I stepped on the scale at the Doctor's office on Monday to be stunned by 11 lbs added to my frame. Yikes! I was pretty sure that I had not eaten enough goodies to make that a reality. During my exam, my doctor confirmed that indeed I had not...the culprit...the fluid in my hands, face, and feet. My new orders for the week have been to stay off my feet. So with a modified bedrest plan in hand, I have immersed myself in the novel "The Prince of Tides." Admittedly, this is the first "fun" reading I have done since before graduate school and yes, this book was already made into a movie in 1991...I'm a little behind.
Wednesday night, Jeremey and I decided to venture out of the house for the last of our series of classes...the maternity tour! Our confirmation sheet said that the tour went from 6:30 to 8:30...we were sure that wasn't possible. We were right....well in part. The "tour" began in a conference room where we sat for 1 1/2 hours getting acquainted with visiting hours and security measures. Finally, the long anticipated walking tour. In approximately 8 minutes we saw the lobby, the hallway of labor and delivery (the wing was closed to visitors for cleaning) and the foot of a bed in a double room (too many people on the tour to actually go in the room). Usually at this point Jeremey has some alternative location in mind for a tour that would be far more painful (i.e. Giant Ball of Twine Tour in Darwin, MN)...but probably still enamered with our diaper bag (we won it in the tour door prize drawing) he and I quietly walked to the car.
Beginning in week 32, I started going to my doctor's office twice a week for non-stress tests (NST) for Gabe. The perinatologist recommended this course because of my medical history and because of my brother's death from unknown causes in the 39th week. The test really is set-up to be "non-stress" as I'm led to a cushy leather recliner, offered juice, and given trashy celebrity magazines to read. My only responsiblity while they are monitoring Gabe's heart and my utrine contractions is to push a button when he kicks. The first three sessions went well.
On Thursday, I went in for my fourth NST. During my time on the monitor, Gabe seemed to be kicking well, well enough that I was certain we had passed with flying colors. When the nurse came in to check the printout she asked "Did you see his heartrate drop?" I had not noticed but could clearly see the spike that shot to the bottom of the page. She left saying that she was going to get someone to read the results. Moments later, my regular nurse came in , asked me some questions and called the hospital. I wasn't sure what questions to ask and all they could really tell me is that Gabe didn't pass the NST today. I called Jeremey to meet me in labor and delivery.
Thankfully the walk from my doctor's office to the hospital is literally two floors down in an elevator and about 50 steps out the front door. When I walked into the lobby the registration desk already had me on file (I had just filled out the pre-admittance forms the night before during the tour...finally redemption for the time we spent!). We were taken to a labor room and hooked to another NST machine (this one was fancier). Although, it didn't seem to me as though Gabe was as active, he passed his test! They then moved us to the ultrasound where they looked at his breathing, muscle tone, and my amniotic fluid levels. Again, he passed. I was hoping they would measure him to put my mind at ease that the placenta was still working well but the tech said it wasn't in the orders. We arrived back in labor and delivery only to find out that in fact the doctor did request measurements in her note section vs. in the orders so back to ultrasound (getting up was actually a gift...I got to go the bathroom...dreamy!).
We were relived to hear that Gabe is measuring well (probably shaped like his father) and likely weighs 4 lbs 8 ounces (give or take a pound either way). This tour wore me out. I slept the rest of the afternoon...hormones and stress...not the best combo!
We'll enter week 34 on Sunday (6 more weeks until Christmas for those of you that have not begun your shopping). We appreciate your prayers!
I took some pictures of Gabe's nursery. (For the real effect you'll just have to come for a visit...smile).
Wednesday night, Jeremey and I decided to venture out of the house for the last of our series of classes...the maternity tour! Our confirmation sheet said that the tour went from 6:30 to 8:30...we were sure that wasn't possible. We were right....well in part. The "tour" began in a conference room where we sat for 1 1/2 hours getting acquainted with visiting hours and security measures. Finally, the long anticipated walking tour. In approximately 8 minutes we saw the lobby, the hallway of labor and delivery (the wing was closed to visitors for cleaning) and the foot of a bed in a double room (too many people on the tour to actually go in the room). Usually at this point Jeremey has some alternative location in mind for a tour that would be far more painful (i.e. Giant Ball of Twine Tour in Darwin, MN)...but probably still enamered with our diaper bag (we won it in the tour door prize drawing) he and I quietly walked to the car.
Beginning in week 32, I started going to my doctor's office twice a week for non-stress tests (NST) for Gabe. The perinatologist recommended this course because of my medical history and because of my brother's death from unknown causes in the 39th week. The test really is set-up to be "non-stress" as I'm led to a cushy leather recliner, offered juice, and given trashy celebrity magazines to read. My only responsiblity while they are monitoring Gabe's heart and my utrine contractions is to push a button when he kicks. The first three sessions went well.
On Thursday, I went in for my fourth NST. During my time on the monitor, Gabe seemed to be kicking well, well enough that I was certain we had passed with flying colors. When the nurse came in to check the printout she asked "Did you see his heartrate drop?" I had not noticed but could clearly see the spike that shot to the bottom of the page. She left saying that she was going to get someone to read the results. Moments later, my regular nurse came in , asked me some questions and called the hospital. I wasn't sure what questions to ask and all they could really tell me is that Gabe didn't pass the NST today. I called Jeremey to meet me in labor and delivery.
Thankfully the walk from my doctor's office to the hospital is literally two floors down in an elevator and about 50 steps out the front door. When I walked into the lobby the registration desk already had me on file (I had just filled out the pre-admittance forms the night before during the tour...finally redemption for the time we spent!). We were taken to a labor room and hooked to another NST machine (this one was fancier). Although, it didn't seem to me as though Gabe was as active, he passed his test! They then moved us to the ultrasound where they looked at his breathing, muscle tone, and my amniotic fluid levels. Again, he passed. I was hoping they would measure him to put my mind at ease that the placenta was still working well but the tech said it wasn't in the orders. We arrived back in labor and delivery only to find out that in fact the doctor did request measurements in her note section vs. in the orders so back to ultrasound (getting up was actually a gift...I got to go the bathroom...dreamy!).
We were relived to hear that Gabe is measuring well (probably shaped like his father) and likely weighs 4 lbs 8 ounces (give or take a pound either way). This tour wore me out. I slept the rest of the afternoon...hormones and stress...not the best combo!
We'll enter week 34 on Sunday (6 more weeks until Christmas for those of you that have not begun your shopping). We appreciate your prayers!
I took some pictures of Gabe's nursery. (For the real effect you'll just have to come for a visit...smile).
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