Decisions

So yesterday I had a non-stress test and the amniotic fluid levels were checked over at the hospital before I went to be checked by Dr Steele at his office. The nurse started with the amniotic fluid levels which they determine through ultrasound. It was sure nice to see my baby again after 20 weeks. Baby girl didn't make things easy as they measured for fluid though. My fluid levels were at 7.1, which is at the bottom of the normal range. So not scary, but something to watch. Baby girl did great during the non-stress test, which is where they monitor her heart rate for 30 minutes and see how she does during contractions and that her heart rate goes up as she moves around. I did have contractions during the test so that's a good sign I think. Anyway I then saw Dr Steele and he checked my cervix. And what do ya know, I'm still at a fingertip and my cervix is high (which is what it has been for like 3 weeks now). Very discouraging to say the least. The other thing Dr Steele said was that my pelvis is a little more narrow and that is labor would be VERY difficult for me considering everything else going on, and that he foresees us having to have this baby cesarean. So what now??? There are a few things that can happen now. 1-I can wait and have another non-stress test on Friday, and IF my levels are the same wait it through the weekend (which my doctor will be unavailable during) and then see what happens next week. 2-Just schedule a cesarean now and be done. 3-Wait and have another non-stress test done on Friday, and IF my levels are at a 4 be induced or have a cesarean then (with the possibility of not having my doctor). Well after taking the night to think (and cry) over everything and talking to my doctor again, I think we have a plan. I'm going to take care of myself by drinking more water and resting as much as possible the next few days (in other words do everything I can to keep baby girl in there and keep my fluid levels as high as I can). I am going to call into Maternal Fetal Medicine and see about doing my non-stress test as early as I can on Friday (on the off chance that my levels are low) and see what happens. I have a feeling my levels aren't going to go from a 7 to a 4 by then especially if I stick to my plan and rest and pamper myself the next few days. And if baby girl hasn't come on her own by Monday schedule induction if my cervix is more favorable or schedule a cesarean. I feel like this is the best option for me and this baby. It will allow her some more time to drop and "cook" and me a chance to not have a cesarean. I have nothing against having a cesarean, but I do know that a cesarean means a little longer recovery and potentially issues down the road in future pregnancies. I don't feel like I HAVE to have a vaginal birth in order to have a good birthing experience or feel like I will be missing out on something by not having a vaginal birth. I wish I could be more certain about what will happen over the next few days, but am trusting my instincts as well as my doctor. When I told Dr Steele my idea he thought that would be a great plan. He actually has another patient who is kind of in the same boat (first baby, same levels, etc) and she ended up going into labor last night so things could always just happen on their own. The important thing is that we end up with a healthy baby and I pull through this healthy or at least in good condition anyway. So... everyone cross your fingers and send good vibes for me and baby girl.

40 Weeks

So I'm posting a little earlier than usual, but I have the time now and who knows what the rest of this week holds. So over this pregnancy I have had 3 due dates... October 22nd was the date given at the ultrasound (yep that day has come and gone), October 23rd was the date calculated based on my last period (yep that day has come and gone), and then October 24th was the date the doctor gave us back at our first appointment (what do ya know that day is today). So as you can imagine my patience is running thin today knowing that it's my last due date and no real signs that this baby is well on her way. I have been having contractions since Thursday morning, but they aren't strong and go from being super consistent to almost non-existent. Actually my contractions were close enough together that Jared and I made our way up to LDS Hospital (where I will be delivering). Obviously we didn't stay but we got some good information while we were there. Turns out after 2 days of contractions I dilated to 0.5 cm (that's less than a cheerio) but my cervix is soft but also pretty thick still. They hooked me up to some monitors to check our baby's heart rate and also monitor my contractions. My contractions had slowed to every 7 minutes and were not that strong I guess. The nurses were great and gave me more info so I know better when I should head back in. Tomorrow I have a stress test at the hospital to make sure that everything is still going well with our baby and I also have an appointment with Dr Steele. Praying that we'll be able to get a better idea of when this baby is going to come into this world.

How Far Along: 40 Weeks

Gender: Girl

Sleep: What is this sleep you speak of? Though lately I feel tired all the time so I have been sneaking naps in.
Miss Anything: Jared (in case you couldn't have guessed that one), not having swollen feet and ankles (seriously they're ridiculously swollen)

Movement: Her movement has been harder to track lately as I have started to have contractions. She is still moving but sometimes I actually have to think about when the last time I felt her move was.

Food Cravings: Sweets! If it has lots of sugar I want it, especially because I'm now past my due date and not much is happening.

Food Aversions: Nothing really. 

Happy or Moody Overall: Moody

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Having Jared here for an extra day (thank you fall break), going to dinner with my family for my birthday.

Looking Forward To: Doctor appointment tomorrow, holding this baby in my arms, seeing Jared be a daddy (something I have been looking forward to for 4 years now). 

39 WEEKS!!!!!

Well here we are the "last" week of this pregnancy. However this will most likely NOT be the last week. At my appointment this week my doctor did say that I am thinning but her head is not staying down far enough. But it's still progress and things could happen at any time, I just have a feeling it'll be next week before she gets here.

How Far Along: 39 Weeks

Gender: Girl

Sleep: What is this sleep you speak of? Benadryl helps me to sleep better, but I still wake up a few times in the night.
Miss Anything: Jared (in case you couldn't have guessed that one), not having swollen feet and ankles (seriously they're ridiculously swollen)

Movement: She is always moving, especially at night when I am trying to get to bed.

Food Cravings: Sweets! (I bought chocolate chip cookies at Sam's Club yesterday and have already eaten like 4 of them... oops)

Food Aversions: Nothing really. 

Happy or Moody Overall: Moody

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Taking maternity & family pictures on Saturday (I'll post pics when I get them), date night Saturday night with Jared (we went out to dinner and then to a musical with my sis and her husband)

Looking Forward To: Dinner for my birthday tonight with my family (minus Jared), Jared coming up for 3 days TOMORROW (YAY!!!), oh and not being pregnant anymore.

38 WEEKS!!!

Here we are 38 weeks with this little girl. My doctor checked my progress at my appointment this week, and... nothing! Not dilated and my cervix is solid! Guess this girl just wants to stay put, and this momma isn't too excited about that.

How Far Along: 38 Weeks

Gender: Girl

Sleep: This last week I have slept better than I have been (longer periods of uninterrupted sleep) but this little girl likes to move around a lot so it can be hard to fall asleep even with taking Benedryl.
Miss Anything: Jared (in case you couldn't have guessed that one),

Movement: She's always moving, especially first thing in the morning and just before bed. You can definitely see the movements on my belly.

Food Cravings: Lots of sweets cravings this week so I've had a few Butterfingers and Granny B's Pink Cookies. YUM!

Food Aversions: I am still staying away from greasy and fast food since last weeks stomach issues. I'm afraid my days of eating whatever I want may be over.

Happy or Moody Overall: Moody

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Breakfast with one of my best friends and her daughters followed by some shopping, taking my grandpa shopping, seeing my aunts last night.

Looking Forward To: Jared coming tomorrow, taking maternity pictures on Saturday, and possibly getting news on Tuesday that this little girl actually wants to come out.

37 weeks

SO I meant to post this on Friday October 7th. So the answers are from that day,


How Far Along: 37 Weeks 6 days

Baby's Size: ?

Gender: Girl

Sleep: Up until Tuesday I was getting like NO sleep, but I asked my doctor what I could do and he said I could take Benedryl SO... I take it and it helps me to sleep through more of the night. I was getting up 2 or even 3 times in the night but the last few nights I only have gotten up once. Before I was waking up from just being uncomfortable not so much to make a trip to the bathroom. So grateful for a strong bladder that doesn't make me have to use the bathroom every few hours.
Miss Anything: Jared (in case you couldn't have guessed that one), being able to eat whatever I want (thanks heartburn).

Movement: She's always moving, especially first thing in the morning and just before bed.

Food Cravings: Well the last few days I have had MAJOR stomach issues so I haven't really craved anything lately. 

Food Aversions: Besides the normal list, after the last few days I no longer SHOULD eat greasy food or really fast food in general (Artic Circle didn't agree with me and unfortunately my favorite BBQ was a BAD idea)

Happy or Moody Overall: Moody

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Having Jared here for the weekend (we went to see Star Trek Beyond finally and got ice cream while he was here), having Sam sleep on the bed with me the night I was really sick, just having my boys around me while I am working.

Looking Forward To: Another baby shower on Thursday, seeing Jared next Friday.

36 WEEKS!!!

And we're in the home stretch of this pregnancy... less than 4 weeks left. As I think I said last week I am now seeing my doctor every week. This week I gained 2 pounds and everything looks good. We did the group B strep test (checks for bacteria and such that could cause a problem during delivery) and I should find out those results on Tuesday at my appointment.

How Far Along: 36 Weeks 5 days

Baby's Size: Crenshaw Melon (18.75 in; 5.75 lbs)

Gender: Girl

Sleep: Sleep is a struggle now. I get up at least once in the night to make a trip to the bathroom. I've started sleeping with pillows under my feet to elevate them and now sleep with my wedge pillow between my knees to help my hips as my feet are elevated in the night. Sleeping without my Jared is hard, so I am looking forward to the few nights that I will get with him over the next month.
Miss Anything: Jared, Bo & Sam (they are all still in Montezuma Creek), being able to breathe.

Movement: Lots of movement still.

Food Cravings: Cookies!

Food Aversions: Nothing new

Happy or Moody Overall: Moody

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Retail therapy after my doctor appointment on Tuesday (I bought some needed items for our little girl and some things to help me get through the next few weeks more comfortably), helping and visiting with my Grandpa T today (he's got dementia and doesn't drive anymore so we take him to the grocery store, and I often have to repeat some things I have said before BUT it doesn't bother me AT ALL I just enjoy seeing him and getting some time with him because he's pretty much the best) 

Looking Forward To: All 3 of my boys coming (as much as I love the dogs and cats at my parents they just don't want to be around me like my dogs do) TOMORROW!!! The plan is to spend all day with my man on Saturday.

35 Weeks

I officially am living up in South Jordan with my parents until this baby comes. If you're in the Salt Lake area and want to see me, just let me know. At my appointment on Tuesday my Dr gave the impression that I should watch my weight a little (I've gained close to 30 pounds as of then which is ok). He also said for me to put my feet up as much as possible to help with the swelling I am experiencing, especially in my feet. I now get to see my Dr every week (hence why I am living in So Jo).

How Far Along: 35 Weeks

Baby's Size: I'm not sure

Gender: Girl

Sleep: I'm now needing to sleep with my feet elevated (stupid swelling) and with as large as this girl is my bladder wont let me sleep more than 5 hours straight.
Miss Anything: Jared, Bo & Sam (they are all still in Montezuma Creek)

Movement: Still lots of movement, particularly on my right side and upper abdominal region.

Food Cravings: Nothing specific this week.

Food Aversions: Still not liking eggs (I had a hard time even watching my family eat scrambled eggs for dinner this last week)

Happy or Moody Overall: Moody

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Skyping with Jared

Looking Forward To: Seeing Jared and my boys this next Friday