Moments that Matter: Baby Poll – Share Your Predictions!

Since Baby Mann’s expected arrival is less than 2 weeks away, we thought it would be fun to create a poll to gather family and friends’ predictions about the impending birth of Baby Mann. To help you complete the survey questions, I’ve included a brief update from yesterday’s doctor’s appointment as well as a summary of old wives’ tales about gender prediction.

UPDATE FROM OB/GYN APPOINTMENT ON 6/18/2009

As many of you know, the perinatologist prescribed weekly 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone injections beginning around week 19 of this pregnancy to reduce the chance of preterm labor or birth. Mike had to administer this intramuscular injection every Wednesday night for more than 3 months. My last injection was on 6/10/2009.

In addition to the 17 HP injections, I have been taking oral terbutaline since week 22 to help control pre-term labor contractions. My OB/GYN and perinatologist recommended I stop taking the medicine around weeks 36-37 since at that point the baby is considered full-term. I took my last dose of terbutaline around midnight on Tuesday, June 16. The next evening (6/17) I started experiencing contractions (some more painful than others) lasting about 30 seconds and occurring about every 8-11 minutes.

Since I had fairly regular contractions throughout the night (and got very little sleep!), we assumed we were in the early stages of labor. We decided against going to the hospital in the middle of the night since I had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for 10 a.m. the next morning. Around 1 a.m. I decided it would probably be wise to pack my hospital overnight bag in the event that the doctor sent me straight to the hospital.

During the doctor’s appointment, they did a sonogram to check my amniotic fluid levels, which have been unusually high since about week 32. Although my fluid levels had dropped slightly from the previous week (33 cm vs. 29 cm), they are still considered abnormally high and are likely contributing to my contractions. The sonogram technician was unable to estimate that baby’s size since we’re so close to delivery, but was able to determine that s/he is big for his or her gestational age. During previous sonograms, we learned that the baby’s size is measuring almost 2.5 weeks ahead of schedule!

Given my history of preterm labor, the estimated size of the baby, and my complaints of fairly regular contractions, the doctor decided to check for cervical changes to see if labor was imminent. He was surprised to discover that I am 75% effaced and 2 cm dilated. Given the unpredictable nature of labor, he could not definitively say whether he thought I’d make it to the scheduled c-section date. However, he did say that the cervical changes were evidence that my body was preparing for labor and that the contractions were causing the effacement and dilation.

OLD WIVES’ TALES ABOUT GENDER PREDICTION

Myth 1: Cravings – Expectant moms are believed to crave sweets if they’re having a girl and salty foods if they’re carrying a boy.

I am craving sweets, although I have always been a sugar addict and sweets are even more attractive to me now that they’re on my gestational diabetes restricted foods list.

Myth 2: Baby’s heart rate – It is thought that girls have a heart rate of 140 or faster while boys’ heart rates are typically below 140.

At yesterday’s appointment, Baby Mann’s heart rate was estimated at 158 beats per minute.

Myth 3: Acne – Expectant moms who have acne during their pregnancy are thought to be carrying girls. Those who do not experience breakouts or acne flare-ups during pregnancy are thought to be having a boy.

I have not noticed any difference in my skin since becoming pregnant.

Myth 5: Morning sickness – According to legend, expectant moms who suffered from morning sickness during their first trimester are likely having a girl. Those who did not experience any nausea or vomiting are having a boy.

Thankfully, I did not have a problem with morning sickness with either pregnancy.

Myth 4: Mom’s weight – The belief is that if a woman is carrying low and all out in front, she’s having a boy. If she is carrying high and the extra weight is primarily in the hips and thighs, then she must be having a girl.

I’ve included a recent photo so you can judge for yourself. I think I’m carrying the extra weight high and all out in front.