34 weeks

10/29/08

The baby's 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. Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine, so I am passed the real danger zone. 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.

I had another midwife appointment on Monday, and again everything was well. My blood pressure, urine, and weight gain were all great. She found the heartbeat right away with the doppler, and she said it was around 145. My uterus was measuring 35 weeks. The medical assistant who calls me back and gets my vital signs every time said she was getting a girl vibe from me. Remember, my midwife's office has no idea what the sex of this baby is either. The only people that know are the staff at maternal fetal medicine where I have been getting all the ultrasounds. I make sure that when they fax over a report that it does not mention the sex of the baby. It would be too hard to keep it a secret at two offices. I need to go out this week and purchase a couple cute little boy outfits, and a couple cute little girl outfits so that I will have them when the baby is born. Most of Owen's clothes are not going to work out well. He was born in May, so all of his newborn clothes are short sleeves and shorts. I am pretty sure it is not going to be warm enough at the beginning of December to be wearing summer clothing. Owen and I are going shopping today to work on Christmas gifts so maybe we will find something for the baby too. I think I am also going to start purchasing newborn/size 1 diapers every time we buy diapers for Owen, that way we get a good supply built up. After Owen was born, we didn't have to buy diapers until he was around 4-5 months old. We had so many packs given to us at my many showers.

I will have George take my 34 week belly picture this evening when he gets home. I just looked back at some of the earlier blogs to look at my belly pictures, and the change is amazing! I can't believe how much your body transforms. I feel about the same size as I was with Owen....mostly all belly. I prefer to gain it that way than all over! : ) I think genes has a lot to do with it, so I can't take all the credit.