Thursday, January 29, 2009

Fetal Non-Stress Test

I went to my first NST this morning. The test went fine, but there is not much more boring than laying in a labor/delivery room by yourself strapped to multiple monitors. It was entertaining to listen to the baby's heart beat for an hour, and to see the reaction between the heart beat and movement, but it still sucked. The monitor shows that the baby's just perfect, and the heart reacts exactly how it's supposed to. Here's what went on:

I showed up at the hospital and had to report to the labor and delivery floor, where I was actually put into a delivery room. Once there they made me lay on a hospital bed, and then strapped a heart monitor on my stomach to listen to the baby. Once they found the heart beat, baby did a cartwheel and the monitor lost the heart monitor. They took off the monitor, re-gunked it up, and then went on the search of the heart beat again. They found it after a minute of searching, and strapped the sucker back on. Baby held still that time, and then they hooked up a second monitor to my stomach to see if I was having contractions (I'm not). The baby hated the second monitor and kicked the crap out of it for a while. They then put on a blood pressure cuff and handed me a button to push every time I felt the baby move. They then left me in the room by myself for nearly an hour, which gave me the chance to listen to the baby and stuff, but was really boring. They came in and looked at the sheet and the baby looked perfect, so they took off all the monitors, scheduled my next NST (for Monday), and let me go home. So like I said, it wasn't really all that eventful, and everything turned out fun, but I am not looking forward to doing it twice a week on top of my weekly Dr. appointment. Meh!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

January 27 Dr. Appointment

Today we went to the Dr. once again. From this point on it appears we will be going every week, which I am not looking forward to. I know I know, it means that we're approaching the end...but at this point it really seems like a waste of my time. Ugh!! Today's appointment went fine. Good blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, etc. They listened to the baby's heart beat and baby decided it would be fun to play the drums on the monitor while they tried to listen. Even the Dr. was surprised at the movements that were goin on in there. The only icky thing is that I have to go have an NST on Thursday, and probably twice a week from now until the baby comes. That is a fetal non-stress test where the hook me up to monitors and watch the baby's heart beat and look for contractions. They're doing this because of "potential" problems since they've been monitoring my blood pressure and blood sugar (both of which have been perfect through the entire pregnancy I might add!!!). So I'm really not looking forward to that. Going to the hospital twice a week on top of going to the Dr. once a week is going to suck, but I suppose that means we're really closing in on the end of this miracle we call pregnancy. This weekend is my baby shower and I am SOOO looking forward to it. Hopefully it will turn out well. The weather looks like it is even going to cooperate (which is pretty amazing in Nebraska, especially in January). Let's hope it stays that way.

Week 34--Developments and Changes

Welcome to a new week in baby growing 101. This week, the baby reaches 12.8 inches, crown to rump, and weighs about 5 pounds. Also this week:
  • The skeleton hardens, although the head remains pliable to maneuver through the birth canal
  • The skin becomes less red and less wrinkled
  • The toenails are present, and the fingernails have reached the tips of the fingers
  • Baby is also developing immunities to fight mild infections.
It's pretty quiet in the area of big changes and developments from here on out, pretty much only developing the lungs, and gaining weight. It makes for less interesting reading, I'm sure, but it also means that my little one is almost complete and ready for the world.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Baby Shower

I know I have mentioned it before, but I wanted to also post it here, so if someone forgets. Iwill be having a baby shower on January 31, 2009 (next Saturday) at 1pm here in Lincoln. Sorry that the invites haven't gone out yet, but I wanted to let everyone know what was going on so that I could make sure that everyone could make plans as needed. The shower will be at my cousin Amanda's house. The address is: 1810 SW 25 St. Sorry the information is pretty last minute. The invitations should be arriving soon....but I wasn't in control of them so can't really say when. At least this way you know what's going on. If you need any additional information let me know. I really hope to see everyone there. I am looking forward to a great time with some friends and family. If you need registration information....just scroll down!!

Week 33--Changes and Developments

Baby is definitely wiggling in there still, but there has definitely started to be more of the actually pushing out from him/her too. There is one spot above my belly button that apparently the baby doesn't feel is big enough, because there is pretty consistently a foot or something pushing directly against that spot. This week, baby should measure about 12 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 4.4 pounds. I also think that the baby has dropped already, getting ready for the final count down, because the movements and stuff all feel lower than they were before. I had one lady tell me that as big as I was, and where I was carrying, there is no way that I will make it another 6 weeks. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I hope to make it at least a few more weeks to be sure that the baby's lungs are fully developed and everything, but somehow I don't think that I am the one that gets to make that decision!! Baby developments this week:

  • Baby is practicing breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid to exercise his/her lungs.
  • Hair will be present now if it is going to be there at birth.

  • The baby has a normal waking and sleeping pattern.
  • While the baby is sleeping he/she may experience the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, which is the dreaming period of sleep.
  • Baby can listen, feel, and see.
  • The pupils of the eye can detect light and constrict and dilate.
  • Baby's lungs are ALMOST completely matured.
  • Fat will continue to be deposited on baby's body for protection and warmth.
  • Baby's skin color turns from red to pink.

So that's what is going on here this week. I hope to have a few more weeks of updates, especially so I can get everything ready for my leave at work! Have a great week.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Big News!

So, today was going along just like any other day, until my boss came into my office this afternoon. She's been doing some work, and I now have the opportunity to pick up hours in our IT department, making me a full time employee of the UNMC!!! That's right. I am now officially an adult, with a full time job. And part of my job even USES my degree. I am very very excited, and just wanted to share the news with anyone who is interested enough to actually read this. Before you ask, we've already got full time child care lined up and everything, so this will actually work out damn near perfectly. I just hope things keep going as well as they have been.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Week 32--Developments and Changes

Welcome to another exciting week in the growth of our baby. Things are calming down a bit finally, but I'm also starting to get very excited about the baby coming! It's hard to believe that in 2 months I will be able to hold my little one in my arms finally. The last couple days the baby has been getting the hick-ups and I can feel them in the weirdest places!! Seth has also been entertaining himself by playing with the baby. If I lay on my back the baby will usually lay on one side of my stomach and if Seth taps in the middle or on the opposite side you can actually watch my entire stomach move toward him. It's one of the coolest things I have ever seen and experienced. Of course while the baby is busy in there, there is also some growth happening.
  • The layers of fat continue to be deposited beneath the skin
  • The arms and legs are fully proportioned in relation to the size of the head
  • The baby is passing water from his or her bladder
  • The hair on the head continues to grow
  • The lanugo continues to fall off.
So that's what is happening in our neck of the woods. Needless to say we're still busy, but at least it doesn't feel so chaotic at this point.

Monday, January 12, 2009

January 12 Dr. Appointment

So we went to the Dr. this morning and it went quickly and uneventfully. Blood sugar, blood pressure, and all that good stuff look...well...good. My weight is exactly the same as the last appointment, so that's cool. The baby's heart beat was strong and the Dr. says she thinks it sounds like a boy, but I'm still not holding my breath. They're going to stick with my March 11 due date, but will probably induce me during week 39 if I haven't gone naturally by then (of course only if my membranes and stuff look good). So that's what I know so far.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Baby Registries

So I've been busy getting baby registry stuff all set up for the upcoming shower's and for anyone that's just curious what I would like to have for the baby. Keep in mind that any clothing listed can be bought in any size (I really don't care) and that most stuff should be neutralish at least since we don't know what we're having any more!

Sears Registry

Walmart Registry


JCPenney Registry

Toys R Us Registry

Target Registry

So I have now finished Shopko's registry as well, but it won't let me link directly to my list, so here's a link to their registry page and you will have to search for my name from there. There are actually 2 listed as well, but 1 of them is empty and the other has all my info in it (not sure why at all!!) Shopko Registry. Sorry about the confusion...I blame it on ShopKo being GHETTO!! If you have anywhere else you think I should (or would like me to register) let me know and I'll jump on it!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Week 31--Changes and Developments

This week is the lovely time when I started back to work after the winter vacation. It's crazy to me how vacations are never long enough, and you never get quite as much done as you had originally hoped you would. Oh well! This week, the baby's growth is actually supposed to slow down a little bit, but that doesn't mean it will stop by any means! Slowing down the growth allows the body to focus more on creating the connections between the nerve cells and other areas. Also, rather than just hearing random stuff the baby can now comprehend distinct sounds, and can even pick out voices and music! Other little developments to expect:
  • The lungs and digestive tract are nearly mature
  • The baby can see in the womb
  • The eyebrows and eyelashes are complete.
Other than that, things are pretty quite this week for both baby and us. Next week we have a couple small things going on, but at the end of the month is the baby shower, which I am REALLY excited for! Other than that, we play the waiting game.