Friday, June 4, 2010

Pregnancy Update

Things with this pregnancy have become a little crazy lately. I have been really lucky in that I have never had problems with high blood pressure, or really any of the complications that can pop up during pregnancy before now.

But lately, the baby isn’t growing at the rate he should be. I was right on track until somewhere around 30 weeks, at which point my stomach stopped growing at the correct rate. As of right now, I’m 37 weeks but am measuring 33 weeks- a month off. At first the doctor and I figured that I just ‘hide’ a pregnancy well. This is actually true- I never got REALLY big with JJ or McKenna, and they were both about 7lbs when they were born. But as the growth has continued to slow, the doctor is taking more precautions.

I had an ultrasound last week that showed that the baby has a good sized head but that his abdomen and femur are measuring about 32 weeks. The estimate of his weight from that ultrasound was 5lbs 10oz, but because the head is bigger that estimate could be off quite a bit. Plus, ultrasounds become less and less reliable as the baby gets bigger anyway.

So now I am having weekly non stress tests too. If anything looks funny on one of these, they will just induce labor right away. I am full term, so I guess this isn’t really that big of a deal. My first non stress test was yesterday. I was so worried that something was going to go wrong that I was in a panic trying to scramble to do last minute laundry, packing my hospital bag, getting the house cleaned up, etc. But luckily the test went just fine and I wasn’t induced.

First, they measure how much amniotic fluid there is via ultrasound. The number needs to be between a 10 and a 26. The first time she got a 9.6 and since it was so close to 10 she decided to try it again. The second time she found a bigger pocket of fluid which bumped the number up to 10.5 so that was ok.

Next, they put a fetal monitor on you to measure the baby’s heart rate for 20 minutes. The rate needs to go up at least twice within the 20 minutes for you to pass. As that was probably the first time I had sat down all day, the baby was very active during the test and his heart rate went up 5 or 6 times. So he did really well on that.

I am supposed to do kick counts every day too. (Actually a good idea for all pregnant women.) But I just laughed as she explained that I needed to feel 10 movements within an hour- I probably had 10 movements in the time it took her to tell me that! That is the one thing that is very reassuring- this baby is VERY active. He keeps me up all night and it seems like he is constantly moving. So that is good.

My next test and Dr.’s appt is on Monday which is also James’ birthday. I am still worried about the baby’s size, but there just isn’t anything I can do about it, so I’m trying to keep my mind on other things for now.

When I had JJ we had just moved into our apartment 4 days before. I spent those 4 days sleeping (moving is SO exhausting, let alone when you do it at 40 weeks gestation) and getting the nursery put together. When we brought him home I didn’t know where ANYTHING was. It was a bad recovery, and I had such an awful time because I couldn’t find anything. I remember one day I really wanted to make some pasta but I couldn’t find my pots or pans yet. I was crawling around on the floor opening and moving boxes all around in my search. All the while completely exhausted, in pain, and with a jaundiced baby whom I didn’t really know how to take care of yet. It was really bad.

So now I have this totally irrational impulse to have EVERYTHING in its place, cleaned, organized, folded, prepared, in good repair, and ready for when I go to the hospital. Yeah, that’s not really feasible with a 2 and 4 year old in the house, but I still have to try! Apparently my logical inner self doesn’t yell as loud as my neurotic one does. The world will not end if I go to the hospital without having mopped the floor first!

Anyway, here is a recent (blurry) picture of what I look like. We’re still trying to figure out how to get our new camera to focus.

9 comments:

Nikki Taylor said...

You are sooo cute!! I had to do the non stress tests as well the last few weeks of pregnancy because of high blood pressure. All of the tests always went fine so I never thought twice about it...BUT then..the last one I went in for they didn't like what they saw so sent me to L&D that second and Jayne was here a few hours later. It was crazy! So I totally don't blame you for wanting everything ready..because you just don't know!! I hope the little guy is healthy as can be...my thoughts and prayers are with you. Let me know if you need anything!!

Emily said...

Marianne, I had no idea! I hope it goes well, call me if you need a place for JJ and Mckenna during your tests. I also really love to clean, seriously, especially other peoples houses. Weird, I know. I'm sure that your house really doesn't need it, but when can I come over and help???

Ashlie Dalton said...

i second the above comment about how cute you are!!
also, i kind of know how you are feeling with the stress of pregnancy scares. my bp was soaring by the end of my second preg. which is why they induced me. i had to have all those tests too. no fun. luckily you are far enough along at this point.
if there is ever anything you need don't hesitate to call me. i can babysit, clean your house, cook meals... just say the word and i'm there.
good luck marianne!!!

Amy said...

You are beautiful! Count me in if you need anything after - I'm good at crawling around on the floor looking for pots and pans. :D

You are so positive, I'd be whining that my baby was so active and I was unable to sleep, but here you are...looking on the bright side. You're amazing. (and beautiful!)

Chris and Michelle said...

Marianne -
I am so sorry about all the pregnancy scares! It can be so stressful... I am so glad to hear that the little guy is so active - that is always a good thing. I too measured several weeks (not a month like you) small with Parker. (Which was humorous because I looked like an oompa loompah and was getting sick of being asked if I was expecting twins when actually I wasn't even as 'big' as I should have been.) My doc started worrying that my placenta had stopped working so they sent me in for a 'specialized' ultrasound. THIS said just the opposite - that the baby was measuring almost 10 lbs - which freaked out my doctor since I am only 5'1 & (non prego) under 100 lbs. So petrified that I would have a massive baby they induced me (I was 39 weeks) and P was born 6 lbs 9 oz. TOTALLY normal size and my placenta was fine! This was one of the best hospitals and OB practices in Phoenix, mind you... ANYWAYS - it's so hard not to stress but you are smart to just try and keep your mind off things. No point in worrying til that baby is actually HERE and they real proof of anything because even with all the 'great' testing they have available, in my experience they aren't completely reliable. I also understand the irrational cleaning thing... I think I could be dying and I would still run around my house trying to make everything look perfect.

Is James home today? You should see if he wants to drive the kids out my way and they could play here all day. I'm not doing ANYTHING. REALLY! My kids would LOVE to have them run around the yard all day with them. It'd be so fun. Then you could clean and get some rest which is impossible with little people under your feet. I'd love to have them! LMK! 801-898-2109

Tiffany said...

I'm so sorry Marianne. Are you doing your NSTs at LDS? I also had to do those. I'm glad your little guy is so active. I would love to watch your kids any time. I know it's hard to take people up on that when they offer- but PLEASE take me up on that offer. We have way too many toys here for just one guy! Just to give you a BREAK!! I saw your new mini van parked in your driveway- looks good!!! Let me know how you like it

Heather Strong said...

Oh my! I hope that everything goes ok! Let me know if you need anything. I can always take McKenna again for awhile if you want to get some things ready. I am the same way. I need things to be perfectly organized before bringing a baby home!

Rachel said...

Goof luck! I'll be thinking about you!

Kristen said...

Sorry to hear that things are so stressful right now. I'm glad things went well at your last appointment. I hope and pray that all goes well for you with your labor and delivery!