40 Week Doctor/L & D Visit

Today I had my 40 week doctor appointment scheduled.  I was feeling very worried/nervous before, mostly because I was afraid of no progress.  I also knew we would start talking about inductions today.  Well, the doctor came in and sure enough, no progress.  He tried to open my cervix and boy that did not feel pleasant.  He started talking about how I can't go into labor this weekend because he will be at the Saints/Lions football game.


We discussed Cytotec/Cervadil  again.  I told him I did a little more research on it and I felt better knowing he only uses the smallest does.  Sometimes Cytotec will bring on contractions and Pitocin may not be needed.  He also said it works faster.  But he said he would let me choose.  He mentioned if I'm dilating by Tuesday (my induction date) we won't even need to worry about it and just go straight to Pitocin.  So, I have an induction scheduled for 7:30 Tuesday morning, the 6th of December.


Now, about my trip to L & D.  My doctor said I could go have blood drawn to make sure I'm not on the verge of toxemia (my BP today was 138/78-much, much higher than my normal).  So I agreed.  I figured I would just go over and they would take my blood and that would be it.  But that wasn't the case, and I'm thankful.


I got there and had to pee in a cup.  Then I realized they would actually be monitoring me while I waited for the lab to come draw my blood and receive the results.  This was pretty big for me.  I've never been to the hospital as a patient.  I've never had to be on the other side of being a nurse.  It was so strange.


They hooked me up to the fetal heart rate monitor and contraction monitor and put the blood pressure cuff on every 15 minutes.  (The nurse said I had a stretch mark that looks like a heart...that was pretty cool...lol).  She asked me if I have had any contractions while she was hooking me up and I said no.  Once she was done she left the room.  And almost immediately a little hill appeared on the contraction monitor.

The contraction felt like I was tightening my abs mixed with Tanner moving.  I've been having contractions and not realizing what they actually were.  (They may have been happening because my doctor tried to open my cervix). Eight minutes later another hill appeared.  And eight minutes after that...Nick figured out they were every eight minutes lasting about a minute and a half.  In a way I was so happy.  I know these will probably taper off, but knowing my body is actually doing something is so nice!  It was neat because Nick could tell a contraction was about to start because Tanner's heart rate would pick up and then the little hill would start to appear on the monitor.  I wouldn't even feel anything yet.


The nurse came back into the room and gave me the little button to do kick counts.  Tanner was very active today, so I was constantly pushing the button.  He even kicked the heart rate monitor and made this LOUD noise.  My mom, Nick, and I couldn't stop laughing.


The guy from the lab showed up and drew my blood.  He went ahead and drew extra, in case I went into labor within the next 3 days.  I felt really weird because he put the blood band on.  I know what this is from working at this hospital.  Its for blood transfusions.  That did freak me out a little bit.

It took maybe 20 minutes for the results to come back.  Just enough time to listen to Tanner's heart rate a little more and answer all the admission questions.  The results from the blood work were great! I am so relieved!  I feel much better about waiting until Tuesday to be induced.


I'm still having contractions.  I haven't really relaxed enough since we've been home to time them.  We're going to dinner soon so maybe during that I'll time them.  I would love to go into labor on my own and not have to deal with the induction, but it is what it is, and I'm happy knowing I will have a baby by next week.  Fingers crossed that these contractions pick up though!!!

Christmas Decorations/Photo Dump

I'm pretty lucky.  My mom is here in Oklahoma and she has very good vision when it come to decorating!  Also, Nick really got into decorating this year.  I let him take over the front yard, and I have to say he did a great job!  Living on base, we don't get to do too much to the house, so decorating for the Holidays is a nice way to allow our house to stand out.

Here is the outside.

(The blue is meant to look like a Taxiway for planes...Nick's idea)

This is a look at the inside from outside.

I love our tree!

We have garland around the whole living room.

And here are a few random things inside.

(Tanner has a stocking waiting for him!)

(A view from the kitchen)

Merry Christmas!

No Progression

I had my 39 week appointment today.  No change.  Nothing.  I know I shouldn't be upset because it really doesn't mean a thing.  Some people are dilated for weeks and have a late baby, others aren't dilated at all and go in labor 24 hours later.  But it's still a little depressing.  I just wish I knew my body was doing something.


My blood pressure was quite a bit higher than it normally is, but my doctor didn't think anything of it.  Tanner's heart rate was 128 (which is pretty low) but once again my doctor said it wasn't anything to be concerned with.


So as of right now, I'm betting I will be induced on December 7th (41 weeks).  I did find out that my doctor used Cytotec to help thin your cervix before they start Pitocin during inductions.  I really don't like that.  He knows I don't want it.  It's cheaper to use but it isn't FDA approved for that purpose and can cause uterine rupture.  He did say he's never seen any problems when the smallest dosage is used.  He "will use it, but doesn't recommend it". Right now I'm thinking I'll probably be induced, and the induction won't work (many don't) and I'll have a C-section.  I hope I'm wrong.

Foil and Cats

I realized a long time ago that I don't really have to go to the pet store to get cute cat toys.  A rolled up ball of tin foil works just as well, and is much cheaper.  But foil doesn't just make a great cat toy, but a great cat deterrent.


I've been trying to keep the nursery door open lately so the cats can get use to it before Tanner comes.  But I have a terrible pet peeve, and can not stand them trying to get in the crib or on the changing table.  Yes, it was cute the first time I saw Axel sleeping on the changing pad, but that was enough.  I don't want the cat hair on things Tanner will be laying on (if I can help it at all).  I'm also pretty freaked out thinking one might get in the crib with Tanner before Tanner can roll around on his own.


So while I keep the nursery door open I have been putting foil under the bottom edges of the crib (so they don't go under it and hide), in the crib, and on the changing table.  I've read online that cats will jump in the crib and land on the foil and freak out from the noise.


Well, this is what I found today...

It keeps them from laying in the crib and the changing table for now, but knowing my cats that won't last.

38 Weeks!

Only 2 weeks until D-day!  It's so close, but still enough days to be so far away!  I'm so ready.


I hate to be that pregnant chick who complains about being pregnant.  Honestly though, I've enjoyed it. It was really, really hard while I was working (and to be honest I bet I would have gone into pre-term labor if I had continued to work).  But I am ready.


It's getting hard.  I can hardly walk.  I can barely put on my pants, let alone my shoes and socks.  I have to have help to get off the couch. And the swelling...oh my gosh the swelling!  When I look back at pictures of me and my belly at the beginning of the pregnancy, I get really depressed.  I was so self conscious of the way I looked before I got pregnant, and now I look back and want to kick myself.  I had blinders on.  Sure, I could have lost 10-15 pounds but I looked okay.  Now, I see pictures of myself, and I see the scale go up every week and I can not wait to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight!  I know it's all worth it, but it's still hard to see these changes in myself.


Now, back to baby.  He continues to drop.  He's very low, to the point where I don't think he will go any lower until I'm in labor.  I'm waddling like mad.  I've also been able to pop my back for the first time since probably the beginning of the summer!  It was only twice, but it felt amazing!  I also haven't been having the terrible indigestion that I had been having.


Sleep has been so-so.  When I can fall asleep, I sleep well.  But lately my mind is just going crazy with thoughts.  Thoughts about going into labor, my water breaking, being in labor at the hospital and Nick is out flying and I can't get in touch with him.  I know these thoughts are all normal, but they come flooding in when I try to sleep.  I don't mind the thoughts of holding my little boy though.  I imagine his little newborn cry, rocking him in the glider, and seeing him sleep on Nick's chest.


I know it's going to be very difficult having a newborn.  I bet I will be overwhelmed many, many times.  But I have such a supportive family and great friends who will be there for us.  My mom is coming out on Sunday!  And my mother-in-law will be here shortly after Tanner is born.  I can't wait, I know they can't wait.  But we have to...Tanner will most likely take his time.

Here is the 38 week bump picture.  It would be AWESOME if this were the past belly pic before Tanner came!

And here is the comparison that makes me depressed.

And here is a super random picture of what the cats and I have been watching all morning.  It's only noon and I've filled that bird bath 3 times already and it needs to be filled again.  I suppose the birds are gearing up for winter! (It is the first real chilly day so far...43 degrees.  The windows were open yesterday).

38 Week Appointment

Well, still no progress.


My doctor even tried to open my cervix a little, (which was pretty uncomfortable) but it's just not ready.  He did say Tanner's head is even lower and how that's really good.


Heart rate was 144, still pretty normal for Tanner.


I had a few questions this appointment.  The first one was when does he start talking about inductions.  He said he will induce anyone who is 3 cm dilated and past 39 weeks.  But he wont really push it until 41 weeks (which would be December 7th for me).


I asked when I should go to the hospital.  He said if my water breaks, to go ahead and come in to get labor started to avoid infection.  If that happens for me, I will probably shower and eat before I go in, ha!  I was wondering if he followed the 5-1-1 rule or not. Contractions every 5 minutes, lasting for 1 minute, for 1 hour.  I told him I was thinking about trying to labor at home as much as I could.  He said that would be perfectly fine.  But with the last question I asked him I may not want to wait too long anymore...


That last question was about his stance on episotomies.  I have learned through reading online and through school that it's much better to tear naturally than have the doctor preform an episotomy (a surgical cut).  You can heal faster, and there are less complications in the future.  My doctor says he does not do them.  He said it has been years since he's done one.  And what he said next is the reason I think I'm changing my "birth plan".  He said he likes epidurals so much because the woman can stop pushing during a contraction so he can lift the babies head and avoid tearing.  I originally was worried about getting an epidural because a lot of the time you can't feel that need to push feeling and by pushing when your body isn't ready can cause tearing. But with the help from my doctor, I feel a lot better about it.  And also, after watching so many episodes of a baby story on TV and videos online, the women with epidurals seem so much more pleasant!  Don't get me wrong, I still want to feel what it is like, just so I know what natural labor is.


Like I mention in my last doctor appointment post, my doctor drives a brand new Boss 302.  So last week and this week my husband has worn a mustang shirt to my appointment, trying to get a conversation started about cars with my doctor.  Last week Nick was a little bummed out because my doctor was a little preoccupied with the medical student and he didn't look at Nick's shirt.  But today was different.  My doctor mentioned Nick's shirt and they got to talking.  It was pretty awkward, being I was still sitting on the table with a paper blanket covering me while my doctor and husband talk about cars and drag racing.  I learned a lot about the Boss, and about my doctor.  He drag races cars with friends who have sub 10 second mustangs.    We also learned about the features of the Boss and what it does and does not come with.  Other than being awkward, it was pretty cool.  Nick enjoyed it.


So I need to get use to the idea that I will most likely be pregnant for a a long time.  I need to stop being so anxious and enjoy it (as difficult as that is). I need to try to take my mind off of him.  I'm constantly thinking about him.  Tanner will come when he is ready.  Even though my doctor will be out of the state from Dec. 3-5 for a football game.


  Monday would be nice, Tanner.  Your Grandma will be here and your Daddy can take Monday-Wednesday off. Thursday and Friday he has off already for Thanksgiving and then there is the weekend!  Plus, you can join us for Thanksgiving dinner! Just sayin'...

37 Weeks!

Full term!  It's so great to know Tanner could come at any time and be okay!  I really can not wait!


My symptoms are starting to change.  Last week and the beginning of this week my worse symptom as been indigestion.  It was terrible!  Every night, all night long, and even during the day.  But the last few days I've noticed a huge difference.  I'm thinking Tanner must be dropping even more so the indigestion is almost gone!  Now I'm just having to pee all day and night.  And it takes me forever to get out of bed in the middle of the night to go.  Also, like I mentioned in my last post, I'm seeing spots, and I still have swelling.


Tanner is constantly moving!  Lately I'm able to feel his little feet pushing on my side, under my ribs.  I can push on them and he will push back.  He really likes to hang out on my right side.  I don't think he's ever been on my left side.


I've been watching A Baby Story every day.  I'm trying to pretend it's preparing me.  Even though sometimes it freaks me out a little bit.  I've even got Nick watching it.


A pretty funny moment from this week involved watching that show.  Nick came home and glanced at the TV.  The pregnant women was sitting on her couch eating potato chips in the middle of the night.  She was saying how it's nice to eat what you want with the excuse of being pregnant.  Nick then looks at me...sitting on my yoga ball eating a milky way.  He didn't say a word.  He just gave me this funny look.


Now for my random talk.  I'm going to make some clothing separators for Tanner's closet.  I hope it turns out nice! I'll take before and after pictures.  I'm also going to make some wool dryer balls.  They are much better for clothes (especially cloth diapers) then dryer sheets.

A lot of my maternity shirts don't cover my whole belly anymore. :(

37 Week Doctor Appointment

I will be 37 weeks tomorrow (yay full term!).  I had my appointment today.  I was a little nervous because I knew I would have my first internal check today and I didn't really know what to expect.  Luckily the weather was bad today so Nick was able to go with me.


My blood pressure was still good, much higher than my normal, but still good.  It was 127/72 ( My normal is 100-110/60).  I also still have trace protein in my urine, which is still not bad.


I told the nurse about my symptoms lately:  seeing spots daily, extremely swollen fingers at night, vertigo, pressure behind my eyes, and just feeling off.  She wrote everything down so my doctor would read it when he came in to check me.  I was able to find out that I am GBS negative, so that's a relief.  I don't have to worry about getting to the hospital early enough to get antibiotics before Tanner is born.


My doctor came in with a medical student.  She will be with him for the rest of November.  I don't mind because I know what it's like to be in school and have clinicals with real patients. But my doctor really worried me today. He told us that he just had a patient who's husband found her seizing.  Apparently she had toxemia, and a pretty bad case of it.  But she had normal blood pressure and no protein in her urine.  My doctor told me that sometimes only blood work can show toxemia.  He told me I could have blood drawn to check just in case.  I might do that next week if I still have that weird off feeling.  I agreed to do it today but I think my doctor forgot or was thinking about something else.  (I did tell him I was happy my BP was okay today).


He really freaked us out though.  Nick's worried about me possibly having a seizure and he would be out flying and not home with me.  I'm going to try to remember to carry my phone with me at all times when I'm alone, just in case.


The signs he told me to watch for are: seeing spots for hours at a time, a severe headache, and a bad pain in the top right part of my abdomen (where my liver is).  If I have any of these signs I'm supposed to go to the ER right away.


Anyway,  Tanner is doing good.  His heart rate was 140.  My cervix was closed but his head is very low.  I have a feeling Tanner will be a December baby, but I really hope I'm wrong!  I now have weekly appointments, so we'll see if there is any progress next Tuesday! (That is if I don't go into labor before then). :)


By the way, anyone who knows me or my family will get a kick out of this.  My doctor drives a BRAND new Boss 302 Mustang.  It's really nice!

Car seat...check!

I just love my husband!  More and more every single day!  It's the little things that get me!  This last weekend he installed the car seat.  He also took pictures of it so I could post them to my blog.  :)


So, yes.  The car seat is in the car and ready to go!  It actually looks really good!  Nick wanted to get a good car seat that also matched the car, hehe.  I think he did a great job picking it out!

He also installed the car mirror.  It's amazing!  I can see into the car seat from the driver seat.  It also has a little remote that we hooked on the visor.  It turns on a light so we can see Tanner in the dark, and it also plays music!

Okay Tanner, we're ready for you!

Lopsided belly

I just love watching my belly move and change shapes. I decided to try to take a couple pictures showing my belly how it is normally and then showing it lopsided. Usually it's a bigger difference, but you can tell here too.


And yes, that is a cat sitting in my lap. ( Don't mind the cat hair on my belly)

Lil Joeys Fluffy mail!

Just because I didn't receive all my lil' Joey diapers until today, here's a picture of them all.  They are just SO cute!

36 Weeks and Photo Dump

36 weeks!  One more week until I'm full term!


I've got a lot of people guessing what day Tanner will arrive.  And so far the majority is saying 11/11/11.  I think that would be pretty cool.  I'll be full term, but my mom won't be out here yet.  2010 was a huge year for my husband and I so it would be ironic if Tanner chose that day. (That is pretty much an inside joke/story with the AF Academy).


I'm pretty sure he's dropped this past week.  I can breathe better, and I can eat more without getting full.  But on the other side, my indigestion has gotten worse.  I don't really get it.  I know he has dropped because I have to pee all the time now and he just feels really low whenever I'm standing.


What do you think?  Here's a comparison of today and one week ago...

Today I got my packages from Amazon!  I ordered a lot of things that were on our registry with a 10% discount we received.  Everything came today except a pack of Lil' Joey's AIO Diapers.   I don't know why, two other packs I ordered came today.  Whatever.  I took pictures to show what all we got.

JJ Cole Diaper Bag and Hooter Hider's nursing cover on top. (Yes, it's already packed and ready for Tanner)

Bath tub and Jumper

Tummy time play mat

3 in 1 highchair (Nick's mom bought this for us, it just happened to come at the same time as everything else)

Bendy ball, bath thermometer, lap pads, and drying rack.

High chair and shopping cart cover

And my lil' Joeys.  I got red, blue, and the ones that are coming tomorrow are white with "gumballs" on them (basically big polka dots).  There are 6 total, 2 of each.  I absolutely love these! They are so small and soft.  And they have a snap to keep the umbilical cord from being touched.  They fit "4lbs to 12 lbs".   So adorable!

Nick came home early today and jumped right in and helped me put things together.  He was so sweet!

And of course, the cats loved playing with the boxes!  They got all stirred up and started fighting with  each other.

I love Harry's face in this one!

OH! I put the Pack n Play together too today!  It fits very nicely next to my side of the bed!

That's all for now.  It's November, Tanner's month!  I wonder if he will be making his appearance soon?  I've got a prenatal massage booked for tomorrow as a gift from my mother-in-law for my birthday.  I am so excited about it!  It's going to be amazing!  Happy Wednesday everyone!