Miles and I went to the doctor today. It looks like I have not dilated anymore, but that I am thinning and softening. Doc says that things are progressing, and that she's convinced this baby will come before the mandatory c-section date (determined by gestational diabetes; Nov. 15th). I am currently contracting about every 10 minutes, and have been for a couple hours, but this will likely slow down again and start up again a few times throughout the night.
The big question now is, "When do I know to go to the hospital?". I'm going to trust my instincts, and hope that I'll "just know". Having not gone into labor with Miles, these contractions are all I know so far, but I know that things will take a turn (more painful, contractions getting relentlessly closer and closer) enough that I trust I'll be able to tell that "this is it" as opposed to what I've been experiencing.
I remember saying that I missed being able to experience contractions and labor during Miles' delivery (c-section because he was breech), so I'm actually enjoying this excitement quite a bit. At least now that we're 36 weeks...
Still taking it easy, since the more time for baby to cook the better. Just a lot less worry.
And yes, I did start packing a hospital bag:)
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
36 weeks!!!!
I had to go out to a garage sale and buy a few "huge" maternity shirts, just so that they would reach around my belly. Here's one of my muumuus:)
36 weeks!
'K, that's kind of a cheesy smile! Lovin' on the baby bump...Maybe I should pack a hospital bag...
I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning, and we will see if a week's worth of cramps and contractions have caused me to dilate anymore or not. Check back and I'll let you know what we find out!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Hoping for a good night's rest
The good news is that today's non-stress-test documented a "very happy baby" according to the nurse! The baby's heart rate goes up and down appropriately, which is a sign that the baby's getting enough oxygen and is not "lethargic". We hope for continued good news every Tuesday and Friday!
As for the contractions: last night, I was up until 6:30am with bad cramping and leg/back pain. I am super curious to see at my Monday appt. whether these are causing further dilation or not.
Sunday is 36 weeks, and we thank you for all of your prayers that have gotten us to where we are. We continue to pray for a healthy respiratory system, and stellar sucking reflexes for Baby Cooke before he/she plans the big entrance into the world.
In about a week and a half we'll get another ultrasound, in order to estimate baby's size/weight, which will determine when this baby will be born. Baby's in charge...guess we better get used to it:)
I have officially passed off my workload with the Title II Grant, which has been nice because I could no longer visit the office anyway, plus putting the mental and emotional energy towards work was raising my gestational diabetes numbers and increasing contractions. I am very grateful to those in the Calvin College Ed. Dept. who are filling in and helping serve the wonderful teachers involved with the grant.
And lastly, Mr. Miles. Miles seems to be in a bit of a funk right now, and who knows if it's because he can "sense" that something is going on, or if it's just part of the ups and downs in the life of a two year old. We introduced a baby doll into the family today, and we are treating it as if it were a real baby: only Mom and Dad can walk around with the baby, we use gentle hands, keep hands away from the baby doll's face, and Miles needs to sit on the couch before holding the baby doll in the cradle of his arm, etc. It's adorable to watch! Tomorrow we hope to introduce the "diaper change routine", asking Miles to get all of the supplies needed for baby doll's diapering needs. We even let the baby doll hang out in Baby Cooke's swing, with the lights and music going and all. Miles kept asking if the baby doll was going "na-night" in the swing:) We've also been reading a book about being a big brother, and lately Miles talks a lot about babies, being gentle, being nice, being a big brother, and how there's "only one Miles" (part of the book). Precious!
Thanks for checking in, and much love to you all! God is good, all the time.
As for the contractions: last night, I was up until 6:30am with bad cramping and leg/back pain. I am super curious to see at my Monday appt. whether these are causing further dilation or not.
Sunday is 36 weeks, and we thank you for all of your prayers that have gotten us to where we are. We continue to pray for a healthy respiratory system, and stellar sucking reflexes for Baby Cooke before he/she plans the big entrance into the world.
In about a week and a half we'll get another ultrasound, in order to estimate baby's size/weight, which will determine when this baby will be born. Baby's in charge...guess we better get used to it:)
I have officially passed off my workload with the Title II Grant, which has been nice because I could no longer visit the office anyway, plus putting the mental and emotional energy towards work was raising my gestational diabetes numbers and increasing contractions. I am very grateful to those in the Calvin College Ed. Dept. who are filling in and helping serve the wonderful teachers involved with the grant.
And lastly, Mr. Miles. Miles seems to be in a bit of a funk right now, and who knows if it's because he can "sense" that something is going on, or if it's just part of the ups and downs in the life of a two year old. We introduced a baby doll into the family today, and we are treating it as if it were a real baby: only Mom and Dad can walk around with the baby, we use gentle hands, keep hands away from the baby doll's face, and Miles needs to sit on the couch before holding the baby doll in the cradle of his arm, etc. It's adorable to watch! Tomorrow we hope to introduce the "diaper change routine", asking Miles to get all of the supplies needed for baby doll's diapering needs. We even let the baby doll hang out in Baby Cooke's swing, with the lights and music going and all. Miles kept asking if the baby doll was going "na-night" in the swing:) We've also been reading a book about being a big brother, and lately Miles talks a lot about babies, being gentle, being nice, being a big brother, and how there's "only one Miles" (part of the book). Precious!
Thanks for checking in, and much love to you all! God is good, all the time.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
2 cm
Well it turns out that I'm 2 cm dilated. This is not a huge concern, but it shows that the contractions are actually doing something. The doctor suggested taking it even MORE easy, so my mom was able to come up yesterday and stayed today, so that I can pretty much just sit all day. I think it made a big difference, because I did not wake up with contractions or cramps at all last night, so doing nothing seems to have paid off:)
They still plan to take me off of the meds at 36 weeks, which will be this Sunday. Doc is convinced that this will lead to early labor because of the contractions AND the dilation combined...but...our friend who had almost the exact same situation was also taken off of meds at 36 weeks, while already dilated 2 cm, and still had the baby 10 days late!!! So, you never know.
We're also still tracking the size of the baby, since this is a concern with gestational diabetes. We will get another update on size with our next ultrasound the first week of November. Non-stress tests have been perfect lately, so the baby is not stressed:)
Thanks again for checking in and continuing prayers. Much love!
They still plan to take me off of the meds at 36 weeks, which will be this Sunday. Doc is convinced that this will lead to early labor because of the contractions AND the dilation combined...but...our friend who had almost the exact same situation was also taken off of meds at 36 weeks, while already dilated 2 cm, and still had the baby 10 days late!!! So, you never know.
We're also still tracking the size of the baby, since this is a concern with gestational diabetes. We will get another update on size with our next ultrasound the first week of November. Non-stress tests have been perfect lately, so the baby is not stressed:)
Thanks again for checking in and continuing prayers. Much love!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Ode to my husband
I have the best husband. Out of his love and concern for both me and our coming baby, he has been making me breakfast every morning, cleaning the kitchen every night, changing Miles' diapers and clothes whenever he's available, taking Miles on walks so that Miles can burn some energy, putting the laundry in the washer and dryer, bringing me water and other needs, and reminding me that I'm not being lazy but that I'm working hard at giving all my energy to keeping our baby safe. All of this on top of a busy month of discipline cases, the four or five committees that he's on voluntarily, and his full time job. THANK YOU Matt! I love you. Through the hard times and challenges, our love only deepens and strengthens. You are a constant in my life that exemplifies Christ's tangible and unconditional love.
Friends and family, please pray for Matt - that he does not burn himself out, or lose all steam before the baby is born. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Friends and family, please pray for Matt - that he does not burn himself out, or lose all steam before the baby is born. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Fractions of Contractions?
First, some acrobatic cuddles from Miles:
Today has been a good day. Contractions are staying about 20 minutes apart, and I have not been having the "bad" ones today (ones that feel like bad cramps, and go up my back and down my legs). It seems that taking it easy really is making a difference, which is great!
There is someone in the Education Department who had done my exact job a few years ago, and is thankfully willing to take over a lot of the work for the next few weeks as we wrap up the grant. Plus, the Prelude course that Matt and I are teaching together ends this week, so things really are winding down.
We were blessed to have some of our R.A.s come clean our house on Friday afternoon, which has made me so much happier and more peaceful:) Clean toilets, scrubbed stove/oven/kitchen, and vaccuumed floors are one of the best gifts I've ever received:) On top of that, we're also very thankful for our friend Mary who is watching Miles for our Friday appointments, Krissy who is watching Miles for our Tuesday appointments, and Becki and Krissy who will clean for us whenever they are over. We're going to continue to eat Calvin's dining hall food as long as the doctor lets me go to the dining hall (Miles and I sit right down, and Matt makes about 6 trips to get all of our food/drinks/silverware, etc.). Thank you also, to others of you who have offered to clean or come over with food or company. We will keep you updated with any additional needs.
A week from tomorrow I will be taken off of the meds and we will see what happens. For some reason my gut tells me that I'll continue contractions but that the baby will hang out until the scheduled c-section (Nov. 15). We'll see........:)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
"Am I just further along than we've thought all pregnancy long?" This is the question that I will start our next doc appt. with. I mean, a baby that's too big (from the diabetes), a fully engaged head, and contractions? It makes you wonder...
In all seriousness though, things are going well, and we're still continuing to plan on things going as "planned".
I still get contractions with most action that I take, but we've been encouraged by many that this is not necessarily a major concern unless/until major dilation is occurring. I now wait until the contractions are between 5 and 10 minutes apart, and then take a pill. Once the pill kicks in, they are about 20 minutes apart. The doctor will be checking for dilation changes at each appointment.
We've also heard many encouraging words about how positive the outcomes would probably be if the baby were in fact born at 34 weeks or a little thereafter. We of course hope the baby gets to cook as long as possible, but this is still good to hear.
Thank you again for all of your prayers. God has continually reminded us of his love for our family, his desire for good things for us and for this baby, and his plans that are already in place for this new life. We are waiting with our hearts and lives wide open in anticipation for whatever happens, knowing that God will provide all that we need and more.
We will post any changes here on our blog. And we'll be sure to call/email once the baby is born:)
On a different note, it has been three years since we experienced our ectopic pregnancy. What we think was a baby girl was not able to survive since she was growing inside my fallopian tube. We went to the "collective" grave site tonight with Miles, and told him about his sister, and the miracle of her being in heaven and his being here with us. Here are some pictures from the night:
In all seriousness though, things are going well, and we're still continuing to plan on things going as "planned".
I still get contractions with most action that I take, but we've been encouraged by many that this is not necessarily a major concern unless/until major dilation is occurring. I now wait until the contractions are between 5 and 10 minutes apart, and then take a pill. Once the pill kicks in, they are about 20 minutes apart. The doctor will be checking for dilation changes at each appointment.
We've also heard many encouraging words about how positive the outcomes would probably be if the baby were in fact born at 34 weeks or a little thereafter. We of course hope the baby gets to cook as long as possible, but this is still good to hear.
Thank you again for all of your prayers. God has continually reminded us of his love for our family, his desire for good things for us and for this baby, and his plans that are already in place for this new life. We are waiting with our hearts and lives wide open in anticipation for whatever happens, knowing that God will provide all that we need and more.
We will post any changes here on our blog. And we'll be sure to call/email once the baby is born:)
On a different note, it has been three years since we experienced our ectopic pregnancy. What we think was a baby girl was not able to survive since she was growing inside my fallopian tube. We went to the "collective" grave site tonight with Miles, and told him about his sister, and the miracle of her being in heaven and his being here with us. Here are some pictures from the night:
We hope to be able to visit regularly as a family. It is wonderful and happy to celebrate Marah's birthday into heaven, and to talk about the day that we will get to meet her!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
