The Prego Report

It was another 3-appointment week. 

The word from our nurse practitioner, OB/GYN, and perinatalogist...he's a plump baby (Thursday he was estimated to be 7lb 8oz, Friday's estimation was 8lb 3oz-obviously it's not an exact science) who seems quite content to hang out in his little cocoon. 

The calls from the medical experts that he might make an early appearance (based on some contractions I had) have faded.  Now we are having conversations that go something like this:  "Everything looks fine - he'll let you know when he's ready - we won't start thinking about induction until a week after his due date." 

So, am I nervous about labor and delivery? Yep, especially if the predictions of his size hold true. However, here is some advice from some wise women (or at least my interpretation of their advice) that has helped keep me in the right frame of mind. 

• Many, many women across many continents and many generations have gone through this process.  My own mother gave birth in an underprivileged nation 3 1/2 decades ago.  My grandma gave birth to six children ranging from 8 1/2 - 10 1/2 pounds over a 22 year period.  They both survived, and I will too.   
• There are so many things one can worry about while pregnant, so why worry until you have to?  I'm trying to take this approach with labor and delivery. 
• Everyone has their own ways of coping, so be free to utilize whatever is needed to get through the process. Screaming, silence, hanging on to my husband's hand for dear life?  All fine. 

So, to our plump little baby, take your time.  We're excited to meet you, but in reality, there's no rush.  In fact, if you would like pictures on your walls to look at or perhaps some curtains on your nursery window, one more week before you make your grand entrance in this world would be fabulous.   

The Prego Report

I've been to the doctor's office three times this week; here's a little synopsis of the three appointments. 

Monday was the LONGEST appointment I have had.  Little Bean was hyper and wanted to move during the non-stress test.  This is both good and bad.  Good because the doctor wants to see him move -  bad because the monitor lost his heartbeat everytime he shifted.  So I sat reclined in the chair for 1 1/2 hours.  Not surprisingly, since breathing in a reclined chair is not an easy feat these days, my blood pressure was through the roof at the end of this visit. 

Thursday, fortunately, was the quickest non-stress test we've had.  Little Bean was still moving around, but the technology was cooperating this time.  Halleluia!  Doc said things looked great.

Friday we went to see the specialist that is in charge of monitoring my extra thick, sticky blood.  During the ultrasound we got to see Bean's little face complete with a large bottom lip that I am convinced he inherited from his father and some little cheeks that I can't wait to kiss.  At almost 35 weeks he's measuring 6lb 14oz.  Here's where the mixed emotions come into play.  My first thought: thank goodness he's growing despite the abnormalities in my blood.  My second thought:  I would REALLY prefer NOT to deliver a 9lb baby.  The specialist is also a little concerned about his size.  He told me to lay off concentrated sugars like candy, juice, and white grains.  So, of course, what do I now crave?  Orange juice, rice, sugary cereal, and one of my absolute favorites, frostys.  I will have to dig really, really deep for some will power over the next few weeks.

The Prego Report

I have already decided that I do NOT like NSTs (non-stress tests). I understand they give important information about the baby to the doctor, and for that, I am grateful. But I still don't like 'em.


There is one main reason for my lack of enthusiasm - the chair I have to sit in. It is not comfortable. It looks inviting - if I were not preggers, it probably would be the perfect chair. But it sits low enough to the ground that I can not gracefully lower myself into it - instead I have to do more of a backward flop and hope I align correctly.

Second, I can not breathe very well once I am in the chair. I would have never thought that I would ever hate reclining (naps are my favorite pastime), but sure enough, I do. And if the baby is not moving or the monitor is not printing correctly - both of which occurred for a while today - then I have to sit in the chair for upwards of an hour like a beached fish trying to catch my breath.

But enough complaining. I'm sure when I'm actually in labor, I'll be wishing for the relative comfort of the currently dreaded chair.

On to other things...

Baby Bean:
We got to see him last week in an ultrasound. They said he looks great. This was a huge relief because there was initial concern about blood clots - apparently I have extra thick blood despite the amount of water I guzzle - and nutrients getting to him. Bean seems completely unaware of this problem, however, and he's growing like a weed. The doc estimated him at 4 pounds 13 oz. Just for your reference, most books are telling me he should weigh around 3 to 3 1/2 pounds.

Today after the NST the nurse and doc told us his heartbeat was beautiful. As his parents, we totally concur.

Me:
Overall feeling great. Recently this week I have been experiencing some sore muscles and more fatigue than normal, but I am blaming it on the Wii. I think I might have gotten a little zealous with the new technology. This will not, however, keep me from playing our new game, Mario Brothers, sometime today.

T:
He declined an invitation for a guest appearance today, but I think I'm safe in saying he's very excited. (Today at lunch I called Bean 'Gavin' and T's eyes lit up and he quickly noted that it was the first time I refered to the little one by his potential name in normal conversation.)  He's been working hard to clean out unnecessary clutter from the house and set up the nursery.

That's all to report for now. We are hoping for a calm remaining seven weeks.

The Prego Report - It's a...

BOY!

Yep, that's Bean above.

Several days ago we visited a business in the area that specializes in 3D/4D ultrasounds and was recommended by several friends. We were going in to have the normal 2D gender determination but the women at the front desk suckered T into getting the 3D/4D done. I'm so glad they did. I'm fascinated by these pictures. Yes, they are a little surreal...I'm the first to admit, the child needs to gain a few pounds. But, look!  Little feet!

Bean was camera shy at first; he kept rolling over so all we could see was his back side. But he eventually decided to cooperate and show his face and we had a great time watching him do his thing. His biggest form of entertainment - moving his arms - those things were all over the place.

So how sure was the techician about the gender? Very. Could I see what she saw? Um, no. But T says he could. We are aware, however, that the process is not 100% accurate. Our precious neice is living proof of that. Were we excited about Bean being a boy? Absolutely, but we would have been just as excited if Bean were a girl. It's just fun to find out more information about this little person that will join our family in a few months.

And now a note from T:

Hi everyone, it's T - I don't think I got suckered into it... I think I knew it was a special opportunity. It was like we got to spend 20 minutes with Bean, and it was great! I felt my second kick tonight while we were watching TV. Awesome.

And one last picture... Can you see T's bottom lip? It's definitely there.

The Prego Report

We will be able to reveal Bean's gender in approximately a week in a half. So, I'm curious....what are your guesses? Is Bean a she-baby or a he-baby? Word on the street with Tim's co-workers: Beans a Boy. Word on the street with my co-worker's: Beans a Girl.

The Prego Report

Here's the word on our third doctor's visit...


BEAN:
18 weeks and growing like a weed, apparently...and feisty. Gave the Doc's stethoscope a kick while she was trying to listen to the heartbeat. Heartbeat was good and steady...around 145 bpm. I haven't felt movement yet, but this is no surprise since the placenta is apparently providing a nice cushion between me and Bean.

ME:
Besides the random wisps of hair that are growing below my normal hairline (really, will I have any forehead left?), I have enjoyed pregnancy. It's been so easy that sometime I forget I'm pregnant (knock on wood). Although this is getting tougher as my stomach seems to be growing exponentially. I've been very fortunate, though, that I haven't experienced morning sickness, have had energy, and have enjoyed a break from an achy knee because of all the cool hormones flowing through my body.

A Note from T:
Hi everyone... it's T here. Yes, I think this is my first time that A has allowed me to write in Metacognitive Musings. Every doctor's appointment is fascinating and I am reminded that it's truly a miracle growing in there. Our doctor is very nice and A is doing such a good job. Experienced parents at my office say things like, "I bet her mood swings are interesting, huh?" or "how's the new little one in charge doing?" and I have to tell them that really nothing has changed yet.

Yet, anyway.

Can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl!

Back to A.

Our Biggest Decision for the Moment:
To vaccinate or not vaccinate. I'm fairly comfortable getting vaccinated for the seasonal flu; however, my doctor would like for me to get the H1N1 vaccination. T is all for this and was relieved this was the doctor's advice. Me? I kept wavering. Being a teacher I am around students ALL the time. Sometimes they forget to cover their mouths when they cough or decide they don't need a tissue when they really do. At these moments, I think the H1N1 vaccination is a good idea. But then I get nervous...is the vaccination really safe for me and the baby? It seems to be rushed to the public and this is what makes me nervous. I guess the good news is that I have until October to decide.

Prego Report

Disclaimers: 1) I am stealing Two Pretzel's idea of a pregnancy update. Hope you don't mind, TP. :) 2) A high school friend, MT (actually now MB), used the title phrase and I thought it was cute, so I'm stealing this too.

My goal is to write a pregnancy update every doctor's visit. So, to catch up to current times...

BABY:
First doctor's appointment was early July as was the first ultrasound. The baby looked like a bean and was a whooping length of 9mm. (Hence, from now on I will refer to it as Little Bean or LB when I'm feeling particularly lazy.) 5 weeks later at our next visit Little Bean measured in at 6 cm (about 2 1/2 inches), had arms and legs that moved, and a mouth that opened and closed. This blew me out of the water and was by far the first time I felt this whole pregnancy thing might be real. (I really wish I could show you some of the pictures, but my camera is MIA. So sad.)

ME:
Besides feeling as if I ALWAYS have a cold (since June) and sometimes can't breathe, I've been extremely fortunate and have been feeling fabulous. My regular clothes are starting to feel a little uncomfortable even with the hair rubberband trick, and I took my first trip to the maternity store at the beginning of this week. Pants with elastic waistbands...HERE I COME! I did have a little freak-out moment in the changing room when I put on the fake 7 month belly and couldn't see my feet. What?!

T:
Has been very understanding with all the minor aches, pains, and constant naps I take. He was particularly adorable when he sat down with me Tuesday evening to read and write some thoughts of his own in the baby keepsake journal we got from a friend this week.
Next doctors appointment: Mid September