35 Weeks: the week when 5 became 2

Considering I'll be 36 weeks tomorrow, I better get this posted before its too late.  :)

I only have 5 weeks to go, or do I ??

I've spent the last several months telling myself "I still have time" whenever I would get stressed or overwhelmed about giving birth and/or having a child.  9 months is a long time and the baby won't be here for a while, right?  This week things changed and I can no longer hide from reality.  Ready or not, this baby is coming!

We had our two appointments this week to track the baby's health and I'm happy to report she is doing well.  She passed all her tests and the doctor still says that besides being small, she is looking great! We still feel very comforted and at peace about our little girl and know things will work out.  The doctor even complimented us on being so calm about it all.

In addition to checking the baby, our appointments also included discussion about "The Plan" for delivery.  This is when panic time set in. Let me explain the plan/time frame.

• Continue the weekly Non-Stress Tests (NST) and BioPhysical Profiles (BPP).  If at any point either test shows cause for concern (dropping fluid, decreased heart rate, etc) I would be induced immediately and most likely have to give birth via c-section. 
• Nightly kick counts to make sure she is still moving.  The goal is 10 moves in 2 hours (it usually only takes her 20 minutes, she is so active).  If she doesn't get to 10 in the 2 hours I go to the hospital immediately. 
• At 37 weeks I have another anatomy ultrasound where they will measure everything and check on her growth. If her growth has stopped completely I would be immediately induced.
• If she has grown, but is still under the 10th percentile we would schedule an induction between week 37 and 39 depending on an overall assessment of how she is doing.
• If she has suddenly grown a lot and appears to be doing "really good" we could wait until 39 weeks to induce.   

In addition to having a plan, we also have goals.  Obviously the ideal would be for her to grow and make it all the way to 40 and I could go into labor naturally.  However, that is far from realistic at this point and so it is not the goal.  The realistic goals are as follows: 

• Pass all the NST and BPP
• Show growth at the 37 week ultrasound
• Be induced as late as possible (the doctors are thinking between week 37-38)
• The later the better in terms of lung development.  Before 37 weeks her risk of needing help breathing is higher.  It goes down every day after 37.  
• Have the baby weigh at least 4 lbs, although 5lbs would be FABULOUS! 
• If she is under 4 lbs, she would need feeding tubes.  She was almost 4 lbs at our last measurement (week 34) so we are hoping this won't be an issue.
• My added hope is that she handles the birth process well (she'll be continuously monitored because of the risk that she is not big enough or strong enough to handle the contractions) and that I am able to give birth without having a C-section.  

So yeah... to summarize.  It is very unlikely I will make it to 40 weeks.  Instead our little girl will probably be joining us in two weeks.  Talking with the doctors about how it could be "any day" and that in all reality I no longer had 5 weeks to be prepared but needed to be ready at any time was a real eye opener.  Like I said earlier we aren't too stressed or worried about her, but we did panic about how we would make it all happen in such a short period of time.  We eventually got it all figured out and are now ready for her whenever she comes.  

We spent the weekend shopping for last minute needed supplies and preparing ourselves mentally for what is about to happen.  We added some more newborn size clothing to our collection and even some premie sized pieces.  Holy cow, those things are small! We are trying to look on the positive side of things too.  The biggest positive being that being induced makes it easier for Brett to plan work etc.  Unfortunately we will still be in our 1 bedroom apt when she comes but one of the ladies I nanny for is letting us borrow her bassinet... blessing!  Also our family is coming into town later in the month and can help us pack/move/clean etc.  Which is also a plus.  

We don't have a date yet to be induced but my guess is that it will be sometime during the week of Labor Day or early the next week.  According to the doctor my body (read: cervix) has already started to prepare for labor so that is another good sign.

I feel like I had more to say about last week, but I can't remember anything else right now. Physically, I'm doing great.  No swelling, no major aches (except if I drive in my car for too long), and I have yet to feel any contractions.

Oh, I almost forgot.  At the last BPP ultrasound they took some more 4-d pictures because the nurse said she had a good view of the face.  Here they are in all their glory!

Cuddling up with her hands by her head.  

Big yawn!  

Resting peacefully