35 week update

Today was my 35 week check-up and follow-up ultra sound. Both baby and I are doing wonderful...I've gained 19 pounds to date and the baby is around 4.5 pounds. The ultrasound, which was done before I saw the doctor, was a little scary... the conversation with the tech went something like this...

Her: "When did I last measure you? A month ago?"

Me: "No, two weeks ago"

Her: Oh, and the baby was measuring small then, right?"

Me: "No, actually you said the baby was measuring three days ahead of schedule."

Her: "Oh"

Me: "Why?"

Her: "Well, the baby's head is measuring at 35 weeks, which is great, but the belly and leg measurements are measuring around 32 weeks.

Me: "What does that mean?"

Her: "It could mean a lot of things, like the baby isn't getting enough nourishment from the placenta or if there's not enough fluid around the baby. Or that you have a small baby with a big head."

Me: "Well how do the placenta & fluid look?"

Her: "I haven't measured them yet, let me look...fluid levels are great and placenta is right on track"

Me: "Soooo..."

Of course since shes not the doctor that was about all I was left with...me freaking out internally and trying not to show it. When I finally (an hour later) saw the doctor that was the first question I asked. He said that I need to remember not to take the measurements too literally. That the 2-D scan they are capable of can only give so much info which is then entered into an equation to get the measurements. He said he could bring me in tomorrow for another scan done by someone else and have completely different results. He pulled out the last growth scan and compared it to today's and told me that there is a margin of error built in for three weeks either way and that they just want to see growth. Which I am happy to say he saw...so baby is considered (after much freaking out by me) to be perfectly fine and registering in the 32nd percentile for gestational age. At the last scan the baby was registering in the 45th percentile and they won't become concerned unless the baby registers in the 10th percentile.

On another good note...although I'm still measuring small, I am also showing growth so they aren't concerned about me now either!! Yeah!!! We won't do another ultrasound unless I slip back and measure small again.

I begin going to the doctor every week and next week am considered to be at full term...SCARY!!!! And I also begin having internal exams done...YEAH!!! (completely sarcastic) Although I have to say it will be nice to know if there is any activity going on preparing for birth. I've been having tons of Braxton Hicks lately...especially today since the ultrasound. It was funny b/c I had one right as the doctor went to measure me, but he said that is normal due to the pushing and prodding on my belly and I may even begin to notice that baby's movements cause them. We're getting so close!!!

Please pray that this baby stays put until my mom is done with school on June 9th...I will be devastated if my parents aren't here. No reason to think he/she will come early, but you never know!

- T -