No Progression!

Thankfully!!!!! At my Dr. appointment, I was checked and I'm still only 2 cm dialated. Yay!

I'm still waiting for the results from my fetal fibronectin swab - fingers crossed that it's negative!

Also, I actually lost weight from my last appointment, but I think that had to do with it being at 8:10 am as opposed to 3:00 pm :) Always lighter in the morning :)

I'll update once I get the results!

Yet Another Trip to Labor and Delivery

Yesterday I got to get outside of the house! Unfortunately, it was to make yet another trip to Labor and Delivery. Here's what happened: at about 4:15, I went to the bathroom and my underwear was wet, like I'd peed my pants some, but it didn't smell like urine. So, I started mildly freaking out, which went to full-on panic that I was leaking amniotic fluid. I called Fred and my mom, who told me to call L&D. So, I called my clinic and they said to come in to get tested for an amniotic fluid leak.

They did the swab, which came back negative - THANKFULLY. And baby is still looking great! They monitored him for awhile, and he looks just fine! I won't be able to deliver at Fairview Southdale before 32 weeks, but I'm 32 weeks on Monday, so I think I'll make it to at least then. I have another Dr.'s appointment, so hopefully all will be well - maybe the Fetal Fibronectin will even come back negative and I can get out of the house again! But I don't really think that will happen. But a girl can hope.

Day Care - Check!

Or almost check. Fred went and toured some daycare centers and found 2 he liked. I think we've narrowed it down to one and we're putting down our registration fee tomorrow, if all goes according to plan! It's close to work, so I can drop in and see him during the day, which I really like.

The runner-up is by our house, which sounds like it would be convenient, but it's not as convenient as him being close-by during the day.

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 25 pounds gained
Maternity clothes? Since I'm at home, I'm wearing comfies - half maternity and half just big clothes that I already had.
Stretch marks? I think I have a tiny new one on my side.
Sleep: Wah - I wish!
Best moment this week: Being able to tell that the little nubbin sticking out was his heel!
Movement: Less kicks, more big movements, like rolling from side to side.
Food cravings: Nothing specific, although I did want Big 10 subs on Saturday and didn't get them. Then I wanted Famous Dave's and didn't get it. Then I wanted french fries and had tater tots, so that was a-ok!
Gender: Boy! :)
Labor Signs: Um, yes. Bedrest for pre-term labor signs. I am dialated to 2 cm so far and 60% effaced. Eff.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's looking nasty.
What I miss: Going outside, moving faster than a turtle.
What I am looking forward to: Getting to leave the house next week!
Weekly Wisdom: DO NOT wish for bed rest just to get out of going to work! It sucks! And you still have to work in order to not use your FMLA!
Milestones: Fred is visiting Day Care Centers tomorrow!!!!!!!

Need to Slow Down

Even more than I already have. I've been having contractions about once an hour all morning - Boo. Since they're not more frequent, they're not worrisome yet, but I just need to remind myself that I have to stop and breathe! And not move much. It just sucks because my back hurts SO MUCH from having limited range of movement.

But I am more than willing to do this for 6 more weeks, if that's what it takes.

Still on Bed Rest

And it sucks. Big time. Mainly because every time I get up, I have a contraction. I know, I know - bed rest means STAY IN BED. But people, they've ordered me to chug water, so you know I'm getting up to pee every couple of hours or more.

I'm also working from home now. I keep feeling like I need to prove that I'm actually working (which I am) in order to not dip into my FMLA. I'd actually like to use my FMLA leave for when the baby is here, not for when the baby is trying to escape. We've decided he's bored in there and wants to see what this world is all about :)

Fred called daycare centers yesterday and lined up visits to 3 of them. Two are right by our house and one is downtown, right by work. I really think I will like the downtown one best - it's a center "chain" and has high reviews, plus I really do think it will work out best for our family. But, I think Fred is leaning towards the one by our house because it's cheaper. Well, I put it in his hands, since he is going to be looking at them without me, but at least my Sister in Law can go with him to be another set of eyes. I'll help by giving him some advice before he goes.

So, the update from the Dr. on Monday - I am on bedrest for at least the next two weeks. I go back in on the 31st to repeat the fetal fibronectin swab. If it's still positive, then I'm going to stay on bedrest until at least 34 weeks. If it's negative, I can go back to work and my regular days, hopefully. He checked me again and I'm dialated to 2 cm, but he didn't necessarily think that I'd progressed - that I may have been at 2 all along and the first check was a modest estimate. He also thought my cervix length was ok - I didn't have to meet with the perinatologist, so that's something.

So, we're just hanging in there! We'll take it day-by-day. Fred is starting to feel a sense of urgency to finish some of our "baby-to-do" list - he rearranged the nursery yesterday! It's getting there, which is fun. I will just be hanging out on my laptop, in bed. Yes, internet, I promise that I will stay laying down as much as humanly possible. We even rolled out our single convertible bed in the living room (usually a chair), so I can lay down in there, too. I just hope the dogs don't annoy me all day long :)

Bedrest

So, I had my first trip to Labor and Delivery. And I'm guessing it won't be my last, since I have to go back for sure tomorrow for another shot.

In the afternoon yesterday, I was having braxton hicks contractions and just feeling a little weird. I thought it was my imagination, but I also had a change in my cervical mucus (Sorry for the TMI) - it became more jelly-like. I brushed it all off because I wasn't having any pain or any cramping. We went to a friend's awesome birthday party that night, but even there I just drank a lot of water and took it easy.

At 3:30 am, I woke up because my stomach hurt and I also had to go to the bathroom. I got up, went downstairs, and when I wiped, I found bloody-tinged mucus. That is the first time I'd seen blood this whole pregnancy. Freaked me out. So, I called my mom (LOVE having a Dr. in the family! Dear Baby, What about Med School...) She said to go lay down and call L&D if I started having contractions. Right after getting off the phone with her, I started to have some. They were not my typical BH contractions, since they also made me feel crampy and achy. So I called Mom back, who told me to call my hospital. So I did. The Dr. on-call said I should come in and they could monitor me. He called the hospital to let them know I was coming in.

I got there and they hooked me up to the fetal monitors. He was doing great! Strong heartbeat, movement, so I was happy he was doing so well. I had about 3-4 contractions while I was hooked up to the machine in the first hour. They decided to do a fetal fibronectin swab to see if I would be at risk for delivering in the next couple of weeks. While we waited, they also did a urine test to see if I had a UTI that could be causing this.

While we waited, she checked me and I am 1 cm dialated and 60% effaced. Because of that, they decided to give me a shot to help slow down/stop my contractions and also a steroid shot to help with his lung development just in case. It's a series of two, so I have to go back at 6 am to get the other one.

My urine test came back negative, but the fetal fibronectin swab came back positive. What that really means is that they don't know what's going to happen, but they're going to monitor me extra close for the next 10 weeks (or less?). I have a Dr. appointment tomorrow (which was already scheduled) and we're going to do all the follow-up. I'm on bedrest until that appointment and from there - who knows!?! We'll just have to see what they want me to do. There is a chance that I'll be on bedrest for the next two weeks at least. I'm just glad that Richie is doing so well and if he were to be a preemie, he would probably do pretty well.

So, that was long! Thanks for reading and please send me any "STAY PUT BABY" vibes that you may have :)

Last week in the 20's!

How far along? 29 weeks, 1 day
Total weight gain/loss: 23 pounds gained
Maternity clothes? Lost without them.
Stretch marks? Not yet, but I think they're on their way.
Sleep: I want to sleep well SO BADLY. But it's not going to happen for a long, long, long, long time.
Best moment this week: Feeling him move a LOT!
Movement: He loves to press up against my right side. Not so comfy for me, but it must be for him.
Food cravings: Nothing specific. Although I had the urge to get chocolate milk at the store yesterday. (Borderline GD must be why - I only got a small one)
Gender: Boy! :)
Labor Signs: I seem to get a BH contraction right when I get out of bed in the morning, but that's about it.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's on it's way.
What I miss: Bending over, cracking my back
What I am looking forward to: Getting to week 30! It just seems so far along.
Weekly Wisdom: People like to stare at pregnant ladies.
Milestones: Feeling him regularly.

Update after Dr. Appt.

So everything is looking normal and right on track! I measured at 28 cm, which is exactly where I should be. My blood pressure was normal and my urine was negative for protein and glucose. So, yay!

Richie's heartbeat was in the 160's, so he must have been active! I also gained 2 1/2 pounds from 2 weeks ago :(

My Dr. also said that while she doesn't think I have gestational diabetes, I do still need to watch out because I was so borderline. Good-bye, Cookies. I will miss you.

28 Weeks - Take a look around, baby!

How far along? 28 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: 21 pounds up, that I know of. I have an appointment on Weds.
Maternity clothes? Love them.
Stretch marks? Not yet (knock on wood!)
Sleep: Not well. It doesn't help that our bedroom has been SO HOT lately.
Best moment this week: Me telling Fred that I have no control over the baby, then putting my hand on my belly to prove my point and yelling "Kick, Baby!" and, fully expecting him to not do anything, he kicked right under my hand! (Fluke, I know, but it was hilarious!)
Movement: I can feel him higher and higher now! I think he's also starting to get me in the ribs.
Food cravings: Nothing specific. Although on Sunday I really, really wanted French Toast! Which I got :)
Gender: Boy! :)
Labor Signs: Just the occasional practice BH contractions.
Belly Button in or out? In, but it hurts again.
What I miss: Sleep, Diet Coke, not getting winded for no reason, bending over like a normal person.
What I am looking forward to: Getting the nursery done!
Weekly Wisdom: You will probably only smile at the first person who says, "You must be due soon!"
Milestones: Moving to every-two-week Dr. appointments. Oh yeah, and the baby can open his eyes this week!!!!!!!