To Diane's Pregnancy Journal, Page Four!
March 3rd, 2000
I just got back from my appointment. Things look good! The ultrasound showed that the baby is still big and ahead of development. He is almost 5 pounds, and he is in the 60th percentile for his growth. So, that's great news! My stomach still measured small today for being 33 weeks, but they think that is because I'm carrying the baby so low. Also, my urine sample was normal again today. So everything is back on track! The doctor also did an exam today to see if I am dilating at all. I'm not! So that is also great news! My cervix is very soft and short, but still closed. So, it looks like he is staying put like a good boy! :) (Now watch, I'll go two weeks overdue and I'll have to be induced! LOL!) I sure am having trouble sleeping lately. I'm up 5 or 6 times a night for various reasons -- to go to the bathroom, because of heartburn, because I'm thirsty, because of contractions, etc. I guess I'm back in training for when this baby gets here and I'll have to get up so much to feed him! :)
March 12th, 2000
I thought I'd update just to let you all know that everything is still ok! I get a lot of e-mails wondering how I am doing! (Thanks!) We're still both doing well! There's not really a lot to report. The baby feels very very low, and I'm still having contractions, but nothing regular. I'm still taking it easy, and just trying to enjoy these last few weeks before my little guy arrives! I'm pretty much in full "nesting" mode now! :) My daughter's room is ready for her to move into, leaving the nursery open for the baby. So I'm busy organizing and rearranging his clothes and things. I even bought a cute little outfit for him to come home from the hospital in! The only thing left to do is pack for the hospital! :) My next appointment is Wednesday. I'll update again then.
March 15th, 2000
I just got back from my appointment. Everything looks good! The doctor says my weight gain is good, (even though I feel and look like a cow...moooooo!) my urine sample was fine, and the baby is doing great! My stomach still measured slightly smaller than it should, but the doctor wasn't too concerned since the measurement did go up from last time. She also did another exam, and she said my cervix is very very soft and thin, but not dilated. Good news! So, I go off the anti-labor medicine March 26th, which is when I am at 36 weeks. It's hard to believe that the baby could be here soon! There's so much to do! Better get busy! :)
March 24th, 2000
Well, I thought the baby was coming earlier this week. I was having contractions every 10 minutes all day on Monday. They got as close as every 8 minutes, but then by 2:00 am or so Tuesday morning, they stopped! I've had contractions on and off the rest of this week, but nothing regular. Crazy! I go off the anti-labor medicine on Sunday, so we'll see what happens! I have an OB appointment on the 29th, so I'll update again then! (Unless we're in the hospital having a baby!)
March 29th, 2000
I'm in my 37th week now! It looks like this baby is going to term! (Maybe past term!) I went off my medicine on Sunday. I've had contractions, but nothing regular. I had an appointment today. She said everything is going along great. Maybe too great! --I haven't dilated at all yet!! :) She said my cervix is "buttery soft" so when I decide to dilate, it might go pretty fast. (But they don't really have a clue, do they?!!) Also, the baby is probably over 6 pounds now. So he's doing great! And the heartbeat is still fast and strong. Also, I am off my "modified bedrest" now so that's a relief! I can take walks again! And climb stairs, and whatever I want! (Within reason.) I have another appointment April 12th. That seems like a long time away. I wonder if I'll make it that long?! I'll update weekly (at least) from now on. :)
April 3rd, 2000
I just got back from the doctor. I didn't have an official appointment today, but my doctor wanted me to come in anyway, because she needed to do a Group B Strep culture. (This is routine on all OB patients.) A positive result just means that I will be on an IV antibiotic when I deliver. The results were negative for my other two kids. She also did an exam to see if I'm dilating yet. I'm not! I'm in my 38th week and nothing's happening! This baby is going to just grow up inside of me! :) This pregnancy is really crazy. Anyway, the doctor says she will induce when I'm in my 39th week, but only if I'm dilated 3cm and 50% effaced. (She couldn't tell how effaced I was today because my cervix is so soft.) I don't think that's all going to happen by next week! But you never know. The doctor still says that it's going to go really fast when it does happen. So, I just sit and wait, I guess! And get bigger and bigger. :) I am having a nice time walking and exercising again though. I've been doing nothing for so long, that it feels good just to do something!! Ok, well, I'll update at least by next Wednesday after my appointment, or before if something happens. (I'm not holding my breath!) :)
April 10th, 2000
Today is my 31st birthday. <Gasp!> And still no baby! I guess he's perfectly happy staying where he is for now. I'm getting pretty uncomfortable these last few days. My feet and hands are very swollen! My shoe size went up one whole size! And my rings are pretty tight. I should have thought to take them off, but I never swelled up with my other pregnancies. (But this pregnancy has been different from the beginning!) I go in for my next appointment Wednesday. I hope something is happening! I'll let you know. :)
April 12th, 2000
There is STILL nothing going on! I just got back from my appointment. The doctor says that I'm maybe a fingertip dilated. But the cervix is not effacing, and the baby isn't even as low as he can go yet! The head isn't "engaged." Amazing! I still have lots of contractions, but they're obviously not doing any good! The doctor said I will more than likely have this baby late. My next appointment is Tuesday. That will be my 40th week. If nothing is going on then, she will schedule a non-stress test the following week (week 41) to make sure the baby is doing ok. She will also apply a special gel containing prostaglandin to the cervix to "ripen" it for labor or induction. So that's the plan. I'm getting so discouraged! I am so uncomfortable -- I just want this baby to be born! :(
April 18th, 2000
Here I am STILL waiting for this little guy to make his debut! I just got back from another appointment. There is still barely any dilation or effacement. :( I had a non-stress test, and everything is fine with the baby. His heart rate is good, the fluid level is good, and his movements were good. So, I made another appointment for next week! (Tuesday) The doctor doesn't want to induce when the cervix in not "favorable" because that increases the risk for a C-section. But she also doesn't want me to go past a week and a half overdue. (That's when the placenta is in danger of breaking down.) So next week (week 41) we will talk about induction options. Sunday is my due date! I thought I'd NEVER make it that long! But it looks like I will, and maybe past it! (Ugh.) I feel like I've been pregnant forever.
P.S. Happy birthday to my niece, Christina! XXXOOO :)
April 23rd, 2000
Happy Easter Everyone! :)
Well, today is my due date. And here I am STILL pregnant! I guess he's going to be late. :( I'll update after my appointment Tuesday.
April 25th, 2000: 2 days overdue...
I just got back from my appointment. Still, my cervix refuses to dilate or efface! So, I go back Thursday and the Dr will insert some prostaglandin gel onto my cervix. Then I wait there for an hour to be monitored to make sure the baby tolerates it ok. Then I go home and wait. The gel will be effective for up to three hours. If nothing happens Thursday, then I am scheduled to be induced Monday morning, May 1st at the hospital. My doctor hopes (and I do, too) that the gel works in bringing on labor, because she's afraid (and I am, too) that an induction will be long and painful since my cervix is so unfavorable. So let's keep our fingers crossed that I either go into labor by myself tonight or tomorrow (yeah, right) or the gel works and I go into labor before Monday. I still can't believe that after all we've been through trying to prevent premature labor, that now I am going to have to be induced! This is so crazy! :)
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