Cranky, Anxious, and Ready to Pop

As you have probably already figured out, my appointment today did not end with me in the hospital. My blood pressure was actually down, not down to where it should be, but down from what it was on Tues. My protein count was the same. I still look like the Michillan (Sp?) man.

I asked the doc what the odds were that I'd be induced early. She said "pretty good." They want me to come back Monday. I asked how long they were going to let me suffer (at this point my fingers are so sore and swollen that typing, holding a pen or a spoon, and doing just about anything with them causes a tremendous amount of pain. My knees ache all the time as well, and I haven't been sleeping well at all.) All she said was that she knows the swelling is annoying, but on its own, it's not enough to warrant an induction this early. Even though I'm 38 weeks and officially considered full term, inducing now increases the risk of a C-section and possible complications. Of course if my blood pressure or protein count goes up enough, the benefits will outweigh the risks. She highly doubts, either way, that they'll let me go past my due date. But that's another 2 weeks.

The baby is still moving around quite a bit and his heartbeat is nice and strong. At least I know he's doing well. That's most important. But I am getting very anxious. I went from dreading giving birth because I was afraid of all the changes it would bring, to looking up ways to naturally induce labor at home. I've heard papaya juice can work (the woman I babysit for tried it, and went into labor later that night, though it could have been a coincidence) and they say sex can bring it on (something about semen having large amounts of the hormone that causes contractions). So I'll be trying those two first. heh Like TONIGHT! If that doesn't work, I hear a shot of castor oil is likely to do the trick. Only I don't really want to go that route because of the nasty taste and possible gross side effects. But hell, I'll do anything to move things along.

Anyhoo, for now I just have to sit tight. I go back Monday morning, unless the papaya juice and lovin work out. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Till next time...

Still Preggers

Well, the doc appt. on Tues. was uneventful. My bloodwork came back normal. My blood pressure was pretty much the same, a little high, but nothing too serious. My protein count was 277, they worry if it goes above 300. So, for the time being, they're leaving me be. I do have to go back Friday though. I'm going to have to go ever couple of days until either my blood pressure rises even more, or my protein count goes over 300. That's when they'll take him out.

I was disappointed to say the least. I know I expected another 2 1/2 weeks, but everyone was telling me, "Oh, they're sure to induce you. Look at your past history! And they can't possibly let you carry on as swollen as you are." HA! So I got my hopes up. Shouldn't have done that.

At this point it's more than just impatience of wanting to hold him and see him. Let me tell you what I look like right now. My fingers are so swollen that I can barely grasp anything. It hurts to type, it hurts to bend them. My wrists and ankles have disappeared, as well as my knees. My feet barely fit into my shoes. I am a giant swollen body of water. Call me the Michellin Man. I look gross, and I ache.

I've been told to stay off my feet as much as possible. Normally I'd relish the chance to lay around in bed all day. But not now. I've got what they call "nesting." All this nervous energy and adrenaline that shows up a couple of weeks before you deliver. All I want to do is vacuum, dust, wash baby clothes, rearrange the nursery, etc. I can't sit still!

Sigh. Nonetheless, I must try to stay as calm as possible. In the meantime, I'm supposed to call my doc if my vision blurs, I see spots, or I get a headache. All signs that my bloodpressure has gone up too high. I'll be checked again on Friday morning, but I'm not getting my hopes up this time.

Well, that's all the news for now. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for all the supportive emails and such. It really does mean a lot to me.

Till next time...

Baby Update

No, I haven't had him yet and no I'm not in labor. Friday marked my 37th week, so I'm now considered full term. But Saturday I had an appointment that turned up some familiar news.

I've been really swollen the past couple of weeks, which can happen in any pregnancy. But when I went to the doc, my blood pressure was up and they found traces of protein in my urine. Put all these together and the most likely culprit is toxemia.

Toxemia is pregnancy induced high blood pressure. It can't really affect the baby, but it can be dangerous for me. If my blood pressure goes high enough, I can go into seizures. And if I get that sick, then there is a danger to the baby. The only cure for this is to deliver the baby.

Since my blood pressure was only slightly up and there was only a trace of protein, the doc isn't doing anything rash. I have to get some labwork done Monday morning and then I go back to the doc Tuesday afternoon. If my blood pressure or protein go up, out the baby will have to come. Though they may try to control it with other methods first, like medication. But it all really depends on how bad it is and how developed they feel the baby is.

At last check, the doc thought the baby was already a good size, so I'm not too worried. Once the baby is delivered they'll put me on an IV with magnesium for 24 hours. Then everything should go back to normal.

So today we're rushing around trying to get everything finished. The baby could come at any time now, and here we thought we had another 3 weeks to get everything done.

But that's the way it goes sometimes. I'm not as nervous as I thought I'd be. I've been through this before. Of course, talk to me once I'm at the hospital and it may be a different story. Anyhoo, I will try to update you as much as I can.

That's it for now. I have to get back to finishing up this freelance work before teh baby comes.

Till next time...