34 Weeks Pregnant Bumpdate

This pregnancy has flown by but I’m really shocked at how fast the third trimester seems to be going for me. How am I already 34 weeks? It’s just wildness to me! We’re really in the final stretch now and who knows… maybe this could be my last blog bumpdate! Crazy to think about. Anyway, let’s get on with the bumpdate, shall we?

34 WEEKS BUMPDATE

My body is feeling tired and large. I honestly think my baby bump is the size it was at full-term with Taya. I have gained 30lbs which is what I gained in total with Taya, so it makes sense that my body is showing that. Weight gain has been a super huge mental hurdle for me this pregnancy, but I’m trying to remind myself that it means baby boy is growing healthy and strong.

My whole pregnancy I have felt that he might arrive early and 38 weeks has been what’s always in my mind. God only knows! Baby boy will come when he’s ready.

34-WEEK ULTRASOUND – Baby boy is healthy and strong! But baby boy is estimated to measure small. He was 12th percentile at my 30-week scan and dropped to the 6th percentile this week. This is roughly 2 weeks “behind” and he currently weighs over 4lbs. While baby boy is healthy and simply small, he is automatically labeled “IUGR” since he’s estimated to measure under the 10th percentile. The ultrasound tech checked blood flow from the placenta to the baby and everything is perfect. Honestly, I am not concerned about baby boy’s growth. I am petite and Taya was petite at full-term (5lbs 15oz). I make small babies. I wish the medical field wasn’t so quick to slap diagnoses without actual medical evidence of something being wrong. There is nothing wrong with a small baby.

34-WEEK APPOINTMENT – My appointment directly following my scan was by far the worst prenatal care I have ever received. The appointment was not with any of the usual midwives I see. It was with a nurse practitioner who was quite insensitive, gave me no options, and wouldn’t hear my concerns. It was traumatic. Unfortunately, I am unable to see the midwives for prenatal care now that baby is estimated to measure under the 10th percentile. I’m being switched over to the Intermediate Care clinic at the practice for the rest of my prenatal care, in addition to extra testing (like non-stress tests) multiple times a week until delivery. After talking with the midwife I’ve seen the most this pregnancy, she’s made me feel more at peace about the process. She also informed me that I would still be able to have a midwife for delivery (as long as nothing medically emergent arises).

HOW AM I PROCESSING? It’s a rollercoaster. As someone who is working toward a redemptive unmedicated natural birth with no interventions, I am a bit upset. I am worried that even though I know how to advocate for myself that I won’t be heard. I am worried about being pressured into things that are unnecessary. It just really sucks, honestly. But the midwife seems confident that the ICC team will be great for me. At least this isn’t a super last-minute switch and I can make my preferences known to everyone I’ll be seeing on this new team. I’m trying to surrender and trust but it’s hard. I am still determined to do everything I can to have the birth that I want. My birth plan has not changed.

CRAVINGS AS OF LATELY – BLTs and freeze pops. Michael makes the best BLTs. I could eat one every day, haha.

MOVEMENT/POSITIONING – Baby boy has always been a mover and I love it. Last week, he gave me a bit of a scare because I felt like he wasn’t head down anymore. I found his heartbeat with the doppler and it was above my belly button, which likely indicates a breech baby. He flipped back head down after a few days. I’m just doing my best to keep on my birthing ball to encourage him to stay put. At my scan this week, he was extremely low so I think we’re good!

NURSERY PROGRESS – His nursery is basically complete! We only have a few items to hang on the wall and need to get a crib mattress. He’ll be room-sharing with us so he won’t really start to use his nursery for a while. I do usually try to start naps in the nursery at about 3 months old. I’ll have a whole nursery reveal blog post live once he’s born! There are some sneak peeks over on Instagram to curb your interest for now!

HOSPITAL BAG – I have everything I need for my hospital bag and baby boy’s hospital bag. In fact, I share my short checklist for baby’s hospital bag the other day. You can read that HERE! I’ll actually have two hospital bags for myself – one will be for labor & delivery and the other will be for when I’m in recovery. It makes more sense to me to bring a small bag for the initial check-in and then Mike can get the rest out of the car after I’ve delivered. I’ll have my hospital bag blog post live in the next week or so.

BIRTH PLAN – I need to get on writing it out but I do know all of my birth preferences. I have spent this whole pregnancy (and still am) preparing for my dream redemptive birth. I’ll be making my birth plan straight to the point instead of a few pages long like my first. I’ll be making a million copies so it’s clear to everyone what my choices are. Aiming for an unmedicated natural birth in a hospital setting… you really need to be your own advocate!