34 Weeks

When I was first put on bed rest two weeks ago, 34 weeks was a good goal to get to in my mind since if you go into labor after that, they don't stop your labor and you just deliver the baby.  Also, babies who are born between 34-37 weeks usually do just as well long term as babies who are born after 37 weeks.  They may have a few more short term issues, but overall they do pretty well.  One of the doctors that I saw in the hospital told me that she had a baby at 34 weeks and he spent two nights in the NICU and was then able to go home with them when she went home.  So in my mind, I made it my goal to at least get to 34 weeks.  (I also wanted to make it to 34 weeks so that I could have the midwives there for my delivery).   I remember thinking how far away two weeks seemed, especially since I had to be on bed rest.  But I've reached the 34 week goal and actually the time has just flown by.  It's been very nice to be able to be on a normal sleep schedule and not have to worry about going to work.  It does get very old sitting around all day, but I've had time to get some things done that I wouldn't have had time to do otherwise, so I'm thankful that I've been forced to slow down a little bit.  It's good for me and most importantly, for the baby:)

I had my 34 week appointment with the midwife yesterday and things are going well.  My weight jumped up a little more that I would have liked it to, but I can definitely tell that the baby has grown a lot this week- my belly got a lot bigger over the week!  My blood pressure was also up a little (though nothing to worry about yet), with no reason as to why, so we'll just follow it and see how it is next week.  I'm still measuring a week behind at 33 cm, but as long as the number is getting bigger each week, that is fine.  The baby looks good with a heart rate in the 140s, and he or she is still head down and very low. I asked the midwife if she would do a cervical check today since my contractions have become a little stronger the past few days and I was wondering if my cervix had changed at all in two weeks.  I am still 70% effaced, not quite 2 cm dilated, and the baby's head is at -1 to 0 station (engaged).   So not much change from two weeks ago, which is good.  Apparently the bed rest is doing the trick.  The midwife mentioned that she would like the baby to stay for another 3 weeks, and I laughed a little about that.  We'll see if that happens or not.  She also told me that I probably shouldn't increase my activity too much  as the doctor suggested last week, and I agree with her.  I would like to get another week or two further before I start having to be on my feet at all day cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and toting the kids around everywhere.  We might go stir crazy being stuck in the house all day, but we'll make it through.  When I start to feel guilty or down about how different the boys' lives are now since we don't usually stay at home much, I have to remind myself that it's such a short time in their lives and that it's for the good of the baby.  It's also good for them to be spending quality time with Grammy.  Seriously, she's the best!!  I can't thank her enough for all of her help!!!