Midwife appointment Week 38-39

Today was our 38 week appointment (tomorrow I will 39 weeks) I had her check to make sure I wasn't leaking, so a lab tech had to come up and get the test.  We had to wait to do the exams until they got there.  After that test we checked the regular stuff, and talked about being ready for her to come.  She is still having a hard time reaching my cervix, so we really don't know if I'm dilated or effaced.  She guesses 1cm, but said that with the second pregnancy the cervix is thicker because it is making up for lack of elasticity after pushing out the first baby.  That is most likely why my cervix is so far back too. 

 

 It's crazy how different each pregnancy can be.  You would think that being the same parents you would carry and have the same things happen with each baby. 

 

 Either way I'm ready for her to be here.  I just want to hold her in my arms, and Bo can't stop talking about Pyper she is so excited to be a big sister.
 

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 38/39
Blood Pressure: 104/68 
Baby's heart beat: 146
Fundal Height: 35 cm 
Weight gain: 33 lbs.
Effaced: ?
Dilated: ? 
I was a little nervous about my blood pressure since I have been very bloated and gained 5lbs (which I am certain is all water weight) this week.  However it is still fairly low, so hopefully it will stay that way.

Results from Bo 

Week 39

Blood Pressure: 116/76

 Baby's heart beat: 140

Fundal Height: 36cm

 Total Weight gain: 50lbs.

Effaced: 50%

Dilated: 0cm

Midwife Appointment Weeks 37/38 Baby Cleve #2

We had our 38 week midwife appointment, but I am still 37 weeks until tomorrow.  We really didn't talk about much today just checked my stats and told me to come back in another week.

  

We did however talk a little about Bo's doctor and what I like and don't like about him.  I told her about how I felt like they have should have a checklist of milestones that your child should be at, and I thought it was weird that they didn't ask me any of those questions.  She said that was a great idea, and she was going to e-mail the pediatric department about that.  She was also surprised that they didn't ask me any of those questions.  I also found out that the other pediatrician at our clinic retired, and they are looking to hire a new pediatrician, so it will be interesting to see who they hire.

OK, back to Pyper

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 37/38

Blood Pressure: 94/68 (Back to normal)

Baby's heart beat: 140
Fundal Height: 36 cm 

Weight gain: 28 lbs.
Effaced: ?
Dilated: ? 
 My cervix is to far back for her to really check, but she thinks that it is fairly thick. I really don't remember her having this problem with Bo, but I'm not worried if she's not.


Results from Bo 
Week 37

Blood Pressure: 114/76

Baby's heart beat: 140
Fundal Height: 34cm

Total Weight gain: 39 lbs. 

Effaced: 0%
Dilated: 0cm

Midwife Appointment Week 36 Baby Cleve #2

These appointments seem so pointless sometimes, but I guess that's a good thing.  

We did the regular routine, but this time she did a strep B test and checked to see if I have started to dilate yet.  

I got a little dizzy again when I laid down, but once I drank some water and turned on my side I was just fine.  My midwife thinks that it's just the way I am laying on the table and I have trouble breathing because she is so high which causes me to get dizzy.  Who knows I just now I will not miss that part of being pregnant.

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 36

Blood Pressure: 104/62

Baby's heart beat: 156
Fundal Height: 34 cm 

Weight gain: 26 lbs.

Results from Bo 
Week 37

Blood Pressure: 114/76 (the highest its been my whole pregnancy) 

Baby's heart beat: 140 (lowest its been)
Fundal Height: 34cm

Total Weight gain: 39 lbs. 

Midwife appointment Week 34 Baby Cleve #2

Another uneventful midwife appointment.

Bo came along for this one, and she stole the show entertaining the nurse with singing and dancing.

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 34

Blood Pressure: 94/60

Baby's heart beat: 150
Fundal Height: 36 cm 

Weight gain: 25 lbs.

Results from Bo 
Week 35

Blood Pressure: 96/64

Baby's heart beat: 140
Fundal Height: 34cm

Total Weight gain: 35 lbs.

Follow-up Appointments

I promised follow-up from my appointments, but I never got to it.  Life just gets way to busy.

1. Ultrasound to check if I had a kidney stone, or just an active child

2. Meet with Nutritionist to talk about my diet and hypoglycemia

3. Follow-up appointment with my midwife

Appointment 1:

Bo and I went to the ultrasound early Thursday morning, I have really enjoyed having her at the ultrasound appointments.  She has been so well behaved for all of them.  I also think it has been really good for her to see her sister to help with her understanding of what is happening.  I had a wonderful ultrasound tech, she was so sweet, and Bo loved her.  She did her job of checking all of my organs to ensure that where no problems with any of them and especially looking for kidney stones.  Then she took a peek at our baby girl, she told me that she wasn't suppose to, but how could you not when your just right there.  I loved seeing our baby girl again, and as soon as Bo saw her she said "baby sister", to precious.  She also confirmed that she is a girl, and that she has hair.  (I can't wait to hold her.)  She also told me that although she can not officially tell me, but she thought everything looked good, and I most likely had bruising from our strong little girl.  They later called me to officially tell me that every thing was fine.

Appointment 2:

Thursday afternoon I headed to the Nutritionist to learn more about how I can eat to keep my blood sugars level.  What I learned that I need to eat 6 times a day, and only 30 carbs. at a time.  Who knew.  She also gave me a wonderful guide to how many carbs. are in the most common food items. I was amazed at some of the items and how many carbs.are in some of the foods I thought were good for me.  Like, a regular sized banana is 25-30 carbs.  She also recommended that I have a Extend bar right before I go to bed to help prevent my blood sugars from dropping over night.  My blood sugars were usually in the 70's when I woke up, and they should be in the 90's.  Now that I know what to eat and how to track my blood sugars, I have started to feel better, and less bitchy.  (I'm sure Josh is excited about that)

Appointment 3:

Tuesday I went to my midwife to do a follow-up from the previous week.  Everything was normal, and she just did the standard check-up.

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 31 Appointment

Blood Pressure: 94/62

Baby's heart beat: 130
Fundal Height: 32 cm 

Weight gain: 20 lbs.

Midwife Appointment Week 30 Baby #2

I headed to my appointment Tuesday morning feeling great, but as soon as I walked in the door I started having a hard time breathing and getting really light headed.  My nurse got me some orange juice and some water and laid down for a minute.  When my midwife came in she asked me what I had eaten and I told her two bananas, yogurt, and a protein bar.  She told me that although all of those things are healthy their are two many carbs. in those and I needed to save those for later in the day.  Who knew that eating healthy really isn't healthy for me in the morning.  I also talked to her about how my right upper torso hurts all of the time.  We both think that it's just the baby pushing everything up and I am probably just bruised internally because of it.  However, she ordered an ultrasound to make sure that I don't have kidney stones, or my organs aren't getting to squished.  We also made an appointment with a dietitian to help me understand how to balance my blood sugar levels so I don't get light headed, and just generally feel better overall.  They also gave me a blood glucose reader, so I can start to track how food effects my blood sugars. 

After talking about all of these new developments she told me that the third trimester in the a second baby is worse then the third trimester in your first baby.  She said it was because your hormones are greater and your body is already stretched out.  This pregnancy is defiantly a lot different then with Bo not bad or good just different.

Now for housekeeping:

Blood Pressure: 108/76 
(this is high for me but they took it when my blood sugars were dropping)

Baby's heart beat: 155
Fundal Height: 30 cm 

Weight gain: 17 lbs.
(which means I haven't gained any weight since my last appointment)
 I'm not sure if that is bad or good

Results from Bo 

Blood Pressure: 100/60

Baby's heart beat: 152

Fundal Height: 29 cm

Total Weight gain: 31 lbs.

Both my appointments are tomorrow, so I will update how they go soon.

Midwife appointment Week 26 Baby #2

I got my appointment and had to go to the lab to drink some sugar.

Then off to my appointment I went.

Baby #2 Heartbeat 152 beats per minute. Right on target.
It was really hard to track her heart beat because she was moving around so much. 
We really didn't talk about much related to the baby, because everything was normal.  I love that she takes the time to shoot the breeze.  It's a nice change from the in and out appointments I usually get when I go to a regular doctor

Now for housekeeping:

Results from Bo

Blood Pressure: 98/60

Baby's heart beat: 152

Weight gain: 21 lbs.

Results of  Blood Glucose Test from Bo:

Glucose: 66 (SR 70-129)

Grams of Glucose: 50gm

Hemoglobin: 11.6 (SR 12-16.0 g/dl)

Platelets: 243 (SR 150-450 k/ul)

Blood Pressure: 98/60

Baby's heart beat: 152

Weight gain: 17 lbs.

Results of  Blood Glucose Test from Baby #2:

Glucose: 45 (SR 70-129)

Grams of Glucose: 50gm

Hemoglobin: 11.1 (SR 12-16.0 g/dl)

Platelets: 198 (SR 150-450 k/ul)

I got a call later telling me that I have Hypoglycemia which means my blood sugar is too low and I need to eat more and snack on proteins like cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, cheese, and nuts. I should also be careful on how much carbohydrates I consume because it turns into sugar.
Low blood sugar also explains why I have been tired, dizzy and insomnia.  It also explained why I have been craving so much sugar
On a good note this means I just get to eat more, good thing I LOVE food.

Midwife Appointment Week 21

This was such an uneventful appointment, so sorry in advance.

Baby #2 Heartbeat 150 beats per minute. Right on target. 

 I love that they are normal.  I also LOVE hearing our babies heartbeat. 

She sounds so healthy in there, and she has really been moving a lot lately already making it more fun to be pregnant this time around.

My midwife said the the second pregnancy is often more difficult then the first one, but I said it has been so much easier this time around.  I was always sick when I was pregnant with Bo and hated most of the process, this time around just seems easier.  Maybe it's less worry, or maybe its just easier either way it has made me hate being pregnant far less this time around.

Bo at 22 week midwife appointment Overview:

Blood Pressure: 98/62

Baby's heart beat: 152

Weight gain: 11 lbs.

Cleve Baby #2 at 21 week midwife appointment Overview:

Blood Pressure: 90/62

Baby's heart beat: 150

Weight gain: 8lbs.

Midwife appointment 15 weeks Baby #2

At 10 weeks I had gained 6 pounds, but at this appointment I was down 4 pounds.  Which essentially means I have only gained 2 pounds during this pregnancy. 

I think it has a lot to do with me being sick and not being able to keep anything down.  However now that I can eat again, I'm sure that it will all come back quickly.

At 10 weeks my Blood Pressure was 104/66, and at this appointment it was down to 90/60. Which is great.  Now if it can stay low my whole pregnancy that would be great.

I decided to get my flu shot today. ( I haven't gotten one since I was 18, and I haven't had the flu since I was 18.)  However, after being so sick with my cold I really didn't want to risk getting the flu.  Especially with how quickly it has been spreading this year.  Better safe then sorry.

Baby #2 Heartbeat 150 beats per minute. Right on target.  

The appointments always seem so pointless when everything is normal, but I love that they are normal.  I also LOVE hearing our babies heartbeat.
It just makes me feel better knowing that everything is fine.

Bo at 18 week midwife appointment Overview:

Blood Pressure: 100/62

Baby's heart beat: 150

Weight gain: 9lbs.

Cleve Baby #2 at 15 week midwife appointment Overview:

Blood Pressure: 90/60

Baby's heart beat: 150

Weight gain: 2lbs.

Ultrasound #2 for Little Cleve #2

11 weeks 3 day

Waiting to see the baby

When we went to the first ultrasound they couldn't date the pregnancy so my midwife wanted me to go again to ensure we have the correct due date.  Our baby was a mover that day which made it hard to get it's measurement (as you can see by the dating on the bottom).  However they are very confident that our baby is due July 9th 2013.

It was kinda fun to bring Bo along for this one since Josh had to go to work, she really liked seeing the baby, and was really sad when she couldn't see it anymore.  We love talking to her about the baby, and she loves to say that she is going to have a sister.  Which is really fun because when we first told her she really wanted a brother.  I guess we will just have to wait and see.

6 Weeks

I had my six week follow up appointment today, and I am happy to report that everything checked out fine.
I have also lost 40lbs.  Only 10 more to go to be pre-baby weight.

However, I am sad to report that my six week appointment means I only have two more weeks before I go back to work.



Check out my hair-do, I'm trying to look just like daddy.



6 weeks with my monkey
Look I am taller then my monkey now!



In this video, Bo looks like she is trying to pedal a bike. 

Then at the very end you can see Pistol trying to share his ball with her.

I also thought I would share some of the more challenging things about our adorable baby girl.

1. She HATES when she is wet or dirty. 

I mean HATES if she is not changed RIGHT away she will start screaming and I mean SCREAMING.

However on a good note, as soon as she is clean, the screaming stops immediately.

2. When she gets REALLY tired, she can't fall asleep. 

There are five musts that you have/do to get her to fall asleep

1. Swaddle

2. Bounce

3. Pacifier

4. Music

5. Closeness 

It makes me really sad because she cries the whole time. 

However, all she really wants is her mommy (which makes me very happy). 

3. She does not enjoy getting her clothes changed, I really think she just hates being cold. 
Again this doesn't last long, but it makes me so sad to hear her cry.

4. She does not like when her music turns off or she looses her pacifier if she has not fallen completly asleep.  This too, causes crying, but if you catch it early it is easily rendered. 

On a better note there are a lot of wonderful things too:

1. She has started to get on a sleeping and eating routine

2. Her neck is super strong and she can lift it up by herself during tummy time

3. She smiles at Daddy when he comes home from work

4.  She sleeps for 4-5 hours at a time at night, then she eats and goes right back to sleep 90% of the time.

5. She loves her music and her pacifier. 

6. She is able to follow objects with her eyes, and sometimes even follows you with her head too.

7. She has started to hit and kick her toys that are hanging above her.

Week 39 Midwife Appointment (Follow-up) Baby #1

Test results came back most were normal, but my iron and protein are low, so I have to start to take iron pills and eat more protein.

Easy!

I lost 3 lbs too, and my blood pressure was 110/70 which is also lower, so guess resting has helped. 

They put me on a monitor to check on the baby, and she is doing great. 

Contractions are nonstop, but I'm still not dilating, however, I am 50% effaced so that's something.

She will come when she's ready, and now that I know that we are both healthy I feel better about letting her come on her own.  She'll come when she's ready.  I might as well enjoy the rest while I can get it.

Week 37 Midwife Appointment Baby #1

Today was another boring appointment.
We did my strep B test (we will find out the results in a couple of days).
We discussed whether I could be enduced a couple days before my due date, and she said no, I have to be 41 weeks to be enduced. I told her do not want to go to early, but I also do not want to go over my due date. I really want to have her before February 1st.  So she recommended that I start taking 2000mg of Evening Premirose Oil every night, and 3000mg after the first week to help prevent me from being over due.  I'm not to worried, but I am so ready to be done. 
We also told her I decided to give birth at Abbott, and I would labor in water, but deliver on the table.  I really want to stay with Abbott, and I think I will feel better the second time around doing a water birth rather then the first time.  Plus the idea of a water birth freaks Josh out.
She also told me that Bo is a small baby.

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 37

Blood Pressure: 114/76 (the highest its been my whole pregnancy) 

Baby's heart beat: 140 (lowest its been)
Fundal Height: 34cm

Total Weight gain: 39 lbs. 

Next appointment Jan. 17th

Week 31 Midwife Appointment baby #1

Today was a very boring appointment

We checked my cervix to see if I have dilated at all so we can travel to Iowa for Thanksgiving.
(No worries, can't wait to head to Ames on Wed. night)

Then we talked about what kind of birth I want, and I told her that I think I would really like to do a water birth.  She said that would be great, but I would have to go to Regions because Abbott was going to start water births Jan. 1st but they have pushed it back.   I may reconsider the water birth or the hospital I'm not sure yet.  Josh and I have a lot of talking to do.

I also talked to her about a pediatrician at our clinic and she recommended 2, but said that she thinks that I would like one of them more then the other.  She thinks our personalities would match better.

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 31

Blood Pressure: 100/60

Baby's heart beat: 152

Fundal Height: 29 cm

Total Weight gain: 31 lbs. 

( I gained 7 lbs in 3 weeks that is the most so far in a short amount of time)

Week 28 Midwife Appoitment Baby #1

I took my blood glucose test this time, and I am still waiting to get the results.  Not to worried though.

This was a very uneventful appointment.  We talked about my concerns about not loving being pregnant, but being very excited for baby Bo to come.  She told me that this is normal and that there are a lot of people that don't love it. The most heart warming thing she said was that your children choose us to be their parents we don't choose them.  Have I told you how much I love my midwife lately. Then we listened to her heart beat and she kept kicking the monitor so it through off her numbers.  Silly girl.  We also figured out that she is face down, so her feet are right by my lungs.  

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 28
Blood Pressure: 98/60
Baby's heart beat: 152
Weight gain: 21 lbs.

Results of  Blood Glucose Test:
Glucose: 66 (SR 70-129)
Grams of Glucose: 50gm
Hemoglobin: 11.6 (SR 12-16.0 g/dl)
Platelets: 243 (SR 150-450 k/ul)

Week 22 Midwife apointment baby #1

I told my midwife that I continue to have round ligament pain, and that it is a dull pain that continues to annoy me and make me think that just worry. She reassured me that it was, but she checked my cervix again just in case. She did and said it was normal. We also did a UTI test; which came up negative.  Just normal growing pains.

We started to talk about what we wanted to do for the delivery.  We discussed different concerns that I had such as the baby coming out the wrong way, or the likely hood of a c-section.  She reassured me that they would do what ever they could to make sure that baby Bo would come out safe.  We also talked about drugs, and whether or not I wanted them.  I said I would have to wait and see how that day goes.  She reassured me that mother always make the best decision for themselves the day of the delivery and that she would help support what ever I wanted.  Then we talked about that there are only so many ways that I could give birth and not to stress about it.  One of the last things we talked about as a delivery option was a water birth (Don't worry Chris it will be in the hospital and not in our apartment).  I would really like to know your guys thoughts on a water birth, do you know anyone that has done it, or do you know anything about it.   

Thoughts are appreciated.

Have I told how I use to think that I would only want a doctor, and now I can't imagine have a doctor after having a midwife.  She is great and always makes me feel more normal about all of my fears.

Now for housekeeping:
Week 22
Blood Pressure: 98/62
Baby's heart beat: 152
Weight gain: 11 lbs.

Week 18 Midwife appointment baby #1

I told my midwife about my round ligament pain, and that it is happening 75% of my day, and that I was concerned that it was not normal. She reassured me that it was, but she wanted to check my cervix just in case. She did and said it was normal. Ya, just normal growing pains.

I also talked to her about it there were things I should not be doing soon, she told me to just use common sense and not to worry to much. I asked her about sleeping on my back, and she said it would be fine because my placenta will counter act any blood flow problems. However, I still feel better sleeping on my side, it's just more comfortable, but its nice to know I don't have to. She also reminded me that women have been doing this for centuries and that our bodies know what they are doing. It is reassuring to hear that. I really enjoy some of her more natural approach it really calms my nervousness.

The last thing I asked her was if I could ride my bike or not. She said I can, but it is one of the highest causes of fetal loss, due to the fact that pregnant woman often loose their balance and cars don't always watch for bikers. She also said if I was going on a trail with no cars it would be ok. I think I will just avoid that all together, there are not a whole lot of bike trails without places with cars near our house.

Now for housekeeping: 
Week 18
Blood Pressure: 100/62
Baby's heart beat: 150
Weight gain: 9lbs.

Enjoy Little Cleve's heart beat, but don't forget to turn up the volume it's not very load.



2 more weeks and we will know if Little Cleve is a boy or girl =).

Week 13 Midwife Appointment Baby #1

I had my second doctor appointment this morning.

11 weeks pregnant

I had several question for her this time, and I decided to write them down this time so I would not forget the questions or the answers.

Question 1: I am cold all the time should I be worried?
Answer: Testing my thyroid (should get results tomorrow)

Question 2: I stopped taking my allergy med. can I take something else?
Answer: Try Claritin

Question 3: I stopped taking my prenatal, how many Flintstones can I take instead one or two.
Answer: take one, but if you want to take two you can

Question 4: I have been having lower back pain making it difficult to fall asleep is there anything I can do to help relieve this?
Answer: She prescribed Visaril ( I can pick it up if it gets to bad, but I think I will wait until I really can't handle it.) She also suggesting going to the chiropractor to get an adjustment, and to get a foam pad for our bed (www.overstock.com was her suggestion).

Question 5: When can we find out the sex of our baby?
Answer: Twenty weeks, she also ordered an ultra sound for the week of September 6th. I just have to call and set up the actual appointment.

Question 6: When do I come for my next appointment?
Answer: In five weeks. (Aug 23rd; 9:00am)

Week 13:
Blood Pressure 94/62

You can listen to little Cleve's heart beat. (bpm 152) The weird sound is just the machine, but you can still hear the heart beat.

7 week Midwife appointment baby #1

I had my first official baby midwife appointment today.
7 weeks pregnant

They took my blood pressure 88/60

Did a pelvic exam and checked for STD's I'm so worried (J/K)

We have decided to go with a Midwife instead of a doctor, I really like her. I however have already told her that I want drugs, which she told me was normal and the midwifes are not against drugs. That right there helped me make my decision. She also told me that if there is any complications a doctor is called. The thing I really liked about her is that she took the time to answer all of my questions rather then just rushing me out the door. She also told me that I can call if I have any worries, or even have a bad dream about the pregnancy. That was nice to hear, I know that I have a lot of irrational fears, but they are still fears. I'm sure the second time around I will feel less scared, but for now it is nice to know I have the professionals when ever I need them.

Here are some of the questions I asked:

Q:Why is there so much pain in my right side
A:My uterus is tilted to the right. (Good to know)

Q:I'm not very hungry.
A:This is normal, I will get my appetite back second trimester. Drink some ensure to supplement until I feel the desire to eat more, and drink plenty of fluids.

Q: I am so tired all the time, is it o.k. of I sleep as much as I want to?
A: Women in the first trimester have the desire to sleep 20 hours a day, and I can sleep as much as I want to. My body is pumping more blood, and receiving more oxygen making me really tired.

I had a lot more, but I don't remember them, dang pregnancy brain.

She also gave me a book called Beginnings (pregnancy, birth, and beyond) I started to read it and it gives a lot more information then my other books about things I need to do to start to plan for the baby. It has lots of checklists and charts. It made me feel a lot better and more organized.

I found out the the baby's heart beat was 128 not 120, so I will have to give that one to Josh he was actually listening to the ultra sound lady.

One other thing, she asked me about screening for down syndrome, and other chromosomal problems. Josh and I discussed it, and we don't want to do it. We are going to love our baby no matter what. However, I would like the opinion of other moms that have done it, or have not done it, and why. Let us know your thoughts as first time parents we want to make informed decisions for our baby.