God is Good!!

I saw Maternal Fetal Medicine today for my normal Tuesday appointment with a fetal non-stress test and dopplers to check blood flow to Isabella's brain and internal organs. I must admit that I was very nervous and a bit shaken after my appointment with them on Friday. I had the same doctor today that I had on Friday. I didn't like him on Friday. I told him that today and he got a bit of a chuckle out of it. I have a much different opinion today. He was glad to see me and glad to tell me that all my pre-eclampsia testing was, in fact, NEGATIVE. So he thinks there's no reason Isabella can't stay in until at least 37 weeks. All that could change after my next growth ultrasound, but I'm prepared for that. I knew that there is still a chance she would need to come before "full term." If she can make it to 37 weeks, she'll be a full term baby. That's my hope. And he seemed to think she should be able to do that. But there's no way to be sure about that until the growth scan. If she's above the 5th percentile, she can stay in longer and won't be considered an IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) baby. If she's under the 5th percentile but showed adequate progress from the last growth scan on the 15th, they'll let her bake another week. But, if she is under the 5th percentile AND hasn't showed adequate growth, she would need to come out for her own health and well being. I'm prepared for anything at this point. It's not in my control, it's definitely in God's hands. I'm so thankful for everyone's prayers, I truly believe that those prayers carried me through my appointment today. I'm still pregnant for at least another week. YAY! That's my good news, God certainly is good. 

On a sad note, though, a blogger friend who was a little over halfway through her pregnancy had her whole world come crumbling down this weekend. Rebecca from The Road Less Traveled unfortunately went into pre-term labor and lost her baby girl right after birth. My heart just aches for her and her family. There are no words to make someone in her shoes feel less pain. It is, I'm sure, an unbearable pain. Please pray for her and her husband as they prepare to say their final goodbye to the baby they won't get to enjoy and watch grow across the years. I know that God has a plan for everyone's life and there is a reason why He allowed this to happen to her at this point in her life. But I have an unspeakable heaviness on my heart for Rebecca. Please take the time to read her blog entry about her loss and offer her some encouragement and prayers.

It May Be An Early Delivery

I have had a rough weekend, to say the least. Last week, I spent another few hours in Labor and Delivery having testing done for pre-eclampsia. I again passed the tests leaving my doctors scratching their heads. So I was sent home to do a 24-hour urine collection. I also went home being told that I had a urinary tract infection and given an antibiotic for it. So I did the collection Wednesday into Thursday and the results weren't the greatest. In order to avoid pre-eclampsia, I have to keep my protein numbers below 300mg across 24 hours. Not that I have any control over how much protein is spilled out of my kidneys...Well, needless to say, that test yielded 377mg of protein, so the beginnings of pre-e or mild toxemia. Scary stuff. But I mentioned to my OB about the UTI (it was another doctor from the office who treated me in L&D) and he the questioned the accuracy of my 24-hour urine. Apparently, a UTI can spill extra protein into the urine. 

So I went to Maternal Fetal Medicine on Friday morning for my twice weekly fetal Non-Stress Test and the doctor there so nicely informed me that I should deliver my baby that day. Yes, seriously, he suggested an immediate delivery. He even called my OB. My OB disagreed and to compromise and come to an agreement they all could live with, they put me in the hospital for the night. I did another 24-hour urine collection in the hospital and was monitored closely. I was NOT in Labor and Delivery, though, since they felt it unnecessary to monitor me as closely as the women in there. So I was in the Mommy/Baby Unit. 

My OB told me very bluntly that if my protein this time around was over 300mg, he would induce me today and I would deliver Isabella on Monday (tomorrow). So during my lovely stay, I had my blood pressure checked every four hours, they checked the baby's heartbeat at the same time. They weighed me Friday night and then again on Saturday to make sure there was no sudden weight gain, as is common with pre-e. Nope. I actually lose a pound somehow. No swelling, no headaches, no spots before my eyes, nothing. This was the point of being there, to rule out pre-eclampsia and make sure Isabella didn't need to be delivered right away. 

So last night, after 9pm, they told me I could go home. My protein is pushing close to the 300mg mark, though, and that makes me nervous. I have to make an appointment tomorrow to meet with my doctor tomorrow. I don't know what he's going to say other than I imagine we're going to talk about how much longer I can keep going with this pregnancy before Isabella needs to come out. I'm hoping he will agree to two more weeks. Take her out in two weeks, that's only a few days shy of full-term. I can deal with that. We shall see what he says. But almost 100% guaranteed, Isabella will be here before August 4th. She'll arrive in July, it's just a matter of when. I'll keep you all posted!

Watched Like a Hawk

Hi, those of you visiting for ICLW! If you look back at my November posts, you can see where this pregnancy journey started. It's been an amazing adventure thus far. With only six weeks or less to go, I'm hoping it continues to be an amazing adventure. There certainly is no shortage of excitement and drama! 

I have chronic hypertension. I've had it for at least three years. It makes being pregnant interesting. Although I'm not high-risk in that I don't have pre-eclampsia, they are watching me like a hawk to make sure it doesn't develop over the next month. My blood pressure has been good (praise the Lord!). I am now going for bi-weekly fetal non-stress tests (NST) and once weekly doppler scans to measure blood flow to Isabella Joy's brain and also measure my amniotic fluid. So far, everything has been good. But being watched like a hawk like this can be very stressful. 

We took our official tour of the Labor & Delivery floor of the hospital on Saturday. Makes it that much more real. I can't believe how time just flies by. We scheduled a Labor/Childbirthing class for July. I know it's pushing it really close, but that was the only class that was open. So we had to do it. The good news is that if something happens while we are there, we'll be at the hospital already. The bad news is that if Isabella decides to come much earlier than intended, the class won't do any good for me. We'll see what happens. I'm praying she makes it until the end of July. The obstetricians at my office won't let her stay in there past August 4th, though. It will exciting and interesting to see when she comes. 

There's nothing else new going on. I've got TONS of baby laundry that I've been working on. I spend most of the day with my feet up (doctor's request). But I do work on Isabella's laundry and her room when I can. I also make trips to the store to pick things up. Thankfully, we have almost everything we need. I still need to get more diapers and wipes, but we have some to start out with. Can't believe I'll get to hold my miracle in a month or so...

Here's my latest of the weekly pictures.  

32 Weeks 6 Days Update

How far along: 32 weeks 6 days

 

Symptoms: Heartburn (ugh...), frequent potty trips, heavy/achy boobs, stretch marks, tiredness, lots of baby movement, random nausea

Total weight gain: 19 lbs as of my last OB appointment. Next appointment is Friday.

Maternity clothes: I'm loving my dresses. Okay, so half of them aren't maternity, they still work and I love them, especially my long ones. I need to get some shorts, I only have two pairs. And I got a taste of how hot it is going to be (it was nasty over the weekend!), so I definitely need a few more pairs.

Stretch marks: They are my mark of the journey. I use Palmers massage lotion for stretch marks, but I still have them and they are bad. But they are only on my belly, so I'm thankful for that.

Sleep: Although I am still sleeping through most of the night, I am getting up before the alarm for a potty trip. I don't sleep the best every night. My sleep habits are very inconsistent. I sleep well for two nights and then I toss and turn for a night or two. I'm hoping to enjoy the last 7 weeks of sound sleep...
 

Best moment this week: Being told by my OB that he truly believes I'll make it all the way to the 40-week mark, even with the chronic hypertension. I had Pre-eclampsia blood work done the past Thursday and (praise the Lord) it was negative. So I'm chugging along just as I should.

Movement: Tons. My placenta has moved further up, so last week, she started punching me near my ribs. She's still breech, though, so she's not kicking me in the ribs, thankfully!

Food cravings: Salads, fruit, and cereal (not just any cereal. Multigrain Cheerios with fresh banana slices!). Yum! Still nothing sweet, I have no sweet tooth. It randomly died when I got pregnant.

Belly Button in or out: It's still an inny, but I think part of it is starting to turn itself out. I guess we'll see. Hubby thinks that it will pop just in time for the baby to come.

What I miss: Being able to paint my own toe nails or put on socks. I can't really reach to do that.

What I am looking forward to: Today's appointment with the MFM. I have another non-stress test and a growth scan. So I'm looking forward to seeing Isabella again. Hubby can't come, so my mom gets to see Isabella on the ultrasound monitor.

 

Milestones: Starting the non-stress tests. It means I really am almost ready to hold my baby girl in my arms!

 

How is daddy? He's really excited, but he's also very nervous. He's especially nervous about my health. Spending a few hours in Labor and Delivery last week made him realize how scary it can be when my blood pressure suddenly goes up. It's been fine lately, though. I take it at least 5 times a day.

How are the grandparents? They are getting more and more excited. This grandchild is long awaited. After all the hard work that went into conceiving her, the joy of being so close to holding her is hard to contain!


Here are my latest pictures of my belly. These were taken on Sunday at 32 Weeks 4 Days. Enjoy!

Doctor Ordered Couch Rest

It's been quite a day. I started my weekly non-stress tests today. This is already not my idea of a good time. But it is what it is, my OB wants me to do these once a week. Baby Girl cooperated fine for the non-stress test once they gave me some sugar to get her bouncing around. In fact, she passed with flying colors. Me, on the other hand, well, my blood pressure was 150/84. My OB would have said "go home and take it easy, then take it again." But that's not how these doctors do things. They don't play around. They sent me straight up to Labor and Delivery for pre-eclampsia blood work. My bloodwork was GREAT. There was no protein in my urine, either. But after three and a half hours there, they got great readings on my bp when I laid down and not so great readings when I was sitting up. So I am on "modified bed rest" otherwise known as "couch rest." Basically, this means I can't finish out the school year. There are only 6 days remaining, but he thinks I need to take it easy because I do get myself so worked up over these little things. He said I'm fine, there's no pre-eclampsia, no reason to repeat a 24-hour urine, and no reason to admit me for hospital bed rest. So I'm home and in a miserable mood. I have so much to get done in my classroom and now, I have to rely on other people to do it and I HATE that. So that's what's new with me. My doctor wants me to take off from work tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday. Then, I have to see what the MFM says Tuesday at my next appointment for a non-stress test. I wish I didn't have white coat syndrome. I got home from the hospital and took my bp and it is 122/86. Yep. But they don't care about White Coat Syndrome. I guess we'll wait and see what the doctors say Tuesday night to know if I can finish the last three days of the school year. It's just lovely. If only I knew how to de-stress myself at a doctor's office...

It Just Keeps Getting Better!

There's something to be said about this pregnancy journey and that is that it just keeps getting better. I only have two months left in this chapter. But it's just amazing. Every day has new experiences to offer. I know it's been a while since I posted, but I've just been so busy with the end of the school year wrapping up (9 days left!) and just a lot going on to get ready for Isabella Joy.

Lately, my back has been in so much pain. It's not my lower back, it's not my upper back. It's my right side of my mid-back. Strange, right? Well, it has gotten so bad that Saturday and Sunday nights, I was in tears because the pain was so much. There wasn't anything I could do for it. Hubby tried to massage it, didn't help. Last night, I put my Chilly Bear/Feel Better Bear on my back after Hubby microwaved it. Yesterday, though, I did break down and buy a maternity support belt (made by Loving Comfort) for $40. I wore it throughout the work day today and WOW! It made quite a difference for me! I'm hoping it will be the solution, at least for most of the pain.

Saturday, my friends and family had a surprise shower for me. My friend Amanda planned it all and with the help of a few of my other college friends, threw a beautiful afternoon shower. It couldn't have been better for my mom. She's had a lot of pain from a pinched nerve in her neck. She had an epidural for it on Thursday. So to know that other people were planning it was a big burden lifted off her shoulders. I sort of suspected the shower, but I don't like surprises and therefore, I was trying to figure out when it would be. So I knew it was going to be this past weekend. What I didn't know was that my sister flew up from Florida to surprise me. So it was a wonderful shower. My friends and family took good care of Isabella Joy. I couldn't ask for better people to be surrounded by and supported by. 

Today, Hubby and I had the experience of getting a 3D/4D ultrasound. It was AMAZING! It also explained why my back hurts so much. Isabella Joy was laying as far to the right of my womb as she could wedge herself. To add to it, she had her leg all the way over her head. The ultrasound tech really wanted to get a clear picture of her face, she she had my lay on my left side, since Baby Girl is on my right side. Well, when she jiggled the wand to get her to move, Baby Girl gave us all the dirtiest look there could ever be. What a diva! I'm going to have my hands full with her! 

Here are a few pictures from today. Hope you enjoy them!