photos from shower at Grove Hill Methodist

no cooperation

Well, since I'm writing this blog, you now know it is evident that I got sent home from the dr's office today. If I don't go into real labor on my own in the next week, Dr. G is making me wait til Mar 1 for an induction. Paula did another BPP today but didn't really have much new info to tell us with this one. The score was still good and I don't have another one scheduled. Paula said last week that she can't call a baby "it" during an ultrasound and always uses a masculine "he" if she has to use a pronoun for babies when parents don't know the sex, but she has usually avoided using pronouns with us. So, it caught me off guard today when she said "What's HIS name?" My response was simply "Turner Gray if it's a boy and Callie Margaret if it's a girl". So, that could have been a slip---or not. Dr. G said I had dilated more today but I never got a number on how much exactly. It was chaotic today with them hooking me up to the monitor for the non stress test. Then, not only did the doc not cooperate with me today, but the baby refused to move for the test. Diet Coke was brought in for me to drink---nothing. Carol shook my poor aching belly---nothing. Finally, she used this buzzer on my stomach til she at least got what she wanted on the chart. And naturally, as soon as she took the monitor off, the child goes to town in my belly. So, unless someone decides to cooperate and put me out of this misery before March 1, you'll be reading another week and a half's worth of blogs of me complaining about how tired and uncomfortable I am and how I'm ready to get this over with. I have one more appt scheduled for next Fri morn (27th) and they'll do another non stress test and finalize the plans for the induction.

neverending pain

Ok, so since my dr's visit last week I've started experiencing every impending labor symptom/sign/pain imaginable. The only problem is I'm not having regular contractions to make it "real" labor. But I've basically had to put myself on bed rest to be able to endure how uncomfortable this all is. I've even been desperate enough to try every home method imaginable to try to induce labor naturally. For those of you who "swore" to me this or that worked for you, I am here to tell you, NOTHING WORKED!!!! I am still here at home, tired and in pain, and ready for this baby to come on out. I go to see Dr. G in the morning and I assure you he will not be getting sweet, chipper, happy Bridgett that he's used to. He is getting desperate, begging, pleading Bridgett who is going to whine until he induces labor. So, if tired, weepy, hurting Bridgett gets her way tomorrow, we will have a delivery in the next day or so. I am ready for the severe pain to come--at least I know that it will be gone soon, that drugs are available for it, and that a baby being brought into this world will be the end result. This dull pain that never ceases to let up for weeks on end is not what I had planned on enduring. But whatever the doctor's decision is tomorrow, know that we are getting closer (even if it has been an extremely slow process this week) to welcoming a child into our arms.

Oh! And at this rate you can forget there being another maternity shoot. I don't feel like smiling for a camera anymore and don't have the strength or energy to put on makeup and fix my hair. We still have one wall that is missing its' decorations but one day I will show you what the nursery looks like (and perhaps upload photos from the church shower). And of course, the last shower has been put on hold since I keep expecting a trip to the hospital any day now. But the people invited to that one will at least have the advantage of knowing what the sex is for clothing purposes and what we're still lacking in the gift dept.

Lots to remember for this update

Let's see if I can think of every bit of information I was told today--Ultrasound (or Biophysical profile) looked good. Amniotic fluid levels were good, baby was practicing breathing so Paula said lungs were ready to go if baby came out today, guesstimate weight right now 7 lbs. 4 oz., kept gender a surprise!, lots of movement which gave me a good "score" and Paula said it was a big headed, chubby cheeked--but pretty-- baby. Paula (the ultrasound tech) and nurse Carol both commented on how low the baby is sitting now. Paula said my belly was ALL BABY and she guesses it will deliver weighing about 8 1/2 lbs in the next two weeks. My blood pressure was a "textbook number" today according to Carol (120/70). Weight was actually up two pounds (but I had on a pair of yellowboxes that I don't usually wear and I swear they weigh 2 lbs!) Checked my hemoglobin again today and that number was in the good range. Measured 37 1/2 weeks this time (at 36). Dr. Gallaspy did an internal exam and said I was 70% effaced and almost 1 cm dilated. He said today he would take the baby by 39 weeks. So, this should definitely be a February baby and not a March one. My sugar levels started running higher this week, which I figured was because of the cold I've been battling, but Dr. G said it was because the baby was using up all my insulin now that it's getting bigger. So, he increased my insulin shots by another 2 units each time. He said he would be worried if my sugar levels didn't run higher in the next few weeks, so no concerns there. Next week I'll get another BPP and a non stress test along with my internal exam. And hopefully that covers everything you wanted to know!

Oh! Had a good shower yesterday at the church. I think we have enough diapers to last us about 3 months now and probably enough wipes to last us at least 6. Got the high chair, tub, and diaper pail. Got enough onesies and gowns to get the child through the first 4-5 months of life. Got nail clippers and thermometers and other necessities in healthcare kits as well as some fashionable bags for the child's belongings. Finally got the kid a couple of toys and books. And of course, I'm leaving out lots of other precious items received but those are the things that are sticking out in my mind right now. If you need to know what we still are missing or could use the most, just ask! :)

almost 36 weeks

Since Arthur and I haven't taken a belly shot in over 2 weeks, I took a clothed self portrait the other day. We're aiming for the last maternity shoot to be done next Sat on Valentine's Day, but you might not see those til after the baby arrives! :)

shower photos

Here are a couple of photos from the shower at Mom and Dad's house a few weeks ago (hosted by Dad's sisters). Aunt Carolyn made the arrangement out of onesies, bibs, and washcloths that are for the baby (once I finally take it apart--I've been enjoying it as a centerpiece still for now). She also made the corsage. Tiffany McVay made the cake (that of course I didn't get to sample!).

I realize that I've only gained 12 pounds the entire pregnancy, and that I was overweight to begin with, and that I haven't really "grown" much. I also realize that people are trying to be complimentary when they make comments like "You don't even really look pregnant!" but you know, it really doesn't make you feel better when people don't realize you're pregnant when you only have a few weeks left to go. It just makes me feel fat and makes me wonder how fat people thought I was before I got pregnant! :( So, please save me from your kind remarks of saying you can't even tell I'm pregnant! ;) At this point in time, I think I'd rather hear "You're HUGE!" to make me feel not so fat! haha

35 weeks

I know we're real behind on belly shots, but as usual, there's not much change to see anyway. Saw Dr. G again today. Sugar levels are looking good now (except for last night when I couldn't stay out of the snacks Arthur had for he and Ross to eat while watching the Super Bowl--Dr. G said at least I fessed up and admitted it was my mistake so that he knew he didn't need to make any adjustments). Blood pressure looked better today. Had lost a pound again. Still measured 37 weeks-Dr. G said that the reason there didn't APPEAR to be any growth was because it felt like the baby had dropped. I have to say that I definitely agree with that statement! Until you've been there yourself, you have no idea how uncomfortable it is with a baby sitting that low in your pelvic cavity. No concern for swelling since it still manages to go away as easily as it comes. Next week, I will have an ultrasound (or technically a biophysical profile since I'm considered high risk) so they'll also check amniotic fluid and the size of the baby and all that fun stuff to make sure the baby's still doing ok. (We might accidentally figure out the sex of the baby while looking around, but mom says she doesn't want to know now that she's waited this long! Hopefully it will remain a surprise, though!) I'll also get the group B strep test next week (won't go into the details of that one but if I test positive, it just means they'll give me some antibiotics during labor to protect the baby). Sunday (Feb 8)at 1 pm is the shower at Grove Hill Methodist Church for anyone who wants to attend. I need to get the pics posted from the family shower, but it will have to wait til another day. Dad's almost finished with the final touches for the nursery so I hope Mom, Arthur and I can get everything on the walls this week and I won't have to worry about any more projects for the room (for a while at least). I guess I need to finish packing my bags here pretty soon too! :)