39w 1d - Appointment

This is the first appointment when the nurse-midwifery practice will offer a cervical check, unless I had requested anything sooner. It really doesn't tell a lot of information for me or for the MW, such as when I'm going to start labor or anything to that extent. I decided to accept the exam today, though, to see where things stand. No need for a lot of excitement... but here are the stats:

• Weight up 2.5 lb from last week (Too many peanut butter balls, haha! Though I do think the baby may have had a growth spurt, because I do feel noticeably bigger.)
• Protein check fine
  
• BP around 126/74 (I forget exactly, oops)
• FHR 130 BPM
• Pason still head down and center, feet still to the upper right. The MW let J try to feel for the head and shoulder, but he couldn't really tell what he felt.
• And for the cervical check... About 1 cm dilated, 70% effaced, approximately -1 station. So, no, I haven't officially "dropped" yet. =)
  

Photo: "Open"

I love this description of this photo of a Hypnobirthing mom on the Navelgazing Midwife blog. =)

39w 0d - "Big" Babies or "Small" Pelvises

As we near the impending "guess" date, and baby continues to grow (about an ounce per day), I find this video very inspiring. It pretty strongly knocks the "CPD" (cephalo-pelvic disproportion) diagnosis in my eyes. Two women close to me had cesareans due to this very reason, so continued research and education in this area holds a particularly special place for me. Our pelvises are made to stretch, and babies' heads made to mold.

Some abbreviations you may need prior to viewing:
HBAC = home birth after cesarean
VBAC = vaginal birth after cesarean
UBAC = unassisted birth after cesarean

I hope you enjoy.

39w 0d - "Pason" This Week

Hooray! You're in your fortieth week of pregnancy and your baby is now due. Don't worry if you're still waiting as you due date passes. It's not unusual to still be waiting for your baby to be born since a normal pregnancy may last for up to another two weeks.

• An average size baby now weighs about 7.5 lbs (3400g) and measures about 21.5 inches (50cm) long. Crown to rump measurement is about 14.8 to 15.2 inches (37 to 38cm). As you will see when your baby is born, these are averages only and vary from baby to baby. Your baby may weigh and measure more or less than this.
• The presenting part is down in the lower portion of your uterus and pressing through your softened and partially opened cervix.
• You may be surprised by the initial appearance of your baby when it is first born. Her head may be slightly misshapen from passing through the birth canal, though this usually does not last more than a day or two. Her coloring may initially appear bluish, purplish, or pale yellow and she may be covered with vernix, blood, lanugo and some meconium if she passes her waste in utero. Her genitals may also be swollen due to high hormone levels that were passed from you during your pregnancy, and she may have some skin discolorations or spots that will probably fade quite quickly.

Source: http://preg.fertilityfriend.com

The Business of Being Born Review

I stumbled across this review that a midwife wrote that I thought summed up the film quite well.