How far along? 30 weeks and 6 days.

Total weight gain/loss:  17.2 lbs.  Not up since last week... maybe some weeks vary?  I hope this is fine.  

Maternity clothes: Yes, and added some tummy support to see if it helps with pain.  Not really.  Haha.  The baby is getting bigger! 

Stretch marks? Not that I know of.  My favorite favorite lotion, Mountain Ocean's Coconut Skin Trip might be helping!  This stuff smells like vacation, truly. 

Sleep: Not so much last night, but I usually sleep well.

Favorite things this week: I just found out that my cousin will be here when the baby comes!  SO excited!!!  

Miss Anything?  Still jealous of hubby's sandwiches every weekend... most recently, roast beef.    

Movement: LOTS, but it is clear that he doesn't have that much space to run around in anymore.  

Food cravings: Cinnamon rolls.  

Gender: Boy.

Labor Signs: None?  Still don't think I 100% know what they are, other than the major contractions I had last time.  Don't have those.  Grateful!  

Symptoms: Lower tummy area pain, but nothing major.  I'm so excited to be nearing 31 weeks, and I do still get nervous about every little thing but so far we are doing really well.  

Belly Button in or out? In!  

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody?  Happy!  And moody, but happy overall.  Might have just found a glider and ottoman for the nursery at my favorite consignment store... white linen with navy piping.  I've procrastinated on all things nursery, and it is too late to order anything specific so this could be meant to be!  

Love, S.

Things I'm Learning About an Early Delivery

I like to be prepared.  I like to have a plan.  Medical surprises are hard to take given William's pregnancy ending in an emergency, so this time around I'm constantly gathering info.  It makes me feel better! 

Most recent info: if you're delivering a baby early (37 weeks, scheduled c-section in my case, and not an elective delivery but a medically necessary one), there's a good chance you'll do a Fetal Lung Maturity test prior to delivery to make sure the baby is ready to come out. 

I haven't actually talked to my doctor about this yet, but know someone else who delivered her two kids at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) with another doctor in my OB's practice, so feel like the likelihood of us doing this testing is pretty high.  SO grateful to her for telling me about it because the procedure is like an amnio, big needle and all.  I've had two CVS procedures, so I know this will be fine but I like to be mentally prepared for big needles.  The advanced notice is fab! 

Here's a link explaining more about the testing:
http://www.pregnancylab.net/2011/01/tests-of-fetal-lung-maturity.html

The authors of the Pregnancy Lab blog I linked to above also point out the risks of elective early delivery, and that isn't something I'm advocating.  My OB believes 37 weeks is the right time for us because William's C-section was done with a classical incision (usually both exterior and interior incisions are horizontal, but in a classical incision the interior one is vertical).  Because of this, ACOG recommendations suggest our next C-section happen between 36 weeks and 37 weeks 5 days. 

I couldn't find the most recent report, but here's one with similar info - the goal is to reduce the risk of rupture, which is more common in cases w/ prior classical incision:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21962624

Handy medical info to have!

Love, S.

28 weeks and 5 days pregnant!

How far along? 28 weeks and 5 days. 

Total weight gain/loss:  17-18 lbs?  Haven't weighed in since my last update.

Maternity clothes: From here on out, I'm probably the queen of how to dress up stretch pants.   

Stretch marks? No.


Sleep: Sometimes.  When the garbage guy doesn't get here at 4am.  When I don't wake up to pee and then get so distracted by baby kicks that I can't fall back asleep.  When sleeping on my side works out.  

Favorite things this week: Since my last prego update post 2 weeks ago, I've been back to work post-holidays and my favorite so far is my positivity New Year's resolution.  I have a LOT to be grateful for and happy about and so many things to look forward to.  Right now, I'm grateful for reaching 28 weeks and looking forward to another ultrasound next week.  

Miss Anything?  Exercise.  Turkey sandwiches with avocado and pickles and hot peppers.  

Movement: Still a lot of kicking!  I'm loving it, even in the middle of the night when I can't go back to sleep.  

Food cravings: Not really.  Still jealous every time someone else gets a tasty turkey sandwich though!   

Gender: Boy.

Labor Signs: None.   

Symptoms: Starting to feel a few pains due to Small Sandifer's weight gain!    

Belly Button in or out? In. 

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody?  Focused on the positive, and grateful I've made it this far with everything looking good.  We're starting to plan the nursery, and not only did I start a registry list but I actually started buying things!!  I know that might seem normal to most, but other moms who've lost a baby will probably agree that baby purchases are really hard the next time(s) around.  But I'm focused on happy stuff and I realized that if this baby comes early, I want to be ready.  

Love, S.

Trying Something New: Preparing for Baby!

Baby Sandifer.  Less than 10 weeks until your scheduled March 12 birthday!!  Sometimes I can't believe it.

Given the very scary ending to my first pregnancy, I haven't been interested in baby prep.  I am as optimistic as I can be, but this probably comes across as more realistic or even pessimistic.  It's hard to hope for the best when William is not here.  But that said, New Sandifer is getting huge.  More than 2 lbs 3 oz (that was almost a week ago now!), he's hopefully flourishing in his little tummy space.

Because he's getting huge, and because I am wearing myself out being worried, I want to try something new.  Less worry. Worry won't change the outcome.

Part of worrying less should be preparing more.  Figuring out what we need to get ready for this!  Allowing myself to get excited about nursery decor.  I don't think I can handle scheduling a baby shower, but I can learn what our New Boy will need when he gets here, and have a plan for getting it delivered ASAP.  Amazon Wish List maybe?

First 6 Weeks
http://www.babycenter.com/0_baby-and-mom-gear-for-the-first-six-weeks_5669.bc

Supposedly Minimalist Baby Needs List
http://www.thewisebaby.com/minimalist-baby-registry-guide/
(they also have a good urban baby list - might split the difference since we want small/light/easy to use in the city products)

Diaper-related
http://blog.littlelane.com/cloth-compostable-diapers-bay-area/

I started my research this afternoon and to be completely honest it was overwhelming.  Asking myself to worry less is going to be a process.  I think I almost gave myself a panic attack or maybe the dizzy, out of breath feeling is just another prego symptom.  Either way, success.  I started my research.  I even started a hidden baby registry, which now has 2 items on it.

It's a start, and I'm glad for that.  Love, S.