34 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Kideneys are fully developed and the liver is almost fully developed. Fingernails have now reached the end of the fingertips!

How your life's changing:
By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.


Poppyseed,

I like the "saving up your energy" part because there is not feasible way to do this between coaching and teaching! I am going to make sure to dedicate my weekends to lots of sleeping and relaxing!! I found out yesterday that you LOVE smoothies! I made a banana, strawberry, and pineapple smoothie and you went crazy! I am actually charging the video camera so i can drink one today and tape your unending kicking and punching.

I will hear your heartbeat again at the doctor's tomorrow, juts one more appointment and I'll be going every week to see if you are ready to come out yet! I bought some cute outfits yesterday at the garage sale (bigger sizes because you are already set to wear a different outfit every day until you are 9 months old!) and it made me so excited for you to be out and in my arms! Thats nothing new, of course, but thought I would remind you of how wanted and loved you are!!! (And, I cant keep your name a secret anymore!!!)

xoxo

Mommy