Week 36, April 22 - April 28

Thursday, April 22nd (34 days to go)
Had my 35 week appointment today. You'll have to follow the link to see what happened. It's been an exciting day so far!!

Baby Update: The baby has developed for 33 weeks (gestation). Receiving nutrition and elimination through the umbilical cord all this time has made it unnecessary for the baby's slowly developing gastrointestinal system to function much before birth. Even after birth, this system will still be physiologically immature until the child is three or four years old. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Thursday, April 22nd (34 days to go), Update #2
I sent out an email to just about every body, but for those who may not have gotten it, here's the update. I get to suffer for another 3 days, then on Monday at 1pm we'll do the amnio. Then 4 or 5 hours later, we'll know if Ella's lungs are up to the task of breathing on their own. The docs want to give Ella a little more time to cook. The amnio results will be better in 3 days anyways. So all's good. I'll suffer, but just for her! Oy... my arms are itching while I type this.

I've decided to share with you what this rash looks like. At least on my legs which seems to be the worst of it. Beware... it's scary.

That's my right shin. The left shin looks the same, as do the backs of both lower legs. My lower belly looks like this as well. That's where it started. My arms are red, bumpy, and blotchy. I can't see my back all that well, but it itches too. The only places unaffected by this rash are my chest and face. I'm not a happy camper. But soon enough ( I hope ) Ella will be here and I'll have something to distract me while my legs and other parts get back to normal.

The bright side to this is that the last baby shower gets to go on uninterrupted (unless I go in to labor). That's a good thing. What would be good is to go in to labor sometime after the shower, so that I can avoid the amnio. That'd be good. :)

Friday, April 23rd (33 days to go - maybe less!!)
So far today there's nothing new to report. I didn't spontaneously go in to labor over night. I slept horribly though. My usual nightly routine to calm the itch didn't work so well. It's going to be a long weekend!

Baby Update: During this finishing period of the baby's development, fat is being laid down under the surface of the baby's skin, which will help the baby maintain an even body temperature and which can be burned as energy. Growth has slowed - perhaps to conserve energy for the birth process. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Saturday, April 24th (32 days to go - maybe less!!)
I've gotten a cold. :( What doesn't help is one of the medicines I'm supposed to be taking. It works by supressing the immune system. I made the conscious decision today to not finish it out (it's just a 6 day thing and I had done just one day of it), in the hopes that I can get rid of this cold faster. So far it's a chest cold. I may need the ability to breath here pretty soon so I'd like to get rid of this cold.

Baby Update: The baby's limbs are beginning to dimple at the elbows and knees, and creases are forming around the wrists and neck as fat deposit continues. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Sunday, April 25th (31 days to go - maybe less!!)
The cold hasn't gotten worse. That's good. But my itching has. Last night was a bad night for me. My feet would not stop itching. So I went in to the living room to watch tv until I fell asleep, which I did pretty promptly. Then I went back to bed. I even think I managed to sleep for 4 solid hours after that. I sure hope the amnio tomorrow shows that Ella's lungs are mature enough. Not looking forward to trying to sleep tonight. :(

On the fun side, today is the day of the last baby shower. I'm very excited. It's at 2. So I've got awhile to wait. I started to clean yesterday in anticipation of not being able to do it for awhile, but I've got more I can do today. I also plan on paying some bills early so we don't have to worry about them. We do need to figure out how the animals will get fed while we're at the hospital.

Baby Update: The baby's gums are now ridged and may look at first like teeth are about to erupt. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Monday, April 26th (30 days to go - maybe less!!)
First off, the usual Monday stuff. The heartbeat and Baby Center's take on 36 weeks.

For the out-of-towners: It's going to be 80 degrees today. Beautiful clear blue skies today. And I'm going to spend it going through an icky procedure involving a long needle, and then anxiously awaiting the results. Today had better be the day is all I have to say. I am going insane with the itch. It's definately getting worse.  It will take 4-5 hours to find out if her lungs are good enough or not for induction, so while we wait I'll probably post another entry, and maybe send out an email. I will definately try to send an email if we get the news that we've got the green light for induction. I so hope it's happening tonight. I've slept horribly and itch all day long. And before long I'm afraid my arms will look like my legs. Not good.

Yesterday was the last of the baby showers. We are so set to have this baby. We got our diaper Champ, a video monitor (way cool!!), and our Baby Bjorn baby carrier so we can tote Ella around hands-free. Received tons of blankets, including two hand-made knitted ones, as well as a hand-made knitted cap (that matches one of those blankets), more clothes, and lots of other little things. There is nothing more we need to bring this kid in to the world. And I am way more than ready!!

Baby Update: By the time the baby is born, the placenta will weigh one-sixth of what the baby weighs. - "The Pregnancy Journal" by A. Christine Harris, Ph.D.

Monday, April 26th, Entry #2
We're at home waiting now. The amnio went fine... it wasn't as bad as I thought, but I did hurt for some time afterwards. I'm okay now. Uncomfortable and VERY itchy (maybe has to do with the warm weather?), but okay. So what's happening now is that the doctor will only call if Ella's lungs aren't ready to go. So if we do not hear from him, then we are to be at the hospital at 6:30am tomorrow! If they aren't backed up with other patients. (It was pretty quiet while we were there today). So we're hoping that we don't hear from him. That's what you all should pray for now. :) So tomorrow could be it. We could be parents by tomorrow evening/night. Pray hard!!!

Tuesday, April 27th
She arrived today!!! Read more details here.

Wednesday, April 28th
She came home today!!!!