Pregnancy by the Numbers, Part C

• Expected Birth Date: 2/9/17
• Actual Birth Date: 1/31/17
• Weeks Gestation: 38 and 5 days
• Number of Fetuses: 1
• Peak Pounds Gained: 24 - 2 LBS lost in last week
• Heart Rate: Mostly around 130-140, last prenatal check up was 153
• Hours Slept Each Night: 9-10, waking up once or twice for an hour or more, plus a nap once in a while
• Kicks Felt: Hundreds
• Times my water broke "Just like on TV" despite birthing classes saying that never happens: 2 (lifetime)
• Times Matthew thought he was going to deliver a baby in the car: 1
• Dilation upon arriving at hospital: 10 cm
• Epidural: 0 (not by choice)
• Length of Labor: 3.5 hours
• Birth Weight: 8 LBS, 4 oz
• Birth Length: 20.75 inches
• Age before she had a name: 28 hours

Symptoms, Part C

I had plans to get this out last week, but Ava jumped the gun a little and came before I could publish.  I still want to document the symptoms of the last trimester I experienced with her.

• Stronger and more frequent fetal activity - yes
• Achiness - yes
• Heartburn - yes, just went on preventative Zantac every night for the past 5-6 weeks
• Headaches, faintness, dizziness - no
• Nasal congestion and nosebleeds - yes, congestion, but only one nosebleed
• Sensitive gums - no
• Leg cramps - a couple
• Backache - one day
• Swelling of ankles, feet, hands, face - no
• Varicose veins - no
• Itchy abdomen - yes
• Protruding navel - no, but didn't disappear this time either
• Stretch marks - no
• Shortness of breath - yes with activity
• Difficulty sleeping - yes
• Braxton Hicks contractions - a few in the last week of pregnancy
• Clumsiness - no more so than usual
• Nesting syndrome - maybe?  I was more prepared this time with clothes washed, food in the freezer, cradle assembled and bags mostly packed.

Another Girl!

Ava Marjorie Brand was born January 31, 2017 at 4:01 AM.  She surprised us by being almost two pounds and two inches larger than her big sister at 8 LBS, 4 oz and 20.75".

So far, she is enjoying life on the outside.  We are happy to be a family of four (plus dog).