On September 4th, Andrew and I went to see Dr. M at 8:30am. This, of course, was a routine checkup, so I didn't think twice about taking Andrew. I also didn't have to have an ultrasound, so I figured that it would be somewhat of a short visit.
We walked back to get my weight, and I weighed in at a solid 153 lbs. Then we went to the NST room, so I could sit on the monitor. It is nice that there are toys in that room, especially plastic animals, which Andrew loves to play with. I just feel badly that I couldn't play with him much, because I have to lay reclined in a chair as much as the chair will recline. I sat on the monitor for about 20 minutes, which is the standard time. As I was sitting there, I noticed that I was having contractions. I could feel a few things, but it didn't really seem severe. The hills on the tape looked to be pretty equal in spacing and in height, which wasn't normal. I just hoped that it wasn't too serious. The baby was very active while I was on the monitor, so I took that as a good sign, and just waited to hear what the doctor would say about the tape.
I went to talk with Dr. M after that, who wanted to check my cervix. This wasn't expected, because I don't think I would have brought Andrew. Who knows how he would respond to having mommy looked over in that way. The doctor also thought it would be a good idea to do another fetal fibernectin swab while she was down there doing the exam. This wasn't an issue, but it appeared that Andrew wanted me to pay attention to him at about the same time. He started to cry right before the doctor actually did anything, so she gave me a second to calm him before she began. I ended up giving him a hug and having him take whatever out of my purse that he needed to make him happy. The doctor came back in, and Andrew was still a little upset. Once he took the 4 pack of crayons out of my purse, he seemed a bit better. He handed them to me as I laid on the table, so I could get them out of the wrapper for him. It was actually a blessing in disguise because focusing on going over crayon colors with him helped my breathing through the rather uncomfortable experience. It wasn't painful to be checked, but it didn't feel good either.
The doctor discovered that I was 1 cm dilated, and since I was having back pain, she thought it would be best for me to go to the hospital to get put on a monitor for further checking. She gave me my test swab and told me to take it with me to the hospital for them to run the labs there.
Luckily, Dennis was able to take Andrew so that I could go to the hospital. His sister was coming in on an afternoon flight for the weekend. Andrew was already excited about going with him, and I was planning on going through cookbooks to plan meals as well as work on getting groceries for the weekend. I need to do a bit more cleaning before she arrived too, but I guess that was all going to go along the waste side, since I had to go to the hospital. When we had a labor scare with Andrew about 34 1/2 weeks, we were at the hospital for about 6 hours our so. I anticipated the same with this visit. I didn't have much discomfort, except for some back cramps. I just assumed that I'd be home by the time Dennis and Andrew came back from the airport with Anette. That's what I thought...at least.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
33 Weeks: Part One
On Aug. 28th, I went back to Dr. M for the first of my two visits. I was told that I would continue to have two visits a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) until the birth of the baby. Dennis was able to come with me on this trip, which made it a special time. He hadn't been to an appointment in forever, so I was eager for him to see the baby on the ultrasound and maybe get a peek at a 3D image. I just knew that this kid was going to come out looking like his "mini me", and I wanted him to see the ultrasound to prove it. Seeing the pictures that I bring home just isn't the same as watching him on the screen. Everyone says that Andrew looks just like Dennis. I really don't see it, but the baby in the belly was sure proving to be a closer fit.
We started out with the monitor as usual. I felt bad that Dennis had to sit in the room with me and wait out the 20 minutes of me being on this monitor. I know that he had canceled a bunch of meetings to be with me, and I didn't like that he was sitting there doing nothing! The monitor was fine, and everything showed to be normal. We were able to move on to the ultrasound room rather quickly after that, which is when Dennis and I met up with the "bad" tech from last Tuesday. :( I was so bummed that I got her again, and so I made another mental note not to get my next ultrasound on a Tuesday. She again complained about there not being enough room in my belly to get a good picture of the baby. Nonetheless, she printed out a few pictures for us before saying she was done. I asked if she could at least try for a 3D image, since my husband made a special trip to come to this appointment. She tried and gave us one view of the baby. I could tell that Dennis was happy to see his features on the little boy in my belly. It was nice to share that experience with him. Sometimes, it is hard to know what he's thinking or feeling about the whole thing. We already have one son and have been through this all before. This visit showed me that he was getting excited for his second son, to see him and get to know him. It just made everything much more wonderful, even though I still don't like the ultrasound tech.
After we saw the little guy on the screen, I told Dennis that he could leave. It was already an hour after my appointment began, and I didn't want him to miss any more of work. My visit with my doctor was extremely short anyway. We mostly just talked about the results from Andrew's delivery. It turns out that I did NOT have an epidural. Though I had to sit up and they put something in my back, it wasn't an epidural. I knew it. The drug that they injected into my back was a narcotic, but it appeared to be one that didn't reach the baby. It was one that was meant to take the edge off of the pains I was feeling so that I could push. I believe it was called Fentanyl. It gave me some relief to know, finally, what I was given then so that I would be ready to have this baby knowing that I can do it without an epidural. :)
We started out with the monitor as usual. I felt bad that Dennis had to sit in the room with me and wait out the 20 minutes of me being on this monitor. I know that he had canceled a bunch of meetings to be with me, and I didn't like that he was sitting there doing nothing! The monitor was fine, and everything showed to be normal. We were able to move on to the ultrasound room rather quickly after that, which is when Dennis and I met up with the "bad" tech from last Tuesday. :( I was so bummed that I got her again, and so I made another mental note not to get my next ultrasound on a Tuesday. She again complained about there not being enough room in my belly to get a good picture of the baby. Nonetheless, she printed out a few pictures for us before saying she was done. I asked if she could at least try for a 3D image, since my husband made a special trip to come to this appointment. She tried and gave us one view of the baby. I could tell that Dennis was happy to see his features on the little boy in my belly. It was nice to share that experience with him. Sometimes, it is hard to know what he's thinking or feeling about the whole thing. We already have one son and have been through this all before. This visit showed me that he was getting excited for his second son, to see him and get to know him. It just made everything much more wonderful, even though I still don't like the ultrasound tech.
After we saw the little guy on the screen, I told Dennis that he could leave. It was already an hour after my appointment began, and I didn't want him to miss any more of work. My visit with my doctor was extremely short anyway. We mostly just talked about the results from Andrew's delivery. It turns out that I did NOT have an epidural. Though I had to sit up and they put something in my back, it wasn't an epidural. I knew it. The drug that they injected into my back was a narcotic, but it appeared to be one that didn't reach the baby. It was one that was meant to take the edge off of the pains I was feeling so that I could push. I believe it was called Fentanyl. It gave me some relief to know, finally, what I was given then so that I would be ready to have this baby knowing that I can do it without an epidural. :)
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
32 Weeks (two times the appointments/ two times the fun) right?
On Aug. 21, 12, I met with my OB/GYN again for the first of my two, routine visits for this week. My weight is now officially over 150. When did it get to be so much?? I started out on the fetal monitor. The baby was great with movements, which I would have to say is the opposite of Andrew. He never seemed to be active when anyone was looking. :) I was actually surprised to learn that I was having some minor contractions at this visit. I thought it was just heartburn, but I had heard that when you feel cramps in your lower abdomen, those are Braxton Hicks contractions (fake ones to prep your uterus for the real thing). Maybe that was what I was having during this visit, since I didn't really feel anything. My heartburn did start the night before, so it could have been that I was just a bit used to the feeling. Who knows.
I then when to get an ultrasound to have the fluid check around the baby. Though it was a bit on the high side as usual, the doctor wasn't worried. I guess I had proved that I was just a high-fluid kind of gal. :) I didn't have the best experience with the tech who did the ultrasound. She really wasn't very good at her job. This was my first experience with her, and she kept saying that she couldn't get a good reading because the baby wasn't cooperative. Whatever! She should be used to uncooperative babies. She also couldn't get a good picture of the baby. I made a mental note about her. Hopefully, I won't get her again.
When I went to talk with the doctor after that, she mentioned that they were still in the process of getting the drug records from my first labor/delivery session. It is hard to believe that after almost 2 1/2 years, I still can't say for sure if I had an epidural. I would really like to know what I had in order to know what I should get with this baby. She said that there was some mix up before, and the form never got sent. Though annoyed, I overlooked it as long as the issue was being looked into now. At 33 weeks, I didn't have much time before I would deliver again, and I really wanted that information.
My second appointment of the week was on Aug. 24, 12. I was officially 152 lbs.,but I didn't really feel that big. I guess it was because most people told me how tiny I was. The belly must have made me look super small, since it was super big! :) Lots of people couldn't believe that I was due in October, since they thought I was due any day. Neither they nor I could fathom my growing any bigger before it was all said and done. :)
Andrew went with me to this appointment. I started with the monitor as usual, and he played with the toys that they had in the room. The monitor showed that I had a few minor contractions with very little movement. I guess this must have sent off some flags with the doctor, because the doctor wanted me to get an ultrasound to check on the baby's movements that way. I thought it was kind of neat that Andrew could see his brother on the monitor. He wasn't a big fan of the dark room, and I'm sure he didn't really know what he was looking at. Nonetheless, I still felt that it was a special moment to have my big guy there. The baby moved much more with the ultrasound, but the doctor still wanted to do another swab test (fetal fibernectin) to see if I would go into preterm labor. Since the last swab test was negative and the baby was moving just fine, I wasn't too worried about this swab test or about the procautions the doctor was taking. I was glad for his concern, though.
I then when to get an ultrasound to have the fluid check around the baby. Though it was a bit on the high side as usual, the doctor wasn't worried. I guess I had proved that I was just a high-fluid kind of gal. :) I didn't have the best experience with the tech who did the ultrasound. She really wasn't very good at her job. This was my first experience with her, and she kept saying that she couldn't get a good reading because the baby wasn't cooperative. Whatever! She should be used to uncooperative babies. She also couldn't get a good picture of the baby. I made a mental note about her. Hopefully, I won't get her again.
When I went to talk with the doctor after that, she mentioned that they were still in the process of getting the drug records from my first labor/delivery session. It is hard to believe that after almost 2 1/2 years, I still can't say for sure if I had an epidural. I would really like to know what I had in order to know what I should get with this baby. She said that there was some mix up before, and the form never got sent. Though annoyed, I overlooked it as long as the issue was being looked into now. At 33 weeks, I didn't have much time before I would deliver again, and I really wanted that information.
My second appointment of the week was on Aug. 24, 12. I was officially 152 lbs.,but I didn't really feel that big. I guess it was because most people told me how tiny I was. The belly must have made me look super small, since it was super big! :) Lots of people couldn't believe that I was due in October, since they thought I was due any day. Neither they nor I could fathom my growing any bigger before it was all said and done. :)
Andrew went with me to this appointment. I started with the monitor as usual, and he played with the toys that they had in the room. The monitor showed that I had a few minor contractions with very little movement. I guess this must have sent off some flags with the doctor, because the doctor wanted me to get an ultrasound to check on the baby's movements that way. I thought it was kind of neat that Andrew could see his brother on the monitor. He wasn't a big fan of the dark room, and I'm sure he didn't really know what he was looking at. Nonetheless, I still felt that it was a special moment to have my big guy there. The baby moved much more with the ultrasound, but the doctor still wanted to do another swab test (fetal fibernectin) to see if I would go into preterm labor. Since the last swab test was negative and the baby was moving just fine, I wasn't too worried about this swab test or about the procautions the doctor was taking. I was glad for his concern, though.
Friday, August 17, 2012
OB/GYN Visit (Aug. 17, 12)
32 Weeks begins my twice a week schedule with my OB/GYN.
I'm back at the doctor's office to do another glucose test. I have to admit that I'm beginning to feel that this is really unneccesary, but I go along with it because it is what is asked of me. I first start out drinking the fruit punch, which makes the baby move like crazy. I was then placed on the monitor where everything seemed normal. No contractions that I could tell of and no issues with the baby. My next stop was to get an ultrasound of the baby's movement and heartrate, which was 144. He looked good on both tests.
I met with my doctor next, and she told me that with all the tests I just took, the baby proved to be an 8 out of 10. I just couldn't see how he could be any better, but an 8 was good enough for me. It just meant that I didn't have to worry. I had to get undressed to do a swab test. She wanted to test the proteins in my sucretions. The lab tech who was supposed to take my blood actually came to me in the exam room and took the blood there. It was rather unorthodox, but it meant less waiting time for me in the lobby.
I'm back at the doctor's office to do another glucose test. I have to admit that I'm beginning to feel that this is really unneccesary, but I go along with it because it is what is asked of me. I first start out drinking the fruit punch, which makes the baby move like crazy. I was then placed on the monitor where everything seemed normal. No contractions that I could tell of and no issues with the baby. My next stop was to get an ultrasound of the baby's movement and heartrate, which was 144. He looked good on both tests.
I met with my doctor next, and she told me that with all the tests I just took, the baby proved to be an 8 out of 10. I just couldn't see how he could be any better, but an 8 was good enough for me. It just meant that I didn't have to worry. I had to get undressed to do a swab test. She wanted to test the proteins in my sucretions. The lab tech who was supposed to take my blood actually came to me in the exam room and took the blood there. It was rather unorthodox, but it meant less waiting time for me in the lobby.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Another Scary Episode of Cramping (Aug. 13, 12)
Andrew and I spent the afternoon at Mama's house, so he could get some playtime in with his cousins, and so I could relax a bit on the couch going through my flyers and coupons. This was the first day of 31 weeks, and things were going great. I still had the occasional back pain and was tired on and off, but overall, things seemed pretty good for not being on bedrest.
That is what I thought until about 2:30pm. I started feeling some cramping, which could have been a bit of Braxton Hicks contractions, gas, back pain, etc., so I thought that I would go and lay down on the spare bed. The pain continued to get stronger until it felt like my entire abdomin was cramping. It was almost as if I was being tazzered with some type of electro ray. It was all over and not going away. I couldn't get comfortable, and nothing I did made the pain go away. This was my third episode with this type of pain. The first and second only lasted about an hour, so I thought I would wait this out.
It was nearly unbearable. I say "nearly" because I didn't go to the ER or explode or anything, so I guess it was bearable. I just can't discribe the pain. It is like being in active labor. The cramps are so intense, and there is no relief. You almost get to the point where you want to beg for drugs, as if you were actually in the labor room talking to a nurse.
An hour came and went, and the pain still lingered. It was horrible. What I thought I could handle went on for 2 hours in total. I also ended up throwing up a couple of times. I wondered if it was because I had eaten lunch before this set of cramps set in. The other two times occured on an empty stomach or a semi-empty stomach, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking that it might have had something to do with dairy and gas. I couldn't say for sure, since I have no medical experience, but this pain was real and intense. I did feel better after I threw up, and it made me think that it was probably a good idea not to have a full stomach when I go into real labor. That wouldn't be a fun experience.
My mom would sit with me as I moaned through the pain. She said that she hated to see me like that, and it just made things harder for her knowing that she couldn't do anything. I just hope it doesn't happen again, but I can be thankful that it happened at her house. Having Andrew occupied was one less stress.
That is what I thought until about 2:30pm. I started feeling some cramping, which could have been a bit of Braxton Hicks contractions, gas, back pain, etc., so I thought that I would go and lay down on the spare bed. The pain continued to get stronger until it felt like my entire abdomin was cramping. It was almost as if I was being tazzered with some type of electro ray. It was all over and not going away. I couldn't get comfortable, and nothing I did made the pain go away. This was my third episode with this type of pain. The first and second only lasted about an hour, so I thought I would wait this out.
It was nearly unbearable. I say "nearly" because I didn't go to the ER or explode or anything, so I guess it was bearable. I just can't discribe the pain. It is like being in active labor. The cramps are so intense, and there is no relief. You almost get to the point where you want to beg for drugs, as if you were actually in the labor room talking to a nurse.
An hour came and went, and the pain still lingered. It was horrible. What I thought I could handle went on for 2 hours in total. I also ended up throwing up a couple of times. I wondered if it was because I had eaten lunch before this set of cramps set in. The other two times occured on an empty stomach or a semi-empty stomach, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking that it might have had something to do with dairy and gas. I couldn't say for sure, since I have no medical experience, but this pain was real and intense. I did feel better after I threw up, and it made me think that it was probably a good idea not to have a full stomach when I go into real labor. That wouldn't be a fun experience.
My mom would sit with me as I moaned through the pain. She said that she hated to see me like that, and it just made things harder for her knowing that she couldn't do anything. I just hope it doesn't happen again, but I can be thankful that it happened at her house. Having Andrew occupied was one less stress.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Dr. Dr. / What a busy day to check on baby!! (Aug. 3, 2012)
I say that this was a busy day because I had both my regular OB/GYN appointment today as well as my final visit with Maternal-Fetal Medicine. I was also eager to hear how things were going, since this was about the time I went on bedrest with my first son. It was still too good to be true that I hadn't really had any major issues with this pregnancy.
My first visit was with Dr. M, who went about all the normal parts of the visit. I weighed about 144.8 lbs, and my belly was 31cm. Yet again, I was moving right along with the changes to me and to baby. I still felt small, but there was no doubt that I had a very big belly! :) The heartrate of the baby was 132. Everything was good. No bedrest for me! :)
After lunch, I went to the hospital to have my last appointment with MFM. I had the "other" doctor like last time, but really that isn't a big deal, since he is just as good at his job. Also, there isn't much time spent with those doctors, since the techs seem to do all the physical work, at least in my experience. The doctor told me that I didn't need to come back any more in his opinion because, though the fluid levels were still on the high side, they weren't crazy high. In fact, they seemed to be steady with what I've had all along. It just turns out that I am just one of those people who produce lots of fluid. The baby, however, is still big and measures about 3 lbs. 14 oz, which the doctors says is about 1/2 lb. bigger than normal. When I looked it up on my pregnancy application on my phone, it actually said that the baby should be about 3 lbs. during this week. That means that the baby could be anywhere from 1/2 lb. to 1 lb. bigger than normal. This freaked me out. I did NOT want to have a big baby. I know what recover is like when your baby comes out 6 lbs. 13 oz., but I can't imagine having an 8 lb baby or really anything close to that. The tech also said that his head measured in the 78% for his gestational age. My Andrew still has a little bean, and he's 2 now. I just think that this kid is going to be a tank! I know that ultrasounds aren't always accurate, but if these results prove true, I'm in for a lot of hurt come delivery time! :(
My first visit was with Dr. M, who went about all the normal parts of the visit. I weighed about 144.8 lbs, and my belly was 31cm. Yet again, I was moving right along with the changes to me and to baby. I still felt small, but there was no doubt that I had a very big belly! :) The heartrate of the baby was 132. Everything was good. No bedrest for me! :)
After lunch, I went to the hospital to have my last appointment with MFM. I had the "other" doctor like last time, but really that isn't a big deal, since he is just as good at his job. Also, there isn't much time spent with those doctors, since the techs seem to do all the physical work, at least in my experience. The doctor told me that I didn't need to come back any more in his opinion because, though the fluid levels were still on the high side, they weren't crazy high. In fact, they seemed to be steady with what I've had all along. It just turns out that I am just one of those people who produce lots of fluid. The baby, however, is still big and measures about 3 lbs. 14 oz, which the doctors says is about 1/2 lb. bigger than normal. When I looked it up on my pregnancy application on my phone, it actually said that the baby should be about 3 lbs. during this week. That means that the baby could be anywhere from 1/2 lb. to 1 lb. bigger than normal. This freaked me out. I did NOT want to have a big baby. I know what recover is like when your baby comes out 6 lbs. 13 oz., but I can't imagine having an 8 lb baby or really anything close to that. The tech also said that his head measured in the 78% for his gestational age. My Andrew still has a little bean, and he's 2 now. I just think that this kid is going to be a tank! I know that ultrasounds aren't always accurate, but if these results prove true, I'm in for a lot of hurt come delivery time! :(
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