Week #37 & #38 Check-Ups

The past two Mondays I have had my weekly appointments. Short appointments - but very important and exciting! They check my weight, blood pressure, height of fundus, Baby Punkin's heart rate and most importantly - internally, my progress!

Week #37

Weight: same as week before

Blood pressure: 120 over 80, as usual

Height of fundus they said was normal, so that means right around 36cm. 

Baby Punkin's heart rate was very strong, but the Dr. did not say what the rate was.

Internally, I made no progress from the week before when I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced.

The Dr. said the baby's head was not pushing down yet (engaged).

Week #38

Weight: up 3lbs (whoops! can I blame that I'm wearing heavy Doc Marten shoes today?)

Blood pressure: 120 over 78

Height of fundus: again, normal!

Baby Punkin's heart rate: 142. So this is back to where it's been most of the pregnancy, but a big difference from Week 36 when it measured at 160.

My progress: 1-2cm dilated and 50% effaced. So not much progress, just a little more dilated than last week. 

However, this week the Dr. noted that Baby Punkin's head is pressing down quite a bit, so that combined with some more Braxton Hick's contractions may get this party started! Doctor said that means I should go on or before my due date. But, as we all know, it's really up to Baby Punkin!

Everyday, Daddy & Mommy Punkin are more and more ready for Baby Punkin to arrive - and excited! Nursery is done, bag is almost packed and list written for all the things we can't pack 'til last minute. We've discussed several scenarios of how it will all go down when I go into labor. Names have finally been selected (but don't bother asking as the name will be unveiled as part of the big "IT'S A....." announcement when Baby Punkin is born!)

So, now....we wait!

 

Baby Punkin Baby Pool!

The polls have closed for the official Baby Punkin Baby Pool!
There are 37 entries -so the pot is $37 for the winner. ($37 will also go into Baby Punkin's college fund, so thank you all for helping us get that going!)


28 of 37 guesses picked Boy, whoa! So either by the power of influence, Baby Punkin will be a Boy - or those of you who picked Girl are looking pretty good in the betting pool :)


Winner will be chosen like this:
-Date (if no correct gender guess on date, it will go to height/weight tie breaker)
-Gender (if no correct date guess, closest date with correct gender wins)
-Weight (tie breaker #1)
-Height (tie breaker #2)


See below for the guesses! GOOD LUCK - and thanks for playing!


March 1
-Nick Mittermann
Boy
8lbs. 2oz.
21"
-Bianca Simon
Boy
5lbs.
12"
-Jenn Urso
Boy
7lbs. 11oz.
21 1/2"
-Addison O'Neill
Boy
9lbs. 0oz.
22"


March 3
-Katie Nelson
Girl
7lbs. 2oz.
21"


March 5
-Kirsten O'Neill
Boy
8lbs. 2oz.
21 1/2"


March 6
-Mike LeVar
Boy
7lbs. 6oz.
21"
-Michelle Humphreys
Boy
8lbs. 7oz.
20"


March 7
-Chris Robleski
Boy
7lbs. 7oz.
20"


March 8
-Grandma G
Girl
7lbs. 8oz.
21"


March 9
-Juan Martinez
Boy
8lbs. 8oz.
19"


March 10
-Chelsea Mittermann
Boy
7lbs. 5oz.
21"
-Michelle Humphreys
Boy
9lbs. 2oz.
22"
-Karyn Elliott
Boy
7lbs. 5oz.
21"
-Kelly Backes
Boy
7lbs. 8oz.
21"
-Auntie Lorie
Boy
7lbs. 4oz.
19 1/2"
-Grandma G
Boy
8lbs.
20"
-John Giacomino
Boy
8lbs. 2oz.
21"


March 11
-Kaia Tice
Girl
7lbs. 7oz.
20"
-Amanda Nelson
Boy
8lbs. 1oz.
21"


March 12
-Nick Giacomino
Boy
7lbs. 2oz.
19"
-Michelle Humphreys
Girl
8lbs. 6oz.
20"
-Bill Urso
Girl
7lbs. 2oz.
20 1/2"
-Mommy & Daddy Punkin
Boy
8lbs.
21"


March 14
-Mindy LeVar
Girl
8lbs.
20"
-Indiana Elliott
Girl
8lbs. 13oz.
21 1/2"
-Dave Humphreys
Boy
7lbs. 8oz.
20"
-Nicolas Simon
Boy
10lbs.
20"


March 16
-Bob Giacomino
Boy
8lbs. 4oz.
22"
-Afton Mittermann
Girl
7lbs. 2oz.
20 1/2"


March 17
-Ellen & Brad Ludwig
Boy
8lbs. 4oz.
21"
-Isabella Simon
Boy
7lbs.
19"
-Grandma Simon
Boy
7lbs. 14oz.
21"
-Uncle Pat
Girl
7lbs. 2oz.
20"
-Sarah Babbitt
Boy
7lbs. 9oz.
23"


March 18
-Ed LeVar
Boy
8lbs. 4oz.
22 1/2"


March 21
-Bill Elliott
Boy
8lbs.
22"

Week #36 Checkup

On Monday I had my 36 week check-up. (Well, I was technically 35 weeks and 5 days). It was my second internal exam, of which I will have weekly up until Baby Punkin is here!

SO! Here's my and Baby Punkin's stats...
 Heart rate: 160
1 cm dilated
50% effaced

I was 1cm dilated at this point in my Silly Baby pregnancy as well, however, only slightly effaced. With Silly Baby I was 1cm dilated for 3 checkups and never more than slightly effaced. So, this time the fact that I am already at 50% could mean I'll go earlier.
I'm going to wait and see if I make more progress at my next appointment on Monday. Perhaps I will sit at 1cm and 50% for a couple weeks, but if I've made any progress from this week to next week, well -then we could be meeting Baby Punkin before March 14!
Or, by saying that, I just jinxed myself and I'll have to be induced a week after my due date : /
 

Week #35 - Ultrasound and Checkup!

Baby Punkin's last ultrasound was this past Saturday. Because of the disappointment from Silly Baby's 35-week ultrasound (we couldn't see her face and did not get a sonogram to take home), I wasn't getting my hopes up too high for this ultrasound. Also, because Baby Punkin wasn't all that cooperative for his/her 20-week ultrasound - s/he was very low and faced to the back so we couldn't see anything.

But, to our surprise - Baby Punkin was looking right at us! It took me a minute to figure out what I was seeing as in all my past ultrasounds, I only get the profile shot. But, Addison knew it right away and pointed out Baby Punkin's eyes!
We were able to get a couple good sonograms this time, so that made us happy!






Baby Punkin's Stats
Estimated weight: 5lbs 11oz, 56th percentile
Heart Rate: 136
Positioned head down
Mommy is dilated 1/2cm


I begin my weekly appointments now. The next one is on Monday! So far I don't believe I have felt any contractions. There's been some mild pains in my belly a couple times this week but I think it's more aches and pains than actual contractions.


This weekend I will tour the Maternity Ward at Northwest Community Hospital, as I have decided to deliver there instead of return to St. Alexius where Addison was born. At Northwest Community Hospital, they have all private rooms vs. St. Alexius where it was only semi-private. I lucked out and did not have a roommate when I had Addison, but don't think I'd be so lucky again. We now live equal distances from both hospitals and Northwest is closer to my office *juuuust* in case I need to go straight there from work when the big day arrives.


I will keep everyone posted on Baby Punkin's progress! Thanks for reading!