Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Update on my pregnancy with Samuel.



Today (Tuesday) I had another ultrasound. That's Samuel's profile you are looking at. Isn't he cute?! I think this brings me to a total of 6 ultrasounds for this pregnancy. I honestly don't understand why so many. That's about as many as I had with all three other pregnancies combined! And I have another one scheduled for September.

I am told the reason for so many scans is because he is measuring small. According to today's measurements, Samuel is about 3 pounds 13 ounces at nearly 32 weeks. That means he's gained about a pound this month. The technician's chart says his weight puts him at about the 40th percentile.

For those not familiar with the way doctors love to compare the size of children, that means if you lined up 100 baby boys according to weight at 32 weeks gestation, 60 boys would be bigger than my Samuel.

I have Ellie's 2 year pediatrician appointment in a couple of weeks and plan to talk to him about this. I know he's going to laugh to hear one of MY boys is below average in size. Once my guys start crawling they barely hit the 50th percentile range for height or weight. And Ellie has stayed way below that.

Their real concern seems to be that I'm not eating enough. I've only gained about 10 pounds since my initial visit (if you disregard the 4 pounds I lost after that visit). I think this is amazing! And even stranger that they are so concerned. I mean, look at that picture in the sidebar. Do I look skinny or underweight? I've got plenty of extra calories stored on my hips for this baby if he'd only use them!

I'm sure you are sick of hearing me talk about this so I'll move on. One thing of real concern is that the blood work taken last month for my glucose test shows I'm anemic. Like border line needing a blood transfusion anemic. This doesn't cause me as much concern as it does the doctors. My body stays border line anemic (a product of my rheumatoid arthritis) so I think this is just one of those quirks about my body. But, I'll be a good patient and take the iron pills (and the Colace pills that the iron is going to necessitate!). Mainly because I don't want a blood transfusion. And if it's that bad now and I can just imagine what it will be like after a c-section surgery.

On a more fun note, Samuel moves a LOT. It's a fine and good for them to say he's small but when you stand 5 feet tall the only place for a baby to put his legs and feet is your ribs. And boy does he! His movements have started being strong enough the other 3 can see my stomach jerk and move. They are GREATLY amused and awed by this.

Ellie likes to raise my shirt and pat my belly. She says "Baby Sa-muwle" and kisses my belly. The boys like to talk to him also. They tell him "hi," "I love you," "this is your big brother, Will." It's all very cute. This is the first time I've had a child old enough (Will) to really understand what's going on.

That's our current pregnancy news. Next thing on the agenda around here is Ellie's second birthday. That's Friday. In case you are wondering, there will be a few days shy 26 months between Ellie and Samuel. Neither of the other boys made it to their second birthday before a new baby arrived.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that's a great size! The Bean was born at 31 weeks and 3 days and was really small for her gestational age at 2 pounds 11 ounces.

Even now at almost 3 1/2, she's still almost off the percentile charts for her weight. When we weighed her at her 3 year check up, she was on the 3rd percentile.

She's doing great though, and I'm sure Samuel will as well!

Alicia said...

I love hearing the kids talk to Baby Samuel. Beautiful!

Wherever HE Leads We'll Go said...

That is such a cool ultrasound picture - so clear! Technology is wonderful. It allows us to peek in the womb to see who God is knitting together - amazing.

Glad to hear that you are not freaking out about all this stuff the doctor throws at you. A first time mom would probably be in full panic! But you have been down this road a time or two, so I think you have it covered.

And can I say I completely understand about being 5 feet tall with a baby that has nowhere to go but into your ribs. Towards the end of my pregnancy Emily got so strong that I would have to stop & hang onto something when she got kicking. And I had a pain in my side all day every day for about 2 or 3 months - it was her favorite spot to put her foot. : )

I love that the kids are talking to your belly - so sweet! Although I do hope Ellie resists the urge to lift your shirt when you are in public. ; )

Marc and Charity said...

I'm catching up on what I missed this week...sorry you are having trouble with bloods and other stuff. Keep us updated.

I've yet to see my midwife anymore. I'm almost 17 weeks, so maybe soon?!?!

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