34 Week Update

We have lots of very good news (and one small concern) to report at 34 weeks.

Yesterday’s ultrasound suggests the baby is doing great in all regards. He is measuring at 50% or greater in all dimensions and has assumed the most common position for a smooth delivery (“left occipito anterior” or head-down and facing back to the left). His vitals are also very good; he’s got a strong heartbeat and shows almost constant enthusiastic activity!

I continue to enjoy pregnancy and have few complaints. My blood pressure is nice and low, I’m able to sleep fairly well most nights, and I so far haven’t experienced any swelling, backaches, leg pains or other significant discomfort.

On a slightly disappointing note, we were hoping to have the baby in the comfort of my parents’ cabin in Lake Arrowhead (CA), assisted only by friends, family and our great midwife, but it appears this might not be possible in the end as my latest ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of Placenta Previa. If you’re not familiar with it, this is a (non-preventable, non-treatable) condition in which the placenta is covering the cervix, essentially blocking the baby’s exit from the womb. Earlier in pregnancy, PPrevia is usually not a concern because, as the uterus stretches, the placenta will often move out of the way since it is attached to the uterine wall. However, in the later stages, it becomes increasingly less common for this to take place, making a closely monitored delivery (and often a c-section) much more likely.

[Note: Though my placenta is in the wrong spot, it is well connected to the baby and appears to be in perfect working order, so the little guy is getting plenty of healthy grub (and, yes, an occasional delicious dessert ☺).]

Of course, our first concern is the health of the baby, so we’re glad to be alerted to this condition now and to have the opportunity to monitor it closely and best prepare for a gentle and successful delivery, whether at home or in a friendly hospital or clinic.

We look forward to keeping you updated as the weeks progress. I’m headed back to California in a couple of days, and Paul will follow shortly thereafter, so for those of you who struggle with the time change, we should be more easily accessible very soon!