Week 36

Got a call this morning saying the doctor I was supposed to see was sick, so I would have to reschedule. Luckily they could squeeze me in in the afternoon so I was still able to go today.  The heart rate was good about 130's.  I am 1 cm dialated and 40% effaced. We definatly still have some time, but things have started.   I was probably about the same with Matthew about 36 weeks and he was almost a week late, so we will see.

I am feeling fine, having ligament pains on occasion, but other than that feeling fine.  I am almost ready to be done. I never felt that with Matthew.  With him I think I was excited, but nervous about the change.  I felt just fine up to the end, in fact, the day I went into labor I was debating on going into work then decided I would just go in the sign papers.  This time I am tired of my tummy getting in the way of everything! I am so much bigger (well measuring right on, and with Matthew I was always small) and it is definitely harder to bend over and get up and down off the floor this time around.  That being said, I want this baby to stay in as long as he needs to. :)

And yes we are getting super excited to meet this guy

Week 34

The doctor's visit today was good, short, sweet and to the point. Heartbeat sounded good.  The baby is moving, really active for 2 or 3 days, then hardly at all comparatively the next 4.  He does move everyday, but that's been the pattern.  Today has been pretty quiet.  I go in next in two weeks, then we are down to weekly visits and November.  Crazy! It has gone by super fast this time.

In other news I am feeling better!  My iron number went up from 9 to 10.5 with doing the two iron pills a day.  That means about 31.5.  It is still not where they want it, but its going up, that's a good sign.  They like it about 34 minimum and 36 is where they are more comfortable having it at.  They will just have me keep taking the pills, and hope it will continue to increase.  This last week though, overall, I seriously have had more energy than I've had my entire pregnancy it seems!  There are days that I'm still pretty tired, but for the most part I can actually get more than one thing done, its wonderful!  Hopefully it continues to rise as I near the end of the pregnancy. 

That's all for now, we'll see you in two weeks!

32 weeks

We made it to 32 weeks.  Hurray :). Baby is doing well. Heartbeat about 136ish, which is normal for this time.  Measuring about right on, 31 1/2 weeks.  I am guessing this will be a bit bigger baby than Matthew, who was a week late, but small.  He has always been small...he is almost 30 lbs now though!  Yes, still in the third percentile for weight. It has not changed.

So I have still been super tired. I wasn't sure if it was just because I was getting further a long in pregnancy, which I know defiantly has an affect.  Last time they said they would check my iron again.  I had to ask them, as they did not bring it up. They checked it.   It was at a 9 (so 27) and below a 11 is anemic.  They asked if I was taking the iron pills, which I have been every night.  They asked how I was taking them (best is on an empty stomach with vitamin c not with any calcium near time taking pill). I have been taking them right.  They said I need to double up on the pills. Now it will be one at night, one in the morning. I guess they will check next time and we will go from there.  I am just glad I am not below 6. If you are below 6 that could start causing issues for the baby, including higher risk for stillborn. 

I am down to the 2 week appointments for the next couple times and then down to weekly appointments. I can't believe it.  It has gone super fast compared to last time.  Last time I was super nervous for the little one to get here in general. This time I am still nervous to go through post patrum again. We are trying to make plans in case that happens.  However, even still, I would go through anything to have a little friend for Matthew and another little one in our home. Even if I go through it again, I am very greatful for this miracle. 

Test Results

Got back the results from the glucose test today, they were normal. WAHOO!  I am so glad.  Since I was just barely above the last time I took the test I wasn't too worried, but didn't know for sure.  Plus I didn't even think about it but ate french toast with syrup and juice that morning about 20 minutes before doing the first glucose test, and didn't even think about it.  That may have put the results up above normal I bet.  opps.  So glad it is over with! I was so out of it all day.   I didn't even fill like I was functioning.  My cheeks were trembling for a couple hours as well. As soon as the food I was able to eat  got digested and enough went through, about 8 pm, I was finally starting to regain strength.  Thank goodness Matthew was an angel all day long for me! 

Oh fun times again!

The results came back from the glucose test, and I was over by like 9 points. They said that is not much, but I still need to do the three hour test :(.  For those of you who have never done this you have to go to the office fasting the 12 hours before, then go get your blood drawn. Then you get to drink a more concentrated drink, and I think they take your blood every hour after that.  You have to stay at the office during this so three hours in the waiting room. Joy.  Four blood tests. If you pass all but one they may just recommend diet changes, if you have more then you have other things you have to do.  Wish me luck :).  A lot of people who take this second test don't actually have it, but also a fair number who do. 

They also said I'm anemic.  Much lower than they'd like. I didn't have that with Matthew that I know of, but they recommended I do iron and they will take blood again at the next appointment to make sure I am doing better. We usually eat a lot of beans, meat, eggs, green veggies, etc., but guess we need more.  Will be working on that. I do get tired easily and dizzy on occasion (once driving down the road, not good, and yes I did pull over!) but I figured its just regular pregnancy symptoms since it didn't seem too bad or often with dizziness. 

Also they did not mention the thyroid. I called them back and they said that it was normal so they didn't mention it. I figured that was the case, but better to make sure. 

Anyway glucose round two is tommorrow....

Latest

Got to do the lovely glucose test today.  It is not bad tasting to me, but I don't like the fizzly in your throat.  I also felt a bit sick to my stomach immediatly after the drink, but it went away realtivly quickly.  We will get the test results in a couple days, if I don't get back to you, they were normal.  When they were drawing the blood for the test they also took Thyroid.  I am not sure why but the hospital recommended they do that at 28 weeks, so they did. They asked me if i knew why. I said I didn't.  (they may have told me why, but I don't remember).  Anyway, thinking that will be fine.

The doc visit went well. Short, sweet, to the point. Baby heartbeat sounds good, and I am measuring just under 28 weeks, which is right where I am at. Matthew always measured just a bit small, so I am not concerned about that at all. Next appointment will be in four weeks, then I'm already down to the two week visits, crazy!  Its definalty gone a lot fast this time around.  There is so much to do before baby gets here.

I am also trying to prepare a bit in case I had post patrum depression like I had last time. Hopefully if I do it will not be as severe.  One thing I plan on doing is using paper plates/cups/etc to cut down on dishes for the first month or two as well as make enough frozen dinners for a month.  I have some ideas from six sisters, as well as costco that I want to try, but if any of you have favorite recipes that freeze well or websites you like, please sent them my way! :)

just thinking

Random thoughts today.  It took us a while to get Matthew here. It took us four years (by the time he is here) to get a second.  Most of the first year after Matthew birth I was dealing with a pretty mean post patrum depression so we were not trying at that point, just trying to get me back to a normal state of mind and being able to take care of myself and the baby I had.  Second year and few months was full of trying and testing to no avail.  The third year after that was tons of medical treatments, thousands of dollars, a miscarriage, and a D&C.  Fourth year starting out with another failed treatment, talking to the doctor about further treatment, a suprise pregnancy and hopefully a healthy baby in the end.  We still have no completed this segment, and there are no guarantees, but so far so good. :)
As I was reflecting and looking back I thought wow, I really have not had to go through as much as some other friends. I've known people who have had to wait 8 to 11 years for a second child. I've known people who have done all the treatments possible and are still waiting to adopt.  I've known people with multiple miscarriages. There are the friends that still don't have answers.  Looking back I can see my journey to a second, as painful and seemingly long as it was going through it, was short and easier compared to some.   Really, we have been blessed.  The journey was not as long as it seemed, and we are extremely happy with two. If we get another, wonderful. If we don't we, will feel  blessed with two.  And I'm greatful....