Induction is set...

My labs came back "not that bad, but not really good."

Induction is set for 7:30 pm tonight.

If we are lucky baby K will be here sometime tomorrow.

Ready or not, here he comes.

Just a friendly reminder:

We are not wanting any visitors while in the hopsital. Current discharge times are less than 24 hours after birth, so we should be home shortly thereafter.

Mark will be taking the first week off, and at that time we would like to have day visitors only, and only for short periods of time. It will be a time of acclimation for all of us, especially Isa, who thrives on her schedule, which will do our best to maintain.

I anticipate some clingness and behaviors with the big sister, so the less spectators the better :)

I bet Isa will be THRILLED when there finally a baby in that car seat next to hers. "Where baby?" will finally be a question of the past!

Non Stress Test #3

Today's tests revealed that baby is doing just fine. Heart rate is just fine, activity is just fine, but that is about all the info I got on him.
My blood pressure has skyrocketed since Friday. My norm (even as of Friday) is about 115/65 and today we ran tests every ten minutes and fluctuated between 138/87- 132/91. They even ran high enough to set off the alarm...
Heart rate is too high as well. Normal for me is 60-65, and today we are running at 110. At one point they were concerned because they thought baby's heart rate was too low (the 110) but it turned out they were picking up my heart rate instead, which is just too high.
They sent me down for some blood work, should have the results this afternoon. They are looking for pre eclampsia or (lack of) organ function. Both can easily be remedied by delivery.
But, baby is looking fine, and that was my main concern.

Hung and Looking Good

Last week we received the final piece for Kaiden's room in the mail: his curtains! Grandma Joe got the fabric while she was up here a few weeks ago and then quickly made them and sent them off so they would be ready for when Kai comes home.

Anytime now, little man, anytime.

Still Pregnant...

That is really about all the info I gained from my appointment today. And really, it didn't take me by surprise- I kinda already knew that!
There are four factors that affect labor/delivery, here are my stats:
1- Dilation- 1 cm (been there for four weeks...)
2- Cervix- still has not moved to the front
3- Effacement- 80-90%
4- Engagement- at zero station

The lack of 1 and 2 isn't a big deal, as they typically don't start moving until labor has started, at least with a first pregnancy.
The effacement and engagement are at a good stage, but that doesn't mean labor is going to happen anytime soon.
The doctor had to run out while I was there for a patient who progressed from 3 to 8 cm in a matter of minutes (lucky duck) so I didn't get to see him. I saw the nurse. I asked about how long he would let me go and she said that at my appointment next Friday we will schedule an induction date for the first week of June.
The nurse says there isn't really anything I can do to help this along. Apparently there are things I can do to stimulate contractions, but they probably won't be effective contractions and will taper off. For those who are telling me to walk, walk, walk, she says there is no point, as baby is already completely engaged (head down) so there would be little to no benefit at this point, as that is typically why they tell people to walk.
So, my original guess of due date (way back when) of May 16 won't happen, and I have amended it to June 16, that way I won't be diappointed, right?
I kinda compare this to waiting for Pink with Isa- I knew it was coming, but man, the days sure drug on and I felt like it would never come, then wham! the call came and we were out the door...
Here's to hoping we are out the door sooner than later...

Baby Update

I went in this morning for my second non stress test. This time I was sure to eat only a little and no juice! But this kinda backfired on me and baby wasn't moving much... But it was a much easier cure than last time, I just drank some juice and voila! Dancing baby!

I was in and out in thirty minutes, and my doctor scheduled me for another one next Monday... I was hoping to not have to do another one, but if I am lucky, I'll be in labor or done and won't have to...

But, I don't think that will happen. I think my May baby is about to turn into a June baby.

Wild Thing #2's Test Results

The test that should have taken 20-30 minutes ended up taking over two hours...
Why? Because he wouldn't calm down! He was overly active. They wanted a baseline of his quiet time before we quit the test, but mama was growing very tired of staying in one position, and he just wouldn't calm down, so they finally let me leave just before 10. Way past mama's bed time, way past.
In order to pass as a rest period, baby can only move two times in a ten minute period. Baby was at over 50 per ten minute block for over an hour and a half... No wonder I have to pee so much! I also found out I am having fairly consistant contractions about 12 minutes apart- obviously not active labor, but hopefully gearing up for it.
The doctor on staff was concerned about why he was so active: thyroid (no), dehydration (no), well there had to be some reason. So I am booked for another test on Wednesday at 6, and this time I won't have any juice or Coke at all that day. Just water. Then maybe all will be fine.

Baby Update

I had my 38 week visit today. All looked well. Well, I guess it depends who you talk to, as I haven't progressed anymore, still 80% effaced and less than 2 cm, which I don't think is all that great, but oh well.
The doctor ordered a non stress test for tonight to make sure the baby is doing fine. I will go into the hospital at 7:30 tonight for about an hour and get hooked up to two machines, one that measures baby's heartrate and the other that measures baby's activity. This is somewhat routine, though mainly after due date. The reality is they don't know the true date (somewhere between May 11-24) so we are doing the test as a precaution. We will repeat it every 5 days until baby is born, just to be sure he is getting enough oxygen and movement in cramped quarters.
The doctor says he isn't concerned at this point and expects the test to turn out fine (but what would he benefit from telling me otherwise?!). If it doesn't turn out well, which I think it will, they just move on the next phase of test.
Worst case scenario is they induce labor, so as the doctor says, it is a 'win win' situation, as you either find out the baby is fine, or are induced and see that he is fine (as they typically are).

Ta Da!

We finally have finished up Kaiden's room! Hooray! I think it looks pretty good. The only thing still in the works are the curtains, which Joe is making.

It is a tough room to get a good picture of, so here are several to attempt to show the entire room.

I love this carpet we picked out. We went back and forth on what to do with the floors (Mark scratched them big time when he moved the safe out) but I am happy with the choice. Isa really likes it too, and she is pretty good at hopping from square to square!The nautical bedding set is too cute. Joe is making Kaiden a quilt, just as she did for Isa, so we turned the bedding quilt into a wall hanging. Babies shouldn't have blankets in the crib for awhile anyway, so it works out well.
The changing table station. I wish we had set one up for Isa- for the past year and a half I have been changing her on the bathroom floor.
This afternoon I made the sailboat collage and framed it. All in all I think the room turned out just right for our baby boy.

So now, we just wait...