Full Term: 37 Weeks

Tipp is officially full term this week and is free to come whenever he is ready!  I’m sure my co-workers would not agree to that since I promised them one more month end.  I’m hoping to make it to my birthday and then start working for home or just stop working!  We have been enjoying the Memorial Day weekend with tidying up the house, grilling out, relaxing and packing the hospital bags for me and Tipp.

Tuesday I had an appointment with Dr. Anderson who reviewed the ultrasound results and confirmed everything looks great with Tipp.  I had the Group B Strep test done and found out I’m barely a finger tip dilated – which is no surprise this early.  I had mentioned my itching to him and he ruled out PUPPS, which is rash.  He was concerned it may be Cholestasis, which is a condition in which the normal flow of bile in the gallbladder is affected by the high amounts of pregnancy hormones. Cholestasis is more common in the last trimester of pregnancy when hormones are at their peak, but it usually goes away within a few days after delivery.  Itching is the main symptom, however I don’t have any of the other symptoms.  There is a very slight chance of infant fetal death, so I would need to be induced before my due date.  So, on Wednesday I went back for blood work where I had to fast.  As of Friday the office had not received the test results, so we are waiting until my next appointment on Tuesday. 

Tipp is now considered "full term," even though my due date is three weeks away. If I go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. Our baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long.

How far along? 37 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: 26lbs – it varies every day due to fluid retention
Maternity clothes? Yes!
Stretch marks? Yes!
Sleep: It’s getting uncomfortable and I feel so big taking up most of the bed
Best moment this week: Getting a sneak preview of our maternity photo session
Movement: All the time
Food cravings: Salad, watermelon, strawberries, ice cream, frosted animal crackers, trail mix
Gender: Definitely a BOY!!
Labor Signs: Lots more Braxton Hicks and possibly some weak real contractions
Belly Button in or out? Still in
What I miss: Wearing my regular summer clothes – I refuse to buy more maternity clothes
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the test results.
Weekly Wisdom: Don’t be afraid to let others do things for you!  I’m learning to ask for things.
Milestones: Making it to full term!