OOPS! I swore I wouldn't be the one...

...that had the false alarm! I figured, I know my body. I'll know what it's doing. Hmm...I guess not.

On Friday I had some signs of labor. Not contractions but 'other' signs. I'm leaving out specifics for those that get grossed out easily (Dad, Mara, other squeamish people). I really didn't think it was a big deal but liked that my body was preparing for the tough job ahead. I knew this meant that labor could start anywhere from within the following days to weeks. I really wasn't concerned.

Saturday night, I had some wicked cramping. It woke me from a sound sleep twice. The first time, the pain in my back was so severe, I could only be relieved on my hands and knees. Believe it or not, I actually fell asleep like that. I was on my knees and elbows with my forehead on my pillow and my butt in the air! Talk about funny looking! But I didn't care. I was finally comfortable and it was 4 in the morning! Nic didn't even see me like that (sleeping soundly) so what did it matter?!

Sunday morning, I was having my cup of coffee with Nic on the couch. All of a sudden, I felt...uh...wet. Pregnancy does some strange things to your body. This wasn't exactly a new symptom so I changed my undies and continued with my morning. Within about 30 minutes, it happened again. This time I started to get a little concerned that I had a slow leak. Not my bladder, my amniotic fluid. I knew that it didn't always happen in a gush like the movies because the babies head could act like a plug. I decided to lay down for a little bit and see if it happened again when I got up. Well, it did. Not much but still enough to concern me.

I should also mention that this particular Sunday was the magic Sunday. The one in which I'm officially 36 weeks. The one in which there is a point of no return. Once 36 weeks, if labor starts, my doctor wouldn't stop it! Oh crap! That's when the freak out started. I wasn't ready. I really, really, really wasn't ready. Nic did a great job of keeping me calm and was very supportive but all I kept thinking about was the things I hadn't done yet.

The nursery isn't finished (which isn't so much of a concern) but I hadn't started washing the new baby clothes because I didn't have anywhere to put them. I haven't finalized my order for the cloth diapers we'll be using, meaning we had nothing for this little guys tush. I felt like that house was a mess (really not a big concern but it became an issue when I felt unprepared). It's really not. I just have Christmas boxes around. We still haven't met with the pediatrician. There were a few things that I need to exchange that are baby related. I need the infant insert for the Ergo baby carrier. We still haven't really decided on a name. Oh, the list goes on and on. It's all a bit overwhelming when you thought you had a little longer.

Thankfully my water didn't break and I could relax. While we were at the hospital, they did a NST which is a Non Stress Test. They wanted to hear the babies heart beat, feel him move and see if I was having any contractions. Well, little man behaved wonderfully. His heart rate was averaging 130 and spiked to the 150's (which is what they wanted to see). He moved several times. Even a few that Daddy could see from across the room! I wasn't having contractions but I do have an irritable uterus. I wasn't told to be completely still, so it could be the fact that Nic was making me laugh and I was moving some. In any case, it was nothing to be alarmed about and our wonderful nurse Audra asked me to drink more fluids and rest more. I could manage that.

As we were getting ready to leave, Audra told me that the doc wanted me to call first thing in the morning to set up a time for me to go in for a wellness checkup. I told her that I had an appointment set for Tuesday but she insisted that the doc wanted to see me tomorrow (Monday) and said that she might consider waiting til the scheduled appointment but to call anyway.

I called the office first thing the next day and sure enough, she wanted to see me ASAP. It wasn't anything crazy urgent but she just wanted to chat and check me over. We did all the usual stuff. Check for proteins in the urine...none. Weigh me...only 1 pound in 2 weeks. Yippee! Measure the fundle height...36cm. Perfect Perfect. Listen to the heartbeat...always wonderful! Check for GBS (Group B Strep)...not fun. Should know by our next appointment. She told me that I was perfect and that it's always nice to have a patient so easy and healthy. She also said that she's going to yell at Dr. E for hogging the good patients! She really cracks me up. I love that I'm so comfortable with my docs. We also talked about what happened and said that it's nothing to worry about. Better to be safe than sorry. She also gave me a few tips on what to look for and when it's absolutely urgent to call. So, it's all good.

Overall, even though I feel a little silly, I'm kinda glad it happened. It's lit a fire under my tush to get some baby related things done. I know I can't do everything and I should still be resting but I need to prepare as though it can be any day. There are some things that will need to be DONE when he gets here. I also like that I was able to see the L&D section of the hospital. Of course it's a closed ward but because of the H1N1 hoopla, I couldn't take a tour and meet the staff. It was a little daunting not knowing what to expect. But, I saw it. Not all of it but enough to have a mental picture. I was also able to meet a few of the nursing staff. They were all very kind and personable. I'm glad I'm comfortable with them too. It should make the birthing experience a relaxed one. Exactly what I was hoping for.


So, it wouldn't really be a post if I didn't include some pictures. :-D This is one from a set I didn't care for. The attempt was for a Christmas card photo but Nic was being uncooperative. He laughs and says he couldn't help it. Every time he was needed to look at the camera and smile, he made this awful face because we were looking into the sun. The outtakes are pretty funny but I didn't even bother editing them! It was such a beautiful day and my results were only mediocre. Eh...we'll try again. I'm hoping with enough time to send out Christmas cards!


Here are a couple others from my 35 weeks set. (A week ago.) Nic was the photographer behind these. I think it's a neat little sequence. :-)












Have a great day!

35/35

The Belly! Oy, is it getting bigger! We had a doctor appointment this past Tuesday. everything is going well. I'm growing right on track. Little man is healthy and all is good. We talked about many things. Contraceptives while this little man is still an infant, how big he was at the last ultrasound, what to expect for delivery, swelling, hand tingling...ya know, all the fun stuff.

Here are a couple pictures, then we'll get back to the chatty stuff.




Since I want to exclusively breast feed, it sort of limits my options on birth control. The only 2 choices I'd really consider would be the mini pill (progesterone only) or an IUD. Well, after a good amount of reading the other night. I don't really feel comfortable with an IUD until we're fairly confident that we're done expanding our family. It seems convenient to not have to remember a pill everyday and it can stay in place for up to 5 years but the risks are a little scary. Infection, uterine perforation/implantation, ectopic pregnancy, decreased fertility...not all that comforting considering we'd like to have more children (or a child). Not to mention that it could also eliminate menstrual cycles and take up to 8 months to regulate to the point of being able to conceive. When we're ready to start trying again, I wouldn't want to wait another 8 months and possibly then some to get pregnant again. The mini pill has it's own down falls but they aren't nearly as severe. The biggest one I would see is the timing and effectiveness. It needs to be taken everyday within a 3 hour period of the previous day. Even then, it's only 87-95% effective. Since we would like our kids to be close in age, I would rather a pleasant surprise of being a little closer than planned than having issues conceiving and having them further apart. Nic seems to agree. I realize that these choices aren't uniform for every family but we feel that it'll work for us.

This past doctor appointment was the first since we had the sizing ultrasound. I was finally able to chat with the doctor about his size and what to expect. It turns out that he's measuring in the 82nd percentile for growth. At our 18 week ultrasound he was in the 60th percentile. We can see this little guy is on a steep curve. The doc doesn't seem to be worried though. He says that we don't need to worry about complications until he hits the 95th percentile. He's also guessing that we'll have a baby that weighs mid to high 8's. Definitely do-able.

Even though this dude seems to be growing well the doc seems to think that he'll still be fashionably late. I haven't had any internal exams and wont unless we suspect any issues. The tardiness is just the docs guess based on the fact that I'm a first time mom. By all means, I would like his birthday to be as far from Christmas as possible, I really like his due date and I really don't want him getting any bigger than he needs to be! I'd love to avoid a c-section at all costs. :-) Doc told me that we will talk about induction at my January 12th appointment if I make it that long. I'd officially be 40 weeks 2 days then.

All else is just normal late term pregnancy stuff. I have minor swelling if I'm on my feet for long periods of time. It goes away after a short time sitting or elevating my feet. I have hand tingling that can be pretty uncomfortable. I guess it's a form of carpal tunnel or something. Mainly it's just nerve pressure. It's mostly in my hands but at times I can feel it in my armpits and it effects my arms as well. It's such a strange sensation to have the palms of my hands numb for most of the day. It gets a little frustrating when it wakes me up but that's not often. Only a little longer. I'm trying to enjoy as much of this experience as possible. I know I'm only going to be pregnant so many times and I would like to say that it was a wonderful experience.

Today is a big milestone. It's one of the biggies leading up to labor. It's officially my 35/35! Hmm....do some of you not know what that is? It means I am finally 35 weeks along with only 35 days to go! Whew! It makes me excited and nervous all at the same time. So many things are going to change. So many things are going to be surprises. So many things to think about. So many things still yet to do. He's running out of room and his movements have changed yet again. He doesn't kick me anymore. There aren't sudden pops and pokes. He stretches, rolls and moves. I can tell the difference between a butt and a foot. Knees and feet still feel pretty much the same. It's very obvious when he rolls over but I think that's because he mostly stays head down with his feet on my right. It's rare and short lived that he kicks his feet over to my left. I don't want to wish away this pregnancy because I really have enjoyed it but I'm getting to the point where I want an outside baby. :-) I know he needs to be in longer to be fully developed but I'm eager to cuddle and love on him. Just a little longer!

Another really cool thing happened this past week. Nic was able to hear his heartbeat. We've been able to hear it at every baby appointment and every ultrasound but this was different. On Tuesday the 1st, after our doctor appointment, Nic and I were snuggling on the couch. When I asked him if he could hear the heartbeat he got on his knees next to me and put his ear to my belly. At first he was listening a little high and couldn't hear it. When I told him to position himself over his back (my lower left side) he said he was able to hear it clear as a bell! He then put his head on my chest just to make sure he was hearing the baby and not my heartbeat. He said that it was very different and that mine was much slower. Then he went back to listening to his boy for a while. It's exciting to see Nic experience something in this pregnancy that I can't. For so much of it, it's been me experiencing things that he can't. As much as I would have loved to be apart of that listening experience, I'm glad he got that one all to himself. ;-)

The official updates:
How far along? 35 Weeks! 35 Days to go!
Total weight gain: 26 pounds!!! I'm doing great! I hear it's pretty common to lose a few pounds in the last week too but even if I don't and I keep gaining until the end, I'm happy. I think I've managed myself well and shouldn't have too many troubles getting the weight back off.
Maternity clothes? Yes, for some time now. I was nervous having so few at first but mix it up enough and a little goes a long way.
Sleep: Going pretty well. I still wake myself up when I need to roll over but I think it's just because it's not too easy to get this giant belly to move. Not too many potty breaks either. If I do get up before it's time to get up, it's right before Nic's alarm goes off. Figures. At least I get a little snuggle time in the AM and can groggily keep him company as he gets ready.
Best moment this week: Nic hearing the heartbeat with his ear on my belly. That was really neat!
Movement: Yup and it's changed yet again. The little guy is running out of space in there.
Gender: Boy! Without a doubt!
Labor Signs: None that I'm sure of. We're going to be skipping internal exams so I wont know if I'm dialating and effacing before the actual labor. I have been having a little bit of a crampy feeling in my lower belly (practically in my hip) but it's a constant discomfort not something that comes and goes. It doesn't usually last long. Maybe an hour or two. So far so good and little guy is staying put.
Belly Button in or out? Still pretty flat but out if anything.
What I miss: Belly sleeping, walking without getting tired, going up stairs without getting winded, emptying my bladder completely (the constant urge to pee is quite annoying!), being able to function as a normal person and sitting on the couch without rib and back pain. As soon as I get comfy, this little man desides to play footsies with my ribs which then radiates to my back. Ahh...soon I will miss being pregnant and these little nuances will feel like just that...little nuances.
What I am looking forward to: Having a cute and cuddly little man to hug and kiss!
Weekly Wisdom: I don't think it'll change. Patience, take it easy and everything will come together at the right time.
Milestones: 35/35!
Fundle height: 35cm
Mama's waist size: Going to fill this out as soon as I get my tape!

I'm looking forward to doing a belly cast. I would like to have a reminder of where this little guy came from and what mama went through during the process.