Saturday, March 28, 2015

Bumpdate: 38 Weeks





Here we are, the last weekend in March, and it has flown by! I can't believe that in a few short days we will be in April: the month our baby will be born!  Looking back, I feel like this entire pregnancy has just flown by! 

How Far Along?
38 Weeks!  At this point we are at the "any day now" stage and it is so hard to believe that!

Doctor, Doctor!
I am still going in for NSTs every Monday and Thursday with a biophysical on Friday.  Like I suspected, the drop in fluid from 8.6 to 6.9 was alarming so after my NST on Monday I was sent for an emergency biophysical with the doctor telling me if my fluid had dropped any lower that I would be induced.  I went home, showered, packed last minute things, and Sean and I headed to the hospital, completely expecting to be induced! Well, lo and behold, my fluid was up to a 10!  So, we went home.  I felt a mixture of disappointment because I thought we would be meeting our girl soon and relief that I had more time to get ready and she had some more time to develop and grow!

The following Thursday at my NST baby girl just was NOT moving like she normally did which made the doctor concerned so I was sent for ANOTHER emergency biophysical.  Thank goodness, baby girl passed with flying colors and my fluid was up to a 14! God is good! =)

Symptoms?
Same ole symptoms as previous weeks! I am up about every hour to pee/roll over/get comfortable.  Rolling over/getting up is a chore.  I think I am getting bigger by the minute.  One symptom that I have had but do not believe I have mentioned yet is that I cannot breathe!  When I lay down, whether on my side, back, propped up, etc... it feels like someone is sitting on my chest! This has made sleep and naps very difficult!  I get out of breath easily walking and talking as well!  

Any new cravings?
It took me until about the 4th time going into the Culvers drive though to realize that I was craving their burgers and cheese curds... I have indulged this craving quite a bit. 

Labor Signs?
Nada! Still experiencing braxton hicks but that it it! I was checked on Thursday and I am dilated to ZERO with a very very high cervix! Oye... this baby girl has us thinking she will be early and then will end up being late! 

How am I feeling?
I feel ready.  Everything is done and ready to go, now we are just waiting for baby girl! I have 4 days left of work before Spring Break/beginning of my maternity leave.  Bags are packed.  Nursery is completed.  I am ready to meet this little one!!    On the other hand, I am still in complete denial that I will actually have to experience labor... 

How is Sean feeling?
Sean has his Spring Break this coming week and for weeks he has been saying, "Just wait until after my spring break! I want 1 more week of sleeping in!"  Today, he informed me that he doesn't care at all about his Spring Break anymore, he just wants her here.  Melt my heart... 

Best moment this week?
We celebrated 2 years of marriage by completing our registries! We had our 9 year dating anniversary.  We finished the nursery! My dad put in some shelving in the closet for us and we got our glider and now it is 100% done (with the exception of a few empty frames that will be filled after she is born/her name that will go above her crib).

Looking forward to?
Spring Break and baby girl's arrival of course!!!  Easter is coming soon and it will either be our first holiday with our sweet girl, or our last holiday without her.  Either way, we can't wait!

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Bumpdate: Weeks 36 & 37






How's Mom Feeling?
I am feeling very large and very pregnant!  I still generally feel "good." I move pretty well and still can do "a lot" but my feet and hands are perpetually swollen, my back hurts, and I am just plain ole large.  My face is pretty puffy and I am looking forward to getting some version of my pre baby body back! But, all of the insecurity and aches/pains are 110% worth it for this baby girl!  

Doctor, Doctor!
 I had a growth scan during my 35th week which I thought was okay since the tech said she was measuring ahead but on the day of my baby shower (36 weeks) I had my weekly appointment and was sent for an emergency ultrasound and NST because the growth scan was showing low fluid.  They want fluid levels at a 10 and I was at an 8.6.  Not awful, but something to watch. I now go to the doctor every Monday and Thursday for a non stress test/prenatal visit.  I also get a biophysical ( ultrasound measuring weight, tone, fluid, and movement of baby) every Friday.  My NSTs have gone well so far- baby is doing great! I had my first biophysical yesterday and baby passed but my fluid had dropped from an 8.6 to a 7 in 1 week.  That seemed like a big drop to me so I am eager to talk to the doctor when I go in on Monday.  

Fears/Worries/ Emotions
I have been moodier lately which I can attribute to hormones and stress.  I still feel like there is a lot to get done and time is running out quickly!  The stress of low fluid levels and wondering if the baby is okay gets to me.  I sometimes have moments of panic where I feel like I am not ready to be a mom.  Luckily, those moments are calmed with prayer and remembering how amazing motherhood is going to be.  

How's Dad Doing?
When I expressed my fears about a new baby one night he told me, "Aside from sleep, I am just excited!"  His laid back, excited, calm manner is exactly what this worry wart momma needs!

Movement
I feel baby girl's every stretch and roll.  I often feel knees and elbows sticking out of my right side and a hard lump when her butt sticks out near my left ribs!  She is definitely running out of room in there!

Baby Girl
She is head down and has been since at least 28 weeks.  The last 3 ultrasound she has been in the exact same position, sleeping, with her hand by her face.  So cute! As of yesterday, she is weighing in at 6 lbs, 9 oz!  Keep growing baby girl!

Labor Signs?
Still just braxton hicks and occasional cramping! Nothing much else! We did go to a breastfeeding class and tour the labor and delivery unit today-  it made it all feel very real seeing the rooms we are going to be in very soon! 

Best Moments:
I had my baby shower which was so beautiful! My mom, sister, and aunt worked so hard and it paid off! There were so many small and special touches everywhere! It was so great to see so many people.  Everyone was so kind and generous!  My students and their parents threw me a surprise shower as well! The kids were so excited and did such a great job!   We also had our maternity pictures ! The first try it ended up being very windy and cold so we tried again on a perfect 75 degree day! They turned out so great! 

Looking Forward To...





Our baby girl's arrival! With all these fluid issues, my gut is saying she is coming early! Sean and I are celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary tomorrow and our 9 year dating anniversary Tuesday as well!

 







Saturday, March 7, 2015

Bumpdate: 35 Weeks



How far along?:
35 weeks! 

Maternity Clothes:
I can ONLY fit in maternity clothes and some of those don't fit anymore... yikes! 

Stretch Marks:
Still just the two small ones on my stomach!

Sleep:
Back to waking up every 1.5-2 hours a night! I go to sleep around 9:30 and am up a lot.  I am always tired but not as exhausted as you would think!

Best Moment of the Week:
Setting up the crib! We had some crib drama initially- we had ordered a crib back when I was 17 weeks pregnant and it has sat in its box in our front room.  We did not want to open it until the room was painted and we were ready to set it up.  The second coat was put on the room and we were getting ready to set up the crib when one piece is majorly bent... ugh! We call Walmart and since it is past the 90 days return date they can't refund us AND the crib is out of stock/discontinued! Cue major tears! Luckily, after another phone call Walmart is going to refund us the full price for the crib, we ordered another from Target and it was on our porch 2 days later! It looks so pretty in her room! =)

Miss Anything?:
I miss cuddling with Sean! It isn't so easy anymore.. I tend to need a lot more space/get uncomfortable very easily!

Movement:
Still lots- no more kicks and pokes though! Her movements are all rolls or body parts sticking out! Her butt stucks out often near my left side and her feet sometimes stick out under my right ribs or way over on my right side.  I swear I have even felt her little toes a few times!  Her movements are starting to get slightly uncomfortable but I really still love them!

Food Cravings:
Pizza hut still at the beginning of the week... and Reeses!! 

Anything Make You Queasy or Sick?:
I did "throw up" a few times.  Intense nausea came on a few times very suddenly and while I didn't full on puke, there was some throwing up.  Right after though I am perfectly fine.

The Bump?:
Still big! My doctor said I look great but am measuring a tad small so he ordered a growth ultrasound to make sure she is growing okay and that fluid levels are good.

Gender:
Girl!!!!!

Labor Sign:
Still having some braxton hicks.

Belly Button In or Out?
Still in- I don't know if it will pop out but it definitely is veryyy shallow. 

Wedding Rings On or Off?
Off... I miss my rings! 

Happy or Moody Most of the Time?
The beginning of this week was VERY emotional for me! I had many tearful moments of feeling not ready and worried that she will come early and things won't be done.  I felt like I had so much to do.  I then spiraled even further feeling like I knew nothing about babies... ahh. Sean was very comforting and after praying and a few days I feel much calmer!  

Looking Forward To?
My shower! My shower is next Saturday and I cannot wait! I am going to pamper myself a bit too! I have a prenatal massage certificate that Sean got me for Christmas that I plan on using Friday and am going to get a pedicure! It is much needed after this Winter! I am also loving this warmer weather coming up! I have the growth ultrasound Thursday and am really looking forward to seeing my baby girl again!