Week 38

So I got some great news today - now while it may sound petty, it's a big deal to me :)  The doctor checked me today and I am one centimetre dilated.  Considering I had zero progress last Wednesday, I think this is a good sign.  I will continue to bounce on my exercise (birth) ball and roll my hips around, plus I plan to do some super hard core cleaning..... hand scrub the floors maybe??  Any suggestions would be appreciated :)

Now that I know my body is truly preparing for labour, I feel less miserable and irritated, and more excited to get things going.  And the fact that he mentioned that we will talk about induction next week, I really want to have things happen before then.  If it happens to go that far, I will refuse pitocin and an Amniotomy (breaking waters) ...unless medically necessary.  I am okay with  Membrane Stripping however.

So keep your fingers crossed and hopefully we can have a baby by or on Wednesday before dealing with this other "new" stuff!!  Can you see his face in the photo - see those chubby cheeks!!!!

Week 37 Update

I am just shy 2 days of being 37 weeks pregnant..... just 2 days away until the "safe zone" :)

Had my weekly check up today.  Baby is estimated at 7 lbs and now in the 69 percentile (sounds better than 78 like the last month!)  He is still snug as a bug in a rug - no changes in cervix.  I am still contracting every 5 minutes, and they seem to be getting a bit worse each day. I am obviously not worried since there has not been any changes whatsoever.

I tested positive for Group B Strep..... I guess it's just a natural bacteria that is found in some women during pregnancy.... and hey - why not add to the list!  All it means is that I would have to get antibiotics 2 hours before delivering in the hospital, and since I am going to be hooked up to an IV because of the Gestational Diabetes, it really won't affect anything.

The nursery is pretty much complete.  We only need to get window treatments and handles on the doors.  Here are a few pictures.  (If you are on Facebook, then you probably would have already seen these).

Diaper Changing and Update

I came across THIS SITE on how to change a diaper.  Sounds funny, I know, but honestly, I learned SO MUCH! lol.

And speaking of diapers, look  how cute Baby D's Grovia's are :)

I'm still waiting for the inserts to come in, they were on back order. It should be this week, and when they do arrive, I have to wash and dry them for a minimum of 5 times.... 10 times is beneficial for maximum absorbency..... so I will be busy with laundering.  I guess it preps you for every 2 days of launder with these diapers....but I don't care, they are still worth it in my opinion :)

Just a little update as well...

I have been having contractions every 5 minutes for the past 3 days.  For the last 2 days, it was mostly from 6pm on towards when I went to bed, but I woke up with them today and it's been going on since 9am this morning (when I got up).  We are not going to the hospital for these ones, I have an appointment with my OB on Wednesday and he will check me then for any progress.

I have also been getting back into the swing of things, since I have the go ahead to do so.  I have been walking leisurely every day, either at the gym, outside or at the grocery store.  I have been cleaning and doing laundry, and I have been eating some spicy food.  Just trying to get things going along :) In the end I understand that when he is ready, he will emerge... but until then, I will keep trying!

Baby Shower and Update

We had our Baby Shower on Sunday, and I have to say, we are totally all set for this little baby boy to come into our lives.  I want to thank everyone for their generosity and kindness to help us start our new family life out.

I have to admit, we received quite a bit of items, but our house, thankfully, is not cluttered at all.  Everything has a place and his room is soooo cute!  I am waiting for our never-arriving decals to come in and put up, and then I'll post a picture of the nursery..... it just doesn't feel complete without them.  The seller from Etsy.com is sending out another set and should be here by next week via express post.  So I have my fingers crossed!

Once I get some photos, I'll post them up here from the shower.

There were a few items that I was really excited to get, however, all the gifts received were just what we wanted/needed.  We got a few extra things that I didn't register for, which made things even more exciting because, well they are just fun/cute.  One example is the LeapFrog My Pals Scout! I started to play with this little guy last night, but gave up because I think I need to connect to a PC and didn't feel like walking to the other side of the room to Ryan's laptop (I have a Mac).

Some really cool items that we got, I'd like to share:

The Uppa Baby Stroller
Grovia AIO Cloth Diapers
Baby Brezza Food Steamer/Puree Machine
Skip/Hop Treetop Friends Bedding
MamaRoo Swing

~~UPDATE~~

Had an OB appointment on Wednesday, and so far, there is no real change.  Cervix is a bit softer and dropped a bit, but nothing that is showing labour signs.  I had the "go-ahead" to resume normal activities starting today, 36 weeks along, so I have been using some Organic Jasmine essential oils on the belly (which is supposed to help with stretch marks as well) and walking.  I went to the gym after about 2 months, and boy, can I feel it.  I was able to do half an hour (with breaks) and called it quits.  It's nice to get back into a routine, I'm still taking it easy, but definitely more active, and it's wonderful.

I will now be seeing my OB weekly, and at the hospital weekly too - at the hospital, one week is just a non-stress test (where they see the baby's heart beat and watch for exceleration as he moves/kicks), and then the following week is the ultrasound/biophysical profile and non stress test.  So Wednesday's are definitely busy busy mornings for me!

I want to do one more good cleaning of the house in the next couple weeks, and then I have to say, I'm ready...... I mean, I would be ready now, but I wouldn't mind another week or two just to get some things right in order - house wise.

We have a busy weekend coming up.  Tonight we are going out to Centro for Ryan's birthday (33!!) and then tomorrow day/night is a very good friend's wedding, and Sunday/Monday night is more birthday celebrations (yes, they go on for a week around here!)  I think I'm going to eat lots of spicy foods this weekend!!!

Some Good News!!!

I had my testing at Met today (ultrasound/non-stress test).  Baby D is still coming in at the 78 percentile, which means he is growing steadily and not getting too big.  He currently weighs approximately 6 lbs 3 oz.  He scored an 8 out of 8 on his testing (breathing, movements, size etc...)  So that makes me much more confident that if he does come early, that we will have nothing to worry about.

Next week, I see my OB, but he requested that I have another non-stress test before I have my office visit.  So it will be a busy morning next Wednesday!

I am feeling the same.  I feel the medication is not working as well and I am still having the contractions and cramping, but now I am getting used to it and I am just resting a lot.  When I feel that they are coming on strong, I just lay down and they seem to settle a bit.  They are still coming in about 10 mins apart, and 5 when they are bad, but I am now just dealing with it.

I feel like my hips/pelvic region is also ripping apart..... must be getting ready for delivery I guess.  I am pretty sure that I will make it to my shower on Sunday.  I am really taking it easy until then!  I am on the medication until then too, so it should prolong it.

I have been helping a bit with the desserts with my mother in law and I have to say they look soooooo good and smell delicious.  I, however cannot do any taste testing :(  BUT I do plan to freeze a few of each and indulge after the baby is born :)  Everything else is pretty much done too for the shower, so that definitely eases my mind since I can't do a whole lot.

Well it's off to bed for me.  I am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow because I had to get up early today for my appointment.  And since the pups are pooped, they won't be getting up any time early tomorrow :D

Good night!!

How I'm feeling.....

Thought I'd throw out a little update letting you all know how I'm feeling.

The drugs make me very drowsy, and nauseous but otherwise I am ok.  They seem to "Mask" the contractions, which now are back to every 20 minutes or so.  I find though, that once the drug wears off (about 8 hours) I go right back to the intense 5 minute apart contractions, but I can't take the pill for another 4 hours (12 hour intervals).  So I go back to my breathing and just breath through them until it's time to take another pill.  I have them for 10 days, so even if the labour is prolonged for 10 days, then I will be happy.... the longer this little guy hangs around inside the better!

SO.......

That's all I really have to say lol.  I am just taking it easy and resting for most of the day.  I'll get up maybe 10 minutes at a time to do something and lay down for another hour.  I am trying to find things to do while laying down but it's hard.  But I know it's best for the baby so I just do it anyway :)

Threatened Pre-Term Labour

Yes..... this is now what I am dealing with :(

I was in the hospital for most of yesterday, in OB Triage.  I started with contractions on Thursday night around 7pm.  They were coming every 10 minutes on the dot.  I was going back and forth whether or not I should go to the hospital, but decided to wait until the morning.

I did not wake up too much during the night, but when I did, it was during a contraction.  Ryan also said that I was very restless too.

Well, morning came, and my contractions ended up being 5 minutes apart and much stronger.  I started to get a bit concerned, so I called my doctor's office, and they told me to go to OB Triage right away.  So I had my dad drive me.

I was put on a monitor and asked a bunch of questions, examined and sent home.  They said to come back if the contractions got worse..... they did.

I ended up back at OB Triage at around 5pm and again, and not only was I having the contractions, but I was also nauseated and very flushed.  They hooked me up to the monitors and my contractions were going off the page (figuratively not literally).  I was examined again and it showed that my cervix was still closed but becoming soft.  The doctor on call said that I could go either way - either full blown labour or threatened labour.  He said that if it was to happen, they wouldn't stop the labour because there would be no point this late in the pregnancy, however, they did want to try and prolong it.

I was stuck with an IV and they started a sugar water drip along with penicillin in case I was to go into labour.

 Due to the gestational diabetes, they fed me as well..... it wasn't horrible, but considering it was hospital food, it was alright.

My mom was there with me keeping me company and telling me that whatever happens, it's going to be alright..  Then Ryan came and that seems to be when all the good news came....












After a couple hours, the contractions seemed less apart but still just as strong.  I was checked again 4 hours later, and my cervix showed no signs of change.  I was prescribed Prometrium and sent home on 'almost' bed rest.  I can still do things, but nothing that over exerts myself.  And thankfully, this is only for 2 weeks, and THEN, I can do whatever I can to allow Baby D to make his grand entrance!!

So as of now, I should be able to attend my own baby shower lol.  I am still having contractions, but they are back to 20 - 30 minutes apart and not as intense as they were yesterday.  I am taking it easy for a few days and allowing the medication to do what it needs to do.  Luckily it causes drowsiness so it shouldn't be too bad squeezing a few naps in the day ;)

Officially Done Work!

I saw my O.B. yesterday and mentioned that I have been having very regular BH Contractions (like every 20 minutes on average) plus some lower abdominal cramping and upper thigh pain.  The first thing out of his mouth is "Are you still working?"  And then said I will no longer be working.  It's bitter sweet I guess.... I mean it's nice that I will be off now, but at the same time, I was not expecting it.  I was considering going off beginning of December, but they are certain that this baby boy is coming early (let's see about that...... I hear a lot of people are told this and end up being induced 2 weeks later!)

The good news is that this is considered a "medical leave", so that entitles me to a full maternity leave when I do have the baby.  I was at the hospital today for almost 2 hours straightening everything out, but at least it is all done now and I don't have to worry about it :)

So technically I am not on bed rest (thank goodness!) but I do have to take it easy and only do things that need be done.... which is everything!!  I am trying to take it slow though.  

I think he is running out of room in my belly.  He is stretching a lot now and I feel movement almost the entire day - not so much kicks, but I feel his legs and feet through my skin.  It's still weird to me, but I am getting used to it.  I try to lay straight at night so he has a little bit more room in there :)  Sometimes though, he gets stuck, and he wants to roll over to the other side and I swear my ribs move when he kicks the crap out of me to get his legs out!!  

My sugars have been hard to control this last week as well.  They seem very high in the mornings and for the most part, level out throughout the day and into the night.  The last couple days though, they have been high for pretty much the entire day.  (Nothing too bad, but generally .3 to .7 higher than they should).  I have been trying to eat a variety of different things to see what may be triggering it, but the Endocrinologist thinks it's just the baby.  SO I'm crossing my fingers this gets a bit better by next week.  

I have another ultrasound/biophysical and non stress test coming up next week so that will show some more indication on how things are going.  If I get a picture I'll be sure to post it!