36 Weeks!!!

Alright, so I am officially 36 weeks tomorrow! I honestly don't know where the time has gone. This pregnancy has been so different for me mentally than my other pregnancies, and in some ways, while I feel like I have been pregnant for two years, I also can't believe I only have a month or less left!

The last time I blogged, my fluid levels were high and the doctor wanted to see me in two weeks to check the fluid levels again. That was at 34 weeks. The fluid levels were checked again and instead of going up, they went down. From a 22, to a 17! That was good news for sure. The ultrasound technician told me that the fluid levels can vary from day to day and so she wasn't surprised that the fluid levels were back down. I also found out at that appointment as well that I had lost two pounds, making my total weight gain up to 34 weeks, 10 pounds.

Today, I had my 36 week appointment, where they did the last ultrasound and growth scan. They checked the fluid levels again just to make sure everything was good. They are estimating this little girl to be at 6 pounds, 4 ounces give or take a pound. I have a feeling she is going to be a big baby, but time will tell! Fluid levels were down to a 16.4 and her arms, legs, torso, and head are all measuring just fine!

I shared this on my Facebook page, but thought I would give my readers a little laugh. I was at the grocery store last week, with both kids, checking out with a large amount of groceries. I am putting the bagged groceries into the cart, and I look up and realize that an old woman is staring at me. We make eye contact, and she proceeds to yell: "When is your baby due?" I pretend for all intents and purposes that this little baby is going to be mine, and reply: "I'm due at the end of August." The old lady then says: "Oh, are you having twins or something?" "No" I reply, "There is just one in there." I tell ya, I am not a violent person, nor would I ever wish harm on an elderly person, but I have never wanted to punch someone in the face more in that moment! The cashier was avoiding eye contact with me as much as I was with the old woman, and I got myself out of there as soon as I could! Yep, that's just what every pregnant woman wants to hear! Especially when it is 103 degrees outside with two kids who have been well behaved up until then, but are ready to be done there as well. That's the perfect thing to say! Are we sensing a sarcastic tone here? GOOD!

The doctor checked my cervix today as well, and while that was the most uncomfortable thing I have experienced in a while, it is completely closed! No effacement either. I'm fine with this news at this point. I need this little French Baguette to wait until her parents get here, and for my husband to come back to this part of the country as well! The couple will fly on the 18th of August, and my husband will hopefully be here the weekend before that! That will put me at 38 weeks and 4 days and then she can come anytime after that! The doctor thinks that I will go into labor closer to 39-40 weeks. She is still talking about inducing but she knows my wishes with not wanting a c-section if at all possible, and so if my body isn't showing signs of being ready, then she will try to let me go into labor on my own, which is what we all prefer anyway! I was tested for Group B Strep as well today, so we will find out if I will need to get to the hospital a little earlier for antibiotics. The ultrasound technician that I have been seeing every time, is so sweet. She told me today that she got all excited when she saw my name on her schedule, and that I am her favorite patient right now. She said she is going to be sad that she won't be seeing me anymore lol. She has been great to me, and very supportive!

I have been trying to keep in mind through this whole process that I am going to go into labor again. With my first child, labor was not easy, it was long at 45 hours, and there were a lot of things done to me that I think impeded on the process. With my daughter, things were much different, I felt more in control, and did a lot of the labor at home. I'm hoping that this one is relatively quick and without complications! I am so excited for the couple to witness their daughter taking her first breaths, and for them to get to bond with her! I will be keeping my mind on that when I'm in labor. Since I applied to be a surrogate when I was 6 months pregnant with my daughter, the only time I ever wavered in my decision or had second guesses, was during labor. Here I am though, so obviously didn't waiver too much! I would ask for those of you who have been praying to pray for a speedy, no complications labor!

It has been a really hard three weeks with my husband being gone, and with being this pregnant, but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's a very vague, very small light, but it is still visible lol.

Now starts the weekly appointments, so I will have an update next week! My doctor is on vacation so I will just be seeing another OB, but not Dr. Snider thankfully!

Thanks for reading!

Sarah