Saturday, July 25, 2009

Baby Shower and Bed Rest

Good News First:
I had my baby shower last night! My longtime friend threw me a lovely shower at her beautiful home. There were lots of friends and family. Lots of yummy food (pizza, bread sticks, salads, and lemon cheese cake! YUM!) and tons of gifts! I am completely overwhelmed with everyone's generosity!

I'll try to post pics on the private blog later. I need to go through everything to even remember an ounce of what we got. Off the top of my head we received....countless onesies in every imaginable size and color, baby blankets, hooded towels, wash cloths, burp cloths, pacifiers, baby shoes, tons of baby outfits, 2 car seat bases, baby bath tub, burts bee's gift set, bouncy seat, swing, piggy bank, sleepers, diapers, wipes, boppy, diaper cream, changing pad, diaper caddy and a million other things I've forgotten! We need a new house just to store all of the baby stuff! :) My little girl is already spoiled rotten! And loved by so many. That makes my heart glad.

Bad News Time:
I'm on bed rest. Ugh. So I ended up getting in massive trouble at my doctors appointment on Wednesday. They were upset about my swelling and blood pressure. Blood work and a 24 hour urine test were ordered. I am happy to say that both were completely normal. No protein in my urine and labs were normal. They made me come back Thursday for another BP check. I was stressed out of my mind and big shocker, my BP was even higher! Insert more freaking out of the medical staff. The problem was my normal OB was out of town and I was dealing with a nurse practitioner that scares easier. I was then made to come in AGAIN on Friday (yesterday), my BP had come down after 2 days of bedrest, but is still above normal. Sigh.

The long and short of it is I officially have Pregnancy Induced Hypertension - but NOT Pre-Eclampsia. Yet, anyway. It's an important distinction and very good news that I am not eclamptic at this point. Last night was a wake up call for me that I really do have to behave and stay on bed rest. I was upright way to long at my shower, walking around, and I got really hot. Before I knew it I was having visual disturbances. If you know anything about blood pressure this is a huge red flag. My sister in law drove me home. My mom came over (she is a cardiac RN) and found my blood pressure at 160/100! I was ordered on my left side and to drink tons of water. She and hubby kept monitoring me and thank God my BP quickly dropped down to acceptable levels. But that's it. I'm out of commission for the rest of this pg. It sucks because I'm nesting, but stroking out is not big on my list of things to do. I will be shocked if I don't end up induced in the end, but I'm still praying I just go into labor on my own early.

That is all for now. If you pray, please keep Baby Girl and myself in your prayers. I need her to cook for a few more weeks and I need to not have a stroke in the mean time. I really do think everything will work out in the end.


Miss X

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Swollen and Nesting

Summer time and the swelling's easy......

I way over did it last week! My little brother was getting married and there was so much to do. It was days of cleaning, decorating and out of town family. Did I mention it was over 100 degrees every single day. UGH! Our forecast shows 100+ days for as far out as the weather channel will project. Yuck.

My brothers wedding turned out very nice. We had a good time and enjoyed seeing relatives. People "oohed and ahhed" over my belly and I even scored a couple of baby gifts. It was definitely a bit hard for us and especially my mom, having such a significant time without my dad. It's been 2 1/2 years since he unexpectedly died and sometimes it feels like 2 days. I miss him.

Saturday night at the end of my brothers reception I hiked up my dress to check out my ankles only to discover they were gone. I mean gone. Completely. My feet were enormous! The sandals I wore that were lose at the start of the day had cut into my feet and I even have bruising from the straps. You could easily push an inch into my lower legs and the indent stayed for several minutes at a time. My mom and my aunt are both nurses (my aunt an OB nurse) freaked out and sent me home to put my feet up, monitor my BP and drink water. I gained 4lbs that day in fluid!

Now a few days later I've lost 2 of the 4lbs. My swelling has gone down quite a bit, but I still definitely have edema in my lower legs. Sigh. My BP definitely spiked on Saturday but it has gone down to normal now. I'm sure my OB is going to love to hear this tomorrow at my appointment. I have a feeling that at least semi-bedrest is in my near future. I've been trying to rest this week and drink lots of water.

I'm nothing if not great on timing and I think my nesting instinct has kicked in. I felt the need to take the tags off of everything and wash EVERYTHING today. So far I've washed 3 sets of crib sheets, baby quilt, 3 baby blankets, mattress protector, baby towel, 12 burp cloths, and a million 0-3 months clothes! I feel the need for everything to be finished NOW! This is so not me. I'm pretty laid back about cleaning. I like a tidy house, but am far from a neat freak. This must be nesting.

Oh, I had my growth ultrasound last week! I was 32 1/2 weeks and they estimated the baby at 4lbs 3 ounces, which they said is right on track. They are guessing she will weigh 6 1/2 to 7lbs if I go the full 40 weeks. Sounds like a perfect size to me. ;) Everything looked right on dates with her and she was pronounced very wiggly, shy and healthy. :) They had a 3d ultrasound but Baby Girl refused to show us her face at all! We were so disappointed. She is head down and her head was so low and wedged under my right hip bone. The tech tried everything to get her to show us her face and she flat refused! Stubborn girl! Oh well, I guess we are destined to be surprised at how she looks.

In other news my baby shower is this Friday night. I can't believe that I am having a baby shower. Me. Crazy! I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I know that sounds ridiculous. I need to wrap my brain around the idea that I am having a baby. I swear I have felt like such a fraud most of this pregnancy. How could I finally be getting what my heart has desired for so long? I'm so blessed.


Miss X


P.S.
Thanks for all of the baby stuff advice. Keep it coming! :)

Monday, July 13, 2009

32 Week Belly Pic ***Edit to Add***

I posted my newest belly pic here.



Miss X


****Edited*****
All of you been there, done that mamma's I have a question. What baby item could you NOT live without? What was a waste? Thank you!!!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Text Book

My last several doctor appointments have left me perfectly average and text book. After my tumultuous start to pregnancy and the blood pressure drama I am thrilled to be boring. Boring is perfect and I am so very grateful. I'm hoping my average streak continues.

Monday I started my every two weeks appointments with my OB. Only 3 more and then I am on to the weekly appointments. Can you believe how fast this is going? The appointment went great. My blood pressure was the lowest reading I have ever had in my pg. I was shocked! I had spent the weekend at my in laws and they had NO AIR CONDITIONING! It was 95 degrees and my legs had swollen to tree trunk size. I thought for sure my blood pressure would be through the roof. After several days of my cool air conditioning and drinking lots of water and my swelling is gone again. Thank God!

My weight is up to a grand total of 8 pounds. I'm thinking my goal of not gaining more then 20lbs is going to actually be achieved. Don't worry, I'm not dieting. I'm seriously eating very normal, I just have some sort of magic pregnancy thing happening. Whatever, I just hope it continues after birth and I can lose the rest of my extra, non-pg related weight!

I was exactly 31 weeks at my appointment and my belly measured...wait for it...exactly 31 weeks. (Yawn) Heartbeat was good and in the 150's. Baby Girl is not a fan of the doppler. As soon as the doctor placed it on my tummy she kicked it right off! The doctor laughed. Too funny. So with everything good the doctor declared me as "behaving". I do try to make people happy. ;)

Next week is my growth ultrasound and I'm still not convinced it is actually necessary. It is okay though, I'm glad for a sneak peak at Baby Girl. She should be huge compared to the 20 week ultrasound! They have 3D technology and said they would try to get a couple of pictures ,so I really hope that happens.

I'm busy for the next few weeks with my brothers wedding, out of town guests and then my baby shower. (I'm having a baby shower?! Me?!) Then life will hopefully slow down while I wait for Baby Girl to make her grand entrance. I still cannot believe this is happening. I'm totally shocked. And so totally blessed.


Miss X

Thursday, July 2, 2009

I (heart) Dr. Perfect!

Thank you ladies - especially Amanda. Your list of questions were very helpful.

Hubby and I went to a consult with Dr. Perfect Tuesday morning. He was recommended to me by my doula/birth instructor. All of our eyes met and the heavens opened. Birds sang. It was magic. Seriously, I am absolutely thrilled. The Dr. spent lots of time talking to us answering any and all questions we threw at him. We seem to have very similar philosophies and it is so rare to find that.

*We went over breastfeeding - he is a HUGE advocate and pointed to his stacks of breastfeeding books all over his office. Circumcision (in case we ever have a boy) - he does not recommend and gave lots of stats as to why. Vaccinations - he generally does standard timing, but is completely happy to do any alternative schedules the parents deem appropriate. He keeps same day appointments open in his schedule year round. Does not allow his schedule to be booked solid for more then 2 weeks to keep availability for patients. Very personable, on and on.*

YAY!

This is all very much in line with our views. It is so rare that I actually like a doctor so I am on cloud nine! Hubby liked him too so that is that! Decision made and one more thing I can check off of my to do list.

Speaking of my list....I better get a move on. Time is running out!

Have a great holiday everyone! :)


Miss X


*I hope it goes without saying, but this is NO JUDGEMENT on anyone who's views are different. These are just our personal views. I respect what other parents choose to do/not do.