Sunday, November 25, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
31+1 weeks, 127 lbs (fluctuating, based on this stomach bug that's going around), and baby's still cooking!
And that is the only exclamation point that this post gets. Skip the next two paragraphs if you don't feel like reading about me complain. I am getting frustrated with this pregnancy. The contractions are continuing, and they are painful. I've had to take several more doses of the Procardia medication to stop them, and it only works for a few hours. My back hurts from sitting/ lying around, and I am going stir crazy. I am also starting to panic because I am NOT READY FOR THIS BABY TO COME OUT. I don't have a name, a crib, diapers, or any of the other 340,852 things that are helpful to have when a newborn is around. Not to mention Christmas shopping, which can't be done because within a few minutes of walking, I start contracting again. I would throw in a complaint about how there's no room in my chest to breathe, or how uncomfortable it is to have a foot in my ribcage no matter what position I lie in, but truthfully, I prefer those discomforts to the contractions, and I would really actually LIKE it if those discomforts continued, because it would mean the baby is growing inside me and not coming out. I really, really, really hope this little one stays in at least until after Christmas, and it would be so, so, SO nice if the contractions would stop too.
I'm sure the contractions are at least partially related to a good deal of emotional stress that's been going on, and it would be nice if that would go away too. If I could quit my job, I would, in a heartbeat, because the satisfaction I get from going to work at this point is far outweighed by the day-to-day annoyances and aggravation that come with just walking in the door of the hospital. Then I could focus on spending what limited time I have left with my two perfect kiddos - before the third one throws our daily rhythm into complete chaos (good chaos, I know, but chaos nonetheless).
On the plus side, and speaking of that, Sam and Abi have been wonderful. They are absolutely doting and sweet and gentle, and have taken to cuddling up next to me kind of curled around my big belly somehow. Unfortunately, they have also come down with the stomach bug, so the three of us have been pretty pathetic over the last couple of days, resting on the couch and going to bed early. On that note, it's 9:30pm and my freshly-washed sheets are calling...
Hopefully more positive thoughts next time.
And that is the only exclamation point that this post gets. Skip the next two paragraphs if you don't feel like reading about me complain. I am getting frustrated with this pregnancy. The contractions are continuing, and they are painful. I've had to take several more doses of the Procardia medication to stop them, and it only works for a few hours. My back hurts from sitting/ lying around, and I am going stir crazy. I am also starting to panic because I am NOT READY FOR THIS BABY TO COME OUT. I don't have a name, a crib, diapers, or any of the other 340,852 things that are helpful to have when a newborn is around. Not to mention Christmas shopping, which can't be done because within a few minutes of walking, I start contracting again. I would throw in a complaint about how there's no room in my chest to breathe, or how uncomfortable it is to have a foot in my ribcage no matter what position I lie in, but truthfully, I prefer those discomforts to the contractions, and I would really actually LIKE it if those discomforts continued, because it would mean the baby is growing inside me and not coming out. I really, really, really hope this little one stays in at least until after Christmas, and it would be so, so, SO nice if the contractions would stop too.
I'm sure the contractions are at least partially related to a good deal of emotional stress that's been going on, and it would be nice if that would go away too. If I could quit my job, I would, in a heartbeat, because the satisfaction I get from going to work at this point is far outweighed by the day-to-day annoyances and aggravation that come with just walking in the door of the hospital. Then I could focus on spending what limited time I have left with my two perfect kiddos - before the third one throws our daily rhythm into complete chaos (good chaos, I know, but chaos nonetheless).
On the plus side, and speaking of that, Sam and Abi have been wonderful. They are absolutely doting and sweet and gentle, and have taken to cuddling up next to me kind of curled around my big belly somehow. Unfortunately, they have also come down with the stomach bug, so the three of us have been pretty pathetic over the last couple of days, resting on the couch and going to bed early. On that note, it's 9:30pm and my freshly-washed sheets are calling...
Hopefully more positive thoughts next time.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
November 15th - 30 weeks tomorrow!!!
It's been harder to keep up with this pregnancy blog thing than I thought...
I had my last plane ride of pregnancy a couple of weeks ago, when I went to DC one last time for a conference (before "hunkering down in the birthing stall," as one of my friends so delicately put it). Thankfully it was an uneventful trip and I came back on the 4th of November. The next day, I started feeling some cramping, which got worse just about every time I stood up. Three days later, it was to the point where I was grimacing every few minutes and leaning way forward in my chair to relieve the discomfort. I couldn't remember if this was normal "Braxton Hicks" contractions or what, so I asked another girl in my department who is almost exactly as pregnant as me. As I leaned against the wall in the clinic hallway, focusing on slowly inhaling and exhaling, she told me that she hadn't had any cramping whatsoever. I decided then that maybe what I was experiencing wasn't completely expected, and so I went to my OB.
From there, he walked me to L&D immediately, commenting along the way that I didn't look very comfortable. They got me checked in to one of the triage rooms and hooked me up to the baby heart rate monitor and the toco (contraction) monitor. At first, nothing was registering on the toco monitor, even when I felt certain I was having a contraction. Then, once the toco monitor was readjusted, the contractions started showing up. They were beautiful, perfect, rhythmic contractions every 2-3 minutes - exactly what you'd like to see if you were in labor. Except that I wasn't supposed to be in labor, as I wasn't even 29 weeks. My OB came in right around then with slightly wide eyes and told me he wanted to give me a medication to stop the contractions. At that point, they were actually starting to feel very uncomfortable, and I was starting to get more than a little nervous, so of course I agreed. The medication slowed the contractions within 20-30 minutes, and I was discharged home with plenty of extra to take if they started back up.
Over the next few days, I tried to take it easy, and I really noticed things were better if I sat down and elevated my legs. On my first day back at work (after a wonderful 3 day weekend), the contractions started right back up. I took the medication and it calmed things down for about an hour, but then it started back up again. I called my OB who, of course, sent me right back to L&D. All the tests showed I was not in labor, but the contractions were real. They gave me whopping doses of the same medication again, and it again pretty much stopped the contractions. The problem is that it also lowered my blood pressure and gave me a splitting headache. Eventually they sent me home, knowing that I had a follow-up appointment with my "high-risk" OB (Maternal Fetal Medicine or MFM specialist) today.
After hearing the events of the last week, the MFM took one look at the toco reading and told me he recommended bedrest. Acknowledging that I am a physician and that immediately stopping work would be a challenge, he agreed to a compromise, of reduced work hours with a transition to bedrest if things got worse. From talking with my regular OB, I had been prepared for this, and have already been working with my colleague and commander to start reduced work hours. I can't say I'm too miserable about that, actually. The contractions are getting pretty uncomfortable and who wouldn't like some extra time off? If it weren't for the prospect of the baby actually showing up TEN WEEKS EARLY, I'd be thrilled. Fingers crossed that the stress associated with working full-time is fully responsible for this turn of events, and that cutting down my hours will keep this little one in for the next 2.5 months. =)
Hopefully no more exciting updates anytime soon!
It's been harder to keep up with this pregnancy blog thing than I thought...
I had my last plane ride of pregnancy a couple of weeks ago, when I went to DC one last time for a conference (before "hunkering down in the birthing stall," as one of my friends so delicately put it). Thankfully it was an uneventful trip and I came back on the 4th of November. The next day, I started feeling some cramping, which got worse just about every time I stood up. Three days later, it was to the point where I was grimacing every few minutes and leaning way forward in my chair to relieve the discomfort. I couldn't remember if this was normal "Braxton Hicks" contractions or what, so I asked another girl in my department who is almost exactly as pregnant as me. As I leaned against the wall in the clinic hallway, focusing on slowly inhaling and exhaling, she told me that she hadn't had any cramping whatsoever. I decided then that maybe what I was experiencing wasn't completely expected, and so I went to my OB.
From there, he walked me to L&D immediately, commenting along the way that I didn't look very comfortable. They got me checked in to one of the triage rooms and hooked me up to the baby heart rate monitor and the toco (contraction) monitor. At first, nothing was registering on the toco monitor, even when I felt certain I was having a contraction. Then, once the toco monitor was readjusted, the contractions started showing up. They were beautiful, perfect, rhythmic contractions every 2-3 minutes - exactly what you'd like to see if you were in labor. Except that I wasn't supposed to be in labor, as I wasn't even 29 weeks. My OB came in right around then with slightly wide eyes and told me he wanted to give me a medication to stop the contractions. At that point, they were actually starting to feel very uncomfortable, and I was starting to get more than a little nervous, so of course I agreed. The medication slowed the contractions within 20-30 minutes, and I was discharged home with plenty of extra to take if they started back up.
Over the next few days, I tried to take it easy, and I really noticed things were better if I sat down and elevated my legs. On my first day back at work (after a wonderful 3 day weekend), the contractions started right back up. I took the medication and it calmed things down for about an hour, but then it started back up again. I called my OB who, of course, sent me right back to L&D. All the tests showed I was not in labor, but the contractions were real. They gave me whopping doses of the same medication again, and it again pretty much stopped the contractions. The problem is that it also lowered my blood pressure and gave me a splitting headache. Eventually they sent me home, knowing that I had a follow-up appointment with my "high-risk" OB (Maternal Fetal Medicine or MFM specialist) today.
After hearing the events of the last week, the MFM took one look at the toco reading and told me he recommended bedrest. Acknowledging that I am a physician and that immediately stopping work would be a challenge, he agreed to a compromise, of reduced work hours with a transition to bedrest if things got worse. From talking with my regular OB, I had been prepared for this, and have already been working with my colleague and commander to start reduced work hours. I can't say I'm too miserable about that, actually. The contractions are getting pretty uncomfortable and who wouldn't like some extra time off? If it weren't for the prospect of the baby actually showing up TEN WEEKS EARLY, I'd be thrilled. Fingers crossed that the stress associated with working full-time is fully responsible for this turn of events, and that cutting down my hours will keep this little one in for the next 2.5 months. =)
Hopefully no more exciting updates anytime soon!
The final trimester
Oct 24th, 2012
Ok, I'm 26+5 weeks today and this baby is HUGE!! I am sure I will laugh in another few months when I read this, but I feel like I'm as big as I will probably get. I do love being pregnant and having my special little belly-shelf to rest my hands on. Sam and Abi are not as adoring, complaining that the baby is taking up all my lap space, which is where they want to be sitting. Actually, they are amazing with how excited and sweet they are to the baby already. Abi in particular loves to come give me a huge hug and kiss and then kisses my belly and says, "I love you, baby!" Sam loves to feel the baby kick, and today, the little one had hiccups for the first time, which Sam found hysterical. I love it too.
No excitement since last time, thankfully. I had another ultrasound which showed this peanut is growing at the 50th percentile - measuring at 1lb, 10oz at last check. Everything else appears to be status quo. I did manage to come down with my first cold of pregnancy, which flat-out sucked. I am still recovering from that, and I have to say, I did forget how horrible it is to make it through 10 days of congestion, sinus drainage, and sore throat without any medication. Ugh. Thankfully the kids didn't get it, and they were absolute angels about letting me sleep over the weekend.
I've narrowed down the list of names, I think, although Scott doesn't know it. =) For a girl, I love Emerson or Madelyn, and for a boy, Ryan or Joshua. Based on how things went with the 2 previous babies, though, I am sure those names will change more than once over the next 3 months, and ultimately, Scott will come up with the perfect name, as he's done twice before. =)
Ok, I'm 26+5 weeks today and this baby is HUGE!! I am sure I will laugh in another few months when I read this, but I feel like I'm as big as I will probably get. I do love being pregnant and having my special little belly-shelf to rest my hands on. Sam and Abi are not as adoring, complaining that the baby is taking up all my lap space, which is where they want to be sitting. Actually, they are amazing with how excited and sweet they are to the baby already. Abi in particular loves to come give me a huge hug and kiss and then kisses my belly and says, "I love you, baby!" Sam loves to feel the baby kick, and today, the little one had hiccups for the first time, which Sam found hysterical. I love it too.
No excitement since last time, thankfully. I had another ultrasound which showed this peanut is growing at the 50th percentile - measuring at 1lb, 10oz at last check. Everything else appears to be status quo. I did manage to come down with my first cold of pregnancy, which flat-out sucked. I am still recovering from that, and I have to say, I did forget how horrible it is to make it through 10 days of congestion, sinus drainage, and sore throat without any medication. Ugh. Thankfully the kids didn't get it, and they were absolute angels about letting me sleep over the weekend.
I've narrowed down the list of names, I think, although Scott doesn't know it. =) For a girl, I love Emerson or Madelyn, and for a boy, Ryan or Joshua. Based on how things went with the 2 previous babies, though, I am sure those names will change more than once over the next 3 months, and ultimately, Scott will come up with the perfect name, as he's done twice before. =)
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