34 Weeks

NOTE: THIS ENTRY WAS WRITTEN A WEEK BEFORE IT WAS PUBLISHED. THE PUBLISH DATE WILL SAY JULY 5TH, BUT IT WAS WRITTEN THE WEEK BEFORE. 

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So we are 34 weeks now! I cannot believe it. We still have a good deal to do, but we're in great shape for Rambo's arrival. 

Here's my list of things I still have to do the following before Rambo arrives: 

1. Install the car seat, both in my car and John's. Inspection is on July 7th by the County Sheriff's office. 
2. Pack our hospital bags, and make a list of what needs to go in there when we leave that isn't already in there. 
3. Make sure our cameras (DSLR, point & shoot, and the Flip) are ready, charged and packed or handy. 
4. Finalize a birth plan (roll your eyes if you want) and discuss it with my Dr. 
5. Call a pediatrician and set up a consultation, if they do this.   Appointment is 7/6
6. Get cradle from Uncle Pat (he's making it), and get bedding/mattress to go with it. Change of plans. We're now planning on using the bassinet feature on the pack and play at night and having Rambo nap in his crib and bouncer during the day.
7. Attend birthing class at hospital (6/26). 
8. Attend infant CPR class (7/23)
9. Attend breast feeding class (8/4)
10. Oh, yeah, agree on a name. Don't even get me started! 

I can tell that Rambo is getting bigger in there. At night I lay on my left side to sleep. Without fail, he snuggles down into his spot between my abdomen and the bed. If I roll back to my back, You can actually see a huge lump on my left side! I can't wait to see the little guy that is snuggled up in there. 

No signs of labor yet. I got a birthing ball (exercise ball) and I rock on it at night. It's supposed to open up your pelvis so that the baby can more easily come down. I thought he was getting lower this week, but then I woke up on Wednesday, and he was back up in his normal position! I can hardly believe my eyes when I see my belly in the mirror. BIG MAMA! 

I've discussed my birth plan with my OB, and luckily almost all of it is a go. In fact, most of it is already common practice at my hospital and with my OB. I'm grateful for that, as not all OBs and hospitals are so up on the newer methodologies. 

And here is the weekly survey! 

How Far Along: 34 weeks, 3 days

 

Sex: boy

 
Size of baby: He's got to be between 5-6 lbs now. Maybe more. I'm not sure!

Other things baby is up to: Here's what the babycenter.com says for week 34: "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."

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +22 (total).

Movement: He's been alternating his acrobatics. Lazier some days, and rarin' to go others... 

Sleep: I'm having a hard time falling asleep at night, and the desire to sleep during the day. I guess my body is getting me ready for a newborn.

Symptoms: Back pain, shortness of breath when I exert myself, ligament pain

 

Cravings: Cereal.   

Aversions: Chicken. 

Maternity Clothes: Oh yeah.

Belly Button: Still in, but mighty small and cute.

 

Milestones: At 34 weeks, I have reached the point where my Dr. will no longer try to stop labor if it happens. I could have a son at any time! Also, I've read that if the baby were to come now, I'd probably not need a steroid shot to help with his lung function.

Looking forward to: Holding my baby.

What I Miss:  Coffee, being comfortable.  

Next appointment: 2 weeks with the OB. Then I'll get my strep B test--that's a fun one!

Times I used the Doppler in the last week: 0


Weekly bump pic:   Instead of a bump pic, here is a video taken on Wednesday, June 28th (34w2d) at the beach. You can see Rambo squirming around in there.