32 Weeks. 7 Weeks left!

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama I don't know what a jicama is. I don't know how one tastes. But I DO know that it doesn't look like it weighs 3.75 lbs. It looks like a squirrely potato.) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week (It's been like a pound and a half a week)and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz I really am so curious about this hair. I've had heartburn so legend says that = a full head of hair!). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:

To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant (Yes, yes....bloody noses are my friend.). With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn (You can say that again! I'm learning to eat like a mouse - small meals). To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows (yuck -- I haven't had to do this yet but I have friends that spent the last few months of their pregnancies sleeping mostly upright in a recliner. ) and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances (Check!). If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor. (My pain is not preterm labor -- it's pain from carrying around a giant pumpkin and two "E's" all day!)

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. (Told ya!)Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things. (Check, check, check and check)


Get support from your partner "Sleeping is getting difficult. The only way I can get any rest is to lie with my back to my husband as he cradles my body. The support from him and a pillow between my legs is the best help." —Anonymous Eric supports me by sleeping in the other room so he can get some rest and I can sleep with 6 pillows.



Decision Guide: Who should be in the labor room with you?

Childbirth is an intensely personal experience, as is your decision whether to have additional family members, friends, or labor coaches in the birthing room with you. Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare your guest list:

Eric and I will be the only ones in the labor and delivery room unless Aunt Patti is on duty that day. If so she will come in and check on us or stay for as long as she'd like. Other than that, I'm sure that Eric and I can handle it -- we've known each other for a long time.

As back up, my girlfriend Jen has volunteered to come in if Eric can't handle the labor and delivery portion. My overall feeling on the matter is that I'm going to be really busy, and therefore not in the mood for other peoples issues, so if you can't be helpful you'll have to leave. =) And I do mean that in the kindest of ways. *Kiss*Kiss*

I'm not shy about having others look at my hoo-ha during labor. After all, labor and delivery is hoo-ha city! I'm quite sure my hoo-ha will be the last thing on my mind. It's just that I have a strong personality, in case you didn't know, and whilst writhing in pain my self control will most likely be limited. I'd hate to subject any of my loved ones or friends to my uncontrolled side. As it is I'm slightly anxious about which OB will be on call the night of our delivery. There are 6 OBs in my practice and they're all great but some have a better bedside manor than others. Some of their approaches might cause me to tell them to take a flying leap. Luckily, Eric is good at reading my facial expressions -- which is why it really makes him the safest candidate for the roll of "support staff".

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. (Don't worry! I've been told by employers and friends that I have a way with delegating!)

How to prepare now:

• If anyone offers to help during the newborn weeks, write down their name and number. Mom 301-XXX-XXXX

• 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. Again, I'm leaning on Mom. She'll be with me the first week and I'll be fully expecting home cooked meals. It's not often I get Mom cooked meals for several days in a row! LOL

• Create a master grocery list so you can hand it off to a friend. My Mom is a grocery store pro -- I'm sure she can wing it!

• Create a childcare or ride schedule for older children. No need.

• Line up a friend or neighbor to take out your garbage, walk your dog or feed your pets. Eric = support staff