32+ week update

Just got back from this week's appointment...it was a loooooong one, almost 2 1/2 hours. My weight has, for the third week in a row, not changed. YEAH!!!! There still might be hope of not going over the dreaded number. Several of the nurses commented on my ankle/foot size, which of course today was rather large. Steve said it was a good thing that I have big calves because it keeps me from looking like I have "cankles." He is soooooo funny!! I think the nurses will miss him once this baby arrives.

Today I started my NST monitoring, which measures her heart rate and how she reacts. It was almost comical because they strap on two monitors to measure her heart rate and any contractions I might be having. She was moving around so much that they couldn't keep the monitor on her. They had to keep moving it and finally, after over 30 minutes, they gave up and said that she must be reactive to have that much movement.

My fundal measurement (over the top of my belly) was between 37 and 38. It should be between 32 and 34, but we know that she is a little on the big side. They checked my sugar records and said they were a littel borderline. Dr. Venus came in to see me and has decided to try a very low dose of some medication to see if we can get them a little lower. There is a large amount of amniotic fluid and we are hoping that lowering the sugar levels will also lower the amniotic fluid levels.

I know the question of the day is exactly how much does this "little" bundle of joy weigh. Well, I am beginning to worry about a few of those really cute 0-3 month outfits that Steve and I bought. I am, technically, 32 weeks and 5 days pregnant. She is measuring 36 weeks and 5 days, which is a full 4 weeks bigger than average. The weekly email that I received on Monday said that she should weigh about 3 lbs and 12 oz. All of today's measurements put her at a6 lbs and 4 oz. The good thing is that all of her measurements (leg, head and belly) are putting her at about the same place, which means that she is nice and proportional. She is just chunky!! Dana said she is in the 91% percentile for weight.

Next week I will begin twice a week visits for the NST monitoring and they will measure my amniotic fluid each Friday. We just need to cross our fingers that she stays put until at least June 3, preferrably June 5

Glucose Check-up

I went for my glucose check Wednesday with Dr. Venus. He was happy with the numbers that I had on my meter and felt that at this time we do not need to add any medication. I expressed a concern that I was always hungry because nothing that I like to eat is "legal." He laughed and said that most women with gestational diabetes finally find foods that they like and get used to the change in diet about the time it is to have the baby. My fundal measurement was the same as last week, which is a good thing. I go back on April 23 for a regular check-up. They will do another ultrasound to check for size and amount of amniotic fluid, listen for the heartbeat, and begin doing NST monitoring to measure the baby's heartrate. We have at the most 7 weeks from today before this little girl decides to make her appearance.

30+ Week Visit

I went back to the doctor last Thursday. I haven't had a chance to get to a computer since then for the most recent update. Steve was gone to the Master's Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia so I decided to take Sarryn and David with me. They really got a kick out of watching their little sister move around on the ultrasound screen. Once again, Dana took some great pictures which I will post as soon as I get to a scanner. Here is our latest size update... I have actually lost 3 pounds over the last 2 weeks. I guess this is do the fact that I am having to eat so HEALTHY now (Yuck!!) Steve promised that I could have a Krispy Kreme doughnut and a Dr. Pepper the day she is born. At this appointment, I was 31 weeks and 5 days pregnant, but measuring 34 weeks and 6 days. Even though this sounds huge, it means she is only measuring about 3 weeks bigger than she should be. At the last appointment, she was measuring 4 weeks bigger than she should had. My fundal measurement (the measurement over my belly)was 36 cm, which is a little bigger than than the 31-33 cm it should be measuring. All of these big measurements could explain why this little girl already weighs 5 pounds. According to the weekly email I get, she should only weigh about 3.3 pounds at this stage of the game. The scary thing is that now is the time that she is supposed to hit her growth spurt. Dr. Venus said he is going to try to keep her to a 9-10 pound baby instead of a 11-12 pound baby. WOW!!!!

I go back to the doctor on the 16th for him to check my glucose levels. He did mention that he might have to put me on some medicine to help lower the levels between now and the time the baby arrives. We are still crossing our fingers that she waits until June to make her grand arrival.

1st Baby Class

We went to our first baby class last night at the hospital. I was the only pregnant one in the room that was not on her first baby. I felt sooooo old. I am pretty sure that I could have taught all the pregnant women there. The teacher talked a little about breathing and massage. It wasn't really a big deal. We get to skip the next two weeks as those weeks deal with a regular birth. We will return on the last night to learn all about c-sections. We did get to go up after class to the 3rd floor and visit "The Birthplace" at Hugh Chatham. Steve was able to see a room similar to the one we will stay in and get an idea of how the delivery day will work. We will actually deliver on the 2nd floor where they have a c-section room that has an observation room attached to it. Steve is talking about serving popcorn and drinks. He had the nurse giggling during the tour. It will be interesting to go back in a few weeks. I go this Thursday for my next appointment. I am hoping that they measure her and see if she has slowed down a little with this new diet and constant blood sugar checking.