We're 37 Weeks Pregnant! Fetal Development, Huge Updates, & More!

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

Image © Lyn Lomasi; All Rights Reserved

We’re 37 weeks pregnant with Nova Skye Rowell as of May 14, 2016. Keep reading for baby wellness, huge updates, 37 week fetal development, and more!

What’s Nova Been Doing This Week?

She’s being a cute little baby. But seriously, not much has changed. She’s extremely active, as always and growing too. Read about the doctor’s visit below to see what else is going on, so as to avoid repetitiveness.

What Did the Doctor Say and When’s the Next Visit?

Rich talked a little about what the doctor said in a vlog update. However, we wanted to further explain in better details what exactly everything means, since a few people had some questions after hearing that update.

We were going to get an ultrasound on the 13th (yesterday). However, in order to get the best idea of what's going on for what will probably be the last ultrasound, the doctor would have ideally wanted Nova to be in the head-down position. She had been in that position for over a month. But she’s been extremely active, especially yesterday. So, she moved out of that position at some point. In addition, she was just moving way too much to get a good ultrasound. Therefore, we’re now going to get the ultrasound on the 23rd instead. As a funny sidenote, shortly after we left the doctor’s office, I felt like she moved back in the head-down position, of course.

We’re hoping to keep Nova inside a little longer, just to be safe. But, she’s actually at term now, so she’d likely be fine if born today. However, a little extra time (as long as possible before the due date) is always good. At 37 weeks, she's term and 39 weeks is full term. So, we’re going to try to keep her in as long as she’ll stay put, even though Lyn’s in horrendous pain.

That said, because of the immense pain Lyn’s in, the doctor did offer to induce at 39 weeks if she isn’t here by then. Normally, we would go the natural route and just let her come when she comes. However, because Lyn’s so miserable and the baby feels what she feels, we think it’s better for her and Nova both if we get induced as soon it’s safe to do so. Therefore, we accepted the doctor’s offer and if she isn’t born by May 31st, we’ll be getting induced that day.

Words From the Mommy-To-Be

After the doctor visit, I’m feeling both annoyed and relieved. The annoyance isn’t directed at anyone, though. It’s just because I really wanted to see an ultrasound of Nova and that just couldn’t happen. Such is life. I just get annoyed easily lately, due to being in pain and being stressed about the baby for so long.

However, that annoyance is small, compared to the relief that we’re at 37 weeks now. Most babies are born between 37 and 42 weeks. So, we’re finally at that point where she is highly likely to be perfectly fine, even if she’s born before the due date.

I’m also very relieved to know that if she isn’t here by the 31st, we’re getting induced. It’s not that I want her to come early. Who wants that? But I do know she feels everything I feel and I’m suffering right now from the pain. I don’t want her to feel that. I only want her to feel happiness and comfort.

Therefore, the soonest safe time for her to come is really the best for her. Like any mom, I simply want what’s best for my child and I feel like the longer she has to endure the emotions from the pain I feel, the worse it is for her. Babies don’t need to feel that kind of suffering.

I’m still not entirely sure that anyone even fully comprehends the amount of pain I’ve had to endure for months without any painkillers at all. I have a very high tolerance of pain. So, if I’m feeling it at all, it’s bad -- and if it’s actually hurting me as bad as it is, it must be way off the charts for most people.

With the other kids, I was that mom in labor who was just calmly stating to the doctors when each contraction came and when it was time to push, I just calmly pushed as hard as I could and made it happen. I don’t feel pain like other people do. Therefore, if I’m feeling it now, I’m in bad shape.

I just really haven't talked about the depth of the pain much because that’s not me. However, people need to understand how bad it is to understand why I chose to accept the offer to be induced on the 31st. It is very necessary for the mental health of the baby, as well as myself - but I mostly care about it for her. She does not need to be feeling this.

Words From the Daddy-To-Be

I’m not sure that I have much to add beyond what Lyn has already said. I will say that the sooner Nova is here with us, the better. I made a vlog earlier this week about my perspective during a rough pregnancy. Essentially, I said that it’s extremely frustrating to watch Lyn go through all this, because there is really so little that I can actually do. Feeling powerless to truly help Lyn through her pain is not fun at all.

Through all this, though, I’m greatly touched by all of the things that people have done for us in preparations for Nova’s arrival. This past week, we received a couple of large Amazon gift cards with which we bought a few more remaining items from the registry. We also just received a few more clothing items in the mail from a Facebook friend this week. The generosity has been overwhelming, and I can’t thank everyone who has given us much needed items enough.

Here are the cute items from our friend, Kathy Dove (click to enlarge):

37 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 37 week developmental info below should give you an idea of the typical things you and your baby should experience at 37 weeks gestation.

37 Weeks Pregnant: What’s Going On | Pampers
37 Weeks Pregnant: Information & Tips | Baby Gaga
The Inside Story: Fetal Development Weeks 36 Through 40 | Parents
Week 37: KidsHealth
37 Weeks Pregnant: Pregnancy.org
37 Weeks Pregnant - What to Expect Week-by-Week | Similac
What your baby looks like: 37 weeks | BabyCenter

Previous Developmental/Update Post

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

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