Weekly Check-Up

Great news! My fluid levels went back up to 11, which is terrific. I don't know whether the bed rest and water intake is why or whether it wouldn't have mattered, but who cares? I am so reassured not to have something extra to worry about. Miran also scored 8/8 again on his biophysical profile (though he was stubborn about showing off his practice breathing abilities). So . . . things are looking good!

Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the baby care class yesterday. Kieryn had tons to do at work, and I was absolutely exhausted, so it just didn't happen. I'm sorry, because I'm sure it would have been both fun and useful. Oh, well.

21 Days . . .

until Miran is full-term! We can't believe we're at 34 weeks already. Time is flying by and dragging on at the same time . . .

Breastfeeding

Yesterday I went to my first prenatal class: Breastfeeding. It lasted for two hours and was surprisingly informative--who knew there was so much to learn about something so basic and natural? There was a video presentation, a practice session (picture a room full of very pregnant women, each holding a life-size newborn baby doll and trying out various holds, burping positions, etc.), a lecture on breast care and nutrition, and a long Q&A session. I walked away with a slew of pamphlets, two pages of notes, and a sincere hope that Miran latches on easily and we don't experience any of the myriad problems brought up during the class.

Next Tuesday is the Baby Care class, and Kieryn and I will both be going. It will be quite amusing to watch Kieryn change the diaper on the life-size doll. :-)

Weekly Check-Up

Miran scored 8 out 8 again and continues to look great. There is a slight concern, however, that my amniotic fluid level has gone down and is now at 8, which is the lowest end of the normal range (6-7 is borderline, and 5 or below is a problem). Last week it was 10, and the week before that it was 12, so we're really hoping it doesn't continue to fall. In the meantime, I have to lie horizontally for much of the day and drink 6 liters of water per day to see if that helps bring the levels up. Please keep your fingers crossed that it does!

33 Weeks

Miran is basically the same as a newborn now, just a little bit thinner. He weighs about 5 lbs. and will continue to lay down fat at a high rate until his birth in a few weeks. If born this week, he would probably be classified as preterm rather than premature, a distinction based on the relative maturity of his organs and internal systems at this stage. He is full term in just one month!

In the last few days, I have begun to experience more frequent Braxton-Hicks (practice) contractions. They're not painful or regular, so I know it's not real labor or anything, but it's exciting because it means my body is starting to get ready for eventual delivery.

Getting Big

Miran is really getting big now (probably weighs close to 5 lbs.), so he has less room to move around. This means the sharp kicks and jabs I was used to have turned into rolls and squirms. I do still occasionally feel a kick here and there, but more often I feel (and/or see) a foot, elbow, or butt roll across my belly. When he's really active, my whole belly jumps and moves with his movements--pretty amazing to see!

Weekly Check-Up

Miran scored 8 out of 8 on his check-up test today, and the doctor said he's doing beautifully. He's moving around, his heart-rate is fine, he's practicing breathing more and more often, and everything still looks good. Oh, and he's not shy -- every time we go for ultrasounds these days, the tech comments that he's "definitely a boy." Let's hope he grows out of the habit of flashing strange ladies. :-)

We're in love with him and just can't wait till he's here.

32 Weeks -- Another Milestone Reached

32 weeks has been one of my milestones from the beginning since that is the time when Miran is "officially" out of the highest danger zone in terms of prematurity. He would still need to stay in the NICU if born now, but his chances of ultimately being just fine are now are as high as 98 percent.

According to one website, Miran's main activities these days consist of "blinking, looking around, grabbing things, making faces, practicing his breathing, peeing and listening to everything around him—pretty much exactly what he'll be doing for the first three months of his life, sans the adoring audience and the flashing camera." Awww . . .

We are still working on the nursery, and Miran has acquired more stuff: a few clothes, a baby bath, a car seat, mitts and booties, a blanket, and a changing pad. The crib, changing table, and glider chair have been ordered and are on their way.

Five weeks till full-term . . . and since we know we will not be going past his due date (discussed with our doctor), eight weeks is the longest we'll have to wait to meet our little Miran, aka Thumper, aka Squirmy Squirmington.

Miran's Latest Stats

Miran had his weekly check-up today:

--He scored 8 out of 8 again on his biophysical profile.

--He was estimated to weigh in at a whopping 4 lbs. 3 oz.! (It's not really that whopping--it puts him in the 56th percentile for babies his age--but it's huge to us because it seems like just the other day he was the size of an apple pip.)

--His levels of fluid are just fine.

--We saw him practicing swallowing and breathing; he's getting ready for the outside world!

Meanwhile, the crib is on its way, and we should be posting pictures of the nursery before too long -- stay tuned . . .

31 Weeks

This week marks a major milestone in Miran’s development: his lungs are now mature enough to breathe air on their own! He might still need a little assistance if he were born now, but he would probably not need to be on a ventilator.

His skin is also much smoother now and has turned pink from the ever-increasing fat deposits he is laying down. Basically, he looks just like a full-term infant except a little thinner and a little smaller. Everything else is in proportion and in place!

Six weeks till he’s full-term!!!