36 Weeks

Today was my 36 week check up with Dr. Packham at St. Luke’s. This was a big appointment that consisted of a non-stress test, growth ultrasound, cervical check, consult, and group-B Strep screening. 

 The non-stress test is where they hook the fetal heart monitors to my belly and monitor the activity of both babies for 10-15 minutes. This looks not only at heart rate, but also compares the two babies to make sure they are tracking equally and that one or the other is not showing signs of decreased activity. They are both doing just great!

The growth ultrasound will be our last one and it revealed each of the babies is over 6lbs each! No wonder I feel like a house!

The cervical check is like having your tonsils checked through the vagina (according to a very funny nurse I know).  While it wasn’t quite that uncomfortable, it is certainly not on my Christmas list. But, the good news is that I am 2 cm dilated and about 80% effaced. Jackson is firmly engaged in my pelvis. I am not having any contractions or anything however. 

The group-B Strep screening is routine for all pregnant women who receive proper pre-natal care.

“Group B strep (GBS) is a kind of bacteria that many people harbor in their intestinal tracts. The bacteria may also inhabit (or "colonize") the vagina as well, and be passed on to a baby during labor and birth. Approximately 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women carry GBS in the vagina or rectum or surrounding area. While GBS is generally harmless in healthy adults, it may cause stillbirth and serious infections in babies. Getting screened for GBS late in pregnancy – and receiving antibiotic treatment during labor if you're a carrier –  greatly reduces a baby's risk of becoming infected.”

During my consult with the doc, I was able to share the recent symptoms and changes that I have felt in the last week.  Last week I felt really great. In fact, the other doctor I saw last week said that I am doing “amazingly well!” This week? Not so much. I am more tired again and I now have a close family resemblance the Elephant Man. My legs and feet have swollen to the size of tree trunks since Monday. When they weighed me, they realized I have gained ten pounds in water weight in the last week.  That is a seriously depressing turn of events.  Although I guess I am lucky that it has not happened before now. Dr. Packham says it is perfectly normal. I am quite sure he has never experienced what it is like to have sausage casings instead of calves. 

The other item I discussed with him is a schedule for having these babies! We really need them to come before January. My taxes just can’t take it. So, if we don’t have them naturally beforehand, we will be induced on the 28^th.  Hopefully they will come sooner than that. We are ready to meet their faces!

On another note, I had my first uncomfortable belly encounter. I have read about them/heard about them and I was prepared for a lot more invasive touching than I ever actually experienced. What I did experience throughout my pregnancy was invasive questions (“Did you have them naturally?!”).  

So, I was standing in line at TJ Maxx and this lady saw my belly. She just exploded in rapturous delight and came at me two-handed to touch the belly. She did ask on the way in, which I guess was sort of polite. She is touching my belly and gushing over how exciting it is and how she is sure that I am having a boy. I shared that we are having two boys, which only increased her enthusiasm. Maybe I should be more generous- it is really exciting. What tipped this over the edge into creeper territory was that she followed me to the checkout stand and proceeded to stare at my belly the rest of the time.

Brian thinks that I should be mean and play a joke on people. I am constantly being asked when I am due whenever we are out in public. He says I should just stare at them and ask “what do you mean?” It would be funny, but I always forget.

In other news, my mom moved down here last week from Alaska and we have been helping her get settled in to her new house. It will be invaluable to have both our mothers so close when the babies arrive. We are going to need an army!