Week 35 Inside Mommy's Belly

Dear Gavin,

Yesterday, Mommy went to see the doctor again. I had to wake up really early since I had to see the sonographer first before heading for my pre-natal appointment. They gave me my non-stress test. The test did show that my blood pressure was still high which actually stresses out the baby. Pregnant women, like Mommy, don't feel the symtoms of pre-eclampsia so they have to monitor us on a weekly basis. They weren't able to check on your weight but maybe next week we'd find out if you did gain that few extra pounds the doctor expects. Mommy was advised to stay relax, enough bedrest and just avoid any reasons to be stressed out.

During the NST, I just realized how stubborn and moody you could be. The test required the number of baby movements and it took quite sometime before you gave Mommy a nice strong kick. I'd even have to tap my belly just so you'd kick for the test. But when we're at home, you'd give rounds of kicks every minute, especially when Mommy has to beg for you to rest for awhile (so that the kicking would just stop, even for 5 minutes). Then when I went to see the sonographer, you keep moving around that she had difficulty trying to do the measurements. I knew the poking and probing was annoying that's why you were giving the sonographer a hard time.

The doctor rescheduled Mommy c-section to August 30 since he said he wouldn't be available on the 28th. Although if I really wanted that day then he could make some arrangements with one of his colleagues, but he said that there wouldn't be any assurance that I'll push through if the labor and delivery floor is fully booked. But I really want him to do the c-section so I agreed to have the date changed. And he said that if he does the procedure, he would make sure that I would be prioritized since I'm his patient and is scheduled under his time/slot/scheduled hospital rounds.

Anyway, Mommy started packing up with diaper and baby wipes supply. Yesterday, I bought another box from Toys R Us which was on sale. Then I bought 2 more baby outfits that I couldn't resist to buy. Although, a pregnant lady on the same aisle where I was browsing for clothes told me that Babies R Us sell the body suits cheaper than the ones I was holding. I thanked her for the suggestion and decided that if I have extra money, I'd visit their store in Manhattan.

Daddy and I were talking the other day about how or who you would look like when you come out. Sheryll just had a dream about you and she said that you had chingky (singkit) eyes -like Daddy but doesn't want to admit- with fair complexion. Then I read in a magazine that mom's who experience constant heartburn would have babies with a head full of hair. And since Mommy's been suffering from acid reflux for the past few months, I would assume that you wouldn't be a "baldie" like Ate Jenna. I'm just excited that I would be able to see you soon. I would have wanted that 3D/4D sonogram ever since I got pregnant but finding out that it cost $100 just made me think twice. I'd rather spend that money on more baby stuff than one picture when I could have 100's of that when you come out.

Daddy also told me that Ate Jenna's starting to get jealous of you. I do hope that when you come out, that feeling would just go away. I want the both of you to get along pretty well since Mommy has decided not to have another baby for a very LONNNNNNG time. Right now, I think that you and Ate Jenna are enough to make me appreciate motherhood and I really would like to enjoy have the both of you first before deciding if accepting another member in our family. Ate Jenna probably is just going to this whole anxiety about being a big sister. She's been an only child for almost 7 years and I know it's really difficult in her part to share that attention that Daddy and I have been giving her all these years. But I'm pretty sure that she would love to have you around. She'll be a great Ate since she's been a wonderful daughter to Mommy. Daddy should just be patient since your Ate's starting to have that brat-titude complex.

So, with another 4 weeks of waiting, Mommy just need to avoid anything strenuous to avoid going into labor earlier as expected. No more heavy shopping and long walks from now on. Just be a good boy and stop annoying Mommy especially when she wants to get a good night sleep. You're just like Daddy - SOBRANG KULIT.

But I still love you no matter how much you bother me.

Facts About Being 35 Weeks Pregnant

Fetal development in pregnancy week 35:
Congratulations! You’re now carrying nearly 6 lbs of baby not counting their amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, or the placenta itself. We’re impressed because that’s a LOT of work non-stop. Are you feeling proud of yourself yet? Well, get to it—you’ve done an amazing job! At this point, your little grower is almost busting out of the womb size-wise, which make their restricted attempts to move much challenging. Of course, your stubborn little sucker is still trying to move around as if they weren’t in a cramped space. And the accumulationg baby fat deposits are starting to level off so your little butter ball will be padded and warm when they head out of their super snug little home.

How big is your baby?
Your baby will be weighing in at around 2.5kg's and measuring 33cm from crown-to-rump and about 45cm from head-to-toe.

How is your baby developing and growing?
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 pounds plus. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Fatty deposits continue this week, as your baby will start to get fatter around the arms and legs now. If you are having a boy, then the testes should have completed their descent into the scrotum this week. Should your baby be born this week, he/she will loose weight faster than a full term baby as the digestive tract is not yet completely developed to be self sufficient.

Will your baby fit through the birth canal?
Even if your doctor has estimated the birth weight of your baby, there is no way to tell whether your baby will fit through the birth canal. The best test method to know is unfortunately labor, and should your baby be too big to fit through the birth canal, the result would be that he/she would be born by a C-section.

In some cases petit women have no trouble all at in delivering a 3.5kg baby naturally, and in other cases some average sized women have difficulty in delivering 2.9kg baby. There really is no way of telling until you are in the situation.

Preparing for baby's birth
If you haven't already started preparing for the birth of your baby, then now is the time to start doing so. You may want to start gathering the following information to take with you to the hospital:

Your blood type and RH-Factor
When your last period was, and when your due date is
Details of any past pregnancies
Your partners contact details (in the even that he is not with you)
Your healthcare providers name and contact details
Your pediatricians name and contact details
Your pre-authorization number from your medical aid or health insurance.


How big are you?
If you have not yet dropped (your baby has moved down into the birth canal) your uterus should now sit about 15 cm above your bellybutton and about 35cm above your pubic symphysis.

Your weight up to this point of your pregnancy should be around 10.8-13kg.

How your life's changing?
Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week. Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she'll do a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). (Don't worry — the swab is the size of a regular cotton swab, and it won't hurt at all.) GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that's why you weren't screened earlier in pregnancy.) If you're a GBS carrier, you'll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby's risk of infection.

How's mom doing?
We’re sure you’ve noted that the contractions are picking up and despite the obvious appeal of getting the pregnancy over with at this point, try not to jump the gun too soon by declaring actual labor. Of course, if it’s getting to the point where you’re having contractions continuously— you’re in The pain experienced depends on several things including your own natural pain threshold, medication, birthing position, fetal position, previous births, your general health and the actual birthing environment labor and yes, it’s time for the "grab your bags we’re gonna have a baby" rush. For the rest of you not yet in labor, your watermelon-betwixt-my-legs waddle is as charming as ever, not to mention the glorious ongoing back pain and fatigue. Hang in there! Once you’ve got your miracle baby on the outside, this will all be a dim memory. So, catch the cat naps whenever possible and keep yourself hydrated with water and try to imagine how all of this will (hopefully) be much funnier in hindsight.

Your doctor or midwife should soon start monitoring cervical effacement (thinning of the cervix) and dilation in order to predict labor. If your cervix is already dilated labor is probably not far away—although there are some moms who walk around with a dilated cervix for a couple of days prior to labor. And if you haven’t heard about the joys of discharging the mucus plug (which protects the uterus from infection) along with some spotting, commonly called “bloody show”—both are signs that labor is around the corner. Should you discharge anything unusual in consistency and/or coloration, don’t hesitate to call you health care providor, it’s probably nothing, but you certainly don’t need the extra stress right now.

Let’s talk about pain. Reports on the intensity of pain experienced during labor and childbirth are widely varied from woman to woman. The pain experienced depends on several things including your own natural pain threshold, medication, birthing position, fetal position, previous births, your general health and the actual birthing environment. Of course, there are natural births, cesarean deliveries, spinals, IV’s and other pain medications, all of which also play into how you experience pain during child birth.

Ideally, you should attempt to be as relaxed as possible and willing to accept the pain as part of the birthing process. In reality, your experience of the birthing process is unique to your body and how you choose to respond to it. Pain is a two part process: the first part is the physical experience of the pain and the second is your emotional reaction to your experience—and that is the part you have the most control over. Choosing to accept and endure the pain of child-birth (with or without medication) can be an empowering experience for any woman, as well as making the birthing process notably easier for those assisting you.

Sources:
Baby Center
Pregnancy Calendar
Baby Gaga

Physical Appearances

My brother-in-law keeps saying how ugly and fat I am because I'm pregnant. He even said that it's quite obvious I'm having a boy because I look horrible. He told my sister that she wouldn't want her to be pregnant again if she would look like me in the end. And he looks at me like I'm really disgusting, now that my belly keeps sticking out even when I'm now wearing my big shirts.

At first I kinda let it slip since I really don't listen to whatever stupid things he says. He has no idea about the beauty of pregnancy because he can never be pregnant (because he's a guy). Also, I just don't believe that a pregnant woman's appearance is affected by her baby's gender. It's just one of those pregnancy myths that one should not believe to be true. I've been pregnant once and I know what my body is undergoing.

But lately, his comments have taken some effect on me. I would look in the mirror and say to myself that "Maybe he's right". My reflection speaks more than any words coming from his mouth. I see myself and yet I don't really see a pretty picture. I see a fat, bloated and unattractive pregnant woman who can't even find the time to "pretty-up" herself once in awhile.

Since I got pregnant, I found myself wearing really stretchy and big shirts and sweat pants knowing that being comfortable is now my priority and not being "in" with trendy outfits. I only wear just flat slippers anywhere I go and refrained myself from using any other footwear from my shoe collection. I now keep my hair up all the time using a clamp just so it wouldn't bother me with the summer's heat. I've stopped going to the parlor to have my eyebrows plucked, haven't had a decent pedicure in months and stopped using any kind of cosmetics. I even don't shave my legs on a regular basis (before it was every other day, but now it's once a week). I've gain a lot of weight and now nothing can fit me anymore.

They say that a woman is at her prettiest when she's pregnant but in my case, I don't think I see myself that way right now. I've told my husband a number of times about my insecurities but he keeps assuring me that I shouldn't listen to what others are saying because in his eyes he loves the way I look, especially now that I'm pregnant. I keep saying he's just being biased, given the fact that he's my husband and the father of the child I'm carrying. I just can't help being upset at this point of my pregnancy whenever I hear how "un-pretty" I've become.

It feels rather disturbing that I see my pregnancy as a hindrance to being appreciated physically. I should be embracing the blessings I have, with being pregnant and all, and yet here I am complaining about how bad I look and how fat I've become. In a few weeks, I'll be having the baby but that doesn't mean that my body would actually change overnight. And I'm sure I'll look as horrible as ever due to exhaustion with less time for sleep when the baby comes.

All I need right now is to be accepted with the physical changes I'm going through. I love being pregnant but then I don't need to be criticized because I look different. My husband tells me everytime that I would never look ugly in his eyes and probably I should just listen to him and ignore whatever I hear from people who have nothing nice to say.

A Mother's Poem

I got this from an email awhile back

This is for all the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Meyer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's OK honey, Mommy's here." when they keep crying and won't stop.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for all the mothers who froze their buns off on metal bleachers at football or soccer games Friday night instead of watching from cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the World," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet like a tired 2-year old who wants ice cream before dinner.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the mothers who wanted to but just couldn't. For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead. This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for all mothers whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls " Mom ?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them. For all the mothers who bite their lips sometimes until they bleed--when their 14 -year olds dye their hair green.

What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying? For all the mothers of the victims of all these school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the Survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for mothers who put pinwheels and teddy bears on their children's graves. This is for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation. And mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married mothers. mothers with money, mothers without.

Facts About Being 34 Weeks Pregnant

Fetal development in pregnancy week 34:
Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out

How big is your baby?
Your baby will be weighing in at around 2.28kg's and measuring 32cm from crown-to-rump and about 44cm from head-to-toe.

How is your baby developing and growing?
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds 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.

Your baby is already starting to develop his/her immune system to help her fight against any infections.

The fingernails will be nearing the end of the fingers, and may even need to be trimmed within the first couple of days after birth.

Your baby's eyes will appear blue now, although they may change after the baby is a couple of weeks old.

Your amniotic fluid will reach it's maximum capacity this week, which will mean that your baby will be resting on the walls of the uterus rather than floating in the amniotic fluid.

When will your baby drop?
A few weeks before labor begins, you may notice a change in your abdomen, and if you measured the distance from the top of the uterus to the bellybutton or pubic symhysis, you may notice that the distance is now less. This is known as lightening, and occurs when the baby's head enters the birth canal.

You don't need to become concerned when this happens, as it happens at different times with different pregnancies, sometimes weeks before signs of labor begin, and other times just before labor.

With lightening you may experience a mixture of benefits and problems, such as:
Benefit: More room in your stomach, making you feel less squashed, ability to breath easier.
Problem: More pressure on your bladder, anus and pelvic area

How big are you?
Your uterus now sits about 14 cm above your bellybutton and about 34cm above your pubic symphysis.

You must remember that these measurements are purely as a guideline as each pregnancy is different. Do not get concerned if you are smaller or bigger than other pregnant ladies, your healthcare provider will be monitoring your growth and weight gain with each visit.

What is important is that your uterus grows larger at an appropriate rate, which will lead to signs that your baby's growth and development is normal.

How's mom doing?
Obviously the big change for you is the notable weight shift (known as “lightening” or “engagement”). Now that your baby is resting deeper in your pelvis, you may find yourself walking as if you're carrying a watermelon between your legs. Yes dear, you’re officially “waddling” these days. Try to comfort Now that your baby is resting deeper in your pelvis, you may find yourself walking as if you're carrying a watermelon between your legs yourself with this thought: it’s nearly over. Soon, you’ll just have to carry your adorable little watermelon in your arms. And in a rare spate of good news: this weight shift means you can breathe easier now that your lungs aren’t compressed. The not-so-good news, it’s a trade off: (we’ll wait till you’re back from the restroom) this new position has your poor bladder even more squished than before. We’d recommend writing your bladder little love poems to convince it not to leave you altogether, but unfortunately bladders don’t speak English (only Italian love poems will do).

If you've recently noticed some less-than-appealing itchy red bumps on your belly (and possibly around your thighs and belly), you've got yourself a harmless but not fun round of pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP if your don't have the patience for the full name). If you feel itchy ALL over your body, that's different, and you should call your health care practitioner as this could be a liver problem.

At your next check up you can expect your physician to conduct a Group B Streptococci test (GBS), a common bacteria screening. As long as you have a strong immune system, you’re in the clear (one more reason to eat right and exercise!), but your little one is more susceptible to serious health complications (including meningitis, pneumonia and blood infection) if not diagnosed and treated properly—so the tests are good for some peace of mind. Hang in there momma, you’re already a super-star for making it this far!

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.

What They Baby Looks Like Inside


Questions About C-sections

What are my chances of having a c-section?
About 30 percent of pregnant women in the United States give birth by cesarean section these days. In certain cases the surgery is scheduled in advance. In others, it's done in response to an unforeseen complication.

Why might I need a c-section?
You may have an unplanned cesarean delivery for many reasons, such as if your cervix stops dilating, your baby stops progressing down the birth canal, or your baby's heart-rate gives your practitioner cause for concern. A planned cesarean may be recommended if:

• You've had a previous cesarean with a "classical" vertical uterine incision or more than one previous c-section. (If you've had only one previous c-section with a horizontal incision, you may be a good candidate for a vaginal birth after cesarean, or VBAC.)

• You've had some other kind of invasive uterine surgery, such as a myomectomy (the surgical removal of fibroids).

• You're carrying more than one baby. (Some twins can be delivered vaginally, but all higher-order multiples require a c-section.)

• Your baby is expected to be very large (a condition known as macrosomia).

• Your baby is in a breech (bottom first) or transverse (sideways) position. (In some cases, such as a twin pregnancy in which the first baby is head down but the second baby is breech, the breech baby may be delivered vaginally.)

• You have placenta previa (when the placenta is so low in the uterus that it covers the cervix).

• The baby has a known illness or abnormality that would make a vaginal birth risky.

• You're HIV-positive, and blood tests done near the end of pregnancy show that you have a high viral load.

What should I expect during a c-section?
Typically, your partner can be with you during the surgery. If you don't already have one, your medical team will start an IV and insert a catheter to drain urine during the procedure, and you'll be given an epidural or spinal block, which will numb the lower half of your body but leave you alert and awake. A screen will be put up so you don't have to watch the actual procedure. Once the doctor reaches the uterus and makes the final incision, she'll ease the baby out, lifting him so you get a glimpse of him before he's handed off to be cared for by a pediatrician or nurse. While the staff is examining your baby, the doctor will deliver your placenta and stitch you back up. When your baby has been examined, the pediatrician or nurse may hand him to your partner, who can hold him right next to you so you can nuzzle and kiss him while you're being stitched up. Closing your uterus and belly takes a lot longer, than opening you up. This part of the surgery usually takes about 30 minutes. When the surgery is completed, you'll be wheeled into a recovery room, where you'll be able to hold your baby and breastfeed if you want to.

Sources:
Baby Center
Pregnancy Calendar
Baby Gaga

Pregnancy Photos

What My Tummy Looks Like at Week 34
Watermelon-round, with stretch marks and all
(at least bellybutton is not protruding)