36 week (and last) Appointment

Weight: +14.8 lbs pre-pregnancy
B/P: 110/80
FHR: 140's
Position: Head DOWN! :o)

My 36 week appointment was this afternoon at the specialist's. Things went really well. My weight is right on track, my blood pressure was okay, and most importantly Kaitlyn is lookin' good! I still don't agree with the B/P that they recorded, but there is no protein in my urine and my labs have been fine so far, so I am happy.

They did a non-stress test, and Katie had the hiccups for a good ten minutes. Then she took a nice nap. Lol! The nurse practitioner came in to speak with me and said the baby was doing well, and we were just waiting for another room. I wasn't quite sure what room I was waiting for, so when she told me to go to the ultrasound room for a biophysical profile, I was pleasantly surprised. I had a different technician today and she even showed me pictures of Katie in 3D (and printed them out for me)! :o) She looks so beautiful and snug in there. She has big cheeks and looks just like her daddy. I can't wait for her to be here.

No other complications here at home. I had some really tight pains in my abdomen yesterday night. My whole stomach was hard and firm like my forehead. It was constant pain and did not come and go at all. Contractions? Who knows...

Last stop is December 24, 2009 for a blood pressure check and NST at Labor and Delivery....almost there!

35 week Appointment

B/P: 110/70 (I don't buy that...)
Weight: +14.4 lbs pre-pregnancy
FHR: 138

Today, Jonathan and I went to see the specialist for a growth ultrasound (number 7). My blood pressure was really good this morning, but I am not too sure that the medical assistance got an accurate reading. I am more inclined to think it was in the 120/80's, but either way, it is better than it had been at work. My weight gain is appropriate and the baby is looking good.

The amniotic fluid levels were fine, which indicates that her kidneys are functioning and producing urine as they should be. She decided to take a nap while they scanned, and they were able to measure her head (a couple days behind) and abdominal circumference (a little ahead), see her kidneys and heart chambers and take a look at her spine. She didn't want to look at the ultrasound wand, so the only picture we got as her "girly bits." She is still a girl. :)

Today marks the start of the 5th week of bedrest for me. As nervous as I am about Katie coming out, I am ready for her to be an outside baby. We have an appointment with my OB on Thursday, so hopefully we can talk more about the induction and when she would like to schedule it. In the meantime, make your guesses on her birth weight/height! :)

**Edited on the 17th:

B/P: 132/88
Fundal Height: 35 cm
FHR: 130's

Pretty standard appointment in the beginning. Got my vitals, did a non-stress test (which went great) and went to see the doc. She swabbed me for GBS (group B strep) and talked about how I was feeling. I mentioned to her that last night I had A LOT of cervical pressure, and she told me to keep a closer eye on those as they sound kind of like contractions. Then she decided to check me anyway since I was already undressed. She said my cervix is anterior and 1cm dilated. No protein in my urine at this spot check. My labs came back from last week and my 24-hr urine had protein levels of 243. (It has been 163 and 170. Pre-eclampsia is 300...) So....

Here is the game plan:
Monday, 12/21: Go see specialist and have NST
Thursday, 12/24: Go to L&D for NST and urine check

Monday, 12/28.....

GO TO L&D FOR INDUCTION.......

(Trying to change that to Tuesday, 12/29....but it's here, none-the-less).

34 week Appointment

B/P: 136/90
Weight: +14 lbs pre-pregnancy
Fetal Heart Tones: 140-150's
Fundal Height: 34 weeks

I started getting sick with a cold/sinus congestion on Friday. I spent much of the weekend curled up on the couch trying to breath. :o) With my lungs squished and congested, it has been rather interesting. I am hoping this clears up quickly.

Today's appointment was relatively the same as the last. I was on the NST for about 40 minutes. Kaitlyn thought she would just nap rather than move around. When she does that her heart rate stays about the same (from 130-134ish) and they like to see more fluctuation (120-150 with some rises to 170's). I drank some Gatorade and she perked up a bit.

As you can see, my blood pressure is rising back to where it was when I was working. I am not sure if that is baby-induced, congestion/sick-induced or what, but I have to go back on Friday for another NST and Blood Pressure check. The plan is to continue on towards 37 wks. Today, she looked a little unsure as to whether or not she thought I would make it that long. As I have said, I just PLAN to get there. :o) So we will have to wait and see. No protein in my urine thus far. I started having a lot of back pain Saturday and Sunday night, and boy, that is NOT fun....

33 week Update

B/P: 130/82
Weight: +15 lbs pre-pregnancy (I wore my tennis shoes...whoops)

Fetal Heart Tones: 120-170's
Fundal Height: 33 weeks
Baby's Position: Head Down, Facing my back (Good for Delivery!)

Just a quick update that all is going well, and the same. I saw my doctor on Monday, the 30th. It was the longest I have ever been there. I was on the NST for about 45 minutes, and Katie did well. They were looking for movement, variation in her heart rate and accelerations in her heart rate. I finally saw Dr. A after waiting about 45 more minutes. (I usually don't have to wait for her, so this was rare but frustrating.) No new things at this appointment except she explained to me the "period-like" cramps that I started having yesterday are Braxton Hicks.

"Indefinate" Bedrest

According to my OB, this is my current status. I saw her on the 23rd and the 25th for follow-ups. My blood pressure was okay, 128/86 (on the 23rd) and 130/80 (on the 25th). No protein in the urine, which I am constantly grateful for. Katie did great on the NST. I measured in right at 32 weeks, (I was 31wks, 6days at the appointment) and everything is looking good, relatively speaking.

I was really hoping to be able to make it back to work, at least for a short while, but Dr. A wasn't having it. She said that going back to work would only increase my blood pressure more. :o( So here I am, sitting tight for a few more weeks. Dr. A said that her goal is to make it to 37 weeks. As long as there are not any further complications, we will plan on an induction at the hospital nearest my house. I really like it there, but it is a small (albeit brand new) unit without a NICU. My doctor feels that inducing there will be safe for myself and the baby if I am at 37 weeks, and there is an excellent transport team for the downtown hospital if need be. Of course, if my status changes, and/or I have to be induced prior to 37 weeks, I will deliver downtown...I am really hoping that doesn't happen.

Having a common goal and knowing that Katie is doing well despite my blood pressure "issues" provides me with some reassurance, but I am super nervous about the induction. I have become fairly well educated on PIH, and while I feel confident in our plan, it's the complete opposite of what I had initially envisioned. I guess things just don't always go according to plan. I pray that Katie continues to do well and is in excellent health before, during and after delivery. I have faith that my doctor will take care of me and see me though my pre-natal care, delivery and post-partum recovery. And I hope, hope, hope that our induction is successful and without the need for a c-section.

31 week Appointment

B/P: 128/86
HR: 100's
Fundal Height: Did not measure
Fetal Heart Tones: 120-160's
Weight: +11 lbs pre-pregnancy

Paul and I went in for a short appointment today for an ultrasound (number 4). We had a biophysical profile performed where they "grade" the baby on her movements, amount of amniotic fluid and whether or not she is "practicing" breathing on her own. Our stubborn girl was not really in the mood to move and was in a food coma after a yummy breakfast of bean and cheese tacos. :o) Whoops, that might be mommy and daddy's fault, Kaitlyn.

After much shaking of my tummy, she finally decided to move her legs and arms a few times and flip over. And she did take a couple of "practice breaths," so all looks good at this point. Before we left, Dr. A had the nurses place me on the NST (number 6 in as many days). It was about this time Katie decided she was awake and moving all about. :o) She has a mind of her own, already...

1st Hospital Stay

If I was caught off guard at Friday's appointment, I was definitely thrown for a loop at Monday's follow-up! My doctor told me she wanted to see me twice this week. Once for a normal appointment and once for an ultrasound. My blood pressure was 140/90, no protein in the urine. Rose, my doctor's assistant, placed me on the NST before I saw the doctor, and Katie proceeded to kick and flip and move about. She must like to hear her own heartbeat because she always gets active when we do this test.

I had been in the room for about 20 minutes when my doctor appeared and informed me that she wanted to keep me overnight at the hospital to run some tests on my kidneys, liver, and blood and to have me do a 24 hour urine test. I was disconnected from the monitor and sent on my way. Mom was able to leave work and met me at the hospital with an overnight bag and pink roses for Kaitlyn and me. I finally got a hold of Paul (he wasn't able to get my text messages) and let him know that we were both okay.

A very nice nurse, Catherine, took me to my room, Labor and Delivery Room 5, and got me admitted. She placed me on the NST, again, and rechecked my blood pressure. Surprisingly, it was coming down and stayed between 130/80's and 120/70's. We only got two readings over 130/80 the entire time I was there.

I didn't have to wear a fashionable hospital gown nor get an IV, so it was a relatively pleasant stay. The hospital is brand new and had all kinds of fancy amenities such as room service and free WiFi. I had a lot of visitors the first day (so the nurses kept telling my visitors, lol!) and the time passed really quickly. Leslie, Tara, Irma, and Jonathan came to see me that afternoon. Tamara, Paul and Mom were able to come that evening once they got off of work. I didn't get much sleep after everyone left because the hospital bed was not so comfortable. My legs and bottom kept falling asleep where the bed comes apart for delivery. I am sure the post-partum beds are a lot more comfortable than the delivery beds. Regina was my nurse overnight.

First thing Tuesday morning, Dr. A stopped in to let me know my "blood pressures in jail look really nice" and that my labs all came back normal. They were just waiting on my 24-hr urine test to finish and if my protein counts were low, I would be able to go home. My nurse, Kelly, placed me back on the NST to check on our little girl, who was doing great! It is such a blessing that during these last seven months our little angel is doing so well.

My urine test came back around lunch time at 170mg/24hr, and I was released home with my mom. It appears that this test was a little high, normal is 30-150mg/24hr, but Dr. A said she would release me to home bedrest if it was under 300. I had this same test August 5th and it was 163.8mg/24hr, so it hasn't increased too much.

I am praying this is the last time I have to be admitted before December 29th so that Katie can get bigger and her lungs can mature as much as possible.

30 week Appointment

My first Non-Stress Test

B/P: 138/90

HR: 80's
Fundal Height: 30cm, which is right on track
Fetal Heart Tones: 150's
Weight: +12 lbs pre-pregnancy

I don't think I could have prepared enough for our appointment today. I was expecting it to be very uneventful and be on my merry way with a note for return to work on light duty. Instead, we had a long appointment and an order for "BEDREST" from my doctor. :o(

As you can see, my blood pressure is still high, although it has been higher than that at work. I still do not have protein in my urine (thank the Lord), and we are hoping to prolong delivery as long as possible, provided that my blood pressure doesn't get crazy high (160/100's), my kidneys, liver, and other organs are functioning well, and Katie doesn't show signs of distress.

Mom and Denisse went with me to the appointment, and we all got to listen to Katie's heartbeat on the monitor to see how active and healthy she was doing. This test is called a "non-stress test." They put monitors on my stomach to measure her heart-rate and if I have contractions, measure how frequently those are coming and evaluate how Katie responds to each contraction. Fortunately, there were no contractions and she had a nice heartbeat ranging from 120-160.

Despite everything going on with me, she seems to be staying active and thriving. :o)