Okay - it's been a week and I am still patiently awaiting my daughter to make up her mind on whether or not she is finished baking or not. The contractions are still consistant, painful, and really annoying but I am dealing. I know the pain of them is probably not even close to the pain of the real ones, but at least I am getting my warm-ups in. (All good endurance events should start with a solid warm-up, right?)
I finally got to see my doctor today and fill her in on all the happenings of last week. While she didn't directly say it, Jason and I could tell that she was a litte annoyed with the fact that one of her partners had the nurses give me the shot to stop the contractions - because she feels that anything after 34 weeks should be okay and that they should have let me go to see if I would have started on my own. Anyway, I measured at 40 weeks - today I am 36 weeks, 6 days...so 3 weeks ahead. She says that she is either a really big baby or I just have alot of water in there! I am hoping for the latter.
She said that she cannot help my contractions any with an induction until at least 39 weeks but would be willing to do an internal and membrane sweep (stripping of membranes) at next weeks appointment IF I even make it to next week. (She's convinced I won't make it.) We teased around that she was the on call Dr. tomorrow night and L&D are known to be busy on full moon nights - let alone a blue moon. So as she casually walks out of the room, she slips "See ya tomorrow". :) Who knows when our girl will make her appearance - but I know that I am ready! I have hit the wall and am ready to meet her.
*Note: A membrane sweep is when the Dr. 'strips' the placenta from the uterus causing a release in progesterone - which typically induces labor. Also, by doing this, the placenta is no longer supported as well as it was and can cause the water to break, again inducing labor. There is no science to it, but for some women, they have their babies within the next 24 hours, and others it's another week before things really get going. I am just glad to know that all these contractions will get a little help in opening up the cervix for her to get her little head out of.
I am off work until Monday. I am not sure when I will call it quits but I know the end is soon b/c it is getting really uncomfortable and hard to focus at work with pain all the time and pure exhaustion. I want to work as long as possible but there comes a point where enough is enough - and I am almost there.
The only plans I have for tomorrow is a hair cut! It's getting long and unruly. I know it is discouraged for a pregnant women to take such drastic measures in cutting their hair but it's hair and it will grow back. Heck, I'm not even sure how short I will go - but I know that most of it is going!! :)
I hope everyone has a wonderful new year....I know ours is going to be drastically different than either of us is prepared for but we are excited for 2010 and can't wait for it to get here! Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Pre-term Labor and all it's glory!
Here are the happenings from the week:
12/21/09 – Left work around 1430 p
So yesterday (12/20/09) I noticed that my girl wasn't doing a whole lot of moving around so I drank something and laid down only to get 3 counts in a little over an hour. I tried not to think anything of it and waited until after dinner - when I only got another 2 movements. I was starting to get worried. I told Jason that I would see how she was this morning before freaking out and calling the doctor. I got one movement after breakfast and nothing after lunch so I called the doctor who told me to go to L&D for a non-stress test.
They asked if I had had any contractions today...to which I said that I had probably 3 or 4 but nothing close enough for concern. (I have been having several a day since thanksgiving so I didn't think anything of them. In fact, at one point, I had them down to 3 in an hour. My OB said that if I got to 34 weeks, then she wouldn't stop them). Anyway, they got me hooked up and left the room after seeing that baby was looking ok so that they could monitor me for a half an hour or so. When the nurse came back, I told her that I thought I was having another contraction...to which she responds with "you've been having more than one. You have been having them about every 2 minutes!!" (Remember, they say to go to hospital if you are having them about one every 5 minutes.) My OB is on vacation so the on-call Dr. ordered an ivy of fluids and a shot of tributeral (sp?) to stop the contractions...as well as have an internal performed. Thankfully, I wasn't dilated at all and cervix was completely shut, they were able to stop them, and I was able to go home.
I guess the more concerning part is that of all the movements it showed the baby was making - I didn't feel ANY of them. They said it could be because the baby was measuring bigger and just didn't have the space to move around any more. Now I feel like I am going to be a paranoid mess these last few weeks b/c I don't want to overreact when I don't feel her but at the same time don't want something to really be wrong either. I was told - to call and be safe rather than be sorry...so I get the feeling that won't be the last trip to the hospital before her actual arrival!
12/22/09 – Was driven to the hospital from work around 1345p, boss wouldn’t let me drive
On Monday (12/21/09), I went to L&D because of fetal movement. While I was there, I was having contractions 2 minutes apart - but no dilation - so they stopped the contractions with tributerol (sp?). So today, I went to L&D yesterday with contractions about 4-5 minutes apart. They give me a non-stress test to measure and sure enough they are about 5-6 minutes apart. They give me fluids and something for blood pressure and I sit and get monitored for about 3 hours. Baby looks good and is active. When they did an internal, I was 1 cm but cervix was still very thick. So a slight change from Monday.
In any case, the on-call Dr. decides to keep me overnight for observation to see if I would progress any. At about 7p (after sending Jason home to pack a bag), the nurse comes in and says that she will monitor for another 1/2 hour and if no progress of cervix, that they are sending me home. My contractions went from 5-6 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart again!! But no further progression in dilation. I got sent home with contractions 2 minutes apart!! They didn't want to stop them or help them along since I was only 35 weeks, 5 days - just want to see what I will do on my own....which I don't have a problem with, but sitting at home with contractions 2 minutes apart is NOT my idea of a good time!
I am told the issue is that I have a tilted uterus - so although I am showing numerous contractions (I think I counted 30 in the last hour I was at the hospital) they aren't enough to soften my cervix. Most of them were between 40-60 seconds long - and those are the ones you want for progression to happen.
I'm tired and frustrated and just want to lie in bed and hold myself. This is going to be a long month if they don’t decide to do anything sooner!
12/23/09
Didn’t go to work today but contractions didn’t start up until around 1300 p. I had my weekly OB appointment with Dr. Byrkit’s partner, Dr. Rominger….who said that if contractions get more painful and are still 3-5 minutes apart, to come back in to the hospital. Otherwise, to just deal with it as long as possible and ensure that there is fetal movement.
12/24/09
Didn’t go to work today – just worked from home and did as much as I could do.
I woke up with severe back pain and contractions at 0330a. This lasted until about 0730a. I even thought that I might be leaking amniotic fluid or that my water broke but I realized that it was a false alarm and was instead more of my mucus plug. This makes the fourth occasion of finding it…so not sure how much more is left to lose! I am hoping that she doesn't want to be a Christmas baby and can bake a little longer to make sure your little lungs are as developed as possible!! Stay put sis!
In-laws are on the way over from Indianapolis...but thankfully house is clean and ready for company...thanks to my wonderful hubby! I will keep you all updated with any further happenings but for now, I think I will keep my butt in Decatur until she arrives! NO more travels for me.
12/21/09 – Left work around 1430 p
So yesterday (12/20/09) I noticed that my girl wasn't doing a whole lot of moving around so I drank something and laid down only to get 3 counts in a little over an hour. I tried not to think anything of it and waited until after dinner - when I only got another 2 movements. I was starting to get worried. I told Jason that I would see how she was this morning before freaking out and calling the doctor. I got one movement after breakfast and nothing after lunch so I called the doctor who told me to go to L&D for a non-stress test.
They asked if I had had any contractions today...to which I said that I had probably 3 or 4 but nothing close enough for concern. (I have been having several a day since thanksgiving so I didn't think anything of them. In fact, at one point, I had them down to 3 in an hour. My OB said that if I got to 34 weeks, then she wouldn't stop them). Anyway, they got me hooked up and left the room after seeing that baby was looking ok so that they could monitor me for a half an hour or so. When the nurse came back, I told her that I thought I was having another contraction...to which she responds with "you've been having more than one. You have been having them about every 2 minutes!!" (Remember, they say to go to hospital if you are having them about one every 5 minutes.) My OB is on vacation so the on-call Dr. ordered an ivy of fluids and a shot of tributeral (sp?) to stop the contractions...as well as have an internal performed. Thankfully, I wasn't dilated at all and cervix was completely shut, they were able to stop them, and I was able to go home.
I guess the more concerning part is that of all the movements it showed the baby was making - I didn't feel ANY of them. They said it could be because the baby was measuring bigger and just didn't have the space to move around any more. Now I feel like I am going to be a paranoid mess these last few weeks b/c I don't want to overreact when I don't feel her but at the same time don't want something to really be wrong either. I was told - to call and be safe rather than be sorry...so I get the feeling that won't be the last trip to the hospital before her actual arrival!
12/22/09 – Was driven to the hospital from work around 1345p, boss wouldn’t let me drive
On Monday (12/21/09), I went to L&D because of fetal movement. While I was there, I was having contractions 2 minutes apart - but no dilation - so they stopped the contractions with tributerol (sp?). So today, I went to L&D yesterday with contractions about 4-5 minutes apart. They give me a non-stress test to measure and sure enough they are about 5-6 minutes apart. They give me fluids and something for blood pressure and I sit and get monitored for about 3 hours. Baby looks good and is active. When they did an internal, I was 1 cm but cervix was still very thick. So a slight change from Monday.
In any case, the on-call Dr. decides to keep me overnight for observation to see if I would progress any. At about 7p (after sending Jason home to pack a bag), the nurse comes in and says that she will monitor for another 1/2 hour and if no progress of cervix, that they are sending me home. My contractions went from 5-6 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart again!! But no further progression in dilation. I got sent home with contractions 2 minutes apart!! They didn't want to stop them or help them along since I was only 35 weeks, 5 days - just want to see what I will do on my own....which I don't have a problem with, but sitting at home with contractions 2 minutes apart is NOT my idea of a good time!
I am told the issue is that I have a tilted uterus - so although I am showing numerous contractions (I think I counted 30 in the last hour I was at the hospital) they aren't enough to soften my cervix. Most of them were between 40-60 seconds long - and those are the ones you want for progression to happen.
I'm tired and frustrated and just want to lie in bed and hold myself. This is going to be a long month if they don’t decide to do anything sooner!
12/23/09
Didn’t go to work today but contractions didn’t start up until around 1300 p. I had my weekly OB appointment with Dr. Byrkit’s partner, Dr. Rominger….who said that if contractions get more painful and are still 3-5 minutes apart, to come back in to the hospital. Otherwise, to just deal with it as long as possible and ensure that there is fetal movement.
12/24/09
Didn’t go to work today – just worked from home and did as much as I could do.
I woke up with severe back pain and contractions at 0330a. This lasted until about 0730a. I even thought that I might be leaking amniotic fluid or that my water broke but I realized that it was a false alarm and was instead more of my mucus plug. This makes the fourth occasion of finding it…so not sure how much more is left to lose! I am hoping that she doesn't want to be a Christmas baby and can bake a little longer to make sure your little lungs are as developed as possible!! Stay put sis!
In-laws are on the way over from Indianapolis...but thankfully house is clean and ready for company...thanks to my wonderful hubby! I will keep you all updated with any further happenings but for now, I think I will keep my butt in Decatur until she arrives! NO more travels for me.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Happenings of December
I figure I better write now or it will be after the New Year before I get the chance again.
December started off as an emotional month. My grandmother passed away on December 5. We laid her to rest on Dec. 9. My brother was asked to be a paul bearer so he and Misty took off from Nebraska on Tues morning (Dec. 8). Thank goodness they left when they did because all of the snow closed down many of the highways. They stayed with Jason and I until Thursday when they decided to head back in hopes that not all roads would be closed. It was nice to see them again (haven't since their wedding) it just sucks the circumstances. My grandma was a wonderful lady and I am so thankful for all of the wonderful memories I have of her and grandpa.
On Thursday, I started my weekly appt.'s to the OB. I can't believe I am far enough along to be having weekly appointments now. That means she is going to be joining us anyday now. All was well at the doctor with a strong little heartbeat. On Friday, I took a vacation day so that Jason and I could take maternity photos. While most of these pics were of me and my every expanding belly, I made sure her daddy was in some of them too. We are pretty happy with their work and can't wait to take our little one for pics. We bought a package that includes Little Dreamer, 3 mo., 6 mo., 9 mo., 12 mo., and 19 mo. pics. The photographer is Uphoff Photography and they do great work!! Check out some of their work: www.uphoffstudio.com
We began cleaning our house from bottom up on Friday night. Thank goodness my husband is such a wonderful helper because it didn't take long for me to get exhausted. I would do as much as I could standing and then anything that required lower floor work, he took over. (ie, I would dust top half of bookshelf and he finished bottom half for me!) He really got to sweating on Friday!! On Saturday, Jason took Charlie to the vet for his quarterly anal gland expression...don't ask...and then we went out and finished up our Christmas shopping. All of the stores were crazy busy and I was exhausted after the first store. I just can't last as long as I used to! I guess that is what happens when you are 8 months pregnant! I got all the presents wrapped and we finished up cleaning the house today! Thank goodness...the house is ready for company!
Last night, two of my best friends, Meaghan and Yvonne, drove over from Springfield to go out to eat dinner and to come see my house. Meaghan just finished up her Master's this last week so it was a mini celebration of that as well as a last dinner before I become a mommy. The two of them have 5 kids between them so they are very good for all the questions I have!! Thank goodness for mommy friends. We sat around and chatted for several hours....and I even had them help me chose a name - although she is still nameless. Poor thing!! Anyway, it's evenings like that - that make our move to Decatur so worth it. I just wish it happened more often!
Although I am on call this week at work and will have to go in on Christmas day, Sat and Sun., it shouldn't be for too long. Jason's family is driving over from Indianapolis on Christmas Eve evening and staying for most of the weekend. It will be nice to have company but I am also really exhausted thinking about it too!
Our next Dr. appt. is on Wednesday - and with one of our regual doctors partners. Hopefully, he won't throw us for a loop and do anything we aren't prepared for...like an internal or something. I'll keep you updated on these appts.
Take care and have a wonderful Christmas!!
December started off as an emotional month. My grandmother passed away on December 5. We laid her to rest on Dec. 9. My brother was asked to be a paul bearer so he and Misty took off from Nebraska on Tues morning (Dec. 8). Thank goodness they left when they did because all of the snow closed down many of the highways. They stayed with Jason and I until Thursday when they decided to head back in hopes that not all roads would be closed. It was nice to see them again (haven't since their wedding) it just sucks the circumstances. My grandma was a wonderful lady and I am so thankful for all of the wonderful memories I have of her and grandpa.
On Thursday, I started my weekly appt.'s to the OB. I can't believe I am far enough along to be having weekly appointments now. That means she is going to be joining us anyday now. All was well at the doctor with a strong little heartbeat. On Friday, I took a vacation day so that Jason and I could take maternity photos. While most of these pics were of me and my every expanding belly, I made sure her daddy was in some of them too. We are pretty happy with their work and can't wait to take our little one for pics. We bought a package that includes Little Dreamer, 3 mo., 6 mo., 9 mo., 12 mo., and 19 mo. pics. The photographer is Uphoff Photography and they do great work!! Check out some of their work: www.uphoffstudio.com
We began cleaning our house from bottom up on Friday night. Thank goodness my husband is such a wonderful helper because it didn't take long for me to get exhausted. I would do as much as I could standing and then anything that required lower floor work, he took over. (ie, I would dust top half of bookshelf and he finished bottom half for me!) He really got to sweating on Friday!! On Saturday, Jason took Charlie to the vet for his quarterly anal gland expression...don't ask...and then we went out and finished up our Christmas shopping. All of the stores were crazy busy and I was exhausted after the first store. I just can't last as long as I used to! I guess that is what happens when you are 8 months pregnant! I got all the presents wrapped and we finished up cleaning the house today! Thank goodness...the house is ready for company!
Last night, two of my best friends, Meaghan and Yvonne, drove over from Springfield to go out to eat dinner and to come see my house. Meaghan just finished up her Master's this last week so it was a mini celebration of that as well as a last dinner before I become a mommy. The two of them have 5 kids between them so they are very good for all the questions I have!! Thank goodness for mommy friends. We sat around and chatted for several hours....and I even had them help me chose a name - although she is still nameless. Poor thing!! Anyway, it's evenings like that - that make our move to Decatur so worth it. I just wish it happened more often!
Although I am on call this week at work and will have to go in on Christmas day, Sat and Sun., it shouldn't be for too long. Jason's family is driving over from Indianapolis on Christmas Eve evening and staying for most of the weekend. It will be nice to have company but I am also really exhausted thinking about it too!
Our next Dr. appt. is on Wednesday - and with one of our regual doctors partners. Hopefully, he won't throw us for a loop and do anything we aren't prepared for...like an internal or something. I'll keep you updated on these appts.
Take care and have a wonderful Christmas!!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
7 weeks to go
I can't believe that the last time I blogged was October and now it's December! Whoa, I have absolutely no idea where November went! I am currently 33 weeks along with only 7 weeks until our little girl has finished 'cooking' and we finally get to meet her! I have so miuch to do to get ready and yet I feel so overwhelmed.
November was a good month of helping Jason and I start getting ready -- we had 2 Baby showers!! The first was on Nov. 7 in Indianapolis for all of Jason's family and my good friends from Lilly. Grandma Williamson hosted it for us and we got lots of goodies! Great Aunt Marilyn made these really awesome cupcake toppers made of fondue! I was impressed. The second was on Nov. 29 in Springfield for all of my family and friends. Grandma Janet, Great Aunt Bonnie, Great Aunt Doris, and cousin Jill hosted it for me. The two best tasting cakes were made by my best friend and Matron of Honor, Meaghan Buecker. The best part of both showers is that people actually helped us start a library and brought us books in addition to all of the other necessities we will need as new parents! All of these goodies are in the nursery and I have got to start going through it all and get that room in order so that if she decides to make an early appearance, we are ready!
Speaking of early appearance, I went to the doctor yesterday for our regular appointment. While the doctor can't predict when she'll be ready to meet us, I did measure at 37 weeks and she said that she is a pretty big baby for 33 weeks. She is still head down and sitting low. I told her that I had been having cramps for the last two weeks -- which apparently are Braxton Hicks contractions. She asked how frequent and since I really didn't know to be timing them, I just told her about 3-4 a day. She told me that I need to get to 34 weeks and should they get stronger and more frequent, they probably won't try to stop labor. So - we have to make it to next week!! Plus, I am going to begin timing them just to ensure they aren't frequent enough for me to go to Labor & Delivery.
Here are some pictures of me at 30 and 32 weeks.
30 weeks
32 weeks
Next week, on Dec. 11, Jason and I are going to take some family (yes, that means Charlie and Lucy) and maternity pictures. I hope they turn out good b/c I really want to be able to put some pictures up in our home and to have for her scrapbook. Other than that, I am trying to take it easy at work due to very swollen feet and hands that are feeling the effects of carpel tunnel!! I just keep trying to tell myself that this is temporary and will be worth it!!
I hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving and it is looking forward to Christmas that is just around the corner. I will try to keep this better updated the closer we get to bringing home our little baby! Love you all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)