Comparisons and Predictions

I am 36 weeks exactly.  My bump is big.  My shirts generally don't fit.  Because my shirts don't fit, I wear a lot more dresses which require me to shave more often.  Which, in turn, requires its own sort of creative physical contortions.

On the bright side, per yesterday's OB and MFM visits, all restrictions are lifted.  I show normal signs of labor for this stage:  baby is head down but not engaged (and no dilation).  I can do what I want comfortably.  Saturday's family mud run?  Bring it on!  Actually, I'll just be there on the sidelines - I'm not throwing all caution to the wind.  :-)

Yes, Violet, you were born after Momma jumped in a mud pit and couldn't get out.  After Herculean strength on Daddy's part, he hauled Momma out only to find her succumbing to intense contractions.  And a small crowd gathered as you were born in a muddy park one spring day, a far cry different from your siblings' 36 hour sterile hospital delivery.

Umm, no thanks.

Based on the picture below, I think I should henceforth be renamed "She Who Swallowed a Basketball":

 

 

For contrast, here's a picture of me pregnant with the twins at almost exactly the same point (36w6D).  My belly might protrude just as far, but I am carrying more of a watermelon shape, from hips all the way to chest.

 

 

 

Since I'm in the home stretch, I figure it's time to take gender and dating predictions.  And for the most accurate guess, I suppose I could come up with some sort of prize?  Maybe a gift card to be mailed?  I'll accept a vote either here on the blog or on facebook (I know I'll link to this on good ole FB).

 

To recap, Violet is now an estimated 6 lbs 10 oz and has consistently been well above the 50th percentile for size.  My official due date is May 27.  And so far my OB and I do not have an induction date in mind.

 

 

Old Wife's Tales

 

1.  I'm carrying low - this means BOY

 

2.  Heartbeat is often below 140 - this means BOY

 

3. Craving sweet or salty? - No cravings.  However, if we get technical, I like an occasional root beer float and love my dark chocolate (something that preceded this pregnancy) - this might mean GIRL

 

4.  Face breaking out? - Not really.  This means BOY (girls supposedly "steal your beauty" - weird!)

 

5. Queasiness levels - more queasy this pregnancy than with twins - this means GIRL.

 

6.  Belly is basketball or watermelon shaped? - basketball means BOY

 

 

End tally:  BOY - 4 votes               GIRL - 2 votes

 

 

So, tell me.  What do you think?  Boy or girl?  Birth date??

 



Gender Prediction

We have opted to find out Violet's gender at birth.

We have now had three MFM appointments and they've noted in our file that the gender is a "surprise".  That being said, at the December appointment, Bryan saw "female" written in our file. He spent the last month firmly convinced that "Violet" was indeed a girl and keeping everything a secret from me.

Until yesterday.

Yesterday was my January MFM appointment.  We had a pause in the appointment after the tech was done with her measurements but the doctor wasn't in the room yet.  Bryan told me his story and we viewed the computer screen together.  Sure enough, it said "female".  Right next to my name and birthdate.  That's right, I am female!

And the baby remains a surprise.

Out of curiosity, I've looked up the old wife's tales for gender prediction.  Some I won't do as they are just ridiculous. Dangle my wedding ring on a string above my belly to see how it rotates?? Please, just no.

I am eliminating the heart rate one. Cora and Mac had identical heart rates for most of my pregnancy with them (including labor which freaked out the nurses thinking they were missing a baby).

I haven't had any cravings.

My only food aversions have been texture related not taste related. Yogurt and I are still on questionable terms.

After an extensive five minute internet research, I can only really think of two remotely plausible gender predictors.

1.  Baby is low. This means boy.  Speaking of positioning, it is amazing how much force a 14 oz baby can exert on one's bladder...

2.  Baby was on the "girl" side during my first clinic ultrasound.  (There is a newer study done comparing gender in pregnancies with baby positioning in 6 or 7 week ultrasounds.  This study has been very reliable in my embryo adoption group, though not 100% reliable...)

For comparison, I can say Cora and Mac were on their respective girl/boy sides during my six week ultrasound with them.



Well, there you have it.  We are either having a girl or a boy!