35 weeks and bed rest
This post should actually be titled "34 weeks and bed rest" because I've already been horizontal for an entire week now. But, now that we've made it to 35, I'm concentrating on that number instead. Every day counts and I'm just praying that I make it a few more weeks. Until then, I will be dreaming of taking 4-mile walks with Sherman through the woods. Did you even see him in that picture? Look closely. He kind of looks like a small pony.
A couple of weeks ago I went in for my weekly ultrasound and they found that my amniotic fluid had dropped from an 11 (which they thought was low to begin with) to a 6 in just one week. For those who don't read about amniotic fluid on the daily, normal pregnancy levels during the third trimester are 5-25cm so anything around a 5, they start to worry about. Anything below a 5 ... and you can betcha you'll be admitted to the hospital to be monitored closely.
So, they took another look a few days later and sure enough, I had dropped to that magical number of 5. Luckily it was a 5.2, so I am still hospital-free. However, I left the office holding a note that said BED REST in big, bold letters. So I ripped up that note and took Sherman for a run. Just kidding. But I did think long and hard about how to get out of it. I'm not exactly a bed rester. I don't watch tv. I don't read books. I don't take naps. But, that's what I've been instructed to do. Relax. Take it easy. Build up my fluid.
10 hrs horizontal at night 6 hrs horizontal during the day. The rest of the time I get to sit up. Yippee. ;)
So, they took another look a few days later and sure enough, I had dropped to that magical number of 5. Luckily it was a 5.2, so I am still hospital-free. However, I left the office holding a note that said BED REST in big, bold letters. So I ripped up that note and took Sherman for a run. Just kidding. But I did think long and hard about how to get out of it. I'm not exactly a bed rester. I don't watch tv. I don't read books. I don't take naps. But, that's what I've been instructed to do. Relax. Take it easy. Build up my fluid.
10 hrs horizontal at night 6 hrs horizontal during the day. The rest of the time I get to sit up. Yippee. ;)
Bed rest honestly hasn't been that bad though and one reason I took so long to even write this post is because I never want it to seem like I'm complaining. Every other blog I read and every other person I talk to ... a story comes up about someone not being able to have a baby. Someone struggling with getting pregnant. Or staying pregnant. It breaks my heart. And even though I had some struggles of my own, I feel so very blessed to be where I am and I never want to take it for granted. But holy moly has he been a high-maintenance fetus.
Currently I am seeing maternal fetal specialists weekly to get biophysicals and non-stress tests on baby boy. The awesome news is that he has passed both BPPs with 10/10 and also did very well on his first NST. He is a champ at practicing his breathing and is measuring in at a whopping 6.2 lbs. He is still in the breech position, which is no surprise with the level of fluid that he has to work with. So, I've been told to go ahead and prepare for a planned C-Section. Damn. I won't get to experience those amazing labor pains after all. ;) We're hoping to make it to 38 weeks, but depending on his growth pattern and fluid levels, we might be holding our baby in about two weeks. TWO weeks people!
So, we are no longer looking at a November baby. And hopefully not a September baby because that would mean giving birth tomorrow (yikes). Let's hear it for that October baby! :)
Other updates: Sherman is doing well. He doesn't quite understand why mom is being so lazy and laying on the couch all the time, but he makes an effort to give me 24 slobbery kisses a day, usually when I'm sound asleep, just to make sure I'm alive.
Dan is just being his normal "Superman Dan" self. He goes grocery shopping and cooks me amazing meals like Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash (Really? Who cooks with Saffron??). He buys me flowers and does the laundry and gets me books from the library and runs ridiculous errands that I think are extremely important. He wakes up early to feed Sherman and takes him on morning and evening runs. Yesterday he installed the car seat and set up the bassinet and has been getting everything ready for the arrival of our boy. All while his wife lays on the couch, eating candy corn and watching The Real Housewives of ____. Dan, I know you don't read my "coffee cup blog" and may never read it ... but thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are beyond amazing.
Guys ... it's finally getting COLD outside!!!! Hip hip!
Currently I am seeing maternal fetal specialists weekly to get biophysicals and non-stress tests on baby boy. The awesome news is that he has passed both BPPs with 10/10 and also did very well on his first NST. He is a champ at practicing his breathing and is measuring in at a whopping 6.2 lbs. He is still in the breech position, which is no surprise with the level of fluid that he has to work with. So, I've been told to go ahead and prepare for a planned C-Section. Damn. I won't get to experience those amazing labor pains after all. ;) We're hoping to make it to 38 weeks, but depending on his growth pattern and fluid levels, we might be holding our baby in about two weeks. TWO weeks people!
So, we are no longer looking at a November baby. And hopefully not a September baby because that would mean giving birth tomorrow (yikes). Let's hear it for that October baby! :)
Other updates: Sherman is doing well. He doesn't quite understand why mom is being so lazy and laying on the couch all the time, but he makes an effort to give me 24 slobbery kisses a day, usually when I'm sound asleep, just to make sure I'm alive.
Dan is just being his normal "Superman Dan" self. He goes grocery shopping and cooks me amazing meals like Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash (Really? Who cooks with Saffron??). He buys me flowers and does the laundry and gets me books from the library and runs ridiculous errands that I think are extremely important. He wakes up early to feed Sherman and takes him on morning and evening runs. Yesterday he installed the car seat and set up the bassinet and has been getting everything ready for the arrival of our boy. All while his wife lays on the couch, eating candy corn and watching The Real Housewives of ____. Dan, I know you don't read my "coffee cup blog" and may never read it ... but thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are beyond amazing.
Guys ... it's finally getting COLD outside!!!! Hip hip!
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