The appointment yesterday went well until we got our test results backs that showed that the Fetal Fibronectin was positive again. We were sure it was a false positive but apparently it is not. This test is taken to see how the "glue" is doing that keeps everything together in the cervix area. If the test is positive than that means that the "glue" is slowing dripping which may lead to labor. The chances of going into labor within 1-2 weeks is about a 20% higher however these results are fairly inconclusive. I could still go all the way to 40 weeks you just don't know however at this point many precautions are made. The first one being Beta shots to my thigh so that baby's lungs can get a steriod to help mature them faster.
At this point we have had many ultrasounds, NST's, and exams and everything looks to be going good. Baby is very healthy and strong from what they can tell and he should be weighing about 5lbs. now. My cervix is pretty much closed but thinning a little and softening. I see my doctor next Tuesday and so I should know more how things are going at that point. It is funny how much I look forward to doctor's appointments now since it gets me out of the house and I get to find out more about my baby. From what we can see from the 4D ultrasound he has chubby cheeks and looks like Brian. He is sooooo cute and a little wild. At today's NST he was moving all around and kicking the contraction monitor. The technician was like "whoa active and healthy baby". That made me feel good as my worst fear is something happening to him this late in the pregnancy.
So I am at home now on bed rest for a couple of weeks which I don't entirely understand what that means but I feel like I should be laying low for the most part. I am finishing transitioning my job via email and phone so that I can feel like I has passed along everything I need to to those who are filling in for me when I am out. For the most part I am more tired and I would say bored because I don't do well laying around and being mellow. I could do that really well back in the days of partying but when you have this nesting instinct in you it is really hard to do nothing. I think I am going to read some books and catch up some shows until I can move around more. The baby's room still needs to be done since I don't have his furniture yet so hopefully I can be involved in that project instead of sending my mom off to shop for me.
Well I am off to take a nap and watch some recorded shows of Army Wives.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Learning to deal with things that you cannot control
Where to even begin with my whirlwind of a week. It is currently Thursday and I feel like it has been one of the longest weeks of my life. I needed to take a break from laying around and the computer is definetely my first choice to catch up with the world as long as I don't do anything work related or something that stresses me out. After having 4 ultrasounds in the past 48 hours and leaving work urgently I felt the need to share what has been going on since now I have some relief that baby and me will be okay.
My week started at 3:45pm on Tuesday when I went in for my normal 32 week doc appt. I had to see a new doctor because we are supposed to meet everyone in case our doctor is not on call the day that we deliver. The nurse walked in and was all chirpy and took the heartbeat doppler to check the heart rate and minutes later I see the doctor walking in with an ultrasound machine. Apparently they couldn't get a good read of the baby's heartbeat so the doctor wanted to check and see what was going on. Turns out his heart rate was showing normal but there were still concerns and we talked about some symptoms I had been having like cramping, leaking, back pain, etc. Long story short I was examined, given a Fetal Fibronectin test and taken to a room to have a stress test. Baby's heart rate wasn't consistent enough and so they ordered me to go and eat some food and come back for a ultrasound. While I was at Whole Foods to grab the best fruit salad ever I found that I was bleeding and went right back to the doc's office. They said it was probably from the exam so I was reassured that it wasn't a labor sign or anything.
The ultrasound showed that everything looked good with baby and his breathing patterns were really strong. My cervix was also closed shut however it was thinning a little bit. After I left the ultrasound my doctor called me to chat about what had happened and told me that he wanted me to have another ultrasound in a week since my fluid levels were high as they have been to get another opinion. He said I could live life normally and that everything should be fine. He also told me that he would call me the next day to let me know the results of the Fetal Fibronectin test. I felt relieved that baby was doing well and figured things would be just fine.
Unfortunately the doctor called me at work on Wednesday to inform me that my test results came back positive and that he needed to get me into the specialist for an ultrasound this week. I asked him what everything meant and he said that the test results showed that I would most likely go into labor within a couple of weeks but typically these tests are inconclusive so it was really hard to tell. We didn't talk that long and I was completely confused as he told me that he would have the Eastside Fraternal Maternal Medicine office call me to set up the consultation and ultrasound. The only thing that I really did get from our conversation was his answer to when I asked if I could plan on working until July and he said "you probably won't make it that long" and I just starting crying there in my office.
I felt like I was left with no real explanation as to why I took this test in the first place and now what the heck was I going to do? Was I going to have a baby in a week or two? I didn't have anything for this baby not even a diaper in my house or a blanket. Thoughts and anxiety were rushing through my head and the only reassurance I had was that I would know more on Thursday at 11am. I didn't sleep well last night and I could feel my whole body just tense with worry about delivering a pre-term baby. I even had a freak out this morning when I found more brownish fluid and thought I was in labor and broke down that I wasn't ready. Little did I know that this is normal and my body is just cleaning itself out from my exam on Tuesday.
How the story now ends is that we had our appt. this morning which included a very uncomfortable ultrasound but we did get to see our baby's face in 3D which was pretty cool. The doctor came in and said the baby is doing great and weighing about 4.9 pounds however it is my body that is not being very cooperative. It is so stressed from the amount of fluid that I am carrying and how big the baby is that my cervix is thinning and my blood pressure has started to rise. I personally think my blood pressure is from the anxiety that I was feeling and nothing more but we will see next Tuesday. I was given some meds to settle my uterus and blood pressure activity down and have been ordered to lay low, relax, and de-stress. That means no working, working out or doing anything with high intensity. I also have to modify my diet to eat really healthy and treat my body well. The doctor might want to re-check me for gestational diabetes to see if I have developed a later case of it and that is why I have so much more fluid but we will see. He also tested me for preclampsia to see if that is why my blood pressure is high but I doubt we will see anything with that.
I should know more on Tuesday which is when they will do another ultrasound, Fetal Fibronectin and stress test to see if I am still showing some signs of pre-term labor and if my cervix is thinning. At that point I will know if I can go back to living life normally and not on the couch or if we will be meeting baby boy sooner than expected. All I know is that I am learning to accept that what I have been planning and been envisioning for the last 8 months might not be how things end up and that is okay.
My week started at 3:45pm on Tuesday when I went in for my normal 32 week doc appt. I had to see a new doctor because we are supposed to meet everyone in case our doctor is not on call the day that we deliver. The nurse walked in and was all chirpy and took the heartbeat doppler to check the heart rate and minutes later I see the doctor walking in with an ultrasound machine. Apparently they couldn't get a good read of the baby's heartbeat so the doctor wanted to check and see what was going on. Turns out his heart rate was showing normal but there were still concerns and we talked about some symptoms I had been having like cramping, leaking, back pain, etc. Long story short I was examined, given a Fetal Fibronectin test and taken to a room to have a stress test. Baby's heart rate wasn't consistent enough and so they ordered me to go and eat some food and come back for a ultrasound. While I was at Whole Foods to grab the best fruit salad ever I found that I was bleeding and went right back to the doc's office. They said it was probably from the exam so I was reassured that it wasn't a labor sign or anything.
The ultrasound showed that everything looked good with baby and his breathing patterns were really strong. My cervix was also closed shut however it was thinning a little bit. After I left the ultrasound my doctor called me to chat about what had happened and told me that he wanted me to have another ultrasound in a week since my fluid levels were high as they have been to get another opinion. He said I could live life normally and that everything should be fine. He also told me that he would call me the next day to let me know the results of the Fetal Fibronectin test. I felt relieved that baby was doing well and figured things would be just fine.
Unfortunately the doctor called me at work on Wednesday to inform me that my test results came back positive and that he needed to get me into the specialist for an ultrasound this week. I asked him what everything meant and he said that the test results showed that I would most likely go into labor within a couple of weeks but typically these tests are inconclusive so it was really hard to tell. We didn't talk that long and I was completely confused as he told me that he would have the Eastside Fraternal Maternal Medicine office call me to set up the consultation and ultrasound. The only thing that I really did get from our conversation was his answer to when I asked if I could plan on working until July and he said "you probably won't make it that long" and I just starting crying there in my office.
I felt like I was left with no real explanation as to why I took this test in the first place and now what the heck was I going to do? Was I going to have a baby in a week or two? I didn't have anything for this baby not even a diaper in my house or a blanket. Thoughts and anxiety were rushing through my head and the only reassurance I had was that I would know more on Thursday at 11am. I didn't sleep well last night and I could feel my whole body just tense with worry about delivering a pre-term baby. I even had a freak out this morning when I found more brownish fluid and thought I was in labor and broke down that I wasn't ready. Little did I know that this is normal and my body is just cleaning itself out from my exam on Tuesday.
How the story now ends is that we had our appt. this morning which included a very uncomfortable ultrasound but we did get to see our baby's face in 3D which was pretty cool. The doctor came in and said the baby is doing great and weighing about 4.9 pounds however it is my body that is not being very cooperative. It is so stressed from the amount of fluid that I am carrying and how big the baby is that my cervix is thinning and my blood pressure has started to rise. I personally think my blood pressure is from the anxiety that I was feeling and nothing more but we will see next Tuesday. I was given some meds to settle my uterus and blood pressure activity down and have been ordered to lay low, relax, and de-stress. That means no working, working out or doing anything with high intensity. I also have to modify my diet to eat really healthy and treat my body well. The doctor might want to re-check me for gestational diabetes to see if I have developed a later case of it and that is why I have so much more fluid but we will see. He also tested me for preclampsia to see if that is why my blood pressure is high but I doubt we will see anything with that.
I should know more on Tuesday which is when they will do another ultrasound, Fetal Fibronectin and stress test to see if I am still showing some signs of pre-term labor and if my cervix is thinning. At that point I will know if I can go back to living life normally and not on the couch or if we will be meeting baby boy sooner than expected. All I know is that I am learning to accept that what I have been planning and been envisioning for the last 8 months might not be how things end up and that is okay.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Baby's Room- 1st Phase
We ordered over 8 weeks ago the baby furniture and it still has not arrived. Brian tried to make me wait and now he understands why I was so adament to get the crib and dresser ordered. The good news is the baby room closet was installed today and I love it. I now have to convince my husband to do this in our master closet which I think will happen soon since he has already asked if he can move his stuff in the baby's room. Fat chance as this little guy is going to have lots of diapers, toys, clothes and just baby stuff that I want to get organized in here.
My new goal in life is to have my house organized and little things like closet systems make me so happy! Just wait until pics come next week of what we are doing to the downstairs.
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My new goal in life is to have my house organized and little things like closet systems make me so happy! Just wait until pics come next week of what we are doing to the downstairs.
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Thursday, May 27, 2010
I am measuring at how many weeks???
I had my 30 week appt. and my doctor got out the measuring tape and declared that I was measuring at 36 weeks. Every appt. I have been measuring 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule but 6 WEEKS AHEAD??? He ordered me to get an ultrasound and of course I start thinking what if I have this enormous baby in me with an enlarged head or there is an abnormal growth growing off of the baby. Well the good news is the baby is perfectly normal and weighing about 3.6 pounds. I am measuring big because I have a little more than average amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. So he has more cushion than normal but he is heads down and doing just fine. He is laying on his left side and his little feet love to kick my right ribs. I feel and apparently look big says my coworkers so I am sure people think I am at like 9 months or something. Let's hope some of this fluid goes away so that I don't have to carry around too much weight in my belly because I am already getting uncomfortable.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Cavalier or Pitball?
So my sweet little innocent Cavalier that gets a long with everyone has turned into a pitball. For some reason Sonny has decided to attack dogs in our neighborhood. This started a couple of months ago and he does this with everyone from a golden retriever to a little yorkie and we don't understand why. He runs up to the dogs and starts screaming and barking this awful sound that you think is him killing these dogs. Not only is it scary but it is embarrassing. At doggie daycare he is absolutely fine and he gets along with all the dogs so we don't what is going on. This is the last thing I wanted to have to worry and might be calling the Dog Whisperer here if things don't get better. Ugh!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
29 weeks
Today I had a 1.5 hour massage which of course felt great when I was getting it but doesn't so much after the fact. My sciatic nerve on my left side is pinching my ligaments and so my left side is all tight and sore. I sometimes wake up to a numb left butt cheek. The thing that always gets me though with massages is that the masseuse never massages the full time you sign up for. I mean when I say 1.5 hours I expect to be rubbed down for that exact time. Always seem to get jipped 10 minutes or so.
So my last appointment ended up going very well. Baby is still measuring 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule which is only good in my opinion if he wants to come 2 weeks early. Will be getting a "how do induce labor" book in July to try and speed things up. Baby boy better stay under 9 pounds if he can help it. Don't want to push out anything bigger than that. I also passed my glucose test and so no gestational diabetes. I ate a lot of sugar the night before so the fact that is was normal just solidifies the fact that I don't have a glucose issues. Crossing my fingers for continued good blood pressure. Would not want to get preclampsia.
Baby boy is kicking a lot and Brian gets to feel him more. He also seems to be lodged over more on my left side than right because it is harder and looks bigger than my right. He kicks more over there as well so I think he likes it over there. Last time I was sitting ont he floor in my baby class he felt the need to jab me which made me think I was squishing him or something. Can't wait to see the little guy but at the same time I can. Not ready quite yet for the added respondsibility but very excited to soon have him as part of our family.
So my last appointment ended up going very well. Baby is still measuring 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule which is only good in my opinion if he wants to come 2 weeks early. Will be getting a "how do induce labor" book in July to try and speed things up. Baby boy better stay under 9 pounds if he can help it. Don't want to push out anything bigger than that. I also passed my glucose test and so no gestational diabetes. I ate a lot of sugar the night before so the fact that is was normal just solidifies the fact that I don't have a glucose issues. Crossing my fingers for continued good blood pressure. Would not want to get preclampsia.
Baby boy is kicking a lot and Brian gets to feel him more. He also seems to be lodged over more on my left side than right because it is harder and looks bigger than my right. He kicks more over there as well so I think he likes it over there. Last time I was sitting ont he floor in my baby class he felt the need to jab me which made me think I was squishing him or something. Can't wait to see the little guy but at the same time I can. Not ready quite yet for the added respondsibility but very excited to soon have him as part of our family.
Monday, May 10, 2010
28 Weeks
I have made it to the 3rd trimester. Definetely feeling like I am in the 3rd because I just feel like I am getting big everywhere. The last 8 weeks have been the very different than the first 20 because I actually look and feel pregnant. Baby boy is growing straight out and not on the sides so I feel like I am carrying this big basketball. I feel like I have eaten more in the last 4 weeks than I have throughout my whole pregnancy and I think it shows. I have to be careful to not eat too much otherwise I get full and my stomach is very uncomfortable. My eyes are way bigger than my stomach (literal stomach). :)
Tomorrow is my doc appt. and my glucose screening so I will probably have more to report then. I am nervous for my screening since I have blood sugar issues and hope that I don't have gestational diabetes. Also baby boy was measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule last time so we will see if he is still big.
Changes to note-
Tomorrow is my doc appt. and my glucose screening so I will probably have more to report then. I am nervous for my screening since I have blood sugar issues and hope that I don't have gestational diabetes. Also baby boy was measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule last time so we will see if he is still big.
Changes to note-
- I can eat anything now including steak and chicken but don't have any weird cravings
- Must eat dessert every night
- Thirsty a lot more
- My stomach itches when baby grows for a couple of days
- I pee a million times a day, way more than before
- Baby boy kicks a lot in the lower stomach or top right side (I think his head is under my right rib right now)
- My hair and nails are growing like crazy
- Skin is amazing
- I wake up with butt cramps from laying on my sides
- My veins are MUCH more noticable in the stomach area and it creeps me out
- Have lots of energy at work and home and not really all that tired
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