37 Week Update
Um, I’m full term.
Yep, that means I can go at any time.
Yep, that’s a bit crazy/exciting/nerve-wracking.
I’m feeling really good so far … my varicose veins haven’t been painful (I need to post about that change, don’t I?), my back isn’t hurting and the only time my hips hurt is overnight. I’m having a tonne of BH contractions, but I was at this point with Gwen, too. I had my 36 week check-up on Wednesday (I was 36+6). Love Bug is nestled head down and my fundal height was measuring 38. BP 116/68, no protein or glucose in urine, weight 170 lbs.
My secondary midwife’s guess for the baby? Girl, born February 18, 7lbs 2 oz.
My crappy news? My GBS swab came back positive. After a basically all-day affair of being booked to see an OB for a prescription for IV antibiotics for during my labour, I came home and did some research. This page neatly sums up the research I’ve done and this article gave me lots to think about. The irritating thing is that if I opt for antibiotics and yet the course is not finished at least 4 hours before I give birth, we will need to do a blood test on June Bug at 4 hours and 12 hours after birth - meaning we get to leave the house with a 12-hour-old baby and go get his/her blood drawn. The likelihood that I’ll get the course of antibiotics finished at least 4 hours before I give birth is slim (judging by my last labour, my midwives are assuming this one will be fast and furious). Research suggests that not finishing a course of antibiotics selects for stronger bacteria, not to mention that a baby is intended to be innoculated with normal body flora upon it’s delivery - and GBS is certainly a normal body flora!
I’m planning to talk to my primary midwife at my 37 week visit on Monday about the idea of using a chlorhexidine wash as a precautionary should they arrive too late to finish the antibiotic course. I’m also looking into naturopathic ways to kill the GBS bacteria themselves before I go into labour. We’ll see. I haven’t completely decided whether I’ll be accepting the antibiotics.
And in the following belly pics, one thing is particularly apparent to me: I desperately need to clean my bathroom mirror.
Check out how the belly compares to 37 weeks with Gwen! I think I’m carrying oodles lower this time around. What do you think? Any guesses as to gender/birth date/weight? I’d love to know what you’re all thinking!
Kathryn said,
February 7, 2010 @ 10:47 am
I was never GBS pos with either, but I did my research on what could happen if I was. The likelihood of something happening is so slim and there are things you can do to prevent it. Yogurt every stinkin day. And not the stuff with sugar in it. Plain ol flavor. If you are taking probiotics that will help. Also, if you are interested (didn’t read the links) I’ve heard great things about garlic. Not sure what that would be like, but…. Also, hubby’s happy juice is supposed to kill some of that too. So, lots of loving, kill the junk, bring on baby!! Just a thought.
jenny the big sis said,
February 8, 2010 @ 3:07 am
I was going to choose to decline the prescription if we came back + … but we didn’t so dodged that bullet. Hopefully you are comfortable in whatever choice you make and know it’s the right one for you
You are a TON lower than with Gwen. I’m guessing Boy. 7 pounds, 4 ounces and February 21st (cause it just sounds right) and 20.5 inches long. Also I think you’re going to have him in the middle of the morning.
kim said,
February 8, 2010 @ 5:50 am
Kathryn, thanks for the info!
I’m definitely leaning toward declining the ABX and using expectant management, Jenny! What do you mean middle of the morning - like overnight or morning 9 or 10 am?
jenny the big sis said,
February 8, 2010 @ 8:36 am
kathryn makes a great point. we were doing it almost every night to try and get things moving and i had three screens, one at 34 weeks, the second at 37 and the third at 40 - so maybe there IS a correlation between sex and a negative screen??
i think mid-morning 9 or 10 am.
ohhhhh i am so excited!!! can’t wait to welcome a new baby to the family soon
:) 
Kathryn said,
February 8, 2010 @ 6:53 pm
Yeah, um we were frequent in the sport too and came back neg.
kim said,
February 8, 2010 @ 10:21 pm
LOL @ ‘frequent in the sport’ that’s awesome! HOnestly, we would be a bit more frequent in the sport, but with 3 months of house guests and then a sick toddler (one who shares our bed half the night), let’s just say the sport has fallen behind lately!
Christina Scovel said,
February 8, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
Good luck with the birth. I’m sure it will be fast and easy!
Kathryn said,
February 12, 2010 @ 3:46 am
That’s a booger. Pregnancy always made me, um, eager.
Lindsay said,
February 14, 2010 @ 3:56 am
I didn’t plan on accepting antibiotics, but I took the GBS test anyway so they wouldn’t classify me as GBS unknown. I ended up GBS negative, but I had to take antibiotics anyway because I developed a fever during labour (probably because I let my midwife break my water after 24 hours of labour but who knows). I think taking the antibiotics impacted breastfeeding, because I developed numerous yeast infections/thrush. I had to take them again later for mastitis and my little guy ended up with a yeasty bum and a lot of discomfort. If I were doing it all again I would avoid antibiotics when possible. Of course they do save lives so you have to weigh the pros and cons…;)
kim said,
February 14, 2010 @ 10:30 am
Wow - thanks for weighing in, Lindsay (and for commenting!!). We’ve decided not to accept antibiotics, but I did fill the script, so we’ve got them on hand if needed.