Yesterday, I went in for my non-stress test. The nurse first did an ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. That checked out great. Baby girl is so big that it is difficult to see what any part of her is, but we were able to catch a glimpse of her spine. It never gets old!
Then the nurse strapped me up to the monitors and blood pressure cuff. Periodially, my blood pressure was taken. The whole time I am strapped up to other monitors that check how the baby responds to my contractions. Baby girl did a great job! I was having contractions throughout the entire time, and four big ones. I felt three of them, so that was kind of exciting. The nurse checked my swelling, reflexes, and asked some other questions about how I was feeling. My blood pressure was higher than normal for me, but still not in a high range, and lower than it has been. But it did also get higher each time it was taken.
The nurse basically told me that I have all the symptoms of pre-eclampsia except for high blood pressure. She told me to pay attention to the baby's movements, and to how I am feeling so that if anything changes, we can be right on it. Because of that, my doctor is having me come in on Friday for another non-stress test, along with the one I already have scheduled for Tuesday before my regular appointment. I guess that she just wants to monitor me even more closely. I'm glad that they are going to keep a close eye on thing, but I also just kind of wish they would just induce me already! I'm 39 weeks today, and if there is concern, I don't think that it's too early to just take the baby out. But oh and well! I don't have much choice in the matter, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Other than that, last nite was a BBQ out at Jeri and Scott's with a bunch of the family. It was great to spend time with everyone. We don't see much of Dave or his family, and it's been neat to be around them more lately. Hopefully we'll be able to keep that going!
Mom starts staying with us tonite. I've been having some contractions so we're hoping we can get this baby out on her own before next week!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
.:Disappointment:.
Today was a disappointing doctor's appointment. We went in, all prepared to get our instructions about being induced and ready to do it on Thursday nite, only to have that choice taken away from us.
My blood pressure was still high - for me - but back down to I guess what is an acceptable range. Then my doctor checked me, and I was only half a centimeter dilated. Barely. So she thought that we should give my body a little more time and see if anything else happens. She doesn't expect my body to do any major changes, so that frustrates me because I don't see the point in waiting another week if she doesn't really think it will make a difference.
It was just a huge let down when we were expecting to have the baby by this weekend. She had made it sound like we were the ones that would ultimately decide when we talked about it last week, but then she took that choice away from us. It was disappointing to say the least.
It also stresses me out because the whole original point of asking for an earlier induction was to avoid being stressed about insurance issues by having the baby near our due date, just in case we ended up needing to stay in the hospital any extra time at all. I don't expect to have any problems with the baby, but I still like to have the wiggle room just to be safe. Now, if we end up having to induce, the earliest I'll have the baby is on my due date, which doesn't really make me feel less stressed.
In the grand scheme of things, I know it's not a huge deal. She'll be here within a week or so, and it will be amazing. It's just hard to remember that right now when I was so looking forward to meeting her, and am just so tired of being pregnant. I never thought I would say that after everything that we went through to get to this point, but it is really taking a toll on me. I know having a baby will bring on a whole new set of difficulties and joys, just like being pregnant, but I am ready to trade them in!
My blood pressure was still high - for me - but back down to I guess what is an acceptable range. Then my doctor checked me, and I was only half a centimeter dilated. Barely. So she thought that we should give my body a little more time and see if anything else happens. She doesn't expect my body to do any major changes, so that frustrates me because I don't see the point in waiting another week if she doesn't really think it will make a difference.
It was just a huge let down when we were expecting to have the baby by this weekend. She had made it sound like we were the ones that would ultimately decide when we talked about it last week, but then she took that choice away from us. It was disappointing to say the least.
It also stresses me out because the whole original point of asking for an earlier induction was to avoid being stressed about insurance issues by having the baby near our due date, just in case we ended up needing to stay in the hospital any extra time at all. I don't expect to have any problems with the baby, but I still like to have the wiggle room just to be safe. Now, if we end up having to induce, the earliest I'll have the baby is on my due date, which doesn't really make me feel less stressed.
In the grand scheme of things, I know it's not a huge deal. She'll be here within a week or so, and it will be amazing. It's just hard to remember that right now when I was so looking forward to meeting her, and am just so tired of being pregnant. I never thought I would say that after everything that we went through to get to this point, but it is really taking a toll on me. I know having a baby will bring on a whole new set of difficulties and joys, just like being pregnant, but I am ready to trade them in!
Monday, September 15, 2008
.:On her way:.
Baby girl is on her way!
We have decided to do the induction on Thursday nite. It is so incredible and surreal to think that we will soon have her here! Josh is going to be able to use some of his sick time at work to cover the days that we're in the hospital, and we are lucky to have my mom in town visiting, as well as his family nearby. We'll have lots of help, which will be nice!
People keep asking me if I feel nervous, but I just don't yet. I'm sure some of those feelings will surface as we get closer, and actually get to the hospital. But right now, I really just feel so excited and anxious to begin this new part of our lives. She is such a blessing to us and we are so grateful for the opportunity to become parents.
In other news, Josh started his training for his second job today. He is going to be working at IHC as a CNA. We've been lucky to have friends who have worked there before, so they helped give Josh a good reference and fill us in on the ins and outs of working there. I know it is going to be a super crazy time for Josh - working two jobs and having a newborn baby - but I am so grateful to him for being willing to do that for our family. It is a huge sacrifice of time and a lot of hard work, and I feel so blesesed to have such an amazing husband. He is going to be an incredible dad!
As for me, I've started my 'job' watching Millie. It has been a lot of fun so far. She is such a good baby, and I've enjoyed getting a little taste of the mommy life. Being able to watch her is just another sign to us that the Lord is mindful of what we need right now.
This past weekend we were pretty busy with lots of family around! It was my cousin Michael's wedding, so my mom has been in town, along with my aunt and grandparents. We went to the wedding on Saturday. It was fun to see everyone and spend time with the family. Yesterday we had a big dinner out at our clubhouse with everyone again. We don't get to see them all very often, so it was good to have some time together. Good food and good company - can't beat that!
I guess that's the update for now. Tomorrow morning is the doctor, so we'll get all the details and info for the induction on Thursday. Yeah!
We have decided to do the induction on Thursday nite. It is so incredible and surreal to think that we will soon have her here! Josh is going to be able to use some of his sick time at work to cover the days that we're in the hospital, and we are lucky to have my mom in town visiting, as well as his family nearby. We'll have lots of help, which will be nice!
People keep asking me if I feel nervous, but I just don't yet. I'm sure some of those feelings will surface as we get closer, and actually get to the hospital. But right now, I really just feel so excited and anxious to begin this new part of our lives. She is such a blessing to us and we are so grateful for the opportunity to become parents.
In other news, Josh started his training for his second job today. He is going to be working at IHC as a CNA. We've been lucky to have friends who have worked there before, so they helped give Josh a good reference and fill us in on the ins and outs of working there. I know it is going to be a super crazy time for Josh - working two jobs and having a newborn baby - but I am so grateful to him for being willing to do that for our family. It is a huge sacrifice of time and a lot of hard work, and I feel so blesesed to have such an amazing husband. He is going to be an incredible dad!
As for me, I've started my 'job' watching Millie. It has been a lot of fun so far. She is such a good baby, and I've enjoyed getting a little taste of the mommy life. Being able to watch her is just another sign to us that the Lord is mindful of what we need right now.
This past weekend we were pretty busy with lots of family around! It was my cousin Michael's wedding, so my mom has been in town, along with my aunt and grandparents. We went to the wedding on Saturday. It was fun to see everyone and spend time with the family. Yesterday we had a big dinner out at our clubhouse with everyone again. We don't get to see them all very often, so it was good to have some time together. Good food and good company - can't beat that!
I guess that's the update for now. Tomorrow morning is the doctor, so we'll get all the details and info for the induction on Thursday. Yeah!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
.:38 week appointment:.
We went in for my 38 week appointment on Friday. We had planned to ask my doctor what her thoughts were about inducing due to some insurance issues that are going to come up. We are switching over to new insurance in October, and don't want to have the baby too close to the end of the month just in case something came up and we ended up needing to stay in the hospital longer. I'm a worrier, and would rather just make sure everything is all fine and good to go with a little bit of wiggle room, instead of stressing out at the end of the month while throwing a newborn into the mix!
My doctor said that she would induce at 39 weeks, which would be this Thursday! She is totally willing to work with us with our insurance issues, which is so nice. I trust her and know she wouldn't offer if she didn't feel that it was safe.
On top of the insurance issues, inducing might become a reality because of health reasons. I had significantly higher blood pressure than I have had throughout my pregnancy. Granted, it wasn't high like other women's can get during pregnancy, but for me, it was definitely a big jump. That, combined with my extreme swelling and a couple of spells of twinkly spots in my vision made my doctor concerned about pre-eclampsia. She had them draw three vials of blood, and I'll know the results of that on Monday. She set up an appointment with us for Tuesday morning so that we can check my blood pressure and everything, as well as talk about inducing in more depth. If the blood pressure is still high, then we won't have a choice in being induced - it will just happen because it's better for me and the baby.
I'm ALL for being induced on Thursday nite, and having the baby on Friday. It does mess up Josh's work schedule with his new job, as well as his Macey's job, so that's why he is not as eager as I am! Besides the insurance and the blood pressure, I am just done being pregnant! I am anxious to get this little girl out of me and start being parents.
My doctor did my first internal exam and said that I am not dilated at all. I'm hoping that changes by Tuesday - it will make an induction easier in the long run! We'll see what happens...
It is so incredible to think that we may have our baby girl in our arms in less than a week!
My doctor said that she would induce at 39 weeks, which would be this Thursday! She is totally willing to work with us with our insurance issues, which is so nice. I trust her and know she wouldn't offer if she didn't feel that it was safe.
On top of the insurance issues, inducing might become a reality because of health reasons. I had significantly higher blood pressure than I have had throughout my pregnancy. Granted, it wasn't high like other women's can get during pregnancy, but for me, it was definitely a big jump. That, combined with my extreme swelling and a couple of spells of twinkly spots in my vision made my doctor concerned about pre-eclampsia. She had them draw three vials of blood, and I'll know the results of that on Monday. She set up an appointment with us for Tuesday morning so that we can check my blood pressure and everything, as well as talk about inducing in more depth. If the blood pressure is still high, then we won't have a choice in being induced - it will just happen because it's better for me and the baby.
I'm ALL for being induced on Thursday nite, and having the baby on Friday. It does mess up Josh's work schedule with his new job, as well as his Macey's job, so that's why he is not as eager as I am! Besides the insurance and the blood pressure, I am just done being pregnant! I am anxious to get this little girl out of me and start being parents.
My doctor did my first internal exam and said that I am not dilated at all. I'm hoping that changes by Tuesday - it will make an induction easier in the long run! We'll see what happens...
It is so incredible to think that we may have our baby girl in our arms in less than a week!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
.:37 week picture:.
Yep....pretty much I'm huge. I feel huge, and then I see pictures and that makes me feel even more huge! It seems like everything I wear is just a big tent.
Come on baby girl, time to get out of there!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
.:37 weeks - full term:.
Today marks full term for our baby girl! I can't believe sometimes how quickly it's come. But at the same time, I feel like these last few weeks are going to drag because I am so ready for her to come out!
My doctor's appointment yesterday was very uneventful. I saw the midwife, and she was pretty quick. My belly is measuring just where it should be, and she found the baby's heartbeat the second she put the monitor on my stomach. She felt around and said that the baby is definitely head down, which wasn't surprising given our ultrasound last week. She also let me know that I am negative for Group B Strep. I was curious to see if I would end up being a carrier, since Dani is, even though my doctor said it isn't a genetic thing.
So now we wait! I am really getting uncomfortable, and don't know how this baby is supposed to grow bigger for three more weeks. I'm not sure where else she could possibly go in there! I know I shouldn't complain about how uncomfortable I am, but I am just to the point where I'm ready to meet her and have her out of me! Being pregnant has been such an amazing journey, but I'm ready to start the next part of it, which is having her with us and becoming parents.
The hospital bag is packed (pretty much!), my toes are painted (probably won't seem so important when I'm in the process of delivering!), her clothes are washed, and her room is ready. All we need now is baby girl...
My doctor's appointment yesterday was very uneventful. I saw the midwife, and she was pretty quick. My belly is measuring just where it should be, and she found the baby's heartbeat the second she put the monitor on my stomach. She felt around and said that the baby is definitely head down, which wasn't surprising given our ultrasound last week. She also let me know that I am negative for Group B Strep. I was curious to see if I would end up being a carrier, since Dani is, even though my doctor said it isn't a genetic thing.
So now we wait! I am really getting uncomfortable, and don't know how this baby is supposed to grow bigger for three more weeks. I'm not sure where else she could possibly go in there! I know I shouldn't complain about how uncomfortable I am, but I am just to the point where I'm ready to meet her and have her out of me! Being pregnant has been such an amazing journey, but I'm ready to start the next part of it, which is having her with us and becoming parents.
The hospital bag is packed (pretty much!), my toes are painted (probably won't seem so important when I'm in the process of delivering!), her clothes are washed, and her room is ready. All we need now is baby girl...
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