36 WEEKS PREGNANT

Pregnancy photo #9, November 9th, 36 weeks.

Thirty-six weeks down and four to go! I cannot believe that Samuel is due in less than a month, 28 days to be exact. This past month has been full of so many changes.

We began our bi-weekly and weekly check-ups this past month. I feel like I live at the OB’s office now. Here is a quick run-down on all of the many visits we’ve had this month. Notice there is no more mention of weight! Let’s just say that I have given up on that battle….
October 13th: Saw Dr. Darpel due to sharp stomach pains and soreness that I had been feeling since our previous visit. The pain is just Samuel stretching/tearing my stomach muscles and is nothing to be concerned with. My urinalysis and BP were normal. Samuel’s heart rate was great and there were no concerns!
October 18th: Saw Dr. Bilotta for a regular check-up. My urinalysis and BP were normal. Samuel’s heart rate continues to be right on target! He was very active during this visit and Dr. Bilotta placed my hands on my lower abdomen and showed me how to feel where his head is. It was really neat to be able to distinguish what I am feeling.
November 3rd: Saw Dr. Donnelly for a regular check-up. My urinalysis and BP were normal. Samuel’s heart rate is normal. Uterus measurement is normal for 35 weeks.
November 8th: Saw Dr. Donnelly for a regular check-up. My urinalysis and BP were normal. Samuels’ heart rate is normal. Uterus measurement is normal. I have not dilated at all but am beginning to efface. Samuel is in the head down position and my uterus and cervix have started to move “into position”. We are right on track for 36 weeks.

Samuel continues to move so much! I have now started to feel his feet in my rib cage, which is just as pleasant as everyone described. I can tell that he is getting cramped for space because I feel all of his movements so much more and he keeps pressing his butt or feet against the side of my stomach. When he does it, you can see a huge lump and it is hard as a rock. I had my first Braxton Hicks contractions on October 26th and had absolutely no clue what it was. My grandmother had to clue me in that it was contractions! That led to a fun few hours at the hospital. I had been told that if I had more than 4 of them in a one-hour period to call the doctor. I had 5 in a 45 minute period, so Dr. Gerwe asked me to go to the hospital just to be safe. Just as we had suspected, there were no issues and the contractions stopped before I got to the hospital. I had another episode on November 7th but there were only a few of them and they stopped relatively quickly.

I am not feeling as great this month as I have in past months. I continue to have intermittent nausea (mostly at night) and leg cramps all night. I have also had 2 migraines this past month. My stomach is getting so big and rather uncomfortable. My face, hands, and legs have also started to swell. I feel like I am going to explode…but I know it will all be worth it!

My second baby shower was held on October 16 and it was wonderful. I was so overwhelmed with all of the love and support shown by my family and friends. Thank you to my amazing mother, grandmother, and aunts for putting such a special day together for me. And thank you to all of our friends for your thoughtfulness. Jimmie, Samuel, and I are so lucky to have each of you!