Pregnancy Weight: Um, I need to start paying attention to this better. Not sure what the number was. Maybe up 1 or 2 pounds? I’ll keep a better lookout at my next appointment.
Blood Pressure: 98/56
The nurse said that my blood pressure was “great”. I don’t know much about blood pressure, but I do know that the “normal” is 120/80. I also know that my blood pressure is not high, clearly, but it seems like the bottom number is extremely low. I need to make a note to look this up so that I don’t work myself up over something stupid that has no real meaning.
Baby’s Heartbeat: In the 150s. He was bouncing all around today!
Baby’s Position: OB thinks that the baby is still head down (yay!). I feel him more on my right side, so he is probably pivots back and forth from the left side to the right. His butt (we think) is right under my right boob and his feet are angled downward. I think he’ll be really tall, especially since Tarzan is. The baby also kicked the OB’s hand and I got a giggle out of that.
Problem with baby’s position: Not a one.
Baby’s Momma: I’m starting to feel like I’m in slow motion a lot, especially when I have to go to the bathroom. Tarzan and I were out running errands after my appointment today and he even commented that I’ve gotten a lot slower. Tis normal, I suppose.
My pregnancy anxiety is still there, but I’ve been doing my best to deal with it. Benadryl helps me sleep at night, which really takes the edge off.
I’m also getting really excited to meet my little boy. I hope that I don’t meet him too soon, but the excitement is building up a lot and I’m starting to believe the whole slow third trimester thing.
Stretch Marks: None to report and hopefully it stays that way. (Keeping my fingers crossed!)
Next appointment: June 26th. Not looking forward to this appointment. It will be my first internal and I’ve heard that it’s not the most comfortable thing. I even asked my OB about it today and she said that there is a lot of pressure, but it only lasts 3-4 seconds. Surely I can handle 3-4 seconds, right?!
I also think that an ultrasound might be done to verify the baby’s position. Not sure on that though.
Big milestones this week: The nursery is thisclose to being finished. Just waiting on a few other items that I am pretty sure I’ll get at my baby shower this weekend. (Yes, while I’m usually quite fond of surprises, I did check my registry a few days ago and found out that a couple of big items were purchased for us. Of course I’m thrilled and realize that I’m completely lame for “cheating”.)
My questions:
1. Can you have an epidural when you have a lower back tattoo?
This does not apply to me, but I was talking to one of my friends (who has never had a child or been pregnant) and she insisted that a person could not have an epidural if they have a lower back tattoo. I told her she was ridiculous and she told me she was right. I told her that I would check with my OB at my next appointment and tada… I’m the winner.
2. Can I keep my contacts on during labor?
I’ve been reading that it is recommended that you wear your glasses instead of wearing contacts, so I was worried about this. I do not want to have to wear my glasses, especially for pictures. (I know, I know.) Anyways, my OB said that I could definitely wear my glasses, but to bring drops in case they get dry. She said that if a c-section is involved, they will probably make me take them out, even though she wore hers during all her c-sections.
3. It’s normal that he isn’t kicking like he was before, right? It’s more like he is rolling around in there and trying to push through my stomach instead.
Completely normal.
You might also want to read:
= a post from Mommy Jane 
= a post from Daddy Tarzan
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I wore contacts with both deliveries.
i wore my contacts during my c-section! they didnt even ask me if i was wearing any?
I wore glasses in labor both times before. I wear contacts every day of my life (since about 7th grade) except right before I go to bed. I put them on again when I wake up. So wearing glasses sucked. Maybe next time I will try to do the contacts longer.
I had my internal on Tues and no it did not hurt-the DR pushed on my belly for a few seconds and then swabbed my insides-TMI I know. No ultrasound Dr thinks everything will be okay. I still haven’t packed my bags yet, or unpacked all my shower gifts from last weekend or written thank you notes or washed baby clothes or finished the nursery. Yes there is still alot to do. I am hoping that we can wrap alot of this up this wkd, something tells me it won’t be long. 27 days and counting…
I just had my 34 wk appt too. I go back in 2 weeks but she didn’t mention doing the internal exam, now I’m nervous! I’ve been having to pay attention to my weight too but the good news is that around week 36 it’s supposedly likely that weight gain stops. And I read a symtom of pre-labor is that you can show a 2-3 lb loss. I totally relate to you saying that you move slowly, I felt good reading this, knowing I’m not alone. I’m like a 90 year old shuffler with the world rushing by in such a hurry!
p.s. I just saw “Away We Go”. It’s about a couple in their 30’s expecting a baby and I think any preggo woman would really enjoy it.
I love the rolling around!
But I miss the kicking…
Normal BP is anything under 120/80. There’s not really a low end unless you are in some sort of shock (ie- bleeding profusely). Hope this helps!
I think my biology teacher said normal blood pressure for women is more like 110/70, so I wouldn’t worry about it being low.
Great Q and A…Just wanted to post big congrats and I hope your delivery goes well!
Found your blog through google. I just found out I am pregnant June 3rd…I’m not due until January 2010. So I’ve got a ways to go! Your blog is lots of fun to read!
Maria, Megan, & Lainie – Thanks for the comments on contacts/glasses. I expect to keep my contacts in for sure!
Tracylynne – The internal didn’t hurt? Yay, maybe there is hope for me! You are the only (and I stress ‘only’) person that I’ve heard that from. Sounds like you have a lot to do, I wish I was in the same boat. If I can just hold out and stay occupied until Saturday then I’ll have my thank you’s to do and stuff to put away.
Melissa – I wish I could say ‘don’t be nervous’ but then I’d pretty much be a hypocrite because I’m nervous about it. I think it’s just not knowing what to expect. After the 1st one (even if it does suck) at least I’ll know what to expect the next time around. I’m curious if your doc does one at your next appointment, let me know. I saw a preview for that movie and thought it looked good. I thought we’d see ‘the proposal’ tomorrow, but maybe we’ll see that one instead. Or both
Sarah – I know what you mean. Both are such different movements, but it just means we are getting one step closer, right? And, if you miss the kicking that much, you can always get pregnant right away to feel it again. LOL
Gretchen & Torie – Thanks for the info on blood pressure!
Cathy – Congrats to you!! What an exciting road you have ahead of you. I wish you and your little one a happy and healthy 9 months!
Great to hear things are looking good!
As for internals, they’re very uncomfortable. And you may bleed/spot afterwards, don’t panic unless it’s a lot. My internals hurt more each time I dilated more. And when they check you during labor! HAH! That hurts…Just be prepared.
Jane,
The exam won’t hurt. Will just be uncomfy. If you ever get your membranes swept, that will hurt.
Anyways, you’re going to have to get used to the exams. Once you go into labor, you’ll be checked every hour!
On the blood pressure thing, I agree with the above. 120/80 is the very high end of normal and pregnancy can lower your pressure because your blood volume increases by 60%, so if the docs are concerned about your low pressure, I wouldn’t worry.
Internals never bothered me. I only was checked twice in my first pregnancy, but during my second, I received checks every visit at the end. Be prepared for some possible cramping afterward.
Everything does feel slow at the end. And the lack of “normal” movement means the little man is running out of room. My second kept trying to stretch sideways, and it got downright painful.
I wouldn’t worry about your blood pressure since “normal” is a realitive term, 120/80 may be normal for one person, but not for some one else. I have low blood pressure normally, so 120/80 would actually be high for me. Plus it also depends on the person taking the blood pressure, on more than one occasion I’ve had the assistant place the stethoscope on my forearm, which is the complete wrong placement …. anywho don’t sweat the small stuff and try to enjoy the last few weeks bc the big day will be here before you know it, and you might find yourself missing that baby belly