Another week....another appointment


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Well, we made it to 38 weeks! It's so hard to believe we have two weeks to go! My appointment went well today. Blood pressure is still good....pulse good....measuring as I should be....and Ayden is head down, as usual. This kid has been head down since our 31 week ultrasound. He seems to be very complacent and content. I hope this characteristic is one that stays with him. :) I had a few concerns to share with Carolyn (the midwife I saw) today. Yesterday, I thought my water had broken, but I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, so I didn't call anyone. I decided to just wait it out and see how it progressed. I've been told that when your water breaks, it doesn't stop....even if it's a trickle. This stopped...so I felt like it was nothing to worry about. Well, later on last night (after the water-breaking scare), I was feeling contractions similar to Braxton Hicks contractions but accompanied by some mild pain....and they were coming 10 minutes apart....lasting about 20-30 seconds each time. This went on for about an hour to an hour and a half. They started fizzling out after that and finally went away. During this whole time, by the way, Jeremy was making a list of everyone to call and when to call them...just in case....and he was reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting" so he could tell me what I was feeling. haha....it was cute.

Anyway, I asked Carolyn about the possibility of my water breaking and told her about the fizzling contractions, and since I tested positive for Group B Strep, she felt it was necessary to check to see if my water had indeed broken. So, she checked on that and then checked to see if I was dialated. I am happy to say that my water has not broken, AND I am 1 cm dialated and 50% effaced. I know I could be this way for weeks to come, but I am happy to know I've made SOME progress since the last time I was checked 2 weeks ago. 9 more to go, and we'll have our little bundle of joy with us!

Some of my friends are having a good time making their predicitions. Some are guessing as early as this weekend, and others are guessing right up to my due date. Either way, I did learn a valuable lesson from this little "scare." I learned that you may FEEL ready.....but I don't think you're every R-E-A-D-Y when it actually happens. I was feeling a myriad of emotions just with the faint possibility that it could really be time. I remember saying to myself, "I knew this was going to happen eventually....but I haven't prepared myself for it to actually happen!" I knew it probably wasn't the real thing, but still......scary, exciting, exhilirating, terrifying....all at one time. I'm left wondering what it's going to be like once the real thing actually comes!! :)

We're excited...and can't wait to meet Mr. Ayden is less than 2 weeks! YAY!!

37 Weeks - 3 to go!


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My appointment went well today. It is definitely becoming more real by the day! I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions more frequently, accompanied by few and irregular little pains, which I assume could be mini-contractions. We spoke to the midwife today (yes, Jeremy got to join me today!) about the routine for when I go into labor. Our routine is going to be a little different because I found out today that I tested positive for Group B Strep - which means that I will have to be in the hospital for 48 hours and receive antibiotics during the delivery. The reason our routine will be a little different is because in order to be sure the strep isn't passed to Ayden, we will have to get me to the hospital before my water breaks. Not sure how we're supposed to be really monitor that, but we'll figure it out. I figure once the contractions become 5 minutes apart, we'll call in and be on our way. I was a little worried about finding out about the strep, but I did some research and found out that 30% of women are carriers, and antibiotics eliminate all chances of the baby being affected. The midwife didn't seem concerned, so I won't be. Ayden has done marvelously up to this point , and God has blessed us a hundred-fold by making this an easy, uncomplicated pregnancy. It's in His hands, and I know He will take care of us.

We have 3 weeks to go, and we are getting so excited! Ayden's nursery is finished and ready to go. His bag is packed, but I need to get mine ready. :) All of his clothes, blankets, everything - washed, put away, waiting for him. Can't wait to have him here with us!

I'll be sure to keep everyone updated as we get closer!

36 Week Update


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As my pregnancy has progressed, I've never really felt "pregnant". Now, this is my first pregnancy, so I never really had a good frame of reference, but still....I had heard friends and co-workers talk about how miserable they were....how tired...how uncomfortable....and I haven't felt that way once. :) At 36 weeks, I've sort of been expecting to feel "pregnant" any day, but it seems to be a gradual process. I'm just so thrilled to have this little life inside of me and to know that this experience is between him and me....no one else can feel him like I can....no one else can bond with him like I can....and that seems to be my main focus instead of my current physical state. :) (My physical state, by the way, grows larger every day.....haha!)

I went to my 36-week checkup today. From now on I will go once a week - crazy!! I had to have the strep test and had to do the HIV test again...(which was just weird, but thank God I know the results to that one....) The midwife also checked to see if I was dilated or effaced. I am 50% effaced but not dilated. I didn't know what this meant as far progression towards actual labor, so I looked it up...and it was I expected - I can be 50% effaced for quite some time, so I'm not expecting him to be in a hurry. My sister and I were both born early, so we'll see if he decides to follow suit.

I think my weight gain is trying to compensate for 8 months of little weight gain because every time I go back for appointments, I've gained a lot more than I expected. I've decided it's all fluid, though. By the end of each night, my ankles are about triple their usual size...and that fluid has to pull some weight with it, so that's my stance - all fluid - it's not me. :P

Well, I go back next week...so we'll see how it goes and if things get exciting between now and then. My Braxton Hicks contractions have been coming a little more regularly than usual, which they say is normal towards the end. So far, everything has been normal, easy, and routine....hoping it stays that way. :)

OH - and we did the prenatal tour at the hospital. Trying to decide if I want Ayden to room-in with me at all times or if I want him to be in the nursery so I can get rest. We'll see....

Well, y'all have a great week!! I'm thanking God every day for such prayerful friends and family. I believe those prayers and God's grace has gotten us through such an uncomplicated, easy pregnancy. :) We're truly blessed.