36 weeks!

I am 36 weeks pregnant today! Oh my! In about 4 weeks I will be holding my daughter... it is so surreal! Below is the weekly update from babycenter.com. Enjoy!

 

Your pregnancy: 36 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon)...

...and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, that will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

Surprising Facts: The Stages of Labor

This is another post mainly for my own benefit, but I hope it will help some other first-time moms as well!

 

Surprising Facts: The stages of labor

For first-time moms, labor takes an average of 15 hours, though it's not uncommon to last more than 20. (For women who've previously had a vaginal birth, it takes eight hours, on average). (I was the second vaginal birth in my family and mom was in labor with me for over 24 hours...). 

The process of labor and birth is divided into three main stages. Here are the highlights on how childbirth progresses:

First stage The first stage begins when you start having contractions that progressively dilate and efface your cervix and it ends when your cervix is fully dilated. This stage is divided into two phases, early and active labor.

It can be tricky to determine exactly when early labor starts. That's because early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that you may have been feeling for some time.

Unless there are complications or your midwife or doctor has advised you otherwise, expect to sit out most of your early labor at home. (Be sure, though, to check in with your caregiver to make certain.)

Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your progress starts to speed up. At this point, you enter what's known as the active phase of labor. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger.

The last part of the active phase — when your cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters — is called the transition period because it marks the transition to the second stage of labor. This is the most intense part of the first stage, with contractions that are usually very strong, coming about every two and a half to three minutes and lasting a minute or more.

Second stage Once your cervix is fully dilated, the second stage of labor begins: the final descent and birth of your baby. This is the "pushing" stage of labor, and it can last anywhere from minutes to a few hours. (It's likely to be quicker if you've previously given birth vaginally.)

Your baby's head will continue to advance with each push until it "crowns" — the term used to describe the time when the widest part of your baby's head is finally visible. After your baby's head comes out, your midwife or doctor will suction his mouth and nose, and feel around his neck for the umbilical cord. His head then turns to the side as his shoulders rotate inside the pelvis to get into position for their exit. With the next contraction, you'll be coached to push as his shoulders deliver, one at a time, followed by the rest of his body.

You may feel a wide range of emotions now: euphoria, awe, pride, disbelief, excitement (to name a few), and, of course, intense relief that it's all over. Exhausted as you may be, you'll also probably feel a burst of energy, and any thoughts of sleep will vanish for the time being.

Third stage The final stage of labor begins immediately after the birth of your baby and ends with the delivery of your placenta. The contractions in the third stage are relatively mild.

I Believe...

I Believe...

...that happiness is a choice. 

...in God's love.

...that everyone deserves a second chance, but not a third, fourth, & fifth.

...in forever.

...in the power of God's Word.

...in myself.

...that I will make mistakes when raising my daughter.

...those mistakes will help me grow as a mom.

...my husband is my soulmate.

...in forgiveness.

...experience is the best educator.

...in love and marriage.

...that best friends should be cherished.

...in the power of prayer.

...in miracles.

...that children are a blessing.

...in wishing on shooting stars.

...that this baby will forever change me. :)

I could add sooo much more but I want to hear from you! 
What do you believe in?

One Month Away

Dear Baby K,

I cannot believe how fast time truly flies! When I first found out that I was expecting you, I must admit my disappointment when I realized I was only 6 weeks along...I wanted to be much further. Your due date seemed so far away! Let's face it, your mommy is not the most patient person in the world and the sooner you learn that, the better. ;)

I promise to work on my patience. I really have been getting better at it, I think, although daddy may disagree.

Everyone told me that the pregnancy would go by so fast. Psh! I didn't believe them. That's something easy to say when they already had their sweet babies in their arms. But you know what? They were right. With only 4.5 weeks left (and just ONE MONTH away from my due date), I am wondering where the time has gone. It also makes me realize that just as fast as this pregnancy has gone so will your childhood. I feel like I will blink and then you'll be off to your first day of high school. I don't want to rush it by any means. I plan to savor each and every precious moment with you. 

I will never forget seeing you and hearing your heartbeat for the first time on ultrasound. What an indescribable feeling! I know that God was there with us as we experienced it for the first time and while I know that He is always with us, His prescense was made known that day. After we left the doctor's office, we sat in the car for a few minutes just admiring the ultrasound pics. And then it happened. Your daddy teared up and in turn I did the same! That was a very special moment for us. Our love for you even then was so strong and it always will be. You've had him wrapped around your finger since January little one!

I (we) are so ready to meet you! I can't help but feel anxious about your arrival. When will you decide it's time? Will it be vaginal or C-section? Will there be any complications or will you be an "easy" delivery? Will my water break on its own or will the doctor have to break it? These are just a few questions that are constantly running through my mind. I am trying to remember to leave it in God's hands and that you will come when you are ready :). It's harder said than done, though.

We love you so much, Kynlee. You are truly a blessing.

Love, 

Mommy

Living With and Understanding PCOS (take 2)

This is just a continued post from yesterday about PCOS.To read the beginning post, please click here.

Thanks, WebMD for all the information!

How is it treated?

Regular exercise, healthy foods, and weight control are key treatments for PCOS. Medicines to balance hormones may also be used. Getting treatment can reduce unpleasant symptoms and help prevent long-term health problems.

The first step in managing PCOS is to get regular exercise and eat heart-healthy foods. This can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. It can also help you lose weight if you need to.

• Try to fit in moderate activity and/or vigorous activity on a regular basis. Walking is a great exercise that most people can do.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet. In general, this diet has lots of vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and whole grains. It also limits foods that are high in saturated fat, such as meats, cheeses, and fried foods. If you have blood sugar problems, try to eat about the same amount of carbohydrate at each meal. A registered dietitian can help you make a meal plan.
• Most women with PCOS can benefit from losing weight. Even losing 10lb may help get your hormones in balance and regulate your menstrual cycle. PCOS can make it hard to lose weight, so work with your doctor to make a plan that can help you succeed.
• If you smoke, consider quitting. Women who smoke have higher androgen levels that may contribute to PCOS symptoms. Smoking also increases the risk for heart disease.

A doctor may also prescribe medicines, such as:

• Birth control pills (This made me gain a ton of weight). They can help your periods be regular and can reduce symptoms such as excess facial hair and acne. An androgen-lowering medicine, spironolactone, may be used with birth control pills to help reduce symptoms even more. These medicines are not used if you are trying to get pregnant.
• A diabetes medicine called metformin. It can help control insulin and blood sugar levels and reduce androgen levels. This lowers your risk for diabetes and heart disease and can help restore regular menstrual cycles and fertility.
• Fertility medicines, if you are trying to get pregnant.

It is important to see your doctor for follow-up to make sure treatment is working and adjust it if needed. You may also need regular tests to check for diabetes, high blood pressure, and other possible problems.

It may take a while for treatments to help with symptoms such as facial hair or acne. In the meantime:

• Over-the-counter or prescription acne medicines may help with skin problems.
• Waxing, tweezing, and shaving are easy ways to get rid of unwanted hair. Electrolysis or laser treatments can permanently remove the hair but are more expensive. Your doctor can also prescribe a skin cream that slows hair growth for as long as you use it regularly.

Living With and Understanding PCOS

Today I wanted to share some information on a topic that hits close to home for me. That topic is PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I was first diagnosed with PCOS in January of 2005, although I experienced its wrath long before then.

All information below was received from the website WebMD in hopes to better educate you (and myself) on PCOS.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - Topic Overview

What is  (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (say "pah-lee-SIS-tik OH-vuh-ree SIN-drohm") is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. 

It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant.

 (I thank God every day that I am carrying this life inside of me!!!)

PCOS may also cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. 

PCOS is common, affecting as many as 1 in 15 women. Often the symptoms begin in the teen years. Treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems.

What are hormones, and what happens in PCOS?

Hormones are chemical messengers that trigger many different processes, including growth and energy production. Often, the job of one hormone is to signal the release of another hormone.

For reasons that are not well understood, in PCOS the hormones get out of balance. One hormone change triggers another, which changes another. This makes a vicious circle of out-of-balance hormones. For example:

• The sex hormones get out of balance. Normally, the ovaries make a tiny amount of male sex hormones (androgens). In PCOS, they start making slightly more androgens. This may cause you to stop ovulating, get acne, and grow extra facial and body hair.
• The body may have a problem using insulin, called insulin resistance. When the body doesn't use insulin well, blood sugar levels go up. Over time, this increases your chance of getting diabetes.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms tend to be mild at first. You may have only a few symptoms or a lot of them. The most common symptoms are:

• Acne.
• Weight gain and trouble losing weight.
• Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.
• Thinning hair on the scalp.
• Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
• Fertility problems. Many women with PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility).
• Depression.

Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful, but lead to hormone imbalances.

What causes PCOS?

The symptoms of PCOS are caused by changes in hormone levels. There may be one or more causes for the hormone level changes.

PCOS seems to run in families, so your chance of having it is higher if other women in your family have PCOS, irregular periods, or diabetes. PCOS can be passed down from either your mother's or father's side. 

More to come on PCOS in the next post. I don't want to overload you all with too much information at once, but I do hope that you will read up on PCOS, so I will break it down into several posts.

 

Follow Me Back Tuesday

Join us for 
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Hosted by Survey Junkie,Little Yaya's, 

Review Retreat  , Boobies,BabiesAndABlog

 & this weeks Guest Host

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It's a great way to start off your week & get more BF's !!

 

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