Doctor appointment updates

Oh, where to begin?!

Let's see I had a NST, growth scan and follow up appointment for 9/5 which was canceled due to Hurricane Dorian. So my 35 week appointment was pushed back a week I'd be doing it all at 36 weeks. Can't control mother nature!

So then, I had an appointment scheduled with Dr. Reeves on Wednesday 9/11 that involved a NST, ultrasound and follow up with him. This was already going to be at least a 2 hour appointment most likely. Well he tragically lost his son in car accident the night before so obviously he was not there. I knew that going into the appointment and so I knew I would be seeing someone else, which was totally fine. At this point I was preparing myself to see a different doctor for the remainder of this pregnancy and I was ok with that. My heart was just broken for Dr. Reeves and his family.

I got there and checked in at 1:45 for my 2:00 NST. They got me back super quick and let me go ahead and do my urine sample and blood pressure and stuff which i'm so glad I did. All of that was fine. I went straight to the NST and got hooked up and did that which took about 30 minutes. The nurse had the doctor look at it and he said it was fine. I was a little worried just because I felt like I could hear baby's heartbeat slow and speed up and I would have flash backs of Tallen's heartbeat doing that during labor. They said everything was fine though, so I assume it was.

I went back out to the waiting room that is beginning to fill up and then I get called back to ultrasound (wasn't too far behind my appointment time, so I was still good). She was very nice and took her time and we looked at baby and did the measurements and all of that. It was a great last baby ultrasound ever. At the end when the computer did its thing and calculated the weight it was 6lbs 14 oz which puts baby in the 74th percentile! I was soo shocked! I did not expect to hear that number at 36 weeks! Lakelyn at 36 weeks was 5.12 and 30th percentile and Tallen at 35 weeks was 5.12 and 60th percentile (so if i had to guess what he would have been a week later I would say around 6ish pounds!) I know these are usually off some, but even "some" would still be a bigger baby than my other two and made me nervous. I was watching all of the measurements of the legs, head, belly and such and they were all 38-40 weeks. The smallest being the baby's head I believe. Baby was head down in my pelvis though so it made it hard to get a good image. But that was that and I went back to the waiting room.

I waited foreverrrrr and a day to get called back. Not just me, but EVERYONE there had to wait. I was starting to think they forgot about me because there were patients that came in way after me getting called back before me. I try not to be one of those people because I work in the medical field and know how things go, but I was ready to ask questions after an hour of waiting. Finally, I got called back. Saw the doctor and he did the swap test for bacteria or whatever. Which I assume was fine because I still haven't heard anything and this was like 2 weeks ago. He was very nice and took his time making sure I didn't have any questions and he did a cervical check. I was about a finger tip and maybe around 30% effaced and soft. So, basically nothing because I've had 2 kids before so I dont think my cervix will every be completely closed. However, his check HURTTTT! I have only had like 2 or 3 cervical checks in all my pregnancies that have hurt and his was one of them. Anyway, that was that and he explained Dr. Reeves wouldn't be back next week which I figured and I could see him again or if I wanted to choose someone else I could do that too and he would be ok with that. I ended up getting out of there around almost 5:00!

No offense to him because he was super nice, but I already knew I would switch to Dr. Givens because I have seen him once before. Other than that, it's only been Reeves. Plus Givens and Reeves are cousins.

Next appointment at 37 weeks 1 day which was Tuesday 9/17. I waiting a little while, but at this point I can't remember the last time I didn't have to wait to be seen. This appointment was just a check, so nothing crazy. I did my urine sample which was fine, weight was no gain and blood pressure was 120/68. So everything there looked great! He came in and my biggest concern this appointment was if I in fact was going to be seeing someone else to have this baby. If so, I wanted to go over everything Dr. Reeves and I have discuss and been through with 3 pregnancies now. I work in the medical field I know that the History notes in the computer and real life knowledge is not always the same. So I needed him to know I'm terrified to have a c-section, i've had pre-eclampsia twice, pitocin doesn't do well for me, Tallen was tangled in his cord and so that also traumatized me, Lakelyn's labor lasted 2 days and all of these things so that the questions or requests that I have would make sense to him. So he immediately makes sure I knew what happened, that they are cousins and family and treat patients in the same type of way, but the best thing he said was that Dr. Reeves was ready to come back!!! I wanted him to take all the time he needed but selfishly was hoping he would be around to finish out this pregnancy because I was stressing! Anyway, Dr, Givens was sweet. Checked the heart beat which sounded in the 150's but he didn't actually tell me. Measured my belly but again didn't tell me what it was measuring. Checked my cervix and said no change. Thankfully he did not hurt me at all! A tiny bit of pressure, but literally couldn't feel a thing! Also mentioned that because of my history of pre-e I was very likely to get it again, but thankfully I seem to get it at the very end when I'm full term vs having to have the baby pre term. He said Dr. Reeves would probably want to induce me at 39 weeks and I could talk to him more in detail next week about that. He did go over the 3 ways they do inductions which is pitocin (the  most common way, but it doesn't work well for me), cervidil which is like a tampon thing they use and its usually used to soften cervix but can sometimes start labor for women, and then some other type of pill that can be taken orally or vaginally. I actually had already planned on asking Dr. Reeves if I could try the cervidil and be at home to see if it worked and if not then go and start pitocin. So i'm glad he did bring that up and I will be asking Dr. Reeves about it next week. I don't want to be induced and if I have to I don't want to do it at 39 weeks. I'd really prefer to wait until 40 at least. This is what we did with Tallen and I ended up going into labor/pre-e a little after 39 weeks. So, I am going to ask that as long as everything is still looking good at my next week 38 and the following 39 week appointments that we push an induction off until at least 40. I think he would be ok with that. We will see though. Anyway, that was it as far as my appointment with Dr Givens went.

So, I will update next week with what the plan is for the rest of this pregnancy!

37 weeks

How far along: 37 weeks  3 days!
Baby Growth: Baby is about 19 inches long and weighs about 6 pounds! He/she is pretty much fully developed and just packing on the baby fat at this point!
My Symptoms: I am exhausted all of the time. This big pregnant with 2 kids is tough. My patience is so little and I hate it and try my best, but it's so hard.

I have a good bit of pelvic pain and it makes sitting and sleeping and walking very difficult. 

 Heartburn I thought was easing up, but still terrible at night. This its the worst this time than my other two.

Swelling is here and not going away. My knees down and my hands are so bad by the end of the day, but elevating them and staying off of them help which is good.

 

Gender: Unknown!

Weight gain: I am going with about 30 pounds. According to my doctor's notes I have not gained any weight in about 4 weeks. 

Maternity clothes: All the time. Or Tylers clothing. Its still so hot here too which makes it hard because nothing fits and my other two pregnancies at this point it was cold so i wore sweats all the time.

Stretch marks: I think its just the old ones.

Belly button in or out: flat still, but seems to have a little knot like it wants to poke out.

Sleep: I wouldn't say its the worst, but its not the best. Insomnia is starting to kick in some. I will be so tired at night and usually fall asleep but I end up waking up in the middle of the night because of pain or to pee and then can't fall back to sleep.

Best moment this week: The weather finally dropped a little bit down to the 80's. Its still warm during midday but man is it soo much better than the 90 degree weather we've had. Also, finding out my doctor will be back in office and seeing me next week. More on that in a few.

Worst moment this week: My in laws are on a cruise and so i'm so nervous i'll go into labor while they're gone. We plan to have them keep Lakelyn and Tallen while we're at the hospital so it would be super stressful to have to find a plan B. Also, makes work a little more stressful because I need to be keeping my feet up and not on them so much, but Tyler and I have obligations there and then I also have Lakelyn's school drop off and pick up, gymnastics, appointments for me, and just so much this week. I'm exhausted, but only one more day until the freaking weekend!!!! They will be back Sunday and my next appointment is Monday and then after that its all fair game on this baby coming! PS. I really want an October birthday baby though, so even though everything hurts and I'm exhausted I'm hoping the baby stays put until at least the 1st!

Miss anything:  Being a nice mom instead of a moody one and having a lap for my babies to sit in.

Movement: All of the time. Such an active baby unless someone is watching!

Cravings: hmm.. nothing really.  

Queasy or sick: feel good mostly

Wedding rings on or off: On

Looking forward to:  Tyler's parents getting back home so that I am not so stressed about where my kids will go and being able to finally be done with working until after the baby and seeing my doctor since I haven't seen him for an appointment in almost 3 weeks!

Belly Pictures:  I haven't actually done a belly photo yet for this week, but I will update this when I do!

35 weeks

How far along: 35 weeks and 4 days!

Baby Growth: Baby #3 is about 18 inches long and weighs about 4 1/2 pounds! His/her central nervous system and lungs are just about mature. If he/she were born now she would do generally fine!

My Symptoms: I am exhausted ALOT! I get out of breath really easily and also lose my patience quickly which I try not to do, but I just can't help it!

I have a ton of heartburn. Its daily and it lasts forever. 

The pelvic pain is here for good and makes sleeping pretty tough. It hurts so bad to turn over from left to right and I will get pains in the hips and a bad soreness/ache around my belly if I lay on one side for too long. If i try to sit up too much I will get awful pains in my back. It is a lose-lose situation.

I have also been getting the lightening pains as well as some pressure in my bottom like i'm about to deliver which is NO fun! That hurts.

 

Swelling... in the hands, feet, legs, face. Just everywhere!

Gender: Still haven't found out!

Weight gain: I have not done as great watching what i'm eating this time because nothing ever really sounds good, but I have gained a total of 30 pounds and still have a couple more weeks to go, so I'm sure I will add a few more pounds. Hopefully it won't be anymore than about 5 and I would be ok with that. As long as its not an addition 15 like I did with Lakelyn!

Maternity clothes: All day, everyday!

Stretch marks: Yep.. they're old ones from previous pregnancies, but you can still see them.

Belly button in or out: flat but you can feel a small part of it like it wants to poke out. I've never had it poke out before so we'll see.

Sleep: awful, just tossing and turning all night and getting up to see a few times. So there really isn't much of it.

Best moment this week: We had a hurricane come by our coast this week - didn't make direct landfall, but had some strong winds, but thankfully no damage.

Worst moment this week: The hurricane that came through shut down the town which meant my appointment was canceled and it was a longer one with an ultrasound, NST, blood work a cervix check and everything. 

Miss anything:  not being in pain, sleeping, breathing, laying down, getting up easily, walking like normal, holding my babies, letting them sit in my lap, clothing that fits, i mean you name it.

Movement: This is probably my most active baby. Constantly moving, wiggling, rolling, kicking, and running out of room!

Cravings: I eat alot of cereal! Frosted Flakes. 

Queasy or sick: feel good..

Wedding rings on or off: On-barely. Sometimes I have to take them off when I get too hot.

Looking forward to:  Seeing the doctor and being checked actually. Its like one of those things where you don't want to do it by any means, but you want to know what is going on. I'm so torn on whether or not I will have this baby early, on time, be induced or what. I really want to make it to October 1st, but at the same time that seems like centuries away right now with the amount of pain there is. Also, would love for these 90 + degree temps to GO AWAYYYYYY! It is too dang hot to be this pregnant!

Belly Pictures: I got my maternity photo back as well as had Tyler take some more "bare belly" ones. They are a bit revealing so I will only share a few of the ones he took here and make a separate post of our maternity session as a family!