34 Weeks

About the baby:

By the 34th week, the vernix coating on the baby's skin is becoming thicker, whereas lanugo hair is almost completely gone.

Most babies should be in position by now if they're going to be. Your health care provider can tell you if your baby is positioned head - or bottom - first. 

Your baby could be as tall as 20 inches and is probably about 5 pounds in weight. 

If you're having a boy his testicles are making their way down from the abdomen to their final destination.

Those tiny fingernails have probably reached the tip of this or her fingers by this week - which is why some nail clippers are a good idea to have in the hospital bag.

Babies born at 34 weeks usually have fairly well-developed lungs, which are the last organs to develop - and unfortunately very important to development outside of the womb.

This past week was pretty insane. On Friday I had my weekly OB appointment, started off with the typical non-stress test.

After about 20 minutes I'd had 2 contractions and so they came to get me and take me to the doctor. He came in and chatted with me about all the usual stuff before deciding to check me. 

Of course, that's always slightly awkward, but it was even more so when he said, "Hmm, that little head is really engaged."

(I chuckled and thought, "That's what she said.")

However, then he said, "Yeah, you've started dilating. You're not quite a 2, but more than a 1."

I sobered up at that, because a million thoughts started racing through my head. The prominent one being, "It's still too early." Sure, babies survive much earlier gestational periods, but it is still too early.

He was silent for a minute while glancing at his computer and then sighed out, "I'm glad we got you to 33 weeks. I'd love to get you to 37, but we'll see."  (I feel like his "love to" dates keep changing, but I understand why…)

When I asked about a time frame (which of course I already knew the answer) he said, "It's impossible to predict because these things are so inconsistent. It could be days or it could be weeks. Even after you pass your mucus plug you could go another week. I've had patients stay at 1 and 2 cm for a few weeks before going into labor."

That's when he finally prescribed the medicine to stop all uterus contractions (hopefully even Braxton Hicks). He doesn't want my uterus doing anything right now, not with the head fully in position and "engaged."

I'm going in on Wednesday for an ultrasound to see how big Nolan is. I'm guessing it'll be the determining factor in whether or not I'm given steroids to help mature the baby. He almost prescribed them anyway because at the last ultrasound Nolan was still just measuring in the 30th percentile and the ultrasound before that he was in the 16th percentile. 

So, on Saturday we prepared our hospital bags as well. I still need a few things to go in it that I haven't purchased yet - guess it's time to get on it. Nolan's bag has been completely ready to go for a while. Now everything is by the door and ready to go. We also made a 'last-minute grabs' list and contact list to hang on the refrigerator. This will be great for if someone else has to come to our house and get the stuff.

We're installing the carseat in the car tonight.

Physically, we're prepared for him. Emotionally, I'm so ready to meet my amazing, sweet, precious Lovebug. I just want him to wait until March, dang it! ;)  I know I don't get to decide, and I have faith that the Lord's hand is over the situation, but still…

Hang in there, little man! 

We can totally make it another like 4.5-to-5 weeks, right?

I got nervous this morning. I started having really bad discomfort. I just felt blah in general. But, mainly pretty intense cramping-like pains in my stomach and lower abdominal and my sides and even in my back. Along with the ever-so-familiar pressure. They didn't feel like the typical contractions to me though. It just felt like a really steady and consistent pain. But, it only stuck around for about an hour and gradually eased up until it was gone altogether. It hasn't returned. I see the doc again tomorrow, so my plan for now is to just hold out till then.

Amazingly, it's getting more surreal to me than real. It's like I've reached the point of going in to labor at any time and that just seems unrealistic to me. Like, I know it could happen spontaneously but I just can't imagine the scenario.

I'd recently surprised some people by saying I was fine with staying pregnant longer and was not eager to push out this baby. Sure, I'm eager for him to be here, but it's not like I'm so uncomfortable/miserable that I'm like, "Just get him out" or anything. I'm still saying let's just hang out as is until March. Someone commented, "You don't meet many women as far along as you that want to stay pregnant much longer."

I must be a special case, because as of now I'm fine staying pregnant up to that due date. 

Also, be skeptical all you want but my chiropractor visits are awesome. I feel amazing when I leave there. Especially in my SI joints and middle and upper back - which are all areas that take a hit during pregnancy. I left my chiro today feeling so much better. I love it. 

Alright, 6 more weeks until the estimated due date, let's see how many more of those we get to count down!