40+ weeks pregnant

Past my due date and now I am sitting, waiting, wishing…

How far along: 40+ weeks
How much do I weigh: around 61,8 kg (+12 kg)

weight gain pregnancy #2
weight gain pregnancy #2

Baby size: Who knows… big enough to enter this world for sure
Belly size: The circumference (2cm under the belly button) is 103 cm and from top to bottom it’s 46 cm
40 weeks pregnant
40 weeks pregnant

Belly button in or out: even/out
Sleep: Pretty good
Food (non) cravings: the usual
Symptoms: contractions every day since Monday April 9th, sometimes more, sometimes less, mainly in the evening, hoping they come more regularly and stay πŸ™‚ I had contractions in my last CTG on Friday but none two days before that.
heartbeat & contractions
heartbeat & contractions

  • Cervix is open a bit, one finger fits through
  • Cervix is very very soft, the gyn said I shouldn’t wait too long to get to the hospital as it will probably open quite quickly
  • I have contractions
  • my neck of the uterus is pretty much non existent anymore
  • Baby’s head is tight in my pelvis

My body is ready – when will the baby be?
Maternity clothes: Well, they are getting quite tight. I wear my leggings or shorts and wide tops
Stretch marks: None yet
Linea negra: above the belly
Miss anything: No, I’m feeling good and I really want to meet our little kiddo!
Looking forward to: Holding my second child
Best happenings this week: Seeing progress at the last GYN appointment.
Movement: Luckily still daily
Gender: I would say we’ll prolly know in a week or so? How exciting
Happy or moody most of the time: Happy
Sports: Nope

Ultrasound Baby at 40 weeks
Ultrasound Baby at 40 weeks

The weather for this coming week looks quite good so baby#2 might be born on a sunny day.
weather april 2018
weather april 2018

Getting induced at 40+9 or 40+6, +7, +8

The conflict with my brain:

For me, my earliest “might be” due-date was Monday, March 23rd 2015 (with a 27 day cycle and the first day of my last period being June 17th 2014) and for me, my real due-date was somewhere between Tuesday and Thursday, March 24th to 26st (with a 28 day cycle and the first day of my last period being June 19th 2014), that’s where the 40+6, +7, +8 comes from.

The early ultrasound in my 11th week spit out March 23rd as my due-date (that’s where the 40+9 comes from), my “might be” earliest due-date.

One thing I have very much learned in this pregnancy is:
next time I will give my OB the LP (last period) date, of which I know it was the first day, and not be influenced by what the doctor’s assistance tells me when my first day was. Especially because I’m such an organisation-nerd and keep an exact account of my period, I know my body and I know best.

I made the mistake of saying June 15th 2014 was my LP and my cycle is the average of 27 (There have been months where I’ve had a 30-day cycle). That gives us a calculated due-date of March 21st. And that calculated due-date now hunted me down, now that the induction talk comes up. Because, a doctor is always on the safe side and will want to induce at 40+7, latest at 40+10. And the only thing the doctor can rely on is that calculated due-date which was figured out 40 weeks ago. Unless the OB changed the date to what the early ultrasound figured out (which mine didn’t do because she said plus/minus a few days doesn’t matter). Well, it does matter if it comes to the induction talk.

Anyway, at first I thought it’s ok to get induced at ultrasound due-date +7 but the whole weekend before I didn’t feel comfortable at getting induced on March 30th. My inner conflict with my brain. Also because my mom carried most of her kids longer than 40 weeks (she got induced with my oldest sister at 40+10) and maybe we just carry a bit longer (who knows). My midwife came by on Sunday and we talked a long time and it made me feel a lot better.

So on March 30th my bubby and I drove to the hospital early in the morning and I told the doctor and midwives that I’d only like to get induced if it’s medically necessary (which, medically speaking, nothing was wrong this whole time). They checked me, checked the baby, called my attending OB who was on the way to the hospital already. All was good, enough amniotic fluid, the placenta still looks really good, the heartbeat on the CTG was good, the baby is moving lots, I feel good and have no symptoms like high blood pressure or water in my body.
So the only reason why they would have induced is because I was one week overtime and I asked if we could postpone it a few days. My attending OB wouldn’t let me go too long which I’m fine with, I don’t mind getting induced and I’m not a woman who absolutely wants that everything goes natural. The safety for my baby still is the most important.

My attending OB talked to me about the risks again but said everything looks very good, so he’ll give me two days, which is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 1st 2015. I felt a lot better and I just felt like I need to listen to my instinct and body and baby. Of course it can be that I’m getting induced tomorrow, it will take 30+ hours and I need a c-section but then I won’t have a crisis of conscience thinking “did my baby still need some time in my belly”. I hope. Who knows, maybe I’ll have a crisis thinking “should I have induced on Monday?!”.

I am happy I waited though and I’m totally ready for tomorrow (I’m nervous, that’s clear). I only slept four hours from Sunday to Monday (due to the time change here I really wasn’t tired) and hope (ha, we’ll see) that I can sleep better tonight because I’m ready and I want to get induced.

Fact is, going over your due date kind of sucks (when you don’t really know when your real due date is). You (well, I) worry about inducing too early, you worry about inducing too late, you just want to do everything right for your baby.

My 39th week baby bump story

39 weeks

How far along: One week away from my due date, holy sh**!!
How much do I weigh: 61,7 kg (+ 12,9 kg / + 1 kg this week / 28 pounds in total)
Those last few weeks I’ve been gaining and gaining (well, quite constant, it’s just weird to see the scale showing higher numbers each week).
I wonder how long it will take me to get rid of my extra weight but I’m not that worried because up until now I’ve been quite disciplined when it comes to losing weight. Never tried to lose pregnancy weight though. And never thought I’d gain so much in the last 4-6 weeks. Yet, one morning I’ll weigh myself and the next morning I’ll weigh 1 pound or 1 kg more, then the next day I’ll weigh a pound less again. I’m pretty sure I’ll hit the 30 pounds, maybe even 15 kg?
Belly size: Circumference 102cm, Top to Bottom 43 cm

Baby Bump Week 39 - 38w6d
Baby Bump Week 39 – 38w6d
Belly button in or out: It’s even/out now πŸ™‚
Sleep: Still not complaining! Getting up once. After my bubby gets up for work though (around 6 am) I couldn’t get back to sleep anymore two days this week, the rest of the days were just fine.
Food (non) cravings: Nothing special. I have a big appetite though, especially after I’ve been running around. So close to birth I’m thinking I better give my body what it wants so that it can store the glycogen I need for the big day. Just like athletes do before they run a triathlon… I eat a lot of fruits (bananas, apples, mangos, blueberries, blood oranges), cereal, yogurt, veggies, bread with vegetarian spread and cheese. I just can’t get enough of cereal with milk, but that’s been a craving of mine before pregnancy as well.
Symptoms: a lot of pelvis and popo pushing. It feels weird and I wonder if it’s possible that a baby breaks the water with its fingers and not the hormones πŸ˜‰ *jk* Other than that, heartburn and a sore body when sitting or laying.
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks contractions sometimes. Ok, since Friday, 38w6d I have them quite often, especially in the morning. So I guess my uterus is practicing for its big event.
Maternity clothes: Pants, for my last two weeks of pregnancy I bought a maternity t-shirt which I can wear the next few months as well. It’s getting too warm here.
Stretch marks: None
Miss anything: Nothing this week
Looking forward to: That moment when I know “I think I’m going into labor”. Still hoping our baby-boy will be born in the week from the 21st to 28th, but actually I’d love to have him here now already.
Also looking forward to the OB visit (it will be the last with my gynecologist), wondering what she’ll say about inducing and when I should see the gynecologist who will be delivering our baby.
Best happenings this week: My OB appointment on Monday (thanks Mom for coming with me)

  • How far along: 38+2
  • CTG: all fine. In the beginning he was sleeping so his heartbeat was a bit low, but then I had to drink water and the doctor’s assistant gently shook my belly and then he was more active and everything was fine
  • My Blood Pressure: 110 / 70
  • Cervix: wasn’t checked
  • Baby’s weight: around 3 kg (7 pounds). He’s getting chubby cheeks already πŸ™‚
  • Our Baby-Boy rubbing his eye at 38 weeks 2 days
    Our Baby-Boy rubbing his eye at 38 weeks 2 days
  • Amniotic fluid: he still has quite a good amount
  • Placenta: light calcification
  • Baby’s head: around 34cm

Other than that the weather was lovely and I even got a bit of tan.
I met with two of my colleagues for lunch on Tuesday and visited some other colleagues afterwards and went to a bazaar on Wednesday with my sisters and bought some tops for our baby-boy. 95% of the clothes for newborns / half year old babies were PINK! Only girl’s stuff! Afterwards I called the hospital to see if I could come by to get my third prenatal acupuncture, the midwife said yes so I drove there then.

Baby Clothes
Baby clothes I bought for 6 EURO
Tonight, Saturday, we’re going out for Running all-you-can-eat non-fish Sushi one last time, looking forward to that.
Movement: Still doing his gymnastics regularly
39 weeks baby bump
39 weeks baby bump

Gender: Baby-Boy Bruno
Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and excited that he can come any time. We are all sooooo nosy to know when he’ll come πŸ˜€ Actually I’m happy I didn’t go into labor on Friday the 13th. I don’t believe in that but still.
Sports: Just the regular getting things done in the city and stairs. On Thursday for example, I washed two loads of laundry and walked 454 stairs! The washer and dryer are in the basement, so down – up – down – up – down – up… Did Yoga on Friday.
Pregnancy Yoga
Pregnancy Yoga
I also did some gymnastic for pregnant women and now I have a sore back. Maybe I shouldn’t start with new exercises in my 40th week…

My 36st week baby bump story

36 weeks

How far along: 35 weeks 6 days – 1 month to go – 4 weeks to go – 28 days to go πŸ™‚ I’m officially starting my 10th month (and I’m 8 months pregnant)
How much do I weigh: 60,5 kg (+ 11,7 kg / + 25.8 pounds) *cries* that’s a gain of 2 kg in one week. I decided I shouldn’t care anymore, my BMI before birth was 18,7 which means I’m “allowed” to gain between 11,5kg to 16 kg (25lb to 35lb). I’ve had big meals for dinner this week and I always notice them on the scale on the weekend, pregnant or not.
As long as I can still walk the stairs easily without my boyfriend pushing me up I won’t worry.
Belly size: I have the feeling I’m getting fatter and fatter, not just my belly but my legs as well because my maternity clothes are getting tighter and tighter. Can’t wait to go jogging and to the gym again, especially with our Jogging stroller and our Baby-Boy! I’m really happy we bought the stroller we bought and I hope it will motivate me to go out lots.

36-weeks
Baby Bump Week 36 – 35w6d

Belly button in or out: Still in / even
Sleep: Not complaining. Sometimes I have problems getting back to sleep after I’ve gotten up to go to the bathroom, but not every night
Food (non) cravings: Nothing special. I just like to eat and I’m more hungry. I used to eat a yogurt with fruit as a snack, I still do, but I’m very hungry one or two hours later, esp. if I went for a walk in the meantime. Well ok and I have to admit, I love anything sweet! Pastries, Cookies, Cakes, Chocolate. Gimme!
Symptoms: I woke up on Tuesday, brushed my teeth and had quite some teethridge bleeding. Then I blew my nose to find quite some blood in my tissue as well. So I guess my mucosa was a bit sensitive that day. I hate hate hate having a bloody nose though, I get sick seeing the chunks of blood. I get dizzy and it feels weird in my tummy. Plus I’m scared to blow my nose. Those symptoms luckily only occurred on Tuesday.
The baby is getting bigger and bigger so some of his movements hurt and if I have a weird feeling in my pelvis or if I blow my nose or sneeze I touch my panties to see if the water broke πŸ˜€ Luckily every pregnant woman so close to the due date writes the same, I’m happy I found lovely blogs online. It makes me not worry so much (sometimes) (I’m also relieved to see skinny girls gain just as much or more than me). Especially when he stretches against my bottom left body it really really hurts and it’s a possibility for me to train my breathing. I wonder what he squishes down there (my uterine or pelvis artery maybe?)
All in all though I feel really good, I can walk the 50 stairs to my apartment easily, I’m not super tired, I feel like I can do almost everything still. When I go for walks I just walk slower or stop if the pressure on my pelvis is getting too intense. I still can cut my toenails and shave my legs, too.

The big 3-oh weekly baby bump
The big 3-oh weekly baby bump

Maternity clothes: Pants, Leggings, Undies, Tops – anything. I wear the same clothes pretty much every day
Stretch marks: Nope
Miss anything: Nope
Looking forward to: March!
Best happenings this week: Had my 8th (?) check-up at the OB on Thursday. My mom came with me, seeing examinations of pregnant women were quite different around 30 years ago. She enjoyed seeing / hearing the heartbeat of the baby during my CTG and seeing the baby on big screen during the ultrasound πŸ™‚

  • How far along: 35+5
  • CTG: all fine
  • My Blood Pressure: 110 / 65
  • Cervix: closed and medium soft
  • Hepatitis B: negative
  • Baby’s weight: around 2,4 kg (5 pounds 5 ounces)
  • Amniotic fluid: he still has enough
  • Placenta: light calcification
  • Baby’s position / Fundal height: costal arch – there’s no more moving up, only moving down into my pelvis now (hopefully)
  • Baby’s head: Not in my pelvis yet, which means, if my water breaks I need to be carried to the delivery room lying. I hope he’ll be down next time I go to the OB which is on Monday, March 2nd 2015.
  • Baby’s lungs: He’s making breathing exercises already meaning, the lungs are done!

On Sunday my bubby and me made a first-aid course for babies and toddlers which was very informative. We’re both very happy we did it and I recommend everybody to take part in a course like that before the baby comes or (shortly) after.
I had my last prenatal class on Tuesday, it was a partner evening so my boyfriend came with me. We learned how he should hold me during labor, how he can massage me and how I need to breathe.
My midwife came by on Wednesday to give me a “course” on how to breastfeed. We used my Minion as example for my baby-boy πŸ˜€
Friday we had such lovely weather, it felt like spring! I put on shorts, a tank-top and a bunch of sunscreen and sat on our balcony and felt so good, I would have loved to put on flip-flops and run around the city and get ice-cream πŸ™‚ Of course it was only 10Β°Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) but on the balcony it was hot! I wish for the weather to be that way four weeks from today and that our baby gets born on a lovely spring day!
Movement: Lots, his back & butt is on my right side when I look down
Gender: Baby-Boy Bruno, for sure!

35weeks5days_BOY
The white thingy is not his arm…

The ultrasound sessions are always good for a laugh because he always shows us how much man he is πŸ˜€ If I tell my bubby to touch my belly to feel how our Baby-Boy pushes his butt against it he only smiles and says “that’s not his butt” haha.
Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and a bit worried that he’ll come too early. It’s probably because I read on a bunch of websites that “the baby is pretty much done and can come any time now” which scares me a bit. I asked my OB if the light calcification of my placenta may lead to an early birth and she said “no, it’s all normal, why should he come early?” and I only answered “I don’t know”. I guess what scares me is the fact that I kind of fixate on the due date the doctors figure out and that I don’t feel prepared if the labour signs would occur now.
What keeps me calm a bit is the fact that my mom had me and my sisters: 11 days late, 4 days late and right on due date, that my oldest sister had her baby one week early with a planned c-section and my middle sister had her kids: 3 days early, 1 day early, 4 days early with a planned c-section. So no baby in my family came way too early. My boyfriend came two weeks early but that’s the other side of the family πŸ™‚
Sports: Around 1 – 1,5h walks

36 weeks baby bump
36 weeks baby bump. It looks smaller than last week but maybe the angle is just different

My 27th week baby bump story

27th week

How far along: 26 weeks 6 days
How much do I weigh: 55,7 kg (+ 6,9 kg)
Belly size: At times I gain 1 kg a week. Unbelievable how rapid weight gain can go!

Baby Bump Week 27 - 26w6d
Baby Bump Week 27 – 26w6d
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Sometimes I sleep until the alarm goes off, sometimes I get up once, sometimes I can’t get to sleep too good anymore after I got up once. The whole program, but I can’t complain.
Food (non) cravings: Nothing special
Symptoms: None actually
Maternity clothes: Pants and some tops
Stretch marks: None, and no linea nigra
Miss anything: I missed drinking alcohol at the company’s Christmas Party πŸ™‚ It started at 3pm yet I survived until about 10pm without it. I guess I was high from all the sugar in the non-alcoholic punch. But of course it’s always nice to chat with the co-workers, especially in a company where everybody gets along quite well with each other.
Looking forward to: Enjoying my Christmas Vacation
Best happenings this week:

  • Going to the OB and hearing that everything is just fine with the baby
  • I made a carbohydrate loading test for diabetes and all is good, I don’t have pregnancy diabetes
  • I had a CTG (cardiotocograph) done, baby’s heartbeat is jut fine and I don’t have contractions
  • My cervix is 4,3cm long – all fine, my ph-value is fine too
  • My iron value is fine
  • Baby is lying with his head down (which can always change of course, let’s hope he’s lazy)
  • Baby boy weighs around 980g
  • My blood pressure was a bit low

26w5d
Baby Boy and the umbilical cord at 26 weeks, 5 days

The first clothes we bought for him
The first clothes we bought for him
Movement: Daily <3, mainly he's kicking/boxing/whatever on my right side. My placenta is on the front wall left so maybe that's the reason - he knows the food etc. is coming from the left side so he's scared to kick against it πŸ™‚ While having a french class in the evening last Monday he kicked me in such a weird place I almost jumped out of my seat and screamed out Jesus! Gender: Baby Boy
Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and never moody πŸ˜‰
Sports: Not so much this week, too busy

My 21st week baby bump story

21st week

How far along: 20 weeks 6 days
How much do I weigh: 51,9 kg (+3,1 kg)
Belly size: Getting bigger day by day! My colleagues are like “whoa, where did that come from?” almost daily πŸ˜€

Baby Bump Week 21 - 20w6d
Baby Bump Week 21 – 20w6d – BA NA NAAAAAA
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Pretty good
Food (non) cravings: Nothing unusual, I like to eat.
Symptoms: None
Maternity clothes: Pants only
Stretch marks: I hope not
Miss anything: Nope
Looking forward to: Finally deciding on which stroller to buy.
Best happenings this week: We saw our Baby-Boy again on Thursday at 20 weeks 5 days to have another big scan. Everything is very good with him, he was quite active again. On Thursday he weighed 372g, he’s finally getting fatter.
Baby Boy at 20 weeks 5 days
Baby Boy at 20 weeks 5 days
Baby Boy in 3D at 20 weeks 5 days
Baby Boy in 3D at 20 weeks 5 days

Movement: Almost daily I’d say, no specific time
Gender: Third time approved – we are getting a baby boy
Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and undecided, regarding the stroller.
Sports: Started again, finally, lifting weights for strength endurance.