Dr. Reed

Not feeling up to writing a detailed post today, but we met with Dr. Reed this morning, as our normal doctor is on vacation. Both Bryan and I felt very comfortable with her and she seemed to be very supportive of our birth plan. She stripped my membranes, which was not a fun experience, but may help me go into labor. I'm currently still only dilated to 1cm. After some discussion, it was decided that we will go ahead with the plan to enter the hospital tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6pm to receive medicine to help my cervix dilate. The hope is that the medicine will dilate my cervix enough for me to go into labor. If not, they will start me on pitocin on Thursday morning to induce labor. I'm hoping this doesn't happen, but it is a possibility. If the induction is not successful and Emma is still happy, they will send me home and try again next week. That's not very likely to happen though. Dr. Reed seems to be on the same page with me and Bryan about avoiding a c-section, which is great for us! Anyway, that is the latest on where we stand with Emma's birth. I'm going to try to go for a short walk before it gets dark to try and help her move along.

39 Weeks...

My pregnancy feels like the Energizer bunny...it keeps going and going. I realize that I'm not even to my due date yet, so I shouldn't feel this way, but I'm a little impatient. It also might have something to do with the inability to get comfortable or sleep well.

Bryan and I went to the doctor on Thursday. I felt like she was pressuring us to get induced next week, even though she didn't come right out and say it. My cervix has become slightly more effaced, but is firm, and I'm still only at 1cm. This data does not point to a successful inducement. Not to mention, we already told her that we didn't want to be induced unless it was necessary. She is going on vacation from the 9th-16th, which is why she wants to induce on the Thursday or Friday before she leaves. Bryan and I told her that we would only induce if there was a medical reason for it, which does not include her vacation schedule. So, we are going to see the doctor again next Thursday (on our due date) and re-evaluate. If there still isn't enough progression, we'll plan to see the other doctor in the practice early the following week and induce at the end of that week if we have to. They don't want us to go much more than a week past my due date, as it can cause some problems for the baby and delivery. In my opinion, that qualifies as a reasonable cause for inducement.

Well, that's the game plan. We are still hoping that the baby comes on her own sometime in the next two weeks, but if not, then we'll be induced. That means our baby girl should be here within 2 weeks, no matter how it happens. I really don't want to have a c-section, but I'm sure I'm like most mothers out there, in that I will do whatever it takes to have a healthy baby.

Hoping my next posting will have good news!

Forever?

Is it possible to pregnant forever? I feel like am going to be..maybe I'll be the first! Needless, to say the doctor said there were no changes yesterday. I am still dilated to 1 cm and my cervix is not softening. I'm am walking every day, in addition to being on my feet at work, but to no avail. Emma is happy where she is and has not decided to start making her way towards the outside world. I have another doctor's appointment next Thursday. We'll see if there are any new developments by then. Until then, we will be waiting....

37 Weeks and Counting

Ok, so I'm ready for Emma to come now. I'm tired of being pregnant. It's really not all that bad, but I am ready to be done with this phase and meet our little girl. We have finished the nursery and I finally finished making my substitute plans for maternity leave. I am going to continue working as long as I can though. I am trying to get ahead in my current masters class, as Emma will be born sometime during it. Other than that, I am just waiting...

I went to the doctor yesterday and I am dilated to 1cm and the baby is still at a -3 station. I was hoping for more change since the last appointment, but I guess even a little progress is good. I go back to the doctor next Wednesday to check again. I'm usually not superstitious, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this Sunday, as it's the next full moon..lol! In all seriousness though, I'm trying to remember who's in control and leave it up to him. I know Emma will be born at the exact moment she is meant to be. Meanwhile, I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures of Emma's room.

Last Ultrasound

I went for my last visit and ultrasound with the high risk doctor this past week. I was excited to find out that the calcification is still gone!! So, I guess its time to breathe a sigh of relief and start believing that it won't come back. Little Emma measured in at a whopping 5lbs 15oz with 5 weeks and 2 days until her due date. Basically, she is almost the size of a small full term baby. I guess we are still looking at having a large baby. I'm hoping she is fully developed soon and will come a little early, just to lower the chances of having to be induced or having a c-section because of her size. However, the doctor doesn't seem concerned about it. She said that 9lb babies are perfectly normal. I wonder if SHE has given birth to a 9lb baby, as she might feel differently. Here are some pictures from the ultrasound. She has chubby cheeks like her mom.

Still keeping her hands close to her face. The fuzziness on the right side is the placenta.

I also asked the doctor if she had started to drop, but the answer was no. She appears to be enjoying her time inside the womb. She's in no rush to join the rest of the world.

In other news, Bryan finished the baby's room. I just have to finish washing some things and put them away. Then, we'll be completely done with the room. I am currently working on getting my maternity leave plans finished for the substitute. I'm finding that it takes a tremendous amount to work to plan for 3-4 weeks. On the books for this week are finishing my maternity leave and some other school tasks, packing my hospital bag, finish washing Emma's stuff, studying for my principal certification test (taking it on Tuesday), and the normal stuff around the house. I'm even hoping to sleep in next Saturday!!! Then, I'll have to start my next master's class. I want to work as far ahead as possible, because the baby should be born sometime during the course.

Baby Shower

Sorry, it seems like forever since I posted! Bryan, Emma, and I have been trucking along. Bryan and I took a newborn care class at the hospital on Tuesday night. Now, we only have our Childbirth Preparation class to go. Unfortunately, that class lasts an entire weekend. I also had my baby shower on March 5th. I can't say thank you enough to all of my friends and family that helped throw the shower. I had a great time! I also want to thank Marcia, my mother in law, for coming to visit from out of town and helping us get ready for Emma to arrive. I have the greatest friends and family in the world. Here are some pictures from the shower.

Me with the cake!

All of the attendees.

Me and the hostesses!

Miracle

God has worked a miracle on our little girl! I went to the high-risk doctor on Tuesday and she said the calcification is gone! They don't know where is went, but they can't find it anymore. She said that these things happen sometimes. We will still go back to the high-risk doctor one more time for another ultrasound in 4 weeks just to make sure its still gone. Yay God!

Baby Emma weighed in at 3lbs 14oz, which puts her in the 58% percentile. As long as she stays in the average weight range, I'll be happy. Of course we got more pictures, but Emma has the same attitude about pictures as her father; she doesn't like them. She kept covering her face everytime the doctor tried to take the picture. Here were some of the attempts.

Last Sunday, a friend came to take our maternity pictures. Bryan was not a good sport about it, but at least he agreed to be in them. My friend, Joe Anna, and her husband were the photographers. Check out their website here: http://www.haydonphotography.com/. Thanks so much Joe Anna!!! We appreciate it more than we can say and we can't wait to see the pics!

Progress has been made in the nursery, but we still need to do some decorating. I'll be updating pictures of the nursery soon. Marcia, my mother in law, arrives tonight, in preparation for my baby shower this Saturday. I'm excited about seeing all the people there. It should be a busy, but fun weekend. I also hope to buy some more items for the baby room, such as a crib mattress on Sunday. Things are finally starting to come together.

I'm still continuing to grow. I'm 31 weeks pregnant today..9 more weeks to go!! I'll be taking my 31 week picture tonight, when Bryan gets home. So, for now, I'll leave a picture of me (with my reluctant husband) from last week.