35 week: addendum

I feel like everything that happened after my blog post yesterday warrants an additional update. Sorry for the boring baby posts lately, but I have been pretty unimpressed with my most recent new recipe adventures, so they're not going up on the blog. And the crafting has been seriously lacking - I'm the worst mom ever.

Anyway, a few highlights:

Follow-up Doctor Appointment
I had a check-up at my doctor's office yesterday as a follow-up to the hospital visit on Friday. Not sure why, because all they really told me is, "it's normal," (every pregnant woman's favorite phrase). But, since I was already in the office, the nurse checked my hemoglobin levels (They're only up from 11.3 to 11.5! I have to double my iron pills, boo!) and Dr. Munro did my Strep B test - which involves a long cotton swab in the hoohah and one in the butthole. Super fun. I mean, whatever, it's not the most uncomfortable thing that's happened to me since being pregnant, but it's ... uninvited ... to say the least. I guess they'll call me with the results or let me know at my next appointment, but if it's positive they'll run an antibiotic through my IV during delivery. As many as 1 in 4 women test positively for Strep B - typically, as carriers, adults exhibit no symptoms but it can be dangerous for the baby - so it's good that they're testing! Dr. Munro measured my fundal height, which they've done every appointment since we hit 30 weeks I think. Per usual, I'm sure I'm overreacting, but little London has me a little worried. Here's my concern:

Week   Measurement

30               31

32               32

 34             33'4

35               34

They normally don't get concerned as long as the measurement is within 2-3 cm of the gestational age, which she is, but the growth appears to be slowing. Dr. Munro acknowledged my concerns and said that if she's not continuing on-pace at the next appointment, she'll do an ultrasound - I love doctors who don't treat me like I'm crazy. I appreciate your prayers that our next appointment will reveal the monster is growing like she should be so mama can stop worrying about our peanut. She was a little concerned that the baby was transverse (meaning across my belly instead of head down like she should be) so she did a quick vaginal check - again, super fun. Like there's not enough going on in there! Good news is, London has remained head down, and my cervix is very soft. No dilation, no effacement, and the cervix is still posterior - so we are not worried about her coming any time soon! All in all, it was a fine appointment; though I'm a little disappointed that we don't go back for two more weeks, I guess it makes sense since there is no reason to worry about her coming early. Dr. Munro's only suggestion for my chest pressure / shortness of breath / other fun symptoms is to sleep sitting up. I tried propping my pillows up last night but didn't feel like it made a real difference.

End of Baby Classes
I could write a whole blog just about our birthing class, but I won't. Let me just say, if you are a first time parent, take the class. It covered everything from early labor symptoms to c-sections to bathing your baby and pretty much everything in between. I enjoyed most of the people in our class, and loved our teacher, and I am really really glad we took them. We're now totally qualified to have a baby! (kidding). Between those classes and the hospital visit, I think Ben & I are both way more prepared. I mean, as prepared as we can be, right? I think the biggest thing I took away from the class, aside from just overall education about the process, is the knowledge of our options and alternatives to help cope with labor pains. It's allowed us to have some difficult conversations and identify priorities, fears, preferences, etc. Three months ago, I would've asked for the epidural as soon as I walked in the door, but now I really feel like I know all the benefits and risks that come with a procedure of that nature and hopefully I'll be in a state of mind where I can make the best decision for me and London. I'm also asking for prayers about our whole birth process, that Ben & I will be able to work with the hospital staff to make informed decisions that will give us the best experience possible and - most importantly - result in a healthy baby and healthy mama.

I think that's all for now. Oh, two quick pregnancy confessions: I burned this in the crock pot last night and had a ham sandwich for lunch. Gigantic fail x2.