30 week update and last week's Doctor appointment

Hello dear ones!  It has come to my attention that I haven't blogged about our ultrasound appointment and doctor appointment that were a week ago today yet.  So better get that done before we move on to the 30 week update.

Last Tuesday, J and I were at the ultrasound place at 8:30 am, in anticipation of our 8:45 am appointment.  We were led in very quickly and by now we pretty much know the drill.  The technician started looking around and soon enough there was a beautiful little profile of our baby girl.  The tech did a lot of poking and prodding.  Remember the reason for this ultrasound was to check on the cyst in the non-thinking part of Baby Girl's brain and see how it was progressing or disappearing, etc. Unfortunately it is still there and we need to wait for the doc to see if it has increased in size or shrunk.  They measured Reese's arms and legs again, verified she is still a she, looked at her heart again, and deemed her healthy at 3 lbs right now.

Here's a couple of the photos they sent us home with.

 You can see little feet and even a little hand on the left.

 And here the technician said it looks like she is saluting, but to me it looks like she has her hand draped over her face and is being dramatic ("Oh enough with the camera already!").

So then we headed over to Dr. OB's office (just around the corner) for our now bi-weekly visits with her.  Again, in pretty quick and upon getting into the room were told that Dr. OB had a woman just go into labor so our appointment would be very short, if at all.  Thankfully, Dr. OB rushed in, listened to the heartbeat, measured me, commented on my weight (I'm up 25 lbs total) and said to try not to eat processed food because she thinks I'm retaining water, answered the few questions I had deemed really important to ask (1. What vaccines does J need when we go see his doc on the 17th? and 2. What about the cyst now?) I think I heard her say we might do another ultrasound in a few weeks to check on the cyst again, but then she was out the door.  And before we could even get out of the office, another patient had gone into labor so she was heading to the hospital right quick to deliver not one but TWO babies!  I was just glad we got seen and were deemed mostly all good.  Next appointment is on Valentine's Day!

Childbirth class starts tonight and I'm a little worried because this is the part I haven't been wanting to hear about, but we gotta face it if we ever want to actually meet our lil Reese's cup!  

So here's my 30 week updated, and not that late at all!  Again, my responses are in red.

Week 30 of Pregnancy 

Your baby's brain is getting smarter by the minute, but for Mom, the only thing that smarts right now may be heartburn pain. Thankfully, I haven't had any heartburn since the time it sent me running for the doc. Whew!

Your Baby in Week 30 of Pregnancy

Your belly’s increasing size is a definite clue that your baby is getting bigger every day, weighing in at over three pounds now (he’ll be packing on the weight at a rate of half a pound per week for the next seven weeks). Also growing daily is his brain, which is actually starting to look like the real thing with those characteristic grooves and wrinkles. And now that your little genius can regulate his own body temperature and turn up the heat, he'll start shedding lanugo, the downy body hair that's been keeping him warm up until now. My belly is definitely having a growth spurt lately!  I feel bigger every day!

Your Body in Week 30 of Pregnancy
These days you may feel as if you've got a flamethrower in your chest. Heartburn is one of the most common (and annoying) pregnancy ailments and here's why: The same pregnancy hormones that cause your body's pelvic muscles to relax so you can deliver your baby also relax the ring of muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. The upshot? Food and digestive juices can head upstream from your tummy into your chest and throat — hence, the infernal inferno. Your expanding uterus, now exerting pressure on your stomach, only fuels the fire. Thankfully (knock-on-wood) nothing since the "incident".

Week 30 Pregnancy Tip: Cord Blood Banking
The big day is coming, so here's a big question: What is cord blood, and should you consider banking or donating your baby's? First, a definition: Cord blood is what remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth. So why is this blood so important? Because cord blood contains stem cells that can be used to treat certain diseases, such as cancers. This safe and painless procedure is performed just after the baby is born (all it takes is about five minutes). More and more parents are saving their baby's cord blood, either for donation to a public facility so the cells can be used by others in need, or for private storage so it's available should the need arise within their own family. Whichever you choose (and it's okay if you choose not to at all), you should talk to your practitioner about it now so all the necessary prep work can be done.Truly on my mind but banking for us is so expensive!  Am still wavering...any advice or thoughts on this subject are welcome.

Week 30 Pregnancy Symptoms
Stronger fetal activity: You can expect to feel your baby moving every day — sometimes with a punch or a kick (your itty-bitty boxer is getting stronger!), other times with a wiggle or a stretch. You can also expect more activity after you’ve had a snack or meal and (sadly!) when you’re lying down.  Reese is definitely a mover and a shaker.  I feel like she likes to stand on my pelvic bone a lot!  Maybe I'm creating a dancer in my belly!
Flatulence: As your uterus expands it puts pressure on your rectum, which can weaken muscle control and lead to uncontrollable passing of gas. Drink plenty of water to avoid constipation (which aggravates the condition).
Bloating: Your expanding uterus (that third-trimester culprit) is pressing into the stomach and intestines, making that bloated feeling worse this week (and for the next several weeks). Eat smaller (and more frequent) meals to avoid overloading your digestive system. Workin' on it.
Constipation: Even if you managed to conquer constipation earlier in your pregnancy, you may have to contend with a return to more-sluggish bowels (thank your ever-expanding uterus, which is putting pressure on your bowels). Remember that fluids and fiber are your friends, as are probiotics (you can find them in yogurts). I am considering setting up a computer in the bathroom with how much I am in there, so currently, this isn't a problem.
Occasional faintness or dizziness: It’s a common pregnancy symptom, but mention it to your practitioner (especially if you do faint). You can stop a dizzy spell by lying down and elevating your feet as soon as you feel light-headed.  I have had low blood pressure for years, so have occasionally fainted.  However right now this isn't a problem.  Let's hope I can say that for the next 10 weeks!
Bleeding gums: Thanks to pregnancy hormones, your gums could be swollen, inflamed, and even bleeding. Although bleeding gums are common (and will probably go away after delivery), take extra-good care of your teeth and gums right now: Brush and floss twice a day. A little here and a little there.  At the dentist appointment last week, she said I was super sensitive but I think she was a little pokey with her instruments!  Either way, I am being very good to my gums and teeth right now.
Stretch marks: As your skin stretches to accommodate your growing belly and body, you (and 90 percent of the pregnant set) are probably starting to see the pink or red streaks known as stretch marks. There’s no miracle cure for stretch marks, so don’t blow the bucks on expensive creams that promise to make them disappear. (Creams will soothe your itchy belly, though.) So far, so good...no marks.  I lotion every morning and night with special stuff...let's hope it stays that way.
Mild swelling of ankles and feet: About 75 percent of pregnant women suffer from puffy ankles and feet. Besides wearing comfy shoes, you can relieve your swollen tootsies by taking breaks and putting your feet up. (You deserve it!) Oh yes this is happening!  I wore shoes the other night and when I got home my feet had a lovely red line around where the shoes hit.  I keep looking for flats that are cute and comfy but am coming up short.  Mama K and MBM's sister have promised me some of their shoes that are stretched.
Fatigue: Your second trimester get-up-and-go may have upped and left now. Your growing baby is putting more demands on your body, and insomnia may be leaving you pooped during the day. Now’s the time to ask for help (a skill that will come in handy after childbirth), especially doing something strenuous.Yup, yup and yup!  Sleeping is getting harder by the day.  


Well, there you have it folks.  We are 7.5 months pregnant if you can believe it...I surely can't!  Have a wonderful day!