A plan

When we left the doctor's office yesterday, we left with no further appointments and left knowing that we won't be back until after the baby is born.
That's right...we have a plan.
If I don't go into labor by Wednesday, I'll report to the hospital at about 4 a.m. to be induced. If the induction isn't going well, I'll be taken that day for a c-section.
With all the medical issues we're facing (pre-eclampsia, bigger baby, fibroid, etc.) this is what my doctor decided was the best plan of action. Dan and I both agreed with her.
Baby still looks wonderful. His heartbeat was nice and strong and he was very reactive which is what they like to see. He was still measuring about 3 weeks or so ahead (a few weeks ago, he was measuring about four weeks ahead).
My blood pressure was good. I still have no swelling. But I do have a very mild case of pre-eclampsia. Last week, my protein measured at 306 (the cutoff is 300). This week, I was holding steady at 307. That's good news but we're still in a risky category. The danger with pre-eclampsia is that it could get worse. Normally, my doctor said women with pre-eclampsia will be induced at 37 weeks, which for me would be today. But because we're having a boy and there's a chance his lungs aren't fully developed, we're holding off until Wednesday to give him a little extra time. I'll be almost 38 weeks along then.
As for me, moving around, sleeping and even breathing are all getting harder. I don't just have the baby to contend with. The fibroid is providing a lot of extra pressure on my lungs. I can't do much without having to rest (the doctor has said all I should be doing is resting anyway). But I still feel OK. The contractions have basically stopped. And while my cervix is soft, I'm still only 1 cm dialated (exactly where I was almost two weeks ago). I don't think this baby is in any hurry to get here on his own.
I'm still under 30 pounds for weight gained during this pregnancy, which was my goal. And my belly button is still an innie -- something that surprised the nurse during my non-stress test yesterday. Overall, things are going well.
Now, we just wait.

What it means to be a dad

Today, I'm feeling grateful. I have a fantastic dad. He's a man who has always been there for me, often tells me that he loves me and is a great role model for both my husband and my son.
Not everyone has that -- my husband included. Luckily, he grew up with a strong mother who was able to play both roles, mother and father, while teaching him everything he needed to know and showing him what it was like to be a good parent. I know it wasn't always easy for her, but she did the absolute best she could, and she did a really good job of it.
But my heart still hurts for Dan. Where there should be fatherly love, there's nothing. There's a man who forgets his birthday, spreads lies to family members and friends and continues to let his son live with a secret that if told would hurt far too many people. But kept in secret, it hurts Dan.
Up until this point, Dan and I have vowed to take the high road (this blog likely derails that). On Sunday, Dan's dad left a message on facebook that while vague we both believe it was targeted directly at me. This isn't the first time he's done something like this. It likely won't be the last. At first, I was angry. I was hurt. Now, I'm just sad.
Sad that Dan will never have a "real" dad and that our son will never have a grandpa on that side of the family. But it also makes me appreciate what they will have that much more.
Watching Dan and my dad develop a strong relationship has been as rewarding for me as it has been for Dan. They hunt together, they fish together and they just spend time together. Dan loves that time. I know my dad does, too.
That's the kind of relationship I know Dan will have with our son -- one based on love and mutual respect.
Today, I'm grateful. Grateful for my dad who has accepted my husband just as he has me. And to my husband, who I know will be a fantastic father to our son.

OMG

The due date countdown now shows 24 days. Originally, we had been aiming for 39 weeks. Then the doctor said she'd like to induce me or schedule a c-section for around 38 1/2 weeks. Last week, at our appointment, she seemed as if was leaning towards moving up to the date to around 38 weeks (or maybe even earlier). If that's the case, that's in 10 days. 10!!! I had a minor freakout this morning when I thought of it that way.
While we're definitely ready to meet him, it just seems like everything has gone so fast. In a few days, I'll be full-term. And in a few days, we'll likely be meeting our son. So exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. I never thought we'd get to this point.

Congratulations Jake and Kelsey

Around Christmas, my youngest brother and his wife told us that they are expecting in July. Well, yesterday, we found out that they're going to be having a little girl.
My niece Kayla is 11 months old. Our son will be here soon. And he'll be followed by his little cousin a few months down the road. Lots of babies.

Thursday appointment

I'm really late with this update. Every time I sat down to write something, I just wasn't in the mood. Lots to update though...

* I have a very mild case of pre-eclampsia. The 24-hour urine test showed that my protein was at 306. The cutoff is 300. Basically, that's likely the difference between one trip to the bathroom. I knew I should have held that last one. :)
* Blood pressure was fine and I still have no swelling in hands, feet or legs. (I'm still wearing my wedding ring).
* I'm done with work until likely the end of April or so. The doctor did not put me on bed rest but she did caution me to take it easy.
* Baby's heartbeat looked great during the non-stress test.
* I wasn't checked on Thursday, but on Monday, I was 1 cm dialated.
* I go back Thursday for more tests, a non-stress test and an ultrasound. I'll be one day away from 37 weeks then. My guess is that we'll set a c-section or induction date.

More classes

Last night, Dan and I attended a transitions/breastfeeding class at the local hospital. The class was particularly for busy, first-time parents.
The class was wonderful. The transitions information was pretty much stuff I already knew, but having an overview was great for both of us. But I found the breastfeeding part the most interesting. I plan to breastfeed. I've never really questioned it, but I'll admit, it's not something I knew a ton about. If the class did anything last night, it gave me more confidence in that area.
The negative part of the night was five Presentation College nursing students who were sitting in on the class. The students were rude, visited throughout the entire three and a half hours, giggled at inappropriate times and spent more time playing with their keys and cell phones instead of listening to what was being said. They were distracting to us and the other couple sitting near them. So distracting, in fact, that I said something to the instructor following the class. I also e-mailed the nursing chair of the school today to let her know about the students' behavior. To be fair, with the childbirth class we also took, there was a student participating as well. She was fantastic. You could tell she was there to learn. I wish the students yesterday would have been more like that.

Another day, another appointment

One of the very first things the doctor said to me at my appointment today was "I've been thinking a lot about you lately." My response? "Well, I suppose that's better than not thinking about me at all."
Apparently, I'm a "complicated" case. All my little ailments (big baby, fibroid, etc.) keep adding up. I guess we can now add high blood pressure to that list...maybe.
I had a non-stress test this morning before going and seeing the doctor. For those who don't know what a non-stress test is...it's a test done at labor and delivery. A nurse hooks up a contraction monitor and a little device that monitors the baby's heartbeat. Sometimes, I also have a blood pressure cuff on. And then we sit and wait. The point is to watch the baby. If the baby moves and the heart rate rises, that's good.
Up until this point, we've had no problems with the test. The little peanut is normally moving up a storm. This morning? Not so much. We moved me around and I drank a ton of water before he finally felt like giving us a show. The nurse, who I'll admit was not one of my favorite people of the day, just so happened to put the blood pressure cuff on the arm I was laying on. Well, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that the results would turn out to be high. One of the first things I did when we got into the doctor's office was ask if they would take my blood pressure again. They did and of course it was much more normal. Still, the damage was done.
Thanks to the high pressure I get to do a 24-hour urine collection. It's as gross and horrible as it sounds. I will be staying home Tuesday the entire day to do it. The lab will then measure the protein in my urine. I didn't have any today, but they need the full 24 hours to see what exactly is going on.
I go back to the doctor on Thursday.
At this point, we have no clue what's going to happen. Baby looks good...just big. If I do indeed have problems with blood pressure (which I don't think I'm going to) then we could have a baby in the next week or so. If not, the goal is to make it to 38.5 weeks -- that's just three weeks away.
My doctor is still trying to decide what's best for me and the baby...a vaginal birth or a c-section. A vaginal birth brings a few more risks for the baby, being that he's big. But a c-section brings more risks for me because of the fibroid and the chance of bleeding. Right now, the tentative plan sounds like it would be to do a casual induction on me. They'd give me the meds and break my membranes, but the doctor wouldn't let me labor for hours. If I wasn't progressing, they'd immediately go to a c-section. However, she also mentioned the possibility of a scheduled c-section. We're kind of in a wait and see mode. She told Dan and I to talk it over and figure out the direction we'd like to take. We already have and we've decided to go with whatever she recommends.

The nursery

Wednesday's appointment

Yesterday's appointment went as well as it could have. By the time I got to the hospital in the afternoon for the stress test, the contractions had slowed considerably. I had one in the parking lot as we were walking to the building. I had one that showed up on the non-stress test monitoring. And then I had another stronger one while waiting for the doctor to come in. Nothing regular.
The doctor didn't seem too concerned but stressed again that I really needed to take it easy and to get more rest. She even went as far to say that she only wants me to go to work in the mornings. That way I can get a nap in every afternoon. It really does make sense, because up until this point, I'm still getting up at the same time each morning. Then I just sit around until I need to go into work. Then I work the afternoon, come home and continue with my night as I normally would. My "new" schedule, which I won't start until next week, is definitely better than the alternative...bedrest.
Everything else with the baby is great. His heartbeat was perfect and he was moving up a storm...like he always is. My blood pressure was good. No major swelling. I did put on a few more pounds.
The goal still is to make it to 39 weeks. We're not sure it will happen, but that's the goal. The end is near.

Contractions...again

Last night, I started having contractions again. Strong ones. Ones that made me sick to my stomach. I could hardly get up. I also had to change my breathing to deal with them. At one point, there were just a few minutes apart; but still not very regular. I'd go 20 minutes and get one, then I'd go two minutes and then I'd go a half an hour.
That process basically continued throughout the night. I'd wake up and then I'd go back to sleep.
Dan was a little miffed at me that I wouldn't head to the hospital to be checked, but I didn't think there was a need.
For one, I have a non-stress test and doctor's appointment this afternoon. I'll work the morning, make it to the afternoon and be checked then.
Now, if they become more regular, then I might see more of a need to head to the hospital early.
As it is, I'm still just shy of 35 weeks. And while I've been told by my doctor that it wouldn't be a surprise to see him arrive early, I still don't think it will be THIS early.