More Tests

About a week ago I got very itchy all of a sudden. The worst of it lasted about two days and kept me awake at night, but it's basically gone now. Still my doctor decided to test my liver to make sure it was functioning properly since itching can be a symptom of liver problems. One of the results came back normal and I guess the other was a bit elevated. Today I got a call to come in for more blood work to rule out preeclampsia. I don't think I have that, but I do have a killer headache that Tylenol won't touch which can be a symptom. I just chalk up this headache to sinus pressure and lack of sleep last night because Desmond wasn't adjusting to his new room very well. Anyway, I'm going to stop by the lab on the way back from picking up Davin from work so they can take more blood. Maybe I'll get used to needles soon. And I sure hope I don't have preeclampsia!

39 Days

This week I have had my 34 week prenatal check up, an ultrasound, and a non-stress test.  Everything is checking out fine, but if she so much as hiccups funny, we’ll know!  She’s still growing well and is in the 70th percentile at 4lbs 14oz. 

My main struggle right now is being sick!  I got sick the day before my birthday with congestion and a 3-day fever.  We have yet to reschedule my birthday dinner out.  I’m still coughing a lot and have a sinus headache.  The cough is hard enough that I can’t have much in my bladder or it’s a problem.  I’m finally sleeping a bit better so I’m on the upswing.  I have projects I want to get done before the baby comes, but this has kind of wiped me out for the last two weeks.  I hope next week is better. 

Thirty-some days doesn’t sound very long!  Wow.  She’s going to be here before you know it!

49 Days

I have approximately 49 days to go! That doesn't sound like too many. Sometimes I feel like she's trying to kick her way out of my tummy. There are moments where I have to apply counter pressure to her pushing because it hurts! Davin jokes that I'm just helping to make her stronger by providing resistance. It's not just a quick kick but she stretches out her leg and holds it there. Desmond moved and kicked but it never hurt me so this is something new.

I'm sick today. Just general congestion, achiness, headache, and cough. I also had a hard time sleeping last night so I'm pretty tired. A few days last week I had lots of energy so hopefully I'll get more of those days to finish up baby and house projects. In the mean time today is for resting.

Baby Shower

It's not common to have a baby shower with the second baby, but my friends from Baby Boot Camp days decided to have one for me anyway. (This was February 24 but I forgot to blog about it.) We went to Olive Garden and unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera but my friends Jamie, Kim, Tonya, Kara, and Lisa were there and we had a good time laughing and talking. It was strange to realize that out of all of us we had 12 births but only one was a vaginal birth. That's a lot of cesareans! I really enjoyed opening up my little girl gifts - so many cute outfits and I loved the diaper cake! The next day we also had a play date/baby shower for Kerry who has since had her second baby. I feel very blessed by these women, and it's fun to get excited about my girl with other moms. I appreciate the effort they make to stay connected even though I live in Vancouver now, and we no longer have our Baby Boot Camp exercise.

I also like to glean advice from moms with multiple kids. One mom said to stay in the hospital an extra day if I can because although I'll want to get back to Desmond as soon as possible, it's really hard going home. Best to use the help from the hospital staff while you can. Plus my labor and delivery will be free since I met my out-of-pocket maximum, so might as well. The other thing I've heard a lot is that the physical side of having a second child is one thing, but the hardest part is the emotional side. You can no longer focus all your attention and affection on one child. Learning to balance that will be hard. Desmond's my little guy and we are both used to spending all day, every day together. Maybe I should plan a few more special things to do with him in the next seven weeks.

First Non-Stress Test

Here come the doctor's visits! I have 13 appointments scheduled for the next seven weeks: a non-stress test every week, a check up every two weeks, and an ultrasound every four weeks. This baby will be well checked. I don't like having the non-stress tests so much because any little thing might cause them to send me to the hospital or want to do an induction or whatever. So I'm praying that she'll check out perfectly every time. Also I have to find someone to watch Desmond for these 45 minute tests because I have to lay still the whole time.

Monday was my first non-stress test (NST). The fluid measured just right but it looked like she was sleeping at first which isn't ideal. Toward the end we got in the heart rate variation and extended acceleration they require for a "pass." The quick ultrasound also showed that she is head down. I thought she had flipped because my pelvis has really been hurting - as in it hurts to walk most of the time - so I figured her head was resting down there. Also my bladder has been spared and all the kicking has been on the top lately.

I also had my 32 week check up right after the NST. Dr. Wright talked to me about labor stuff. They want me to check in to the hospital early once labor starts rather than laboring for awhile at home, and they also want me on the epidural early rather than waiting until closer to transition. All this is to monitor me closely due to the VBAC situation and to keep the stress low on my body due to the heart stuff. This basically goes against what I had planned to do. I felt I was at the hospital too early last time, and I want to do more early labor at home. I also want to wait as long as possible to get the epidural so we don't start intervening too early and possibly slow down the natural process. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how I'm feeling when the ball starts to roll.

Dr. Wright also told me she won't let me go too much past my due date since they don't want the baby to get too big and they can't use all the intervention they might otherwise use to induce since this is a VBAC and they have to be more gentle with my uterus. I hope our dating is correct and she shows up on time! Everything just needs to go perfectly to make this a VBAC. They'll assess me at 38 weeks with another ultrasound to see how big baby is, positioning, and all that to come up with a probability for a successful VBAC. A certain number of risk factors will cause them to suggest a repeat cesarean. I'd really rather not have another cesarean, but I feel much more prepared for it if that's what happens. It won't take away the joy of having our daughter! And how nice it would be to walk into the hospital and a few hours later be holding our baby!

I'm getting the nesting urge this week. I cleaned a lot yesterday and I feel like continuing today. I just have to get it done quickly before my back is screaming at me. Maybe today I'll finally start her curtains.