34 & 35 Weeks - Third Trimester
Size: 34-weeks -- 18 inches long and weighs about 4 3/4 pounds - the size of a cantaloupe
35-weeks -- 18.5 inches long and weighs about 5 1/4 pounds - the size of a honey dew
Development: The baby's fat layers are filling out which will help regulate his body temperature once he is born. His skin is also smoother than ever and his central nervous system and lungs are continuing to mature. At 35 weeks, his kidneys are fully mature and his liver can process some waste products. From here on out, his physical development is pretty much complete so all he will do it hang out, roll around (with limited room naturally) and gain weight. He is just about done!
How far along: 36.4 weeks
Total weight gain: I gained 4 pounds two weeks ago at the doctor, but the nurse said 3.5 of that was most likely water weight because my ankles, feet and hands have taken well to the swelling. Boo! So, based on their estimate, less the water weight, I have gained 26.5 pounds.
Sleep: I have a hard time falling asleep, mainly because I am in and out of bed for potty breaks, but overall, I have not complaints. It feels good to climb into bed because I sleep with my feet propped up on three pillows at the foot of the bed. I awake with un-swollen feet and ankles, but that only lasts about an hour. Darn you gravity!
Movement: The movement is more intense and I love it. My doctor told me to count kicks/movement and I should feel at least five movements per hour, but I don't think I am quite there. Some hours I will feel movement all the time, others there will be nothing. I suppose that's OK because he may be asleep, but I am going to address it Thursday. His movement is still concentrated on the right side of my belly and sometimes there is movement all the way around my side almost to my back. He has figured out there is more room if he ventures to unforeseen places apparently.
On Saturday I was sitting in a chair with Reagan (6) right next to me. She propped her little elbow up on the right side of my belly (at least it's good for something!) and all of a sudden, the baby let out an enormous kick and she felt it. She screamed and thought it was the coolest thing. It was so neat because he gave us some more movement and we could see my belly rippling through my shirt as he squirmed around. Clay (3) then came over because he wanted in on the action and he would walk up to my belly and act like Tyler kicked him really hard so he would fly back across the living room. He did this, no joke for at least 45 minutes. He told me the baby needs to be nice to him! Ha-ha. Reagan and Clay really enjoyed the movement and I think it helped them both better understand that there really is a baby in there. Reagan also told me we needed to name him Fred so we can call him Fred, Freddy or Fredrica. :)
Gender: Boy
Belly Button in or out: In, but I have a feeling not for much longer. It is getting really close to the edge. I wonder if it will pop out?
What I miss: Wearing my wedding rings and shoes. I have one pair of ballerina flats and a pair of flip flops that fit my swollen feet. I am able to wear my tennis shoes but they are pretty loose. I am able to exercise with them so that's good, but the sides of my shoes that touch the knotty ankle bone hurts. My doctor told me tennis shoes are good because of the compression and she told me to continue exercising as it will help with the circulation of blood away from my ankles and feet. I am walking a lot outside since it has been so warm outside, but I can't walk too far because my feet begin to ache and by the time bedtime hits, they hurt really bad. I never knew they would be so tender to the touch but sometimes they feel like I really did roll my ankle while running or playing a sport. It is not fun... but there's no use in complaining because there is a prize at the end of this journey.
What I am looking forward to: Not being pregnant and being a real "Mom" to a teeny tiny little boy.
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