37 Week Update

At my doctor appointment today she ok'd me to stop taking the Procardia if I wanted to, but then told me she would be out of town all weekend. We've decided to continue taking the medication until Monday in hopes that she will be able to deliver the baby. So, I'm anticipating a calm weekend followed by a long walk and jumping jacks on Monday. I'm sick of feeling sick and ready for the baby to be here.

So, That's What Contractions Feel Like

Stephen traveled to Washington DC Sunday night for work. Before he left, I had a stern talk with the baby to explain that she is NOT allowed to make her appearance while Dad is out of town. It became obvious on Monday that she is rebelling already.

Tyler had an appointment Monday afternoon and while I was in the waiting room I felt what I assumed must be contractions. I only noticed them about every 10 minutes and there wasn't any pain, so I didn't make much of it. This continued throughout Tyler's appointment and by the time we left I had decided to go home, grab my hospital bags, and stop by labor and delivery just to get checked out. My only worry was that the infrequent contractions I was feeling would lead to more while Stephen was out of town. 

Tyler and I got to the hospital around 6:30. The nurse examined me and told me that my contractions were actually 2 to 3 minutes apart and I was dilated 3 cm. What?!?! I tried to stay calm while she went to talk to the doctor and I called Stephen, his parents, and my mom.

I was 36 weeks and 3 days. At this point the doctor would have normally admitted me and I would have had a baby Monday night. Since Stephen was out of town, they tried to buy us some time. They tried to stop the contractions with fluids, but after 2 hours nothing had changed. They decided to admit me for observation and gave me a large dose of morphine. The thought was to knock me out and hope the relaxation at least stretched the labor out to the next morning. Stephen would be there at 9am. My mom was also flying in around the same time. The nurse was very doubtful that either of them would get to the hospital before the baby was born. Tyler and Stephen's mom bunkered down in the hospital room with me for the night and waited.

The morphine worked. I woke up a few times during the night, but fell back asleep very easily. At 7am I breathed a sigh of relief - only two hours until Stephen got there and no baby yet. I saw my doc around 8:30 and the contractions had slowed quite a bit by then. She gave me some meds to stop the contractions and told the nurses to remove my IV at 11:00. She would be back at lunch and if the contractions had stopped she would send me home.

So, it's now Thursday and here I sit at home. I am taking Procardia every morning to keep labor from progressing. My OB would like me to carry the baby until at least Monday. I have an appointment with her tomorrow so I guess we'll see what she says then. After all of the excitement earlier this week, I think everyone is ready for the baby to be here. My mom is in town now until next Thursday. Stephen figures I'll go into labor as soon as she leaves. ;)

35 Week Checkup

My doctor appointment today (35w4d) was filled with interesting news and reassurances. I've had a bit more difficulty controlling my gestational diabetes lately and was worried about problems that may cause with the baby. The doc looked at my log book and said that I was still doing fine. My blood sugar spikes after indulgent meals (ex: pancakes) weren't of too much concern to her as long as I was exercising right away when I got a high reading to bring it back down. She'll continue to monitor me closely and check my log each week but she feels that what I am doing to manage the gestational diabetes is working fine and she is treating my pregnancy as "normal." (yay!!!)

She had the results from the ultrasound last Tuesday and the report stated that the baby is at the 73rd percentile for size, weighing 6.0 pounds. So, figuring that she gains a half pound each week, today she should weigh 6.5 pounds and at full term she would be between 8 and 9 pounds. But, it doesn't look like I will be carrying this baby to full term. She checked my cervix and I am dilated 1cm. Based on that and the pains/symptoms I have been having she said that I will not make it to 40 weeks. She did give Stephen the ok to travel to Washington DC next week though, so there is nothing urgent at this point. She'll check me again next week and also do another ultrasound.

I didn't gain any weight in the last two weeks, but I know the baby has. I'm mentally prepping myself for an 8lb baby and holding my doc to her words that, because of the cramping, movement, and contractions that I've been having the past couple weeks, I will have a fairly easy labor.

For months, my mom has been telling me that she thinks I'll have the baby on May 6th. Now that we know she'll be early, we'll have to see how close mom's guess is. Any other guesses for date and size/weight?

Beautiful April Day

The weather today is perfect! Close to 80 with a slight breeze and low allergy levels. I even have the windows open in the house!!! Since it is so nice out, Magoo and I were thinking about doing some yard work. He changed his mind and stole my favorite patio chair. What a life! :)

Growth Spurt

It's amazing what a difference two weeks can make at this point. I'm now 34 weeks, 4 days. Two weeks ago I could move around freely and make it up the stairs without needing a break. Oh, the good 'ol days. Now, I can no longer see my feet and if something is dropped on the floor I contemplate how badly I really need it. Two weeks ago the baby floated around and gave me little kicks. Now, she has lodged her head in my pelvis and sticks her butt in my ribs and pushes. Ouch. 

We had an ultrasound today to check her position (she was breech at 32 weeks) and check her size. She has turned head down, but she is measuring a bit big. I won't know how big until next Tuesday at my OB appointment. Since I have gestational diabetes, my OB wants to watch the baby's size to make sure I don't end up trying to give birth to a toddler. During the ultrasound we also saw all four chambers of her heart beating away, lots of hair on her head floating in the amniotic fluid, and movement of her diaphragm as she was practicing breathing. Very cool. She squirmed for us a few times - she didn't like the tech poking at her head. We were sent home with a couple more pictures of her that I have posted below.