weekly pregancy calendar week 26

Photo by bam61907

I'm following a first-time pregnant mom bam61907 on her exciting journey from bump to baby. Check back every Wednesday for the latest developments!

Week 26

What's Happening with Mom: This week was a crazy one. I had to go to the hospital because I was having these horrible shooting pains in my stomach and they weren't like the cramping or stretching I've had in the past -- these pains were fierce and sharp. I called the hospital and they said I needed to come in ASAP and that I should get someone else to drive me just in case.

So Justin drove me to Bethesda Naval Hospital (where I plan to deliver). They hooked me up to a monitor and the nurse kept asking "Do you feel that?" She said I was having full out contractions -- she said they were too close together and too strong to be Braxton Hicks.

It took them several minutes to find Aubrey's heartbeat, so that was scary, too. They hooked me up to an IV and took four vials of blood, then did an internal exam to check my cervix. It was still closed and hard.

Then they looked at my placenta and the baby via ultrasound to make sure my placenta wasn't ruptured -- both my placenta and the baby looked great. They checked for a urinary tract infection, too, but the results came back negative. After being on he IV for a while, my contractions slowed down.

In the end, they said they didn't know why I was having the contractions but since me cervix was closed and my placenta looked good they weren't as worried as they were in the beginning -- it could be the beginning of a UTI or it could have been dehydration. They said I could go home and not to worry unless the pains were unbearable, a gush of fluid came out, or if I was bleeding.

In happier news, we did our 3D ultrasound this week -- I couldn't resist. You get two visits (one at 24-28 weeks and one at 32-34 weeks). With our military discount it cost $260, but for my birthday, my mom had given me a $100 gift card to the place so I only had to pay $160 total.

With each visit you get a 30 minute ultrasound plus a CD for printing and emailing pictures, a DVD with music, and prints. The shots are projected on a 96" screen so everyone with you can see.

It was amazing to see Aubrey -- she has my nose, thank God! My husband has a big nose, which fits him, but wouldn't look too good on a little girl. I was so moved by how much detail we were able to see -- all her toes, her fingers, shoulders, little nostrils, everything!

I'm still having back pain and Braxton Hicks contractions. I'm tired, my boobs are sore, and sex is very uncomfortable. Every position hurts in some way.

The best thing about my week was getting to see Aubrey. But having full out contractions was the scariest thing I have ever gone through. I was just so afraid that she was going to come early.

What's Happening with Baby: I weigh between 1 and 1/2 and 2 pounds and am about 14 inches long now. I'm learning to breathe by inhaling and exhaling little bits of amniotic fluid, though my lungs still aren't fully functional yet. My eyes are completely formed but likely still shut tight, though not for much longer, and I have more hair on my head.

Question of the Week from Answers:

Does my doctor have to refer me for a 3D ultrasound or do I set it up myself? -- piercedbeauty21

They're for fun and as far as I know, insurance doesn't cover them. If your doctor's ultrasound machine happens to do 3D, he may switch over to it for fun if you ask. But if you want to go to one of those places that specializes in them, you just call and make an appointment and pay for it yourself. -- SamanthaAgain

If it's medically necessary, insurance will usually cover it. -- olliviasmomma09

Have you had a 3D ultrasound performed? What was the experience like?

Past weeks

Week 25

Week 24

Week 23

Week 22

Week 21

Week 20

Week 19

Week 18

Week 17

Week 16

Week 15

Weeks 13 & 14

Week 12

Week 11

Week 10

Week 9

Week 8

Week 7