Week 31

It was a big day!!! We had our bi-weekly doctors appointment this afternoon. I have gained another pound, to put my total at 13 pounds in 30 weeks of pregnancy! Not too bad! The best news of all is that my tummy measured 32.5 centimeters...much closer to what it should be and very, very good sign that nothing is wrong and Bailey was just going through a growth spurt.

We are extraordinarily relieved!!!!! So far, everything looks good.

We spent some time talking to our doctor again about our birth plan, and got quite a different response. We talked about some of the more nitty-gritty details - for instance, we want for them to wait to cut the cord until it stops pulsating and we would like for them NOT to put Bailey under the warmer and instead leave her on my chest. The doctors response was mildly dismissive, and pretty much just that they were going to do it the way they wanted to.

There isn't much I can do to fight them - I mean, honestly, am I really going to grab a hold of Bailey and not let her go? I can't fight the entire system all the time during the time when I'm supposed to be relaxing and letting the process happen.

So, the solution to the problem is that I'm going to stay at home for as long as possible. And I truly mean AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. My goal is to go to the hospital when I'm so close to actually delivering that if they don't rush me there, I'll deliver along the side of the road.

I hate the hospital. I hate their routine procedures. I hate that a doctor thinks she knows what is best for my body and our baby. I hate that they don't listen and just do things the way that they were taught. I hate that medical doctors - including obstetricians - are NEVER, at any point in their training or career, required to be present for an entire birth. They never go through the process with any woman from start to finish.

Pardon my skepticism, but what the fuck do they know???

So anyway. Kelly had agreed that our next labor can be in an environment that is more in line with my crunchy, granola way of thinking. It'll either be at home or in a birth center. And I'll just have to work within the confines of the hospital requirements for the birth of Bailey.

Enough unpleasantness! Here is what's coming up for this week in Bailey's development!


Weeks Until Full Term: 7
Weeks Until Due Date: 10

Fetal development in pregnancy week 31:fetus in seventh month

Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height now—at around 4 lbs and 17 inches in length. With each added layer of baby fat their skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect little miracle-gro to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!

Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.

And how's mom doing? Have you felt anything you suspect might be contractions already? Braxton-Hick contractions are part and parcel of the second half of pregnancy and lucky for you, become more frequent during the third trimester. Cleverly dubbed “false labor” contractions, these spasms are an obnoxious fake-out and shouldn’t be confused with premature labor. The fun part of having BH contractions is that it’s not unusual for them to be painful... and by fun, we mean “why oh why, does the third trimester mean everything is uncomfortable?” Still, just a heads up: if you notice the contractions more than four times in one hour, or even more glamorous—changes in your vaginal discharge, call your practitioner right away.

As for other third-trimester niceties; your nipples may be engaging in a bit of “pre-milk” expulsion at the most untimely moments. So next time you’ve got yourself a pair of damp head-lights in the grocery store, just go ahead and purchase the nursing pads to protect your clothes, bras, and any shred of dignity you can salvage.

As your magical growing baby obstinately refuses to shrink or give back any real-estate in your belly, you can sit back, "relax," and take in the heartburn and increased lower back pain. If you choose, you can always eat less with each meal, and instead opt for smaller more frequent meals, this should help the heartburn. As for your poor back, get off your feet and elevate them above your heart, double-check the names list, and how many key baby-items you’ve already got in your registry. If you’re lucky, you might just make it in less than eight weeks! Hang in there wonder-mom, we believe in you!