A baby post

[charlz_lynn]

Here is an update of what's happening in Oliver's world right now, via the always-cheesy What to Expect website:

Your baby's skull isn't the only soft structure in his or her little body. Most of your baby's bones and cartilage are quite soft as well (they'll harden over the first few years of life) — allowing for an easier journey as your baby squeezes through the birth canal at delivery (and less prodding and poking for Mom along the way). At 36 weeks pregnant, the skull bones are also not fused together yet so that the head can easily (well, relatively easily) maneuver through the birth canal.  

So your little bruiser (who you've now learned won't be bruising you all that much with those soft bones) is now about six pounds in weight and measures slightly more than 20 inches in length. Growth will experience a slowdown now, both so your baby will be able to fit the narrow passageway to the outside and also so he or she can store up all the energy needed for delivery.

By now, many of your baby's systems are pretty mature, at least in baby terms —  and just about ready for life on the outside. Blood circulation, for instance, has been perfected and your baby's immune system has matured enough to protect him or her from infections outside the womb. Other systems, however, still need a few finishing touches. Once such notable example: digestion — which actually won't be fully mature until sometime after birth. Why's that? Inside his or her little gestational cocoon, your baby has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system — though developed — hasn't been operational. So your baby will take the first year or two to bring that system up to speed.

And in my world... The pubic symphysis disorder is much less painful today. I wore my belly support band all day, and it seems to have helped. As my midwife put it, i should 'bind my lower abdomen'. Smart. And helpful. I think I will sleep with it on tonight. I woke up many times last night because I was shouting from the pain as I tried to roll over in my sleep. It was prety fucked up. The most debilitating pain I've ever had that I can remember, but pain is such a funny thing to try and remember. Also, my big huge pregnancy pillow came in the mail today. Praise the fucking lord!!

Other than that, things are going quite well. I have had no back pain in the past three weeks, after my third NET treatment. I'm as big as a house. Feeling completely un-graceful. Having a hard time dressing myself, still. My tits are just starting to really grow and get full. I'm holding off on buying nursing bras because I don't have any idea how large my boobs will be by the end of this. However lonely I feel at times, I feel completely loved and held and supported by my community and that is a truly wonderful thing. This pregnancy thing has been a very interesting ride, and I'm feeling pretty ready for the next stage that never ends, only changes a lot every day.

Comments

[tinyvern.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this update. It's pretty darn amazing. Glad you two are doing well. It seems like he's really getting ready to come out into the world now. Wow!