35 weeks!

Well I made it to 35 weeks...with another scare.

Saturday was a beautiful day. Luc and I had a fun filled day going to the park then going to a friend's baby shower/cook out. We were about to head out when I noticed a slight amount of blood after I went to the bathroom. I debated on calling the nurse. I have been feeling like I had an infection or something and it was such a tiny amount. This was nothing like past scary experiences. I called anyway though. The nurse would not let me explain what was going on. As soon as she heard the word blood and saw my records, she said "you need to go right to the hospital".

I took my time getting some things together and trying to find someone to watch Luc for me (Brian was out of town). We got to the hospital and I got hooked up on the monitors. Luc was very good while the nurse was tending to me. Caren met us shortly after I got hooked up and he was super happy to go with her. He didn't even look at me when they left. He was just ready to get out of there.

So the doctor came in and saw no indication of blood. He did a fetal fibronectin test (tells if you may go into labor soon), a urine analysis, and a test for yeast infection. All this took several hours. I was waiting all this time with nothing to eat of drink. By the end of everything, it was about 3:00 and I had had no food or water since 8ish...not good for a pregnant person.

As the nurse was coming in, I had a pretty strong contraction and the baby's heartrate dropped significantly. The doctor told me that he would not let me go. They wanted to monitor the heartrate while I was having contractions. I had several more contractions and his heartrate dropped a couple more times. I tried to explain that I had had nothing to drink since about 8ish in the morning. They wouldn't bring me any water in case they had to do emergency surgery. Finally, they got me settled in my room and brought me some water. The contractions slowed down. duh!

I had lots of contraction throughout the night. The nurse came in one time to ask me how I was doing. I was sleeping as best I could. She said that I had been having lots of strong contractions. They weren't bothering me so she let me go back to sleep. The contractions that I had during the night and during the day Sunday, were not affecting the baby's heartrate.

They did two ultrasound tests while I was there. The test was to watch the baby's movements during a certain amount of time. He did great on both tests.

I finally got to come home yesterday afternoon. They told me to just be very aware of his movements and to stay hydrated. I will see Dr Meritt and Dr DeStefano next Monday. Hopefully, all these contractons are doing something and my body will be ready to deliver on the 17th.

34 week prenatal visit

Wahoo 34 WEEKS!

I saw Dr Meritt today for my 34 week prenatal visit. I was a bit nervous because I had to take Luc with me and it was during his naptime. He did great though. Everything looks good. Of course, she is still very pleased that I am doing well.

I have been having contractions. They are more frequent and more intense than I had with Luc. I think they are just Braxton Hicks though. I have had a couple of pretty painful ones that have waken me up the past few nights. Dr Meritt told me that she would check my cervix if it would make me feel better. She said at this point, if I do go into actual labor, she would not stop it. I didn't have her check me since 1) Luc would not sit still and 2) if the contractions are doing anything, I don't want to know about it until Brian gets back in town.

So, unless anything changes, Dr Meritt will plan to induce May 17. She will being checking my cervix at the next visit (in two weeks). If my body doesn't seem ready for labor the week before May 17, we will wait until May 24 to induce. While I am so scared of what delivery will do to me this time, it is nice to see an end to this pregnancy and I can't wait to hold this little baby.

Dr DeStefano update (33 weeks)

We had an ultrasound with Dr DeStefano this morning. She was very pleased with the way everything looks in there. There is still no active bleeding on the placenta. The baby is still growing well. He is about 5lb1oz which places him slightly above average about 60th percentile. His head and belly are big for his age but he may have short little legs.

She told me that I can go back to normal activites but just be aware of what my body tells me. I will see her again in 3 weeks. She does still want Dr Meritt to induce labor at 38-39 weeks. She doesn't want to take a chance of my going in to labor at home and the placenta separating more. I am completely fine with that since A.) I'm sick of being pregnant and B.) I'm terrified of a delivery similar to Luc's.

Luc got to go today and see pictures of his baby brother on the TV. He was excited to see his eyes and nose. He told the nurse that the baby's name is "GA GA". He has been talking baby talk a lot lately. We didn't get any pictures this time. The baby had both arms across his face. He would peek out every now and then but never for long enough to take a good picture.

We confirmed that the pain in my left side is from him constantly punching me in the same spot. She scanned near that spot and there was his fist, ready to take a swing.

Proof of parties in the belly

This doesn't really show how active he really is. I just happened to catch some movements. I thought the grandparents would like it.


Baby moves from Noelle McNeil on Vimeo.

32 week dr update

I saw Dr Meritt today for a check-up. I have gained another 6 lbs for a total of 36 lbs. So Kristen and Alyssa, beat that! What do we win for this game anyway? Maybe a gift certificate to Sprinkles or Krispy Kreme? ;-) Just kidding. I'm actually going through our fridge and pantry to dump the junk...except the candy. I would die without chocolate.

Anyway, my belly measured perfect (32 cm) so that extra is just fat. I knew my butt looked bigger in that picture. Dr Meritt is still happy with my weight gain though. No other news from the visit. Everything is going great still.

32 weeks

Another big week...32 weeks! I don't have much to update. I have made it to 32 weeks which begins my 8th month. This boy is super active like his brother. He is very strong too. He always punches me in the same spot on my side. It is actually kind of sore from where he hits so hard. I'm going to ask Dr Meritt if she thinks he has super strength or super powers (Brian would love that). I mean they did shoot me with steriods.

Sleeping is very uncomfortable now for multiple reasons. I wake up every hour or two to go pee. It is so annoying. I think I average waking up about 6 times each night. I remember feeling this way with Luc too. I remember getting longer periods of sleep after Luc was born than I did when I was pregnant. I also have a hard time getting comfortable. I usually sleep on my back. I'm to the point that laying flat on my back makes me a little faint feeling...I guess that's why they say don't do it. And lately, when I finally do get to sleep, he decides to have a party. My whole torso moves sometimes when he is rolling around in there. I'm going to try to video it soon. It's pretty funny to watch...when I'm not asleep.

I think the biggest change in growth since 28 weeks is my butt. Man, it's huge. I didn't really realize how huge it's gotten until I looked at these pictures. When I try to add another picture to my line of pictures I made, it messes the whole thing up. I'll just start another one.  So here is a reminder from 28 weeks and the second is from today.