1 down, 9 more to go!

Our 37 week appointment......this was an interesting one.

First, the ultrasound........my PA (well, Certified Nurse Midwife....she won't be delivering) has been monitoring me very thoroughly.  I really feel like she is not missing a beat....literally.  The ultrasound this week was to measure the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.  The normal range is between 5 and 20.  We measured at 10.  YAY!  Good!  Owen has not moved since last week. He is head down, with his spine on my left side.  Leaving him the opportunity to wedge his bottom into my ribs, and kick me on the other side......waaaaay on the other side. The tech said that he is "for sure crammed in there."  This makes me think that he is bigger then what they were saying.......have you seen my belly!?!?  LOL!

On to the monitor.  When the tech did the measurements, she told me his heart rate.  Owen has been consistently running around 146 beats per minute.  This time he was 125 beats per minute......errr, what!?!  Normal is 120-180.  But, my argument was that this is NOT normal for him, and he is in the low end of normal.  The monitor showed the same thing.  The nurse tried aggravating him by manipulating my belly.  She said that I was "100% all baby."  That was fun!  Owen stayed in the low range.  I was having several contractions, but I was not too uncomfortable.  No one is worried.  So I guess I shouldn't be, either.

So then my PA offered to check me.  Jessica (my sister) told me that every time they check, it gets things moving.  This would be my third time getting checked.  She offered, I accepted.  Tada!!!  We are 1cm dilated.  I know, I know, you all are probably laughing at me, but HEY!  It's something!  A little glimmer of hope ;-) 

I know we have a long way to go, but at least we're not at zero, like someone else I know......Sorry, Jess :-(

Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!


PS.  I thought I may let some of you know that our preparation for Owen goes beyond getting the bag packed and the nursery set.  Dave has been working sooooo hard on changes that we are making to the house.  We are eager to rid of our construction site, but we are excited to gain a pantry and a
play/napping/nursing/TV watching/guest room.  I am soooo lucky to have such a talented husband!!!  I'll post pictures when he is done.  It's going to look awesome!  YAY!

Our 36 week appointment

So, I was very excited about this appointment.  Three weeks ago, Owen measured 6lbs4oz.  We were shocked!  This put him in the 85th percentile.  Today's appointment was for the purpose of measuring him again to see the progress.  If Owen fell into the 90th percentile, then we would talk about induction or c-section.  I was voting for the induction!

Well, as everyone warned me (and I turned a deaf ear) those measurements are not accurate.  This appointment showed that Owen was STILL at 6lbs4oz, and has dropped into the 45th percentile, categorizing him as small.  WHAT!?!  Talking about an emotional tease!

Now, I have to be on the monitor every visit for 20 minutes to make sure everything is going OK.  I don't mind that, because I always have the fear that they missed something.  But, there goes my hopes of an induction. 

Most of the size predictions that I have heard of usually are a lot less at birth.  Noooo!!!!  Owen!  You stay in that warm, comfy, cozy place as long as you need to.  I just ask that you wave your magic wand to speed up time!  Your mom and dad are like little kids counting down until Christmas, and knowing that this year we'll get the best present in the world!!!!!!!!!!!

Making Memories

My friend from work, Heather is a photographer.  We had a fabulous idea to document Owen's home for just a few more weeks.  I was so excited to be able to look back to the miracle a love has created!  Below is the link to all of the pictures, as well as some highlighted pictures that we really liked!


http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=5401040013/PictureID=241541915013/a=3608434027_133900629/

Last night

Last night I was having stabbing back pain every time Owen moved.  Could this mean we are getting closer?  A contraction means that the belly gets really, really hard, and that has been happen more often than not.  Hmmmm!!!!  Stay tuned!

35 weeks, and counting!

We had our 35 week appointment today.  I have been having extreme pain and pressure spontaneously through the days for the past two weeks.  Last night I went to the bathroom, and barely made it back to bed because of the pain and pressure.

Well, I had a doctor appointment today, so I didn't feel the need to act any sooner.  They put me on the monitor, and it seems that I am having contractions, but they are not productive, so we are not concerned right now.  My question is.....what exactly is that pain and pressure?  Seems the only thing that can be explained is his head wedging into my pelvis.  It's worth it though!

I asked the Dr about Owen measuring in the 85%, and if she is concerned.  She said that she doesn't get concerned unless he is in the 90%.  Looks like we got ourselves another ultrasound next week to check up on the progress.  Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our first false alarm

Well, I have been having a lot of pain and pressure deep down, far down.  It started last night, and progressively gotten worse during the day today.  I thought that it was nothing to think about, but after consulting with Aunt Jess, she convinced me that since it's something new to me, I should call. 

I have called the doctor once before, and they have reassured me that everything was fine.  Not this time.  This time, they said, "when can you get here?".......uhhh, what?  Thankfully, Dave was home, so off we went to the Dr's office. 

The Dr said that the pain and pressure was a result of Owen wedging his head into my pelvis.  Thanks.  Six more weeks of this!?!?   And it gets worse.  Lovely!

So, to sum it up, I had my first hand check, and it did not tickle.  I am not dilated.  I am just glad that we were able to go to the office, and not the hospital.....that would have been a $500 visit just for them to check me out.

Oh well, keep growing, Owen!

On a side note, work has a baby "pool" going.  No money involved, obviously, but this one girl has us going at 8/25/10 at 9.7lbs.....what are you thinking?!?!?