Please say a prayer for my cervix....

In about 30 minutes I am heading to the doctors for my 39 week appointment. Please send your thoughts and prayers to my cervix so I am not at 0 cm and I can meet my baby!! I am wishing and hoping that I have made some progress since last week. However, I don't think that will be the case......I haven't felt any contractions or cramps yet.

37 Week Doctors Appointment

I just got back from my 37 week doctors appointment (well, 36 weeks and 5 days) and they informed me they may want to induce me at 38 weeks if my cervix is ready. The doctor did say that they definitely won't let me go past my due date. Apparently, the baby is measuring big and it might be best to help move things along.

Stupid me didn't realize that 38 weeks is next week! It wasn't until I got in the car to call my mom that she reminded me I am 37 weeks pregnant right now.......which means next week I will be 38 weeks pregnant. That news flash hit me like a brick wall! Holy crap, I could have a baby as early as next week!! I don't want to get my hopes up, but it would be perfect timing to have the baby next week when both my parents and Jason's parents are in town for Thanksgiving.

I also spoke with my doctor regarding my birth plan. I told her I am not 100% sure I want an epidural. I want to keep an open mind and prepare myself for a natural child birth. I figure that way I will be mentally prepared if God forbid the epidural doesn't work or I am too far along in my labor to receive one. My doctor did mention that the epidurals administered at my hospital are given in small doses so I will have the ability to respond to what my body is telling me (i.e. - PUSH!!).

I will know more at my next appointment which is next Wednesday.........HOLY CRAP!!

Again.....I am a Crazy First Time Mom!

Once again I called my OB to come in for an unscheduled visit yesterday. This time I was concerned about my swelling (which hasn't let up since week 24 in my pregnancy), my border line high blood pressure reading of 135/80 and my dull headache. I have read up on the internet that these are all symptoms of preeclampsia. Of course, reading up on any disorder will change a normal, level headed person into a hypochondriac, which is exactly what happened to me. Even though my next doctors appointment was two days later I kept thinking of the horror stories people have told me about what can go wrong during pregnancy.

Luckily, my doctor was very accommodating and had me come it right away. After being checked out nothing was wrong with me. My blood pressure was back down to a normal reading of 108 over some other number that I have since forgotten. I felt a little silly about freaking out over my high reading I got at Wal-mart but she assured me those machines are notorious for giving false readings......that made me feel a little less crazy!

The good news is the baby has dropped and is ready in position. I also got to hear the heartbeat which was 144 beats per minute.

I always feel like a bit of a drama queen when I call or come in for a unscheduled appointment. I have a fear that my doctor's office thinks I mistake their phone number for the complaint hot line. Honestly, I don't mind being uncomfortable just as long as the baby is healthy and so am I. I think I apologized to my doctor 100 times in the 7 minute visit I had with her!

Anyway, I will leave you with a picture of my swollen ankle. I have also included a picture of me with skinny ankles to prove that I am not a freak of nature! I am REALLY embarrassed to post this on my blog, but I want to document the good, the bad and the ugly of my pregnancy. I should also apologize for my ugly toes.....I haven't gotten a pedicure is quite some time. I am not about to put my feet and ankles on display in public! Maybe one day Little Baby Jason will have a great appreciation of me! And yes, those are fat rolls on my toes

32 Week Doctor's Appointment

I just got back from my doctor's appointment and I am happy to report that everything is going well! Thankfully my swelling has been better the last few days so the doctor is no longer concerned about my water retention. However, I have developed carpal tunnel in my wrists and fingers which he informed me will only get worse from here on out. The good news is that my carpal tunnel will subside a few weeks after my pregnancy is over......or at least it should. I'm relieved that everything is on track and my discomfort will only be temporary.

The baby is progressing normally and had a steady heartbeat at 149 BPM. During my exam, the doctor had me place my hand on my lower abdomen and press down. I was relieved to know that the hard thing I was pressing on was the baby's head! I asked about the odds of the baby flipping at this point in my pregnancy and the doctor informed me that it's unlikely the baby will be breech or transverse. Yay! One less obstacle to a vaginal childbirth! I have had nightmares about having a c-section (well, to be fair I have also had nightmares about a vaginal delivery but the recovery time is much less!). Fingers crossed that 4 lb. Baby Jason stays head down!

I can't believe I am sad!

I just received a call from my Doctor's office wanting to cancel my appointment tomorrow due to an emergency. Of course I agreed (mostly because I had another appointment scheduled on October 21) but now I find myself sad that I won't get an update on the baby's progress. I was really looking forward to going to the doctor's! I can't believe how this pregnancy has turned me into a completely different person. I use to loathe the doctor and would look for any excuse to avoid going, especially the girl doctor. Now I have a cancellation handed to me and I'm upset? Weird......

Oh well, I guess I will have to wait one more week until I go to the doctor. Let the countdown begin!!