Leaving for the hospital

It has not quite hit me yet. You know something? I am having a baby today! OMG!
Wish me luck!!!
Char

WE MEET OUR NEW LITTLE GIRL TOMORROW!!!!!!

I cannot believe that this is most likely my last pre-baby blog entry!!!! I cannot believe that we meet our new little girl tomorrow! I am so excited, as are Greg and Morgan. Of course, I am quite nervous and I am sure this nervousness will increase as the day goes on. The pending C-section scares the day lights of out me, but knowing that there is a great prize at the end helps ease the anxiety.

Yesterday, I had my last OB appointment. I was shocked to find out that I am not dilated, despite the pain and discomfort I was in this weekend. My OB said that the pain I am feeling with every step is most likely my pelvic bone separating. OUCH! The rest is Braxton Hicks contractions. He said some women just experience both of these as painful. Who would have guessed that I would be one of those women????? I continue to have contractions but nothing regular so we should be good to go for tomorrow, so long as I do not over do it today. If I do, I might be visiting the hospital today. But we do not want that since my OB is not on call today :( Greg took off for today to help, as he has been doing so wonderfully, with last minute things around the house and prep for our new little girl's arrival.

My mom and dad are coming in tonight to be here for the big event and my mother-in-law and sister are coming to the hospital in the morning. My mom and dad will bring Morgan with them to the hospital :) It is going to be so nice to have family there, as we did not have family there right away when Morgan was born...we lived in NC then.

Yesterday, I found out that after the C-section, I will be moved the recovery room with the baby and Greg. We will be there for about 2 hours until they move me to my room. I thought that, at least, Morgan would be able to come back to see her sister right away but I was told that cannot happen. Only me, Greg, and the baby are allowed in the recovery room, as the recovery room is a large open room with lots of women and their brand new babies. Morgan and everyone else will have to wait about 2 hours from the delivery to see our new addition. While I understand why they have this policy, it upsets me the most that my dear Morgan will have to wait until her sister is a few hours old before she meets her for the first time. I guess this is the part of the "being cheated" that I have always felt about C-sections. When you have a c-section, you get cheated out of alot of things: holding the baby right away, cutting the cord yourself, having loved ones at the delivery, and siblings meeting their new sibling immediately. I know, I know.....think of the prize. You get the same prize regardless of the type of delivery. But I can't help to feel cheated out of parts of the experience in some ways.

Regardless, we are very excited to meet our new little girl and introduce her to everyone tomorrow. Keep an eye out for email with pictures over the next day or two.

Wish me luck!
Char

Forgot to mention......

On Thursday, the sonographer measured our little one again. She was measuring about 7 pounds 9 ounces!!!! Again, this is give or take about 7 ounces or so. I asked the sonographer what she thought about what her birth weight might be, based on her experience and the baby's growth. She is guessing that on Wednesday, she will weigh, at birth, about 7 pounds 5 ounces. Lets see :)

Rough Night

Boy, was last night a rough night. I think I moved around a bit too much on Friday and WAMMM it hit me. I was having cramping and contractions all night long. It was so uncomfortable that I was in tears. I am so ready for Wednesday. I had no contractions or cramping with Morgan. The first cramp or contraction I felt with her was when I was induced at the hospital. This is completely foreign to me. I did not call the OB since they were not regular, but boy was i uncomfortable. Today, Greg made sure I did not leave the couch for much of anything. i feel a bit better, although still cramping and contracting. Wednesday is just around the corner.
:)
Char

FULL TERM TODAY........

Well, we made it to 37 weeks, which is considered full term. YEAH! I had an appointment with my OB yesterday and all looked good. Baby is doing well. They did not measure her today via ultrasound, but last week, she measured @ 6pounds 8 ounces! I asked my OB today to measure my belly for fundus height, just out of curiosity. Anybody who has seen me, says that I look so small. Well...HA! I measured 1 week ahead. I was monitored for about 30 minutes and I was having regular contractions, about 2 minutes apart. My OB did an internal exam and I am still the same as last week, thinning a bit but cervix is completely closed. Even though having the baby now would be fine, he wants me to continue with my modified bed rest until the C-section next week. You see, if I do go early, I am not guaranteed that he would be around to do my C-section. My OB happens to be the head guy at a large practice. He is rarely on call. I drive 45 minutes (each way) 2 times per week because I feel comfortable with my OB. For those who know me well, you know that I am a nervous nut, especially when it comes to surgery. So...1 more week of confinement and rest and then we get to hold our new little girl. I cannot believe it! It is so surreal! I cannot wait to see her, to hold her, to know that she is ok. And of course, to share her name :)

Well, until next time.
Char

ALMOST THERE.......

Today, I am 35 weeks and 6 days. Tomorrow I will 36 weeks. The arrival of our new addition is only 2 weeks away!!! I cannot believe it.

Had a an appointment with my OB today. He has me coming 2 times per week for monitoring. Today, baby I was having regular contractions and the baby's heart rate was pretty low, compared to normal. They believe all of the uterine activity was lulling her to sleep. After they nudged her a bit, she maintained her normal heart rate. I am to continue on my bed rest, most likely until July 23. I am managing. Greg and Morgan continue to be my saviors. Morgan continues to help me during the day and Greg has been spending the last few weekend doing nothing but cleaning and getting things together for the babys arrival. I am very lucky :)

My headaches have returned, along with the awful heartburn. I have had a return of some morning sickness, too. Sleeping is becoming challenging, once again. But it all is for a good prize.....our sweet little princess. we cannot wait to meet her.

Until next time.
Char

C-Section Scheduled....Trying to hang in there :(

Let's see...where do I begin? I remain on bed rest, although slightly more strict, as of yesterday. Sunday night, I began having regular contractions that were about 2 minutes apart. This lasted for chunks of time, say an hour or so and then they were replaced with really bad cramping. The cramps are awful....they are terrible cramps that last in duration for about 1.5 hour each. UGH! I managed through the night and called my OB in the morning. I had a routine appt scheduled for 1pm but wanted to know if he wanted to see me sooner. They had me come in at 10:30am. My cervix was closed and the baby looked good. She is head down, which explains my inability to sit upright. I swear she stiffens her entire body, keeping her feet in my ribs. It makes it quite difficult to sit up. My OB tends to believe that what I experienced the other night was most likely VERY STRONG braxton hicks contractions, esp since there is no change in my cervix.. He said that some women feel them really strong. Of course that would be me, right? Par for the course with this pregnancy. He asked me to continue with my bed rest, avoid standing for any period of time, drink lots of water, and avoid the heat. He would like for me to make it, at least, until next week, when I will be 36 weeks. Can you believe it? Right now, I am 35 weeks. it blows my mind. He said that most of preterm birth risks decrease after 36 weeks. I would like to make it at least to 37 weeks, since this is the magic number for lung development that effects c-section babies. But, in case we make it all the way to 38 weeks, the C-SECTION IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 23!!!!!!!!!!!!

Morgan continues to be a blessing. She has made alot of sacrifices this summer and is taking it like such a big girl. We are very proud of her. Greg has been wonderful. He works all week and takes his weekends to do household things for me, since I cannot. He detailed a great bit of the house this weekend, getting it dust and dig hair free for the baby's arrival. He is so awesome!

Last week, I forgot to note that the baby weighs 5 pounds 8 ounces....I cannot believe it! I have another appt on thursday, so my OB can check my cervix before the 3 day weekend.

Until next time...
Char

Update....modified bed rest

Hey all....called the doctor this am. Was going nuts and was not feeling contractions since Tuesday. He asked me to come in and be checked. He put me on the monitor for 1/2 hour and saw that my uterus was quiet. I told him that my DH was concerned about me, as I was very depressed and crying alot during bed rest. My OB decided that since all looked quiet, he would modify my bed rest. He still wants me resting, not lifting, not standing around, not walking around, no chores.......he gave me permission to move around a bit more, take my DD to the movies (so long as I do not have to wait in a line), take DD to swim practice and meets (so long as I am sitting down). He decided this, he said, since all was quiet with my uterus and for emotional stability.

I know that other people have been on bed rest for months and I feel like a baby, but it was too much for me, esp given that I was not feeling any more contractions. I am seeing OB again on Tuesday for my weekly visit. He gave me instructions to listen to my body, as I always do, and call if I do feel contractions.

On bed rest........... 33 weeks :(

Hey all..... Started feeling some strong cramping on Sunday and Monday. I figured that I would wait until my appt with my OB on Tuesday....Tuesday morning I noticed that what I was feeling was more like sharp shooting pains in my lower left groin...they were about a few minutes apart. I went to my OB appt, they checked my cervix via ultrasound (it was fine) and they hooked me up to the monitor. All looked great but I still was feeling the contractions. After my monitoring, I met with my OB...he sent me over to Labor and Delivery since I was reporting feeling something. At L&D, they hooked me up to the monitor and recorded that contractions every 4 minutes. they gave me Tributeline and IV fluids. The Tributeline decreased the contractions but made my heart race. They did not want to give me anymore since I had this reaction. They are doing a urine culture to rule out a UTI, which is what was causing the contractions a few weeks ago. still waiting for the results. They released me on bed rest and my Ob asked for me to call and check in this morning at the office. I went home last night, my uterus calm. I rested on the couch and called the OB this morning. My OB wanted me to come in and check my cervix. My cervix measured long and closed. He said that he wants me on house rest/bed rest until my next appt on Tuesday. He does not want to put me on Tribulteline since it made my heart race so we wants me to rest. He said he wants me to keep my little one in the oven for at least another 2-3 weeks. He asked me to call if I feel regular contractions. I am feeling occasional contractions and more regular cramping but if the contractions get regular I need to call.

this is so hard for me. I am a very independent person. I cannot stand to depend on others. I had 3 different people help me with daughter this morning to get her to swim practice, swim breakfast and her swim meet tonight. I cried when she left for her swim team. I have never missed anything of hers. It is very hard for me to sit at home and know she is there without me. Greg is meeting her there, as he is at work. Morgan made her own lunch and dinner today (sandwiches) and helped do the laundry. She is such a selfless child.

Forgot to post at 32 weeks. Baby measured 4 pounds 9 ounces at 32 weeks. She looked awesome!!!!!!!

Baby's bedroom is almost finished...thankfully I was able to get some stuff done in the room before be putting on bed rest. Morgan and I painted the room a nice pale yellow and Greg did his first major home improvement.....He replaced the baseboards in the baby's room. I am so proud of him. The baby's furniture was delivered today, too. It was so nice to have the furniture delivered and the crib assembled. we did not even have to do it. Greg is finishing up the custom closet. I will have Greg take pictures and I will post them. I cant wait for everything to be done and the baby to enjoy it all.....

Anyhow, that is what has been happening here at my end.

31 weeks and Update from Doctor's visit

Well, went in for a doctor's appointment on Monday. They checked my cervix...closed. The measured the cervix via Ultrasound and it was nice and thick. The doctor tends to think that my bladder infection caused the contractions along with me being sensitive to Braxton Hicks contractions. He took me off of strict bed rest and told me to take it easy and rest if I feel contractions. He feels confident that all is fine. The baby looked so cute on the U/S :)

Char

another trip to labor and delivery :(

Last night I had a rough night sleeping. I was up going to the bathroom every 30 minutes. They told me at the hospital that this is from the Bladder Infection. Woke up this morning and was feeling menstrual like cramping every 10 minutes. I called the on call doctor. She told me to return to L&D. We went to L&D. They hooked me up to the monitor again for about 1.5 hours and gave me IV fluids again. I was feeling cramping there but they did not see it on the monitor. They released me on Bed Rest and asked me to be seen either tomorrow or Tuesday at my OB (the OB on call from my OB office instructed this). They think the cramping and uterine irritability is caused by the UTI so I am drinking TONS of cranberry juice and water and taking my antibiotics.

I was instructed to call the on call doctor if the contractions become more frequent or stronger and are every 10 minutes. UUGGHHH! This is how I was feeling when I left the hospital. I guess I cam going to try to hang in there and hopefully get an appt for tomorrow.

Say a prayer for me :)

A visit to Labor and Delivery :(

Woke up this morning with shooting pains in my lower abdomen. Called the doctor and she said to go to L&D to be monitored. I was monitored for 4 hours! As soon as they put me on the monitor they saw regular small contractions (irritations, as they called them) about every 2 minutes. They ran some blood and urine labs and it turns out I have a trace of a bladder infection. They had to give me two shots of Tributilin to stop the contractions, IV fluids, and IV antibiotics. They gave me a prescription for antibiotics and sent me home. They told me to call my doctor if I have more than 4 contractions per hour. Glad it was nothing serious but, of course, I am freaked out anyway....

30 weeks

I am 30 weeks this week. I really cannot believe that I have made it to the 30 weeks. It was just yesterday that I was 8 weeks pregnant. I know that I say that I cannot believe it from week to week but when you try for so long, it really is so surreal that you make it from week to week.

Alot of the same from last week. The third trimester is here and here with a vengeance. If this is G-d's way of foreshadowing what is to come, I quite frightened :) My pregnancy with Morgan was a breeze and so is she. Does this mean that my baby, my second child, will be a handful? Morning sickness has become a daily thing, lasting mostly in the morning. Today the nauseousness lasted for most of the day. I have been EXHAUSTED! I have been waking up in the middle of the night for several hours a night and being very tired during the day. I wind up taking a nap for 1-2 hours most days and still feeling tired.

I had my 30 week appointment at the doctor today. It went well, although I gained 5 pounds in the past 2 weeks. Once again, he has asked me to watch my sugar intake. I asked for guidelines re: sugar intake. he told me to keep it under 40 grams per day. I will work really hard to follow his guidelines. He asked me about the baby's movement and I told him that some days she moves alot and other days she barely moves. I told him I know that this is because of my tilted uterus, anterior placenta, and extra fluid. He said he would like to, for now on at all of my appointments he will do a Biophysical Profile, which includes some ultrasounds and monitoring. I will be having appointments every 2 weeks until week 34 weeks and then weekly appointments until delivery. He did a Biophysical Profile today with an ultrasound. The baby looked great. She weighed 3lb. 13 oz. When they started the ultrasound, the baby was sleeping and then she started stretching and waking up. She looked so CUTE!

Until next time......
Char

29 weeks....cannot believe it!!

Today I am 29 weeks pregnant. I am in the home stretch. Can't beleive that I only have about 10 weeks left (Doctor doing C-section about 10-14 days before due date so somewhere around 38 weeks!!) Let's see, what is happening?????

As soon as 27 weeks approached, I could feel the 3rd trimester begin! Feels just like the 1st trimester. I am tired alot, not much appetite, and alot of food aversions. Hanging in there, though :) I took my 28 week Glucose test to test for gestational diabetes and I PASSED! Also at my 28 week appt., they did an ultrasound and the amniotic fluid level is back within normal limits. AND so far, I have only gained 19 pounds. Let's hope that I stay far away from the pound weight gain I had with Morgan.

My baby shower was so nice. Joc threw me my baby shower on May 10. Lot so family dame in from NJ and PA and lots of friends from here, too. There were 30+ people there. It was so nice. I especially enjoyed that Morgan was part of the shower. She helped me open the baby presents and read the cards. I am so excited for her to be a big sister :) THANKS, JOC, FOR A GREAT SHOWER!

The baby's bedding set came last week. It is so pretty! We thought it was just brown and pink but there is a hint of pale yellow in there so we decided to paint the baby's room pale yellow. We went this past weekend and bought FreshAire paint from HomeDepot. It is VOC free and odor free so it is safe for pregnant women to paint with. I can't wait to start painting. We started to clear out the guest room.....giving Morgan the queen bed in her room and getting rid of lots of junk in the guest room so we can turn it into the baby's room. I should be starting the painting this week....

Well, until next time. Char

4D ultrasound pics taken today.

Baby was lying on her stomach so it was hard to get a straight face shot but we got some really cool profile pics. See the slideshow above.

The internet should be banned for pregnant women!

Well, after my appointment with my OB on Monday, I was prompted to search online to see what could be the cause of an increase in amniotic fluid. What a big mistake! OMG! There are so many things that increased amniotic fluid can be related to, too scary to go into here. After reading all of this horrible stuff, I called my OB and told him what I read. He reassured me that my AFL (amniotic fluid level) was not high enough to be a concern. He suggested that i go to a Perinatologist to ease my mind. I scheduled an appointment with the specialist for 8am Wednesday morning.

The Perinatologist confirmed the slight increase in AFL, measuring 21.5 cm. After doing a thorough scan of the baby, measuring every part of her, looking at her brain, looking at her stomach, etc., he agreed with the my OB. There is nothing to worry about. Often times, a slight increase in AFL is nothing other times it is related to a bigger baby and/or gestational diabetes.

Our little peanut is measuring a few days ahead, so she is slightly larger. He suggested that I do my gestational diabetes test, as scheduled for next week and follow up with another U/S in 3-4 weeks. He reassured me that it really does not appear to be anything but idiopathic, no apparent reason/cause.

I felt much better after the appointment with the specialist. Now, I am looking forward to the 3D/4D ultrasound schedule for tomorrow....Morgan, Greg, and I are all going together to see our little peanut. We are so excited!

Will update after the scan tomorrow....
Char

Quadruple Wammy

No...I am not having Quads.... I went to the Dr. today because of decreased fetal movement. They did an ultrasound and put me on the monitor. The baby was moving like crazy. I went in knowing that I will not be feeling movements like everyone else because I have:

1. A titled Uterus
2. Anterior Placenta

Well, come to find out, I have 2 more things that are causing me to not feel movements...

3. Baby is breech
4. I have a slightly more than normal amount of amniotic fluid....


Can you believe it???????? 4 things. My OB said, "only you Charlene, only you..."
Char

26 weeks...almost at the 3rd trimester!!!

Tuesday marked 26 weeks. I cannot believe it. Things continue to go well. I had a two week reprieve from feeling bad then it started again. Perhaps my body is starting the 3rd trimester a tad bit early. Regardless, the baby is moving around alot. Some days she is quite a bit more active than others. The other day, I think I felt an elbow or knee rub against my belly. It was so cool!

Morgan reads to the baby almost every night. She has chosen GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU. She is so sweet. We go to the OB a week from tomorrow for the 3D/4D ultrasound. We cannot wait. All three of us are going.....:) The day after the 3D/4D U/S is my baby shower! I am very excited, as I did not have a shower for Morgan. So this is my first baby shower.

Well, nothing else really exciting. Until next time.......
Char

25 Weeks Yesterday

This past week has been good! Overall, I have been feeling much better. I still have morning sickness but it lasts for a few hours and then is gone. Some days...none. My leg and foot are not bothering me much, as I followed doctor's orders and bought myself a really good pair of supportive shoes. My back is starting to hurt, although quite expected as I had sciatic pain with Morgan.

My belly has gotten nice and round...very obvious I am pregnant, now. The baby has some slow movement days and some very active days. Yesterday and today I think she was dancing. It is so neat to feel her moving and to see my belly move around. This is the part of being pregnant that I absolutely LOVE!

At my last doctor's appt., I was informed that I would not have a c-section date scheduled earlier than 1 month ahead of time. However, my OB said that he would schedule me approximately 10 days before my due date of August 5. So...looks like we will be expecting our newest addition to the McNab family sometime during the 3rd-4th week of July.

We have been working on her name....getting 3 people to agree on one name is not easy. We have decided to keep the name private until she is born. Come on.....you guys already know she is a girl and when we are having her (or will soon)...we need something to be a surprise :)

Well, until next time......
Thanks for checking in...
Char

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