36 weeks!

Okay, now it is REALLY getting close. I technically could go "anytime", but starting next week, he will be considered full term, so I hope he waits a little while longer. Our childbirth class ends at 38 weeks, so hopefully he can hold out so we can attend all the classes. Or, he may trick us and hold out past his due date, ya never know!!!!

Let's see, we've done a lot this week! Monday I had massage, which was great. Tuesday I went to my local La Leche League meeting and I definitely think I'll attend each month for support. One of the leaders informed me that she was teaching the breastfeeding class we had today, so it was great to meet her before hand. She is a dietitian, a lactation consultant AND she is from Iowa, so we got along great! I think she'll be a great resource and I'm sure I'll put in a couple calls to her for help.....maybe more!! Wednesday we had our first childbirth class and learned breathing techniques to practice at home. Next week we'll discuss labor & delivery, so that will be an important class. The last 2 are about newborns and postpartum. As I said earlier, this morning was our breastfeeding class, which was very educational and I at least feel like I know the basics...it's just applying them on little Eli!! I think my biggest concerns are just getting started and then returning to work and pumping.

Here is what babycenter says about 36 weeks:
"How your baby's growing: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little under 19 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

How your life's changing: Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight."

I am having Braxton Hicks, but nothing that is painful or really uncomfortable. It's just tightening of my tummy and it can feel strange and a little uncomfortable, but nothing bad. I guess I also say this since I know the REAL contractions will pale in comparison!! I pee a lot and definitely walk differently, and slower. I get lovely pelvic pains in my inner thighs when I stand or walk too long so I guess I have a built in reminder to sit down and quit moving around!

The big question is "Where and when will labor begin??" Of course, I would prefer to be at home in the evening or weekend and not at work. But, just in case, I have packed a bag with a change of clothes and towels in case my water breaks at work or heaven forbid, while I'm driving. Eric would then pick me up wherever I am at and off to the hospital we go! I've talked to Eli to ask if he would wait until the evening or weekend.....let's see if he is a good listener ;)

36 week baby pic:

36 week mommy pics:




I was so happy not to have any stretch marks but, I have found some on my sides and legs, but none on my belly??!! Oh well!!

This upcoming week holds another baby shower being thrown by Eric's work. It was scheduled the same day as my doc appointment so that I could take a 1/2 day. It's very sweet of them to throw us one, not many workplaces throw daddys a shower!! At the doc appointment I'll get my strep B test and will find out the results at the next appointment. I go every week from now until he arrives....exciting!!!