I am thirty-two weeks pregnant today. Eight months! And yes, it does feel more like eighteen months. I guess that’s what happens when you are pregnant twice in twelve months…you feel like you’re pregnant forever. But as of today, the end is finally in sight.
I saw Dr. Risky yesterday for my last bi-monthly check up. From here on out, I’ll be seen weekly for antenatal testing. That started yesterday. When my name was called to go back, I stood up and had a giant contraction. I kind of doubled-over, because it took me by surprise, which got the attention of everyone in the waiting room. Fun times! I knew that was going to buy me some extra testing, though, and I was right. More fun times!
I did get an ultrasound, and I’d like to say that it was cool to watch The Acrobat move around, except I couldn’t see anything where I was. Apparently it was cool for Mike and Dr. Risky, because they kept saying things like, “Aw, look, he’s moving his little hands!” And “Oh, good, his testicles have descended!” Dr. Risky handed me a print out and it took me a second to really see anything:
Here’s your cheat sheet:
I should be a forensic artist.
The Acrobat is measuring ahead still, Dr. Risky estimated him at about four and a half pounds (or as she put it, “Almost out of the NICU already!”) But, since these estimates are based on head size and femur length, it’s not the most reliable. I mean, it’s not like The Acrobat’s daddy has a giant head or long legs or anything. So we shall see.
After more monitoring, Dr. Risky sat down with us to talk c-section. As you all know, my pregnancies are not without complications, and I have a variety of risk factors that don’t make me an ideal candidate for waiting until week 39 for delivery (diabetes, classical c-section scar, and clotting disorder, to name a few). Plus, with one baby born in her 28th week and one born in her 36th, I’m not likely to make it that far, anyway. So the plan is for me to have weekly antenatal testing and monitoring, I’ll go off my blood thinners at week 36 (or sooner, depending on what the testing suggests), and then sometime in my 36th week I will probably have a fetal lung maturity test. I am…not going to think about that too much because it is an amniocentesis and…blerg. I better get the best-behaved baby ever.
So, if everything goes well, The Acrobat will be born at the end of May. That’s…crazy! Whose idea was this?!
When we finally got home, I sat down on the couch for a minute…and ended up sleeping for four hours. And I woke up feeling not-awesome. So, maybe having this baby soon isn’t so crazy after all.
It also helps to have a little girl who is wildly excited.
Jen says:
“it’s not like The Acrobat’s daddy has a giant head or long legs or anything. So we shall see.”
Thanks for the 3 am laugh :0) Can’t wait to meet the acrobat!
Caela says:
Lol, my 39 week pregnant self is laying in bed not able to sleep at 3:30am and almost bust out laughing at the cheat sheet picture! Glad I could control myself and avoid waking up the hubby sleeping next to me!!!!
Auntie_M says:
I second Jen with the early morning laugh! Plus I can just see you doubling over with a contraction in the waiting room …I imagine some novice pregnant gals freaking out while you waltz into the exam room!
I hope that the Acrobat stays put for as long as possible and that his lungs develop quickly & normally! And that your GD stays under control so you don’t have that extra stress.
Can’t believe the little guy will be here by the end of May! So excited for picture proof of the Spohrs Multiplying!!! I know he’s going to be adorable!!
Your baby belly is already adorable and Annie is just too precious kissing your tummy/her baby brother.
Becca Masters says:
I had a scan with My LO at 36 weeks and my scan photo is practically the same as yours. My sister in law and I laughed so hard because babies face looked so strange (and squished!)
At 36w I was given an EFW of 5lbs8oz, and told to expect a baby around 7lbs at FT. She ended up 6lb9oz at FT, so it was that inaccurate.
Can’t believe the acrobat is nearly here!!
I’m so excited to meet him!
Gwensarah says:
Must be boy thing. Rymer measured ahead too. My due date was 10/3 and measurements/ultrasounds were putting him at an adjusted due date of mid September which was impossible. I went into labor on the 3rd of October and had him on the 4th weighing in at 9lbs 2oz. So glad he was an emergency c-section, he had (and still has almost 15 years later) a big pumpkin head
Heather says:
Annabel measured way ahead, too! The predictions estimated her at over seven pounds and she came out only half an ounce past six – but with a giant head and long legs!!
Missy says:
I SO feel you right now! I am 37 weeks tomorrow, and scheduled for my c section on Monday, as I am high risk as well. My oldest was a 28 weeker, and I had a classical with him, too, and I have chronic high blood pressure to boot. I’ve been doing weekly testing since week 32, and bi-weekly started at week 34. Today is my LAST day of testing before delivery! WooHoo! At 32 weeks they estimated she was about 5 lbs, so I can’t wait to see how big she ends up being! I had to have the fetal lung maturity amnio with my second, but they aren’t going to do it this time around, yeah! So, I know a little bit how you might feel. I have been, and will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Good Luck!
Susa says:
Good luck to you! Hope you’re holding your healthy baby soon
Missy says:
Thank you!
Sarah says:
I was just reading your last few posts about names…if you want a 3 syllable J name with a 2 syllable nickname, how about Jameson, nn Jamie. Or if you don’t like Jamie, J is a great initial nickname with whatever his middle name is — JT, JR, JC, etc.
Good luck with the final stretch!
Glenda says:
My son’s name is Jaimeson, and when he was a baby we called him Jaime. Now he goes by Jay or Jaimeson and his initials are JC
D says:
We’re all excited for you!
Sue says:
You look beautiful, Heather, and you are quite the artist,,,I must say!! I can’t wait to “meet” the handsome little acrobat,,,so exciting! Just hurry and get him a name picked out!!
Jenn says:
32 wks.!! YAHOO!!!!!! I am so PROUD of YOU!!!! The next 4 wks. are gonna FlY by!!! My last baby was also born at 36 wks.(Well, I went into labour at 35 wks.6 days at 8:00 p.m. but once the clock turned midnight, the nurse announced I now was going to have a “Full Term Baby” so instead of the Operating room, I got to have him in a Birthing Room).
I know your little man is going to be GREAT!!! I know you don’t feel well Heather but I do have to say, you look AMAZING!!! You really do – you’re such an AWESOME mama!!
Better get working on that name Mama cuz before you know, that PERFECT little boy of yours is going to be in your arms, looking up at you. I CAN’T WAIT!!! xo
Tina says:
Congrats on 32 weeks! I’m so excited for you and your loves. You look great!
Amber says:
Yay little Gemini Acrobat!
Trisha says:
My oldest daughter is a Gemini, May 28th. She is awesome and so, so creative and artistic.
Glad everything is moving along with the little guy and hoping the next few weeks fly by for you.
April says:
That’s so funny/familiar! My younger daughter was born May 25th, and she is wonderfully creative, artistic and musical. Of course, she can also go from super sweet to cranky temperamental in the blink of an eye – then back to sweet. I swear, she gives me whiplash.
Kelly says:
Love the cheat sheet. Quite honestly, I needed it.
The doctor’s said my oldest was going to be small. Two days before she was born I had an ultrasound, and they told me she would be 5-6 pounds.
She was 9lbs 4oz, and 21 1/2 inches long.
I think it may have been lack of technology, since it was nearly 21 years ago.
Annalisa says:
It’s also a cultural thing within the medical community. At one of our prenatal classes, the midwife running it said as much. She was at pregnancy #6 herself, with an elder teen at home, and said that over the years the trend has become for docs to do compensatory over estimation of possible weight, just to prevent that sort of surprise.
Surely enough, every prediction was that my kid was going to be nearly 8 lbs at term, i.e. a tad above the median. Nope, 6 lbs 9 oz, which was about 100 gr. less than my own birth weight. She was at something ridiculously small as 25th percentile at birth.
Glenda says:
You look amazing. Almost there. My son Jaimeson is a Gemini too (6/3)
Best to you in the coming weeks and can’t wait to see Mr. Acrobat.
Rachel W. says:
I hope it helps to have some readers who are pretty excited, too! I can’t wait!
Claire says:
I had an amino with my now 3 year old Allister. I was 37 weeks and had GD too so we needed to keep him under 9lb as I have a small frame. He ended up being 8lb10oz which was right on size!! The amino was the easiest thing ever- really didn’t feel a thing!! Try not to worry about it.
Annalisa says:
Ugh. Amnio. Poor you. Had to have one last time because our kid measured all weird (long torsoed, big headed baby, she’s still one size ahead for shirts over pants at 2 1/2), and they wanted to make sure there weren’t any birth defects. They told me I wouldn’t feel the needle, and of course they had no idea I totally would feel that every second (same at the dentist… takes 3 shots of novocaine, I should allegedly not feel a thing after the first, can feel the needle every single time, pain or not). I tried not to look, because looking would only have me completely lose it, but of course they were like “Oh, look, baby’s kicking at the needle!” and kept on trying to move the needle away from her feet.
Let’s just say that this time around we sprang for the new-ish blood based genetic testing, just so we’d avoid a lot of grief later on. I realize how it sucks not to have a choice on the matter, so here’s hoping for a quick, painless draw and a cooperative baby.
Chris says:
Aww, look at that sweet little face! (Your cheat sheet face had me laughing, BTW.) Really brings back memories! And I love the photo with your daughter.
The end is in sight, hold on.
Meg says:
I can’t get enough of the pictures of Annie with her brother!
And, by the way, your hair looks fantastic in that last picture, Heather.
Marianne says:
You are still so itty bitty. I’m sure you don’t feel it. You and the acrobat will be in my prayers, Heather.
JT says:
Heather, I am so happy to see that you are at 32 weeks. I know you have been past viability for a few weeks, but 8 months seems so much further to me, . I hope you are able to feel less anxious about it all. I can’t wait to “meet” the little Acrobat!
Mommy says:
You look great, and I appreciate your drawing- even after seeing a million ultrasounds (my babies and friend’s/loved one’s) I still can NEVER find the baby.
So excited for you guys!!
Candice says:
LOVE the last pic! Too precious!
Katrina says:
First of all I have to say that the Acrobat looks extremely handsome! I can tell. I’ve seen my share of ultrasounds and I can pick out the ugly ones. (just kidding)
You are eight weeks away from your due date, and I am six weeks away from mine. IF you have your little guy at the end of May…that is when MY little guy is due! So then… we could deliver on the same day. Hey, you never know. Two little boys the same exact age. How fun. You know, I live just an hour away from where you are…so I see a future play date in the works. (don’t freak, I wouldn’t bring all TEN of them … just the little guy
And I know what you mean about feeling like you’ve been pregnant 18 months instead of 8 months. I had a few miscarriages before this little guy “stuck” …. and it felt like two years of non-stop morning sickness. Not fun. Feels like the longest pregnancy ever!
Your belly looks a bit pointy! So darn cute. Love the pregnancy pics
morgan says:
You are in fact closer to 7 months pregnant. 32 weeks is just over 7 months pregant in fact isit 7 months 10 days pregnant.
Annalisa says:
Yeah, but let’s not use math to lose sight of the fact that 32 weeks is a huge deal regardless. My SIL was a 7 month preemie, and it made a big difference in the long run insofar as catching up developmentally to her non-preemie peers 30 years ago. With the advances in technology 32 weeks is even more significant now.
(This isn’t to say we’re not all crossing our fingers for Heather to make it to four more weeks!)
Olive Green says:
Heather, your Maddie passed away shortly after my daughter, Claire. A friend introduced me to your blog back in 2009. In many ways I feel as if we’ve been this journey together. Seeing you with Annabel and the Acrobat gives me hope.
Heather B. says:
He is free to come out after May 5th. *shrug*
(I just made your giving birth all about me as I am wont to do)