34 weeks.

I am officially required to be at the doctors every week from here until I deliver. It is kind of a confusing concept to grasp. During my 12 week ultra screen, I came back with abnormal levels of PAPP-A. This usually means one of two things: higher chances of having a baby with down syndrome, or that the placenta may not function properly as the pregnancy progresses. I had a genetic test to see if she had an extra chromosome, and that test came back negative, meaning it is the placenta. I was put on a low dose aspirin which helps increase blood flow to the placenta to help avoid the deterioration of the placenta.

Now that we are into the thick of the third trimester, I need to monitor her as closely as possible. This means weekly NSTs and ultrasounds. The ultrasound measures the belly, head size, and femur size. All of these measurements will let us know that she is growing on track and not decreasing in size, which will indicate an issue with the placenta. The difficult concept to grasp is that if the placenta were to start dying, there would be NO signs, other than a decrease in size. No bleeding, no cramping, nothing. As of now I will be induced early, but could potentially be earlier based on measurements.

My doctor explained to me that if he were to starve myself, the first symptom would be that I would stop urinating. If the placenta starts to die, baby LC will stop urinating, but will be taking in amniotic fluid, which has urine, therefore shutting her kidneys down. And as many of us know, kidneys are like the control center for the other organs. So…. that is all I really understand about this low PAPP-A.

34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks 

Total weight gain: 21 pounds

Baby is the size of a: Pineapple

Maternity clothes: Yes

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: I literally use the bathroom ALL. NIGHT. LONG. Plus my back and gallbladder ache. 

Best moment of this week: Checking more things off of my to-do list. I also bought some cute clothes!

Movement: So so much!

Food cravings: Powdered doughnuts. What is wrong with me?!?! They are so delicious!

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Aches or pains: Back, gallbladder, pelvis. 

Have you started to show yet: Yes 

Gender: GIRL!! 

Labor signs: Not yet

Belly button in or out: full on out!

Wedding rings on or off: On

What are you dreaming about: School, professors, snakes, weird, weird stuff. 

NST at 34 weeks

Checklist: 

• Pre-register at the hospital 
• Pack my bag and buy a few more comfy clothes
• Wash the bouncy seat cover, the Rock-N-Play cover, and the swing cover
• Make sure my Medela pump still works 
• Buy everything on my registry 
• Stock up on after baby supplies
• Buy a lamp for the nursery 
• Do a project with my late grandmother's broaches for the nursery  This came out so cute, and I cannot wait to share! 
• Make nurses "thank-you" bags
• Make room darkening panels for the nursery

I am getting so close on the things that are needed to be done! I have three things left to do for my two classes this semester, as well as get organized for my summer class. I can't believe we will be meeting our peanut in less than 5 weeks!