Hello, everyone!
There is good news! I went to an appointment this afternoon and found out that while I might go into labor on my own, due to a procedure a midwife did today, I am scheduled to go into the hospital tomorrow night at 8 pm. At that point they'll give me Cervadil, then the next morning they'll start me on Pitocin to get me going. They said that since I'll be overdue at that point, I have a medical reason for being induced and I am not likely to get bumped to another day. The baby will probably arrive, then, on April 30th. I will keep you all updated the best I can!!!
Thanks for all the good wishes these past months -- everyone has been really great and it has made me feel really special that you guys are so interested.
I love you guys!!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
No baby yet!
Here I am, 6 days overdue, and at work. My parents arrived last night, and I can already tell it's going to be crazy. They had to bring their two cats (because they have "issues" -- the cats, not my parents... ha!), and with our one cat and the tiny house, I can tell it's going to be pretty crazy when MaybeBaby DOES arrive.
So, my parents' arrival is partly the reason I haven't updated on facebook, but also because when your status doesn't change, your status doesn't change. I should have updated with "status unchanged," I think. It's getting frustrating!
For those of you on facebook, if you'd like to post something about how I haven't had the baby yet, I'd appreciate it! :)
So, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel, friends. I was supposed to have another appointment tomorrow (a week past the due date). At my last appointment, I was still at 2 cm and 50% effaced (so, no change) and the midwife (TMI alert) tried to bring down my cervix. Ow! It didn't work. She did say that we could go ahead and schedule an induction for a day after Wednesday, if I wanted to, in case I didn't "go on my own" before then.
Ian and I talked and decided this coming Friday might be good - I'd get in more days at work and we'd worry about money a little less, and it just seemed like a good idea. However, someone at work told me that if I get bumped for someone else, I might have to wait until MONDAY, which would be WAY TOO LONG. (The midwife had said that she didn't want me to go until May 4th.) So, I called the OB yesterday and talked to another midwife who said that they wouldn't just schedule me for an induction (no matter when it was) without having seen me for an exam. So, she recommended that I try to change my appointment from Wed. to today, which I did this morning. She said that they generally will admit an induction the night before, so I'm wondering if maybe, just MAYBE I might get them to enter me into the hospital tonight!!!
Or they could look at me today and say no, I need to wait a while longer.
Oh, my friends, I am READY for this baby to come out! I'm scared, but I am tired of not being able to feel my hands. Also tired of people saying, "Haven't you had that baby yet?!" You would think they'd be tired of hearing themselves say it, but I guess you'd be wrong, wouldn't you?
So, my parents' arrival is partly the reason I haven't updated on facebook, but also because when your status doesn't change, your status doesn't change. I should have updated with "status unchanged," I think. It's getting frustrating!
For those of you on facebook, if you'd like to post something about how I haven't had the baby yet, I'd appreciate it! :)
So, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel, friends. I was supposed to have another appointment tomorrow (a week past the due date). At my last appointment, I was still at 2 cm and 50% effaced (so, no change) and the midwife (TMI alert) tried to bring down my cervix. Ow! It didn't work. She did say that we could go ahead and schedule an induction for a day after Wednesday, if I wanted to, in case I didn't "go on my own" before then.
Ian and I talked and decided this coming Friday might be good - I'd get in more days at work and we'd worry about money a little less, and it just seemed like a good idea. However, someone at work told me that if I get bumped for someone else, I might have to wait until MONDAY, which would be WAY TOO LONG. (The midwife had said that she didn't want me to go until May 4th.) So, I called the OB yesterday and talked to another midwife who said that they wouldn't just schedule me for an induction (no matter when it was) without having seen me for an exam. So, she recommended that I try to change my appointment from Wed. to today, which I did this morning. She said that they generally will admit an induction the night before, so I'm wondering if maybe, just MAYBE I might get them to enter me into the hospital tonight!!!
Or they could look at me today and say no, I need to wait a while longer.
Oh, my friends, I am READY for this baby to come out! I'm scared, but I am tired of not being able to feel my hands. Also tired of people saying, "Haven't you had that baby yet?!" You would think they'd be tired of hearing themselves say it, but I guess you'd be wrong, wouldn't you?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
"Your Toes Look Like Little Sausages"...
... and other things not to say to a pregnant lady.
They include, "It looks like you're going to burst/pop/explode" and "Haven't you had that baby yet?"
Things to say: "You look great!", "Are you excited?", and "I'm so excited for you!"
But a lot of you already know that. I'm really just preaching to the choir, aren't I?
Well. I am one day away from my due date, with no sign of impending birth. I MAY be having those "practice contractions" (as my OB calls them, but others call them false labor or "Braxton-Hicks"), but since I've never been able to tell the difference between hunger pains and being sick, I'm probably not a very perceptive person when it comes to my body. Sometimes I THINK I'm feeling them, but I always second-guess myself.
On Friday I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced, and for those of you who haven't had babies and don't know a ton of people who have, that just means that my cervix is 50% "thinned out", which supposedly makes it favorable for more dilating. However, MaybeBaby appears comfy and has not even dropped yet, from what I can tell. (However, as I said above, I'm not too attuned to my body, so what do I know?)
TMI alert - I think I have lost my mucous plug, as well (over the weekend), which is also "good." I mean, all these signs might be pointing to "YES" but they could also totally be pointing to "HA HA IT WILL STILL BE LIKE TWO WEEKS HA HA."
I had spring break last week, which was great, because I sat around with my feet up every day and read books and watched old movies... but now I'm back at work, using up every day I can that I don't need to take leave for (sorry about the grammar).
My parents were supposed to arrive tomorrow (ON the due date, whether or not I actually delivered that day), but now they have decided to wait until we call them. They'll still have time to get here before we come home from the hospital, and if my dad can get enough work done before they come, then he won't have to drive back to PA to take care of business and then drive all the way back to NC. However, not knowing when the baby is coming and not knowing when THEY are coming means that we need to get the house cleaned up a bit.
It is hard when you're not allowed to, oh, bend or use any chemicals. (I do like those Clorox wipes. They are my friends.) But man, it'd be nice if my parents didn't have to clean once they arrived, you know? And Ian's trying, but he's got work and making dinner to do every day already (we used to make it together, but the blood pressure issue prevents that these days).
Speaking of blood pressure, my circulation is so bad in my hands THAT THEY ARE ALWAYS TINGLY. It is beyond annoying. I have sausage fingers besides the toes, you see -- though thankfully no one has commented on those. The tips of my middle fingers are especially prone to this sensation. Someone, please tell me this will stop being a problem directly after birth. Just lie to me. That's cool.
On the upside... I feel fine other than the swollen extremities! It's not easy to get dressed, but once I am, hey! I don't have to worry about it until bedtime!
I'll let y'all know if anything interesting happens. I have my next appointment on Thursday, and the only thing I'm truly concerned about is that they might say, "Hey, you're now not effaced at all, nor are you dilated!" Is that possible? Let's all hope not....
It's getting about time for MaybeBaby to show herself!
They include, "It looks like you're going to burst/pop/explode" and "Haven't you had that baby yet?"
Things to say: "You look great!", "Are you excited?", and "I'm so excited for you!"
But a lot of you already know that. I'm really just preaching to the choir, aren't I?
Well. I am one day away from my due date, with no sign of impending birth. I MAY be having those "practice contractions" (as my OB calls them, but others call them false labor or "Braxton-Hicks"), but since I've never been able to tell the difference between hunger pains and being sick, I'm probably not a very perceptive person when it comes to my body. Sometimes I THINK I'm feeling them, but I always second-guess myself.
On Friday I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced, and for those of you who haven't had babies and don't know a ton of people who have, that just means that my cervix is 50% "thinned out", which supposedly makes it favorable for more dilating. However, MaybeBaby appears comfy and has not even dropped yet, from what I can tell. (However, as I said above, I'm not too attuned to my body, so what do I know?)
TMI alert - I think I have lost my mucous plug, as well (over the weekend), which is also "good." I mean, all these signs might be pointing to "YES" but they could also totally be pointing to "HA HA IT WILL STILL BE LIKE TWO WEEKS HA HA."
I had spring break last week, which was great, because I sat around with my feet up every day and read books and watched old movies... but now I'm back at work, using up every day I can that I don't need to take leave for (sorry about the grammar).
My parents were supposed to arrive tomorrow (ON the due date, whether or not I actually delivered that day), but now they have decided to wait until we call them. They'll still have time to get here before we come home from the hospital, and if my dad can get enough work done before they come, then he won't have to drive back to PA to take care of business and then drive all the way back to NC. However, not knowing when the baby is coming and not knowing when THEY are coming means that we need to get the house cleaned up a bit.
It is hard when you're not allowed to, oh, bend or use any chemicals. (I do like those Clorox wipes. They are my friends.) But man, it'd be nice if my parents didn't have to clean once they arrived, you know? And Ian's trying, but he's got work and making dinner to do every day already (we used to make it together, but the blood pressure issue prevents that these days).
Speaking of blood pressure, my circulation is so bad in my hands THAT THEY ARE ALWAYS TINGLY. It is beyond annoying. I have sausage fingers besides the toes, you see -- though thankfully no one has commented on those. The tips of my middle fingers are especially prone to this sensation. Someone, please tell me this will stop being a problem directly after birth. Just lie to me. That's cool.
On the upside... I feel fine other than the swollen extremities! It's not easy to get dressed, but once I am, hey! I don't have to worry about it until bedtime!
I'll let y'all know if anything interesting happens. I have my next appointment on Thursday, and the only thing I'm truly concerned about is that they might say, "Hey, you're now not effaced at all, nor are you dilated!" Is that possible? Let's all hope not....
It's getting about time for MaybeBaby to show herself!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Under Pressure!
This is the blood pressure episode, everyone!
I am 38 weeks tomorrow, and for the past couple weeks, I've been having trouble with my blood pressure. It's not horrible, just getting steadily worse, little by little.
The first appointment I had when they told me I had high blood pressure, the midwife also informed me that I had a urinary tract infection. AWESOME. (I'm usually pretty perceptive when it comes to urinary tract infections, but I guess when you're 30-something weeks pregnant, you stop knowing what's normal and what's not in your body. At least, that's how it's been for me!)
The midwives haven't been particularly worried about the blood pressure issue (calling them "the midwives" makes me picture a bunch of hens, somehow), but last week one of them told me that I should try to go to part-time at work to avoid being put on bed rest. Four days later, another midwife agreed. And today, of course, a third midwife also mentioned it. Argh!
Like most people, I work because I need money and insurance, and without working full time, I would lose some of the former and all of the latter. That is why I have to work full time. Fortunately, I have spring break next week, which is quite convenient, and the last three days of this week I can work from home for the mornings and go in to work for the afternoons.
I don't feel bad in any way, except that being 37 or 38 weeks pregnant is a LOT more uncomfortable than being 33 or 34 weeks. I'm drinking lots of water, I don't eat much salt at all, and we're eating lots of veggies. I'm also lying on the recliner (thank goodness my parents brought it down over Christmas!) and my husband makes dinner at night.
I also just got a second prenatal massage yesterday. They are fabulous, in case anyone wants to know. I wish it could've been an hour, but we're scrimping here and there, so I just had a half hour. My hips are starting to not feel so great, especially when trying to lay on my side to sleep, and I'm getting a lot more pressure on my pelvis (isn't this what you signed up for when you decided to read a pregnancy blog?), and my skin really feels like it's stretching.
So, blood pressure, not so awesome. But no protein found in my samples, so it's not pre-eclampsia, they say. (Did I spell that right? I'm too lazy to look it up.) Also, urinary tract infection is over with.
On to other things: a midwife checked me out today and is guessing that MaybeBaby will be 8 lbs when she arrives. Then we had yet another ultrasound to check on the fluid and movement (apparently the babies of mothers with high blood pressure sometimes may not have enough fluid to move around in) and things seem fine. The u/s technician said that she "looks like she'll be big"! Hmmm. It just makes me think about how I was over 8 lbs and my mom had to have a c-section. I know people have done regular deliveries for larger babies than that, but.... I will just put all of that out of my mind, because there's nothing I can do about it, either way!
Last Monday I was at 1 cm, and today they didn't check me. My midwife says they'll check me again on Friday. She also said that if I had the baby at any time, it would be fine. It's very strange to think that MaybeBaby could make her appearance at any time!
Last night, I had my first recognizable "practice labor" contractions. It didn't feel like I expected; I was thinking contractions (practice or no) would feel like a real cramp or an actual contraction of the uterus. It turned out to feel like I was about to get my period, which, after I thought about it, has never felt like active cramps so much as dull, aching pain in my lower abdomen. So, hey, cool! The uterus is getting ready! It was kind of painful, though, and I finally had to get up and walk around. I ended up packing a bag for the hospital (which we haven't done yet -- obviously), because I thought, "What if this ends up being the real thing?" It wasn't, of course, but it made me realize that we're a bit unprepared. We haven't washed any baby clothes or sheets or anything, the car seat bases haven't been installed in the cars, and we don't really have a bag packed for the hospital. So, in the bag I tried to put together, I put in 6 books (will I be in the mood for something new? something familiar? fiction? nonfiction? something easy? something challenging?), some DVDs (I know the rooms have TVs, but I'm not sure about DVD players -- never hurts to be prepared!), lollipops (based on people's recommendations), three different shirts, two different pairs of pants (crap! I just realized I didn't put in pajamas!), socks, underthings, and then three different (unwashed) baby outfits.
Speaking of going to the hospital and things we don't have ready, we still don't have a middle name picked out....
Sorry about the randomness of this posting! It's been so long and I definitely have pregnancy-brain. We're super excited but also nervous (when does a soon-to-be parent say otherwise?). I'll be letting everyone know if anything interesting happens.... Now I'm going to continue to lie on this recliner and eat dinner (not made by me!).
I am 38 weeks tomorrow, and for the past couple weeks, I've been having trouble with my blood pressure. It's not horrible, just getting steadily worse, little by little.
The first appointment I had when they told me I had high blood pressure, the midwife also informed me that I had a urinary tract infection. AWESOME. (I'm usually pretty perceptive when it comes to urinary tract infections, but I guess when you're 30-something weeks pregnant, you stop knowing what's normal and what's not in your body. At least, that's how it's been for me!)
The midwives haven't been particularly worried about the blood pressure issue (calling them "the midwives" makes me picture a bunch of hens, somehow), but last week one of them told me that I should try to go to part-time at work to avoid being put on bed rest. Four days later, another midwife agreed. And today, of course, a third midwife also mentioned it. Argh!
Like most people, I work because I need money and insurance, and without working full time, I would lose some of the former and all of the latter. That is why I have to work full time. Fortunately, I have spring break next week, which is quite convenient, and the last three days of this week I can work from home for the mornings and go in to work for the afternoons.
I don't feel bad in any way, except that being 37 or 38 weeks pregnant is a LOT more uncomfortable than being 33 or 34 weeks. I'm drinking lots of water, I don't eat much salt at all, and we're eating lots of veggies. I'm also lying on the recliner (thank goodness my parents brought it down over Christmas!) and my husband makes dinner at night.
I also just got a second prenatal massage yesterday. They are fabulous, in case anyone wants to know. I wish it could've been an hour, but we're scrimping here and there, so I just had a half hour. My hips are starting to not feel so great, especially when trying to lay on my side to sleep, and I'm getting a lot more pressure on my pelvis (isn't this what you signed up for when you decided to read a pregnancy blog?), and my skin really feels like it's stretching.
So, blood pressure, not so awesome. But no protein found in my samples, so it's not pre-eclampsia, they say. (Did I spell that right? I'm too lazy to look it up.) Also, urinary tract infection is over with.
On to other things: a midwife checked me out today and is guessing that MaybeBaby will be 8 lbs when she arrives. Then we had yet another ultrasound to check on the fluid and movement (apparently the babies of mothers with high blood pressure sometimes may not have enough fluid to move around in) and things seem fine. The u/s technician said that she "looks like she'll be big"! Hmmm. It just makes me think about how I was over 8 lbs and my mom had to have a c-section. I know people have done regular deliveries for larger babies than that, but.... I will just put all of that out of my mind, because there's nothing I can do about it, either way!
Last Monday I was at 1 cm, and today they didn't check me. My midwife says they'll check me again on Friday. She also said that if I had the baby at any time, it would be fine. It's very strange to think that MaybeBaby could make her appearance at any time!
Last night, I had my first recognizable "practice labor" contractions. It didn't feel like I expected; I was thinking contractions (practice or no) would feel like a real cramp or an actual contraction of the uterus. It turned out to feel like I was about to get my period, which, after I thought about it, has never felt like active cramps so much as dull, aching pain in my lower abdomen. So, hey, cool! The uterus is getting ready! It was kind of painful, though, and I finally had to get up and walk around. I ended up packing a bag for the hospital (which we haven't done yet -- obviously), because I thought, "What if this ends up being the real thing?" It wasn't, of course, but it made me realize that we're a bit unprepared. We haven't washed any baby clothes or sheets or anything, the car seat bases haven't been installed in the cars, and we don't really have a bag packed for the hospital. So, in the bag I tried to put together, I put in 6 books (will I be in the mood for something new? something familiar? fiction? nonfiction? something easy? something challenging?), some DVDs (I know the rooms have TVs, but I'm not sure about DVD players -- never hurts to be prepared!), lollipops (based on people's recommendations), three different shirts, two different pairs of pants (crap! I just realized I didn't put in pajamas!), socks, underthings, and then three different (unwashed) baby outfits.
Speaking of going to the hospital and things we don't have ready, we still don't have a middle name picked out....
Sorry about the randomness of this posting! It's been so long and I definitely have pregnancy-brain. We're super excited but also nervous (when does a soon-to-be parent say otherwise?). I'll be letting everyone know if anything interesting happens.... Now I'm going to continue to lie on this recliner and eat dinner (not made by me!).
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