The Home Stretch!

Status: 37 Weeks, 1 Day

37 weeks, 1 day

OK. There's really not a whole lot that I have to say to go with this post. I just thought I might ACTUALLY post a pic the day we took it. Novel concept, I know. We are getting ready to go pack our bags for thr hospital...and then we are going to relax! Sounds wonderful....

36 Week Update

Status: 36 weeks, 4 days

First off, here are a couple of pictures that I have been too lazy to get off the camera and post....

 35 weeks, 1 day - on our way to Mitzvah Day @ CBS

 

36 weeks, 0 days - on my way to work

OK. So, there are the pictures I know you all were so anxiously waiting for...now for the info of the week....

Monday, I had an appointment with the Maternal-Fetal specialists for our weekly BPP. Tobe was doing great, and "weighed" in at a respectable 6 lbs 2 oz. He's now in the 57th percentile. I was much happier with this measurement than the one a month ago because I was afraid he'd get really big, but he seems to have realized that I am just not going to stretch that much and he needs to slow it down! I was also able to see my favorite doc at the practice during my visit. She's so great because she is realistic and actually understands what it's like to do my job. She even told me if the staff gives me a hard time about scheduling appointments that I should ask to talk to her!

Of course, I did get in a little trouble for not actually doing my fetal kick counts. So now I'm required to keep a log (they gave me a paper to put check marks on) and do them religiously at least once a day - although she really wants them twice a day. 

I asked her about the swelling in my right leg, and she said it's normal to have more swelling on one side than the other. The only other thing that made me a little nervous was my BP was up to 130/84....seeing as how it had been a lot lower than that for 99% of this pregnancy, it made me nervous. But they didn't seem bothered by it.

Fast forward to today. We had an appointment with Libbie, one of the midwives, for a routine 36 week check-up. Tobe's heart was beating strong, my belly measure perfect, no problems with weight gain...BUT my BP was 148/88! This did not make me feel good. At the end of our check-up, Libbie checked it again and it was still 140/84. She ordered some lab work and told me to try to rest more and watch my BP when I'm at work. I'm also supposed to be on the lookout for signs/symptoms of pre-eclampsia....joy. Because we haven't had ENOUGH to deal with during the pregnancy....

The last thing I want to do is be induced, but we're game for whatever needs to happen to meet our little Tobe!

Who wants pictures????

Status: 35 weeks, 6 days

Here's what you've been waiting for! I know most of you have seen these on Facebook, but here they are for the rest of you!

"Tobe" and Mommy @ 34 Weeks, 0 days
on our way to our Atlanta Baby Shower!

Tobe @ 34 weeks, 2 days - what a handsome guy!

Look how long his hair has grown! It measured 1/2" this week!

And there goes his hand toward his mouth.....

I believe the proper quote for this is "Oy, not another picture!"

Watch that finger, buddy!

That's our beautiful boy!

We had another BPP this week, at 35 weeks, 2 days, but we didn't get any pictures from this visit. On Monday, he gets "weighed" again!

Last week in Tobeland.....

Status: 35 weeks, 2 days

I am obviously very behind in my blogging. So sorry. I have been sooooo tired this week, and the thought of sitting down and trying to sound remotely interesting just felt like too much to handle. So, here I am, a week later, finally updating this thing.

Unfortunately, I have to get ready for work in about 3 minutes, so this will be short and sweet, and I will add pictures later.

Last week, we had our second BPP to check on Tobe. Everything looked great....his heart rate was 135 bpm, he was moving, and practicing his breathing, and he's still a boy - we checked!

We also had a visit with one of the midwives. We saw Libbie this time. She was really happy with the amount of weight I've gained, and didn't really have much else to say.

I'll post pictures later...I promise!

Taking it one week at a time...

Status: 33 weeks, 3 days

Today I went to the perinatologist for Tobe's first weekly ultrasound to assess his status. It is usually done as part of a biophysical profile to assess fetal well-being. We didn't have the non-stress test (NST) part of the exam, but I think we are supposed to start doing that at the midwives' office at our next appointment. I don't really know, though, I just go along with it.

Tobe scored an 8/8 - an overachiever already! He actually had one done last week during his growth scan and scored an 8, as well. I also got to see him play with his feet and toes, and I learned that ultrasounds have become so good that they can detect even the tiniest of details - like the fact that TOBE HAS HAIR!!!!!

The fuzzy white stuff around his skull is hair!

Not that ANYONE would be surprised that he has hair..LOL! Both Joel and I sport pretty thick manes....


We also got a pic of his arm up to his face, again.....
Overall, great appointment. My BP was 98/60, and because I was complaining of occasional spots in my vision I was told to be extra careful. The doctor was worried that I might be having episodes of low blood pressure or hypoglycemia - especially right after eating (because I am apparently so efficient at processing carbs).

32 Week Pictures!

These are the pics from our 32 week, 3 day growth scan. Just for fun, the tech decided to turn on the 3-D again! Enjoy!

Prepared Childbirth: Take 4

Status: 33 weeks, 2 days

Last week (exactly a week ago) we went to our 4th of 5 classes at Kennestone. Our normal instructor was out that day, and our sub was....well, awful. She read off the slides (about medical interventions) and wanted us to "practice" positions for comfort, but didn't really give any direction. Luckily, Chante' (the instructor-in-training) was there to help us out. The worst part was that she left the lights on the whole time! We're used to class with dimmed lighting. Lucky for us, we got to leave early because we didn't need to go on the hospital tour.

The only good thing that happened was that I found out that Chante' is a doula and doesn't charge an arm and a leg. We are probably going to meet up and see if we can work something out. I would love to have her there to help us - as long as we can afford it.

32 week check-ups

Status: 33 weeks, 2 days

Last Tuesday(at 32 weeks, 3 days), we had our 32 week midwife appointment and perinatologist appointment.

Midwife stats:
Weight Gain - 19 lbs
BP - 120/80 (I have my doubts about this number)

We heard a beautiful heartbeat and all was well. We met with Mitra, again, who I have come to really like. Every time we pass her in the hallway she's says "hi", and she remembers our names (even without a chart in front of her). Very impressive for such a big practice. I did ask her about Tobe deciding to be pretty inactive when we were in Florida, but perking right up when we came home. She said it was probably due to the change in activity. I, personally, think it's just his personality. Sorry to all you Floridians who didn't get to feel him do his thing!

After we left the midwife, we went to the perinatologist. BP was only 100/58.....makes me suspicious about the one from earlier.....Tobe is still head down (yay!) and will hopefully stay that way. He is also laying exactly as I thought - head down, arms and legs to the left, butt up in my liver! I'm starting to be able to feel shapes of body parts, but not too distinctly.

This was definitely the fastest ultrasound we have ever had - he finally decided to cooperate! He is now estimated at a whopping 5 lbs 2 oz!!!! I was literally in shock. I asked the nurse practitioner about it, and she reassured me that the further along we get, the more inaccurate the estimation is. This didn't really make me feel better. I did feel good that he's growing - but jumping from the 45th percentile to the 78th in 4 weeks is a little too much for this mommy to handle!

We did get some awesome 3D face pics, and I will post them as soon as I finish updating with everything that happened last week!