MacNut Week 35

Technically, this is what's going on this week:

• MacNut is the heft of a honeydew melon - ~18.19 inches and 5.25 pounds.
• The body of your baby is growing round due to developing fat layers.
• Your baby's reflexes are coordinated.
• Lungs are almost fully developed.
• About 90% of babies born this week survive (really?  I'm pretty sure the percentage is higher than that).
• Most babies gain about half pound per week in the last month of pregnancy. Fat stores accumulate in the legs and arms. These layers of fat will help them regulate their body temperature. Baby still doesn't have enough fat deposits beneath its skin to keep warm outside your womb.
• Lungs are almost fully developed. Your baby's reflexes are coordinated, they turn their head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light and touch. You should still feel movement every day. She is about 5 and a half pounds and growing fast, it is getting short of space in the womb.
• Your uterus has become more cramped, your baby's kicks and other movements less forceful. You may want to check on your baby's movements from time to time and do a kick count.
• Baby may push up against your ribs and make you a little breathless. Soon your baby's position changes to prepare itself for labor and delivery. The baby drops down in your pelvis ("lightening") and you will be able to breathe easily again.

Physical:

• Weight: 151 lb (+25)
• Belly circumference: 40.00 in (+9.50)
• Fundal height: 32 in
• Dilation: 2.5cm
• Effacement: 30-40%
• Station: -2 (she popped up a little!)
• Estimated weight of baby: 6.5 pounds
• The other night, I had 4-5 ctxs within a 30-min span.  They were painful, too, and I had some sacral pressure...which was a little scary.  But after getting up, walking around, hands & knees, things slowed down dramatically and it wasn't too scary after all.  Since then, I've been having ctx that have become increasingly painful (but not really too painful, probably a 3-4/10?) and accompanied by pressure in the sacral area.  These episodes further confirm that, yes, I really needed to take this time off and take care of myself & Camille.
• This week, a new symptom I am getting is itchiness where my stretchmarks are...which is everywhere!!  I had some 1% hydrocortisone around and applying it really helped.
•  I continue to go to the physiotherapist who gives me a 40-minute massage every time.  Ahhhh...blisssssss. :)

Spiritual & emotional:

• I continue to feel that the decision to withdraw from classes this quarter and to take a leave of absence from school until next June is a good decision for our family.  I feel so much peace about it and I have received so much support in this decision from family and friends.  I am so thankful!
• Another huge relief: I received 100% tuition refund for this quarter!!  I could not believe it!  First, I did not think that the school would refund the full amount.  Second, I didn't think the turnaround time would be so expedient!  I am so relieved!
• I am also relieved to get through another week.  I've been staying home everyday.  And although it is (1) a huge hit to my pride that I am not doing anything "productive" and (2) I get a little bit of cabin fever, I feel better and at least I don't feel like I am putting Camille at risk of being born too prematurely.
• Oh!  I had a BIG baby shower thrown for me by our lovely friends Christine & Kristie!  I felt SO loved and blessed!  Will post pictures later.
• You already saw Chin's post...but I will say it again: I'm stoked that Camille will be an August baby!!