Things Have Been Crazy

I know it's been a while since I blogged, I have good reasons though and much to talk about.

Friday I had a regular OB check up. I also had my vbac counseling during this appointment. My blood pressure was a bit high before my appointment when the nurse took my vitals, so the dr had her retake it after my appointment and it was even higher. So he then directed me to go to the lab for a blood draw and urine sample and also that I was to pick up a 24 hour urine catch kit. Then I was to go right up to Labor and Delivery for them to monitor me for a little bit.

So I did all of the above. Two and half hours later I was allowed to leave. My blood pressure went down, there was trace protein in my urine sample and the dr up there said I am anemic. Which explains the ice chewing I want to constantly do.

I had to do the 24 hour urine catch Sunday...of all days. The day our team played in the Super Bowl and we were having a house full of company. Thank goodness we have two bathrooms and the jug I had to keep the urine in wasn't clear. And no one really went in the fridge, as the urine had to be kept refridgerated. I had it pushed way in the back anyway so it was out of sight.

Monday morning I went back up to the hospital to return my 24 hour urine catch to the lab and then I had to go back up to Labor and Delivery for a blood pressure check and for them to monitor the baby a bit. My blood pressure was actually very good, the highest it got was 115/70 I believe. Which is excellent, the nurse had said all 3 checks were lower than hers were that day! But then my results came in from the 24 hour catch and the doctor came in to discuss things.

Apparently, my protein level was extremely high in the 24 hour catch. Also I've had some other things going on that I experience but they come and go on their own. The dr said I was being diagnosed with mild pre-eclampsia and I was now going to have a whole mess of appointments and that I was being induced in two weeks at 37 weeks pregnant. Two weeks. I then had to have blood drawn, he scheduled all of the appointments I was going to be having the rest of this week and for next week and then he scheduled my induction. Now instead of having 5 weeks left, we only had 2 to finish preparing. He also did an exam to check if I had any progress going on inside. He said I was a fingertip (1 cm) on the outer part and barely open on the inner part so they were calling it closed overall. My cervix was high and I was 70% effaced (which seems like a lot for being only 35 weeks). He also said he didn't feel baby's head so she's not down in my pelvis just yet.


The appointments I was going to be having in the next two weeks were 2 NST's (non-stress test) this week and next week, a lab stop next week for blood draw, a high risk ob appt next week and also fluid checks after my NST's, which those are done via ultrasound.

So the next day, Tuesday, I had my first NST. My blood pressure was down, which is great. The baby was fine. They did a quick ultrasound after to check fluids and my levels were perfect. I got to see her hair and also see her practicing breathing. My next NST is tomorrow (Friday) and I also have a fetal growth ultrasound afterwards to check her size. Then next week, another two NST's, lab work and my ob appointment.

My induction date is February 21st, 2011. Ironically that is also our 5 year wedding anniversary! I have to call between 5:30-6 am to find out what time to come in to get things started.

I had asked the dr about the induction process since I am doing a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). He said they will use pitocin along with the foley bulb, which is a catheter that is inserted and blown up (like a little balloon) and it basically manually dialates you to 3-4 cm. He said if I am not dialated at all they would use pitocin until I am enough to get the foley bulb in, but hopefully I am dialated a little bit so both can be used from the start.

It's been a whirlwind since finding out all of this stuff on Monday. I haven't even had time to let it sink in and get excited that she'll be here in 11 days from today. There's many things to finish doing and buying that we thought we had much longer to get it all done in. Plus getting things in place for having care for Dillon too while I am giving birth. I am hoping things go smoothly and quickly and that my VBAC is successful and we can both come home 24 hours after she's born.

I won't lie, I am getting nervous and having a lot of anxiety the more I think about it all. I am sure we will both be fine and things will go well. But I am nervous of her lung development since she will be born 3 weeks early. If I will be able to have a successful VBAC or not. If she will be of a good weight and be able to regulate her own body temperature. Just so many things. Also...the thought of my VBAC itself is giving me anxiety. I haven't had a vaginal birth before, I don't know what that is like. Frankly, the unknown is a bit scary in this situation!

But I am trying to remain positive. I am trying to get things done but also get the rest that the dr said I needed to be getting. It's been hectic since the news, but hopefully things will work out fine in the end.

Opened Up Shop and An Update

After much debate, I took the plunge. I started a shop, small business...whatever you want to call it.

Here is a link to the page, if anyone is interested. You can buy instantly. So feel free to "like" my business page and spread the word. I just started out and already have filled two orders. I am very excited!

Made With Love

Dillon is doing very well in school. There is a little girl in his class, who is just the cutest thing I've ever seen by the way. The other day when I picked him up, he kept pointing at her and saying "freh" (friend). Then the next morning I asked if he was going to see Raven (her name) and he replied "Rayen" so he tried saying her name. Then as we walked up to the bench where his class meets, he saw her getting off the bus and smiled big and got very excited! It was absolutely adorable!! He still has a cough and runny nose, poor thing. I hope he is over this cold soon. The cough sounds a little deep and it's got to be from the post nasal drip due to his congestion. I hate when he's sick...makes me feel so bad for him. Poor thing has been sick the majority of the time since he started school. Oh, those germy little kids.

I am just about 35 1/2 weeks. Time feels like it's dragging so slowly. I have so much to get done and it feels like I will never get it all completed before she comes. I have to wash baby clothes, hang them. Put away her non-clothing items...buy the swing and bouncer once we get our tax return. We are splitting the remaining money after we put most of it into savings. So I will use my portion to buy the last of the baby stuff I want to get. I just wish I had that nesting energy I had when I was pregnant with Dillon. I've heard that most don't get it with subsequent children...but I am holding onto that little bit of chance that it will come. I'm just so tired and my left hand is always numb and my right hand is always stiff/sore. I had a contraction yesterday, which I am sure was just braxton hicks. I've been crampy down low on and off for a few days and then yesterday my belly felt really tight and like I couldn't breathe. I figured she was just pushing outward like she does from time to time. But when I went to push back to make her stop like usual, my belly felt like a rock under the skin and I didn't feel her move. So it was definitely a contraction, whether it was braxton hicks or otherwise I won't ever know I suppose. 

I have a check up tomorrow, I'll be recieving my VBAC counseling. I am very anxious. I will be sure to post about what was discussed. I am concerned the dr will suggest scheduling a RCS (repeat c-section) for incase I do not go into labor on my own by a certain date. If the dr tries to do this I plan to lay down the law and refuse. If anything is to be scheduled incase I do not labor naturally...it will be an induction. So, we shall see how it all goes.

Other than that, just waiting for my due date to get here. I'm officially due next month, so that is exciting to say. The SuperBowl is this Sunday, hopefully our team wins! Go Steelers!!!