I won't be a March Mommy anymore!

Hi everyone! I had my doctor's appointment this morning. Things went well. I'm about where I was last week, thinning and softening a little, but not dilating, and now have gained a total of 20 pounds at 34 weeks. The doctor did take me out of work, but luckily I am not on strict bed rest. He wants me to be off my feet as much as possible, but I can still run a few errands if I need to. I am still having lots of swelling, but my blood pressure is great and no protein in my urine (which would point to pregnancy hypertention or preeclampsia). He told us he wants me to stay pregnant another 2 weeks, and then it is ok for the baby to come! TWO WEEKS????? WHAT????? YIKES!!!! I'm not ready for a baby in 2 weeks!!! I guess we better put the car seat in the car and get a bag packed for the hospital just in case! He doesn't expect me to hold out until March, so we will now have a February baby. I thought the baby might be born on my Dad or Grandpa's birthday in March, but now maybe he will come on Valentine's Day. I feel like a ticking time bomb! hehehe I thought it was cute when the doctor first came into the room today, he mentioned I was still smiling and the women this pregnant usually lose their smiles! I told him I put on a pretty good front and Benjamin said that I was having my moments at home! I do admit that I may not be the funnest person to live with right now. I'm feeling big, am having troubles bending, and have a constant back ache. I know I am a big, whiny baby, but I don't mean to be! I think the best thing I am looking forward to after the baby arrives, is having my body back. I can't wait to be able to sleep on my tummy again. I know I will be sleep deprived, but at least I should be able to bend again!

A semi-scary day = Preterm Labor!

Hi everyone. Today has been a very interesting day. I was feeling some cramping and had some other questions for the nurse, so I gave her a call during my plan time at school. When she heard the word "cramping" she said I really should go in to be checked. I talked to my principal to see if someone could cover my class, and then went to the dr. I got checked and the doctor confirmed that Yes, I was having contractions. He said my cervix was beginning to soften, but not dilating, and that I was in preterm labor (since the contractions were causing the cervix to change). He prescribed a medication called "Procardia" to stop the contractions and told me I really should stay in bed for the rest of the day. So, here I am in bed with my computer hoping that the contractions stop. The dr didn't seemed worried and said that as long as I don't feel any more contractions that I can go ahead and go to work tomorrow. (Which is a good thing because tomorrow is our Science Fair and I am the coordinator and a Judge!) This whole thing has kinda scared me a bit. The thought of delivering him early is running through my mind, and it really is too early. I think he probably would be ok, but would have to stay in the hospital and have some help breathing if he came so early (7 weeks early). I am kinda nervous to go to work since gravity works against me while on my feet, but if I feel anything that might be contractions then I will call off and ask the doctor maybe if I can be written to stop work early, which would be ok since we do have short term disability. I will have to stay on this medication probably for another month. It is really to lower blood pressure, but it also relaxes the uterus. It may make me dizzy, so I guess we will see how I feel on this. I'm still suffering from the carpal tunnel, which is really annoying, and some other issues. On one hand, if I did end up having him a little early it would be nice since I am feeling pretty "done" with being pregnant, but at the same time I DO NOT want him to come out before he is ready. I guess it is in God's hands now, and we will pray that when this little man comes he will be ready.

Latest ultrasound pics

I'll write more later, but here at least are our latest ultrasound pictures from yesterday. You can see his little foot, him yawning, and even one where he looks like he is smiling! We couldn't get him to move his arm away from his face, but we still got some amazing pictures!! I can't wait for him to come out!!!

31 weeks and getting bigger!

Well, here I am at 31 weeks.










I definitely am getting bigger and more uncomfortable!! I went to the doctor yesterday and everything is going well. My blood pressure was great, and I only gained 2 pounds over the holidays which is amazing considering all the sweets I ate! That is a total of 16 pounds, and the doctor said that was great! Unfortunately, I have had some bad swelling. Being a teacher doesn't help, since I am on my feet all day. The doctor said that it is all part of pregnancy, and as long as my blood pressure isn't high that it is ok. He did tell me to drink lots of water and put my feet up as much as possible and that should help. I also now have pregnancy carpal tunnel. Boy, I've been busy with all these new ailments! ;-) Benjamin and I have been to a couple of birthing classes, and we have learned a lot. The whole labor/delivery thing has got me pretty nervous, but one way or another this little boy will have to come out! We have a 3-D ultrasound scheduled for Jan 16th! I can't wait to see him! Hopefully, he isn't too squished in there, and we can get some good pictures. I am also still measuring big, so at my next dr's appointment on Feb 13, I will get another ultrasound to get an estimated fetal weight. If he is still measuring big, there is a possibility for an early induction or a C-Section. Hopefully everything will be ok.