Dr.'s Appointment!

   I just got back from my Dr.'s appointment and guess what? I'm 2cm dilated and 70% effaced!!!!!! I was 1cm dilated the week before Rory came so who knows when this one will arrive!! This is good news and not so good news. Good news because I am ready for baby to be here and its fantastic that my body is going to begin the labor process by itself (so it seems). I do not want to be induced and of course I do not want to have a c-section and while I'm being really picky, I do not want my labor augmented either. Hopefully Oxytocin/pitocin can be avoided. I don't want any help getting this baby out. Well...maybe a back rub or two :)

   This news is not so good because I need to make it until February 17th to have all of my clinical time complete in order to take 4 weeks off that I have planned (which has now turned into 5 due to our schedule change, yes!!!). Either way, things will work out but oh the stress of thinking about it!!

   I have been having lots of pressure down there on and off throughout the past few days as well as some braxton hicks. I noticed at the gym this morning that I kept having some  contractions and mild pain down under so I had an idea that something had changed. The gym is such an outlet for me and I'm not quite ready to give it up yet but I think its time. :( This makes me incredibly sad.


   Onto the  GREAT news. I saw Dr. Huff this morning and if she is the one to deliver my baby (which I hope she is not aside from the two reasons I'm about to explain) I will not have to be hooked up to a pump. Meaning no continuous fluids, no machine to lug back and forth to the bathroom, and no annoying cords to get tangled up in. Since I am planning a natural, medication free birth, they are willing to give me as much freedom to move around as possible. Each Dr. is different, so I will have to check with the other 2 in the weeks to come. Also, she does not make continuous baby monitoring mandatory for all natural deliveries. Meaning that I wont have to have the transducers around my stomach 24-7 to monitor the baby. Those things are restrictive as well. She said we could just do intermittent monitoring ever half hour or so! So, these are two things that I can cross of my list to worry about. I want to be as free and mobile as possible for this delivery. I do not want to lay in the bed or drag around some machine as my insides are literally being ripped out. 

   As stressful as the next couple of months are going to be, I am so excited to meet this baby and to feel the love of having a newborn again! It is such a wonderful feeling to stare at such an amazing little creature that you created and that was growing inside of you. I cannot wait to see what this baby looks like and if its a boy or girl!!!

36 Weeks...One Month or Less!!!!!!!!!

   Okay, I say 1 month or less only because there is no way I can get much bigger and this baby must come on time!! Or a day or two early would be nice :) but not sooner than that.

   I've noticed this week that the baby has dropped. I don't get out of breath putting my pajamas on or going up stairs. My heartburn is occasional vs. constant and I am peeing all the time. Baby is low low low.

   Luckily, I have been overwhelmingly busy so time is still flying by!! Yay!

How Far Along: 36 Weeks
Size of Baby: a crenshaw melon, almost 6 lbs, 18.5 inches

Total Weight Gained/Lost: +25-26lbs
Maternity Clothes: Oh yes. Nicki gave me another bundle of clothes, so I am set until B2 gets here.
Movement: All the time
Sleep: So-so. I get up ever hour or two to pee, but heartburn seems better this week.
What I miss: Nothing. I've been feeling great this week and enjoying  being pregnant. Ask again next week.
Cravings: I'm craving sweets again, but I've been very diligent in controlling my cravings
Symptoms: Exhausted. After 11am, the yawning starts and lasts the rest of the day. Occasionally I make it until lunch before this happens. A little constipated. GAS!! Woo...poor Don. I have been blowing the house up. I always fuss at him when he does it, but I've had to keep my mouth shut lately. Its disgustingly funny. My ankles swell after my 12 hr. clinical days and my knees and feet ache. No headaches.
Highlights from this week: Making it through a 40hr. week of school and surviving. It was rough, but for the next three weeks I will only be doing 28-30hrs, so time will fly by and baby will be here soon!

35 Down, 5 To Go!

How Far Along: 35 Weeks

 

Look how huge!! My belly button is almost completely out and my line is noticeable but not as dark as I remember. It looks like I have stretch marks, but thats from me scratching my skin off!

Size of Baby: honeydew melon, 5.25lbs, 18+inches
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +24lbs
Maternity Clothes: yes. I've got like 3 outfits that I wear all the time
Movement: all the time. I feel like baby is awake more often now and is moving more than ever. My stomach is always lopsided or doing a wavelike motion
Sleep: okay
What I miss: my old jeans
Cravings: coffee, Honey Nut Chex Miz, grapes
Symptoms: occasional headaches, frequent bathroom stops, constant movement, less room for food. I get really hungry but can't eat quite as much. No swelling, no contractions, no constipation. Still feeling good!
Highlights from this week: ?

34 Weeks...Only 6 Weeks/42 days to go!

   Today was my 34 weeks Dr. appointment and it went smooth. I met the new D.O., Dr. Hudson. She seems awesome! Very nice and bubbly. She believe in a more holistic approach to than what I've seen from the other Dr.'s, which I love.

   Baby was rolling around like crazy. Heartrate was in the 130's. My uterus measured 33.5inches, just a tad small, but nothing to worry about. I go back in 2 weeks for my Group B Strep testing and then I will begin going every week. Ah! Time is running out and our baby will be here soon!! I am so excited.

   Its now starting to drive me crazy trying to figure out if this little one is a boy or girl!! I am so excited and anxious to find out! Its going to be the best day ever!

How Far Along: 34 Weeks

Size of Baby: a cantaloupe! 4.75lbs, almost 18 inches

Total Weight Gained/Lost: At the Dr. today they told me +20.5lbs. I have lost 2lbs since last visit which I knew, but I'm pretty sure that puts me at +23lbs. Thats what we are gonna go with since it is worst case scenario... +23lbs

Maternity Clothes: Yes. They are getting rather snug and some of my shirts are becoming too short.

Movement: Yes, all the time. Baby is constantly rolling. I can even distinguish legs from elbows and such sometimes, its really cool.

Belly Button: amazingly it is still in, but barely. I'm not sure if its going to pop out or not since it didn't with Rory

Sleep: Good. I get up a lot to go pee and some tossing and turning trying to get comfortable

What I miss: ?

Cravings: Banana sandwiches, blueberry bagels, chex mix

Symptoms: Heartburn, occasional headaches, frequent urination, constant thirst even though I drink possibly too much water, no swelling this week, no constipation which I thought I would get by now, some pressure down there occasionally, less braxton hicks contractions than last week and they are not longer painful.

Highlights from this week: Starting my last semester of Nursing school!! The next 8 weeks are going to be the most stressful weeks of my life with a new baby and completing the toughest semester of my schooling career, but I'm ready!! I'm ready for baby and I'm ready to be done with school (for a while)!

**Next Appointment on January 26rd! Our last biweekly appointment, then we go every week for our last month!

Get This...

   Get this...
The nurse from Dr. HUff's office calls me today to let me know that I have a bladder infection (she is referring to the results from my urine culture that was taken at my visit almost two weeks ago...the one I went to right before I went to the hospital). She goes on to tell me that I need to be put on an oral antibiotic 3 times a day for 10 days. AAHHH!!!! Umm...Thank you Dr. Huff, but that situation was taken care of two weeks ago when I went to the EMERGENCY ROOM with signs and symptoms of exactly that...a bladder infection. Not the Flu!! Remember, you told me it wasn't an infection but more likely the flu or a virus. Remember?!? Guess not...

Thank goodness I didn't take that dang Tamiflu or wait for the "virus" to leave my system. I would seriously have kidney failure by now and quite possibly be on my death bed had I just went home from that appointment and taken her advice.

33 Weeks and Feeling Much Better!

I feel so much better this week. Im still having lots of pressure and some painful braxton hicks contractions, but each since our hospital visit has gotten better. Thank goodness!

FYI: Last week my waist measured 38 inches and this week...drumroll please....
its a whopping 41 inches. So, as I've said before, I am growing rather quickly! Between now and Birth   Day, this baby will almost double its weight! Ah!

How Far Along: 33 Weeks

Size of Baby: 4.5lbs, 17.5 inches

Total Weight Gained/Lost: +25lbs
Maternity Clothes: Yup or large t-shirts of Don's
Belly Button: Still in, but barely

Movement: Its getting tight in there. Mainly just feel some rolls or elbows here in there

Sleep: I wake up every few hours to pee or roll over, not too bad

What I miss: My aerobics class :( I haven't been in 3 weeks and I miss it. I'm going to try going one more time before my school schedule no longer allows. However, I will have to make some adjustments. I've noticed that I'm not quite as limber or as steady and quick on my feet as I was a few weeks ago. Fatty...

Cravings: Cold Milk. Anything ice cold really

Symptoms: Frequent urination, heartburn, headaches. I have actually woken up a few days this week swollen. Its hideous!! My face and hands have been swollen.

Highlights from this week: Feeling better than last week. My braxton hicks contractions have died down and only come maybe twice an hour or so and they are not near as painful. I feel like the baby is now head down, but I am not sure. We will see nect week at my appointment. I also get to see a new Dr. next visit, Dr. Dodson.

32 Weeks and Sick as a Dog!

    I'm a day late posting, but with very good reason. Sleep has been horrible lately and it was even worse Thursday night/Friday morning. I constantly roll over from side to side every.single.night. and its terrible because I'm huge. So Thursday night I thought I rolled over a little too quickly and pulled or strained a muscle in my back. I got up to stretch it out and it was also in my lower right abdomen. Sharp sharp jabs. While I was up stretching I got light headed and nauseous. I laid back down and could not fall back asleep due to the pain and chills. This was at 5am.


   I got up with Don and showered and could hardly walk due to the pain. I had a scheduled Dr.'s appointment at 9:20 that I cancelled because I could not get out of bed without pain, dizziness, and nausea. Don was working so Rory laid with me and was oh so sweet! He is so loveable and comforting. He rubbed my face and said "Momma, you're hot right there". Such a smart boy he is. I checked my temp and it was 100.3. I checked it again 30 minutes later and it was 100.9. I called to see if the Dr.'s office could still see me. I got there and my temp was 101.3. Dr. Huff (who I care nothing for) came in a said well, if you just having back pain and you're not having contractions, I think its just viral and you will have to wait it out. You have to let viral infections run their course. 


"So a UTI or kidney infection is out of the question"...hence the back pain and temperature.
"Your urine specimen came back negative with just a small trace of some bacteria"

   I don't get the flu shot, Rory doesn't get the flu shot, Don doesn't get the flu shot. We don't want the flu shot! Keep this in mind.

   I tell Dr. Huff I didn't take the shot (because she asks of course) and she immediately directs her diagnosis toward the flu. What symptoms do you see that makes you think I may have the flu (I really can't stand her)? I have no cough, not sore throat, no watery eyes, no weakness or generalized pain. She prescribes me Tamiflu, which treats flu symptoms, Phinergan, and Zofran. Whatever. I get them all fulfilled but take none of them. If I tell you that I am totally against the flu shot, then why on earth would I take Tamiflu to treat the flu symptoms that I don't have without even knowing if I have the flu. Ugh.


   So the day progresses and I take Tylenol, which I was very reluctant to do as well but couldn't take the pain anymore. I felt a few contractions but couldn't tell if they were true or false because of the persistent back pain. And finally at 5:15pm I couldn't take it anymore. My pain was worse and my fever had risen to 102.3. So we went to the ER. They sent us to L&D and just my luck... Dr. Huff was making rounds and stopped by. She reprimanded me for not taking the Tamiflu and said that I should have taken it immediately, yada yada. So I very nicely asked..."Why would I take Tamiflu if I don't even know if I have the flu". She ordered a flu test, some fluids, bloods tests, and another urine culture. I told her that I had been having contractions and of course her response was well, I'm not seeing any contractions on the baby monitor and mentioned again that it was probably the flu or a viral infection that needed to run its course. Against her will she decided to check my cervix. I was one fingertip dilated. So she then says oh, well maybe you had a few contractions earlier. Oh my Jesus! I could kill her at this point!! She told the nurses to monitor me for a couple more hours because being dilated at 32 weeks raised some concerns.

Also...during this stay, the baby's heartrate would elevate to the 180's and 190's for 10 minutes or so at a time. They did a bolus of fluids and after a couple minutes the heartrate would come down. Then it would go back up again... This didn't seem to be a concern for them. Apparently when my heartrate goes up related to the fever, the baby's heartrate also increases. I was still freaking out!!! 190 beats per minute??? WOW!


   Finally at 10:15pm my labs and flu test come back. Flu test was NEGATIVE! Take that Tamiflu and shove it Dr. Huff. My white blood count was elevated as well as a small trace of bacteria found in my urine (<---same bacteria from my my moring appointment maybe?!?). They prescribe me an antibiotic and send me on my way and treat it as an infection. We got home at 1:00am and my fever broke at 3:35 and my back pain immediately ceased. Craziest thing. Could I have had a UTI or kidney infection??? Why yes, I think so.


   I slept later than I have slept in 6 months and woke up this morning at 10:15am and felt like a new person. Still no fever or back pain. My lower abdomen is now sore after walking around and the pressure of the baby, but I attribute that to the clinching and minor contractions I had yesterday. Other than that...I'm cured for now. Thank goodness I see a different Dr. at my next visit.


Wow...I gave a little too much detail and made that the longest story ever. On to the weekly update...

How Far Along: 32 Weeks
Size of Baby: 3.75lbs, 16.7 inches
Total Weight Gained/Lost: +23lbs
Maternity Clothes: Yes, but I am almost too big for them too, ha!
Movement: Yes. Baby has been in the same position and it's kicks are very predictable now.
Sleep: I wake up all night long, but don't seem to be tired in the mornings so I suppose I'm getting more than I realize
What I miss: Everything I could do non-pregnant. I'm feeling huge now and want to be normal again
Cravings: Nothing
Aversions: Regular Coffee. I used to drink it, but after making the switch to Decaf, I cannpt handlt Don's coffee anymore. Sick! There is not enough creamer in this world to get me through a full cup of that dark nastiness
Symptoms: braxton hicks, heartburn, lustrious hair. I don't think I have shed more than 10 hairs this month. I love the fullness of my hair right now but I know it is only short lived. Soon my it will be falling out in clumps :( Frequent stops to the bathroom, no constipation.
Highlights from this week: Celebrating Christmas with the Family!! Each year is better than the last!

**Next Appointment is Jan. 13