We're 36 Weeks Pregnant! Fetal Development, Updates, Wellness, & More!

by Richard Rowell & Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved

We’re 36 weeks pregnant with Nova Skye Rowell as of May 7, 2016. Keep reading for baby wellness, other updates, 36 week fetal development, words from both Lyn & Rich, and more!

What’s Nova Been Doing This Week?

Nova is more active than ever. It’s fun (and sometimes painful) to see and feel her movements and be able to identify certain body parts. A foot or hand here and there looks quite cool. It’s also reassuring, what with all of the risks, even when it’s painful, such as when she kicks Lyn in the ribs or something.

It seems that she’s just as impatient to meet us as we are to meet her. Lyn is continuously experiencing contractions and has been for over a month, which is why she’s on medication, medically-ordered bed rest, and “no-work” orders. Please keep telling Nova to stay in there just a little bit longer. We are very impatient to meet her, but at the same time, we also want her to be okay when she comes.

When’s the Next Doctor Visit?

Our next scheduled visit is on Friday, May 14th at 10:45 AM Mountain Time. Then, the doctor plans to do another ultrasound and take Lyn off of the medication she’s on for slowing/halting the preterm labor contractions, as long as everything still looks good. At that point she’s term and most babies are born between 37 and 42 weeks Therefore, once we’re there, there’s not as much urgency to keep her inside. It’s fully possible she will come before then, however.

The good news is if we make it to the appointment and she’s ready to give birth, the hospital is right next door to the office! In fact, it’s even connected by a bridge on that same floor! We obviously hope she stays in as long as possible. But with all the risk factors going on, 37 weeks is probably the most we can realistically hope for.

A Special Birthday, Mother’s Day, Miracle Baby Shout-Out

Today is super special for so many reasons. Not only does Lyn get to celebrate being a mom to 4 awesome kiddos (soon to be 5), but we both get to share a birthday together with our perfect match. Yes, we were both born on May 8. Isn’t that awesome!? Today, we are not thinking of material gifts. Our best birthday present is knowing that we are going to be blessed with a miracle baby we never thought would happen.

With Rich's chemo treatments and the type of cancer he had, coupled with Lyn’s health issues, Nova Skye came to us as a huge and very welcome surprise. Lyn’s been through hell and back with this pregnancy and is not feeling well at all today. However, Nova is well worth it, as is being able to give Rich his first (and probably only) child.

We are under the best medical care anyone could ask for. The OB who’s treating Lyn and Nova has delivered 3 of the other kids and is extremely well-known in Colorado as one of the best. In Lyn’s opinion, he is the best in the world.

We also want to say Happy Mother's Day to both of our moms, Jeanne, and Deborah. Both of them have been very supportive throughout this difficult pregnancy. Also, without them, none of us would be here and none of this would be possible. Because of them, we learned to be amazing parents. We are celebrating with Jeanne in-person as a massive birthday, Mother’s Day, and baby shower celebration and with Deb from afar, since she’s in MA and we’re in CO. Though, to us, she is here in our hearts.

Also, a special shout-out to Tia and Amber, the two oldest kiddos, who are working hard to make this day awesome. Though, all four of them do amazing things daily. We love them all the time, each of them for their unique qualities and can’t wait to meet the fifth. She’s giving me a hard time today and even though we’d love to meet her, we’re hoping she’s patient enough to wait at least until 37 weeks (Saturday).

Words From the Mommy-To-Be

This past week has been extremely stressful and exhausting -- and PAINFUL! I’ve had little sleep and lots of pain. However, as much as it would make my body feel better to have Nova come right this second, the goal is still to get to at least 37 weeks. I do so badly want to meet her, but I also want her to be as healthy as possible when she gets here. Therefore, in addition to the normal things, such as eating well and drinking lots of water, I am taking all of the doctor’s advice, as always.

The side effects of the medication I’m taking are about as far from pleasant as one can get. However, none of it seems to be putting either myself or the baby in danger. Therefore, as the doctor has recommended, this is really the best course of action to keep her inside longer. We’re almost there. If I made it this far, I can make it another week.

Actually, at this point, getting to 37 weeks is less than a week away: 6 days, to be exact. Nova and myself are both fighters. Regardless of when she decides to come, I have faith that she will be just perfect. But I will be focusing on resting and doing all I can to give her the best chance possible. So, if I’m less responsive to people than usual, that’s why. Nova’s health comes before everyone and everything right now.

I feel extremely grateful to have the most supportive partner by my side that I could have asked for. In fact, if I had to ask before I had him, I would not have known what to ask for, nor would I have expected what I did get in Rich. Please continue to send positive vibes, light a candle, meditate, pray, or whatever you do that you think will help keep Nova inside for the perfect amount of time to be as healthy as she can be. Thank you all for your continued support.

Words From the Daddy-To-Be

Really, all I have to say at this point is that I can’t wait for Nova to be here. It’s been quite a ride, getting all of the stuff together for Nova, making her place ready, and going to all of the pre-natal appointments. We’ve already visited the hospital a couple of times and even had an overnight stay. Throughout all of this, though, Nova herself has been fine. Her mother, not so much.

Both Lyn and I have had many sleepless nights. I have to be sure to at least get a few hours in so that I can help her take care of what she can’t right now. Yeah, once Nova is here, she’ll need a lot of attention. But it’s a much different kind of attention. I know how badly she wants to meet us. My impatience is pretty maxed out already. Please, Nova, come and meet us now!

36 Week Fetal Development Info

Only your healthcare provider can tell you exactly what applies to your specific baby, as they each develop differently. However, the 36 week developmental info below should give you an idea of the typical things you and your baby should experience at 36 weeks gestation.

36 Weeks Pregnant: What’s Going On | Pampers
36 Weeks Pregnant: Information & Tips | Baby Gaga
The Inside Story: Fetal Development Weeks 36 Through 40 | Parents
Week 36: KidsHealth
36 Weeks Pregnant: Pregnancy.org
36 Weeks Pregnant - What to Expect Week-by-Week | Similac
What your baby looks like: 36 weeks | BabyCenter

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