My appointments are starting to get slightly more exciting (to me). 

I went to the doctor yesterday for my 35 week appointment, thinking she would do a cervical exam to see if I had dilated any.  She said we’ll start those next week.  Fine by me, they’re not much fun.

She measured my belly, it was right on schedule at 35 weeks.  She pushed and poked around on my stomach and said it feels like the baby is head down.  That’s good news – she’ll be able to tell better next week.  The heartbeat was the highest it’s ever been for this baby, in the 150s.  My blood pressure was 100/60.  My weight was down two pounds from two weeks ago so my total weight gain right now is 18 pounds.  Blood sugars are still good and there’s no need for insulin.  I have noticed a trend of them increasing somewhat but 90% of them (or more, probably) are within normal, nondiabetic range. 

I talked to my doctor about the fact that I am only getting 3-4 hours of sleep per day/night and I’m barely functioning.  I almost had a nervous breakdown right there in her office.  She prescribed Ambien CR.  Dilemma…she said to take it only when you have 8-10 hours to devote to sleep and not driving.  That’s fine on the weekend, but I only have 7 hours to devote to sleep each day through the week.  Maybe I can take 3/4 of a pill? 

We talked about my options and as long as my blood sugars and weight gain remain well-controlled she said I have three:
   1.) Have an amnio at 37 weeks and get induced then if the lungs are mature.
   2.) Get induced at 38 weeks without an amnio.
   3.) Schedule a c-section at 39 weeks. 

I don’t think I would ever voluntarily sign up for an amnio.  They are kind of scary, and from what I hear, painful too.  Plus 37 weeks just seems too soon.  I also am not in the business of signing up for major surgery that will require me to not pick up my almost 14 month old son for weeks.  Um, that’s not really going to work for me.  So I’m opting for number 2 and hoping that it doesn’t end up in a c-section.  Even with the mild shoulder dystocia we had with Theo, if everything goes as smoothly as it did with my last induction, I’ll be pleased as punch.

She’ll do an ultrasound at 37 weeks to try an get some measurements on the baby to make sure it isn’t too big for a vaginal delivery.  This makes me nervous – I know that the measurements and weight can be off by a pretty large margin of error. 

I asked if I would have to go in the night before for Cervidil again and she said it will depend on whether or not I am dilated any.  Last time I was only dilated 1cm at 39 wks so I went to the hospital at 630pm the night before my Pictocin induction.  I’d rather just go in the morning of the induction, but that will be a game time decision (unless I’m already dilated to 2 or more by 37 weeks or so). 

I also asked if my doctor is going to be on call on May 12 or 13 because she had mentioned it would be one or the other.  I was secretly (or not so secretly) hoping for a Friday the 13th baby, because that sounds kind of fun, but she’s on call on the 12th and I really hope I’m not still in labor by the time the 13th rolls around.  So, May 12th it is.  Exactly two weeks before my due date. 

I’m starting to think about all the things that could go wrong, but trying not to focus on them.  Just trying to keep my mind open, knowing that a birth plan is only a plan and anything can happen when it comes to babies.  Labor and delivery is so unpredictable. 

I can’t believe this is happening so soon – only three weeks to go. 

Sidenote – I dreamt the other day (during one of my “naps”) that I had four babies back to back (to back to back) and their order was Boy – Girl – Boy – Boy.  Interesting, yes?  I still have no clue what this baby is.  I’m leaning towards girl today, but my hunch changes just like the weather (which here in the Midwest means A LOT and rapidly). 

I’ll be packing my hospital bag and our new diaper bag on Monday!  It’s getting SO close. Packing the bag makes it so real, so scary, so soon.

that is all,
~C~