HEATHER'S PREGNANCY PAGE

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Julia Mary Catherine Dougherty Date:  December 28, 2000 Time:  13:05 Weight:  6lb6oz Length:  19.5 inches

35 weeks

Next appointment is December 27... (37 1/2 wks!)

Well, the December 20 appointment did not go as well as planned, Heather's blood pressure as at 160/102 (normally 110/70), so Heather was admitted to the hospital for observation.  Her BP came back down after rest, so no inducement, and she was sent home on strict bedrest (20+ a day).  At her next appointment we will find out if Dr. Miller will induce or not!  Good news is that Heather's blood work came back in good shape, they high BP has not affected liver or kidney function!  Julia is doing great -  strong HB and good growth.  She's now considered full term, so any day!

Julia at 35 weeks and 4 days! This is a picture of the side of her face and her hand.

We received more good news at the 35 week appointment.... Julia turned herself around!  She's no longer breech - so no c-section had to be scheduled... PHEW! Her heartbeat was a steady 170, which is great for such an active baby.   Mom measured 36cm, only 1/2cm ahead!  Blood pressure and all other tests were normal, so we're healthy! As of Dec 23 Julia will be considered full term so Dr. Miller will let me go into full labor if Julia decides it's time!  We're soo close now!

Here's little Julia's picture taken at 18 weeks and 2 days!!

Our last Doctor's appointment was November 10th, and everything was fine!  Heather is having contractions, but we were happy to find out that although painful and not so much fun... they aren't productive at this point.  Everything is still closed up nicely!  Julia had a strong heartbeat and Heather is measuring right where she is expected to be for 31+ weeks.  We have less than 2 months till the due date now!   We just finished our fourth childbirth preparation class (we're starting to realize that's an oxymoron!).  Next is a newborn care class, then breastfeeding class and Infant/Toddler CPR class.  So much to learn! Reality is sinking in... we're going to have a baby girl!

Julia's Crib with John Lennon's Real Love Crib Set

So... on August 15, Heather had her 18 week anatomical ultrasound done, and we had a big surprise.... IT'S A GIRL!  Only Grampa Dan thought this baby was going to be a girl... everyone else was sure it was a boy. Dr. Miller says everything is going really well and he's very happy with little Julia's progress.

Heather passed the Glucose Tolerance Test!  Last visit was happily very boring!  Her heartbeat was a strong 166 beats per minute and she does still appear to be breech, although she has 6 more weeks to get turned around the right way!  Everything looks good!  Next appointment is Nov 10!  We are now doing Dr. appts every 2 weeks!

Heather called and told her doctor about the test and the nurse confirmed that the bloodwork they had done on Wednesday, May 3 confirmed she was pregnant.  My first ultrasound was June 5, and since Dan was out of town, my good friend Christine Legge accompanied me to see the heart beat for the first time.  Baby is still due on January 14 or 15th, 2001! Good news for grandma Karen, only one baby was found!!

We found out on Friday, May 5, 2000 that Heather was pregnant.  We had just started trying to conceive in April.  The last week in April we were in Michigan for our good friend Stephanie's wedding to Josh Parsons and Heather took 5 pregnancy tests, so that her mom could be there when she found out.  All the tests came back negative so we decided to stop testing for a while.  On that Friday, Heather woke up determined to take a test since she had to get up to pee 3 times during the night.  Both of us were in the bathroom waiting for the results.  2 LINES!  She was pregnant.  We were so excited.