"Non-Stress Test" and 31 week Dr. Appt

Chase and I went to our routine checkup for 31 weeks.  I actually had questions to ask this time and felt a little like a bothersome patient but since I'm typically with the doctor for less than 5 minutes I figured one appointment with questions shouldn't be a big deal.
             My first question was about my heart rate- I'm finding that off and on I have runs of tachycardia (a heart rate over 100 beats per minute) that last for a few minutes then resolve.  The highest pulse I've seen has been about 142.  She told me it's likely nothing to worry about but to keep an eye on it.  If I start to get short of breath or dizzy then I'd have to see cardiology.  I figure I'm probably just a little dehydrated when the spells occur so I'll drink more water (though I do drink over 100 ounces a day!!!!)  Pregnancy itself can cause an increased heart rate so I really do think it's fine.
 My next question was about my "lazy fetus".  I get to see Sprout move in the evenings but rarely throughout the day.  Sprout doesn't even really perk up after meals like most people would expect.  The doctor looked at my last ultrasound and saw that the U/S tech noted that I had an anterior placenta- this basically means that due to the placement of the placenta in the uterus- I would not be able to feel Sprout as much- the placenta would absorb a lot of the smaller movements.  This is nothing to worry about and won't cause any issues.

the one on the right is an anterior placenta.  See how it's in front?

Knowing that was reassuring in and of itself but for further reassurance I was hooked up to a non-stress test.  Basically what this was was a doppler heart monitor that strapped around my belly and another monitor that looked for contractions.  I had a little clicker in my hand to click each time I felt Sprout move.  With the non-stress test they look for variability in the baby's heart rate.  They wanted to see at least 4 peaks which would indicate Sprout was moving around and doing stuff.  If the heart rate was completely stable, they'd be worried.  

Well- of course- as soon as they strapped on this monitor Sprout decided to kick at it.  I was able to feel Sprout move nearly 15 times in the 20 minutes that I had the monitor on (10 in an hour is considered normal).  Sprouts heart rate was variable and everything seemed fine.   Three- quarters of the way through I looked at Chase and told him to record Sprout's heart beat since we'd been listening to it for a good 15 minutes.  He was able to get a good 30 second recording.  I've listened to it a few times since  :)

        Because of all this- I didn't remember to ask if I was still measuring ahead but I'm assuming I probably was because I have a "growth" ultra sound scheduled for next Thursday.  We'll get to see Sprout again and know about how much Sprout weighs.  They don't typically adjust due dates based on these ultrasounds because babies grow at all different speeds.  That's about it for that appointment!  We got a lot covered that visit it seems!

         

Not the best day ever....

Memorial Day is this weekend and Chase and I got invited to go to "PK"-( that's Possum Kingdom Lake for those of you not in the know)  .  We'd spend time on a boat and relaxing at a pool.  Initially, I was all for it.  Heck yeah!  It sounded like fun!  (Although more than likely I would be the lone sober person at said event).Then- I went to Target for a bathing suit.  Now, for some reason I had it in my head that I would be all cute like Nicole Richie  -

cute pregnant lady in a bikini....

HOWEVER- reality is not exactly that nice.  I was NOT cute.  (I did not try on a bikini but a "tankini" I was somewhat realistic).  The results were somewhere between bad dream and nightmare.  I called my friend and let her know I would not be going to the lake- thankyouverymuchiwillSTAYathomeandcryinstead.  When I got home Chase asked me how my day was and I burst into tears and I think I managed to sob out "fat" and  "whale" and other lovely words while snot was dripping out of my nose and tears streaming down my face.  Poor guy didn't even know what to do.  I will instead be spending my Memorial Day in my sister's back yard away from anybody's eyes who may be "judgey".

And just as I was feeling a little foolish for crying about being "big" this morning my VERY FIRST patient looks at me and exclaims "Oh, My GOSH!  Are you "fixin" to pop today or what?"  They're very lucky I didn't "pop" them.  I just smiled nicely and said- "Not for 10 weeks".   That being said we're 75% done!  We have 70 days left (also known at 10 more weeks).   Here's what Sprout is up to:  (from mayoclinic.com) Thirty weeks into your pregnancy, or 28 weeks after conception, your baby's eyes are wide open a good part of the time. Your baby might have a good head of hair by this week. Red blood cells are now forming in your baby's bone marrow.

By now your baby might be more than 10 1/2 inches (270 millimeters) long from crown to rump and weigh nearly 3 pounds (1,300 grams).

Here's what I've "turned into"-

I'm wearing a dress I had pre-pregnancy; no wonder people though I was pregnant in it- it works great as a maternity dress.  I really should reconsider purchasing things with an empire waist- unless I am pregnant.  It would save hurt feelings!

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day!  Have a few margaritas for me!

11 weeks left & 29 weeks pregnant

Time sure does go by fast!  I'm at 29 weeks today.  Sprout upgrades from an eggplant to a squash- some websites specify a "butternut squash" others say and "acorn" squash.  Who knows- Sprouts a squash none the less.  LOL

  Sprout will still likely triple in weight before birth.  Baby is starting to store fat as well so he/she is getting stronger. From babycenter.com-   Baby's muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. 

Sprout is getting his "kick counts" in.  I'm supposed to be able to count at least 10 movements in an hour- sometimes I get 10 movements in less than 10 minutes so I'm pretty sure Sprout's fine.

I had a Drs appointment today.  I'm still measuring a week "big"- so my uterus is measuring at 30 weeks but I'm at 29.  This can mean either the due date is off or Sprout is gonna be a big baby.  The Dr. said that if we're still ahead at the next visit we'll have an ultrasound to see what's up.  

Here's me this morning- it's a bad picture because Chase was already at work.

3rd Trimester- WHOOOHOOO

Ok- Now no matter what you read- I am officially in the 3rd trimester.  YAY!.  12 more weeks (hopefully no longer) and Sprout will make her/his appearance in the world.  So excited!
 Everything is going seemingly perfect with me and baby.  I've got a Dr. appt next Wednesday but still haven't gotten word on my last blood tests but I figure no news is good news.
Sprout got an awesome present from my co-worker Jodi:

It's funny cause it's true!

Here's Sprouts update from babycenter.com  :  By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. 

Sprouts  a Chinese cabbage-  who comes up with this stuff?  What the heck is a Chinese cabbage anyway?

Chase and I are working on projects for the nursery- I've gotten 3 cribs sheets done, birds for the mobile sewn, sticks "baked" (to kill bugs) for the mobile, and last night we were working on figuring out exactly how to hang the sticks together.  The big art project is almost done- just a few more coats of paint and I should be able to post a picture of the finished project.  YAY!  There's still so much to do and it seems like time's running out. 

Ok well lunch is over and I've got 3 patients already waiting for me.  I am looking forward to a few months "off" from work so I can start to re-appreciate my job.

27 Weeks

I had my appointment today to check for gestational diabetes.  This is done in every pregnancy typically between 24 and 28 weeks.  I was given a really sugary drink (I had an choice between red and orange and chose orange) which tasted like flat Sunkist soda.  It took me 6 minutes to "down" because halfway through I thought it may come back up.  I was told to have it really cold so I left it in the freezer for about an hour (after getting it out of the refrigerator).  Cold was probably better than warm but it was still pretty gross.  I had my blood drawn one hour after finishing the drink and I will find out in a week or so if I may have gestational diabetes.  If my sugar levels are elevated I'll have to go in for a 3 hour test.  Fun.
Chase accompanied me to the doctor's visit today and helped keep my mind off my queasy belly.  
Hmm what else?  Oh yes-  I asked my OB and she told me technically NEXT week I'll be in my 3rd trimester.  So close!   She also gave me warnings about pre-term labor (signs and symptoms) and I will be going to see her every 2 weeks now instead of monthly.  Wow.  Time sure is going by fast.
We got to hear Sprout's heart beat and the doctor was able to find it without even trying.  It was nice and strong and around 145-147 beats per minute (at least that's what Chase said- he was looking over the doctor's shoulder at the doppler).
Here's me at 27 weeks.

I look a little dazed here.  I think I'm worried about drinking the "orange stuff"

Kaiser is giving me a high five for making it to 27 weeks!

Here's Sprout's update at 27 weeks:  Baby Hogan is still considered an "eggplant"
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds  and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his/ her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on.  (from babycenter.com)