12-30-10, Latest Doctor Update

Yesterday I went to the doctors office--twice. First, I went in for the normal routine check. The doctor said that nothing had really changed since last week, so due to my gestational diabetes he wanted me to schedule to be induced on January 3rd so that the baby does not get too big. He wants me to come in Sun night, and start a cream that is supposed to soften my cervix and help initiate more dilation, then start the induction Monday morning.

As I am waiting in the hallway for them to set things up, I hear the nurse who took my blood kinda whispering to him about something regarding me, but I heard him say "no, the baby's heart rate was good, b/p good, movement is good, sugars are good, she's being induced in a few days, she's fine..." So I thought nothing of it.

About an hour after getting home, another nurse that had been there called me and asked me if I could come back in to do a stress test. I said sure, and asked if everything was ok, and she was like "oh yes, we just want to check everything out with the gestational diabetes". So of course I get nervous that something is wrong and head in soon after.

I went in for the stress test. My regular OBGYN, Dr. Alt is there which is reassuring to see her. I actually haven't seen her for most of my pregnancy since they have you on a rotation so you can meet the rest of the doctors who may be on call the day you deliver. She was there to read the results of the stress test, and said baby is looking beautiful, everything was great, and that I even had one somewhat big contraction during it...So that put my mind at ease.

My only guess is that when the nurse took my blood for the iron test, maybe she ran my sugar level which may have been higher than normal since I had just eaten a few mins before and didn't have the two hours post-testing or something. I dunno...I was just thankful that baby was doing great.

So...came home and updated everyone on the plan, including my doula that we hired to be there to help with delivery. She was saying that if my cervix is not soft, or "favorable" as they put it, then it will not be an easy induction. She said that she does not know of anyone who induces just for the sake of having gestational diabetes. If there are no signs of distress, and the baby is not measuring too big, it's better to let them come on their own. Having had the stress test, I know everything is great, and last week the baby was measuring at approx 7 lbs which isn't a huge baby, so I agree.

I have been saying from the start that I plan to go into this being very flexible, open minded, and open to just about anything--no expectations....But the ONE thing I really didn't want was to be induced, just because it can be very traumatic on the baby, forcing her out before she's ready; not to mention it's a harder, more intense labor for the mother. If there was a medical reason, I'd say absolutely do it, but there doesn't seem to be...

So, yesterday I gave a call over to my office and spoke to Dr. Alt's nurse. I asked her to speak directly to Dr. Alt...As I mentioned, with the rotation of doctors, she had been kind of "out of the loop" with the latest situation. I updated the nurse on things and the latest plan, and also brought up the points that the doula made. I asked her to talk to Dr Alt and see what she thinks. I really respect and value her opinion, as I have been working with her for 3 years and she's been excellent. She is also a mom and has been pregnant herself, so I know she will consider it from that perspective. I mentioned the idea of pushing back the induction date a few days to give her more time to come on her own. It was near the end of the day, so she or nurse will call back in morning (today) after they've discussed it.

After looking over my chart, if she felt it would be better to go with the plan of being induced on Monday, I would go ahead and do that...but if she feels it's fine to push back a little, I would go ahead and push it back a few days.

It is not that we are not excited to meet our baby by any means. Matt has been hysterical, asking every day if today is the day, and wanting her to come. I just want her to come on her own terms. If we do need to be induced, there are other more "natural" ways/wives tales of things that can supposedly soften/stimulate the cervix that I'd probably consider. You hear things like massage (pressure points), sex, walks/exercise, spicy foods, castor oil, etc...Again, I wouldn't put anything into my body (such as castor oil), but would be open to some of the other more natural attempts...but all in all, I don't want to play God. I will leave it up to him to determine how and when he wants her to come. He's been in charge and in control this whole time, why not give this to him too?

Anyway, I will keep you posted on the update after I hear from Dr. Alt...

Update: Dr. Alt suggested we stick to the original plan, and I spoke with the nurse for ten minutes and she went into a lot more detail and reasoning behind inducing. She also reassured me that if my cervix doesn't soften with the medication, they will not go ahead and force the induction.

So...we will wait and see if she comes on her own before then, if not we'll be meeting her in 4 days!!

P.s. Here is the sweet e-mail Matt sent me before the doctor appointment. I wanted to add this to Ashley's blog since all of the postings have been from my perspective--wanted her to read and hear her dad's feelings about her too...

Good morning Lisa,

I saw you were up again last night and I hope you were able to get adequate sleep. I just want to know that I will be thinking about you all morning with your MD appt today. I really pray that everything is going well. I sincerely can't wait to meet Ashley and have an opportunity to care for her. It has been so cool watching you go through these changes over the past 9 months and knowing that our baby girl is growing inside you. I just want to let you know that I am as excited as you are and just can't wait to be a dad.

Love,

Matt

12-26-10, 39 Weeks...any day now!

12-23-10, Dr. Appt update

Just the latest from the doctors visit...I went today and they said the baby has dropped, Ashley's head is down nice and low. I am about 1/2 cm dilated (that's 1/2 more than last week at least), and the doctor was guessing that she's about 7 lbs. Everything is looking good!

I have to say, all in all I feel great. Granted I have some sleepless nights--one night I sleep through the night, then the next I wake up to pee and am wide awake for hours, and it's on and off. But that is to be expected for being this far along...And now that she's dropped there's more pressure on my bladder, but I guess I expected the symptoms to be a lot worse from what people have told me. I still feel pretty human and good!

Yesterday was my last day of work before Christmas break and maternity leave, so now I can really be in baby gear! Matt and I are both getting very excited. Every day Matt keeps asking if today's the day, and keeps suggesting things to rush her out! Lol. The other night we were making guesses at when she'll be born, and whose features she'll have--i.e. eyes, nose, ears, legs, feet, etc. Can't wait to see!

I know that there is no perfect parent out there, and that no matter how good of parents people try to be, there's no way that we can possibly meet every need our child has all the time since we ourselves are human with human limitations, and our child's needs may be very different than what we needed as children. But all in all, I hope when Ashley looks back on her life she will know how much she was loved and wanted right from the very start. I hope this blog will help her to see that too!!

P.s...today the countdown says 10 days...Last day in the double digits! Wow!

Dr. Update

The past few days I have been feeling some "pre-labor symptoms"--cramping on and off, lower pains in groin, and other typical symptoms. They say you can start feeling these symptoms up to a few weeks before giving birth. I went to the doctor today, and I thought for sure that when they checked I'd be somewhat dilated at least, but they said my cervix was still closed. We were kinda bummed to hear that. I don't know why, but I just have this gut feeling that she's going to come early, so I guess I was expecting to hear something. So, no news for now. Will keep you posted...

Sun 12-12-10, 37 Weeks

12-2-10

Today we moved into the final window of the baby countdown!

Ashley's Nursery: The finished Product!

Here are pictures from Ashley's nursery! The only thing left to add to it is her!

35 Week Pic

Here are a few pics taken on Sunday, November 28th, when I turned 35 weeks

11/27/10 Ashley's Nursery..the work in progress

Lisa and Bruce, or grandmom and grandpop, came down for a few days for Thanksgiving. While they were down, we were able to complete Ashley's bedroom. Matt and I have been working on it for quite sometime, we were just waiting on the finishing touches.

I was really happy because as I wrote in an earlier blog, I had wished I could be talented enough to make her bedding myself, or have some kind of homemade keepsake from me...well I got my wish. I was able to help make her curtains, I recovered her rocker/glider, and I had made an art project out of the letters of her name that we had gotten for a shower gift. A lot of time, work, and love was put into her room from start to finish. Here are pics from our project...the finished product will be up shortly after I get everything straightened up!

In other news, we have finished our baby classes. I had a lot of fun with Matt at the birthing class. It was just a fun/bonding moment for us. I was saying that it's too bad you're in so much pain during the real thing, otherwise it would be a fun experience for husbands and wives...lol...even with the pain, I know it will be such a sacred and special time for the two of us!

P.s...the baby countdown says 36 days left (or less)!!

11/21/10--34 Weeks--Update

Today we are 34 weeks, 6 or less to go! The baby countdown says only 42 days left...crazy! I figured I'd write to update on how things have been going.

Well, turns out I do have gestational diabetes. It's pretty ironic, here I am an LPC specializing in Eating Disorders. I practice what I preach about eating mindfully and intuitively, having no such thing as good foods or bad foods, and eating a variety of foods. And now here I am having to be on a food plan and monitor what I eat and my sugars. Goes against everything I practice and preach! Haha...Darn you genetics! In the beginning it was really tough, especially since I do usually enjoy something sweet after dinner some nights. But now I've gotten used to it and it's become part of my lifestyle. And I know that it'll all be worth it. Plus, it certainly gives me even more empathy for our diabetic clients who have this permanently.

Aside from that transition, things have been pretty busy lately! I think I am definitely in the "nesting" phase of pregnancy, trying to get everything ready and prepared just in case Ashley comes early. One of our friends had her baby 6 1/2 weeks early, so that's been in the back of my mind. But rationally I know that if she were to come today, we have everything we need to start, and everything else would fall into place as life always does.

We have also been busy with lots of baby classes--we took the OB tour, the Preparing for Baby class, the Breastfeeding class, and we have one more tomorrow and Tues night to prepare for birthing/Lamaze. They have been helpful. Since I have been babysitting since the age of 11 or 12, and having worked at a daycare with infants and children, it is comforting to see how much I already do know, but there is still lots to learn. I have enjoyed them and they do bring you more ease going into things.

I've also had weekly doctor appointments now. Despite the gestational diabetes, everything looks "great". The baby's vitals look good, my weight and belly measurements are exactly on track, blood pressure good, and since I've been monitoring my sugars they are great too. One bonus of the gestational diabetes is that they may induce me a week early! They usually like to do that. We won't know until about the week before, they have to see how everything is progressing, but if it looks good she may be here closer to Christmas.

I have also been busy at work. I have been training two women, so it's been crazy! One is taking my place while I am on maternity leave, then she will stay on an extra day when I return so that I can work very part time hours for a while (I hope to work only a day or two at most). She is already an LPC (licensed professional counselor), but she was more of a general/broad counselor. So I have been training her and another person on the specific eating disorder piece. I didn't realize that there was SO much information/things they need to know. I just do it each day, it's part of what I do and I don't stop and think about all that goes into it, so it has helped me step back and see all the work and information that goes into my job. I'm also trying to tie up loose ends at work and have everything in order with doctors, referrals, and paperwork before I leave.

Then we've also been pretty busy with other things....over the past couple of months we've had lots of company, trips, trying to hang out with friends, baby showers, and now we've got the holidays coming up. I figured I'd start Christmas shopping early while I can still walk around since next month will be pushing it.

Needless to say, there's been a lot to juggle. I have decided to cut back an extra day at work after Thanksgiving so that I can balance a little better. Need to practice what I preach about self care, and I have been feeling like I need this lately. That way I can take care of things I need to, while also resting and enjoying this time in my life. I am looking forward to it.

We are also getting very excited to meet Ashley. I can't wait to see who's been moving around and kicking me! I love it all though! It's weird to look at her clothes and not know what the baby who will be filling them will look like or be like. Can't wait to see. I just feel so blessed to be able to experience all this.

11-14-10, 33 Weeks

10-31-10, Happy Halloween and 31 Weeks

Happy Halloween! Matt and I have had lots of busy weekends with traveling and company (and more coming up), so we took advantage of the weekend with just the two of us since there won't be many more. We had a fun time--Friday we went to dinner at PF Changs, then went to see a play called The Woman In Black, which was fun for this time of year. Then today he and I went to Denver Downs, which had a ton of fun stuff to do! They had a corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin picking, games, zip lines, etc. Here are some pics from today, and also our cute Halloween belly shot :)