Beta Strep Positive

I had my weekly check up this morning and found out that I tested positive for beta strep which isn't a horrible thing, but it means they'll need to put me on antibiotics during labor which also means they'll want me to come in to the hospital a little sooner rather than later. My plan is to labor as much as possible at home. The earlier you go in to the hospital usually the earlier they want to speed things along and intervene with the natural process. It's impossible to know exactly how everything will go, so I'm trying to remind myself to be flexible with the little unexpected bumps in the road.

I saw a different midwife today, Vicky Cohen, because Tom wasn't available. Baby is still doing really well. His heart rate was 142 which is nice and strong and she couldn't move his head which means it has dropped into the pelvis. He's getting ready! I didn't have her check dilation or effacement today. It's probably better not to overanalyze those numbers since they don't really mean anything anyway as far as telling how much longer it will be.

The OBGYN department moved to new offices, and today was their first day in them so it was a little unorganized, but not too bad, considering. Now all the pregnant ladies won't have to walk upstairs. I'm looking forward to seeing Tom Lloyd, my regular midwife, for the rest of my check ups.

One more update: I was feeling contractions for the first time last night. Just before I went swimming, I noticed that my tummy felt a little strange and uncomfortable. During class I had to pause a few times because I felt it again. Walking to the car afterwards I noticed that my tummy was really tight all over. Contractions? I couldn't tell exactly when a contraction would start or stop, but I'm pretty sure that's what that was. I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever feel them. Good to know everything's getting ready!

My Weekly Check-Up with the Doctor

Tom cancelled all his appointments so I had to see someone else for my weekly check-up today. Kaiser's schedule has been very tight so it's hard to get the appointments you need. I was kind of thinking we could just skip this week, but I'm supposed to be seen every week now so they found a way to squeeze me in with a nurse practitioner. After haggling with the check in lady about some insurance stuff (why can't they get it right?) I found out they were running behind and I'd have to wait an extra 45 minutes. Grrr. It was lunch time, too, and silly me forgot to bring a snack. Double grrr. Thankfully I had Enchanted on my iPod to keep me entertained until I was finally seen.

The news for today: I will get the results of my beta strep test back next week to see if I'll need to be on antibiotics during labor (please, no). Baby's heartbeat is nice and strong and he is dropping down a little. I didn't gain any weight this week and the doctor kept reminding me to keep eating. Oh, I do! I'm just eating better and exercising. I also had my first internal exam, and she said I am about 1 cm dilated and 30-40% effaced. She said that's right on track for being about 3 weeks away. Cool! So stuff is happening.

36 Weeks

I had another prenatal appointment yesterday. I had Gina come with me (since Davin's stuck at work during the day) so that was nice not being by myself like usual and kind of added to the excitement of the coming birth. We had a good talk with the midwife. I really like Tom Lloyd! He shows a genuine interest in my birth and helping me achieve my goals. He felt the baby again and confirmed that baby's back is facing my left side. I thought so. I feel his little feet and knees on my right side all the time, and I like to pat his butt. Tom says baby is around the 6.5 lb range and in the 75 percentile. He wants me to keep watching what I eat so baby doesn't gain too much weight, and I've only gained 2 lbs in the last 5 weeks so I think we're doing pretty good.

I told Tom that a lot of my pregnant friends talk about Braxton Hicks contractions, but I didn't think I was having any. He said I definitely was. I just can't feel them, which may end up being a good thing. I know I'll definitely feel real contractions, but Tom suggested I may have a higher pain tolerance and that's why I don't feel the practice ones. We'll see. I've kinda been feeling a bit anxious about labor. This is going to hurt!

I'll be going in for a check-up every week from now on, which makes me excited. Yay! I like hearing his heartbeat and finding out that everything's going well.

My co-worker who is 10 days ahead of me (due June 30) had her baby yesterday! Wow. I guess her water broke about 30 minutes after I visited with her on Wednesday afternoon. Davin and I are now like, "Are we ready just in case we go a few weeks early, too?" Weird thought. I still think baby Studer is going to be late if anything. He is starting to drop, though. I'm a few inches lower and can't fit over the kitchen counters as well as I used to.

Baby Things Everywhere!

We had our final baby shower at CB last Saturday. It was a really nice shower, and I felt so blessed by the words of encouragement and the gifts! Now that showers are over, we went out to buy the last of the things we want to have when baby arrives. Baby stuff is starting to take over our house! We've had fun playing with the video baby monitor and putting together the pack & play. I'm ready to wash a few loads of baby clothes and linens, and we even got the car seat in the car. Last night we bought a glider rocking chair and ottoman off of craigslist. The final nursery piece! I'm going to reupholster the cushions, which will be a piece of cake compared to the love seat. (Almost forgot to take a picture before I had it all ripped apart.) It's all coming together!!!

35 Weeks Today

Today makes 35 weeks. Only 5 to go! ...give or take 2. It's still hard for me to believe that he's actually going to come out not too long from now. I feel like he's just going to stay inside forever. He's still quite active, and recently he's been getting the hiccups a lot. He actually has them right now. I think it's cute except for when it's keeping me awake at night.

I had a prenatal check up last week and found out that he's had a growth spurt. At 34 weeks, I was measuring 36 weeks along. It's still within normal parameters, but he's just on the big side for his age. I've felt all along that he won't be a tiny baby. Hopefully, he won't be too big, though. I've also been trying to watch my eating a little better. Not that I never have dessert because I totally do, but I'm trying to have more protein when I'm hungry. That will help keep my (and the baby's) weight in check. I weighed exactly the same last week as I did three weeks ago. With the baby's growth spurt does that mean he gained and I actually lost a little? I'm feeling pretty good about that. Baby Boot Camp is helping, too, although I'm having to slow down a bit because of my increasing size.

I'm getting so excited to meet him!