Blog – Page 24 – The Late Stork

I just had my weekly baby-checkup. My blood pressure is still a little high. They checked it 3 times. My poor arm had red welts on it. I have really sensitive skin, and can’t stand the blood pressure cuff.

The first time it was 150/70. The second time it was 139/72. The third time it was 129/70 something… I can’t remember. So anyway, they want me back in 4 days, instead of waiting a full week, to keep a closer eye on my blood pressure.

My urine sample was normal, and the Group B test I took last week was negative, so that’s good! After my cervical exam, the Dr said I was 1/2 centimeter dilated, and 70% effaced. He said that it’s normal to be around 50% effaced, but I’m at 70%. I’m making progress! He said, “That means you probably won’t have to be induced.” Yay! Baby Faith may arrive sooner than expected! By week 37 I am now considered full-term so whenever she plans on making an appearance, it will be completely normal, and she should be fine.

Since the exam I have been having some spotting. This is the first time this has happened to me so I called the doctor just to make sure it isn’t anything to worry about. The doctor on call said, “It’s normal for some bleeding to occur up to 24 hours after an exam.” So we don’t have to make a mad rush to the hospital. I am having no contractions or any pain. Well, a little pain, and alot of pressure near the bottom of my belly, especially when I’m standing/walking, but nothing intolerable. I don’t believe I’ve even had any Braxton Hicks contractions, yet.

Last week I wasn’t dilated or effaced at all. It’s great to see that my body is finally preparing for delivery. Please keep us all in your prayers for a safe delivery, and a happy healthy baby.

37 week belly pic!

Video of baby’s progress!

In Blog

Today’s Baby Check-Up

sherryae76June 4, 2012September 6, 2012

Well, it’s a gloomy, rainy morning, and I just got back from my follow-up appointment to re-check my blood pressure. I thought I would only be there briefly, but no; I was there for almost 2 hours. I really wish Aaron was with me today. I didn’t think he needed to be there, but it turns out I really wanted him with me. I don’t know why, but the closer I am to my due date, the more clingy I am towards him. I don’t like when he’s far away at work :(

So, I get to the doctor’s office, and give a urine sample. They checked my weight; 163 lbs. and then my blood pressure; 153/90. My BP was even higher than last time. At this point, I am getting very nervous. Is this a symptom of preeclampsia? Will my BP go down? Will they want to induce me?

While waiting for the doctor, I saw the calendar on the wall. For the month of June, it had strawberries on it :)

I took this as a good sign :) It reminded me of when I just bought my fixer-upper home, and while I was removing my old kitchen cabinets (and having a really bad day that day) I found a picture with strawberries on it, and a Bible verse that gave me reassurance…

That picture is hanging up in my kitchen now :) It’s true … If you seek Him, you will find Him – Matthew 7:7. You just have to keep your eyes open, and you will see Him ALL of the time… right when you need Him.

The doctor finally came in, and did another cervical exam. I am 1 centimeter dilated, and 75% effaced. Once again, I am bleeding after the exam, and feeling a little crampy, but not bad. After the exam, she said, “Your urine sample came back normal. No protein in the urine, but I’m concerned about your blood pressure. So I want a Fetal Non-Stress Test (NST), a 24-hour urine test, and a blood test done.”

I was moved to another room where there was a couch to lie on, and a fetal monitor next to it. They placed two straps around my belly. One for the baby’s heartbeat, and one to measure my contractions. The nurse said, “The baby’s heartbeat should be around 140 to 160 beats per minute, and the contractions can range from 0 to 100.” I told the nurse, “I’m not having any contractions yet.” I guess it’s just procedure to monitor everything. They told me that the test would last about 15 minutes. It turned out I was lying there for about an hour.

At first Faith wasn’t moving at all. I knew she was sleeping. Her heart rate was fine, but the line that was recording her movement showed no activity; no spikes or dips on the paper that was coming out of the fetal monitor. What was interesting was that the line that monitors my contractions were spiking to a little over 50. I had no idea I have been having contractions. No pain; no pressure.

After about a half hour, they brought me some cold apple juice. That woke up Faith. She started wiggling around; happy to get some sugar! :) I was starting to get cold. The AC and the cold juice was making me shiver. It was hard to drink the juice while lying down. I was getting uncomfortable on that couch, but I just continued to listen to Faith’s heartbeat, and watched the paper feed. I really wanted my hubby with me.

A couple nurses came in intermittently to tear off the paper feed and give it to the doctor. They didn’t explain the test results to me, yet, but Faith’s heart beat, movement, and my contractions seems normal to me. I wasn’t in pain or stress, and Faith didn’t seem to be either.

After about an hour hooked up to the monitor, another nurse came in to re-check my blood pressure. It was 116/60! She said, “It’s real good.” Yay! Shortly after that, the doctor said I was free to go home. I asked about the non-stress test; hoping to get a little more information about the contractions I am having, and if Faith’s movements are frequent enough, but all the nurse said to me was, “The doctor said everything looks fine!”

They gave me a bag that contains what I need for the 24 hour urine test, and then scheduled me for another appointment in two days; Wednesday at 8:30 am. At my next appointment I will give them the urine, and they will give me a blood test. I hate needles, but I need to toughen up! I won’t make Aaron stay home from work to go with me, but I won’t complain if he does :)

Those belts strapped to me left indentations. Goodness I’m so puffy and swollen.

I’m glad to be home now. I just want to relax, and wait for Aaron to come home. Please pray that both urine, and blood tests come back normal! Faith is tough! Just a few more weeks to go! :)

In Blog

Baby blanket, Cleaning, Cooking, Last Day of Work, and Week 38!

sherryae76June 8, 2012September 6, 2012

I wonder if this will be my last baby-update post. These past few days have been exhausting for me. I don’t know if I can carry this kid much longer. It is SO difficult to simply turn over in bed during the night without pain and discomfort. It truly feels like I am trying to shift 10+ pounds with extremely weak abdomen muscles during the night. Getting up to pee all night is a major struggle, too.

Yes, this may be my last baby-update post.

Wednesday I had a follow-up visit at the doctor to give them my 24 hour urine sample, get my blood pressure checked, and get some blood drawn. Aaron was able to go with me :) His way of distracting me while getting blood drawn was to put his finger in my ear. Nice :) I don’t know what the test results are on the urine, and blood, but my blood pressure was much lower! 126/83! The doctor doesn’t seem to be worried, and he said, “I’m sure the tests will come back normal.” I also had another cervical exam. I’m still at 1 centimeter dilated, and 75% effaced. My next appointment is Wednesday at 8:15 am. Unless I go into labor

Last Friday was my last day of work. I won’t be returning. I plan on staying home for at least a year with the baby, and after that I hope to get a job at a licensed daycare or preschool, which will allow me to get my TEACH Grant. This grant will pay 90% of my tuition when I continue on to St. Mary of the Woods college to get my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood education.

Leaving my place of employment was more difficult than I thought it would be. I have been there for 12 years, and my co-workers, and boss became friends and family to me. They surprised me with a cake, flowers, card, and some things for the baby at the end of the day!

This cake was so yummy! Fresh strawberries!

My boss got me diapers, wipes, baby wash, flowers, a cake, and card. I was so surprised, and so thankful :)

Everyone signed the card. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone.

It was really hard to pack up my things before leaving work. Before I touched anything, I took pictures on my phone of the things that have accumulated over the years. I wanted to remember it all just as it was, before I packed everything up.

This is my cubicle.

The picture to the left is Randy. My co-worker, and friend that passed away several years ago. The little boy in the other picture is my nephew when he was 3 years old.

Randy would get me stickers from those claw machines all of the time :)

More stickers that Randy gave me :)

To the left is a shoebox with seashells in it. My co-worker’s daughter, Kelsey, made this for me. I’ve watched her grow up from a baby to 11 years old!

Some of the books that have accumulated at my desk over the years.

Fortunately, my boss said if he really needs me, I can try and work a little from home. I’m thankful that I can earn some money without being away from Faith. So I won’t be a total stranger. I will still get to see them all from time to time. It won’t be the same as before, but they will still be a part of my life. Now when I see them they will be called, Uncle Joel, Uncle Ray, Auntie Michelle, and Auntie Christina ♥

Since I’ve been home with no job to go to, and classes are out for the semester, I’ve been trying to catch up on some cleaning and organizing. Chores have been wearing me out so fast! I’m all caught up with laundry and dishes, but I haven’t yet summoned up enough energy to sweep, vacuum, and mop all of the floors, or clean out the fridge. There’s still lots of dusting to do, bathrooms to clean, windows and counter tops to wash down. At least everything is put away, and organized. All except the garage, ugh :(

I also have been trying to finish the baby blanket I’m crocheting for Faith.

It will be little crocheted squares of pink, and white. Once it’s all put together I plan on stitching her name on it ♥

Tomorrow is Aaron’s birthday! We are going to have a small get-together at the park with Aaron’s friends and family to celebrate his birthday, and the upcoming arrival of our baby girl ♥ I can’t wait! Most likely I will be reclining in a lawn chair most of the time, but I know I will enjoy the party :) I will post pictures after the party… if I’m not in labor, and at the hospital :)

Last week me and Aaron went to his parent’s house so his mom, Terri, can give us some cooking lessons. I can’t make sausage gravy without it turning out extremely bland and pasty. Aaron can’t fry hash-browns without it turning into a pile of white slime. So off we went on Saturday morning to learn a thing or two. I had fun :)

It turns out I was making the sausage gravy all wrong. I would add butter and flour first to make a roux, then I would add milk, salt, and pepper, the let it thicken up. Lastly I would had the cooked sausage. I didn’t realize I was making a tasteless white gravy! Terri cooked the sausage first, then added flour, then milk. It thickened up nicely and was FULL of flavor! The sausage flavored the gravy. DUH! I was doing it backwards.

When Aaron was trying to fry hash-browns, the oil wasn’t nearly hot enough for the potatoes to brown, and they just turned into oil soaked mush. Terri waited for the oil to get hot enough to where you can see waves moving in the cast iron pan. It was very hot, and the potatoes browned perfectly. I need to get a cast iron pan. Breakfast was delicious! Thanks Terri! ♥

Aaron’s Aunt Lola made a coconut cream pie just for us to take home! I can’t wait to get some baking lessons from her next! But before going straight home to devour that pie, we stopped at a restaurant to eat a different pie :) This little restaurant makes the most mouth watering strawberry pie! I just had to have it! Every summer they make sure to let everyone know when their strawberries are in season, and the pies are made!

We sat outside, and I waited for those huge, fresh strawberries topped with whip cream. Omgoodness it was sooo good.

Yes I ate it ALL!

I waited until later in the day to try Aunt Lola’s coconut cream pie. I was stuffed for most of the day, but once my hunger returned… forget dinner… I wanted that pie!

It was SO pretty, and SO delicious! Aaron agreed :)

See… no wonder I can’t hold this baby inside me anymore! All this good food has fattened her up! :) I won’t be surprised if Faith comes out crying for Mamaw Carpenter’s biscuits and gravy, Aunt Lola’s coconut pie, and a few plump strawberries, instead of milk!!! :)

38 week belly pic!