Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Bump Day: 37 weeks (Full Term!)



Today I am 37 weeks pregnant which a MAJOR milestone because it means Baby Boy has officially made it “full-term”. Even though it’s still 3 weeks until his projected due date, if he were born today he’d no longer be considered premature. He’s most likely a fully functioning little person who just needs a bit of fattening up (in his case A LOT of fattening up) before his big debut. 

Due to a slightly concerning ultrasound last week, this date isn’t quite bringing the excitement and celebratory mood that I thought it would. All signs point to a healthy baby, but he’s right at the bottom of the scale in terms of size. As of Friday, he was measuring around the size of a 34 week gestation baby and estimated to weigh just above 5 lbs, whereas most babies at 36 weeks weigh more in the 6 lb ballpark. He's still considered 'normal' but just towards the lower end of what healthy babies his age are measuring.

It’s not too surprising that I would have a small baby being as though I am quite petite myself. It makes sense that my baby would fall within the 10-15% size percentile since his Mom does as well. 
Both Jonathan and I were quite tiny babies. In fact, I weighed a mere 4.5 lbs but yet aced my Apgar scores and was discharged from the hospital with my Mom despite being 'low birth weight'. I of all people should know that size isn’t necessarily an indicator of health. 

But still, it’s weighing on my mind and I can’t help but worry. I’m trying my hardest to just lift my concerns up to the Lord and trust that his hand of protection is over baby boy. If you’re the praying type, I’d really appreciate any time you could spare to ask the Lord to help baby to continue to grow and develop into a healthy newborn. 

My midwife and mom and Talia all reassure me that it’s probably just a matter of my body not being able to stretch enough for the baby to grow much bigger, and once he's out of the womb he will grow like a weed. There could definitely be some truth to this since his length measurements are all right on target for his gestational age. This means he's long and lean which is his daddy's exact body type. 

Everyone comments on how big my bump is, so hopefully there is some truth to that. I certainly feel enormous and stretched to the limit. Speaking of my big bump, here are some of this week’s pictures. 



I guess all I can do now is eat a bit more ice cream and french fries to try to help give baby boy some adorable chunky rolls. Challenge accepted. 

6 comments:

  1. You are probably the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen. You're just glowing! You're so healthy and have worked out your whole pregnancy. Your baby boy is just fine. They kept telling me my baby would be huge. Like, 9+ lbs. He was 7 lbs 10oz. I don't really think they really know ;) These last few weeks the baby grows a lot! I'll keep you in my prayers for a safe delivery. Keep your chin up and think positive. The experience is going to be amazing!!

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  2. Ditto to what Mary said! I don't think they really truly know. My doc told me at 38weeks there was no way I would make it to my due date and to expect baby any day. And then I had to be induced two days after...try not to take it too much to heart (waaaaay easier said than done)

    You look fantastic!!! All belly and so incredibly beautiful. Xoxo

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  3. Bonjour ! I am your french reader from south of France… I really agree with the previous comments. And to cheer you up, I can add my own experience: my first child was so tiny (2,5 kg: I think it is about 5,5lbs). I thought it was because he was born 3 weeks before due date… But my second child was born 2 days after due date and was even smaller!! In the end, they were both very healthy babies! I am sure it will be the same for your baby boy and this birth will remain “un des plus grands moments de ta vie”. Tifanny

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  4. I think you look amazing!!! And that baby is all BOY!!! He looks huge and I can't believe by looking at the pictures that he could grow much more in his mommy's tiny belly. All is well and he is going to be just fine. See you in less than 3 weeks. Love you much

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  5. You look awesome!!! I had Carson one day before his due date and he was only 6 lbs 2 oz and as healthy as can be :) He would have been around 5 lbs at 36 weeks too...if even that much! I like your ice cream and french fry idea ;) You are going to be an amazing mom and I am so so excited for you!!!!

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    1. Thanks Carrie! I've been hearing more and more from petite mommas that 5.5-6.5 lbs is pretty normal, and that has been very reassuring.

      P.S Carson is such a handsome little boy!

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