35 weeks

I had a BPP this afternoon. Phoenix was being a stinker when the tech was looking for his practice breathing. She ended up waiting to see continuous breathing for 35minutes before he woke up enough to do it. She caught the first movements just as he went into a sleep cycle she guesses. Those first movements weren't continuous so she wanted to be sure she kept an eye on it for the 30 seconds they need to monitor. She got some great shots of his "gender" and some profile shots. We also have a photo of his face smooshed up against the uterus. It's the "alien-baby" money shot that most mom's have. The cord blood flow was good today. In the end, Phoenix and I scored an 8/8 for the BPP. If she wouldn't have caught the practice breathing, we most likely would have been having a baby in the next day or so. There were a few tension filled looks passed between Jason and myself.

I turned in another 24 hour urine collection, which came back good. Not enough protein showing for a preeclampsia diagnosis. When I got to the OB office, my bp was 164/92 so onto my left side I went. After 15 minutes and talking with the doctor my bp came down to 122/83. So while the bp is high, it is coming down with rest. At home it hovers around 140/90 most of the time. With the good BPP and protein levels, the OB wants to keep me pregnant yet. I go back on Thursday for a NST and see the OB. We are just taking it day by day at this point.

34 weeks, 5 days

I am now more pregnant than I was with Ariana. This was the gestation that I gave birth to our spirited child, and I am now passed that with Phoenix. If he comes in the next few days, my hope and wish is that he does as well (or better) than she did after she was born. We'll keep you posted!

34 weeks, 3 days

I may possibly be having this baby early next week depending on how things go. I went in for my NST yesterday and baby was not cooperating so I got sent to L&D for them to do one. My bp was up (152/94), and I have the official PIH diagnosis now. I'm showing trace - +1 on urine dips, so I get to complete another 24hr urine. I've been hovering around the 140/90's and it does come down with rest thankfully. My OB came in to see me at the office yet and discussed Thursday's BPP with us. The placenta is starting to show signs of deteriorating. Cord blood flow is starting to be affected, but of course not enough to deliver with just the doppler. I still scored an 8/8 on the BPP even with the cord concerns.

The nurse walked me over to L&D (the clinic is attached to the hospital and L&D is right next door) and they got me hooked up on monitors. My bp was still up, so on the left side I went. Baby had a few decel's with his first couple movements which concerned the nurse. Phoenix then decided to take a nap. He did wake up again and everything was great. He moved well and his heart rate went up with movements like it should.

The OB came in to see me and looked over the tape. He wants to do the 24hr urine, have a BPP on Monday, see him, labs too. And if we get something coming back funky, he's thinking delivery on Tuesday. My labs from today came back all normal, so that is reassuring. I just hate sitting here waiting to get sick. He called me his "preeclampsia queen" to the nurse, which made me laugh. Told me to keep an eye on the headaches and if anything concerns me to come in to be checked out.

So, we are here just waiting. I'm feeling awfully guilty right now about being pregnant again. I just feel like I'm letting myself and my baby down because my body is faulty.

34 weeks

Well, the bp has been running 130-40's/80-90's all weekend, with an occasional 120/80something reading. This morning, straight waking bp was 156/96, and after 5 minutes was 146/92. I had a headache over the weekend, but it wasn't the migraine-like headache. I'm a bit swollen today, and in general feel crappy.

My blood pressure was high at my appt this morning (152/92), but did lower after lying down (118/76). I'm showing protein in my urine (+1). I'm showing protein in my urine, but nothing significant at this point to warrant induction. As my OB puts it, things are brewing. They're just not enough to deliver at this point. With preeclampsia, things could "brew" like this for two more weeks, or could turn on a dime and get worse quickly. So, he is stepping up the monitoring to watch for any further changes. I am a fingertip dilated and my cervix is soft.

I have BPP's done once a week now. I also start NST's this week. I have lab work done about every three days, so we are covering all bases. And I see my OB once a week at least. With the NST's I see the nurse for a bp and urine check.

It's great we can monitor things like this, but it does add up in the schedule. I'll be at the clinic or the hospital at least 3 times a week until baby comes. While we are hoping for at least another week, it stinks to keep waiting for things to happen. I'm still optimistic (somewhat) that I can hold out for another 2-3 weeks, but we truly are just waiting for me to get sick. With talking with other preeclampsia survivors who are pregnant again, we have a different way of going through another pregnancy. We all hope for the best, but need to be prepared for the worst. Our reality is different. As Jason said it this morning to the OB, "ignorance is bliss." With Ariana, we had no idea what was happening. With Phoenix, we do and we just have to wait. Wait to maintain things, wait to get sick, etc.

I think some of my difficulty with this is that Ariana's birthday is Wednesday. Three years ago today I didn't know what HELLP was, didn't know that I'd be having a baby in 72 hours, etc. I cherish the memories, but hate them as well.

Baby Shower

My family threw me a baby shower for Phoenix today! We had a ton of great food and fun! It was great to see the people who could make it. We played a hilarious "powder" guessing game, and everyone hand painted a onesie for Phoenix. The shower was a luau theme as I didn't really care for the typical "blue" theme.

Not So Good

I ran into the office for a quick check with the nurse as I wasn’t feeling so well and my blood pressure has been up at home. The nurse gave me quite the look after she got done, my bp was 170/90. She had me lay on my left side for 15 minutes to see if it would come down. My OB was not in the office today, she had him come in to look at me as he passed through the office. After resting, another nurse took my bp and it was great at 124/74. The OB ordered lab work to see if things are starting to change. The nurse called in the afternoon with the results and things looked normal yet. I’m supposed to head into L&D if I get a headache or feel worse.

33 week BPP

I had my BPP ultrasound today and things look good. Baby & placenta scored great. They did some checking, as it appeared the cord was around baby's neck, but after looking it seems it is draped against it. The not so good news is this morning I think I lost a piece of my plug. I also was slightly crampy and achy, but it only lasted about an hour or two. So, we are keeping an eye on that. If contractions start up, I'm to head into L&D for a cervical check.

33 weeks

I made it another week, yay! I saw the OB on Monday and things are looking okay. My BP is hanging around 130's/80's this week, but I'm still showing anywhere from neg to +1 protein on any given day. My OB went over my labs with me and he was quite surprised that things were as normal as they were. The 24hr urine came back 118, so that was awesome. My blood work is all still within normal levels.

Phoenix has dropped into my pelvis and I'm feeling a lot of pressure. The Braxton Hicks contractions have kicked up quite a bit as well. The OB said that my body may be getting ready for early delivery, and that he wouldn't be surprised if I went preterm labor before any preeclampsia diagnosis possibly. His goal was 34 weeks, so he's happy to have made it this far. Depending on how things look next week, we may be looking at another 1-3 weeks yet.

Lab update

My 24hr urine came back and I guess things are okay. I spoke with the nurse yesterday and she said called the OB in surgery to go over my results and when she first looked at them she was concerned. I get the feeling he doesn't want to worry me as the nurse told me, "He says to let you know you are not preeclamptic." There was creatine showing when I asked if there was protein, and basically avoided my question. She asked how far along I was (32 weeks) and when I said I’m still optimistic that I can make it another 4-6 weeks, her reply was "I'm not so sure about that 6 weeks." My bp has been okay at home, and I'm showing trace on the morning dips. I am still having minor hand and facial swelling, but nothing huge at this point.

32 weeks

Things may be starting to go downhill. I had some worries last weekend with my bp labile and swelling of the hands & face. Never more than a trace on the dip. I ran in for a quick check with the nurse last week and of course the bp was good.

I turned 32 weeks today and had an OB appt. He walked and instantly commented on how I look. He said I'm looking "markedly" different with the swelling in my face and hands. I don't consider what I have to be moderate swelling yet, but maybe that's because I look at myself everyday. My bp was 134/78 and I'm showing protein again. I also gained 5 pounds in April, which is incredibly high for me this pg. He doesn't want to worry me, but he says we may be looking at the start of things to come. I was looking at Ariana's scrapbook over the weekend and saw my photos from my shower for her (3 yrs ago last week) and the swelling of my face shocked me. I really was starting to swell. 33/34 weeks started to be my sick time with her, so we are anticipating some possible action over the next two weeks.

I had blood work done today, and everything is still within normal levels thankfully. I start a 24hr urine tomorrow and will have the results Wed afternoon. He wants to administer steroids if things aren't looking so good. I see him weekly, and if need be twice a week. He also said that if we need to run labs every 2-3 days, we will. If the bp continues to creep up, he wants bedrest with a home nurse coming in to check my bp & urine. Will do in hospital bedrest if need be. He said that he's hoping I can hold out until 34 weeks.

I knew that I'd be having this baby in about 4 weeks, but today was a huge wake-up call. Two weeks just about did me in anxiety-wise. I know things could still go well and I could deliver in 6 weeks, but at this point I'm ready for anything. We started packing a bag for Ariana to stay with a grandparent in case something happens and I have to deliver. I've had my bag packed for weeks. So, any good thoughts you have, I'd greatly appreciate. I was hoping to make it to May 15 (36 weeks), but now am looking to get past Ariana's birthday on May 3. I'm trying to remain optimistic, but that is getting more difficult.

30 weeks

I can’t believe I’m 30 weeks already! Where has the time gone? My bp was super today-118/72. My OB was able to find Phoenix’s heartbeat immediately today. Fundal height has me measuring 32 weeks, so it looks like this baby is growing great. His head is down and the OB had Jason feel for the head. Doctor said that if I am still moving along well at 36 weeks and baby is looking good, he wouldn’t be against inducing me at that time. He’d rather have me deliver while healthy than to deliver because I’m sick. So, we could have a baby anytime in the next 6-8 weeks! I also had my BPP ultrasound today. There was confirmation that this baby is a BOY, parts were clearly seen again. Baby and my placenta scored a perfect score – 8 out of 8.

30 week baby factoids: Your baby now weighs around 3 pounds and is about 17 inches from head to toe. An ultrasound image may show your baby yawning or even sucking its thumb, he's also filling out a bit as he continues to gain weight, and these layers of fat help him to appear less wrinkled.
As practice for breathing after birth, your baby is mimicking breathing movements by repeatedly moving his diaphragm in a rhythmic way. This can trigger hiccups if he inadvertently inhales amniotic fluid. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid now surrounds your baby, but that volume decreases as he gets bigger and has less room in your uterus. Here's what else is happening this week:
• Baby's head continues to grow, and brain growth speeds up even more.
• Baby's hearing is improving; nearly all babies can react (by movement) to sound by this week

28 weeks, 2 days

My bp today was 122/72, awesome! I was showing trace protein, as I have for two weeks at home too. My labs were back from the glucose last week. Glucose was great and he ordered some other blood work as well. Everything is good, and my platelets are holding awesome at 281,000. Baby’s heart rate was good at 142bpm. It took my OB a bit to find the heartbeat again. This kid sure is a stinker! I have my next appointment in 2 weeks, and then I should be going weekly. I also have a biophysicial profile (BPP) scheduled for that day.

26 weeks, 3 days

My 26 week check up brought some anxiety. My blood pressure was up slightly and I am showing +1 protein. After 10 minutes, my bp was back to normal, so we are hoping this is a fluke and not a sign of things to come. Baby looks good, heart rate was 144bpm. I am measuring 1cm ahead on the fundal height. I have to take the glucose lab this upcoming week and come back to the OB in two weeks for my next appointment.

March 6th: 26 weeks Baby Fact -- There's an important development in baby's lungs this week: They begin to secrete surfactant, a fatty substance that covers the inner lining of the air sacs and allows the lungs to expand normally so breathing can occur. Although it will be approximately 10 more weeks before the lungs are fully operational, the production of surfactant is an essential step in making the fetus viable outside the womb. Baby weighs almost 2 pounds; measures around 9.2 inches from crown to rump; and hears noises, responds to light, and is generally more aware of its surroundings.

24 weeks

I came in to see the OB for a quick visit. Things are looking great! I am coming up on the glucose testing--apparently they have fruit punch flavor now and they say it's quite good. My next appt is beginning of March, I'll be 26 weeks that week. Can't believe how fast time is flying!!

22 weeks

Had an OB check today and my bp was great. Phoenix is being a little stinker already as he likes to hide when the OB tries to listen for the heartbeat. It took just a bit today, and there it was beating strong at 153 bpm. I asked what he thinks my chances of going term will be, realistically. He said he'll be happy for me to reach 34 weeks, but hopefully can go to 36 weeks. He said he won't let me get a day past 38 weeks. So we will be having another May baby for sure. ;-) My next appt is in 3 weeks. After that it looks like I'll have an appt every two weeks, and then at 32ish weeks I'll be seen weekly. He wants to keep an eye on how I'm doing and be on top of any issues that may develop. We're hoping for the best, so please keep us in your thoughts.

Baby's Development at 22 weeks..... Baby’s sense of touch is developing. He is beginning to reach out to stroke his body, and is stretching and pushing against your uterus in newfound freedom. Baby weighs almost a pound. This week nerve endings become functional enough so that Baby can feel! He may experiment with this new sense of touch by stroking his face or feeling other body parts to see how they move. You may feel Baby stretching his muscles by pushing against the muscular wall of your uterus with his feet or head. Although he's filling out, his body still appears wrinkled because he lacks a significant layer of fat beneath his skin. If Baby is a boy, testes, which have been tucked up inside the pelvis, will begin to descend into the scrotum this week and immature sperm will form in the seminal vesicles; Baby's eyes will complete formation, although the iris (the colored part of the eye) will still lack pigment; The pancreas, essential to hormone production, will continue to develop steadily.