Well, time is certainly winding down. It's hard to remember that sometimes, but I know it really is. I am 37 weeks pregnant today, and we had our 37 week appointment yesterday. The little miss is still measuring 2 weeks ahead. She's apparently got a big head and long legs... sounds like her daddy. :)
My cervix is posterior, which just means the baby hasn't dropped totally yet, and he had trouble reaching it to check for dilation or effacement. I've been doing so much walking, bouncing on a birth ball, and everything else he suggested, but she still hasn't dropped as much as she needs to to really get labor started.
I've been having constant contractions that aren't too painful, but are just very uncomfortable and my whole abdomen gets tight. He decided to do a NST (non stress test) to make sure Cori wasn't under any stress with all of the contractions I've been having. He hooked me up to the EFM (electronic fetal monitor), and sure enough, I was having contractions every TWO minutes constantly. Luckily, her heart rate went up during each contraction and she got super active, which means the contractions aren't putting her under any stress. I was happy to hear that. I was also happy to learn that my Group B Strep test came back totally negative!
I've had so much discomfort during the last several weeks. I have what is called PSD (pubic symphysis disorder) which means that while my pelvic bone is supposed to spread to allow room for the baby, my pelvic bone has spread a little too far. It makes rolling over, walking for any length of time, or even just putting pants on very painful.
Because of her size, the doctor doesn't want me to go past my due date for fear that her head will be too large to deliver vaginally. I have very mixed feelings about this approach. If I haven't mentioned it yet, I fully intend on having a drug-free, natural childbirth. I have had my heart set on this since before we ever even conceived our baby, and I don't want anything controllable to hinder that. I feel that the baby will come on her own time, when she is fully ready. However, I do not want her to get so large that I end up needing a C-section. I would rather be induced any day than to have to have a C-section, so I am putting my feelings aside about not wanting to be induced and learning to accept that we may have to go that way. It is no secret that far too many C-sections are happening these days, and I feel like many of them are because of so many unnecessary interventions. Even if I have to be induced, I still plan on giving birth naturally. I know that I may change my mind once labor sets in, but Jesse and I have been religiously practicing our breathing techniques and he is already proving to be an incredible labor partner.
For now, my doctor has me doing many different kinds of techniques in hopes of helping Cori to drop and thus, help labor to begin. We are so ready to meet our little girl, and the days seem to grow longer everyday. We are definitely enjoying our last weeks or days as a two person family, but we are also very anxious and excited to become a family of three. I can only hope these consistent contractions every two minutes are doing something to help dilate and efface my cervix, but for now it's pretty much a secret since my cervix is nearly unreachable.
Our next appointment is this coming Saturday, September 5th, and it will be my 38 week appointment. We have our fingers crossed that she will finally have decided to drop and we will have some progress in the way of labor.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
June 27, 2009
We had a great doctor's appointment today! They went ahead and did my glucose screening test today, so that we wouldn't have to go back on Monday. He also seemed really surprised that the female doctor didn't take a urine sample when I went in earlier this week. He said it sounded like I had a bladder/kidney infection which is exactly what I told the other doctor. But, I LOVE my doctor, seriously. This is only the second time I've met him since he's only worked there a month, but he is great.
He walked me through every part of the examination, asked me if I had any questions, actually felt my stomach to feel where my uterus was (other doctor NEVER did that), he felt my back to feel my kidneys for pain, he checked my legs for swelling, and he just made me feel really good. He told me not to hesitate coming in WHENEVER I thought I needed to, and gave me his cell phone number to call him anytime for any reason.
Anyway, my white blood cell count was slightly elevated but still normal for my urinalysis, which he said probably meant I had a small infection but it's gone now. He just said to drink lots of water to make sure I'm flushing out my urinary tract and all that. My glucose test was totally normal, and he said there's absolutely no sign of gestational diabetes... YAY!!
We get to tour the labor/delivery/recovery areas when we go to our next appointment in 2 weeks. I can't wait!! :)
She's measuring about a week ahead in all of her measurements, and her heartrate was 132 - about 10 beats lower than it has been, but he still it was very strong and steady, so no worries. :)
Here's a picture! :)
He walked me through every part of the examination, asked me if I had any questions, actually felt my stomach to feel where my uterus was (other doctor NEVER did that), he felt my back to feel my kidneys for pain, he checked my legs for swelling, and he just made me feel really good. He told me not to hesitate coming in WHENEVER I thought I needed to, and gave me his cell phone number to call him anytime for any reason.
Anyway, my white blood cell count was slightly elevated but still normal for my urinalysis, which he said probably meant I had a small infection but it's gone now. He just said to drink lots of water to make sure I'm flushing out my urinary tract and all that. My glucose test was totally normal, and he said there's absolutely no sign of gestational diabetes... YAY!!
We get to tour the labor/delivery/recovery areas when we go to our next appointment in 2 weeks. I can't wait!! :)
She's measuring about a week ahead in all of her measurements, and her heartrate was 132 - about 10 beats lower than it has been, but he still it was very strong and steady, so no worries. :)
Here's a picture! :)
Monday, June 1, 2009
6.1.09
I am 24 weeks, 1 day pregnant today. We had our Level II ultrasound and it was incredible. They checked her liver, kidneys, brain, the chambers of her heart, the vessels leaving her heart, her stomach, and the measurements of her arms, legs, body, and head. She is measuring PERFECTLY. Her arms and legs are measuring slightly ahead, but that just means she's got long arms and legs. There were no abnormalities and she is perfect. I could not only see her moving during the ultrasound, but I could feel her too, which was awesome. She weighs about a pound and a half now, and is starting to put on her baby fat. :)
Jesse can feel her on a regular basis now, and when she's super active, we can even see her movements in my stomach. It's bizarre, but incredibly amazing.
During the Level II ultrasound, the technician flipped it to 3D for a minute, and she managed to catch a great picture of her beautiful little face. I didn't realize just how much she would resemble a newborn at this stage in the pregnancy. I can't stop staring at the picture, and we are both so in love with little Miss Cori.
Jesse can feel her on a regular basis now, and when she's super active, we can even see her movements in my stomach. It's bizarre, but incredibly amazing.
During the Level II ultrasound, the technician flipped it to 3D for a minute, and she managed to catch a great picture of her beautiful little face. I didn't realize just how much she would resemble a newborn at this stage in the pregnancy. I can't stop staring at the picture, and we are both so in love with little Miss Cori.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
4-29-09
We had an excellent vacation at home, and are just looking forward to our next appointment and seeing little Cori Aletta now. I called the hospital on our first day home, and got the blood results for the Quad 4 testing, which tests for genetic disorders. Everything is totally normal, and I am told there is absolutely nothing to worry about. :)
In other news, we bought an adorable crib yesterday. We weren't going to, seeing as we have a perfectly good crib for when we move back to the states, but I could see how much it bothered Jesse that we weren't going to have a nursery. So, we caved and bought one. :) We also ended up buying a recliner because we have NO comfortable seats in the house where I would be able to nurse once the baby is here.
We also bought our crib bedding last night online. It's probably going to take like 3-4 weeks to get here, but that's okay. :) We got this one. I think it's perfect for either a girl or a boy, and Jesse couldn't stop smiling over it, so we knew it was the one.
In other news, we bought an adorable crib yesterday. We weren't going to, seeing as we have a perfectly good crib for when we move back to the states, but I could see how much it bothered Jesse that we weren't going to have a nursery. So, we caved and bought one. :) We also ended up buying a recliner because we have NO comfortable seats in the house where I would be able to nurse once the baby is here.
We also bought our crib bedding last night online. It's probably going to take like 3-4 weeks to get here, but that's okay. :) We got this one. I think it's perfect for either a girl or a boy, and Jesse couldn't stop smiling over it, so we knew it was the one.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
April 4, 2009
Well, today was such a fantastic day. We had our regular appointment first. I've gained two pounds of weight (finally some weight gain - yay!), my blood pressure was perfect, and I had my blood test for the quad screening. Then, I had my 2D ultrasound which was longer than normal, and he said that he was pretty sure it was a girl (see more about this later!). The baby was measuring right on target though, and looked perfect.
After that appointment was over, we had our 3D/4D ultrasound. It was simply amazing. She confirmed that it was in fact a girl, and we both just fell even deeper in love. It was sooo incredibly amazing.
She was seriously moving all over the place, dancing around, shaking her arms and legs back and forth. At one point, she actually turned her head and looked at us and it was SO cool. We got like 12 pictures, and a 20 minute video for like $40... seriously like the greatest day ever. :):):)
Her heartbeat was a steady 143 BPM, and she's the perfect length and weight for her size. It was just the greatest 30 minutes of our lives.
Our beautiful little girl will be named Cori Aletta Swinyer, and we can't wait to meet her. :)
Our next appointment is on May 9th, and our Level II ultrasound is scheduled for June 1st. I can't believe how fast the pregnancy is moving along, and it's such a fantastic feeling. Jesse has just had his hand on my belly all day, holding his little girl as best he can.
Click here for our pictures from today!
After that appointment was over, we had our 3D/4D ultrasound. It was simply amazing. She confirmed that it was in fact a girl, and we both just fell even deeper in love. It was sooo incredibly amazing.
She was seriously moving all over the place, dancing around, shaking her arms and legs back and forth. At one point, she actually turned her head and looked at us and it was SO cool. We got like 12 pictures, and a 20 minute video for like $40... seriously like the greatest day ever. :):):)
Her heartbeat was a steady 143 BPM, and she's the perfect length and weight for her size. It was just the greatest 30 minutes of our lives.
Our beautiful little girl will be named Cori Aletta Swinyer, and we can't wait to meet her. :)
Our next appointment is on May 9th, and our Level II ultrasound is scheduled for June 1st. I can't believe how fast the pregnancy is moving along, and it's such a fantastic feeling. Jesse has just had his hand on my belly all day, holding his little girl as best he can.
Click here for our pictures from today!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March 19, 2009
Things are developing nicely, but quite painfully. I experienced round ligament pain for the first time today. I just thought it was normal cramping from the uterus expanding, but when I googled it tonight, round ligament pain was the first thing to come up, and wow - it was word for word, exactly what I was experiencing. It makes me feel better about it though, and it's nice to know it's not abnormal.
We're both going crazy, counting down until we find out the gender of our little one. Lots of people keep asking us why we're not just letting it be a surprise, but to be honest, we are just way too curious for that. We're having a hard enough time just waiting the few more weeks until April 4th! :)
I'm having a hard time realizing that I'm in my 4th month of pregnancy, and yet - I still have 6 whole months (and 1 day!) until my due date. I'm very sure that the time will just fly by, and by the time September 20th rolls around, I'll be amazed by how fast the time went, but for now... it just seems to be dragging by.
I'm showing much faster than I expected to. I'm already sick of people asking me if I'm having twins - no, I most certainly am not. I'm sure I'll get a lot throughout the pregnancy, if my bump keeps progressing as it has so far.
Jesse is being an amazing daddy already. He rubs my belly everyday, and holds it while we're sleeping. He tells me what a beautiful pregnant woman I am, and although I don't always believe him, it's still beyond nice to hear. Nothing makes me happier than when he kisses my belly, and talks to our little Peanut. :)
We're both going crazy, counting down until we find out the gender of our little one. Lots of people keep asking us why we're not just letting it be a surprise, but to be honest, we are just way too curious for that. We're having a hard enough time just waiting the few more weeks until April 4th! :)
I'm having a hard time realizing that I'm in my 4th month of pregnancy, and yet - I still have 6 whole months (and 1 day!) until my due date. I'm very sure that the time will just fly by, and by the time September 20th rolls around, I'll be amazed by how fast the time went, but for now... it just seems to be dragging by.
I'm showing much faster than I expected to. I'm already sick of people asking me if I'm having twins - no, I most certainly am not. I'm sure I'll get a lot throughout the pregnancy, if my bump keeps progressing as it has so far.
Jesse is being an amazing daddy already. He rubs my belly everyday, and holds it while we're sleeping. He tells me what a beautiful pregnant woman I am, and although I don't always believe him, it's still beyond nice to hear. Nothing makes me happier than when he kisses my belly, and talks to our little Peanut. :)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
March 7, 2009
Our appointment today went well. My weight has dropped about 3 kilograms, but my blood pressure is normal. The doctor had a hard time finding the heartbeat at first and questioned why it was so faint, but I think the baby was just in a tough position. He ended up telling us it was steady at 140bpm after a few minutes. That's about all that happened at our appointment today. Hopefully we will be able to find out the sex at the next appointment on April 4th.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
