Doctor's Appointments...
September 9th, 2005
Today was our first doctor's appointment! Unfortunately is wasn't too eventful.
The big news is that it's official :) The "official" doctor's office test came back positive :) As if we didn't know...After 3 home tests we figured it was pretty positive!
My next visit will be Thursday, October 6th @ 845a. This will be a big appointment for us. We'll have blood drawn and go thru all the standard tests plus have our first "exam" with Dr. Moss. We might have an idea then too if we have one peanut or two!?!?!? I know, I know, the chances are slim but we're still a bit concerned! If we're having two Lord knows we want to be able to prepare as much as possible as soon as possible!
Stay tuned for more updates...
Love, E
*****************************************************
October 6th, 2005
Today was our second appointment! I was SO nervous! I had myself all worked up that they wouldn't be able to stick me (for blood) and that everything would hurt! But, as it turned out, everything went wonderfully. It really couldn't have went better...
We got there early and saw Debbie first (Mary's nurse). She went over all our family histories and verified that we were "reasonably excited" :) She assured us that we would be fine and she was so excited for us!
Then we got to see Mary (my OB). She's wonderful. I really can't describe her any better. We were anticipating a pelvic exam and not much else. Boy were we surprised :) First of all, she reiterated that our due date is May 5, 06 (Cinco De Mayo as Chris has been telling everyone...). She then told us that we are 10 weeks as of tomorrow (10/7/05) and that she was going to find a heartbeat today! Boy were we surprised! What a great surprise though!!! It took her about 15 minutes of really working to find it, but she finally did! Apparently our little baby wasn't into this too much... It was so cute. She told us that when you hear a "good strong" heartbeat like that, the chances of miscarriage are less than 3%. Chris piped up and asked..."So, that was a good strong heartbeat??" "Yes!" She answered ;) I don't think he's been able to wipe the grin off his face all day! Well, me either!
Next I had blood drawn and the nurse was able to get it the first time!!! Now that's means for celebration!!! She was fabulous and I was sooo appreciative!
We go back in 2 weeks for a blood glucose test (since Mom's diabetic) and we will have our 3rd visit with Mary then as well! Keep us all in your prayers that things will continue to go so well!
Stay tuned for more updates...
Love, E
*****************************************************
October 19th, 2005
Today we went for our 3rd doctor's appointment! Our main reason for today's visit was for diabetic testing. Well, I failed. :( My blood sugar level was #151 and they highest they would accept is #140. So this means that I go back next Tuesday for more extensive testing. I will be tested several times during a 3 hour period. Mary made me feel a little better by telling me that 90% of her patients fail the first test...
She found the heartbeat rather quickly this time and only found one :) Thank goodness! She said the heart rate was 155-160 bpm (beats per minute). She thought this was slow... She said that everything still looks good :)
I will return for my next visit in 4 weeks on November 16th. This will be another routine visit except that we will set our appt then for the ultrasound in December :) Yay!
Stay tuned for more updates...
Love, E
*****************************************************
October 25th, 2005
Today I went for the 3~hour blood glucose testing. I went in at 8am fasting and had my BSL (blood sugar level) checked. It was #77. I then drank the glucola drink (VERY sugary and sweet, made to "throw" your system!) and had blood drawn every hour for the next three hours. This was the worst part. I was nervous about having blood "drawn" and then to have it drawn 4 times!!! Plus I couldn't eat anything so that made it even worse. Here were my results...
Results...
Fasting #77
1 Hour later #126
1 Hour later #98
1 Hour later #86
So, as you can tell, I passed. With flying colors. :) This means I won't be tested again until Jan-Feb (with a finger stick) when I'm 24-28 weeks along! The blood draws turned out to be OK. The lab nurse (Melissa) is fabulous! I raved about her last time and I'll do it again. She was great! She was able to "get blood" on the first try every time. So that made me feel SO much better!!! Bottom line, it's over and I don't ever have to do it again!!!
My next visit is scheduled for 3 weeks from now on November 16th. This will be a routine visit just checking weight (still down 2.5lbs), blood pressure (still doing very good at 126/78 at last check) and listening to heartbeat (found it last nite :)...just to be sure!). The great news at this visit is that we'll be able to schedule our ultrasound for our December visit to see what's growing in my belly!!! Yay! Pray the next 7 weeks fly by!!! :)
Stay tuned for more updates...
Love, E
*****************************************************
November 16th, 2005
Today I went for my 4 month visit! Just another normal visit. We listened to the heartbeat, took blood pressure (127/72) and peed in a cup :) Not that exciting!
As Mary was listening to the heartbeat I asked her if she wanted to guess what we're having b/c the next time I see her I'll know :) She guessed that it's a boy b/c she says the heartbeat is too slow for a girl (150-160 bpm). We'll see how accurate she is in just under a month :) We can't wait to find out what's been hiding in there...
Our next appointment is set for December 14th. We'll have our ultrasound at 3pm and then see the doctor at 3:45pm. We are SO excited!!!
Stay tuned for more updates...
Love, E
*****************************************************
December 14th, 2005
Today I went for my 5 month visit! A new and exciting visit! Today we had our first "official" ultrasound and Mary started measuring my belly. She said that I was measuring at exactly 20 weeks and the ultrasound looked good.
One minor concern: we saw Mary after our ultrasound and she said everything looked good except that the placenta was attached a little low in my uterus. Ultimately the placenta will need to be at or above Alexander's head so that he can deliver without rupturing it. Now it is lower than it should be. It's not covering the cervix (which is FABULOUS news) but it's lower than they'd like. She said that 99.9% of the time it will move up as my belly grows. But, just to be safe, they will do another ultrasound in January to see if it's moving upward. Worst case scenario if it doesn't move up is that they will take Alexander via C-section. Not the end of the world, but not my ideal choice either...
On a lighter note...Our ultrasound went GREAT! It was so amazing to see little Alexander kicking and punching and rolling around!!! Hard to believe all that is going on inside my belly! I'm still not feeling him kicking yet, but Mary assured me that by my next visit I'll definitely be feeling him :)
Check out his new photos!!!
Our next appointment will be January 11th @ 315pm...
Stay tuned for more updates...
Love, E
*****************************************************
January 11, 2006
Today I went for my 6 month visit! A "normal" visit with no surprises. Today my appointment was with Dr. McGowan. She is one of the other doctors in the practice. There are 4 doctors in the practice: Dr. Moss, Dr. McGowan, Dr. LaRoche and Dr. Moore. From what I hear, they are all wonderful doctors. They have officially started "rotating" me thru the doctors. Unless we have a C-section, I am not guaranteed to have Dr. Moss deliver Alexander. So, they like for you to see all doctors in the practice (just in case).
With all that said, there were no surprises at this months visit. Just blood pressure, weight, urine and heartbeat. I've gained a total of 11 pounds so far (suggested weight gain at this point is 11-15lbs).
Our next appointment will be Tuesday, January 31st @ 8am! This will be a BIG appointment starting with our ultrasound @ 8am then diabetes testing from 830a - 1130a.
Stay tuned for more updates...
Love, E
*****************************************************
January 31, 2006
Today we went for a follow up ultrasound and another 3-hour glucose test. We are 26 weeks 5 days today.
My fasting BSL was #75 and I'm waiting to get the rest of the results from the test.
The exciting part of our visit today was our ultrasound. We were very anxious to see the placenta and it's placement. As it turns out, my placenta has only moved up 2 cm. This is not a big movement and it's still got a long way to go (up to Alexander's shoulders/head in order to have a "normal vaginal" delivery). Mary didn't seem concerned though and said that our game plan now is this:
32 weeks Another ultrasound to check placenta
36 weeks Another ultrasound to check placenta
38 weeks Another ultrasound to check placenta
If the placenta is still low at the 38 week scan, she'll deliver him via c-section at 39 weeks. This would put us around the first of May. So, we really didn't leave with much more info, just a waiting game :)
My next visit will be February 22, 2006. This will be a "normal" appointment with one of the other partners, Dr. Moore. Then 3 weeks later we'll have our 32 week ultrasound...
Stay tuned for more updates...
Love, E
*****************************************************
February 22, 2006
Today I went for our 30 week Dr's visit! Today's appointment was with one of the other partners, Dr. Sovonah Moore. I was apprehensive about meeting her because I like Mary so much! I was afraid I wouldn't like Dr. Moore! But once she came in and introduced herself, my fears were put to rest! She was wonderful! She immediately was able to explain the pelvis pains that I've been having...They are actually "round ligament pains". Apparently the round ligaments stretch all the way from the placenta to the groin. She said that the good news is that these pains are not dangerous to the baby or myself. Just annoying. And unfortunately, they will more than likely be with me until he's born. Her suggestions were to take it easy, move slowly and use a heating pad on my back at nite to help loosen the muscles...
As of today I've gained a total of #20 with Alexander. Right on track. I've got about 8-10 weeks left in the pregnancy and I should be gaining 1lb a week from here on out. So that would put me well within the 25-35lb range that they suggest. My belly is measuring 30 1/2 weeks so we're right on target with size as well. We'll have a better idea of Alexander's weight in 3 weeks when we return for a follow up ultrasound.
Our next appt is March 15 when we'll have that follow up ultrasound to check the placenta again. If it's still low, we'll have another ultrasound at 36 weeks again, then at 38 weeks. If at 38 weeks it's still low, they will schedule a C-section for 39 weeks...
It's getting closer and closer! I'm just so anxious to meet him!!!
Love, E
*****************************************************
March 15, 2006
Today we went for our #33 week appointment with Dr. Moss!
We have good news and a little not so good news with today's appointment...
The good news...the placenta has moved out of the way! This means we will definitely have a vaginal birth (no c-section) barring any unforeseen emergencies...
The not so good news, my BP was 130/80 up from 120/72 three weeks ago. Also, my hands have been going numb, I've been getting frequent headaches and I'm swelling all over! As Mary put it, I have "elephant ankles" :( What this means is that I will now go in once a week for checkups. No more 3 week visits. We will be watching my BP and if it hits 140/90 I will be taken off work. There's no way to predict whether or not this will happen. so, we may not have any notice. If everything goes well and my blood pressure stays in the normal range, little Alexander will come when he's ready :)
Our next appointment is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22nd.
Keep us in your prayers as we near Alexander's birthday!!!
Love, E
*****************************************************
March 22, 2006
Today we went for our #34 week appointment with Dr. Moss!
Today's appointment was a relatively normal one...
My blood pressure was 130/80 (same as last week) so really no news...
Our next appointment is scheduled for Friday, March 31st @ 3:45pm...
Keep us in your prayers as we near Alexander's birthday!!!
Love, E
*****************************************************
March 31, 2006
Today we went for our #35 week appointment with Dr. Moss!
We arrived expecting nothing out of the ordinary and it (at least) started that way...
My blood pressure was 130/78 (virtually the same as last week) so really no news there, but then Debbie mentioned that we would have our Group B Strep test as well as our first cervical exam. Apparently these start at 35 weeks and not 36 weeks like we had planned. So, on she went! During the cervical exam we found out that we were 1/2 centimeter dilated and 60% effaced. This was a HUGE surprise as we didn't expect this ANYTIME SOON!!!
Mary didn't seem to be too concerned. She seemed to think that I would still carry Alexander to term (5/5/06). She did say that this would mean that I should have an easier/shorter labor because of this... I won't have to be induced and won't have to have help effacing.
Our next appointment is Wednesday, April 5th @ 345pm.
Keep us in your prayers as we anticipate welcoming our little man!
Love, E
*****************************************************
April 6, 2006
Today we went for our #36 week appointment with Dr. Moss!
I arrived expecting more good news! Well, we didn't get bad news at least :)
My blood pressure was 124/72, which is wonderful. I've gained a total of #24lbs so far which is great as well.
There were no changes in dilation or effacement. I am still 1/2 cm dilated and 60% effaced! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more progress next week!
Our next appointment is Wednesday, April 12th @ 345pm.
Keep us in your prayers as we anticipate welcoming our little man!
Love, E
*****************************************************
April 12, 2006
Today we went for our #37 week appointment with Dr. Moore!
We didn't receive any new news... We are still 1/2 cm dilated and 60% effaced.
My blood pressure was 130/80 which is totally normal. I've gained a total of #26lbs so far which is right in line as well...
Our next appointment is Thursday, April 20th @ 3pm.
Keep us in your prayers as we anticipate welcoming our little man!
Love, E
*****************************************************
April 20, 2006
Today we went for our #38 week appointment with Dr. Jones!
We didn't receive any new news... We are still 1/2 cm dilated and 60% effaced.
My blood pressure was 130/80 which is good. I asked today how long they would let me go "over" my due date. Dr. Jones said that they will not let me go more than 10 days overdue. However, she did tell me that I could count on not going more than a week overdue. So, at the very most, we will have this baby by 5/12! She said that once you reach your due date, they are usually ok with inducing to get him here...and at this point, I can't imagine going 1 day over!!!
Dr. Jones verified that my records had been sent to labor and delivery at MTMC (Middle Tennessee Medical Center) and they were ready for us!
Our next appointment is Thursday, April 27th @ 315pm back with Dr. Moss.
Keep us in your prayers as we anticipate welcoming our son!
Love, E
*****************************************************
April 27, 2006
Today I went for my #39 week appointment with Dr. Moss!
I am now 1 cm dilated! We are slowly making progress! He is still head down but very high still.
My blood pressure was 130/70 which is good. No protein in my urine either. Everything looks good! Mary was happy with our progress.
Our wonderful news that I received today is that we will be admitted to the hospital next Tuesday nite (May 2nd) and will be induced on Wednesday morning. Alexander will be here finally! Tuesday nite they will put the pill on my cervix to efface me 100% then start the petocin at 630am on Wednesday morning. Mary said that she will come by during rounds at 8-830am and break my water if it's low enough.
Keep us in your prayers as we enter our last week without Alex!
Love, E