30 Week Journal

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Up another 2 pounds. At this rate I believe I will be above the "recommended" weight gain for my starting weight and height, but I'm not overly concerned.
Stretch Marks: Nothing new. I really can't complain.
Sleep: Most nights I find myself waking up to pee. And it seems I tend to wake up consistently between 5 and 5:30. I usually fall back to sleep pretty quickly and I'm very glad there's a bathroom attached to our bedroom. When house hunting last year, there was one we looked at that only had a bathroom on the lower level. Chris didn't think it would be a big deal. I knew otherwise. I'm glad we decided not to buy that house. :)
Best moment this week: Got a wonderful car load of hand-me downs from my friend Mel. Still need to find the time to sort through them and figure out what's what. For now, they're pretty much all in the living room.
Worst moment this week: Afternoon sleepiness.
Movement: Oh my! Baby has been moving up a storm this week. Not so much with the kicks that I've been feeling in the past, but with lots of pressure up against my belly. Which prompted these texts last week.

Me: Please tell your child to stop abusing me.
Him: Katrina Anne/ Bennett Henry Bredford stop abusing your mother!
Me: Thanks. I like you you used the full name.
Me: Baby didn't listen.

Belly Button in or out? Barely still in. I feel like a broken record saying that every week.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for: Can't wait for Baby to get here. Wish I didn't have to wait another 2+ months.
Milestones/Fun Moments: The nursery got painted this week. Our friend Kristin will be coming in late September/ early October to paint some murals for us as well. But for now, the main wall color is up and the ceiling and trim has been painted. Much brighter now! I also finished knitting the pair of socks I was working on and started on a soaker (used as a cover with cloth diapers).
What we need to do: Need to finish getting the room ready and get a car seat, but pretty much feeling like things are under control.

29 Weeks

Your baby is as big as a butternut squash, weightwise -- about 2 1/2 pounds. (Length: a tad over 15 inches, head to heel.)

29 Weeks- Development

Your Baby This Coming Week

Your baby now weighs about 3 lbs (1400g), measures about 10.8 (27cm) inches from crown to rump and measures about 17 inches (38cm) from head to toe.

Your baby is probably aware of your Braxton Hicks contractions, which you experience regularly, even when you do not notice them.

By this time, your baby is very active and you feel its movements frequently.

Your baby is still practicing breathing movements which have now become rhythmic.

Sometimes your baby gets the hiccups when she accidentally swallows amniotic fluid the wrong way.

She is getting fatter and plumper. On an ultrasound, you can see your baby's activities quite easily.

Your baby has periods of rest and periods of activity now. Your baby is probably most active when you are trying to rest.

Your Body This Coming Week

Your uterus has now risen to about 4 inches above your bellybutton. Backache probably continues and you are probably feeling increasingly fatigued. This may be exacerbated since you may also have trouble sleeping. Whenever possible, try to put your feet up. Extra pillows will probably help you to find a comfortable sleeping position.

You may be constipated; your nose may be stuffed; and you may have the occasional nosebleed. You may also have trouble breathing as your enlarged uterus crowds your lungs. You may at times feel faint and dizzy. You probably feel huge, but you'll get bigger still!

Some women take great pleasure in their changing form while others feel it is a nuisance. If you are among the latter, you can take comfort in knowing that it is temporary, that your partner and others probably find you especially beautiful, that you are as close as you can be to your baby and that your body is providing him with all he needs.

29 Week Journal

How far along? 29 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Woo hoo- no change. Actually, to be technical, down 2 tenths of a pound.
Stretch Marks: Nothing new.
Sleep: Decent, but waking up with some hip pain. Mostly just sore from lying on my side.
Best moment this week: I think one of the best moments was last night. I finished the quilt!!!!
Worst moment this week: Stabbing myself with numerous pins while sewing. :)
Movement: Yup. Baby was especially active on my way to work this morning.
Belly Button in or out? Almost an outie. It's actually very weird looking.
Wedding rings on or off? Still on. My watch has been coming off frequently though.
What I'm going to miss/What I can't wait for: Want to hurry up and get the nursery painted so that I can get it all arranged properly.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't overdo it. 2 hours on Sunday weeding crabgrass from flower beds took its toll on me!
Milestones/Fun Moments: Nice to know the bedding is complete. Maybe I can reclaim my dining room table?
What we need to do: Finish up the nursery. But for the most part I feel like things are under control.

Growing Belly

If you want, you can click on the image to view it larger.

28 Weeks

Your baby is equal in weight to a Chinese cabbage -- about 2 1/4 pounds. (Length: almost 15 inches, from head to heel.)

28 Weeks- Development

Your Baby This Coming Week

Your baby now weighs about 2.7 lbs (1.2kg), measures about 10.4 inches (26cm) from crown to rump, and is around 16.7 inches (42cm) long. He is plumper and rounder, and his head and body are beginning to be in proportion.

Your baby now uses all of his senses. He can see, taste, recognize touch and the sound of your voice.

During the last trimester, your baby will receive antibodies from you through your placenta that will provide immunity from many diseases.

Your baby's adrenal glands are producing androgen-like substances. Androgens are normally male sex hormones, but in late pregnancy, when they reach the placenta they are turned into estrogen which in turn stimulates the production of prolactin in your body. Prolactin is the hormone needed for milk production. In this exchange, your baby is beginning to stimulate milk production in your breasts so that when he is born there will be food waiting for him.

Your Body This Coming Week

Your breasts may be leaking colostrum as your baby stimulates the production of the hormone prolactin. If you are not leaking colostrum, there is no need to worry at all about having a good supply of milk to feed your baby. Not everyone will leak colostrum before birth.

Your balance may be affected by your enlarged abdomen so you should be especially careful to avoid falling.

You may be feeling pressure on your diaphragm, liver, stomach and intestines as they are displaced by your growing baby.

Your total weight gain by this point is likely between 19 and 25 lbs (8.55 and 11.25kg).

As your uterus puts pressure on your internal organs, including your bladder, you probably have to go to the bathroom more frequently.