I go past my due date).  She will then schedule an induction.  (I can’t imagine waiting another 2 weeks!!)

This week was full of pampering.  I figure it might be a long time before I can get back to a spa in the coming months.  So I had a pedicure done (thanks to “Daddy"),  and painted my toenails BLUE in anticipation of the arrival of our baby boy!  I also managed to get my hair cut and add some highlights to freshen up my tired look.  

These last couple of weeks have been the longest I think.  I’m always on high alert for any little “sign” that labour is imminent.  I have been feeling a little crampy for probably 5 days now but nothing has come of it.  Secretly I hope that means I’m dilating a tiny bit so that I will have less work to do on the actual day! 

What’s happening with Baby this week? “Only two more weeks (or plus two more, max) before your baby makes his or her appearance. And what an adorable appearance that will be! Your little one isn't so little anymore — weighing in at close to seven pounds and hitting the height charts at the 21-inch mark (or less). As you prepare (best you can) for baby's ETA, he or she is also getting ready, big time. Vernix and lanugo continue to shed from your baby's body into the amniotic fluid. Your baby swallows that amniotic fluid (yum yum?) and some of it winds up in his or her intestines where it — along with other shed cells, bile, and other waste products (triple yum) — will turn into your baby's first bowel movement (meconium) and perhaps your first diaper change.  Your baby's lungs continue to mature as more and more surfactant is secreted (remember — it helps prevent the lungs from sticking to each other when your baby begins to breathe…definitely a good thing).  At 38 weeks pregnant, all systems are go!

7 days to go…plus or minus!  Yikes!!

37th Week

13 days to go?!  That gives me butterflies in my tummy!!!

Had my weekly check-up with the Doctor and she finally "wrote" me off one day shy of 38weeks.  Apparently because my BP has been elevated x 2 weeks, and with the swelling in my legs and feet, plus the higher than average weight gain (fluid) plus some other symptoms...she is concerned about Pre-eclampsia.  She has arranged an appointment at the Queensway Carleton Birthing Centre for today (Friday Dec 2nd) to have blood work drawn and run other test to determine the next course of action.  Perhaps they will recommend induction which I'm not keen on....but whatever is necessary for the safety of all.

My workplace seemed shocked that I was leaving even though they've had 8+ months to prepare.  In fact as I was leaving at 11am on my last day...they were STILL trying to task me with projects.  It was so ridiculous, I had to laugh.  I'm sure they think that I will be logging on to work from home...which I did actually do yesterday.  But that was just a one time thing...;)

While I'm still in awe over my body's ability to allow my tummy to stretch so much....I also can't believe how much my legs have swollen.  Even after a night with them "elevated" I still end up with pitted dents from where my other knee was resting.  A deep enough dent that I could use it as a bowl!  lol   Obviously just a temporary condition...but amazing what the body goes through during pregnancy.  And even more amazing that we all go back to normal....well sort of!! :)

What's happening with baby this week? "If you haven't yet delivered, you've reached the calm before the storm. You're probably monitoring your body for those first Early Labor symptoms and wondering what you've forgotten. Your smooshed-up baby is weighing in at around 6.3 lbs and 19 inches (with boys somewhat heavier and longer than girls). As far as their internal organs go, your adorable baby has reached "term" - a medical term that means your sweet little bun is birth-ready and labor is welcome and normal at this point. Despite being physically ready to land on planet Earth, your baby's immune system is quite weak and will continue to be that way for their first years of life.  Thankfully, your breast milk (aka "boob medicine") protects your child via protective antibodies that are present in your milk."

He could come any day!!  How exciting!! :)