32 weeks!

So I had an ultrasound this morning and learned some interesting things while I was there. They said that at this point the baby is too big to do anything but get needed measurements, which they did and everything is good and normal. He is still a boy (thankfully!). She couldn't see his penis but did get me a picture of his scrotum. That'll be one to pull out in 20 years! He is 4.3 pounds which seems really big to me but the doctor says it's normal. However, his head is abnormally large! That doesn't make me feel good! His heartrate was 136 and he's growing steadily. I am measuring 6 days early though which makes my new due date 12/18. I'm not sure if that is specifically due to his size or if they factor in other things. I definitely hope he's a bit early because I'm already looking at having over an 8 pound baby if he only gains the 1/2 pound per week that he's supposed to. I'm just glad that he's doing ok and everything looks good.

According to babycenter.com, here's how we're doing at 32 weeks (although I'm technically now going to be 33 weeks tomorrow, I'm going to stick with the orignal schedule):
"How your baby's growing:
By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:
To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things."

I'll discuss how the CPR class went and how the birthing class is going a little later!