Dr's appointment/Labor and Delivery visit

Yesterday I had my scheduled Dr's appointment for week 35 which led to a rather unexpected afternoon. I hit 22lbs on my weight gain for my pregnancy, but still feeling confident that it won't get too much higher since I don't have long to go. Ryan's heart rate was good and right around 161bpm. The Dr did my measurements which still seem to be just fine and she did the Strep B test, which is something they do to find out in advance if you carry Strep B and if you do they simply treat you with antibiotics while you are in delivery so it is not passed on to the baby. Unfortunately, when I was checked in by the nurse my blood pressure was recorded at 148/84, which is pretty high and definitely high for me. After explaining to the Dr about several of the recent fainting/blackout spells that I have been dealing with, she took my blood pressure again and noted that it was still high (it had been about 20 minutes since the nurse had checked). She was rather concerned about the black spots that I would see before feeling like I was going to faint and the fact that all these occurrences had happened while I was sitting and not standing. Apparently light-headedness and dizziness are pretty common in pregnancy, but mostly from pro-longed standing or standing up too quickly. What I have been experiencing is nothing like that and my only guesses have been that either the baby is pinching off some main artery/vein or my iron is low. I even thought low blood sugar at one point, but seemed to always happen within an hour or so of eating breakfast so even that didn't make much since. She looked back at my blood work from about 8 weeks ago and my iron was fine so she didn't think that was the problem, but said it would be fine for me to take an iron supplement on top of my prenatal just in case. Then she made the decision to send me over to labor and delivery for some monitoring. In the triage area, they hooked me up to a fetal monitor where I could sit and listen to Ryan's heartbeat for about an hour and a half and they had a blood pressure cuff on me that would inflate every 15 minutes or so. Someone also came around and took a few blood samples which I know one of them was looking at liver enzymes since the Dr had explained that to me in the office as a way for them to determine if my blood pressure had been staying high- which would be dangerous to the baby. Everything checked out just fine and about 4:30pm I was sent home to try to just take it easy. I was really glad that I had already had a tour of the Labor and Delivery wing so I knew where things were and that we'd taken our prepared childbirth class so I had seen the monitors and things before which made it not too scary. I suppose at least I'll be a pro when it comes to time for the real thing! HA! The Dr said if I continue to have anymore of the spells that she doesn't want me driving anymore and possibly even working from home. Luckily, Mike and I carpool to work so if needed we could re-work our schedule so I don't have to drive. Not sure just yet though.

However, yesterday and today I was on my own as Mike and the rest of my family traveled to Phoenix to cheer on the Frogs in the BCS Fiesta Bowl. (Unfortunately it was a pretty sad game and the Frogs lost 10-17 to Boise State- but we still love our Frogs and are ready for NEXT season!) So, I think everyone was a little bit on edge since I was being monitored and they were all out of the state. Luckily, everything went just fine and I think it was more of a precaution. I am glad they didn't find anything serious of course. I have been feeling just fine today and haven't been feeling a fast heartbeat or anxiety or anything so I'm pretty sure my BP is back to normal. Thanks to all the friends and family members who offered to say a prayer, help out, or stay with me while Mike was away. Mike will be back early this evening and I am happy for him to be coming home! :)

In EXCITING news, our friends James and Kristin Hamon welcomed their first baby, a little girl, Sadie James Hamon 6lbs 9oz and 20 inches long yesterday, January 4th. James and Kristin initially had the same due date as we did- January 21st, but they were moved up about 2 wks ago when they realized that Kristin was already making progress for delivery- and obviously we were moved back after our first sono due to Ryan's size. So, it looks like Ryan and Sadie will probably be right about a month apart unless our little guy comes early.

Lastly, I met with another pediatrician this morning and have decided to definitely choose her. The first ped we met with was very nice, but I felt like it was hard to talk to him and the conversation just seemed strained and awkward to me. I figure, if I am spending a lot of time the next two years with this person and will probably have to discuss breastfeeding and everything with them, I want to feel confident not only with their abilities as a physician, but also with my confidence in communicating with him/her. So, Dr. Erin Wallace it is. :) I am very pleased that my appointment with her went so well this morning. She was very reassuring and easy to talk to and gave me a lot of information. The staff seemed very nice and the office wasn't quite as crazy busy as I kind of thought it might be since they are part of a large practice. The waiting room and patient rooms were decorated with murals and absolutely adorable (not a deciding factor, but I liked it!) The office is located in the Professional Building at Mansfield Methodist Hospital which is just about 7-10 minutes from our house. They also have an Arlington office that I would have to visit for any Saturday sick visits, but I was glad to know they have that option just in case (and that office would only be about 15 minutes away). There are 4 Physicians in the practice and no NP/PA's so the Dr. will see the baby for all well visits and you would only see one of the other Dr's in the event of an emergency if our Dr. was out of town. Anyways, enough talk boring you about that, but I am very pleased and relieved to have chosen a pediatrician. :) Since we are delivering at Texas Health HEB, we have chosen Dr. Wheeler (referred by my OB/GYN) to visit the baby in the hospital and perform the circumcision.

Lastly, Lauren and I are having a joint family baby shower this Saturday, January 9th that is being thrown by our mother-in-laws and sister-in-laws. I am excited to see everyone and to get some of the last things needed before little Ryan's arrival. It is hard to believe that we are already just one month from his due date. I can't wait to meet the little guy, but could use the few more weeks to finish preparing for his arrival. Oh yes, and poll to my friends who are already mothers- Did you wash your baby's stuff in the "Dreft" or other baby detergent, or just stick to your normal detergent and switch if they have an allergic reaction? I've heard differing views, but would hate to buy the other stuff if I don't have to so I'd like to hear from you!! Thanks for sticking with me through the long blog today! Hope you all have a very blessed rest of the week.

~Emily