5 Weeks and Counting (Probably Earlier!)

We had another doctor’s appointment yesterday and there is lots to report. Noah had an ultrasound and they estimated his weight to be 6 lbs, 3 ounces. They also looked at the functionality of the placenta and it looks to be working perfectly. The doctor said that he’s expecting Noah to be in the weight range of mid 7 pounds to low 8’s at the time he’s delivered if he makes it August 19th. The ultrasound also showed that the rest of body has caught up with his head so now his head, femur bones, and stomach are all measuring about one week ahead.

The doctor also reviewed Dana’s file after last week’s appointment and said that given the recessive blood-clotting gene that Dana carries that he will probably induce around the 11th, 12th, or 13th, if Noah hasn’t come already, just as a precaution. He doesn’t foresee for any reason that the gene will cause a problem but he would rather play it safe. He also said that if Noah came now that he would be considered early but not pre-term and that he wouldn’t stop the labor if it began on its own. The doctor also mentioned that he would be surprised but not shocked if Dana delivered before our next appointment, on Thursday the 23rd, giving Dana a 5-10% chance that she will deliver Noah within the next week. He based all his estimates on a few measurements: 1. Dilation of Dana’s cervix, 2. Softening of the cervix, and 3. Whether Noah has dropped. Dana’s cervix hasn’t begun to dilate but it has started to soften. The softening is required for the dilation to occur so the softening is a good sign that Dana’s body is progressing towards labor. Noah hasn’t dropped yet. Dana is carrying him low but he’s not engaged into the cervix yet. One last thing the doctor told us is that it’s time to pack Dana’s bags for the hospital for when she goes into labor.

Noah is moving a ton these days. He’s head down and is facing Dana’s back. He gets the hiccups once or twice a day and on every hiccup we can feel him. He gives quite a jolt on every hiccup. He moves during the day and is still at night so that’s a good sign that his schedule will be aligned with ours when he arrives. And one other thing about the ultrasound: he has a ton of hair and it’s long enough where it floats in the amniotic fluid. I don’t want a hippie on my hands so I’m not opposed to giving him a haircut right after birth. I’m bringing my clippers.

We’re extremely excited and it’s becoming more of a reality that he will be here in about a month!!