35 Week Update

I had my 35-week doctor's visit and ultrasound this morning and thought I would share an update...

This time I was not admitted to the hospital and got to come home! 

The last few days I've started to feel slightly better. I'm walking  waddling around about twice as fast and can handle being on my feet more than just a few minutes. My butt still hurts 24/7 and rolling over/standing/bending, etc. are extremely difficult. 

We started with the ultrasound and while everything looked normal (apparently our baby has nice "pouty lips" and only a few tuffs of peach fuzz), she was a bit uncooperative. The tech was frustrated that she wouldn't move her head for better measurements. But since it's jammed down about as low as it can go in my pelvis I'd imagine that's asking a bit much. 

estimated weight: 6 lb. 8 oz.* !! 

(average for 35 weeks is closer to 5 1/2 lbs.)

*Because they had such a hard time getting a head measurement (and this is based on a combination of the head and belly), the doctor thinks she's probably not quite this heavy. 

I actually lost 4 lbs. since my hospital stay, which didn't surprise me too much since this is the first time in years I haven't been working out/lifting weights regularly. I feel like my muscles are shrinking away. Baby is also pushing on my stomach and lungs and its hard to eat more than a little bit at a time (even though I finally have an appetite- how annoying!). Nobody seemed too concerned though as she is obviously growing fine. 

Next we visited with the doctor and learned that I'm now dilated 1 cm and effaced 70%. She's still head-standing down there just as low. Contractions are often but not painful, too close, or regular. 

The plan:

No more bedrest!! (I'm allowed to do whatever activity I can manage comfortably. Which means not much. But at least I can walk around the grocery store without feeling guilty.)

No plan to stop labor if she comes early. (She's pretty big now and breathing well and should do OK outside of me.) 

If she doesn't come early (unlikely they say), induce at 39 weeks, May 1st. 

So things have progressed but not too rapidly. She looks healthy and strong. While I suspect she might show up on her own, the thought of dealing with the pain for another 4 weeks is a daunting. (I'm also scared that she could get rather large with another month of growing!) There is a chance that the pelvic issues/pain will not resolve on their own after delivery and I will have to undergo some physical therapy. No way to know until then, though.

Hoping she stays put a few weeks longer... but wouldn't complain if we have a baby in April instead of May!