Week 38/39

Sorry for the delay! All is still quiet, but I have a lot to report anyway.

On Friday, we had another standard doctor’s appointment. I knew that another ultrasound would be done to determine how big baby is. Here are the numbers:

BPD (ear to ear): 10,1 cm
Head circumference: 34,1 cm
Abdominal circumference: 34,8 cm
Femur length: 7,87

That put baby at 39,5 weeks - about 1,5 weeks ahead of me.

In my doctor’s words, “Baby is not going to be small, but is also not so large that you have to think ‘oh, help’”. Hmmm…

Unfortunately, we were not able to determine the weight for some reason. The computer program didn’t post anything. Curious as I am though, I checked online to see if there is some kind of calculator to determine a baby’s weight through other measurements. Luckily, there is: http://babymed.com/Tools/Ultrasound/Fetal_Weight/Default.aspx
According to this calculator, baby is approximately between 3,000 and 4,000 grams (~ 7-8 pounds) - depending on the source. We’ll just have to wait and see how true this is when baby actually makes his/her debut!

This coming Friday, I have 2 doctor’s appointments: one with my regular doctor and one with the doctor in the hospital that will be there for the delivery. My doctor doesn’t have hospital beds, and this other doctor is the only one at the hospital. I thought it would be a good idea just to meet him and have him examine me in advance. We’ll see if baby gives me enough time. So far, there aren’t really any signs (besides the regular Braxton-Hicks contractions) that baby wants to come early. I do think that my belly has dropped a bit in the last few days.

Speaking of belly, it has been causing me quite some discomfort this past week. Not only is it STILL growing, but it has been extremely itchy since the beginning of last week. I started to develop a rash at the end of the week, and during the weekend, it spread over the entire belly and was extremely itchy. Nothing seemed to help. On Sunday, I didn’t want to put up with it any longer and was honestly a little worried that it might be something that I should get checked out. I called the local hospital, but they sent us to the hospital in Bitburg (about 30 minutes away) because they have an emergency room for gynocology. A midwife was there and told us that the very first thing that must be done is a CTG to make sure that everything is ok with the baby. We were hooked up and waited. Baby was very active and the instrument was very sensitive, so we had some problems getting good readings. About 30 minutes later, the doctor came to check on us. She looked at my stomach and decided to take blood to make sure that everything is ok. She also looked at the CTG and said that we had to try it again. This time, baby was pretty quiet and we got good readings. After another 30 minutes, the doctor came back, told us that everything with baby and my blood was ok. We went into her office and she explained that the rash is pregnancy related. There is not much that can be done, but she gave me a prescription for anti-allergy pills, calcium, and a normal, fatty cream to try. The rash is still there and itchy, but not as bad as it was a few days ago. Luckily, it should go away after baby is born. I am just extremely happy that I developed this allergy/rash so late in the pregnancy and don’t have much longer! So far, it's also still only on my stomach, so hopefully it won't spread any further. I did some “research” online about rashes in pregnancy, and I believe that I have a condition called PUPPP. Interestingly, only about 1% of pregnant women get it. Lucky me. I do have to say though that I’ve had such a good pregnancy without problems that I can handle this for the last few days/weeks. Here is some more information about it: http://dermatology.about.com/cs/pregnancy/a/puppp.htm

Other than that, I feel really pregnant now and can say that I’m ready for baby to come anytime now.

Still hoping for a May baby!!! A few more days to go... :)

On to the survey:

How far along: 38+4 weeks
Belly circumference 114 cm. Seriously, I don't know how I can keep getting bigger, but apparently, I am!
Maternity clothes: Oh yes. Unfortunately, even my maternity pants are starting to get slightly uncomfortable under the belly.
Stretch marks: The skin on the bottom half of my belly (underneath the belly button) feels completely different than the skin above the belly button. Looking in the mirror, I feel like there are a bunch of tiny stretch marks on the bottom half, but they're not really visible & obvious, so I'm not sure.
Sleep: Tossing and turning (seriously, it's a lot of work!) but still sleeping pretty well. I've been taking naps almost every day too. :)
Best moment in the last week: Seeing baby again at the ultrasound. We also finally had a few days of nice, warm weather!
Movement: Not much room left to move, but the wiggles are still there
Gender: Well, my sister is having a girl and so is my cousin. I'm still not telling though! ;)
Food Cravings: Lots of fruit lately. My appetite is still pretty good
Belly Button in or out: Out when I stand and sit, in if I lay down for a while
What I miss: A non-itchy belly!!!
What I am looking forward to: BABY (as if that isn't obvious)!!! Seeing when baby will make his/her debut!
Weekly Wisdom: Even when you think your stomach can't get any bigger or your skin can't stretch any further - it can and probably will!
Milestones: Baby measured in at 39 weeks and 5 days on Friday. I'm hoping that means baby is almost ready to meet us!
Baby Brain Moment of the Week: Nothing in particular.
Belly-button ring Status: Out
Labor Signs: More Braxton-Hicks contractions. Slight pressure and minimal, occasional cramp-like feeling
Weekly Belly Pic:

(May 21st)
*Comment from my doc on Friday:
"We haven't seen a belly like this in a long time"

I wasn't offended; I actually took it as a compliment. All those other women must just be wider than me. ;)