34 Weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) (the book at home says over 5lbs. I'm going to say our baby is 5lbs.) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. (We love lungs!) If you've been nervous about preterm labor, (I'm not) you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine Yes, yes...I really don't want a wimpy little baby. So I'm hoping I can make it to at least 38 weeks -- but I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to be threatening to slit my own belly open, and overdue, at 40+ weeks) 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.

How your life's changing:

By this week, fatigue has probably set in again (No, actually I feel energetic but my body is limiting me.), though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy. (I have been feeling a little faint from time to time and it's NOT dehydration!) If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly (no) and possibly your thighs (no) and buttocks (no....although my ass has swollen up a few sizes...........) as well, you may have a condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short). Up to one percent of pregnant women develop PUPPP, which is harmless but can be quite uncomfortable. See your practitioner so she can make sure it's not a more serious problem, provide treatment to make you more comfortable, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary.

Also be sure to call her if you feel intense itchiness all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.