Still Prego!?

Greetings!  Yes. I am still pregnant.  38 weeks 5 days to be exact.  I didn't think I could make it this far but have to say, I am glad.  We've had an interesting week.  It has been exciting, enlightening, and frustrating all in one.  At my appointment on Monday, the little sweet pea was motionless once again during her weekly check up and Dr. A asked me to return on Thursday for a follow up.  He did the cervical check and tried to do the tonsil-ectomy again!  I just don't remember the cervical checks being painful at all with my son, Riley.  But, I'm not an expert and that was 13 years ago, right?  Well, I was still 1cm dilated and 0 effacement.  No progress from last Monday.  On Thursday, I gobbled down two Cutie oranges and drank some ice cold water on my way to the appointment.  I was hopeful this would get her going but was  skeptical because I haven't felt her move but a couple times all morning.  Clint met me at the hospital to hold my hand because he knew that I had been worried about her lack of movement over the last few days.  (He is so wonderful!) 
Well despite my efforts and hopes, sleeping beauty was not to be disturbed during her naptime and failed her test.  Dr. A did the cervical check and routine jabs then told me that he wanted me to go to the birth center for at least an hour for monitoring.  I was nervous about this even though he told me that he felt that everything was fine.  He did tell me on the way out that I had progressed to 3 cm.  That was a little exciting to hear but from experience and reading knowledge I know this may mean absolutely NOTHING!  He instructed me to gulp down another serving or two of orange juice and hike over to the birth center.  I had to stop at the ladies room twice on the way to the birth center due to the fact that I had consumed so much liquid over the last hour.  Clint and I finally found our way to the birth center after having to ask for directions twice.  I swear this hospital is a maze!  They hooked me up and I casually talked with the nurses while being monitored.  An interesting fact about our conversation was finding out that Dr A had been stripping my membranes at my last three visits.  So THAT is why I had been feeling so much pain during the cerix checks?  Duh!  Needless to say, I was a bit peeved that my Doc had been stripping my membranes without my knowledge and consent.  Clint asked the nurses if this was a routine procedure that doctors do without talking with patients about it.  It was confirmed that many doctors do not tell their patients they are doing this  because they don't want them to be nervous and anxious that they will be starting labor soon.  In addition, they will not think something is wrong if the procedure doesn't work.  This didn't make me feel better about the fact that my Doc was naturally trying to induce labor without my knowledge and consent to do so.  I am not a child and don't treat me as such!  I will be confronting Dr A on Monday about this and letting him know that I feel betrayed that he chose to do this.  I never said I wanted my labor induced in any way, naturally or medically!  I'm sure his intentions are just to be helpful but if I want help I will ask for it.  Grrr! 
It is Saturday and I still have not started having contractions or any signs of labor.  I did loose my mucous plug yesterday and have been continuing to loose mucous over the last 24 hours.  I can't remember how soon I went into labor with Riley after loosing the plug but I know from research that it is possible to start labor within 24 hours or within two weeks.  HA!  In other words, it still means NOTHING!  This can be frustrating for someone like me that likes to plan and control much of everything in my life.  LOL  God should have created a magic belly button that has a green light whenever it is GO TIME! 
But, the element of surprise makes it exciting too.  We are all very ready for our sweet pea to be here and I will continue to daydream about how beautiful she will be and how complete she will make our lives.  Oh BTW, Meeme and Papa left this morning and will be here tomorrow.  We are very excited that they will be here for her arrival day!  Now that my mom's going to be here, maybe our little lady will make her debut.
I plan to give a play by play on D Day!  Stay tuned.....

Two weeks and counting!

Sorry it's been a while, my friends.  I've been super busy getting ready for the little one.  I think I'm ready to relax now and let nature take it's course.  My appointment last Monday with Dr. A went very well.  He did the normal checks with the baby's heart rate and movement and he was satisfied even though she didn't make an A+.  She has been moving around a lot more in the evenings than she does during the day. I hope she isn't going to have her nights and days confused.  Dr. A also did another cervix check and I swear he was trying to remove my tonsils.  I thought about telling him that if he wanted to take my tonsils he would have an easier reach from my throat!  I actually yelled a little bit as he shoved his hand/arm into my Hoo hoo so deep I was worried it may never come out.  :-O !!  OUCH!  After the torture was over, he told me I was only 1 centimeter dilated and 0% effaced.  What a waste of his effort and my pain. 
Friday evening we had a little excitement.  I started having regular 3:00 minute contractions around  7:30 and around 8:30 I decided to take a shower to see if it would slow things down or if they were indications of false labor.  By 9:00 they had slowed down and completely stopped by 10:00pm.  I guess my body is gearing up for the final act.  The Super Full Moon we had this weekend definitely had an effect on my contractions but failed to break my water. I was a little disappointed but also happy that it was false labor contractions because I really have my heart set on having an April baby.  Diamonds and Daisies are a perfect symbol of a little beauty's birth month.  Plus, diamonds will look really nice on my mother's ring! LOL
I'll check back in after my doc's appointment tomorrow.  I hope the contractions on Friday and over the weekend have caused my cervix to ripen a bit.  Only two more weeks to go!  

Hip hop and Orange Juice

Well, all the worry about sleeping beauty was unnecessary.  She has been dancing hip hop all weekend!  I have my regular appointment tomorrow before I start my long week of work with the kiddos.  I suspect that all will be rather routine unless Dr. A feels he needs to do another heart/movement test.  Just in case, I will be chugging orange juice shots on the way to the doctor's office to make sure she is dancing to the beat!  Too bad it can't be a screw driver or a Mimosa! Mmmmm.  I can't wait to partake of an adult beverage after baby G is born.  Although, I'll be breastfeeding so I'll have to have one of them once or twice a month. :-)  Do you have any suggestions for my first adult beverage?

Decreased movement at 35 weeks?

My doctor's appointment on Monday went pretty well but they did a heart rate/movement test and my Little One flunked it.  I had no idea that a fetus would be taking tests so early and she has already received her first F.  :-(  I hope that is not an indication of her academic years to follow.  LOL  Well, I had to go back to the doctor today (Thursday) for a re-test.  Poor little beauty flunked it again!!  So now I'm a little nerved and wondering why my sweet pea isn't moving around like she normally does.  Her heart rate was good and he checked my cervix, Ouch!  He said she is still floating high and my cervix is closed.  Even still, I am suppose to continue my kick counts tonight and call them tomorrow.  He may want to see me tomorrow if she remains a sleeping beauty and isn't kicking me around.  Otherwise, I go back on Monday for my normal weekly check up.  Therefore, my assignment tonight is to get her going and count her kicks.  Wish me luck!!