January 20, 2013
Ok, so I have really gotten lax on keeping this blog updated. For several months, I was really busy with decorating the nursery, work, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holiday festivities. Now that I am on bed rest (more about that in a minute), I have some spare time to keep the blog updated.
What's Been Happening Since My Last Post:
1. Olivia's room is all put together. All that is left is just a few wall decorations that need to be hung.
2. I was tested for gestational diabetes a few months ago and failed the 1 hour glucose test. I had to then take the 3 hour glucose test, and I passed it. No gestational diabetes for me!
3. My heart began to get worse in late November and early December. I called my cardiologist back and explained that I was having shortness of breath, a fast heart rate, and fatigue. He set me up for a 2 week heart monitor that I wore during the Christmas/New Year holidays. He also ordered that I begin bed rest at that time until he got the results from the monitor back.
4. I was unable to follow my doctor's orders for bed rest very closely because Justin's father was admitted to the hospital on Christmas Eve. Christmas day we found out that his lung cancer had spread to his brain, and it was at Stage IV---the very last stage. He was able to come back home for a few days with hospice coming to their house to help, but it was short-lived. He was getting very sick, so they had to place him in the hospice hospital in Wichita Falls. I was over there pretty frequently to spend some time with him in his last days. He lost his battle with cancer on January 6, 2013. We were all so very sad to lose such a great man and that he didn't get to meet Olivia. He had wanted grandchildren for such a long time, and he was so excited about her.
5. Justin, my mom, and I all attended childbirth classes with my doula recently. We learned a lot about what to expect during labor and delivery and how to cope with several different techniques. I am still trying to go for a natural and unmedicated childbirth if my body is able. Our doula also made a visit to our house to help us establish a birth plan. I am getting so excited (and a little nervous) about the arrival of Miss Olivia.
6. I have made registries at Target, Wal-Mart, and Storkland for my upcoming baby shower. The shower will be February 2, 2013. I am getting so excited! I can't wait to have everything we need for Olivia so that I can begin "nesting" and getting it all together. I won't actually get to do a whole lot of the work since I am on bed rest, but I have lots of help from my mom, Kayla, and Justin. I know it will all get done somehow.
7. We had a growth scan on Olivia in early January when I was 30 weeks pregnant to make sure she is growing properly. We were pretty shocked to learn that not only is she growing properly, but she's growing a LOT more than average. She already weighed 4 lbs 9 oz at the 30 week ultrasound, which made her actually measure about 33 weeks. She is in the 98th percentile. I'm thinking I might have a big baby on my hands.
8. On January 17, I had a cardiologist appointment to meet with my physician about the results from the heart monitor that I wore for 2 weeks. It revealed that my heart rate was too high (over 100 bpm almost the whole time I wore it, and reaching the 140s at times). He really got on to me about following his orders more closely because my blood pressure drops really low when I have some of these episodes. He said it is not good for Olivia, and I really needed to do better. He ordered bed rest until I deliver her and recommended wearing compression stockings (yuck!) to improve my circulation. I am doing my best to stay lying down since the appointment.
9. I am now seeing my OB every two weeks. I can't believe I am getting so close to having this baby! I will see her every two weeks for 2 more visits, then it will be weekly appointments. I am now 32 weeks pregnant, and we all think she might be coming a bit early since she is measuring ahead. I hope so...I'm ready to meet her!
10. This upcoming week, I have an appointment with a chiropractor. My doula highly recommended seeing one because it is known to make labor and delivery more smooth when everything is in alignment beforehand. Here's to hoping it works!
How's that for a semi-quick update on the last several months? I am hoping to do better now that I have some time. I will be posting again soon!
