We had a doctor appointment this morning with an ultrasound and exam.
I'm a little over one centimeter dilated and about 30% effaced. My amniotic fluid has dropped quite a bit (5), the placenta is showing it's getting old (calcification) and Josh is still looking pretty long and about 8.5 pounds (plus or minus a one pound margin of error). He has turned and is now facing the right direction.
The doctor scheduled us for induction tonight at 8pm. If she induces now, there is greater likelihood that I can deliver vaginally than if we were to wait much longer. She stripped my membranes which could start some contractions even during the day today. The expectation is that he will be born sometime tomorrow afternoon (or earlier).
It's nice to have a game plan to look at now. The unknown was driving both Jim and me crazy! He's working in the office a little bit today and then will come home. I'm just trying to clean up a little bit at the house and then take it easy. Doc told us to eat a big non-greasy, non-spicy meal around 5-6pm. Hmmm...what do I want?
It's really exciting to thinking about what is to come. I had lots of weird dreams last night about the baby being born and it actually made me feel closer to motherhood than I have this entire time. (Never mind that my newly born baby was already walking and talking - we'll just ignore the weird dream elements.)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
DING! Time's Up
What is it about 3AM? It is a cursed hour that I tend to have a hard time sleeping through. Sometimes I can power through it, but sometimes I just have to get up and busy myself.
So today is our due date. The date that I have recited 3,298,462 times as people have asked when the baby is due. Hmmm, what is the likelihood that Joshua will arrive today? Looking pretty slim. There have been some rumblings over the last week, but nothing significant to make me feel confident about today. I know that can all change in a flash, though.
I'm kind of getting cabin fever. I'm tired of waiting. Tired of hanging out at the house, washing dishes, doing laundry, settling stuff in the nursery. I'm trying to keep busy at home, but I can only do the same things with no change for so long. Let's add the challenge of a baby to the mix!! I get out of the house as often as I can, but try not to do too much to wear myself out. Laying around resting is getting old too. I know I should be relishing this time since it's about to all go away, but I'm ready to move on.
Maybe once we get past this date I will actually become less anxious about it?
I think Jim and I are pretty much ready for the hospital. My bag is as packed as it can be for now. I'll just need to throw a few last minute things in (like a hairbrush) and grab my pillow. We're keeping all our electronics charged up since we can't use outlets at the hospital.
The video camera is charging right now and then will be put in the car. No, we are not taping the birth. But I thought we could have the camera in the car just in case we want to take some video in the hospital before we leave. I hope I have at least one blank tape. Guess I still need to check that.
We put the stereo in the car with batteries just in case. Music is so important to me and really helps to calm me down. I have an iPod shuffle that will be with me. But Jim is concerned that I won't want (or can't have) the earphones in my ears but that I will still want music. So we'll have the stereo in the car just in case. I'm taking an Enya CD and two Josh Groban CDs as well as one "mixed" CD of mellow songs.
I'll update this blog as often as I can until we're hospital bound.
Wish us luck!
So today is our due date. The date that I have recited 3,298,462 times as people have asked when the baby is due. Hmmm, what is the likelihood that Joshua will arrive today? Looking pretty slim. There have been some rumblings over the last week, but nothing significant to make me feel confident about today. I know that can all change in a flash, though.
I'm kind of getting cabin fever. I'm tired of waiting. Tired of hanging out at the house, washing dishes, doing laundry, settling stuff in the nursery. I'm trying to keep busy at home, but I can only do the same things with no change for so long. Let's add the challenge of a baby to the mix!! I get out of the house as often as I can, but try not to do too much to wear myself out. Laying around resting is getting old too. I know I should be relishing this time since it's about to all go away, but I'm ready to move on.
Maybe once we get past this date I will actually become less anxious about it?
I think Jim and I are pretty much ready for the hospital. My bag is as packed as it can be for now. I'll just need to throw a few last minute things in (like a hairbrush) and grab my pillow. We're keeping all our electronics charged up since we can't use outlets at the hospital.
The video camera is charging right now and then will be put in the car. No, we are not taping the birth. But I thought we could have the camera in the car just in case we want to take some video in the hospital before we leave. I hope I have at least one blank tape. Guess I still need to check that.
We put the stereo in the car with batteries just in case. Music is so important to me and really helps to calm me down. I have an iPod shuffle that will be with me. But Jim is concerned that I won't want (or can't have) the earphones in my ears but that I will still want music. So we'll have the stereo in the car just in case. I'm taking an Enya CD and two Josh Groban CDs as well as one "mixed" CD of mellow songs.
I'll update this blog as often as I can until we're hospital bound.
Wish us luck!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
39 Week Appointment
The past week hasn't been terribly eventful. Last Wednesday I was having quite a bit of back pain and cramping. The feeling was constant so I didn't really think it was contractions. The following day I had a little less room in my lap, so I think it was all due to Joshua moving down a little bit.
I have been looking for Braxton-Hicks contractions but haven't really been convinced about what they should feel like and if I was having them. But I think I have finally figured it out. I was walking in the grocery store on Monday and suddenly felt the tightness. I couldn't blame it on any other movement I made and it clearly wasn't Joshua moving. So maybe I was finally identifying the Braxton-Hicks.
Yesterday we had an appointment with the doctor. I wasn't expecting to be dilated at all, but I sure was hoping. And sure enough I am one centimeter dilated and a little bit effaced. I was really happy to hear that. It doesn't really speak to anything about timing. It just indicates progress and that things are moving in the right direction. Jim and I are really hoping Joshua is born sometime this week.
I have been looking for Braxton-Hicks contractions but haven't really been convinced about what they should feel like and if I was having them. But I think I have finally figured it out. I was walking in the grocery store on Monday and suddenly felt the tightness. I couldn't blame it on any other movement I made and it clearly wasn't Joshua moving. So maybe I was finally identifying the Braxton-Hicks.
Yesterday we had an appointment with the doctor. I wasn't expecting to be dilated at all, but I sure was hoping. And sure enough I am one centimeter dilated and a little bit effaced. I was really happy to hear that. It doesn't really speak to anything about timing. It just indicates progress and that things are moving in the right direction. Jim and I are really hoping Joshua is born sometime this week.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Being Off Work
So it’s been two weeks since I’ve left work. What have I been doing with myself?
The first three weekdays I was pretty much a bum. I slept and watched TV. The best thing I have to report is that I did work out every day. I started going to my mom’s Jazzercise Light classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. It’s a pretty good fit. Sometimes it gets a little too fast, so I gotta slow it down for me, and I can’t do all of the bending over moves. But it has felt great to get my body moving again. I’ve also walked and done yoga. Wednesday I had a wonderful pregnancy massage. Aaaaahhhhh.....
Thursday I started to come out of the fog and get some motivation. My mom came over and helped me get some nursery organization done. We washed a whole bunch of baby clothes, bedding and other stuff. And Friday we had our doctor appointment.
The second week really was quite busy. I reorganized the kitchen pantry to make room for the bottles and formulas etc. Melanie came over and helped me think a lot of things through. I'm such a planner, that the unknown is kind of freaking me out. I just want to know scenarios and be prepared for them. It's kinda funny because I do think I am pretty darn flexible, but I just like to be prepared. I also spent the week having lunch with people, getting my hair done and doing other house stuff.
Thursday the 8th, Jim's work threw a shower for us. It was really nice and we got several of the big items that we were getting a little worried about having. Friday we went to Babies R Us and tried to get everything else we needed. There are still a few items that we need, but I don't think any are really urgent, so we'll tackle those as we need.
The first three weekdays I was pretty much a bum. I slept and watched TV. The best thing I have to report is that I did work out every day. I started going to my mom’s Jazzercise Light classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. It’s a pretty good fit. Sometimes it gets a little too fast, so I gotta slow it down for me, and I can’t do all of the bending over moves. But it has felt great to get my body moving again. I’ve also walked and done yoga. Wednesday I had a wonderful pregnancy massage. Aaaaahhhhh.....
Thursday I started to come out of the fog and get some motivation. My mom came over and helped me get some nursery organization done. We washed a whole bunch of baby clothes, bedding and other stuff. And Friday we had our doctor appointment.
The second week really was quite busy. I reorganized the kitchen pantry to make room for the bottles and formulas etc. Melanie came over and helped me think a lot of things through. I'm such a planner, that the unknown is kind of freaking me out. I just want to know scenarios and be prepared for them. It's kinda funny because I do think I am pretty darn flexible, but I just like to be prepared. I also spent the week having lunch with people, getting my hair done and doing other house stuff.
Thursday the 8th, Jim's work threw a shower for us. It was really nice and we got several of the big items that we were getting a little worried about having. Friday we went to Babies R Us and tried to get everything else we needed. There are still a few items that we need, but I don't think any are really urgent, so we'll tackle those as we need.
Friday, October 2, 2009
37 Weeks - Doctor Update
Today was our 37 week appointment.
All is looking pretty well. The doctor did an ultrasound and we saw little Joshua wiggling his big toe. So great! She guessed his weight at 6 pounds 13 ounces. She thinks he will be born around eight pounds, maybe nine. But she keeps saying my height helps so it shouldn't be too bad.
He is head down, but he is facing the wrong direction (posterior). He hasn't dropped yet, so hopefully he'll turn the right way as he drops.
I am so perplexed by the "practice" contractions or Braxton-Hicks. I've been trying to figure out if I've been having them. I've asked my doctor, the Lamaze coach and friends what they should feel like and I keep getting different answers. I don't feel like I have felt any. I want to feel them, one, just to experience it, and two, just as a sign of progress. As things stand now, this kid looks like he's going to take his sweet time getting here.
All is looking pretty well. The doctor did an ultrasound and we saw little Joshua wiggling his big toe. So great! She guessed his weight at 6 pounds 13 ounces. She thinks he will be born around eight pounds, maybe nine. But she keeps saying my height helps so it shouldn't be too bad.
He is head down, but he is facing the wrong direction (posterior). He hasn't dropped yet, so hopefully he'll turn the right way as he drops.
I am so perplexed by the "practice" contractions or Braxton-Hicks. I've been trying to figure out if I've been having them. I've asked my doctor, the Lamaze coach and friends what they should feel like and I keep getting different answers. I don't feel like I have felt any. I want to feel them, one, just to experience it, and two, just as a sign of progress. As things stand now, this kid looks like he's going to take his sweet time getting here.
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