39 Weeks

Well, the end is in sight now! I am getting very anxious and excited to meet our baby! I have been trying to relax, but that isn’t really my strong suit. I keep having one or two contractions and then they stop. I think the baby likes to play tricks on me.

I had another appointment today at the doctor’s office. We had an ultrasound first to make sure the baby wasn’t too big. It turns out the suspected large baby is actually on the small side. At the ultrasound the baby weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces. That is slightly under what an average baby is. That makes me think we might have a little while still. The doctor said the baby usually gains about an ounce a day so another week would put the baby right on target.

They measured the body parts and everything looked fine. The heartbeat was at 140. We got to see the profile of the baby’s face, which is way down in my pelvis now. While we were watching, the baby was sucking on his/her hand. We might not need those pacifiers after all! I used to suck my thumb so maybe the baby is taking after me! Unfortunately, because the baby was so far down, we couldn’t tell whether there was hair on the head or not. The baby is still in the right position. We still don’t know the gender, which makes me even more excited to finally see this baby! I feel relieved to know the baby isn’t too big…easier on me.

Next, we had a doctor’s appointment. We had a really friendly doctor today. He said he agreed about the baby’s size being a little small, but didn’t seem concerned. I am dilated 1 centimeter and 60% effaced, so progress is being made. When I asked about how far past my due date they let people go, it sounded like it wouldn’t be much more than a week. If Baby Bittner doesn’t show up by next Tuesday, I will have another appointment. They will check the amniotic fluid, do a non-stress test, and we may discuss induction by the end of the week. So, the good news for the crazy, antsy mommy is that I should be meeting my little one in less than 2 weeks! I can hardly wait to start being a mommy. Ed is equally excited and loved seeing the ultrasound today. We hope we have news soon. Hugs to all!

37 Weeks

Wow! Baby Bittner is officially full term now! We are getting so excited! We have been pretty busy, but things are slowing down now. We had a great time going to the Iowa game a week ago. They won by a lot so that made it even more fun! We got to visit with my former roommate, Amy, and her family so that was fun. Tailgating is just slightly different when pregnant, but still fun! This weekend I spent resting because I have had a cold that won’t go away. I am amazed at how much more a cold affects me when I am pregnant, but I haven’t had too many issues with pregnancy so I still can’t complain too much! I also got a head start on some Christmas shopping. You know me…always planning ahead!

I am going to weekly doctor’s appointments now. Last week there wasn’t much to report. The baby’s heartbeat was jumping from 130’s to 140’s. I wasn’t really dilated yet. This week the doctor checked the position of the baby. Good news! The baby’s bottom is sticking out of my upper stomach and the head is down where it should be. Exactly what we want, so that was a great relief. He said that’s why I am feeling all that pressure down low and on the bladder. He told me that being on my feet at work is good for getting the baby to come and that I should walk as much as I can. I am dilated about a centimeter or 2 and the cervix is softening. All signs that baby will be showing up soon. The baby’s heartbeat was a little lower and the doctor said it sounds like a boy today. I told him that was what we were predicting and he told me to make sure we have a girl name picked out just in case. He also asked how big I was when I was born. I weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces and he told Baby Bittner not to get bigger than that. The doctor told me that if I don’t deliver by the 39 weeks I need to have an ultrasound to find out how big Baby is getting. I keep telling Baby B. to come any time now! I am ready! I think Ed would rather wait a few more weeks and enjoy some peace and quiet. I look forward to my next appointment on Wednesday next week. I hope to have news to report soon!