34 Weeks!

WOW… time is really ticking away. Part of me is SO excited for Hailey to hurry up and get here already and the other part wants time to slow down a bit… are we really ready?


Ready or not… she is coming when she decides it's time!

I wish I had some idea of when. There's really no way to tell. I am not having any progress quite yet, which is GOOD since it's too early. I keep hearing stories of people who are 3-4 weeks EARLY (that would mean I would have her in 2-3 weeks) OR those people who are 1-2 weeks LATE… ugh. If Miss Hailey is right on time, I will be ecstatic! October 18th would be a perfect birthday for her! Anytime she decides to come is just fine with me. I am just hoping for a little bit of "me time" and time to relax and prepare for her after I go on maternity leave.

Your pregnancy: 34 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) 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. 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.

How your life's changing:

By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, 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.

If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly and possibly your thighs and buttocks 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.

Just got back from my 34 week OB appt! Everything is looking good and I am measuring right on schedule. Doctor seems to think I am going to have about an 8 1/2 lb-er! A girl can dream! I have this feeling Hailey is going to be huge but I will be MORE than happy if she is 8 1/2lbs! He also said the baby is positioned just right and her head is already down. Hopefully she stays that way!

Ohhhhhhh the fatigue! It's definitely setting in! I am sitting here trying to give myself a pep talk about going to the on my lunch hour… it's best to just get it out of the way early! No excuses!

Craig and I have an infant CPR class tonight… fun, fun!

Here's a 34 week bump pic for ya... Please excuse the fact that I took it myself w/ my phone... in a bathroom! LOL Classy... I know!