Induction Scheduled!

Kaitlyn's scheduled induction is for December 29, 2009 @ 6am. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that everything will go well, and Kaitlyn will make it here safely. I can't believe we have one week left!

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.

Couldn't resist

As it becomes more evident that an early induction is in my future, I thought this quote I found on Maybe if You Just Relax was an appropriate comical representation of some of my emotions:

"I always thought I would be one of those people who went two weeks past her due date. I obviously thought very highly of my uterus, and assumed that I was running a Ritz-Carlton type of operation down there. Nobody would think of removing my baybee from my four star uterus! It's like a world class vacation resort in there!

As it turns out, I was running more of a Motel 6 operation. And the general idea was to get her out in one piece without giving her a wicked case of bed bugs or Hep C. "

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...

Kaitlyn's Heartbeat while in the Hospital

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.

Kaitlyn's Baby Shower

Noemi and Denisse, two of my very best friends, hosted a shower for Kaitlyn and I on November 14, 2009. We had such a great time! So many friends and family were able to attend, including my Grandma and (great) Aunt Rikki from Oklahoma. I was so touched by the outpouring of love from everyone who came or sent well wishes. It is a beautiful thing to see how many people care about us and are just as excited as we are to meet Baby Katie! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful group of ladies in my life.

I took about 90 pictures from the shower, so I am not able to host them all on this website. But I will be placing the pictures on my webshots account and will provide a link to them here. I have included a few that I just had to share.

My mom-in-law, Me, Mom and Grandma

Noemi, Me and Denisse

Gift and Cake Table

I measured in at 12 pieces of toliet paper.

Tamara in the lower right had half a roll for me!

We received so many precious and SOFT things.

Kaitlyn's very own Strawberry Dress, made by my Grandma.

My mom was so excited to see all the gifts for Katie, too!

I can't thank everyone enough for all they have done for Kaitlyn, Paul, and myself. And to Denisse and Noemi for the hard work they put into hosting this wonderful event. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

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)

28 week appointment

Me at 27 weeks, 5 days

B/P: 138/90

HR: 100's

Fundal Height: 28cm, which is right on track

Fetal Heart Tones: 130

Weight: +3.5 lbs since last visit, +7.5 lbs pre-pregnancy.

Well, this morning's appointment could have gone better. This was the first time that I went by myself, although I don't know if having anyone there would have helped because I would have stressed regardless.

My blood pressure is still elevated, but more than last time. I have been getting migraines about once a week since the last appointment, but I can't get a B/P reading to correlate with the headaches as I forget to take it when I am in that much pain. I don't have anymore swelling that normal: I can still wear my rings and take them off with the same ease, my legs still have swelling but not more than usual, and I can't really tell that my face is swollen. I am not showing any protein in my urine, which would indicate preeclampsia. At this point, my blood pressure is classified as "Gestational Hypertension." My doc talked about putting me on blood pressure medications, but does not feel it would be as beneficial to me at this point because my hypertension is not chronic in nature, rather, it is directly related to the pregnancy. With delivery, my blood pressure should return to normal.

She did tell me to talk to my boss about working reduced hours and/or what the policy is for bedrest, which I know a little about the latter. I would really like to work on cutting my hours a bit rather than all together for FMLA and maternity leave sake, but I will talk to my manager about that tomorrow or Monday. I have to check my B/P at work and call in some readings to the clinic tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be any higher than now or she will be more willing to put me on bedrest, I'm sure. I have a repeat blood pressure check on Tuesday so that she can check my urine for proteins again. Then God-willing, we will be going to Virginia to see Jonboy swear in as JKR, Esquire. :)

We are going to take it day by day at this point and see how my blood pressure is, how my urine looks (gross, huh?), and how Katie is growing. I have an ultrasound on November 13th to make sure that she is growing appropriately. I will be 30 weeks and 3 days by then. If my blood pressure keeps trending upwards and/or I start to have protein in my urine, I will be diagnosed with "preeclampsia" and will most likely have to take steroids to help Kaitlyn's lungs mature more quickly for an early induction and delivery. That is the scary part for me. Ultimately, I want Katie to be as healthy as possible and for her to come out in her own time, but I understand there are significant risks if I become preeclamptic or severely preeclamptic. It looks like if an induction is planned, I will be delivering downtown as opposed to near the house, and they have an exceptional NICU.

The best news is that Katie seems to be growing well and doing just fine at the moment! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We are so excited to meet our baby girl, but we are hoping she can stay in her cocoon baking as long as possible. :) I am trying to think about lots of blood pressure lowering thoughts and take it as easy as possible.

Nursery

So I think that we have everything done for Katie's room with the exception of hanging some things on the wall. It looks so cute and peaceful! I love just sitting in the rocking chair looking around. Here are some pictures from around her room.

Looking into the nursery from the doorway.

Rocking Chair and Bookcase

Crib and Changing Table

Dresser/Changing Table and Doorway

Kaitlyn's Crib

Random Update

Well, I am growing and getting bigger, as is Lil' Miss Katie. I really need to take a picture to update our progress, hopefully tomorrow or Saturday. We get to dress up on Saturday and go to a fancy dinner with Paul's company to celebrate the store selling $500,000 in one month - a feat that Paul has accomplished 3-4 times before, but it was a first in this particular stores 20+ year history. He brought in more than 20% of their sales that month!!! We are soo proud of Paul. He is such a good husband, father, and provider.

The nursery furniture started coming in on Tuesday. Paul supervised the delivery and assembly of the crib and dresser. My mom and dad gave Katie the most beautiful crib! I will post some pictures when I get home. Paul put some of the bedding in the crib and sent me updates at work so I wouldn't miss out on the fun. :) The room is coming together, but definitely looks smaller with the furniture in place. The only thing left is adding the bookcase (Paul is picking it up tonight) and a little decor! I am super duper excited. I love just going in her room and sitting in the glider.

I have been feeling so/so. During weeks 25 and 26 I got a migraine so bad that I threw up. That was definitely not pleasant, and I hope we can keep those at bay. I believe my allergies are acting up this week, too, as I have been sneezing, coughing and achy, but no fever (thankfully). I got my flu vaccine awhile ago and the H1N1 vaccine at work on Tuesday. Paul went in for a few fillings on Tuesday, also, and he ended up with an unexpected wisdom tooth removal. So it has been an eventful week at our house. We are both trying to stay healthy and strong.

Two of my best friends are hosting a shower for me on the 14th of November and I am so excited!!! I can't believe that we are inching closer and closer to January. Next Tuesday is "officially" the beginning of the third trimester!!

99 Days

Until I am due!!! I can't belive how fast days 200-100 went by. The second trimester has been SO MUCH better than the first, even if I was throwing up and sick during a lot of it.

Kaitlyn got to celebrate today by talking with her Grandpa overseas. He even got to see how big she was getting in my tummy because I got a new web-cam!!

January is going to be here before we know it...

Kaitlyn's Room, a work in progress

So yesterday, Paul woke up and declared he had energy. Surprisingly enough, I had some, too!! So I set off to Home Depot to purchase the paint we picked out the week before, and Jon and Paul disassembled the desk and took it to mom's house. We moved the bookcase out the week before and decided to move the extra chair to our bedroom. Her room is FINALLY empty.

I am definitely not in shape as this morning I woke up so sore!!! It took longer to set up, tape, and clean up than it did to actually paint, but we got it accomplished. I can't wait to see all the furniture and decorations come together. It won't be long!

The color is "Barely Pink" by Behr.

Swine Flu....

I found out today, after I had been there for 6 hours, that one of my patients was positive for Swine Flu. Good times. I'm sure it will be fine. I am very careful about washing my hands ALL THE TIME, but still....

23 week Check-Up

23 weeks, 2 days
This shirt looks much different than 8 wks ago...

B/P: 130/90, repeat of 128/86
HR: 80
Fundal Height: I don't know, she didn't say
Fetal Heart Tones: 150
Weight: +7.8 lbs since last visit, +3.8 lbs pre-pregnancy.

This appointment was pretty much routine. My blood pressure is up...but that isn't really new. I am looking at my B/P at week 7 and it was 128/76, so it has kinda been on the border the whole time. She was concerned about it and had the girls re-check it. Not much improvement in my book, but she proclaimed "that is much better!" at the reception desk. I have to go October 5th to have them re-check my blood pressure, and my next appointment is actually in 5 weeks on October 29th.

I weighed myself before I went in at home and my scale said I was 214.6 lbs, however their scale said 217.8 and she rounded to 218. My doctor didn't seem concerned, but I think 8 lbs is a lot in 4 weeks! Although my scale said 4 lbs in 4 wks. That's much better. I will just continue to keep an eye on it. I am not supposed to go over 230 lbs for my overall gain, so I am trying to keep a slow and steady pace.

Kaitlyn kept kicking the Doppler when they were checking her heart rate. It was actually pretty cute. You could hear the "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" of her heart and then "bllleepp" where she would kick. She is moving around more this morning than usual. She is typically awake in the evenings.

The last four weeks have been nice. I didn't get sick during week 20. I threw up during 21/22 weeks but only once, and I felt better that day. So far week 23 has been uneventful. I had a migraine Monday (week 22) but that was the only thing dramatic for the past four weeks. It has been nice to have somewhat of a reprieve. I don't feel 100%, but I have felt the best I have in a long, long time.