Third Trimester?!

Some dr.'s go by 27 weeks and some go by 28, but since Baby Girl is still measuring a week ahead and when you divide 40 weeks by 3 you get 13.3 weeks for each trimester...I say I'm in at 27 weeks. That's awful grammar I know, but you get my point.  I'm in my 3rd trimester! 

Unfortunately, the comforts and honeymoon of the 2nd trimester have gone by just like the weeks.  My back hurts, I swell easier, her movements wake me up my night, my need to pee wakes me up at night, and everything just feels tight.  With the discomforts however, comes the excitement of Baby Girl's arrival.  And we have a lot of "baby" stuff coming in the next few weeks. 

Wednesday the 4th is our next check-in with the specialist, followed by a meeting with my regular doctor's office.  This appt is so up in the air - I could have lengthened or I could still be shortening...so we just wait.

I'm already at the point of rotating between the doctors at my practice.  There are 5, so any one of them could deliver Baby Girl.  The point of rotating is so you get to meet all of them.  I have mixed feelings about this because I know they will all have different opinions on natural childbirth.  The practice itself has good policies on natural childbirth...I can walk around, use the shower, bath, try different positions etc., and they won't intervene unless something goes wrong (this line can be blurry, of course).  Our doula will be with us while laboring at home and come with us to the hospital and stay through the birth.  She'll help us make decisions if we need to deviate from our birth plan.

On the 5th we are meeting with our possible pediatrician and attending our first Baby Basics class.  The practice offers them for free.  As you can imagine it was important for me to find a dr. that encourages breastfeeding.  This doctor is also a licensed lactation consultant and has another full time lactation consultant on staff...score!  The 14th is my baby shower (so excited, even though I don't know much about it!), the 19th is a breastfeeding class, the 21st is a childbirth class, and we take our maternity photos on the 22nd!  I am soooo excited about this. 

Speaking of maternity photos, you have to check out Mariah Carey's...not because they are good, but rather because they are so distasteful.  I could maaaaybe understand taking these for just you and your husband, but for the world to see?  ummm no.  ewwww: http://www.vanityfair.it/people/mondo/2011/04/24/mariah-carey-foto-nuda-con-pancione-e-marito-nick-cannon

Baby Girl Update
From my weekly email:  
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle

How far along?: 27 w
How big is baby?: The size of an egglplant (I don't get why I didn't change fruits this week)
Weight gain/loss?: 24 lbs.Stretch marks?: Still stretchmark free.  woot!
Maternity clothes?: Yes please.

Sleep?: getting choppy

Food cravings?:  I'll take anything strawberry flavored.  Since the strawberries up here are still kind of bitter, I've been eating a lot of Chubani Stawberry yogurt.

Gender?: Baby Girl still.
Movement?: I really notice her after I eat now.

Belly button?: Still qualifies as an inny.

What are you looking forward to this week?:  The continuation of the awesome spring weather we've been getting.  Andrew and I are planning a picnic on the beach for Saturday. :)

Notables:

I'm getting really clumsy.  I've hit things with my belly a few times, but I've also done some damage to myself.  Two weeks ago, I shut my finger in the apt door.  Blood everywhere.  On Easter, I peeled part of my finger while attempting to peel pototoes.  Yesterday evening, I knocked over the iron in the closet (thankfully not on), but it fell from the second shelf directly onto my big toe.  Again, blood everywhere.  It looked like a masacre in the kitchen.  Thankfully, I think most of the nail was saved, but right below is just ewww and ouuuuch.

Houston, we have 2.5 cm!

This morning's Dr. appt with the perinatologist went better than expected.  "Dr. B" was awesome and so was the ultrasound tech at the hospital (I don't like the one at my regular dr.). He was able to get a measurement of 2.5cm instead of the 2cm my doctor got last week. 
The good news:  My cervix hasn't shortened anymore and he doesn't think it's necessary to start meds yet. Baby Girl looks healthy and is now weighing 2lbs and still a few days ahead.
Bad news:  same darn restrictions and definitely no Bermuda.  But hey, I'll take the good news. 
One positive thing about all of this is that we got to see Baby Girl again.  She was head up this time and we got to see her swallowing fluid.  The tech even paused for a minute to let us watch her.  So cool.  I see my regular dr. on Friday and then back to specialist in 2 weeks for another check.  In my head, I'm shooting for at least 35 weeks or June 22nd.

Adventures in Nurserymaking...

Well, I would say "we" had a busy weekend, but really I just played Quality Control and carfully observed Andrew and his power drill.  The best part is that he did everything with a smile and just wanted to make Baby Girl and I happy.  I love him - and our nursery/bedroom.  :) 

For those of you who don't know, we are living in the one bedroom/one bath plus kitchen apartment that is built above my parent's garage.  With mom living in Bermuda and dad traveling almost every week for work and to Bermuda every other weekend, it works out great for us. We help care for the house and dogs, and get to live here rent free. A three bedroom fixer-upper house in Fairfield County goes for about $500K, so we're banking as much money as we can for now.  Thank you, Mom and Dad!

And so this is our nursery/bedroom with some fun pics of Andrew building the crib....awwwwwww:

Our friend Dhrumil gave Andrew one really good piece of advice he learned while building his baby girl's crib:  Put it together in the room it will live in...otherwise it won't fit through the door.  Thanks, Dhrumil!  We owe you one.

Apparently those shelves were a bigger pain in the a$$ than I thought.  But he did a great job!

The dresser from last weekend...

Her name is covered up - hehehe

We are both against TVs in the bedroom, but with the bedrest, I thought I might need it.  Plus, I can play Baby Girl the digital cable music channels :)

In case you are wondering:

Paint:  Benjamin Moore's Lily Lavender (used their all natural line)
Crib:  Babies R Us - DaVinci Kalani
Bedding set and mobile:  Target - Tiddliwinks Under the Sea
Shelves:  Pottery Barn Kids
Window valances and Crib Skirt (not pictured):  Pottery Barn Kids Harper collection
Decals:  Etsy - http://www.graphicspaces.com/
Husband:  sent from Heaven

God gave us some peace last night

Let's just say that yesterday was not the best day for me to feel my first BH contractions.  This coupled with a bad lower back pain all day, made Andrew and I decide that I should probably call my doctor.  She told  me to look out for pressure, cramping, and  lower back pain, so we figured the 6:30pm after hours call was warranted.  Thankfully, my dr. was the one on call, and she had us come into the hospital for some monitoring.  She got us right in and hooked me up to a contraction monitor.  I was actually having a few the hour that I was hooked up, so she she did a few more tests.  Thank the Lord, my contractions were false BH contractions and my cervix was showing no signs of dilation and was completely closed.  Just to be on the safe side, she gave me a fetal fibronectin test which shows the likelyhood of going into labor in the next 2 weeks.  Mine came back negative which makes it "highly unlikely".  With no signs of anything else going on, she checked my urine for dehydration levels.  Turns out the gallons of water I feel like I'm drinking every day aren't enough.  I was dehydrated, which is one of the top causes of preterm contractions.  So, I was ordered to drink at least 8oz every hour and remain with my restrictions until I see the specialist on Tuesday.  So much for the "least medical intervention pregnancy/birth " I wanted, huh?  I take this as another example that my plans are not God plans and He sure knows best.  I slept so well last night knowing that He is in control of everything and that I just have to listen to my doctor.  Making it until Tuesday seems a lot easier now.  Thank you, God.  You are best.....and my husband comes in a close third behind your son.  Thank you so much for Andrew. 

Picture of Andrew smiling while putting Baby Girl's new dresser together (I was Mrs. Frugal and saved $170 buying the one that came in about 50 pieces).  It looks great - pictures coming this weekend!

I also finished the painting on Sunday.  Picture is it in progress. (TV obviously being removed). Crib is this weekend!

Baby Girl update:
From my weekly email:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

How far along?: 25w2days

How big is baby?: The size of an egglplant, or apparently a rutabaga (whatever that is)

Weight gain/loss?: 22 lbs.

Stretch marks?: None, thankfully.

Maternity clothes?: Yes please.

Sleep?: Wierd dreams, but still sleeping through

Food cravings?:  Florida strawberries are now out of the grocery stores here, so I've had to settle for the California ones.  They're not as good, so I'm at about 2 pints a week now.  Bring on the June strawberries!

Gender?: Baby Girl!
Movement?: More this week than last.  The nurse at the hospital noted what an active baby we have.

Belly button?: Still qualifies as an inny.

What are you looking forward to this week?: Mom is visiting from Bermuda this weekend and I get to supervise Andrew putting the crib together ;)

Notables:

I think we'll be celebrating every week we make it now (but I guess we should have been doing that anyway).

Not what I wanted to hear....

I thought we would be celebrating a normal 25 week appt this morning - not so much.  I had an ultrasound at 8:30 am and they did a routine check of my cervix and looked at Baby Girl.  Andrew and I were so happy to see her moving around, and her low kicks were explained by both of her feet being up against her head.  She literally is head down, face up, and sniffing her feet....adorable.  Then we headed into the dr.'s office and I expected her to say everything was looking great - and then it came.  "Your cervix is only measuring 2cm".  I was 4cm at our anatomy scan, so the fact that it's shortening is not good news.  This shouldn't start to happen until at least 34 weeks.  Long story short, I'm at high risk for preterm labor, and probably already having some minor contractions even though I can't feel them yet.  I'm on modified bedrest....no more exercise :(, heavy lifting, and I was pretty much ordered to keep it really easy to not set myself into labor.  I see a specialist on Tuesday morning to determine the next steps.  If nothing has changed, or I've shortened even more, I'll likely be put on full bedrest (only up to pee, etc.) and be started on a few medications.  They can also start the baby on corticosteroids, so that if she is born preterm, she'll have the best chance.  So, we are officially on watch mode, and our trip to Bermuda the first weekend in May has to be cancelled.  For now, we are praying that baby girl stays inside and cooks as long as possible.  We'll take some prayers!

24 weeks!

It's taken me a while to start this blog, but it's finally here....and I'll hopefully get the hang of all this by the time Baby Girl arrives.  Since we have so much family and many friends far away, I thought this was the best way to keep everyone updated. Yes, for now, she is just Baby Girl.  Andrew and I know her name and we call her it all the time, but we're keeping this one just for us.  Sorry, Moms and Grandmas.

I can't believe that I'm 6 mos pregnant.  I'm finally starting to look pregnant instead of looking like I went out for one too many beers the night before.  I'm not sure I'll ever get used to stangers staring at my belly. Women look at it and smile, but most men look at it in horror.  It's actually quite funny to watch.  The lady at the drycleaners freaked me out and asked me when my "girl" was due.  She said she could tell by the way I was carrying. 


For those of you who don't know, 24 weeks is a big deal because it's the point when most doctors consider the baby viable outside of the womb.  I've had this huge fear of going into preterm labor, so it's a little lessoned now knowing that Baby Girl would have a fighting chance if something were to happen.


From my weekly email:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long, he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

How far along?: 24w1day
How big is baby?: The size of a papaya or just over a foot long!
Weight gain/loss?: 20 lbs.
Stretch marks?: None, thankfully.
Maternity clothes?: Yes please. I’m also done with the demi pants…I need the full panel for comfort.
Sleep?: Some nights are great, others not so much.  I’m  having the most bizarre dreams ever.  Here's just a glimpse into wierd pregnancy dreams: two nights ago, I had a dream I was breastfeeding Rufus (the 4lb chihuahua).
Food cravings?:  I’m eating about 4 pints of strawberries a week.  Can’t get enough, but I  figure it’s a lot better than 4 boxes of cookies.
Gender?: Baby Girl!
Movement?: Consistent and all over the place! I can't tell her positioning, but I feel a lot more movement lower than higher.  Hope she is not breech!  My friend Colleen and I went to go see Phantom of the Opera last weekend.  Let’s just say that I think she is going to be a dancer, just like her mama.

Belly button?: More and more shallow every day.
What are you looking forward to this week?: The return of nice weather and painting the nursery wall.  Amethyst Cream by Benjamin Moore.

Notables:

This might be TMI, but in an effort to be transparent about the pregnancy and since I'll likely be blogging a lot about breastfeeding when the time comes - here it goes:

I have started producing colostrum already.  That's the stuff baby girl will feed on until my milk comes in about 3 days after birth.  I'm super excited about this, because as most of you know, I had a breast reduction when I was 18.  I didn't care about being able to breastfeed then, but now I want it more than anything.  It's not enough for me to need a breast pad or anything, but a great sign that things are working properly.

We hired our doula last week and we’re gearing up for my attempted pain med-free, natural birth.  I’ll be laboring at home as long as possible.  Andrew is reading a birth partner book and now knows more about it than I do.  A friend of ours is due in a few weeks and I caught him last night asking her husband if she was feeling any BH contractions.  He is such an amazing guy and I am so lucky.

Our next Dr. appt is Wednesday the 13^th.  We’re having an ultrasound since this is my new doctor after moving back from Florida.  I’m still not 100% convinced I want to go with this practice.  I have a lot of questions for her about her view of natural childbirth, and if I don’t like the answers on Wednesday, we’ll probably be switching to a midwife.