An Amazing Journey: Ch 12 -- Zipping Along About This Page:

[Jennifer Marx]

Zipping Along

The last couple of weeks have been mostly smooth, punctuated by short periods of discomfort or concern. For the most part, I’ve been holed away at my “writing desk” working on the Disneyland guidebook and making good progress. But I feel like time is running out for me, and that motivates me to push harder which isn’t such a good thing. I’m getting to the point where I need to take it easier – doctor’s orders.

As I write this, I’m in my 24th week (month 6) of pregnancy, with 169 days behind me and about 111 days to go until my official due date in August. According to the literature on fetal development, our child’s hearing is now completely formed, which means he can hear us speak, hear Dave when he plays his guitar, and essentially everything else. I’ve been playing Mozart and Disney lullabies (courtesy of Suzi) in the evenings.

Alexander should be roughly 12-14 inches long and weigh about 1.5 pounds. I should note, however, that when I went in for my monthly check-up last week, my uterus was measuring big -- 27 cm rather than the expected 23 cm (it’s supposed to be roughly 1 cm for each week of the pregnancy). This isn’t surprising as he’s always measured a little big on ultrasound tests. The doctor isn’t too concerned yet -- we have to wait and see if he continues to measure big. The doctor says Alexander is in the middle of a big growth spurt right now. If he does remain big, I could deliver earlier than expected, of course. Here’s a picture of me in our backyard taken today:



This weekend I experienced a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions. For those unfamiliar with these, they are a bit like “practice” contractions – they don’t lead to labor, are irregular, and don’t hurt. I was having quite a few of them when I would do things like clean the house or exercise (light walking). When I felt them, I’d stop what I was doing and rest. On Sunday, I did a little research and discovered that if you have more than four in an hour, you’re supposed to notify your doctor. So on Monday morning I called and scheduled an appointment for Wednesday. That evening they started up again, this time at three-minute intervals… that had me concerned, as you might imagine. During and for a few hours after these contractions, I couldn’t feel any movement from the baby either. But the contractions eventually went away. At my appointment, the doctor checked me and didn’t find anything to be concerned about. But she noted that if I feel more than a few in an hour again, she wants me to come in and go to Labor & Delivery so I can be monitored -- they would want to determine if I were dehydrated or at a risk for pre-term labor. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I haven’t had any problems since Monday night.

Other than this, I feel good with a reasonable amount of energy. I get very uncomfortable in the evenings, however, when I swear it feels like I gain 10 pounds and I seem huge. (At this point, I’ve gained 4 pounds total during the pregnancy.) Sleeping is becoming progressively difficult too, and I need at least four pillows to support me so my back and belly aren’t bothering me. And the snoring isn’t helping much either (and I’m not talking about MY snoring)!

I feel Alexander moving much of the time now, but especially in the evenings. He is squirming about as I type this. I’m getting used to it, but in the beginning it was more than a little weird, particularly when he was really active. It is wonderfully reassuring that he’s literally “alive and kicking,” though!

I’ve scheduled a whole slew of pregnancy classes, from Lamaze to Infant CPR. Most of them begin in mid-May and June. I’m also looking into the Bradley method (partner-coached childbirth), for those familiar with it. I’ve found an instructor in the area who may have room for me in one of her classes.

We’ll be doing some traveling at the end of this month, and I’m a bit worried about my stamina on the road. All I can do is take it easy, try to get naps, drink lots of water, and hope everything goes okay. If it doesn’t, I’ve got a copy of my medical history to take along and I know all the local hospitals. I’ve been getting out to walk around the neighborhood to help build up my stamina, too –- I hope that helps as well. By the way, we’ll be going to Disneyland (California) for their media event, but that’s just part of our travel plans. As part of my “take it easy” plan, I won’t be answering much e-mail while I’m traveling -- so if you write and don’t hear back from me for awhile, rest assured I will return your e-mail when I get home.

Until next time!

[SarahJ]

Thanks for the baby update Jen! I just love reading about your experience being pregnant since it reminds me of when I was preggers with DD. She too would get really active in the evenings, just as I was settling down for the night. I had to sleep with a body pillow plus 3-4 other pillows to get comfy! DD measured big too, and in fact she was a little big at 9 lbs 6 oz! But I delivered about 8 days late after being induced.

Take it easy and drink lots and lots of water! Put your feet up as often as you can and let Dave pamper you as much as possible. Most of all, enjoy the last trimester! You're in the home stretch!

[debe]

Thank you for the update Jennifer Looks like all are growing at a healthy pace (love the photo!)... LOL. Wishing you both an enjoyable trip to Disneyland and try not to over do it.

I find it amazing that an unborn child can hear what goes on outside of their own little world. When our little Hannah arrived, she would try following her daddy's voice as he walked around a room. She is now nearing 3 months and just adores her daddy, so keep playing that music and talking to Alexander. They do hear you!

[wdwlovers]

Thanks for the update Jennifer! And the picture! Hope you continue to feel alright and get lots of rest on your travels! We don't want baby Alexander to visit the world too early.

[Rock'n Robin]

Hi Jen, I'm loving your posts. It's been almost 6 years since our 3rd and final bundle of joy, but what saved my rear with him was one of those full-length body pillows. One of those stays in place easier than 3 or 4 regular pillows. You might want to try one as sleep becomes more of an issue.
Robin M.

[PeterPanette]

Greetings, Little Mama,

Jennifer, it's so generous of you to share this wondrous journey with us...thank you.

I'm about to tell you something that will make your nights a lot more restful; a cure for snoring! Buy a bottle of Tea Tree Oil. Make sure it's 100% Tea Tree Oil. At bedtime, have Dave dip a q-tip into the oil, then swab out his ears with it, just as if he were cleaning them after a shower. It may feel a little "tingly" to him at first, but that will subside. Also, it smells...not unpleasant...but a little bit like campho phenique...only not as strong. I kind of like the smell, myself.

I promise that this will work. It's worked on everyone I know who has tried it. Tea Tree Oil is an AMAZING, natural healer. It's also a great antibacterial, anti-fungal remedy, and works wonders on healing cuts and scrapes. Also a natural insect repellent.

Blessings!
Charlene

[chezp]

Thanks for the update Jennifer! You make sure you continue to follow doctor's orders and get enough rest - promise?

[Beckster]

Jennifer,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful journey of new life! I am so glad everything is working out with no major complications. Reading your story takes me back to my 3 pregnancies producing 2 wonderful children! Even with all the bad and scary parts , I wouldn't change anything for the world! Thank you for helping me relive my memories and good luck with the rest of your amazing journey!

Take care,
Becky

[rescuesk]

Jennifer,

Thanks for the update! Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. You look great in the picture! Thanks for sharing.

This is SUCH wonderful news--I just read all your posts, and I can't believe I've missed all of this until today! MANY congratulations and *pixie dust* are sent your way!! I went on my VERY FIRST trip to WDW while pregnant with my youngest child, who is now 13, and a true Disney nut, more so than any of my other kids. Thanks for all of these wonderful posts. And congratulations to Allie for being a new big sister and for helping to choose such a great name for her new baby brother!

Best wishes,
Jan

[infinity&beyond]

You make a lovely pregnant woman!!!! Thanks so much for the update, little Alexander looks like he's in good hands with his new mom, dad and big sister!

[Colexis Mom]

Thanks for the update Jen Hope those Braxton Hicks slow down. I had them lots during both pregnancies, and they really hurt the second time around! Keep your feet up, and let Dave do lots of things. I know it can be difficult, but the end result is worth it!

Take it easy on your vacation, and don't try to do too much work. Get lots of rest and hydration!

[Thumper]

I love hearing your updates on Alexander! I can't stress enough about drinking LOTS of water! I went into preterm labor with my youngest and spent a month in bed, on medication and was monitored twice a day. I had to drink 10 8 oz glasses of water a day (way more than I ever drink!). If I didn't drink enough water, labor would start up again, I'd have to down a bunch of water at one sitting and would have to listen to the nurses on the receiving end of my monitoring yell at me "You're not drinking enough!" For whatever reason, the addtional water intake stops labor!

Keep resting as much as you can. There will be a time when you'd give anything to have some moments to put your feet up!

[buckysmom]

Let me add my thanks to you for sharing this amazing journey!
Alexander can hear lots of things-when my DD was born, she didn't flinch when our 3 dogs barked their fools heads off...she'd been hearing them already for months Allow him as many aural experiences as you can imagine!
...and I'll reiterate...water, water and MORE water!
Hugs to your Allie as she prepares for big sister-hood.

[Moosin88]

thanks for the update