One Month To Go

I seriously can't believe that a month from today is when my EDD is. Granted he'll come whenever he pleases, but it is so crazy to be able to say "next month" when people ask when I'm due.

We're doing pretty well in terms of being prepared for him to arrive. I still have to pack my hospital bag, but the last few things we'll need for him (diapers...kind of an important detail) were purchased today. I've also had to stock up on feminine supplies for me for afterwards...something I didn't think about until the other day. I've liked getting to skip that aisle for almost all of the year so far.

I had another trip to L&D yesterday. The long and short of it is that my super fun 35 week appointment (2 hr GTT, GBS and my very first internal exam all in one appointment) left me spotting courtesy of my lovely sensitive cervix. Not surprising AT ALL given how I'd spot at the drop of a hat with any disturbance in 1st Tri and that internal check involved my cervix being all kinds of irritated (um, ouch!). Anyhow, spotting went from pink to red then to brownish red. Doctors heard the word red and sent me to L&D. Four hours at L&D later we were told it was exactly what I tried to tell them was going on in the first place. Gotta love that. On the plus side though, we got to hear babies heartbeat for over an hour AND got a quick glimpse of him yawning on the ultrasound.

Might as well do the check in now since I'm here:

How far along: 35 weeks and 5 days. Due date is exactly a month from today!

Total weight change: Going by the doctors scale at my 35 week appointment on Tuesday, +28. Not liking this 2 lbs in a week thing...

Maternity clothes: Always. I've pretty much moved into dresses at this point. It kills my hips to get pants on and off.

Stretch Marks: No new developments since last week.

Movement: I've got a wriggler in there. He gets hiccups 2-3 times a day. Just last night he discovered he can stretch his leg out and pretty much hit my kidney. Thanks kid.

Sleep: Hit or miss. I seem to be pass out tired at bedtime, sleep for a few hours and then have to put myself to sleep again when I wake up to pee. I'm getting good at napping anytime the opportunity arises as well (good practice for when baby is here?)

Best Moment This Past Week: Seeing the baby yawn on the ultrasound yesterday. Finding out I don't have GD after all was also pretty sweet.

Most Difficult Moment This Past Week: Pelvic exams are downright painful and I've managed to get two in the past two days.

Belly Button In or Out: Still an inny.

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing major.

Symptoms: Stupid sensitive cervix acting up again after the internal. The Braxton Hicks are increasing in frequency and sometimes intensity and the little guy is sometimes putting pressure on my cervix. He's still not dropped yet though.

It's ALIVE!

I'm very happy to tell you all that todays ultrasound went well. Not only was there a heartbeat (cue my exhaling for the first time in weeks), but Baby Cactus Bud was wiggling all around too. It doesn't show in the picture very well, but at different points during the scan I could see all four limbs, the spine, even a hand that seemed to be going to the face. It was really surreal to see the image on the screen. I seriously could've watched it all day.

This is the third different doctor I've been to for this pregnancy, not counting the ER trip. Thankfully from now on (hopefully) I'll be going to the same building with the same 'team'. I'd like to try and get the same doctor if I can as I liked her, but I'd like to meet them all since I don't know who'll be delivering when the time comes. With the change in doctor came a change in my due date. Again. I'm now back to October 15th, the date that comes up if you go by my last menstrual period. October 15th is also exactly what the baby was measuring, 11w5d.

The bulk of the appointment was going over my history. I'm happy to say that not only did the doctor have a clue about my history, but the nurse that weighed me in did too. I was totally expecting to have to tell them about the miscarriage, it was nice to only have to add on how far along I was at the time.

After the history was done, they tried to do an annual exam. I had one at my civilian doctors in January...but they don't have access to the records. Whatever. The ultrasound was going to be vaginal anyways, so I knew I was already going to spot. If you *need* to do a pap, knock yourself out. I warned them that I think I have a sensitive cervix and that I was pretty sure it would bleed with that...but they wanted to try. Lets just say that the doctors reaction to how sensitive my cervix is involved the word "Wow". She ended up throwing in the towel on the pap smear (so much blood it would come back inconclusive from the lab) and gave me paperwork for my medical records to be sent to them. Ha! Told ya! I've now been officially diagnosed as having a 'very sensitive cervix'. As much as it sucks to know I'll be spotting pretty bad in the next day or so, I'm pretty happy that they came to the same conclusion I did about the spotting and that its nothing that will threaten the pregnancy. Unfortunately, she says I'm stuck with it for the duration of the pregnancy. Kind of a bummer, but I'll take it in a heartbeat if it means a baby in the end.

I asked the doctor how my heart-shaped uterus will play into things moving forward. She said that with anatomy like mine, the trick is usually getting pregnant. This surprised me as I seem to get pregnant pretty easily (50% of the months we tried), its staying pregnant that is more challenging for me. From what she said it didn't sound like she anticipates my having higher chances for early delivery or a c-section. Very good news.

She said all my bloodwork came back normal (at the first appointment they took A LOT of blood and a urine sample). I was sent for another blood draw today, this one to go with the NT scan which is next week.

I ended up having a job interview this afternoon, so my shopping spree for clothes that actually fit had to be put off till tomorrow. Looking forward to it more than I thought I would. I'll also likely be pulling the trigger on a home doppler soon too. I figure it will ease my worries in the month between doctor visits and will come in handy at the end of the pregnancy when the kid can't move much.

My next appointment is April 7th for the NT scan. The next regular appointment I have is May 9th. That will just be a doppler check and Q&A time.

Houston, We Have A Fetus!

11 Weeks!

Most places seem to agree that the fetal stage begins right about now, so I guess that means we have a fetus in there. From here on out things are being fine-tuned and growing like crazy. The bambino should be about the size of a lime this week. Crazy to think I'm clear up to lime already when sweet pea seemed unattainable before.

I'm starting to get really nervous and excited about my ultrasound that is FINALLY due to happen on Thursday. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm hopeful that I might actually get to see a heartbeat and a wiggling baby in there. I'm preparing myself for bad news though. Maybe that sounds strange to some, but its easier for me to be pleasantly surprised than heartbroken again. If anyone has some spare good thoughts to send my way on Thursday, I'd appreciate them. I'll be going to the appt on my own since Mr Cactus Bud can't get off from work.

If it goes well, there will be a shopping spree to follow. I've been itching to get a home doppler and need to get maternity pants. Haven't been able to pull the trigger and do either yet. I'm figuring it will be my reward for a good appt this week.

(Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/5uccd5v )

How far along: 11 weeks

Total weight change: +3

Maternity clothes: No, but most days I really need the pants. Getting some will be my reward for having a good appt on Thursday.

Stretch Marks: No

Movement: Too early

Sleep: My back has been giving me issues in the past week (I'm prone to back issues even when not pregnant). I've had to resort to Tylenol to help as my lack of sleep was interfering with my functioning like a human being.

Best Moment This Past Week: Getting to the baby to the fetus stage and being in the home stretch to the elusive ultrasound. Also a good moment was realizing I'd made it 10 days+ without spotting (Probably because I put myself on pelvic rest and have been faithful to Mr. Metamucil. I needed a break from the bleeding or I'd be BSC with the ultrasound looming right now. Sucks to be on rest, but I think it clearly tells us whats the cause of the spotting.)

Most Difficult Moment This Past Week: Having the ultrasound looming out there. I"m alternately excited and terrified of it.

Belly Button In or Out: Definitely still in

Cravings/Aversions: I was able to eat scrambled eggs this week! Been downing milk and cheese like there is no tomorrow.

Symptoms: What symptoms? Seriously, the only symptoms I've been having with regularity are sore boobs and a slowed down digestive system (and all the joy that comes with that). Nausea is all but gone (occasional wave in the evenings, that's it). Food aversions are lessening (mostly I want to eat everything in sight). Oh, I guess ninja hunger would be a symptom. I call it ninja hunger cuz it sneaks up on me.

What I'm Looking Forward To: The ultrasound on Thursday and telling family in a couple weeks.

Take care,