Pregnancy Update: Week 24

How far along: 24 weeks, 0 days. That means we've hit the official point of viability according to the medical community. Chances of survival at this point are about 50%.

How big is baby: Baby is approximately a foot long and a little over a pound.

Cravings: Nothing here. For a while I wasn't even really eating much due to recent "digestive issues." At least I'm eating more normally now.

Aversions: Nothing has really bothered me yet. Although, I was in the grocery store after work yesterday and there was a little free sample table set up near the meat department. A woman was there making what looked like sloppy joes and the smell really bothered me! I think that was the first time this pregnancy where I smelled something and felt nauseous immediately. Thankfully, sloppy joes are something we don't usually have around here.

Belly button: Still mostly flat, no popping yet.

Movement: so much movement! It still surprises me. No one else has felt baby yet, just me.

Leg cramps: Had one again a few nights ago. First one in a long time. The funny thing is, I had eaten two bananas that day!

Sleep: Doing okay here. Not terribly uncomfortable yet and, amazingly, I haven't even gotten the pregnancy pillow out yet.

Weight gain: Weighed myself on Monday and I think I lost about two pounds, bringing me to about 8 pounds of total weigh gain this pregnancy. I'm sure the recent loss had to do with the previously mentioned "digestive issues." I seem to be back on track now.

Maternity clothes: I finally broke down this week and bought a few more tops. I'm glad I did. I needed a bit more variety.

Ultrasound: Had another yesterday (Tuesday) to once again check my cervical length. Last week I was still in normal range at around 3.5 to 3.6 or 3.7. This time I was between 3.0 and 3.4, although one measurement was closer to 4 cm. So here's the thing with cervical length (as much as I understand it). They watch it for about 3 minutes or longer and measure it several times during that time frame. The cervix can change some, and they often even push on my belly a bit to see what that will do. So, after the ultrasound, Dr. O came in and we talked. At this point in pregnancy, 24 weeks, it doesn't make as much sense to do a cerclage. Plus I'm in normal range (technically) anyway. At this point, he told me, the cervix isn't as important as any pre-labor symptoms I might have (currently none). So the plan going forward is that I will be starting on progesterone and I go back for another cervical check on September 4. Dr. O said we'll start "weaning" me off of everyone staring at my cervix from that point forward. Oh, also, the placenta is still low, but the ultrasound tech said she would say it was more low lying rather than covering the cervix. So that's a positive move toward having a VBAC!

Appointment: Next appointment with Dr. M is September 4. It just occurred to me in typing this that I'm also supposed to do the glucose test just before my appointment but I just scheduled my next ultrasound for that morning as well, just before my appointment with Dr. M. So that will be an interesting morning!

The Big Brothers: They love patting my belly and saying "baby." They have also been kissing my belly too or waving "hi" to the baby. It's so, so cute!! I'm pretty certain that they don't understand at all, but I love that they love babies.

My To-Do List: I need to figure out what I need for this new baby. I am looking into strollers right now because I need a new one for snapping in a car seat carrier. I had a double one for the boys that I gave to a friend when she had twins. I'm looking into single versions of the same thing now and have one on my Amazon wish list, but I really need to see them in person if at all possible before I make a decision. I'm also looking into cloth diapers again, but I'm thinking of selling some (maybe all) of the cloth diapers I had bought the last time. I think I want to try a totally different kind. I also want to look more into baby carriers. I'm thinking of an Ergo, but haven't thoroughly researched this area yet. Also on the to-do list: find a new pediatrician or family doctor; ask our prospective Godparents if they would like to be Godparents to our child; maybe arrange a date for the Baptism (though that can probably sit on the to-do list for a while, a small part of me wants to arrange the Baptism for the same date that I was baptized which was in January sometime. I need to look it up). That's all I can think of for now.

Names: No progress. I'm settled and happy with what I've picked out. Hubby doesn't like one of my choices but hasn't yet given me something different. So we'll see.

I think that is all I have for this update. No appointments next week!! Prayers still very much welcome for things to stay as they are and nothing changes for a while. Thanks!!