Today I had my 38 week appointment. Not much has changed. Still dilated 2 cm. Baby still pretty high/hasn't dropped (though she said this happens later & closer to delivery on second babies.....). I've now gone from thinking the baby might be a little early, to thinking nope, probably gonna be late! Pessimism setting in about that! Or maybe I just want to start prepping for the late option - that way, it will be a nice surprise if it comes even just a tiny bit early!In light of not much other news on the baby front, I wanted to write down some of the differences of this pregnancy......some I may have mentioned early on in the pregnancy, but some are newer revelations.
- Weight gain - actually this is about the same. Looks like I will top out around 35 lbs gained - the high end of the recommendation. But I haven't barely gained anything in the last 3-4 weeks. Like a pound or two. I tend to gain ALOT in the 2nd and slow down significantly at the end.
- Swelling - almost none at ALL. This is really surprising. I was VERY swollen the first go around. And pretty early, like from the end of 2nd/very beginning of the 3rd tri. This time, I'm still wearing my wedding ring and I'm just over a week from the due date.
- Baby has consistently had a lower heart rate the entire way (Mackenzie's was higher). Old wives tales say that says boy, but this is not a reliable system, so it's probably a girl with a lower heart rate!
- Baby seems bigger. Has been pressing on my bladder WAY more than last time. Sometimes I will just go to the bathroom and still feel like I need to go. Which could mean it's just lower (boy?) but I've also had a tiny bit of heartburn & had none with Mackenzie. That means it's pressing on the stomach I think, which means it's higher (girl?) So, if it seems both higher & lower, I'm guessing maybe it's just BIGGER! The doctor did say today that I'm measuring closer to average size belly this time, so it may be a bit bigger. I'm expecting to break into the 7lb area this time :) Not big really, but bigger for a 5 ft tall girl!
That's all I can think of right now. I'm proud to say that I finally got my bag (mostly) packed this week & Mackenzie's bag. We're (more or less) ready for baby #2. And I'm now VERY interested in finding out the sex. Didn't bother me much the whole time not to know, but now I'm READY TO KNOW!
And so, we wait.......
You look great!
ReplyDeleteOur friends didn't find out what they were having, either and I just don't have the patience for that! I literally want to know the very week that the gender can be determined :)