Week 28: Ups and Downs

I had a regularly scheduled appointment with my doctor on Monday, along with the one hour glucose tolerance screen, which was not too bad. They had me drink something called Glucola - a sweet, orange-flavored, soda-like drink. I was instructed to down it in five minutes or less, and to keep it down - and yes, it is carbonated. They note the exact time the the drink is finished, and then do a blood draw in exactly one hour. The drink really wasn't as bad as I was told it was. Don't get me wrong, it was by no means pleasant! But it wasn't horrible, either.

My doctor also ordered a complete blood count to check for anemia, since red heads have a tendency to be more anemic than others. I mentioned to her that I was having Braxton Hicks contractions more often and that they were lasting longer, so she did an exam to make sure my cervix was holding up and I wasn't dilating just yet. Blood pressure was good. Temperature was good. Kaylee is once again measuring a little ahead. I was scolded for not gaining enough weight for now... *shrug*.

Unfortunately, Wednesday morning I got a call from my doctor, saying I failed the one hour test, and I have to come in and do the 3 hour test! This was scheduled for Thursday morning. I was seriously dreading this. I had to fast this time around. Get a baseline blood draw, drink a twice-as-sweet Glucola syrup in the same five minutes or less. Then comes the fun part... a blood draw every hour thereafter for three hours and having to sit in the waiting room for those long three hours without eating anything. I now feel like Swiss cheese! Whew - five blood draws, all in one week! Oh the things one does for the love of their child. Hopefully, I pass this time! I will have another routine ultrasound at 34 weeks. So, in late August we get to see our little Kaylee bug again!! Yay!

Update on our ever-growing Kaylee -

~~~~~~~~

She is now around 15 inches long and weighs in at about 2.5 to 2.75 pounds (1100 - 1250 g). Kaylee's brain continues to develop and is now forming the folds and grooves of a fully developed brain. The amount of tissue within the brain also continues to increase in large amounts. Brain waves show rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which means she may be dreaming.

Her muscle tone is improving. Just preparation for the Olympics that feels like it is taking place in the womb! And she is now using all of her senses. She can see, taste, recognize touch and the sound of our voices!

Our baby is picking up body fat and filling out. She is able to partially control her own body temperature now. During the last trimester, our baby will receive antibodies from me through the placenta that will provide immunity from many diseases.