Happy Due Date! (week 40)

Well, it's here... a day I thought would never arrive... the due date! It's been a very, very long 9 months. It seems like ages ago that we were in Park City reading those pregnancy tests. Even though BBH still hasn't joined us out in the real world, at least there is no more than a week to wait, no more than 4 days left at work, no more than a few days until I can eat a cookie (or a brownie, or a muffin, cupcake, pie... you get the picture)(and okay, that's not a huge priority, but still something I am looking forward to). I can't wait to see him, to get to know him, to start our new family. It's so surreal!

We went out to dinner tonight to celebrate the due date and to celebrate an award that Dan received from Draper on Wednesday. It's the second year in a row that a team Dan has been working on has been acknowledged and awarded for their outstanding achievement. The awards banquet on Wednesday made for a long day, but it was worth it to see Dan get recognition for all of the (very) hard work he puts in for that company.

Yesterday was the first Non-Stress Test. I got to sit in a super comfy reclining chair in Maternal Fetal Medicine for a half hour with sensors on my belly. One to record any contractions (haha, fat chance), and the other to monitor BBH's heart rate. I had a little clicker that I had to hit any time I felt a movement. They needed to see his heart rate go about 15 beats per minute above the baseline a few times. It was very relaxing lying there and listing to BBHs heart rate. It's a soothing sound! Funny to hear the thumps
 whenever he bumped against the sensor too. His HR was hovering around 140 for a baseline. I have to say, I really like everyone in the Maternal Fetal Medicine department. They are all so friendly, cheerful, and chatty.

Only one trip left to Newton Wellesley before induction day!! Just one more non-stress test... and then just the big trip left!!

More appointments (week 39.5)

I think I can navigate Newton Wellesley in my sleep at this point... I feel like I am there every day! This week, there will be 3 trips! I had my last trip to my OB's office this morning. She scheduled me for two NSTs (Non-Stress Tests) in Maternal Fetal Medicine- for this Friday and next Tuesday- and since they'll take my vitals at those appointments she deemed it unnecessary to return to her office since the induction is next week.

No progress since last week- still dilated to 1 and "thinned out". I predict he's not going anywhere anytime soon (the doctor wasn't too optimistic either). Although I am beyond ready for him to get here (and to not be pregnant anymore), it's a good thing that he's hung in there this long. I can now ride my maternity leave through New Years, which I really wanted. Everything looked good, my blood pressure was 110/60 and his heart beat was strong.

BBH is constantly on the move in there, and unfortunately it can be uncomfortable. Punches to the bladder are downright painful!

Last GD appointment!! (week 39+)

Today was my last trip to Maternal Fetal Medicine... hooray!! These appointments drove me nuts and I am so tired of recording everything I eat, so I am very glad to be officially discharged from the GD clinic (of course, still need to monitor blood sugar until BBH gets here). Blood pressure was good, got the stamp of approval from the endocrinologist, and met with the GD nurse to discuss postpartum stuff. Nothing that I didn't already know... GD should go away after the placenta is delivered... I'm scheduled for a glucose test in several weeks to be sure.... have to get checked for diabetes annually.... need to get checked early for GD in any future pregnancies... have to stay active and healthy to avoid regular diabetes. Got it, now let me get out of here!! Now I should just have two more OB appointments before the 15th rolls around. Here's hoping the time goes by quickly!

The end is in sight! (week 38.5)

I had my weekly check-in with the doc today. Everything was looking good, and she confirmed that the results from the ultrasound looked good (the appointment last week was with another doctor, not my usual OB). I'm a centimeter dilated and 75% effaced. No signs that anything is going to happen soon! Because of the gestational diabetes, they will only have me go a week past my due date. So.... the induction has been scheduled! Friday October 15... just over 2 weeks away. It's strange how much knowing the date changes everything.We knew we could become parents anytime over the next several weeks. But knowing that it will happen in 2 weeks... yikes! It's getting real!

Last wedding of the year! (week 38)

No more weddings for us this year!! We are very bummed to miss Stacy and Andrew's wedding next weekend, as well as cousin Julia's wedding at the end of October. But, we know the decisions not to attend these events were the right ones.

Cousin Laura got married in Chatham on Friday night. It was a long day as Dan and I both worked a half day on Friday, drove to the Cape for the early evening event, and returned home late Friday night. I'm glad we were able to be there though. Chatham is a special place for our family, and Laura's in particular, so it meant a lot to them to have the wedding at Chatham Bars Inn. Our Grandparents started going to Chatham in the 1950s. Dad and Uncle Bob spent their summers on Cockle Cove Beach. Uncle Bob and Aunt Joan (Laura's parents) met as 8 year olds in Chatham. Our Grandmother lived there, in a house our grandfather built, for several years. My family used to spend a week or two every summer there. Uncle Bob eventually bought a house of his own in North Chatham, and even though he passed away 5 years ago the rest of their family still spends time there. Uncle Bob's funeral was held in Chatham and his ashes are scattered on Cockle Cove Beach. Lots of significance in that town.

Cousin Rob walking Laura down the aisle:

Dad contributes to the ceremony

The happy couple!

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't too great. The outdoor ceremony on the lawn was feet from the ocean, but it was so foggy, misty, and windy that you could barely see the water. It was a gorgeous ceremony but we were all glad to get inside afterward. It was pretty funny that all the women started the day with nicely done hair, but ended with frizzy messes. That's the cape for you though!

The cocktail hour and reception were beautiful. The toasts given by everyone were touching. It was great to see the family, although it was all very brief. We left after dessert was served... and got home around 11. I was so glad to be home in our comfy bed!!

Even though we're getting closer and closer to the due date, I kind of feel like it's actually getting further away. Almost like each day is longer than the last. I am feeling very bored and restless, but have very little energy or physical ability to do much. Even a fun afternoon trip to the MFA with Jen on Saturday wiped me out! Work is getting tough too, it's uncomfortable sitting for so long. It doesn't help that so few of my maternity clothes fit anymore. Although I'm working right up until I go into labor (or get induced), I'll start working from home once the due date passes. Just two weeks left in the office...

Ultrasound (week 37+)

This morning was the ultrasound to check BBH's weight and asses his risk for shoulder dystocia, which is a dangerous condition where the baby's shoulders get stuck during delivery. This risk is increased in GD pregnancies, because of the association with larger babies. The ultrasound was fun, although not as fun as the one at 18 weeks. He is just so jammed up in there, it was hard to make out the parts. The ultrasound tech pointed out everything she was looking at, but I still hard a hard time making out what was what! She checked on his heart (heart rate holding strong at 152), measured his head, abdominal cavity, and thigh. The computer's estimation was that he is weighing in at 7lbs 12oz, putting him in the 80% percentile. With a few more weeks to go, he could end up being quite a big guy!! Yikes!! She said everything looked good, including his movement. We got a picture of the face, although it isn't very good and he looks a little distorted. Dan tried to tell me it was just because they were looking through fluid. Either way, he's definitely got some squeezable cheeks going on :)

A drs appointment followed the ultrasound. He said that the risk of shoulder dystocia is low based on the ultrasound results. I'm still only a fingertip dilated, but have gone to 70% effaced. The doctor confirmed my suspicion that BBH isn't very low in my pelvis yet. Blood pressure is good, 116/62 or thereabouts.

Getting ready (week 37)

At our weekly Costco run yesterday we bought diapers and wipes. That was weird, but exciting! Now that we have all those supplies, we're just about ready to go! The nursery is ready, everything is cleaned and put away, the car seat is installed. Just waiting on a baby! I think we're going to need to make a trip to Babies R Us to pick up a few remaining things from our registry, but than can wait until next week.

 

  

 I spent today cooking... made a few things to put in the freezer to have for when BBH first gets here. We've got some lasagna, some eggplant parm, and some peanut butter cookies. Yum!