The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good:

We're okay. For Now.

Saturday and Sunday's NST tests revealed no contractions, a consistent heart rate for the Little Miss and I was well hydrated. While this is all good news I feel as though I'm constantly on edge just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Is that twinge normal? Am I supposed to be having that pain? When was the last time I felt her move? Have I drank enough fluids today?

Sure I was completely sick with worry after the fall. I didn't care if I had a broken bone or how much pain I may or may not have been in, all I cared about was whether Baby Girl was okay. When she checked out okay in the ER, I felt a relief. I could breathe again. Now that I'm going through these NSTs and have found out that tightness I was feeling were indeed contractions, I'm back to nerves frayed and worried sick.

The Bad:

While I didn't have any contractions when attached to the monitors Saturday and Sunday, I felt more Sunday night and this morning. They're not at a rate that would be of concern yet...just one or two every few hours. They're not occurring all the time, just once in a while. If it were every hour I would be back at the hospital. But this concerns me because they're occurring despite my drinking a gallon plus of fluids a day.

The Ugly:

These thoughts that I can't prevent running through my head. I know my nerves are shot. I'm on the verge of tears thanks to the stress and pregnancy hormones. I KNOW I should think positively and try to keep myself calm at all costs but there are days, much like today, where I just can't and I give in to it all. The ugly reality is, IF I were to go into pre-term labor right now and it couldn't be stopped, my daughter, the one I've been growing and nurturing for 6 months now, wouldn't survive. Sure there are some amazing advances in medicine but the truth of the matter is, it's way too early for her to come into this world and she wouldn't survive beyond a few hours. That's a reality I just can't face but yet I can't ignore the possibility either.

So please, PLEASE, keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming our way. I think I need them more for my sanity than anything.

NST Tests and Belly Pics

After dealing with some minor freak-outs (okay, possibly major freak-outs) regarding the non-stress tests I finally had a few minutes to capture the 24 week belly. After taking the pics, I realized I've worn this same top for several belly pictures. I promise I have more clothes than that one shirt!

As I posted on Thursday, I was notified I'd have to go through multiple NSTs (non-stress tests) to complete the abdominal trauma protocol to make sure things really were okay with the Little Miss.

The hospital phoned Thursday evening to schedule the testing. Since I was less than 26 weeks, I needed to go in immediately to begin testing. The first of 7 tests began Friday morning. Since I am less than 26 weeks, the testing had to take place in Triage.

I was asked to provide a urine sample and they took my blood pressure as well as temperature. For an hour I had two monitors strapped to my belly. One monitor was basically a doppler used to monitor Baby Girl's heart rate and the second monitor was used to check for contractions. I had a clicker to press each time I felt the Little Miss move. She was VERY active Friday morning. While attached to the monitors, I had two contractions within the hour. The nurse was concerned I may have been going into pre-term labor but after checking my urine and consulting with the Dr. on call it was determined I was severly dehydrated....so much so I was off their hydration scale. SO not good. Apparently between vacation, being stuck in airports for two days, and the mess when we returned home, I wasn't drinking enough. Needless to say, that's been corrected.

I returned for round two of NSTs today. I was very well hydrated and had no contractions while attached to the monitors. I return Sunday for round three then have a short break before returning Tuesday and Friday for tests 4 and 5. I'll have my last two NSTs the 26th and 29th. I have my 26-week OB appointment on the 29th so the hospital was kind enough to schedule my last NST right after my appointment.

As long as I continue being complication-free (no cramping or bleeding) and don't have any more contractions, all should be okay. If I continue contracting, they'll need to do a cervix check to be sure I'm not dialating and trying to go into pre-term labor. All a very scary reality, especially with the Little Miss so small. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers until we're given the all-clear at the end of testing.

Scared.

That pretty well sums up my current state of mind.

I called my OB's office to notify her of the fall that occurred while we were on vacation. When leaving the message I was just anticipating a call back giving me instructions for what to be on the lookout for should any complications occur. Well, I was wrong.

I have to go through a several week abdominal trauma protocol at the hospital. This will include three consecutive days of NSTs (non-stress tests) to monitor the Little Miss' heart rate, any contractions, and her movements for several hours each day. If those results come back within the normal range, I'll return twice a week for two weeks for more NSTs until I'm given the all-clear that things really are okay.

I had assumed since I was feeling well, the Little Miss checked out okay at the ER out of state, she's been moving like crazy, and I'd had no cramping or bleeding that things were fine. Now I get this information and am scared witless.

While I'm sure this is all precautionary I can't help but be terrified. The thoughts and potential outcomes are too overwhelming to think about because, really, there's no one to blame but myself for the fall.

I'm now just waiting to hear from the hospital to find out when the testing will be scheduled. In the meantime we can use all the prayers, postive thoughts and good energy you can send this way. Just pray that all is okay and the Little Miss is indeed as strong and resilient as she's proven to be so far.

24 Weeks! 112 Days to go!

Umm, that number is getting awfully close to two-digit numbers! Eek!

Little Miss has gained about 4 ounces since last week and is now over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn) she has a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up.

Baby Girl's brain is also growing quickly now and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

As for me, my uterus is now about 2 inches above my belly button and about the size of a soccer ball. No wonder I can't bend over anymore! Pretty much everything you see in the belly pictures is all baby since I've only gained a total of two pounds this pregnancy. That number should be increasing in the next several weeks as the Little Miss continues to grow.

24 Week belly pictures haven't been taken yet. We were delayed a few days coming home due to weather in the northeast. When we did make it home, we were without luggage. 95% of my maternity wear was in said luggage so I've been wandering around in crummy clothes until we do get the luggage. I'll post updated pictures as soon as they're taken!

23 Weeks (a week late!)

We were off to the east coast visiting family and friends so the 23 week post was neglected.
Here's what was happening to the Little Miss during week 23:

The Little Miss is now more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. She's about the size of a large mango.

Baby Girl's sense of movement is well developed now and she can feel me dance or sway. We may now be able to see her squirm underneath my clothes (yep!). Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds her keen ears are picking up are preparing her for entry into the world. Loud noises that become familiar now - such as the dogs barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner - probably won't faze her when she hears them outside of the womb.

The Little Miss is a very active little girl in the womb, some days more than others. She finally cooperated long enough for Y to feel her movements and is becoming quite adept at kicking me in the bladder. Thanks, little one!

In other news, I had a tumble while we were away. The weather in the northeast had been very odd during our visit with torrential downpours almost daily. The Friday before we were supposed to come home, we were stuck in one of those downpours without jackets or umbrellas. The friends we were staying with weren't home at the time so we had to make a dash for the back of their house where we could get some shelter. In the process of making a run for it, gravity won and I fell right on their wet driveway. Yep, landed right on my stomach. I somehow managed to realize I needed to avoid impact with my belly as I was going down and must have turned a bit because I landed mostly on the right side of my body. I didn't care about the fact that I was soaked, scraped, bleeding and bruised I just wanted to be sure the baby was okay. Our friends took me to the local ER where they checked me out first then sent someone from the maternity floor down to check on the baby. Of course, up to this point I hadn't felt her move so I was really getting worried, as they were taking my vitals she gave me a strong kick. Her heart rate was strong at 140bpm and since I had no cramping or bleeding at the time all was deemed okay and I was sent on my way. I need to follow up with my OB but she seems to be doing great and has been moving a ton since then.

Here are the obligatory 23 week belly pics taken the day after the fall at 23 weeks, 3 days.

22 Week Belly Pics and appointment update!

22 Weeks


22 Weeks, close up

In other news, I just scheduled my last 4 week appointment. After August 29th my appointments will switch to every two weeks. I haven't gained any weight, in fact I lost four pounds so I'm up a grand total of 2 pounds this pregnancy. My OB was not worried and said she wouldn't be concerned unless it continues at the next few appointments. The Little Miss is doing great but apparently sucking all my blood. I'm a bit anemic so we're working on getting me more hydrated and more iron. We're trying first through food sources then will add iron supplements (in addition to the prenatals) if needed.

22 Weeks!

The Little Miss is now 11 inches long, about the length of a spaghetti squash, and weighs nearly 1 pound!

Baby Girl is now starting to look like a tiny newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If we could see inside my womb, we'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside the Little Miss' belly, her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

The Little Miss is becoming very active in the womb. She's yet to cooperate long enough for Y to get a feel but we're beginning to notice her movements externally. Her nursery now has most of the furniture. The crib, dress, and glider were delivered this past weekend. All that remains is a small bookcase and a fresh coat of paint on the walls. The painting really should have come before the furniture but there just wasn't enough time!

We're off to the east coast to visit family and friends while I'm still able to travel. Updates may be delayed until we return. 22 week belly pics should be posted soon!

21 Weeks (and 4 days)!

Here's what's happening with the Little Miss this week:

She now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is about 10 1/2 inches head to heel - about the length of a carrot!

In other developments, the Little Miss' eyebrows and lids are present now. Since we're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well. I will soon feel like the Little Miss is practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. I should begin to notice a pattern to her activity as I get to know her better inside the womb. I have to say, I wasn't thrilled with the 2am party in the womb the other night. Doesn't she know her Mama needs her rest!?

Here's the 21 weeks belly pic, taken at 21 weeks, 2 days:



In other updates, we're making slow progress on the nursery. We managed to clear most of the contents on Saturday and picked up most of the furniture today. The crib wouldn't fit in the vehicles we had available so we're borrowing a friend's truck to pick up the crib Monday. So now our nursery has a combo dresser and glider! Yay! We still need to paint all the walls but that's going to have to wait until after our upcoming vacation. I'll update with nursery pictures soon!

20 weeks (and 1 day)!

We're at the half-way point! I have a feeling I might start having small panic attacks the more I realize the number of weeks remaining is less than the number of weeks along! Eek! It's not that I'm scared of having this little girl, far from it, it's the fact that there is SO much to do in seemingly SO little time. I know we'll get there but our Little Miss To-Do List is ever increasing in length!

Here's what's happening with the Little Miss this week:
She's now about the length of a banana! Measurements, beginning at 20 weeks, are now taken from head to heel rather than head to bottom. The Little Miss is about 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel. She now weighs about 10 1/2 ounces.

She is swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She can begin tasting all the varying flavors Mama is eating as she swallows the amniotic fluid. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and we'll see it in her first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery). Here's what the Little Miss may look like inside my belly:
The Little Miss is also becoming quite the prolific mover! I've had several strong kicks and movements this week. On Sunday I was actually able to see my belly move in response to her movement. Last night, I was sitting peacefully on the couch when she kicked so hard it startled me. Y was in the office, working, when I yelled into him that his daughter was beating me up from the inside. He tried to feel her movements but the little stinker settled down for a while.

20 week belly pics coming soon.....

Belly Pics and Bedding Decisions

First, here is the 19 week belly pic. It was taken late at night so you're only getting the cropped version. I would scare too many people if you saw my face in this one! Ha!


Now on to the good stuff. While we were in Missouri, my Mom informed us that she wanted to make the bedding for Little Miss. I, as many parents, had just been planning on buying a set once we found out what we were having. While I appreciate my Mom offering to make the bedding for us, I had no idea the stress it would cause! Not only did we have to come up with a color scheme but we had to consider material designs, comforter designs, bed skirt designs etc., find the material that would fulfill those requirements and then put it all together so we could decide if the designs were going to work. I spent the majority of two days looking at material swatches online. I first picked out key pieces of material I liked, then went in search of coordinating or complimentary material. Once that was done, I put everything together designing my own comforter, bed skirt, and bumper pads to be used later.

So without further ado, here are two of the possible comforter designs. We will be going with the first one as soon as I get the swatches in my hand and can confirm that it will indeed look okay.

Comforter design #1


Comforter design #2

We're planning to paint the walls a soft yellow or goldish color. The paint will be chosen once I have the swatches in hand and can take them with me to look at samples. We'll accent with the red color and have an overall safari theme. Giraffes happen to be one of my favorite animals so I'm looking forward to picking out a few of my favorite giraffe pictures to use as artwork on the walls.