Monday, October 20, 2008

I've been bad with not posting. Almost 35 weeks! Holy Moly!

The baby shower was amazing! It was perfect and beautiful. We received so so so many wonderful gifts and books. We have a big library of books for baby Carter and all the gear he needs for a while! I had a nice speech all prepared to thank everyone and I knew i was going to get choked up when I was giving it but I couldn't even get the first sentence out! I was so emotional because all of this is such a blessing and miracle for us. I was embarrassed but I know my family and friends understand how I feel and what this baby means to us. The world. No words or speech and ever capture what gratitude I feel inside.
After the shower I felt really anxious to get alot done. I think the reality starting to sink in a bit... We got the nursery almost done and everything washed and put away in about a week or two. I got a sonogram on Oct. 6th and all looked good. He was weighing 4 lbs 6oz I believe (a little on the big side)
One week after sonogram I called Tammy because something strange happened and the nurse at her office ensured me it was normal. Well I've been having menstrual-type cramps for weeks now and it seemed like they were especially bad over the weekend. I remember being in a store and not thinking I could walk out I was feeling alot of cramps and pressure so I decided to time them. I was getting them every 30 mins and they would last about 15 mins long. I decided to go into Tammy's office on Mon. Oct 13th to get checked (basically for Scott because he was more worried than me) They hooked me up to the monitors to check baby's heart rate and my contractions. After 30 mins. Tammy comes in to check the monitor and sends me into shock by informing me that I was indeed having contractions and they were 14 mins apart and she was going to check me herself, give me a sonogram and send me to the hospital. She had one of her staff members call Scott to tell him to come pick me up but not to speed to get to the office. (I knew he as going to freak out at this phone call and be there as fast as possible and he was- white as a ghost!)
The 3 possible events that could of taken place. 1. I was in labor and they would have to induce me/c-section
2. I was not in labor and they would give me meds to stop contractions and hopefully that would work
3. I can't remember #3???
All I kept think was I can't have this baby today!! I'm not ready. It's too early. I'm not ready! I don't even have my hospital bag pack yet, I still have things to buy, the house isn't clean enough, I didn't wash my hair today, the baby is too small, what if his lungs aren't ready, what if I can't breast feed like I hope too, I don't to leave him at the NICU... this list was going on and on and on in my head. When we got to St. E's my contractions were 1-3 mins apart. I got injections to quite down my contractions and an IV to keep me hydrated. I got checked by the OB on duty that day who said I was not dilating. A few hours later the test that Tammy performed on me came back negative which meant I was not in labor. (Whew) The high risk Dr. explain that my cervix was shorter (thinner) than normal and he wanted to repeat the sonogram tomorrow. As far as I understand it the contractions were thinning my cervix out which can start labor which is something we need to prevent for as long as possible... The baby has a great chance of surviving and being just fine at this point but the longer he stays in my womb the better. So we stayed overnight at the hospital and finally got the repeat sonogram the next afternoon and contractions were quieting down and my cervix did not thin out any further. So right now I am on meds to stop or quiet contractions until I am 36 weeks (which is Oct. 28) I am seeing Tammy once a week and the OB/GYN she works with once a week as well.
I'm really trying to take it as easy as possible. I cut back work days/hours and trying not to do much of anything. I really think I was overdoing it with lifting/cleaning/walking. I am noticing that little things are getting harder and harder to do. The exhaustion has set in. I'm just so nervous at every tweak of pain or pressure and beginning to feel REALLY nervous about labor and delivery. I'm just going to trust my body and Carter will know what to do when the time comes.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

30 weeks pregnant or 69 more days until my due date!

Whoa. Time flys. I just told Scott the other week. Besides the bowel obstruction in week 12 (which was the worst experience of my life- hands down) this pregnancy has been quite easy so far! Sometimes I wake up and forget I'm pregnant for a split second! I mean I've had some common complaints- don't get me wrong (bloody nose, sore back, spider veins, shortness of breath, exhaustion, etc...) but nothing I can REALLY complain about. I haven't felt that moody either. I know my patients level has dropped but other than that I feel like myself with a baby kicking inside my tummy!! And the greatest feeling is not remembering the last time you cried because you were upset- Because I don't and it's weird but a wonderful change!! I sure hope these last couple months and labor/delivery go just as smooth as its been going. The 4D sonogram was amazing as you can see from the pictures below. The tech told me try not to use my stomach muscles while she was giving me the sonogram because it will distort the picture- well as soon as I saw him I wanted to joyfully cry like a baby but I held it in and just watched in amazement. It was the fastest 25 mins of my life!! I could of layed there and looked at him all day. It was so nice to have my family there to share this moment too. They have been such a huge support for Scott and I the past 3 years and I wish there was someway to repay them.
We are 95% sure his name will be Carter Scott. (even though I keep thinking about the name Brady) We've been trying to refer to him as Carter instead of "the baby".
Our shower is a week from this Sunday and I am so so so very excited and honored. I think once we get all our gear it will seem closer than ever and I will feel more prepared. I have 4 different to-do lists going all preparing for Carter's arrival so once I tackle those list I will feel really ready. I think Scott and I are still in shock that we are pregnant! I don't think its going to hit us until he's here. We are so blessed and happy. We simple cannot wait to be parents!!
Dr. Hecht (our infertility Dr.) had a reunion or "celebrating success" picnic this past weekend for all the successful pregnancies. It was great to see the office staff and just to be around other families who went through the struggles you did. It was such a positive and great atmosphere. I love that Dr.! (But hope I never have another appointment at his office :)
My next appointment with Tammy is on Monday. At my last appointment she wanted me to start iron supplements because my iron is borderline low but doesn't want it to get any lower. My sugar test was good and I am measuring 1 week bigger than what I am. I'm not sure when the last sonogram is but I am going to ask her on Monday. I think I gained 2 more pounds so a total of 14/15 lbs so far. I'm just really curious about how much he weighs and what he is measuring.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Friday, August 22, 2008

26 week pictures




Here are 2 belly pictures and one picture of Scott and I when we celebrated his 30th birthday. I made a shirt that said "I Love My Dad" on the belly- Scott loved it!

Almost to my 3rd trimester! Yikes!

I can't even believe it! I am about a week and a half away from my last trimester!! Where did the time go? I went to Tammy office for my monthly check up yesterday. I took my glucola- gestational diabetes test but won't know results until Monday. I am measuring 27 weeks, gained 4 more pounds (so a total of 12lbs so far) and all is good. She found his heartbeat right away, then he moved and she tried to find it again- she found it and he kicked and moved again so I really don't think he likes the doppler! Hahaha- sneaky lil bugger. I go every two weeks now which is a little scary because I know my time is coming!! I told Tammy I am getting nervous about the birth. She calmed my nerves alot and said some things that actually made me excited about giving birth! She also reassured me that she will be with me the whole time and its her job to worry not mine. I left the office feeling really good and so excited! She wants me to start monitoring fetal movements in a few weeks so that's kinda nerve wracking. I just don't want to over monitor it (which I know I will...) Last night Scott and I felt an actual body part (not sure what it was) but it was so hard on this one part of my belly- then after a minute he moved and it got soft. So neat! I'm so glad Scott was able to feel it. What a miracle.
The shower invitations are going out next week! and our 3D/4D sonogram is right around the corner! So many wonderful things are coming up!! I just pray for a healthy 3rd trimester. I worry about not making it to full term but everything has been so good up to this point. I can't worry about this because whatever is supposed to happen is going to happen. Like the saying goes "Relax, do your best and trust God will do the rest"

Friday, August 1, 2008

Infertility's Common Thread


I never will forget what heartache it was to get to this point in my life. A project was started to create a community among couples who experienced infertility in one form or another and also to raise awareness as well as use it as a symbol to other woman who wear the bracelet or know the meaning that they are not alone. Here is a little more history on it
I am going to go make my own bracelet today. If I can help one woman struggling with infertility to have hope- either silently or with words. I want to do it.