38 Weeks & Counting...

So I have hit 38 weeks. And we are counting. It is SUCH a waiting game because it could be any moment now... or it could still be 2 weeks away. We are as ready as we could possibly be. The nursery is complete (I will post pics soon), we have taken all the baby prep classes, we have received everything (at least all of the necessary items!) off our registries, our hospital bags are packed, the hospital route(s) are mapped out, etc. If he came tonight, we'd be ready.

But alas, we have arrived at 38 weeks and still no baby.

We had our ultrasound this morning (to determine the size & position of the baby) and my sweet husband joined me at the appointment. It was a very short appointment. The ultrasound technician was very thorough and was quick to tell us that Baby Hake was definitely head down and in the "right" position. She took some measurements of his head (normal: measuring at 38 weeks), his belly (a bit bigger: measuring at 39 weeks, which if he has been eating what I've been eating it's no suprise haha), my fluid level (normal), his heart rate (149 bpm), and his approximate weight (7 1/2 pounds). We asked her how accurate the weight was and she said "pretty accurate", so if he gains a 1/2 pound each week (which is "normal") between now and delivery, it looks like we'll have an 8 1/2 pound baby on our hands. Not as bad as I thought - I was expecting him to already be 10 pounds! The ultrasound technician informed us that he had definitely dropped and was "very low" and headed in the right direction, so that was nice to hear.

I had originally changed my actual 38 week appointment (because I did NOT want to see Heather, the midwife I don't enjoy) to tomorrow but the ultrasound technician informed me that Dixie (my favorite midwife) could squeeze me in right after the ultrasound. SCORE! So Brian and I got to meet with Dixie :)

Dixie told me that I was still 0 cm dilated and 0% effaced. I, of course, was discouraged and it must've shown on my face. Dixie did a WONDERFUL job of encouraging me but also validating my concerns and pains. Dixie told me how when she was pregnant that she went to the hospital 3 times with false alarms... and she's a midwife! She told me that I WAS indeed having true contractions, they just weren't strong/consistent enough to help me dilate. Brian, Dixie and I discussed the possibilities of induction. Dixie said she won't dilate anyone until 39 weeks, to allow for healthy lung development. So at my next appointment (39 weeks, next week) we will discuss it. Dixie said if I am dilated/effaced then we might schedule an induction for 39 1/2 weeks. If I am still at 0 cm then we might schedule an induction for 40 1/2 weeks. Either way, this baby will be delivered at the latest 41 weeks. THANK GOD! Have I mentioned how much I love Dixie? :)

What have I been doing to pass the time this past week? Well since I am done with work (wahoo!) and don't have deadlines or lesson plans to write or emails from crazy overbearing parents, I have had MUCH less stress in my life. Here is what I have done to occupy my time:
- lunch/hang with friends (Monday: Nine Street Kitchen in Historic Roswell with my mom, Greyson and Harriet. Tuesday: Brio with Anna (my cousin). Wednesday: Nicole (my friend from small group) came over here with her 3 week old precious baby Abigail. Friday: Greyson came over, we ordered pizza and watched "How Do You Know" movie. Saturday: Stacy came over in the AM just to hang)... have I mentioned that I have the BEST friends in the world?!?!
- catching up on tv shows I've been missing (my DVR was getting backed up!)
- propping my feet up (the swelling has gone down A LOT!)
- Skyping with my college bffs
- had a service come out to clean our carpets (hadn't been done in the 2 year we've lived here)
- organized the nursery
- a LOT of online shopping (sorry Brian!)
- cleaned the house (finally got to dusting the upstairs, laundry galore, etc.)
- making lists (who to call on way to hospital, who to invite to Sip and See, double checking list of what to pack for hospital now that we've had a trial run, etc.)
- QT with Penny :) She needs it.
- making "summer goody bags" for my 20 students for when I go back to visit them in May
- playing Words with Friends AND Word Feud... I'm slightly addicted
- walking (more like waddling) around the neighborhood with Brian and Penny

Needless to say, I am keeping quite busy. I am very grateful for all my friends who have been helping to keep me entertained. I am very grateful for my sweet puppy Penny who snuggles me when I feel lonely. I am most grateful for my amazing husband who has listened to me complain about my Fred Flintstone feet, rubbed my achy back with tennis balls, made me delicious dinners (he's in the other room making me pancakes for dinner right now YUM!), refilled my water, helped me clean and organize the nursery, run errands for me on the weekends, and helped me to put on my shoes when I can't reach my feet anymore... all of this after he a hard day of work at the office, too. I love him SO incredibly much!

37 Week Appointment

Since our "alarm" on Saturday at the hospital, life has been a little crazy here at home. I have continued to have contractions but they are still inconsistent. Each contraction lasts at least one minute, but the frequency is random. Sometimes they are 2 minutes apart, 5 minutes apart, and then I'll go 15 minutes without having one at all. The intensity of each contraction has increased as well and not only am I feeling them in my lower stomach but now it has moved to my low back and bum area as well. I have also had swelling in my hands/ankles for the past few weeks, but my gracious that has increased as well - it is now VERY painful and much more swollen. I am swollen in my ankles, tops of my feet, and fingers. I have been trying to take it easy here at home and sweet Brian has definitely helped me out a lot. I took a relaxing bubble bath, went for a walk in the neighborhood, drinking TONS of water, and have been trying to keep my feet elevated as much as possible. But, as you can imagine, sitting around with my feet propped up all day is quite boring. I have tried to occupy my time by chatting on the phone with friends, reading baby books, shopping online (woopsies!), watching tv, and napping. But I must be honest - if this (contractions, swelling, and boredom) continues for 3 more weeks, I might go crazy.

I had my 37 week appointment yesterday and met with Heather, the midwife at my OB/GYN appointment that is my least favorite. Heather "checked me" and told me that I was still 0cm dilated and not effaced at all (which confuses me because at the hospital on Saturday she told me that my cervix had softened a bit, so is it possible to go BACK?!?!). Heather did say that Baby Hake had indeed dropped and she could tell he was headed down, which was good. Brian and I talked with Heather about our next steps. She informed us to continue doing what we were doing - relax, feet up, drink lots of water, monitor contractions, and wait. BOO. Heather said this routine could continue for days or weeks and I may actually "last" until my due date. Another BOO. She said we would look at inducing later on. BOO.

One piece of good news from our appointment was that my Group B Strep test came back and everything looks good! :)

Brian and I went to the front desk after meeting with Heather and changed our 38 week appointment to another midwife. I don't want to meet with Heather again. I will be going in for an ultrasound (to determine position and size of Baby Hake) next Monday and then going in for my 38 week appointment with Christine (another midwife, who my pregnant friend Allie really likes!) the very next day. I just want to get different opinions and advice. Our 39 week appointment is with Dixie, our ultimate favorite midwife.

Driving home from our appointment yesterday was quite sad. In fact, these past few days have been quite sad. Brian and I are feeling like we keep getting our bubble burst. On Saturday we were excited as we drove to the hospital, thinking "this could be it". We were excited to watch the contractions on the monitor lasting one minute with five minutes in between. But then Heather came in and told us I was 0cm. Yesterday driving to our 37 week appointment, we were excited thinking that since my contractions had continued and increased in intensity here at home that maybe I had dilated a little bit. But then Heather came in and told us I was 0cm still.

I'm trying to stay positive and I realize I am only 20 days away from my due date. And I realize that 20 days sounds like it will fly by, but again when you are propped up on pillows and sitting around bored all day, I am thinking it may creep by. Brian and I have discussed that we are trying to understand God's timing of it all and maybe Baby Hake needs some more time to grow and develop, but patience is not my best trait as most of you know.

Looking back, I have had a WONDERFUL pregnancy! First and second trimester was so great - I felt great, thought I looked pretty cute in maternity clothes, only got sick one time, was on cloud 9 to be pregnant with sweet Brian, and had a lot of fun shopping for baby items. Third trimester has been a bit different. I am trying not to complain TOO much and I feel like, for my personality, I have done a great job of being positive throughout my pregnancy. So just bear with me these next 1-3 weeks as I vent. I am just SO ready to meet Baby Hake. I want to hold him in my arms and not in my belly anymore...

24 Week Appt & Glucose Test

24 weeks :)

Two days before Christmas, we had our 24 week appointment and glucose testing. I had to fast for about 2 hours ahead of time (which includes water!!!). We arrived early to our appointment, as I was a bit nervous about the blood work. We were seen right away (thank God!) and I was given a choice between a yummy orange flavor or delicious Hawaiian Punch flavored drink. I chose the orange and was told by a nurse to chug it within 5 minutes. I thought to myself, "No problem, that's easy." I took one sip and realized how serious this was - it was disgusting. I can imagine that for someone who usually drinks soda and other sweet drinks it wouldn't be too terrible, but all I drink is water, milk and juice so this was horrible to me. Brian stood in the corner and cheered me on as I chugged the chalky, orange drink. The nurse told us to go out to the waiting room (and gave us packets of info to read and fill out) and she'd call me back in one hour for the blood work. I wasn't allowed to drink water, chew gum, or anything. So I had that yummy orange taste in my mouth for an hour. Sick. Brian and I thumbed through the paperwork and filled out our "Birth Plan" - we had to say who was going to cut the umbilical cord, if I wanted an epidural or not (YES PLEASE), and other birthing options. I finally got called back to the lab and they drew blood. Brian did a great job of trying to distract me while they nurse did her job. Needless to say, as soon as she finished drawing blood, I chugged a bottle of water.

After all of this, we were seen by a doctor. Most of my appointments from this point on will be pretty routine - weigh on the scale (lots of fun), measure my belly, listen to the heart beat, and Q/A. The measurement of belly (24.5 inches) lined up perfectly with being 24 weeks pregnant. My weight gain was right on target for where I was at, even though I feel like a beached whale. The doctor said I was right on "schedule" with everything.

I got a phone call a few days after this appointment with my results. The glucose test came back normal and it looks like I do not have gestational diabetes - YAY! One thing I can cross off my list :)

20 week appt

We went in for our 20 week appointment on December 8. I was actually already at 22 weeks but with my crazy school schedule, I couldn't make my appointment until now. First, we met with Mary, the ultrasound technician. She was VERY quick and not as friendly as our tech at 16 weeks. Mary was knowledgeable and pointed out EVERY body part - kindeys, bladder, heart with 4 chambers, brain, spine, femur, arms, etc. You name it, she found it and documented it. The heartbeat was up to 154 and our little guy now officially weighs 1lb 1 oz! Isn't it fun to think that he only weighs 1 pound and yet I've gained 8? Oh joy :) Mary confirmed (again) for us that it was a boy. I had this fear going into it that the tech would say "It's a Girl," but thank goodness it was still a boy :) Mary told us that my placenta was in the front (inb/t baby and my belly) and that would explain why it took me so long (compared to my other pregnant friends) to feel him kick. She also said that it would take to about 28 weeks for Brian to finally feel him kick too. That put both our minds at ease!

yawning/talking... looks like he's blowing a bubble :)

still a boy, phew!

side profile (my favorite shots!) and his little hand is up by his face :)

Even though I have read 3 pregnancy books cover-to-cover, I sometimes forget to apply what I have learned. I know that I should not lay flat on my back while pregnant - either for crunches or relaxing. But I forgot why. So in the middle of my ultrasound, I started to feel faint. I was embarrassed by it so I didn't want to announce it. I tried to play it off, but I was soon drenched in a cold sweat. Brian immediately noticed (he has seen the signs MANY times before!) and asked if I was okay. Mary and Brian helped me turn over to my left side so I could get circulation back. Mary kept on with the ultrasound. I was now laying on my left side, facing the screen, and Brian was behind me also facing the screen. Brian, being the sweet wonderful husband that he is, started to scratch my back because he knows that calms me down. We were both watching the ultrasound scree and as soon as he started scratching, our little baby started nodding his head up and down as if saying, "Yeah that feels good." It was SO sweet!

After we finished with our ultrasound, we met with Dr. Sharon. He was very nice, but also very sarcastic. And not in the way that I like, more dry humor. Oh well, it was fine. He answered all my crazy questions - like about leg cramps at night. Dr. Sharon went over our ultrasound results and blood test results from the last visit. He said everything looks healthy and normal. My MSAFP test came back normal - which was testing for spina bifida and other neural tube defects. He said our baby boy looks completely healthy - SUCH a relief to hear that!

Our next appointment will be December 23 when I will undergo glucose testing to check for gestational diabetes. No more ultrasounds from this moment on - which really makes me sad inside. Although, my sister and mom and I are going for a girls night of ultrasounds in January just the 3 of us. We found a place here in Atlanta that will let you come in for an ultrasound session - we will get some 3d/4d pictures and videos again! So that'll be nice. I can't believe that the next time we see this baby's face will be around April 12!!!