9 month update

We are so happy that we have made it to 36 weeks!  Though it is still early for her to come, I feel confident that she is developed enough that she would be ok if delivery did happen at this point.  I was a 36 weeker myself (and I turned out ok, right?)  I don't have any reason to believe that she needs to come early though!  Her NST was great this week.  I still have 3 weeks left unless Mother Nature has something else in mind.  My appointment this week went well too.  The doctor wasn't happy that I've lost two more pounds- but baby is growing fine so I'm going to say it's a bonus.  He was like, "How did you lose two pounds over Thanksgiving?!"  Two words.  Gestational Diabetes.  I have to watch everything I eat!  They did my Strep B test and once that comes back we will get the induction on the schedule!  I finished typing up my birth plan today.  I tried to keep it simple- especially knowing that it's all best-case scenario and you never really know what's going to happen.  I think it's a good idea to have your plans and wishes in front of you though, and try to work toward what is best for you and baby.  

Thanksgiving

I'm starting to have signs that I'm in the final month- she is starting to drop slightly lower (which is painful but I'm thankful to breathe a little easier.)  I've had lots more cervical pain and contractions this week, so I can tell my body is gearing up.  They checked my cervix yesterday and I'm dilated to a 1cm.  That is fantastic!  It's not too much to make us worry about preterm labor, but it tells me that my body is cooperating.  I'm hopeful that I will dilate a few more centimeters before induction which would make it that much easier.  Natural dilation is always easier and less painful that forced dilation.  I have been increasingly anxious.  It's that feeling that there is not enough time to finish everything, and yet being impatient for her to arrive safely.  I'm trying to enjoy little moments with Kevin and Jack- knowing that our family won't have the same dynamics again.  Especially relaxing late at night with Kevin, I think I will miss that.  Soon we will be sharing our room!

We have a few more things ready to go now.  The carseat is installed and ready in the car, and our Owlet baby monitor arrived this week.  Some people don't like using pulse ox type monitors at home because of possible false alarms- but I know myself and my anxiety.  I would much rather deal with a few false alarms than feel like I can't sleep in case my baby stops breathing in the night.  I'm telling you I never slept peacefully the first year of Jack's life.  I love that I will be able to check her vitals from my phone in live time- that allows me to check on her without going in the room and waking her up!

We have a full car!

The worst part of this week was ANOTHER hospital visit.  On Sunday I woke up with a bad headache, so I decided to stay home from church and rest to keep my blood pressure down.  When Kevin got home he checked my pressure and it was 150/100.  Noooo!  Instead of calling the doctor and being sent straight to L&D- we decided to see if we could get it to come down at home.  Slowly but steadily, it came down through the 140s and eventually into the mid 130s so I felt ok staying home and not calling.  I took some headache medicine and tried to rest.  The next day, my blood pressure was good in the morning, so I was up and working on things.  By the afternoon, the headache was back and my pressure read at 156/100.  That was alarming, so we called.  The OB sent me to the hospital to repeat preeclampsia labs.  Wouldn't you know it, by the time I was settled in a hospital bed, my pressure was back to normal!  I was beyond frustrated.  I either need treatment for this or not, but I hate being a frequent flier to the hospital.  I'm like...please believe me...it was really bad, my head is screaming.  The nurses told me not to take my pressure so often (even though we only took it twice that day and the doctor told me to watch it closely if we get a high reading.)  The cuff has been checked for accuracy and Kevin takes it manually- so we knew it was all over the place.  I started getting LOW readings in the hospital and it was so weird.

Thankfully, my labs came back mostly good- and we are guessing that I'm just getting migraines that are causing the high blood pressure instead of the other way around.  Which is safer for baby- so I'm good with that.  I have been instructed to lay in bed on my left side at least three times a day to avoid it spiking again.  I've been working on that even though I get stressed out- and it seems to be helping.  Even though the hospital stay was frustrating, I was glad that I got to come home again.  The good news is that baby girl was so active in the hospital, the nurse had to come hold the monitor on my belly for an hour straight to try and get a good reading on Aidia.  She said "I can't believe how active this kid is.  She must be healthy."

Jack gave Aidia his "new old Mickey" as he calls it- because it matches her crib and he knows babies see black and white well.  I love seeing how much he cares for her already!  Her grandma also made her a "My First Christmas" ornament and I love seeing it on our tree!

Sweet little girl, how could you even know how much love this world already has for you? You are adored. You are so blessed to be born completely surrounded by those who care so deeply for you. Cards and gifts and well wishes have been pouring in from all over the place! Words can't describe how much your Daddy and I love you, and what we would give for you. We have given all we could to bring you here, and you are living proof of God's miracles!

Girl Time!

35 week update

 

29 days left!  At the most!  It's still looking like my induction date will be set as December 22nd- which would be 39 weeks and 1 day.  The good news is I can feel my body changing and I've had a lot more regular and more painful Braxton Hicks contractions, so I'm hoping things will at least be started on their own.  Natural is always easier.  I would rather walk around at a 3 for a few weeks than try to start from nothing on induction day!

This Thanksgiving I have SO much to be grateful for.  A healthy and brilliant son, who is actually pretty hilarous most of the time and brings lots of light to our lives.  A HEALTHY daughter, who is SO close to joining our family- after we have prayed for so many years and mourned so many losses.  What a blessing to experience what a real miracle is!  I have the most loving husband (who hasn't been able to keep up with all the places who want to interview him!) who is now FINISHED with clinical internships and graduates with his Doctorate in 16 days!  I feel like so many blessings are being realized at the exact same time.  It makes for a stressful month, but in the best way.  The Lord has blessed us more than we can express.

Everything being said, I have had a difficult week dealing with anxiety.  I think that's pretty normal as you get closer to delivery.  Part of me wants her to come a bit early while I know she's still healthy so no complications can suddenly arise...part of me wants her to be full term to avoid any NICU stays or health issues.  My friend told me, "Trust your body," and I've been clinging to that advice.  I'm trying to put my fear of stillbirth aside and trust that as long as her weekly NSTs are looking good and she is moving well, my body will know when it's time for her to be born.  I'm glad they won't make me go to 40 weeks (or past it) just to be on the safe side.  Speaking of NSTs, Aidia did great this week!  It is so comforting to see her heart and fluid doing exactly what it should be doing!  I got a cute video of the monitor moving all over as she tried to kick it off my belly.

 

My blood pressure starting coming up again this week as my stress increased, but I've tried to stay more calm the last few days and it's not at a dangerous level right now.  I got really overwhelmed with lots of random things going on that seemed to all happen at once.  The holidays are always crazy anyway!  We've run into more problems with Kevin getting licensed and working- it's beyond frustrating how long the process can take.  All the man wants to do is work, he has job offers, and yet we're afraid of a 6 week window with no employment for him.  But all hope is not yet lost- we are doing everything we can to speed up the process so he can legally practice and we're stretching money the best we can.  

Nesting has REALLY kicked in this week.  That, and my ice craving is in full force now.  At least it's not an expensive craving!  I have loved getting some things ready for sweet baby girl to arrive!

Diaper station/ Dresser in Jack's room is all done!

Stocked up!  The middle drawer is 0-3 months and the bottom drawer is 3 months and up!

Hospital Bag packed and ready to go

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Warm and Cozy! Now just to get it installed in the car...

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Is that not the cutest newborn bracelet you've ever seen?  I can't wait for Kevin to have a few days at home so we can get the house scrubbed and everything organized.  I'm glad things are starting to come together! I was lucky enough to get my maternity pictures back this week, from my 30 week shoot, and they are gorgeous!  I will treasure them forever.  Thank you, Jacquie, for being so talented and capturing this wonderous time for us.  I have the whole album on my Facebook page but I'll share a couple here.

I love you my little Rainbow!  I can't wait to see your beautiful face in a month!

34 week update

With five weeks to go, things are getting exciting!  I am feeling more ready to deliver.  I went on a field trip with Jack for about four hours today and it was almost the death of me!  We've had a great week!  Kevin was able to accept a job offer, and has three more interviews this week looking into some other opportunities and different specialties within his field.  It's stressful for him (but the good kind of stress I think.)  The state probably won't get his license completed until January so we are a little stressed about that- but we've made it through tight months before.  Hopefully we can do it again with a newborn!  Jack is also getting excited for his sister to come.  Check out this picture he made in French class!  It's one of my favorites, and I am a circle.

This week, the Christmas PJs I ordered for BOTH of my kids showed up!  I cannot wait to see them together for this picture.  It's all starting to become real that another little person will be living in our house!  Yay for more laundry!

I had my baby shower this week and it was absolutely beautiful.  My sister Kellie has a talent for event planning and she went above and beyond.  I'll just post a few pictures here, but really, it was a sight to behold.  I started crying the second I walked in the door.  It was such a tribute to Aidia and all we have overcome together for her to come to our family.  Thank you to all my friends and family who came to support us and thank you for the wonderful gifts!  I never thought I would make it far enough in a pregnancy to have another baby shower!

We were able to set up Christmas this week in preparation for getting the house all ready before I'm too far gone haha!  I love all the beautiful reminders of Christ- it beings such a special spirit into the house.  Of course, there is still chaos everywhere...baskets of baby things to be washed and put away, laundry, boxes of things to go through and get rid of, cupboards to organize, and just normal mess.  I hope I can get the house sparkling before Aidia graces us with her appearance.

We have almost everything we need for her, save for a couple things like a stroller and a carseat- but I have my eye on one and I have a coupon for it.  Hopefully soon everything will come together.  We did get our swing this week.  It's a space age swing for sure- we love it.  It's really fancy and I think it will last our family a long time.  It's amazing the tech that goes into baby equipment these days!

One of the best parts of my week was my doctor appointment, because everything went so well!  We started weekly NSTs (non-stress tests) and Aidia's heart is responding exactly how it should.  The placenta seems very healthy, no signs of calcification or clots.  My blood pressure is coming back down and is in a much healthier place.  They measured baby girl in the ultrasound and told me she's 5lbs 8oz, which is 60th percentile!  I was so happy to hear this because gestational diabetes can make the baby grow too fast.  On the flip side- the fact that I haven't gained much weight could indicate she wasn't growing fast enough- but she is EXACTLY where she should be!  She's still curled up and has both hands and both feet touching her forehead in a cute little ball.  I hope that means she will be snuggly! 

33 week update

With six weeks left until my induction I am feeling huge!  Every time I try to change positions or get out of bed I look/feel like a beached whale.  Baby girl should be about 19 inches long and weigh 4.5 pounds.  We will know for sure next week at our growth scan (and if all goes well, it will be our last ultrasound.)

This week was a challenge as it included one fall and TWO hospital visits...but we are all home and doing well!  Last Thursday I was feeling pretty sore and achey from my tdap vaccine- just normal side effects- I had a very mild fever.  Since I was freezing and my muscles were achey I decided to take a warm bath to help soothe everything and avoid taking any medicine.  After the bath, I was being super careful getting out of the tub (I mean, painfully slow, watching every step) but suddenly my leg gave out.  It often gives out from the SPD issues but this was a bad one.  My whole leg buckled and I had nowhere to go but down.  I fell right back into the tub.  The fall was painful, but luckily I landed mostly on my back.  I sat there paralyzed for a moment in fear.  I know babies are pretty well protected in the womb but you always worry you could have done some trauma to the cord or placenta.  The worst part was, the warm bath put baby to sleep so I didn't feel her move for a couple hours.  I cried pretty hard for a while- it was a terrible feeling thinking I may have harmed my perfect baby.

Luckily, after a few hours she started waking up, so I did a kick count and when she passed I thought we were in the clear.  As the evening progressed however, I started having a lot more severe pains.  They didn't feel like contractions, but super sharp cervical pain.  By about 730 that night I couldn't breathe through the pain anymore and had a hard time holding back tears.  I called the nurse and they said I needed to be evaluated.  So we went in to labor and delivery so they could check on baby.  It was reassuring to have her on the monitor- and to be in the hospital while I was in such bad pain.  I hurt from the fall and also had a bad migraine.  My cervix stayed closed and they did a fetal fibronectin test to make sure I wasn't going into preterm labor from the fall.  That test was excruciating.  I didn't expect it to hurt so bad but I screamed through most of it.  Then they didn't even end up sending it to test!! 

The doctor came in and felt happy with everything they had determined.  He was pretty sure the sharp pains were from the fall, that I had ripped some ligaments falling and would take a few days to heal up.  He gave me an ambien to help me sleep through the pain the first night and sent me home.  I was so happy to be in my own bed, especially with that headache.  At least we had a good view from the hospital room. 

The next day my headache seemed to get progressively worse.  This was weird to me since I didn't hit my head.  I was miserable most of the day.  By that night I was in agony and started realizing it may not be related to the fall at all.  Since I had been warned that my blood pressure was borderline at my appointment, I asked Kevin to check it just in case that's why I felt like crap.  I saw his eyes get wide as he checked.  It was 150/100.  In pregnancy that's way too high.  Like if it stays there you have to go on meds or bedrest, and like at 160 you have to deliver the baby because of preeclampsia.  I thought it may be related to the pain I was in though so we decided to check it again in the morning.  The next day it was back to the 120s, for a little while.  Then the headache picked up and by the afternoon it was back to 140/85 (which is when I was told to call.)  I called the oncall number all day but I couldn't get in touch with anyone.  I eventually texted my fertility nurse, who got in touch with someone else, and I got a call from the OB office that told me to go back to the hospital.

I didn't want to go to L&D because I knew the pressure was all over the place, spiking up then back down.  Sure enough, when they had me in a bed and checked it every half hour, it was back to normal.  Thankfully because of the numbers I brought in, they did a full workup.  The labs looked good enough for me to leave the hospital a few hours later.  My platelets have gone down slightly, so we're just keeping an eye on it, but my protein/ creatinine levels were in the proper ratio so that was a relief.  The headache was pretty hard to get rid of.  I was given a stronger headache medicine that is considered more safe for pregnant women- but I still feel lots of guilt taking it.  The next day I stayed in bed most of the day and took one or two doses of the pain medicine.  It helped the pressure to come down and my headache is more bearable.  I still have it today- but rest does help and I haven't taken the pain meds in a couple days.  I'm just thankful it wasn't full on preeclampsia so that Aidia can grow a few more weeks.  She will be much healthier the longer she can stay inside.  Kevin hates the hospital more than me- the visits stress him out but he has been a champ.  I feel bad for him since he already "works" there all day!

I had a followup with the doctor the Monday after my second hospital visit.  My BP was back to the 130s and she said that was ok for now.  She said I have enough to worry about without that being an issue, so as long as it stays where it is I don't have to go on bedrest!  With blood clotting issues, bedrest isn't healthy anyway.  If I start getting consistent readings around 140/90 then they will repeat the work up.  I'm just praying if it happens it's not on a weekend!  I would like to at least start at the clinic before going to the hospital!  I'm just trying to listen to my body and rest when I need to before it gets out of control.  Not easy to do when I want to nest and get so many projects done!     

I had lost a little weight at my appointment (down a pound and a half) but the doctor said baby is getting what she needs so it's ok.  The gestational diabetes is annoying, and I hate pricking my fingers, but my numbers are well controlled so that's what matters!  The doctor said keeping my glucose in control is more important than gaining any weight.

Kevin has brought in all kinds of FANTASTIC news this week!  I'm so proud of him my heart could burst!  We found out a week ago that he did pass the NPTE and can be a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy!  He put all that joy and excitement to work and started job hunting right away.  He just needs to graduate (December 9th) and get the licensing number and everything in order.  Much to our surprise, offers have already come in.  He was able to submit a counter offer with one company and I think we are very close to accepting a full time job offer!  We still have things to figure out with the insurance and such (hang in there middle class) but I'm so thankful that we will have an income soon and he can support our family of four!

Gifts have continued to be generously sent and I am SO excited for my upcoming baby shower.  I love how much meaning many of the gifts have, specifically for Aidia.  Someday I will be able to tell her how special she really is.  The yellow elephants are really coming together!  I feel very blessed this week and know that our Heavenly Father is watching out for us.  

      

   

8 month update

7 weeks left until my induction!  That seems so soon and yet so far away.  I've been crunching ice like crazy this week (but I'm not anemic thankfully.)  Baby seems to be getting squished in there- I feel her a lot more in my ribs.  

Good and bad news from my doctor appointment today.  The good news is that my weight has started to go up instead of down.  I have officially gained five pounds in this pregnancy- which is a lot better than where it's been.  My belly growth was good and baby's heart rate is great, so that's what matters most.  

The not-so-great news is that my blood pressure seems to be getting higher with each appointment.  I was doing so well the past several months- always like 117/70.  Two weeks ago it was in the mid 120s but I thought it was more of a fluke.  Then I got a bad headache this week so Kevin checked it and it was 134/70.  I blamed it on the headache.  At my appointment today it was mid 130s over mid 80s.  I was told they do not like to see 135 or 140/85.  That is the point they start monitoring for preeclampsia.  The doctor told me if it hits 150 they start talking about meds and/or delivering early.  So I have about 15 points to play with.  I need to try and keep my BP down...if I'm in control at all.  They want me to rest more, to lie down three times a day on my left side.  

I just got my sugars under control without losing weight- what's one more thing to keep track of right?  I got my tDap shot today, so at least with that and my flu shot out of the way I can start making the antibodies she needs.  In case we do deliver early.  I really hope not!

In 13 days I have my next appointment with the doctor, and a growth ultrasound, and I start weekly non-stress tests.  I will basically be living at the doctors office.  Aside from the weekly 40 minute NST, they will start seeing me twice a week when I hit 36 weeks.  At that 36 week mark they'll do my Strep B test and schedule my induction at the hospital.  Hopefully my BP stays low enough that we can still do a 39 week induction and not have to deliver sooner.  I'm thankful though- I want a close eye on my miracle!  My new mantra- "doctor's office is life."  I mean, I already had three needle pokes by 11am this morning, what difference does it make?  

What this all means is, I probably need to set up Christmas early and get my house all clean and ready in case she does have to come early :D

My beautiful rainbow blanket that arrived this week!  Aidia wanted to be in the picture too haha

In other news, this week has been a torturous wait for Kevin's NPTE results.  They told us it could take ten business days to find out if he passed or not (unless we pay $80 to find out in five. Thanks, Satan.)  The poor man felt absolutely sick after the test.  It was definitely the hardest test he's ever taken in his life.  I think any five hour test just makes you discouraged honestly.  He says he's really not sure and it could go either way.  That puts some stress on us because if he didn't pass this time, he can't work as a PT until he does pass.  They don't offer it again for several months so it would be really hard to have no income and a new baby.  We're trying to keep the faith.  Usually at least one of us has a nightmare about it every night!  We just need to know so we can deal with it either way!  If I can keep my stress down, perhaps my BP will follow.    

We were able to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary this last week!  I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband who has stuck by my side and showed me increasing love every year we're together.  We feel especially blessed this year.  

Halloween was also fun!  I was able to help at Jack's carnival and I love being a part of his school life.  He is getting so big, and enjoying all the childhood fun that I look back on with fondness.

I'm so anxious for my baby to be here safe and sound.  I'm still so afraid of stillbirth- but all the extra monitoring should help ease my fears.  We can do this little rainbow!