37 weeks 2 days

Friday, November 21st I had another OB appointment, and I saw another new doctor. Sorry, but I don't even know his name.

My appointment was at 1:00pm so of course I ate a sandwhich on the way there, which I learned was not the best thing to do. They put me on the monitor first, and since I just ate, Baby Brother didn't want to cooperate with them. He just wanted to lay comfortably and not move at all. Finally, after about 20 minutes, he started moving around. At this point, his heart rate went up to 182. I started to panic, but the nurse said it was okay to go that high. I also had a pretty big contraction while on the monitor. I have been having a lot of contractions lately, but not regularly enough to be really concerned. Having contractions seem to make me really tired. So, I have been trying to relax as much as possible...hoping to save up some energy for the real deal!!

I had another ultrasound today too...to check fluids & baby's breathing patterns. Doctor says everything is looking good! They didn't check dialation, which kind of surprised me...considering I am less than 3 weeks away from my due date.

I go back up to Harrisburg to be monitored on Black Friday. I have to go to the hospital for this appointment since the Office will be closed. Then I go back to see the Doctor on Monday December 1st. At that appointment we are going to check dialation and discuss scheduling me to be induced. So hopefully, at that point, I'll have a better idea of when Baby Brother will be joining us!!

I got another picture before we left for the doctor today...

SURPRISE!!

This past Sunday, some ladies from our church hosted a Surprise Baby Shower for us. I was VERY surprised to say the least. It was hosted by our assistant pastors wife...at their house. We were supposed to be going to their house for a church related "meeting". But, there was no meeting!!

Anyway, we received lots of great gifts. Including the baby bath robe I'm holding in the picture, as well as diapers, wipes, sleepers, thermometer, onesies, towels & washcloths, blankets, hats and toys & cd's.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended the shower! You ladies are amazing...not just for the shower & gifts, but for your encouragement & prayers!

36 Week check up

I saw the Doctor on Friday, for my 36 week check.

I did not have to be on the monitor this week, everything was checked through my ultrasound.

Baby Brother's heart rate was 131 and he weighs 6 lbs.

According to the measurements of his arms and legs...he is measuring at 35 weeks.

His weight measures out to almost 37 weeks. So we are expecting him to be short and chunky! :)

At this point, not too much is going on. We are just waiting on Baby Brother to make his appearance!

I go back to the doctor on Friday the 21st for my next check up!!

So little time...so much to do!

Well - it's official! The countdown has begun...I have 4 more weeks until Baby Brother is due to join us! I feel like I have so much to do to prepare. Here is a list of things I'll be working on over the next 4 weeks...hoping Baby doesn't come too early, so I can finish my list! ;o)

* Finish the curtains in Baby Brother's room...I decided to make them myself and I have to finish the one set and start the second!

* Find a quilt & buy crib sheets that will match his curtains

* Buy a few more items that are required for caring for a baby...monitor, diaper pail, bottles, etc

* Pack our suitcases for our stay at the Hospital -both Harrisburg and Wilmington

* Changing table for upstairs

* Put together the Swing, Stroller, and Car Seat

I'm sure I am missing a few things on my list, but these are just a few I have been concentrating on. We actually put together the stroller and Car seat last night. So I can cross that off my list!

I have been having more contractions...not strong ones, but they have been happening more often, even when I am laying down or resting. So, we'll see what the Doctor says on Friday.

35 weeks, 2 days

I wish I could get in the habit of updating sooner...sorry, I am almost a week behind.

Yet another check up...Friday November 7

Once again I was hooked up to the monitor to check Baby Brother's heart rate and movements. I was also being monitored for any contractions. Baby Brother cooperated and his heart rate and movements fluctuated accordingly...so well, as matter of fact, that I didn't have to do the entire half hour! Plus, I actually had a contraction while hooked up to the monitor. I never experienced Braxton Hicks contractions with my first two pregnancies, I had no idea what they felt like. Well, now that I experienced it while on the monitor, I know exactly what a contraction feels like. And...I have been having them for a few weeks. Not regularly at all, but at least one or 2 a day.

Anyway, I had one contraction and Baby Brother's heart rate was anywhere between 116 and 156. He moved quite a bit. I did have a quick ultrasound, but they only measured fluid and his heart rate again. Next appointment I will have the growth scan, to see how big he is getting!

Since I was having contractions, the doctor thought it best to check and see if I am dialating at all. I am almost at 1 cm...which is not much at all. I do find that I have contractions more frequently if I do a lot of walking. So, the Doctor told me to take it easy and make sure I get lots of rest so I don't have any contractions. Their goal is for me to go at least 40 weeks or even 41 weeks (YIKES!) to make sure Baby Brother is plenty big enough for surgery.

My next appointment is Friday November 14th...36weeks and 2 days!

34 Week check up...

Sorry for posting twice in one day. I wanted to update sooner but I had a very busy weekend, and when I did have a bit of down time...I slept! Anyway, I still wanted to take a minute to update from my OB appointment on Friday. I am officially on a weekly schedule to see the OB, so you will start to get more frequent updates...maybe! ;o)

Like I said before, I don't have to see the cardiologist until Baby Brother arrives. At that point the medical team from duPont in Wilmington will come to Harrisburg and care for Baby Brother, then transport him. So I will only be seeing my OB from now on. He says that a lot can happen in a week, so he needs to see me more often. That's fine.

This Friday was my first Fetal Stress Test. I was hooked up to the monitors for a half hour to record Baby's heart rate and movement patterns. Plus, it recorded any contractions I was having. Baby Brother was to move 2 times every 10 minutes...he definitley did that! He wasn't still much at all. His heart rate fluctuated perfectly according to his movements. His heart rate ranged from 117 to 162. I also had another ultrasound, however, it was only long enough to measure amniotic fluid...which was normal.

I will be having a Fetal Stress Test, weekly from now on. Plus regular ultrasounds every other visit, to measure Baby Brother. I am looking forward to my next appointment...I'm curious to find out how much he has grown...considering my belly is HUGE!

Should LIFE be a choice?

A rather akward title for this post, considering the topic for my blog...I know. I just wanted to share with you one thing I experience every Friday when I go to my Doctor appointments.

The OB that I go to is in a medical center attached to the Hospital. They are Specialists and the majority of their patients are high risk for whatever reason...these parents and doctors are fighting for the lives of the babies. Ironically, only less than 2 blocks away, there is a Women's clinic that performs abortions. Every Friday we go to the doctor, and every time we pass a group of young women, barely of age to vote, picketting and fighting for the right to have an abortion. It's very disturbing and angering. Even more than that, it breaks my heart to know that as I fight for Baby Brother's life, someone else is out there fighting to end a life.

Psalms 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.