36 Weeks Update & Doctor's Visit

We are 36 weeks today and in our first week of our 9th month!!!!!!  4 more weeks to go!!!!!  We now see our doctor on a weekly basis. 

Cayden is still packing on the pounds – at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (about the size of a head of romaine lettuce or honey dew melon).

He is shedding most of the downy hair that covered his body, as well as the vernix caseosa – a waxy substance that protects the skin during its nine-month bath in amniotic fluid. Cayden swallows these substances, along with other secretions, and forms a tar-like black substance called meconium, which he passes in his first bowel movements.

At the end of this week, he will be considered "early term." (Full-term is 37 to 40 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term, 41 weeks is late term, and those born after 42 weeks are post-term.) Cayden is in a head-down position. 

My cervix has softened but no dilation. My doctor also administered the group B strep test (GBS).  

This week I have my big sis, Chamel here to help me prepare for Cayden.  We plan to work on his room, install car seat, wash some of his clothes, and put our bags in the car.  

Well, stay tuned for more updates.  

35 Weeks.......5 Weeks to Go

You may experience more aches and pains in your pelvic area. The baby’s weight, along with the pregnancy hormone relaxin, causes your pelvic joints to expand in preparation for delivery. In addition, contractions may become more frequent, another sign that your body is preparing for your baby’s arrival.

Sleeping may be extremely difficult. While part of this is due to the physical effects of pregnancy, another part may be due to anxiety. Try to relax as much as possible. Reach out to girlfriends or relatives who have been there, done that — they will help walk you through the unfamiliar and ease your worries.

5 more weeks to go! Keep it up!

Your baby now measures approximately 18.2 inches (46.2 cm) long from head to heel and weighs almost 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg), or roughly the weight of a honeydew melon.

Although babies are considered preemies until 37 weeks, 99 percent of babies born at week 35 survive without any major complications.

The baby's organs are already developed and are becoming more and more defined each week. Its central nervous system is maturing, its digestive system is almost complete and its lungs are almost fully developed.

Week 34...............6 More Weeks to Go!!!!!

Time is going by too fast.  9 days until Christmas and 40 days until Cayden's due date.

Cayden now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (about the size of a large cantaloupe or 5 pound bag of flour) and is almost 18 inches long.  His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he is born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well.  

*If you've been nervous about preterm labor you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

This Week's Activity:

Make a labor contingency plan.  You may go into labor early or have a complication that requires you to be in the hospital longer than you anticipated. Give at least one friend or neighbor the keys to your house in case you need something and can't get home.  Line up people to do the following on a moment's notice:

• Take care of children
• Feed the dog, water the plants, get the mail
• Fill in for you at work or any other obligations

Enjoy this video of an inside look of Week 34

Inside Week 34 Video

33 Weeks Down.....7 More to Go

Cayden is still gaining weight (about half a pound a week), and he could grow up to another full inch this week. With that much baby inside my uterus, my amniotic-fluid level has maxed out, which explains why some of his pokes and kicks feel pretty sharp these days. (There's less fluid to cushion the blows.) Antibodies are being passed from me to Cayden as he continues to develop his own fetal immune system, which will come in handy once he's outside the womb and fending off all sorts of germs.

Stay tuned.  We have a doctor's appointment in the morning.

32 Weeks Down.......8 Weeks to Go!!!!

By now, Cayden weighs 3 3/4 pounds (about the size of a large squash) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in my uterus. He is gaining about 1/2 pound each week.  In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

This Week's Activity:

Start lining up helpers. Your friends and family will want to pitch in after your baby's born, but many new moms are too overwhelmed to direct household help. 

How to prepare now:

If anyone offers to help during the newborn weeks, write down their name and number.

Select one friend to set up a schedule so that all the friends who wish to help are given a date on which they can bring you a meal.

       

I really believe this is Cayden's current position: 

       

31 Weeks Down......9 Weeks to Go

Wow!  I'm 31 weeks today.  Time is definitely going by too fast at this point.  Today is starting the first week of the 8th month.  I can tell Mr. Cayden is getting bigger because the pains are getting better :)  Thank you Jesus for my awesome husband!  He has definitely held my hand every step of the way......even through the hormone rollercoaster.

Your First Trimester:

1st Month = Weeks 1,2,3,4  

2nd Month = Weeks 5,6,7,8  

3rd Month = Weeks 9,10,11,12,13 Your Second Trimester:

4th Month = Wks 14,15,16,17

5th Month = Wks 18,19,20,21

6th Month = Wks 22,23,24,25,26 Your Third Trimester:

7th Month = Wks 27,28,29,30

8th Month = Wks 31,32,33,34,35

9th Month = Wks 36,37,38,39,40

Weighing in at three-plus pounds and measuring 18 inches long, your baby is quickly approaching his birth length — though he's got to pack on another three to five pounds before D-day. Also developing at an impressive clip: your baby's brain connections (he's got to make trillions of them!). He's now processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses. He's also putting in longer stretches of sleep, which is why you're probably noticing more defined patterns of wakefulness (and movement) and rest (when he’s pretty still).

Stay tuned for updates.  We have an appointment before travelling to Nashville for Thanksgiving.  After this week, we start seeing Dr. Stutes every 2 weeks.   

Jones Party of 4 

I Passed the 3 Hour Glucose Tolerance Test

I passed the 3 hour glucose tolerance test. 

Items for Hospital Bag (suggested list......not mine) What did you pack?

·      Admissions paperwork

·      Baby – blanket

·      Baby – car seat - safely installed

·      Baby – diapers, diaper bag (at least for the car ride home; hospital will have what you need while you are there)

·      Baby – emery board, clippers

·      Baby – going home outfit

·      Baby – mittens (prevent scratching)

·      Baby – onesies, socks, hat, receiving blanket (if you don't want to use what the hospital provides)

·      Baby – snow suit if cold (on the ride home)

·      Baby book – record firsts, stamp your baby’s feet

·      Bag - extra bag to bring home gifts, hospital supplies & new items

·      Bathing suit

·      Birth announcements (if you are feeling productive)

·      Birth ball & other birthing tools

·      Birth plan

·      Blanket - something cuddly & warm 

·      Books – birth, breastfeeding, newborn

·      Books, magazines

·      Breast pads

·      Breast pump – if you have your own, you might want to bring

·      Breastfeeding clothes - Shirt, gown, robe

·      Breastfeeding items - nipple cream, pads, nursing pillow

·      Calling card for long distance phone calls, pre-paid phone card

·      Camera, video camera – batteries, cables, film, memory card, accessories (charge up camera & empty memory card ahead of time)

·      Camera - a disposable camera for an extra or backup (when your camera battery goes dead)

·      Candles

·      Car ride to the hospital – if in labor – garbage bag to sit on, barf bag, towel

·      Cash, change

·      Cell phone

·      Cell phone – charger & extra battery

·      Clothes to wear home – comfy, roomy; flat shoes

·      Drinks & snacks

·      E-mail addresses for friends & family, digital camera to send photos

·      Eyeglasses or contacts, case, solution, cloth to clean

·      Fan – handheld

·      Folder for new paperwork

·      Hair band, barrettes, clip, scrunchies – keep hair out of your way

·      Hand mirror – watch your baby being born

·      Hair clips, ponytail holder

·      Hard candy – suck on during labor

·      Hospital paperwork

·      ID or driver’s license for mother and partner

·      Insurance card

·      Items for your spouse/partner/labor coach during labor – clothes, snacks, book, money for vending machines/parking, toiletries, medications, swimsuit, video game

·      Journal – record your thoughts

·      Laptop

·      Lip balm

·      List of last minute items to pack

·      Lotion

·      Magazine

·      Makeup

·      Massage items – tennis balls, rolling pins – for back pain during labor

·      Massage oil

·      MP3, iPod or personal stereo

·      Music – CDs, tapes or MP3 files

·      Nightgown or t-shirt to wear while giving birth

·      Nursing bras

·      Nursing pads

·      Other items that your hospital or physician recommend

·      Pajamas to wear pre-delivery and post-delivery

·      Paper & pen – take notes, write down questions

·      Pediatrician name and number

·      Phone number for services to cancel, depending on day (milk delivery, …)

·      Phone numbers/address book - family, friends, insurance, ObGyn, pediatrician, neighbor

·      Photos of family members or favorite place

·      Pillow – if you need a special or extra pillow – put it a patterned or colorful pillowcase so it doesn’t get mixed up

·      Puzzles - crossword, Sudoku

·      Pre-certification papers

·      Relax – anything else you need to help relax

·      Rice sock - warm in microwave & use on back pain

·      Robe

·      Sanitary pads

·      Scissors, tape – if you want to cut out the newspaper or other items for baby book

·      Siblings – if there are older children, pack items they will need – to bring to the hospital, and/or to send with them wherever they are staying – present for the big brother/sister, change of clothes, special items (stuffed animal, blanket), gift the older sibling can give the baby, snacks, drinks, extra underwear, books, games, toys, medicines

·      Slippers

·      Snacks

·      Toiletries - hairbrush, cosmetics, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser

·      Towels

·      Underwear, bras

·      Valuables, jewelry, credit cards – do NOT bring these, leave at home

·      Video camera

·      Warm socks

·      Washcloth – colorful so you can spot yours vs. the hospitals (if you don’t want to use what the hospital provides)

·      Watch with second hand – to time contractions

·      Water – bottled 

Keep Calm! I'm 30 Weeks Pregnant

30 Weeks…………..

Cayden is about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds (size of a large cabbage and long as a large cucumber).  A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will shrink as he gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

This Week's Activity:

Assemble any baby gear: This is the perfect job for your partner or a friend who wants to help. Cribs, bassinets, and strollers are notoriously tricky to put together, especially when you're sleep deprived, so get started now. Swings, mobiles, and monitors can all require batteries, so make sure you have enough on hand. Tip: Consider getting rechargeable batteries and a battery charger.

How is my life changing:

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off.

Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size. Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.