34/35 Week “Bumpdate”

Baby: is around 18 inches long and anywhere from 4-6 lbs. I can definitely tell she is growing quickly. Audrey Grace is beginning to lower herself into the head down position for a safer delivery. Fun fact I recently learned: Babies have a reflex that when they hit the top of the uterus- they duck there heads making them do a somersault which allows them to get in the right position. Also, since their head is the heaviest part of the body, gravity helps to keep them that way. At my last appointment, Audrey was in the right position! 

Bump: Getting bigger everyday! You can’t tell very much from the front, but can definitely tell if I stand to the side. Still no stretch marks, which I am amazed! When it gets itchy I slather it in the “Mothers Special Blend” oil I have. It works great to keep it supple and moisturized.

Favorite moments: I have a few… From last week my favorite moment was getting to see the dance team perform “Dare” by Shakira and see all their hard work come to fruition. They did an amazing job & I am so proud of them. The video is on my Facebook if you didn’t get a chance to see them perform! I also enjoyed having an awards banquet for the team to honor their passion & hard work! 

2015-2016 BHS Dance Team

Talk about precision, stamina, skill and flexibility!

1st Annual Dance Team Awards Banquet

The next weekend Tyler and I went to a birthing class. We got some great info and it really got us excited that we are getting so close…At one point, Tyler looked over at me and got all giddy and said “I just got REALLY excited” I think it is becoming more real for the both of us as we get closer. I especially loved the labor comfort techniques they taught us… 🙂 who wouldn’t love a great back rub from their husband!?? Thanks Tyler ;).

Also, on Sunday my precious friends from small group threw me a baby shower! It was so much fun getting together with everyone and we appreciate the gifts so much. One of my best friends from college also drove up to celebrate and got to stay with me for the night. I felt so blessed & loved! Thanks to everyone who came. I will do a separate post on the shower and adorable decor.

Movement:  She is moving a ton and I even caught her movements on a video that will be so fun to look at when she is finally here. Her movements sometimes shift my whole belly which is crazy! She usually likes to be with her back/butt on my left and legs on my right upper side right by my ribs.

Cravings? Nothing in particular.

Symptoms? Feeling pretty good! Just some mid back pain & multiple trips to the bathroom. Lack of being able to sleep through the night is no fun- but I think it’s my body’s way of preparing me for what’s ahhead.

Labor signs: I had my 36 week check up and group b strep test. She also did a cervical exam to make sure the baby is in the right position- which she is! During the appt and while listening to the heart beat she asked “do you feel that contraction?” I had no clue, but I was having a Braxton hicks contraction which is just my body’s way of practicing for labor. So unbeknownst to me, my uterus would get hard and then relax & you could tell through the heartbeat monitor when it was relaxed bc her heart beart was louder and easier to hear. Baby is “ballotable” meaning she is still floating with her head down, but her head has no  descended into the pelvis just yet.

Mood/energy: A little tired due to waking up in the night- trying to get snag a nap when I can!

Exercise: I didn’t think I would be still teaching fitness classes right now at 35 weeks, but surprisingly I am!! Honestly feel like I will still be teaching until I go into labor. We will see, but I can still do the majority of the moves with very few modifications. It’s amazing what your body can do if you keep it up during pregnancy! I feel fit and flexible and as ready as I can be for labor. I definitely listen to my body and know when I should take it easy.

Diet/Weight: Doc said pregnancy is when you want to be in tip top health for yourself and especially for baby. I have been eating well and of course satisfying those occasional pregnancy cravings. I do not weigh myself except at my doctors appointments. At the last one I weighed 152lbs! Pre-pregnancy I weighed around 125. So I have gained a total of 27 lbs. I am feeling good about the amount of weight I am gaining. It was slow and steady until about 20 weeks, then it went BOOM as you can see in the chart from my Sprout pregnancy app.

Ever wonder where the weight is distributed during pregnancy? It may seem like its all in the belly, but thats not actually the case- for a 30lb weigh gain, here is the average breakdown:

• Baby: 7.5 pounds
• Placenta: 1.5 pounds
• Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds
• Uterus: 2 pounds
• Breast tissue: 2 pounds
• Blood volume: 4 pounds
• Fluids in maternal tissue: 4 pounds
• Maternal fat stores: 7 pounds

Looking forward to: I am excited that I am now at weekly Doctor appts and only have 4 weeks away until her due date!! Doctor says she thinks she will wait to come until 3 or 4 days before or after her due date- March 9th… We just can’t wait to meet her!

Thankful for: My family and friends who have been nothing short of amazing during this special time! 

Dorothy & Audrey Grace