My c-section is scheduled to happen less than two weeks from now. Here are some updates from the last few weeks:
- I am huge. I'm not kidding.
- All my non-stress tests have been fine, though Baby Girl tends to want to sleep through them...which makes for some long tests since the point is to monitor her movement.
- All the recent ultrasounds have been encouraging. While there was a period of 5-6 weeks over the summer when her limbs didn't show any measurable growth, she has shown growth over the last month. Her arms and legs are proportionate to each other and are about 6-7 weeks behind what's considered "normal."
- On the other end of the spectrum, her head and abdomen are huge. Off the charts. They are both measuring at least four weeks ahead of "normal." But this shouldn't affect the delivery because they already determined I'm having a c-section.
- Dr. M. is hopeful that if there is something abnormal going on, it is mild and won't involve lots of medical issues. Still no signs of hydrocephaly, and the thorax and abdomen are fine. We even got to see her practice breathing last time.
- Unlike her big brother, it looks like Baby Girl will be coming into this world with a lot of hair on her head.
- I have officially crossed over into the "I have too much amniotic fluid" category, common in gestational diabetics. No one seems too concerned right now.
- Have I mentioned how big I am? I have been getting the "Looks like any day now!" comments from strangers for the last month. I know this is pretty common for lots of pregnant women, and it happened my first time around...but not this much. People look scared when the see me coming, like I'm going to steamroll them. Some people just stare at my stomach in shock without ever making eye contact. This mostly happens with Germans, they stare a lot more than Americans and aren't at all self-conscious about it.
- The most recent ultrasound was last Friday, and they estimated Baby Girl to weigh a little over eight pounds. Scary to think how big she'll be in two weeks.
Having ultrasounds every week is a double-edged sword. It's kind of stressful waiting for results every time, but it's awesome to get to see her every week. Here are the latest images of Baby Girl and her chubby cheeks.
We are really looking forward to meeting her soon! Mike and I took a brief tour of the labor & delivery wing and the mom & baby wing at the hospital last week. The car seat has been installed. I'm putting the finishing touches on the nursery. We are about as ready as we're going to be. I have yet another non-stress test today, tomorrow I meet with one of my surgeons, and Friday there's another ultrasound. The waiting is the hardest part...
