38 & 39 Week Check in

Last week I had an OB appt in the winter storm that hit the DC area on the first day of spring.  All appts were canceled at the hospital but my doctor texted me and came in anyway to see me at 7am.  That appointment was completely uneventful -- quick ultrasound showed her head down (which is a good thing since she had gone sideways at one point that week!), her heart rate was in the 130s, fundal height what it should be for my gestation, my BP was good.  Just an overall normal check up.  I did ask her at that appointment if she had an idea of what size she might be -- she said there are usually 3 guesses surrounding baby's size --  Ultrasounds, doctor's guess and mom's guess.  She said that usually mom's guess is most accurate.  She never gave me a guess.  My guess is that this peanut will be about 7lbs12oz.  But I have absolutely no medical reasoning -- just a uneducated guess.

On Wednesday (at 38+6) I went for my 39 wk check up.  It was with a doctor other than my own since my doctor is on night duty for L&D deck.  Everything was completely normal.  BP was good, baby's heart rate was 140s.  Cervix is dilated only to a 1-2.  Baby is super low. 

But she dropped a bad news bomb in my lap before I left.  She told me I was GBS positive.  I know this is totally common.  25-35% of women test positive.  I have a whole host of other stats to go with it, but they aren't necessary to share since after she got all of us in a tizzy with what our plan would be, my doctor looked at the results and it said that I don't actually have Group B Strep.  So that was a fun day of trying to figure out what was next and how this diagnosis would change our birth plan.  But it was all in vain since my doctor emailed us and said "the results are NOT POSITIVE!"

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Overall, I am just ready for this pregnancy to be done.  I am writing this at 39+1 wks.  I wonder what this labor will look like.  I worry sometimes that my good luck and reasonably easy deliveries will run out -- not because I think something will go wrong but because statistics!   What if I need a C-Section this time?  No it is not the end of the world, but it is also not what I am aiming for.  As always, healthy mom/delivering woman and healthy baby is the goal -- But I also think that how a woman feels about her delivery is pretty important in the long run too.

Want to know what is on my birth plan?  Does a doula get an epidural?  What about pitocin?  Basically important things for my birth include my doula and photographer (both in which are friends) make sure I look good.  Vain?  Yeah probably but this is my birth and my wishes and if I want to look decent and it is important to me, they are there to support me!  Other things include keeping my butt covered as much as possible -- I don't feel uncomfortable around other women laboring completely how they feel most comfortable -- but for me, Keep my butt covered!  I also know that an epidural is a tool.  I am going into this saying "I want to see if I can have another epidural free birth" but if that doesn't happen, I won't feel deflated.  I will ask for an epidural if I want one when I want one.  Pitocin?  If the provider feels it is necessary to keep us safe, I am on board.  See my list has little to do with the progression of labor as I know you cannot really plan for any of that!  My list includes things that will keep me comfortable during the transition from pregnant to postpartum.

I can't wait to write my birth story -- not just here on the blog, but going through the events that actually create the birth story. 

37 weeks which means TERM!

Yesterday we hit the big milestone of finally being Term!  Term means that any time between now and April 12 (41 wks), we are in the realm of normal for baby girl being born.  It means it could be any day or 4 weeks.

At this point in pregnancies, many women wake up every morning and think "Today would be a good day to have a baby!"  I won't lie -- I am there too.  Yes I know, I did this to myself, but these last few weeks are incredibly hard.  I don't know if it is my short stature, or I am just whiny, but I think "If you're ready today baby, so am I!"

Here are some comparison photos between my 35 week belly and 37 week belly -- I didn't take a 36 week photo because I was swamped with book fair at the school and just forgot! 

The belly certainly has taken a different shape this week! 

Sometimes I think "Today could be the last day of my pregnancy!" and it is bitter sweet.  Then reality sets in!  This truly has been an easy pregnancy in comparison to some of the others. I have felt remarkably well.  No nausea.  No major concerns.  But my body is reminding me daily "You are not as young as you once were!"  I have managed to gain just 18 lbs up to this point which certainly has helped the cause. 

Just a run down of some of the fun stuff I am dealing with that has me waking up saying "Today would be a good day to have a baby!"

Sleep -  Or lack there of.  The nights are long and not in a good way.  I wake up 4-6 times a night to use the bathroom and because the pain in my hips is incredible. I cannot sleep on my back or stomach due to pregnancy.  I cannot sleep on my left side because my stomach automatically cramps up.  So I have to sleep on my right side.  Eventually the pain in my right hip is so incredible that I just can't stay in bed anymore.  I have to get up and stretch my leg and sometimes it means holding onto the wall on the way to the bathroom just to remain upright. Add that my sleep apnea gets worse during pregnancy (hence the jaw surgery this summer) and sleep is just nonexistent at this point. I welcome waking up every 2-3 hours during pumping because at least in between pumping, I sleep hard.  Somehow I manage to get more sleep when I am pumping than when I am pregnant.

Typical night of sleep for me while pregnant.  Light blue is restless, Red is awake, dark blue is alseep.

• Swelling and feet soreness - I am now getting kankles and they just aren't comfortable.  Having 3 kids, a business and volunteering for the PTO among other things, I just don't sit around with my feet up -- ever.  And if I did, time would creep by so slowly.  And I would see that my house needs to be cleaned or kids need to be fed so hanging out on the couch is out of the question for this girl. I would do it if I was put on bed rest obviously, but if there is no medical indication, then I just need to carry on with life because all of the things still need to be done -- even when I am uncomfortable.  

My Gross Kankles from today -- I wasn't even on my feet that much! 

• Round Ligament Pain - This is a new one this pregnancy.  The fun of feeling like your belly is going to rip wide open because of the stretching for the ligaments around the belly. I wrote a blog recently about this for our business because I have never had this before.  It is flat out miserable. I had to buy some belly bras to hold this thing up.  Maybe they ligaments are just tired after 5 pregnancies?
• Back & Pelvis Pain - Again these are all normal, but when you crippled over and have to run to the chiropractor for another $70 because your pelvis feels like it will just break in half, it kind of is a downer.  I was having this problem earlier this week and I am so grateful my chiro got me in for as same day appointment, because man it was miserable!  With all of the relaxin in my body, the adjustments just aren't sticking anymore.
• Meralgia Paresthetica - What in the world is that?  Prior to pregnancy, I had a place on my outer thigh that felt numb to the touch.  During pregnancy it has gotten progressively worse.  In my pelvis, there is a pinched nerve.  As the weight gets heavier in the pelvis with the growing baby, this nerve gets more pinched.  During the second trimester, it felt like burning -- like my skin had a sun burn there.  Now it always feels like someone heated up a cast iron skillet and placed it right on my leg.  You cannot touch that place, clothes irritate it.  I can't lean on it while sitting on the couch without incredible burning.  And lately, if I turn the wrong way while sitting or standing, now it feels like the muscle is ripping.  Modified pigeon helps with that pain (or squatting down but then gravity works against me to get back up!)  The weight removed from my pelvis would get rid of that sensation.
  
  
  
  
• Lightening Crotch - Yeah those who have been pregnant know this one.  Others are like "What in the world Melanie?"  Its that sharp sudden stabbing pain in your cervix.  It feels like a needle just shooting through your cervix.  It will stop you in your tracks.  It has been happening at night... when I sleep.  That is a nice wake up call!
• Contractions - When you have this many (every 5-7 minutes for hours) and some that are very painful, its like "Is today going to be the day?"  Nah... and your cervix doesn't care about your contractions either! They can be exhausting and leave you questioning when labor really is coming! 
• Reflux/Heartburn - At the end, as a baby is pushing up on your diaphragm, stomach is being squished, even water or milk gives you heartburn.  Especially at night. You lay down and the food just comes up your throat. It is inevitable.  I woke up twice in one night with projectile stomach acid in my mouth.  That's another great wake up call!  

These are all annoyances.  Normal pregnancy things.  But... that doesn't make them any less annoying or painful!

So.... Tomorrow, St. Patrick's Day, You can bet I will wake up saying "Today would be a great day to have a baby!" But she will come when she is ready.  Until then, I will dream of margaritas, beer, sleeping on my stomach, and the ability to take ibuprofen for my teeth when they hurt as bad as they do right now from my brace adjustment! 

Next appointment is Wednesday (37+6) at 0700 -- That is going to be a rough morning waking up that early and being at the hospital for an appointment!  I will update after that appointment! 

Another fun note-- The guys sent me the most wonderful care package of pampering stuff. I have had so much fun with these nail polishes and already had a few relaxing baths with the bath bombs.  They are so thoughtful and kind.  <3

Baby Shower, OB Appt, and almost 37 weeks! Oh and a bonus trip to L&D!

In true Melanie fashion - I am weeks behind.  In all fairness, these last few weeks have been insane with volunteering and business.

As an update to my last blog about being nominated for Military Spouse of the Year, I did win the base level so I get to join in all of the festivities this year including the Gala.  Here's an article written by the base newspaper.

Right after this article was published, we got to celebrate this sweet baby I am carrying for E&C.  It was such an honor to be invited to their baby shower and to get to meet their friends and family.  The shower was beautiful and the hosts Ashley & Al were so warm and inviting!  The decorations and food were perfect -- especially the cake and the amazing Macaroons that E made -- the raspberry sauce and homemade cream on the top ... I cannot explain out delectable they were!

I felt so honored that they asked me if I wanted to have my husband or a friend come so my bestie that the guys have met got the honors of being my hot date to the babyshower.

Today was my (almost) 37 wk check up.  I have had a busy few weeks with bookfair and bingo for our PTO and last week, I was exhausted after doing 36 hours of volunteering.  A few days, I had 15k+ step days and my body was screaming at me to slow down.  Contractions were coming on strong.  My feet were swelling.  My back was killing me. And TMI - I was wet more than usual.  Not the usual end of pregnancy mess, not pee.  Just wet. 

I got to the hospital to see my OB and was waiting in line to be checked in.  The lady in front of me wanted to read every sign on the counter -- and ask every question she had.  Suddenly, I felt like I was going to go down.  Heart was racing, pounding. I got sweaty and just felt bad.  I crouched down to the floor and a nurse came over to help me to a chair.  I have felt off all day -- just exhausted and exerted but nothing truly "off". 

I got to the back and my BP was higher than it has been 131/86 but everything else was okay. I also put on 4 lbs in just over a week (annoying considering prior to this, I had only gained 15 lbs the ENTIRE pregnancy).  I saw the doctor and she asked questions.  Measured fundal height (measuring exactly on time).  She also did a quick ultrasound to make sure baby is head down and that the fluid was measuring okay.  It took a bit of looking around but the fluid measured okay.  Baby's heart rate was in the 130s.   She wanted me to run upstairs just to get checked to make sure I wasn't leaking fluid as well as just get on the monitors to be sure all was okay.

Three hours later -- All is well.  I had a nice (but new to the hospital) doctor with the other new doctor who he was training.  The nurses were all tied up -- a lot of deliveries happening today.  It was the blind leading the blind with those two but they were nice and funny.  They did a speculum exam and checked for fluid.  Did a test to send to the lab.  Couldn't find the other test so they had to go find the nurse to get it.  She did the second test. Then they hooked me up to the monitors.  I was contracting every 5-7 minutes.  Baby looked good and my BP returned to normal.  After a while the nurse came in and said to go ahead and get dressed while I wait for the doctor to discharge me.  When the doctor came in to discharge me, he asked me if I was feeling the contractions and asked me how often I felt I was having them.  Every 5-7 minutes that I have noticed over the last few days.  Some more painful than others.  So of course they want to check my cervix even after I am dressed....  Takes a bit of time to get these clothes off and on anymore LOL

So they checked and nothing huge to report here.  Long high cervix dilated to 1cm.  So not exciting at all.  I was hoping that since they were in there digging, at least I could be a few cm dilated.  They also did a quick ultrasound to check for fluids again.  The deepest pocket of fluid was 5.7 and its considered adequate at 5.  All of the swabs came back negative.... so on my way I went ....

Most likely I will deliver the last week of March.  This is simply because it would be most inconvenient.  My kids will all be home for spring break.  My husband will be on podium teaching his students (makes it more challenging for him to get off to watch the kids all day while they are home from school).  Oh and also, the most amazing doctor ever is on duty -- at night.  So if I deliver at night, she will deliver me.  If I deliver during the day -- I get whomever is on call.  So the last week of March is what I am thinking for sure!

So anytime between now and April 12, expect a baby.... you know, any variation of normal!  But at least the guys have more time to finish getting the nursery and hospital bags together! 

As for me... I am still hoping for more macaroons and a St. Paddy's Day baby all the while I am contracting every 5-7 minutes -- well wishes to me for sanity friends!