13-1-2009 - Third Trimester with Darwin - Part 2

My mood while writing this blog: same

April 15th, 2008

07:44 am: 31 weeks, 2 days
I actually slept last night. I took Benadryl and laid down and fell asleep almost immediately. I got up twice to potty and came back to bed and fell right back asleep both times. I feel so much better today, not just physically but emotionally as well. It is amazing what a little sleep can accomplish!

08:57 pm: 31 weeks, 2 days
I got some good news today. My bile acid results came back and my cholic acid level is only slightly elevated and the other bile acids are normal. They are still operating under the assumption that I have cholestasis due to my LFT levels being abnormal, but they are thinking that they caught it early. I am far from posing danger to Darwin at this point, which is a relief. So if I can just keep from going into labor early, life is good!

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April 17th, 2008

07:05 am: 31 weeks, 4 days

My medication for the obstetric cholestasis has started working and I have now slept for three nights in a row. I still itch, but it's manageable now. I have an ultrasound this morning with the maternal and fetal medicine doctor to see how big Darwin is and how he's reacting to the gestational diabetes. Then I have my weekly checkup in the afternoon. I want to talk to the doctor about the period-like cramping I've been having and also let him know that I've had diarrhea. I'm hoping this doesn't mean that I'm dilating... I will post when I'm all done with the appointments this afternoon.

11:26 am: 31 weeks, 4 days
I still have my appointment with the OB, but I am done with the ultrasound and the gestational diabetes checkup. Darwin looks GREAT! He is healthy and moving around and he is practicing breathing. He has his daddy's long toes, not my stubby toes. He looks like he has really full lips. His head is engaged in my pelvis, so it was a little painful for them to get the head measurement, but they got it and Darwin weights 4 lbs., 14 oz.! What a big boy! The doctor said that he is about a week and a half bigger than he should be, but that it isn't enough to be alarmed about and it is expected with gestational diabetes. They are putting me on oral medication to help control my sugar. I am supposed to take it before breakfast and before dinner. She also said that if I walk for just a few minutes each evening, it will help my body regulate the sugar overnight since I tend to have high sugars in the morning. Anyway, the important thing is that Darwin is healthy and ADORABLE! :)

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April 18th, 2008

08:58 pm: 31 weeks, 5 days
I am in the hospital. It is a long story. I went to my OB appointment yesterday afternoon. They hooked me up for a non-stress test when I first got in the room. I had no idea, but quickly found out that I was once again having contractions 5 minutes apart. Dr. Weiss wanted to examine me and when he did he said, "Giiirrrrl! You're two, almost three centimeters dilated!" I asked if I was effaced and he said I was about 80% effaced. So they sent me to labor and delivery and started me on a magnesium sulfate IV to try to stop the contractions. They increased the dosage multiple times before finally getting the contractions under control yesterday evening. Luckily, when they checked me later, I had not dilated any further, so that's good news. They also gave me the first of two steroid shots to develop Darwin's lungs at 4pm yesterday. They were able to keep me stable all day today with max 2 or maybe 3 contractions in an hour. They got the second steroid shot in me at 4:30pm today. I have to wait 48 hours after the first shot before Darwin's lungs will be fully impacted by the steroids. So they are going to continue to stabilize me with the magnesium until roughly 4:30pm tomorrow and then turn the mag off. Then it is just wait and see. Either I will continue to not have contractions or I will quickly resume contractions. If I don't have them, I imagine they will monitor me here in the hospital for a while and then MAYBE send me home on complete bed rest. If I do start contracting again, they will go ahead and deliver me.

The NICU came and talked to Richard and I about what to expect. Lung immaturity and breathing issues will be Darwin's number one challenge. The NICU nurse said that just getting these steroids in will help with that a great deal. The other thing they talked about was basically a hemmorage in the brain, which at his gestational age happens in only about 2% of babies. The survival rate is good, according to NICU and it's more a question of when we would be able to bring him home. They have to get him feeding on his own, which babies don't normally figure out until 35 or 36 weeks, so until then he will have to be tube-fed. So we would be looking at bringing him home around the end of May, when I thought I would be induced to deliver him.

I am incredibly nervous for little Darwin. To say that I hope he will be okay is a complete understatement. The entire happiness of my life depends on this little guy pulling through this. I'm so sorry that my body isn't handling this better. I wish I had SOME control in the situation, but all I can do is sit back in my hospital bed and wait.

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April 25th, 2008

12:57 pm: 32 weeks, 5 days
I had good news at my checkup yesterday. I am still having contractions ten to fifteen minutes apart, but I have not dilated any further. The doctors were very happy with these results and told me to keep doing what I'm doing. My baby shower is tomorrow and I'm so excited! I've been telling my little guy to at least stay put until after the shower! I have continued to lose weight from the cholestasis. A month ago I had gained 19 lbs. Now my total weight gain is down to 10 lbs. The doctors aren't worried because Darwin is a good size and doing well, but I still feel strange thinking that I might be back to my pre-preggo weight or even smaller right after I have him...

I can't post much because of the bed rest, but things are going pretty well. I'm hoping Darwin will stay put until at least 34 weeks. That will put him in a whole different classification of prematurity. He would be considered "premature" rather than "very premature". Stay put, Ditty D!

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April 27th, 2008

03:40 am: 33 weeks
We made it to 33 weeks, Darwin! The baby shower was yesterday and it was wonderful. When I walked in, I couldn't believe it. Alexis and the girls did such a beautiful job decorating everything. Roni and Staci did an amazing job on the food. The presents were endless and the games were fun. It was the best baby shower ever. I wish I could have been more mobile in order to visit with everyone more, but I hope they understood given that I am officially on bed rest. So I chilled in my reclining wheelchair all day and just went with the flow. It was a great time. Alexis, Mia, Guen and my dad all felt Darwin move at the shower! Finally! I was feeling really tired and having some cramps by the time it was over, so I was glad to get home and back to bed. I don't know what time I fell asleep, but if it's any indication, I feel like I slept 8 hrs or more and it's not even 4am!

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April 28th, 2008

05:26 am: 33 weeks, 1 day
I was crampy all day yesterday and last night. I've been monitoring the contractions to make sure they aren't coming too frequently and as long as I keep my bladder empty, they're fine. I'm getting stressed about my 401K money to close on the house and I think that is contributing to the discomfort and contractions. That money has to be in today if we are going to close on the 1st. I get nervous even thinking about it. PLEASE let the money be here!

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April 29th, 2008

12:05 pm: 33 weeks, 2 days
I went to the hospital again last night. I was having contractions 5 minutes apart for over an hour and called the doc and she told me to go to the hospital. So after two shots of turbutilene, getting 'checked' (still just under 3cm, so no change there) and being prescribed Procardia to help prevent contractions at home, they sent me back home and to bed. I have an appointment tomorrow at 11am for an ultrasound, NST, and exam. I'm hoping Darwin will continue to measure a little big. When you know you're going to go early, having a bigger baby becomes a blessing instead of a curse!

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May 1st, 2008

09:13 am: 33 weeks, 4 days

I ran around everywhere yesterday against my better judgment, but Richard and I were gathering the final paperwork to send to the bank to finalize our home loan. We got it sent off to the bank and I came home and CRASHED. My hips were hurting so badly from all of the walking and I was scared all night that I would go into labor. I feel much better this morning, but I will still be on edge until 35 weeks. Once I hit 35, I won't be so nervous about delivering. They're hoping I might make it to 36, but for some reason I just have a feeling that if I make it to 35, I won't get to 36. Stay put, Darwin! You've got a couple more weeks left at least!

09:16 am: 33 weeks, 4 days
I forgot to post that Darwin looks great per the ultrasound. He is measuring around 5 lbs, 7 oz and his lips are so pouty! He's going to be so adorable, I just know it.

I rocked the NST this time, with only two big contractions in 30 minutes, which is really good for me. So the Procardia seems to be working. Speaking of which, I need to go take it right now...

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May 2nd, 2008

06:07 am: 33 weeks, 5 days
The itching is back. I'm not happy about it.

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May 4th, 2008

08:08 pm: 34 weeks
We made it another week, Darwin! You've been sticking your little feet up in my ribs and squishing my stomach, but of course I love you anyway! I feel like you've shifted a little lower. Since Friday, my bladder has been leaking and I think it's because you are putting so much pressure on it. I've read some info that says that if you are born now, you are considered "pre-term", not "premature". I hope that's true, but you need to hang out in there for another week at least until your daddy and I get moved into our new house!

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May 5th, 2008

12:26 pm: 34 weeks, 1 day
I called the doctor because my itching has gotten really bad again over the past three nights. They want me to come in today at 2:30 for an NST and an appointment. I imagine they will draw blood to check my liver function and possibly my bile acids. I really want Darwin to have every chance at a healthy start, so I'm hoping he will stay put. Part of me really just wants it to be over, though. Especially when I'm in bed trying to sleep but instead keep twitching out with the need to scratch the unscratchable itch... I just keep reminding myself how much I love this little guy and I keep hoping that whatever happens, it will result in a happy and healthy baby.

07:08 pm: 34 weeks, 1 day

I did good on my NST despite not taking my Procardia. I only had 2 contractions in 20 minutes, which is still pretty good for me. I saw Dr. Meltzer, so he didn't check me (he never does), but he did tell me to stop taking the Procardia. He said that Darwin is developed enough that he will be fine if he is born, so he put right on my chart that there are to be no more preventative measures if I go into labor. The issue is that the Procardia could be taxing my liver and right now, it is more dangerous for my liver function to be compromised than it is for Darwin to just go ahead and be born.

He says I am going to have NSTs twice a week going forward, so I have another NST this Thursday. Then, next Monday I will have an NST and see Dr. Pease. I am supposed to have the strep swab done and then we are supposed to start coming up with a game plan as to what will be done if I make it to 36 weeks. Will I deliver via c-section or vaginally? What date will it be on? Etc...

I am very satisfied with this appointment. I felt that Dr. Meltzer was personally invested in my care at this point. I am also happy to know that if I go into labor again Darwin will be born. It is so stressful going to the hospital and coming back home over and over again. Now that Darwin is at a safe point where he will be okay if he is born, I am happy to know that my labor won't be stopped again.

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May 13th, 2008

07:47 am: 35 weeks, 2 days
We are officially living in our new house! Richard has done so well at getting everything set up all by himself. He has the master bedroom, living room, and kitchen all mostly done. Next will be Darwin's room.

Speaking of the little booger, I had my weekly checkup yesterday. His NST looked great. Dr. Pease called him "a million-dollar baby". I got my strep swab done and we scheduled the induction for Sunday, May 25th at 6am. She checked me and I'm 90% effaced and a full 3cm dilated now. She seemed doubtful that I will make it to the induction date, but she also said that you never know!

I'm so excited to meet Darwin! This morning when I was getting my cereal, I noticed that our milk doesn't expire until May 27th. Darwin will be here before the milk expires!

Darwin's stroller was delivered yesterday and his carseat is supposed to get here on Thursday. I love the stroller. I think Darwin will like it too!

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May 16th, 2008

08:23 am: 35 weeks, 5 days
Well, I'm still pregnant! I thought I might go into labor yesterday, just a gut feeling, but I guess it was wrong! It would be nice to make it past the 36 week mark, but still go into labor on my own before I am induced. I've heard that pitocin inductions are really rough and I would love it if I could start my labor naturally before the induction. But I really want to make it to 36 weeks...

Darwin's room is really coming together. I got the bassinet set up by my bed last night and it made me feel so excited to know that Darwin will be in there soon! :)

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May 19th, 2008

11:02 am: 36 weeks, 1 day
I really can't believe that I have made it this far. No more than 6 more days until I see my sweet baby! I am getting incredibly excited about seeing him and holding him. I am also hoping now more than ever that he is healthy and that he will be ready to come home with me when I am released from the hospital.

Today is my LAST doctor's appointment before Darwin's induction on the 25th. I've been having a ton of contractions yesterday and this morning, so I'm wondering if I have progressed any further since last week. I've actually had quite a bit of cramping and twinges of pain in my cervix the past couple of days as well, but oddly enough they usually happen when I'm not contracting. It is strange. So far, much of this pregnancy bit has been nothing like I expected.

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May 20th, 2008

07:38 am: 36 weeks, 2 days
I had a few very uncomfortable contractions last night. A couple of times when I got up to go potty, I felt like Darwin was ready to fall out. I thought that today would be the day, but now I'm guessing it probably won't happen today. Just every day feels similar to the day before so it's impossible to know when it will happen. I will probably not go until I get induced on Sunday. I'm fine with that, but I would really like to go into labor naturally.

At my appointment yesterday, the NST showed that Darwin is still doing great. He's a rock star baby. I got bad news that my Group B Strep screening was positive, so that's another thing to worry about. They will have to put me on IV antibiotics while I am in labor to keep Darwin from contracting the GBS. If he gets it, it is seriously bad news, so I'm really hoping I will get to the hospital in plenty of time for them to administer the antibiotics.

Dr. Meltzer did not check me, so