We are 37w2d today and have a mere 19 days until our due date!! Hard to believe around this time last year we were just beginning to discuss having a family.
For those who don't know..at my 36 week appointment last week my BP was 110/60, baby's HB was in the 140s, no protein in my urine, weight was right on track, and we were 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. I was pleased with those numbers because I'd been having what seemed to be menstrual-like cramps but brushed them off as just "warm-up" contractions (Braxton Hicks). To my surprise, they were actually doing something...
In addition to the routine check up tasks, my physician also collected what is called the "Group B Strep Swab." Group B is "a kind of bacteria that many people harbor in their intestinal tracts. The bacteria may also inhabit (or "colonize") your vagina as well, and be passed on to your baby during labor and birth. Getting screened for GBS late in pregnancy – and receiving antibiotic treatment during labor if you're a carrier – greatly reduces your baby's risk of becoming infected. Early-onset GBS disease can cause sepsis (an infection in the blood), pneumonia, and, less frequently, meningitis. Some of these babies, particularly those with meningitis, will have long-term health problems such as hearing or vision loss, cerebral palsy, or developmental disabilities, and about 5 percent won't survive. " (BabyCenter.com)
These results would be disclosed at my next appointment to determine if I would need IV antibiotics prior to delivery.
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Today, at my 37 week appointment, my BP was 120s/50s, baby's HB was in the 140s, no protein in my urine, weight up 1lb from last week, GBS negative (No IV antibiotics), and were now closer to 2cm dilated and 50-60% effaced. This was a pleasant surprise because while I imagined we'd eventually have progress I didn't expect it to be in just a weeks time.
Granted, dilation and effacement sometimes don't mean anything. I've had friends who have been stuck at 4cm and 50% effaced for weeks with hardly any progress until the big D-day. I've also had friends who've been 1cm and closed for up to 4 weeks before.
Needless to say, I'm trying not to be too hopeful that our progress is the start of something..
I'd rather prepare myself for being pregnant til the middle of November than thinking she'll come on Halloween night! (Though, wouldn't it be nice?) ;)
Here's what else is going on this week/weekend:
How far along? 37w2d
Symptoms: Fatigue, lower back ache, cramping, insomnia, intense dreams
Total weight gain/loss: +8lbs from pre-preg
Gender: Girl :)
Maternity clothes? Some. Mainly sweat pants now.
Stretch Marks? Yes, just the couple on my sides
Belly Button in or out? Still in.
Sleep: Minimal but surprisingly still there.
Movement: Reduced movement. I really only feel a few jabs a day or a roll.
Labor Signs: Yes. Increased pressure on my pelvic floor, lower back aches, menstrual-like cramping, shooting pains radiating downward in the lady region.
Food Cravings?: Nothing. I've kind of lost my appetite the last couple days..
What I miss: Sleep.
What I am looking forward to: Seeing how soon she decides to come.
Upcoming appointments/events: OB appt 11/6 with cervical check
Best moment from last week: Finding out we were already dilating and effacing :).
Now that we're full term, baby girl is welcome to come anytime and will thrive just fine. And while I want that to be sooner rather than later...my goal is to make it to at least her birth month (Nov.) and even past Nov. 4th when I will start maternity leave.
Until next time...
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