I went to the doctor this afternoon and was 1.5 cm and 50% effaced. Since I'm 35 weeks now, my doctor said I could go back to work if I want to, or I can rest another week; it's okay if I deliver Clara now. I decided to stay home at least one more day tomorrow and be more "active" and see how it goes at home, since I have basically been on the couch for a week now. Since my appointment this afternoon, I have been sitting, not laying, on the couch and have had one Braxton Hicks contraction after another. (I’m laying down now because it’s annoying). So, I think if I went to school, I wouldn't last long. I'm pretty sure that Clara Kate wants out. We shall see what happens though... We’ll keep everyone posted as well as we can. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Baby Bumpdate: 35 Weeks
**This is an especially special milestone, as we thought Clara Kate was going to make her way into the world last week. We are so grateful to make it this far!***
Baby’s Growth: Baby is standing tall this week at about 20 inches and continues her steady weight gain (she’s about 5.5 pounds). While she won't get much longer, she will continue to pack on the pounds — including large amounts of baby fat — right up 'til delivery day. Something else that's moving at a mind-boggling pace these day: fetal brain development!
Total Weight Gain: +31 pounds
Sleep: Sleep is okay. Wednesday night, the night after the hospital visit, was the most sound and lengthy sleep I had had in several months. It was heavenly!
Movement: I still feel her move pretty often. Her kicks are more squirmy and abrupt now. She has had the hiccups four times in the past day. :)
Symptoms: My stomach feels very heavy, and I have Braxton Hicks contractions when I’m on my feet too long or sit up straight for too long. Last night at dinner with our besties, I sat at the table for 15 minutes and had two contractions. Needless to say, I had to go lay down. I am very cautious with being up too long after our scare last week…
Best Moment(s) of the Week:
The miracle that Clara Kate decided to stay in the womb! We had so many people praying for us, and we are so grateful that God decided that it wasn’t yet her time to enter the world. :)
Other News: Tomorrow afternoon I have my weekly appointment. I’m pretty sure that when I tell my doctor that I’m still having BH contractions that she will continue my bed rest. It’s only been a few days and it’s already a challenge. If I could get up and do things it would be better. Let’s just say that I’m doing my best to enjoy this rest and solitude before Clara comes, but it will definitely be nice to be able to leave the house again.
With those complaints said, I do my best to remember that every day that she stays in the womb is one more day that she grows and develops properly. :)
Pregnancy Portraits
Photography is definitely one of the “in” things right now with all kinds of creative ways to capture special moments. As anyone who knows me knows, I LOVE photos, but I don’t care too much for taking a picture of the same thing in a million different artsy poses.
Well, thankfully my mom is a naturally gifted photographer. She has been pinning maternity photos on Pinterest, so I knew a photo session was bound to happen. I was less than thrilled about it, but I did want a few shots taken of course.
Then, we found ourselves in the hospital Tuesday night. I thought the opportunity had passed us right by. So, when Clara decided to stay put, my mom came over the next night to make sure we could at least get a few. The session didn’t last long, as I’m on bed rest. Lucky me! It worked out for everyone. :)
p.s. Afterward I thought how grateful I was that my mom insisted on the photos taken, because I realized that Matt and I hadn’t taken a photo together with me being pregnant in a few months. How sad would that have been if we didn’t have a picture together with me really pregnant!! Thanks Mommy. :)
As you can tell, I wasn’t too worried about getting dolled up for our photo session. My goal was just to get some pics taken with no contractions…
Look how full my face is. :)
