Pictures

Belly!

Belly button pop...

Kitty cuddling with my computer

Jared and Simon dancing

 Kitty cuddling with me

 Sleepy Simon

 Kitty cuddling with the belly

30 weeks!

A little late. I've had an eventful week so far. If I have energy for pictures today, I'll get them uploaded!

How big is baby?

He's about 17 inches long and just over 3 pounds. 

What is baby up to?

He's packing on the body fat and continuing to grow stronger every day. His brain is developing the characteristic bumps and grooves that will eventually hold all the knowledge and skills he learns.

Movement?

Still moving, kicking, and rolling. At the non-stress test on Tuesday, he was being sneaky and rolling away from the monitor.

Blood pressure

Up since Friday. The highest I recorded it was 143/92, but most of the time it is in the upper 130s/upper 80s. 

Update

In addition to my blood pressure being up since Friday, I started having a few contractions this weekend. I went to my regular OB appointment on Tuesday, and she checked everything out after I told her about the weekend. Unfortunately, this change in my status means we will probably be delivering early.

In the office, I received the Rhogam shot, which is given around 28 weeks (or in my case 30 weeks) because of my blood type. I'll get another one right around delivery, to make sure my body doesn't develop antibodies to any possible future children's blood. I also had to get a Group B Strep (GBS) test, which is normally given around 36 weeks. If I would have GBS, it would just mean a dose of antibiotics right around delivery to prevent spreading to the baby.

Then I had to go to the Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit of the hospital. My OB told me to check in at the ER and they would take me up. The lady behind the desk at the ER had another plan, wanting me to walk all the way around the building to the outpatient check in. After telling her I'm on bedrest and can't walk any distance, she changed her mind and got me a wheelchair ride up to L&D. Once I got there, I was put on monitors and given a Non-Stress Test (NST), which just checked how often the baby moves and how well his heart rate changes as I drink apple juice and ice water. I was hooked up to the NST for about an hour. I also had another blood draw to check my blood levels of things that would indicate the preeclampsia is worsening. They had me wait in the hospital until the blood results came back. Fortunately, they still look good.

Per my OB's orders, I was also given a betamethasone injection. This is a steroid medication used to speed up the baby's lung development. Based on what I read, they only give the injection when the risk of delivery is high. The injection is given in two steps, 24 hours apart. I went back in on Wednesday for another NST and injection. Nothing like 3 shots in the butt in 2 days. The NST looked good again on Wednesday, so I got to go home after that. 

Now I'm just hanging out in bed or on the couch, hoping the blood pressure will go back down. I haven't worked on the knitting since my blood pressure went up on Friday - I'm not sure if that would have caused it, but I am just being cautious. I'll keep working on it, a little at a time and hopefully get that blanket done before the baby gets here.

We have some more cute cat pictures on the camera, but I'm still pretty wiped out from running around this week. Hopefully I'll get the energy for a belly picture and then I'll get them all uploaded soon.

29 weeks!

 

How big is baby?

He is about 17 inches long and just under 3 pounds, about the size of a butternut squash. 

What is baby up to?

He is working hard at packing on the pounds and increasing his body fat. His skeleton is getting stronger thanks to increased calcium deposits.

Movement

He's getting stronger!

Blood pressure

Holding steady, about 115/75 most of the time when I check at home. Every day it stays down is another day longer he stays inside!

Update

No appointments this week, my OB is out of town. One of my co-workers visited today and taught me how to knit. She brought over some super soft yarn for a beautiful baby blanket. I spent most of the day knitting after she left, and will keep it up tonight. Here's the progress so far:

It's Simon's turn for pictures. He snuggled up next to Jared on the other couch today.

28 weeks!

Made it to my first goal! Two more weeks until my next goal...

How big is baby?

He is about 16 inches and 2 1/2 pounds. Just a little bigger than the ultrasound last week.

What is baby up to?

He is able to blink his eyes, which were sealed up until this week. His skin continues to become smoother as he is gaining more body fat. He is also beginning to have regular sleep/wake cycles, and will generally sleep about 30 minutes at a time.

Movement

Still all over. I really enjoy when he has hiccups.

Blood pressure

Surprisingly low at my appointment today - 102/60. The nurse re-checked and got 126/64 a few minutes later, so that wasn't too far off. Measurements at home have consistently been around 115/75 with a few exceptions. My OB was very pleased by this. She did say that right around 28 weeks, blood pressure is typically at its lowest during the pregnancy and that it will most likely go back up.

Update

Good news at my appointment today - no gestational diabetes. Whew. One less thing to worry about. She said my weight gain is looking good too. My next appointment is in 2 weeks to check everything again, unless something comes up. Hopefully not, she's on vacation next week!

Weekly cat pictures

Kitty perched up on my neck as I was trying to eat dinner:

Simon rarely joins me on the couch, but he decided it was ok as long as he could lay beside Kitty:

...or on Kitty. Even if he outweighs her by 2 pounds:

Ultrasound

Belly!

Our little guy is growing up! According to the ultrasound today, he weighs 2 pounds 6 ounces. No concern about a growth restriction! And we got to see him again. So cute!

I had an adventure attempting to get the ultrasound for the measurements. I can't lay on my back for more than a few minutes at a time before I start to pass out. The poor ultrasound tech had to wait for me to roll to my left side and regain my composure before she could keep going several times. I'm glad Jared was there to drive me home. I didn't feel the best after that.
 
I also had to do another blood draw to make sure my kidneys and liver are still functioning well, in addition to a fasting glucose test and a 1-hour glucose test. I heard horror stories about the orange beverage involved in the 1-hour glucose test, so I expected it to be terrible. It wasn't too bad to me - just tasted like a melted popsicle.

Kitty is cuddling with me again tonight!

 

27 weeks!

Pictures will be loaded later - my photographer (Jared) is upstairs working and I'm resting and watching The Office.

How big is baby?

He is about 15 inches long and weighs about 2 pounds. I will be having a growth ultrasound on Wednesday, so I'll know exactly how big he is at that appointment.

What is baby up to?

He is able to suck his thumb, strengthening all of the muscles important to eating. He can even cry, but we won't hear him for quite some time!

Movement?

Still all over. Loving my ribs, and whenever I eat something spicy.

Blood pressure

Thought I'd add this since I'm monitoring it all the time. At the appointment today, it was down a little to 148/72. Most of my measurements at home are in the 115-125/70-85 range. As long as it stays below 160/100, all is well. Still no protein, which is an excellent sign.

Update

After the ultrasound on Wednesday, I will have a 1 hour glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes, in addition to blood tests to check levels of everything else related to preeclampsia.

Cuteness update

Kitty sleeping in Jared's window while he works:

 Kitty curled up, resting her head on my belly last night:

She has been great at keeping me company while I'm laying down.

Bed Rest

My blood pressure was still up at my appointment yesterday, so I am now officially on strict bed rest. I am allowed a shower and one trip down/up stairs per day, but will spend every other moment laying down. 

We were basically told that we'll be lucky to make it to 35 weeks. Too early for me. I'll do my best to relax and keep him inside as long as possible. The only problem is if my symptoms get worse, they'll have to deliver immediately.

I have another appointment with my regular OB on Monday, and a growth ultrasound on Wednesday. She said that if he isn't growing, there is no reason for him to stay inside. Here's to hoping for a big baby on Wednesday. 

I have to schedule an appointment with a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist (high-risk doctor), to meet just in case I would need to deliver early. Unfortunately, anything before 34 weeks can't be done at my hospital. I would need to go to either Tacoma General or St. Joseph in Tacoma, where they are prepared to take care of preemies in the NICU.  

Good news is that he is still kicking like crazy, and our cats are being extra cuddly to make the time go by. Jared is a cooking and cleaning machine, in addition to running his business and keeping up with homework. Can't wait until I can join in the fun again.