40 Week Check-Up

I had such high expectations going into my check up today. As with most things that people build up huge expectations about, I left slightly disappointed. But really, looking back, what more did I expect? It was still just another check up and if something 'exciting' was happening I would have been at the hospital, not my doctor's office. I think I just expected to feel differently the day I was due than I had the past 9 months.

It started as usual: blood pressure (120/76 or something), weight (up maybe a pound - just over 30lbs total), heart rate (upper 130's).

Internal: still 3 cm, 75% effaced, head down low where it needs to be. No change :(

The past week I had felt like there was some extra movement, maybe some stretching and part of me suspected that I'd have progressed some more... but really... if I'd progressed any more I guess I should have been having a baby. Either way, my doctor seemed surprised that I was still holding on - she asked Jude what more we needed to do to get him going (but he didn't answer). She still thinks that I'll go before 41 weeks, but we went ahead with scheduling the induction anyway.

As I've been saying, Tuesday is the big day. She asked if I felt it needed to happen sooner, but she knows that I'd really like for it to happen on it's own (but even I will admit I'm getting impatient). Tuesday is the day that she's on call, so Tuesday is our day. The only reason I would not be going in on Tuesday would be because the rooms are all full. She's pretty sure that that won't be a problem, but if it is, then they'd push me back until Wednesday. She said this is the worst case scenario and hopes it doesn't happen because the doctor from their practice who will be doing deliveries that day is one of the few in the practice I haven't met.

Basically the procedure is that Tuesday morning between 4am and 8am we will get a call from the hospital letting us know exactly when to come in. When we come in has a lot to do with how many woman are going into labor naturally that morning (they obviously get a room before anyone being induced!). At that point we'll head over to the hospital, get checked in and be on our way.

If for some reason we don't get a phone call, then we're supposed to call our doctor's office at 9am and find out the next step. My doctor will be in the hospital that morning so will be able to fill the office in on what's going on, why I haven't been called and what I should do from here.

So... another week roughly before any more updates... unless he surprises us!!

Tomorrow I plan to go into work and let them know that Friday is my last day. Only two more days of work and then a few days of waiting... Come on little guy! There are plenty of people waiting for you!!!

39 Week Check-Up

Today I left work early for my 39 Week appointment. I expected to walk in and hear that there was no progress, but that's not exactly what I heard!

First was the normal stuff:

weight - up about 1.5 pounds

blood pressure - 120/76

Jude's heart rate - 140's

Next was my internal - before she began she said "what do you think?? have you progressed or not moved??" I told her I had NO idea:

I'm 3cm dilated and about 75% effaced, head down low.

She said I'm officially far enough along where she would have no problem inducing me. She told me that she thinks I'll be going into labor naturally pretty soon (who can really tell though) and then said "unless you want to be induced?" at which point I had that 'deer in headlights' look - I wasn't exactly sure if she meant this week or after I was due - she meant in the next week. I told her I'd prefer to try and go into labor naturally and she said that was fine, but that if there's nothing by next week (the 29th) that they'd be scheduling me to be induced the following Tuesday.

Realistically she said I could schedule it any day between my due date and 41 weeks, but in order for her (my doctor) to deliver I'd do it on Tuesday.

After she got done the exam, she asked if I had any questions. I discussed work with her (still no extra time off!), my restrictions after I deliver, pre-registration at the hospital (already taken care of by the office!), etc.

As she was walking out the door I said "see you next week" and he only response was "Maybe - I think you're going to go into labor soon!"

EEEEKKK!

This was totally different than my impression I'd gotten from the doctor who had done most of my previous exams! I was totally convinced I wasn't really doing anything and that I'd be going to 41 weeks. I'm totally aware that I could level out and not budge between now and May 5th or I could pop the kid out tonight. What everyone guesses and what actually happens are obviously two totally different things, so I'm trying not to get too excited, but it's intimidating to think "any minute now!!".

“Not a lot baby girl, just a finger tip”

Monday was the beginning of my weekly check ups - Currently I have 3 more appointments scheduled between now and April 22nd(and then it’s the waiting game until my due date – April 29th). Monday was also the beginning of the dreaded internal exams – ugh.

We started as normal and everything went well (up ½ a pound, 120/78 blood pressure, baby’s heart beat is good, measuring good, etc). We discussed any questions I had and she basically complimented me on my glucose numbers, which were very low/very good (this was done weeks ago though, so even though I’d heard I’d passed, I think this particular doctor was just being chatty). Then we did the internal.

After a little rooting around she said that I’m currently about a “finger tip” dilated, but that it’s nothing really exciting because I’m not really making a lot of progress. She said he’s still very high up, so I haven’t dropped either. I didn’t really expect to be progressing/ready for labor at less than 36 weeks, but according to her, it’s not uncommon to be getting ready physically. I feel kind of behind now (not that I can help it really). Maybe I should start doing some jumping jacks or something to help gravity pull him down (kidding!!). Either way, she told me not to worry, that I’m doing fine and as long as I feel good, we’re on the right track.

34 Week Check Up

Yesterday was my 34 week check up!

Everything went swimmingly. I’m up about 4lbs from my last appointment (only 2 weeks ago – eek) but the doctor said all in all I’m doing well – I’m totaling about 25lbs. She said ideally I’ll want to gain about 5 more pounds between now and the end of the pregnancy.

His heart rate, my blood pressure, his measurements – everything fine.

While she was checking for his heart beat she asked about movement and ironically he kept pushing at the little heartbeat thinger making it hard for her to get a reading. His movement is fine.

Since sometimes it’s hard to get appointments at times that fit with my work schedule, I asked if I should make a few more of my visits in advance and the doctor said it’d probably be a good idea. I already had my next appointment scheduled and figured I would make the two following that as well, since they’ll be weekly and probably fill up quickly.

When I went to the counter and made the two appointments. The receptionist started making a third and I told her I’d just make the rest of my appointments later and she threw me for a loop by saying “but there’s only 1 more appointment to schedule before your due date, you might as well do it now so you can get in with Dr. Larkin”.

It’s getting close!

32 Week Check Up:

This morning was my 32 (wow! We’re getting close) week check up. I have 2 more “every-two-week” check ups and then I go to weekly check ups for the last month of the pregnancy until I deliver.

At my last visit I had my glucose test and got a prescription for my Rhogam (?) shot and was tested for anti-bodies in my blood. Everything went fine with all of these tests, so no bad results. In addition I was told “everything looks good on paper” – aka my blood pressure was fine and I had lost a pound. I doubt that I ACTUALLY lost a pound (I was wearing heavier shoes last time, and they used a different scale than usual, in addition I typically go in the afternoon and today I went in the early morning) but she said everything was fine and wasn’t concerned at all.

Jude’s little heart beat was fine and my uterus was measuring well.

Also! Good news: he’s head down. I know at both of my ultrasounds he was breech and even though this is typical and they generally flip on their own later in the pregnancy, I was still worried that for some reason or another he wouldn’t (you never know!). Now I know that the constant pressure I feel on the bottom of my right rib cage is his little feet wiggling (he’ll have restless little legs like his father for sure).

So, everything is good and on track as far as health is concerned!

In other news: Ryan and I picked up the dresser for the nursery last night! After the shower last weekend I had put a lot of his stuff away, but still had a good chunk of stuff that I couldn’t find space for until the dresser came in. Once it was unpacked it didn’t take long to fill it up! Since most of his clothes are all on hangers in the closet, the dresser is serving primarily as a changing station. One drawer is packed full of bedding, one has the couple packs of disposable diapers we received and our extra packages of wipes and the other has his little booties and some space in case I decide to move more things from the closet later on. In addition, the dresser has a little side storage compartment with a shelf that will hold all of his cloth diapers, grooming supplies, lotions, etc.

We STILL need to get the area rug, make the curtains and hang a few things on the walls, but the room is pretty much complete now.

16 Week Check Up

Today was my 16 week check up, which just happened to fall right on the day I was 16 weeks exactly. I have a feeling this will continue to happen since they seem to be scheduling them all on wednesdays.

Anyway, I was told at my last exam that I would no longer be receiving internal exams until the end of the pregnancy and so I wasn't EXACTLY sure of what to expect going in to the appointment. It was a breeze. I saw the doctor for all of about 3 minutes. During which she came in listened for the heart beat and told me I was doing fine.

Updates from this appointment:

- I gained .2 pounds since my last appointment. My doctor said it wasn't a problem and that the baby is taking what he/she needs. I'm starting to get a little belly, so I'm assuming I'm losing weight else where, or just losing any muscle I had (aka turning it into fat). Either way, it doesn't seem to be an issue - but I'm looking forward to showing more!

- Baby's little heart was beating away at about 147 beats per minute. What a trooper.

- We scheduled our "20 week" ultrasound for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (I'll be 18 weeks at that time). At this time we'll be be able to find out the sex of the baby. It should make for an exciting Thanksgiving telling everyone whether we'll be having a little Jude Michael or Logan/Laurie (probably Logan) Marie!

So all in all, things went well. I felt bad "dragging" Ryan there since it was such a short appointment, but he didn't seem to mind. I think after the ultrasound (and once I start feeling the baby kick) I'll be going alone. Especially if they continue to be so short and uneventful. Being that I'm still fairly early on it's nice to have someone there just incase something's wrong.