Well I was secretly (or not so secretly, if you’ve been chatting with me recently!) hoping that I wouldn’t get the chance to write up this post. Buuuut, apparently my body likes to grow babies that get nice and cozy up in there, with no need to come out any earlier than necessary. So here we are, at just over 39 weeks!
Baby is 39 weeks + 2 days today and is supposedly about the size of a mini watermelon (although I’d say it’s a pretty good sized watermelon at this point…I’ll get to that in a sec!).
Just for fun, here’s a look at what 39 weeks was looking like with Lucas!
HERE’S WHAT BABY HAS BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK:
- Baby continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it’s likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.)
- The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.
AND HERE’S WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING WITH ME THIS PAST WEEK:
Weight gained: I haven’t gained any in the past two weeks (and may have actually lost a pound, if I remember correctly) so that puts me right around 30 pounds gained.
Workouts: I think there was maybe one or two at some point over the past week and a half, but I’ve pretty much given up at this point. Of course, chasing around Lucas is always a daily workout, so I totally consider counting that towards exercise at this point!
Labor Signs: Contractions and/or Braxton Hicks, although nothing consistent. I always get the ones where my belly hardens but more recently I have been experiencing a lot more cramping that wraps around all the way to my back. Last Thursday evening, I actually thought that it may have been it because I had about a half hour of sitting on the couch where the contractions/cramps were really getting a bit painful. But I went to bed and wound up waking up the next day with nothing, so just a false alarm.
Symptoms: Mostly the same…
- Low back pain and pelvic pressure
- Braxton Hicks and/or contractions
- Thinking my uterus is going to fall right out
- Also feeling like little man could easily bust right through my abdomen at any point during the day
- Fatigue/more sleepy
- Occasional nausea
- Some swellings in hands, feet, and ankles
Movement: Movement has begun to slow down a bit and the movements I do feel are less jab-like and more just him likely trying to get comfortable up in his increasingly cramped space.
Food Aversions: Nothing that really stands out, but some days food just sounds and tastes less appealing than others.
Food Cravings: Cold things are definitely at the top of my list right now (I made a fruit salad earlier this week which has been awesome) and peanut butter has also been a winner. Then on Tuesday, I suddenly found myself making a funfetti cake with rainbow chip frosting (aka, the BEST canned frosting and only one I’ll buy since I always prefer homemade).
So yes, that has been thoroughly enjoyed this week, too.
Sleep: Crappy. I’m usually up about 3x a night for the bathroom, but tend to wake up every hour or two needing to roll to the other side because my sides and/or hips will start to hurt and wake me up.
Stretch marks? Still stretch mark free (knock on wood!)!
Miss Anything? Sleep. And being able to move like normal. And have the stamina to keep up with Lucas.
Fun and/or Interesting Things from the Week: We had another ultrasound yesterday to check on my fluid levels again; the good news is that they didn’t increase any and actually dropped from 23cm to 22cm. They’re still in the high end (my doc likes to say that he’s “swimming in an Olympic sized swimming pool in there”) but they’re not concerned at this point.
MY concern, however, is the fact that this guy just keeps on growin’! Right now, they have him estimated to be about 8 pounds. Yikes. But really…those cheeks.
Of course there is always room for error, but it still makes me a bit anxious! I’m still only about 1-2cm dilated and only about 50% effaced, so there hasn’t been much happening in that department.
At this point, I do have an induction date scheduled for June 8th (the day after my due date), if needed. I really hope that I don’t wind up needing to go the induction route, since I’ve already experienced that and really, really would like to experience going into labor on my own. But I guess we’ll see what happens within the next week, and I’ll just have to trust that whatever is meant to be, will be!
Belly Button in or out? Out, but I’ve noticed that it pops more or less depending on where he’s located.
Wedding rings on or off? Still on, but snug in the heat.
Happy or moody most of the time: Totally depends on the day. I’m mostly happy, but I can also get a bit moody and I’ve had a couple emotional moments here and there, too. The moodiness just tends to come from being uncomfortable and frustrated (or trying to tame a toddler who’s quickly entering the “threenager” stage…). It’s a good thing he’s cute.
But honestly, I’m good and I’m just happy and hopeful for a smooth delivery and a healthy baby at the end of all of this!
New Baby Items: He’s gotten a few new things here and there over the past couple of weeks (and his closet is SO not organized the way I’d like it to be right now, whoops!).
But I did cave and buy a few new outfits from Target the other day…
- Carter’s All American Guy Outfit (*Just One You by Carter’s outfits are buy 1 get 1 50% off this week!)
- Carter’s Mighty Cute Outfit
- Cherokee Stripe Top and Shorts Outfit
I bought them all in the 3 month size, and I’m glad I did because at this point, I don’t think we’ll be wearing too many newborn outfits for too long!
Looking Forward To: The obvious…getting this show on the road!
Bri says
Eek! So close mama! Excited for you! Having two boys is SO special- can’t wait for you to experience it yourself!!
Brynn says
Yay, so close! You look fantastic. And I completely support the Funfetti. Yum!
Alyssa says
You are getting so close! I was late having both my boys. I went into labour at 40 weeks two days and had them both at 40 weeks three days late. But my second came so much faster! I hope your final week goes by fast snd you have a quick, safe and healthy delivery! Having two boys is crazy, but honestly a blast! You will love it!
Andrea @ Pencils and Pancakes says
I’m 35 almost 36 weeks with my first and I can’t even IMAGINE trying to chase around a toddler. I can barely walk/move/make it through the day. Props to you! And you look great. I wouldn’t worry too much about his size especially since ultrasounds can be off and you’ve already had a baby.
ashley | the Pike Place Kitchen says
i’m so excited for you guys!! i can’t wait to find out what name you’ve chosen :)
Linz @ Itz Linz says
you’re so close!! good luck, momma!! thoughts and prayers for safe and “easy” (do people say taht?? lol) delivery xoxo
Courtney says
LOL you said it, so I’ll take it! :)
Bryna says
I try tell patients to not get too hung up on their due date, it’s more of a due estimate. The research states that you can go till 41 weeks without potential adverse outcomes. Here is an article but if you are interested in more solid research let me know (http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/labor-and-delivery/the-truth-about-due-dates/)
By the way, you look fantastic. And funfetti is the way to go!
Courtney says
Thanks Bryna! Yes I went 41 weeks + 1 day with my first son and the doc said it was good I didn’t go much longer because my placenta was getting old or something like that? Haha, I was so out of it but I remember her showing it to me and pointing out certain parts of it.
Lisa Faltenhine says
You are sooooo close. My second baby was 8.7lbs. (First was7lbs) second came fast with no time for drugs and everything was fine and healed well. It’s like your body knows what to do second time around, you got this mama. Good luck.
Courtney says
Ohhh, that’s encouraging!! Thanks Lisa!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Eeek!!! you’re looking awesome missus! My friend has 3 weeks to go and just finishes up work tomorrow! She’s somehow kept up Bodypump and is even going tonight!
Courtney says
Wow, good for her! I wish I could have kept up with more, haha :)
Rebecca says
Out of curiosity, why is your induction date so early? I’m in Canada, so maybe the standards are different, but I wouldn’t have had to be induced until 11-12 days after my due date, unless of course there was some kind of concern. Just wondering :)
So excited to find out what name you guys chose! Good luck in the coming weeks!
Courtney says
Partially because of size and partially because of my high fluid levels. My doc usually won’t let patients go past 41 weeks (which is what happened with my first son) :) Thanks for the luck!
Laura says
That picture of you and Lucas is SO CUTE! Love!
Jillian says
Yay you are so close mama! I feel you on not wanting to be induced! I was induced with my first too, and I would really love to go into labor naturally with this one (due in August). I really would like to be able to experience the whole my water broke and it’s go time kind of moment, but I understand that whatever happens, happens. I remember trying everything I could do last time to induce myself (walking, spicy foods, etc.) but nothing worked. Actually since I had a lot of fluid too, my Dr. told me that I probably never would have gone into labor myself. When they checked me right before she broke my water, the Dr. could feel my daughter’s head just floating around and not actually engaging to get ready for labor. So she probably never would have engaged in the birth canal herself, since she was swimming around in so much fluid. I wonder if that’s true for everyone with excess fluid? Aren’t we a pair! Good luck to you, and I will be thinking of you!
cait @ S U G A R & S A V A G E says
These are by far my favorite posts! My best girlfriend is just a few weeks behind you and we read these religiously.
Hope for your sake baby #2 comes soon :) I bet you can’t wait to meet the little one!
Jamie @ Dishing Out Health says
So close to the finish line, girl!!! You look beautiful and vibrant as ever. Heck YES to funfetti cake as you finish out the final week!
Erin Lorello says
I cannot wait to “virtually” meet this little boy! I have been excited since you announced your pregnancy!
Jessica says
Love your top! Where did you get it?
Fingers crossed things start happening soon! :)
Courtney says
Thank you! It’s from Old Navy from my pregnancy with Lucas (so about 3 years old, haha!)
Mary Burns says
You’re beautiful! Wishing you an easy & healthy delivery!