37week, 5 day appointment

37 weeks, 2 days

Weight Gain: +15 lbs per MD
B/P: 128/80
FHR: 137
Fundal Height: not measured

I had two appointments today, and they were pretty uneventful, so I will lump them together in this one update. Nathan is continuing to do well. At the perinatologist, I had an ultrasound (number 10), and he is continuing to grow well. No signs of pre-eclampsia which is wonderful! I am really glad to have made it this far without any serious complications or risks to Nathan. The tech had a difficult time obtaining his measurements because he is out of room! He is head down, very much engaged, and curled up in a ball. They estimate that he weighs 7 lbs 1 oz, which would place him in the 43rd percentile. Dr. R discharged me from his care, and wished me well.

I headed over to see my OB next, which was also pretty uneventful. She was going to do an ultrasound, but I gave her all the documents from the perinatologist, and we just talked about those instead. I have been so uncomfortable the past couple of days, so Dr. A checked me again. I am still 3cm and 50% effaced, although she says he is "much lower this time." Basically, that means nothing to me. Katie was "high" when I started pushing and I didn't have to push that long with her. We confirmed my induction for December 1st, and I scheduled my last follow up with her for November 29th. I can't believe we are so close to meeting Nathan!!

34 week Appointment

34 weeks, 1 day

Weight Gain: +14.4lbs per MD Scale, +12lbs at home
B/P: 122/72
FHR: 139

My appointment this afternoon went fairly well, with the exception of having to wait in the hall while their lunch ran over. They had three unhappy pregnant girls waiting in the hallway when they got back. Nathan is still head down and was shadowing my cervix, so they couldn't see anything there. All the fluid looks good (was around 20), so that means his kidneys are working well. His head is measuring on the high side of normal and his femur on the low side of normal, with his belly right in the middle. He has been measuring like that for at least a couple of appointments. All together they estimate his Gestational Age at 34w6d and I am 34w5d today. He weighs 5 lbs 8 oz and is in the 36 percentile.

I about fell over when they said he weighs 5 1/2 lbs!!! That seems so large, and Katie was only 6 lbs 5oz when she was born, 5lbs 5oz in the NICU. And Nathan has possibly 5 more weeks to grow! When I got home, I looked up Katie's measurements for the same time in my pregnancy and they actually estimated her to be 5lbs 13oz and in the 53% for 34w6d. She was bigger than Nathan, although it sure doesn't feel like it! I can't believe we are getting so close to meeting Nathan already!

31 week ultrasound

Weight: +12 lbs
B/P: 112/50 (It's always lower at the specialist for some reason)
Fundal Height: We don't measure
FHR: 142

I had a growth ultrasound today to check on Nathan with my perinatologist. He is doing really well and measures at 31w3d (I am 31w1d). They estimate his weight at 3 lbs 13 oz, which is in the 45 percentile. His head is all the way down right next to my cervix and the technician had to measure his thigh bone up by my bra strap...I am thinking Nathan is going to be a long fellow. :) 

I have been having a lot of contractions and cervical pressure, as I mentioned, but my cervix is CLOSED! Yay! I am really excited to meet Nathan, but not for at least six more weeks. He needs time to bake.

3D/4D Ultrasound

We had a 3D/4D ultrasound at Baby Vision ultrasound for Nathan on September 10th. Nathan was such a good boy and cooperated so that we were able to get some great shots of his face. He was playing with the umbilical cord and had his hands up by his face. Not only does he kinda act like his big sister, He looks SO MUCH like her!

He was moving around some and even managed to get both his feet up by his face. I'd say he still has plenty of room to move around. :)

26 weeks!! (and one day)

26 weeks, 1 day

Weight Gain: +8.2 lbs per MD
B/P: 112/62
FHR: 141

Had an appointment today for a follow up ultrasound with my specialist. Everything is looking good. Nathan is measuring right on track according to the measurements they took today. He is 1 lb 15oz and in the 46th percentile. I have been feeling pretty good lately, compared to how I felt my first pregnancy. I have been fighting off allergies for the last couple of weeks, and I got sick this morning before my appointment, but I haven't had any more migraines (knock on wood), and I am able to function at least 75% of what is normal.

I moved Katie into her "Big Girl Bed" this week, so Nathan's crib is all set up with his bedding, mom bought him a few new outfits, and I cleaned out Katie's closet so he now has a "section" just for his stuff. I need to clear out a drawer for him and figure out what to do with his cloth diapers, but I am feeling much more prepared mentally now that Katie is out of the crib. Not sure why that is, Nathan is going to sleep in our room for the first few months anyway, but I feel more confident in myself at least! =)

Growth Scan

21 weeks, 5 days

Weight: +5.8lbs per MD, +3.8 lbs per my scale
B/P: 102/62
FHR: 147

Grandma and I went to a follow up ultrasound for Nathan on August 2nd (21w5d). This was the first ultrasound my grandma has seen, so I was really excited for her to come. Unfortunately, Nathan didn't want to turn and look at the U/S wand, but he is doing wonderfully, which is what really matters. He is laying with his back pressed up along my stomach and his feet low near my bladder and cervix...fun times when he kicks! Lol! His head is up near my ribcage.

He is continuing to grow well, and by the measurements at the perinatologist, he is 21w5d, which was exactly where I was according to my LMP. Dr. R estimates that he is roughly 1 lb and that he falls in the 40% for growth. We have another follow-up in a month with Dr. R and if I haven't seen a cardiologist by then, he will have his office set up a referral instead of my OB.

Level II Ultrasound and Gender Reveal

Weight Gain: Something completely ridiculous by their scale....+3.8 lbs at home
Blood Pressure: 98/62
Fetal Heart Rate: 150's

We had the Level II U/S on July 5th (17w5d) with the Perinatologist. While Dr. A didn't think that anything was concerning with the pregnancy, she thought it would be "safe" to have Dr. R check me out again. (At this point in my pregnancy with Katie, my blood pressure was already creeping up.)  Our little baby cooperated very well for the technician and we got all of the pictures they were looking for. 

Our baby BOY was measuring in at 8 oz and was moving all around. He had his hands up by his face just like his big sister, and we got to see him opening and closing his mouth and even all of his fingers and toes. He is currently transverse, with his head on the left side of my abdomen and his bottom on the right. I know it is still plenty early, so he has lots of time to flip to a new position, but I can definitely tell he isn't sitting like Kaitlyn was because it feels so much different.

We talked more about my heart palpitations and my ER visit. Dr. R said that he expects me to continue to have palpitations, which unfortunately has happened, and in fact increase as I get further along. He suspects it is the baby that is causing the arrhythmia as I had never had this problem before and there was not a mechanical/structural abnormality within my heart.  So, I am now up to TWO doctors for this pregnancy as Dr. R will be following us monthly...

11 weeks

11 weeks, 0 days

Weight Gain: 2 lbs by MD scale
B/P: 102/66 (my best ever!)
FHR: 158

Today, I had my 11 week appointment. Paul took me, and Noemi watched the Katie Bug. We were seen pretty quickly this time, and actually, the tech told us not to be surprised if we didn't see Dr. A as the hospital had been calling that a mom was in labor. Dr. A popped in shortly afterwards and did a quick ultrasound. I was surprised; we had already seen the heartbeat and didn't have an ultrasound at this point in our first pregnancy.

The baby was moving all over the place, flipping, kicking and waiving his/her arms around. We got some very good ultrasound pictures (which I need to upload, I know...). It was the most exciting appointment that I have had. It was so neat to see the baby so active, and it feels more real now. Before, I just kind of felt sick all the time. lol! Not much else to report....

Still having cramps occasionally, sore breasts, constipation, SO TIRED, nausea and vomiting, the usual glamorous pregnancy symptoms. We have the (hopefully) BIG reveal scheduled for July 5th at 10am.

Second Appointment

 7 weeks, 0 day

Weight: +1 lb by the Dr and -2 lbs by home scale
BP: 122/80
FHR: 130s

I had my second appointment today. I have been so nervous this time around, and I don't know why. I have been so afraid we were going to go to the appointment today and get bad news. I have had a lot more spotting this time around. With Kaitlyn, it lasted only a couple of days, but this time, I have been spotting off and on since five weeks. My doctor did say today that I could have spotting up until ten weeks. Oh goodness.

We had an ultrasound, however, and the baby is doing great! Measuring right on track at 6w6d and 7w0d. Paul saw the heartbeat right away, but I couldn't see it from my angle. Dr. A zoomed in on the heartbeat and had the MA hit the sound so that we could hear the heartbeat and see the heart wavelengths!! What an amazing sound to hear!! :))

Since I am still measuring correctly, my official due date is December 8th, 2011. Another December baby.....

"Confirmation Appointment"

N

4 weeks, 5 days

Weight Gain: -1 lb by Dr, -4 lbs by my scale
B/P: 122/80
FHR: No heartbeat yet

We had our "confirmation appointment" today. I was supposed to go on Thursday, but I have been really sick with Gastritis, so I went ahead and changed it for today. I have lost 6 lbs in a matter of a couple of days. I really thought I might have to go to the ER for some fluids, so Leslie took me to the appointment and Noemi watched Kaitlyn for me. Dr. A gave me some Zofran and Bactrim and told me I had to stay hydrated. If I was not keeping fluids down in the next couple of days, she said I would have to get IV fluids.

Dr. A did an ultrasound too, and there is definitely a pregnancy there!! She said it looks like I am "around five weeks." They took my labs to check my blood counts, blood type, vaccination titer, etc. I had a urinalysis....not to exciting, but that's how I like it! :) We will get our official due date next time, but for now, it is kind of looking like December 2011.

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).

3D/4D Ultrasound

Yesterday, Paul and I went to get a 3D ultrasound at BabyVision Ultrasound. My mom had been looking at these with me for a long time and afforded us the opportunity to catch a sneak peak at Katie. We had such a great experience; the staff was so friendly and the technician was patient with us while Katie tried to hide her face. Imagine that!! :o)

She is so stubborn. She kept putting her arms and hands in front of her face and the umbilical cord into her mouth. We finally got some head shots of her, and she looks JUST LIKE her daddy. The technician said the placenta is anterior, and she is very crowded. I can't imagine how much bigger my tummy is going to get in the next few weeks, but she definitely needs more growing room. Her head is down in my lower left quadrant, her belly is right around my umbilicus and her legs are up near my sternum and diaphragm. This would help explain why I get so short of breath. :o)

Katie yawning

She looks so peaceful!

Kaitlyn Marie

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...

It's a....

GIRL!!

The technician was super slick when she told us, we didn't even see the picture. She was looking around at the spine and said, "It looks like... you're having... a... lil'...girl." and off went the wand in a different direction. Then she says "Yep, it's a girl." So at the very end, we asked her, "Are you sure it's a girl?" Haha. She went back to the bottom and took this imagine. She pointed everything out to us (yeah, I can't read these things) and sure enough...IT'S A GIRL! Mom, Papa, Paul and I were all smiles!!!

We are still debating on the names. I think we have it narrowed down to two. (Gabriella and Kaitlyn). I told Paulie that he should decide. The middle name will be Marie, however, after my maternal grandma. It has been such a wonderful day. What a blessing the Lord has given us.

Perinatologist Appointment and Level II Ultrasound

17 weeks, 6 days

Weight: -3 lbs
BP: 120/60
Fetal Heart Rate: 148

We had our appointment with the Perinatologist this morning. We were scheduled at 10am, so we got there a few minutes early to fill out the paperwork. They had a sign by the window that said to pay $5 if you wanted your ultrasound on a disc, so of course we had to do that. What a pleasant surprise!

I did the standard: pee in a cup, weight and blood pressure before being seen. My blood pressure was actually good this time - YAY! The technician that did the U/S was very nice. She took lots of measurements of the baby, starting with the head. She got the spine, abdomen, kidneys and legs. The femur and the head are measuring 18weeks and 2 days. All the other measurements were right on track or a day within the due date. She was having a difficult time getting a few shots of the heart, the tailbone and the lips. The baby was being stubborn....wonder where that comes from? lol.

When the doctor came in, she was able to collect the other measurements, and we got a good profile picture. She said the baby looked great, she was happy with my blood pressure and she said that she didn't see any markers for chromosomal defects or abnormalities. We haven't gotten the results from the triple screen back, but based on what she said/saw, I am assuming that it will be just fine. Also, the doctor said that pending no further complications, she won't have to see me again unless my OB wants more ultrasounds.

We did find out the sex, but Paulie is waiting to tell his momma in person tonight, so I will post a separate post with the sex after 5 pm. We are both over the moon excited!!! Here is a profile shot of the baby for now.

Second Ultrasound

7 weeks, 3 days

Weight: -1 lbs
BP: 128/78
HR: 84

Paul and I went to see the doctor today. Everything looks great! She said the baby's heartbeat was in the 160's. Paul got a really good look at the ultrasound. He was grinning ear to ear...I told him seeing his face was absolutely priceless. I was so busy looking at Paulie, I didn't get quite as good a look as he did. I was also lying down and had to twist my head around, but I did manage to see the heart blinking from black to white. Pretty cool!

The baby was measuring 7 weeks and 3 days, as well. We are still on for January 19, 2010.

First Ultrasound

5wks 3days

Weight: +0
BP: 110/70's
HR 70's

We had our first appointment today. The office was a lot busier this time. Several pregnant moms, a post-partum mother, and a few ladies that appeared to be there for GYN appointments.

We waited for about thirty minutes before they took me back and got my vitals, urine and a personal history. Finally we were taken back to the room and waited for the doctor to come and see us. She was very friendly and didn't seem rushed at all, although I knew they were busy. She did a vaginal ultrasound for "pregnancy confirmation" and said that the next appointment will be in 2 weeks (on June 5th) where we should see a lot more and get a confirmation of the due date. We were able to see the fetal sac, and she said it looks like we are 4-5 weeks along. Hopefully we will be able to hear the heartbeat next time!!! Paul and I are so excited.

I think it's finally sinking in!!!