34 Weeks... Yay!

34 weeks.. and Ellie looks pissed, lol

I haven't blogged in awhile but not that much has happened... which is good!
Last Tuesday I had my weekly doctor's appointment.  I was 10% effaced and dilated barely a pinky finger tip.  The doctor was not concerned so I'm not either.
I had an ultrasound on Tuesday.  Ramey is weighing 5 lbs and 4 oz!  My cervix is measuring 2.9.  I asked the ultrasound lady if the cervix can grow from the progesterone shots and she said no.  It only slows down the cervix from shrinking.  So we think that the 3.3 measurement was probably the one that was not very accurate.  She said it is hard to measure and it depends on who is measuring it and how they see it.  But the good news is that is barely under 3. where they want it, and it hasn't gotten shorter than 2.8 which was my measurement a month ago when they started to worry.  So the shots are working and my continued contractions aren't changing my cervix much if it is changing.
Then yesterday, I saw the doctor and she was happy with the 2.9.  I probably won't even have another ultrasound because I have been having them every 2 weeks and that would put me at 36 weeks, which is almost full term.  Also, I probably won't have another fetal fibronectin either because the next time I would need it is next week and that is 35 weeks.  The doctor said at this point we wouldn't do anything different if it came back positive anyways.  So that is exciting!  She said we would stop all of the medicine (procardia every 4 hours- which is fun because I have to set an alarm to wake up at 2:30am and 6:30am to take it) and no more painful progesterone shots in my booty!  Harry feels so bad doing them because the needle is like an inch and a half long and blunt because the medicine is so thick.  I have been sitting on an ice pack before the shot which helps, thanks for the recommendation ladies, but it still hurts.  So the end is coming close and I think I could actually make it full term!  Keep your fingers crossed and praying!

In other bed rest news, my mom thought it would be a good idea to get a shower chair.  I contract when I stand up and especially when I'm standing in the shower, so my dad got me a shower chair.  I feel like such and old woman, but it has been really helpful and I don't dread and get scared to take showers anymore.  But once I am an 80 year old woman I will already have my shower chair and won't need to buy a new one, lol.

My sweet hubby commented the other week, while I was laying in labor and delivery- such good timing on his part, how horrible my toe nails looked.  I had luckily gotten a pedicure the weekend before I was put on bed rest.  Well that was 8 weeks ago... so they were looking pretty rough.  So he said he would paint them!  He was not happy I took a picture, but here is proof of what a fabulous husband I have!!!

My amazing Mom, Dad, and Harry went up to school on a Saturday and then again on Memorial Day and cleaned out my classroom.  It was quite the task!  They had to get a Uhaul and we now have a storage unit!  Since about 3/4 of my classroom is my stuff and about 1/4 belongs to the school, it was a pretty big job!  Mom would call me and describe something and I would tell her if it belonged to me or the school.  Sometimes I would have no clue what she was describing so she would put all of that on a table and take a picture and send it to me and then we would go over it that way.  It was so stressful that I started having more contractions, not fun!  But we got it done.    And it didn't help that a sub was in my room for 7 weeks and I don't know where she put some things or where some of my curriculum was because she didn't know where it came from in the first place.  I am just glad it is done and I turned my keys in.  For those of you that don't know, I am staying home with Ramey.  As of right now, I am on extended leave of absence, which means I can go back to Deer Creek next school year.  I would like to stay home longer but we aren't sure how long I can stay home because of all of Harry's wonderful student loans.  We are hoping I can be home for years, but it is nice to know that I can go back next year if I need to and won't have to re-interview and all of that stuff.
Here is a picture of just my closet to give you a little idea of all of the stuff I have and how messy it got throughout the year!!! But I knew where everything in there was!

Ramey's room is coming together nicely.  I went in there the other day and laid down on the floor with a pillow while Mom organized.  I think everything is where I want it.  Mom has washed and folder or hung up all of his precious little clothes too!  I am a pretty OCD person when it comes to organization, so it wasn't the easiest job for Mom because I had an idea of how I wanted everything.  I ordered some amazing pictures for his room and Mom and Dad went to Hobby Lobby and got some frames and mattes for them (which also wasn't an easy job because they wanted to make sure it was exactly what I wanted).  So they would find a frame and send me a picture and the same with the mattes.  But all of that hard work paid off because they look AMAZING!!!! I will post pictures once his room is done!

I always had a plan to have cleaners come before the baby was here to do a really good cleaning to the house and then a couple times after the baby was here so I didn't have to worry about it.  Well I got an amazing Groupon for 3 2-hour house cleaning and thought that would be perfect.  I went to call last week and all of their numbers were no longer working and their website was no longer a website!  I was thinking "seriously!!! Another Groupon disappointment!!!!" but I emailed them and was refunded the full amount.  Then I just asked for recommendations from my wonderful friends on fb!  Thanks everyone who send me names and numbers!  So yesterday, a team of 3 ladies came over and cleaned my house from top to bottom for 4 hours for $100! I think it was totally worth it!  They cleaned everything including but not limited too (lol): under the stove top (which I didn't even know it could do!), blinds, windows, all cushions off the couch, top of fridge, emptied the trash, made the bed, doors, base boards, and of course all of the normal stuff cleaning companies do!  I was so excited and happy that they came!

Sunday, I have a baby shower!  I'm so excited!  It was going to be at one of my best friend's house, thanks Kali, but we decided to move it to my house so I don't have to get out and can really lounge.  We also thought it would be a good idea for a come and go shower so it will be really low key.  I can't wait!!!

I hope you all have a fabulous week!
Meredith

9 Days and 5 trips to Labor and Delivery

32 Weeks- Day 44 of Bed Rest

I'm 32 weeks and 1 day today.  Today and yesterday were good days but you need to know how the last week has been!!!

Last time I updated I had just had the positive fetal fibronectin and been to Labor and Delivery once.

Last Wednesday, Well I went back the next day to get the 2nd shot to mature Ramey's lungs and when I was there I told them I had been having some cramping, so they wanted to monitor me again.  So I did another non-stress test, and I had a few contractions, but nothing big, so I went home.

Last Thursday, Then that night I woke up at 4:00am and had 6 contractions in an hour.  That is the magic number when you call the doctor.  But since I have had so many they told me to change positions, get up and go to the bathroom, drink a bunch of water, and see what happens the next hour.  Well I fell asleep around 6:00 and hadn't had many that second hour so I felt better.  I woke up around 8:30 and was okay for a little bit but then started having the contractions again, I had 3 in 30 minutes, so I didn't want to wait for the 12 in 2 hours since I had so many that night, so I went ahead and called and they told me to come in and get monitored again.  This time I had a few big ones when I was there, so they decided to up my procardia medicine to from every 8 hours to every 6 hours.  And it has really seemed to help.

Friday, Last week was Teacher Appreciation week and my wonderful kindergarten parents spoiled me even though I wasn't at school.  My homeroom mom brought me lunch and all kinds of presents from the parents.  I got baby clothes, board books, an OU blanket and monogrammed burp cloths from the biggest OSU fans, gift cards, and yummy treats.  One of my moms makes amazing cupcakes that she dips the bottom in some kind of amazing chocolate (so it doesn't have a cupcake liner on the bottom) and brought some to me to have too!

Sunday. Mother's Day!  It was a great day!  Harry made me breakfast in bed (which I get every day since I am in bed all the time, lol) but he made me blueberry pancakes and bacon.  It was delicious.  Then he gave me a card from him and Ellie and one from Ramey.  He scribbled inside because he said that was more realistic than when people write the name and put letters backwards.  He is funny.  And then he got me beautiful flowers and a gorgeous necklace.  What a good hubby and daddy!
Then Mom and Dad came over and they got me flowers too.  Luckily my sweet hubby thought ahead and got a card for me to give to my mom too since I couldn't get out to get her one so I still got to give my mom something and Katherine got her a book from both of us.

 Typical Day of my parents and sister here

Hanging Out

Monday rolled around and I had a doctors appointment.  I went to the doctors appointment and she didn't check my cervix or anything because I was getting an ultrasound on Wednesday and it can tell actual measurements, so she said to just keep doing what I am doing.  I told her I was having some cramping but we thought it was just the stupid ibs problems again.
About an hour or so after that appointment my lower right stomach and right side back were KILLING me.  I was basically writhing in pain it hurt so bad.  I couldn't lay on either side, which is how I am suppose to lay while on bed rest, and couldn't do anything but think about how bad my pain was.  I called Labor and Delivery about 7 and they told me to come in.  They had me give a urine sample like always and hooked me up to the monitors.  It came back that I was pretty dehydrated so they had me drink a ton of water and then decided that they would also give me a bag of iv fluids.  Well I know I have tiny veins but apparently they were nearly invisible.  Two nurses looked for a good 20 minutes until they found one they thought would work okay.  Luckily it worked and they only had to stick me once.  Once I got some fluids I felt a little better.  They also upped my procardia again from every 6 hours to every 4 hours.  Harry got off work at 10:00 so he came up there and Mom still stayed for awhile.  Then my pain level was alot lower, I say it was about an 8 or a 9 when I got there and about a 2 after the fluids.  My side still hurt but not anything like it was.  They basically said I was just dehydrated and that would make my stomach and sides cramp.  So we went home.

About an hour or so after we got home it started hurting again.  Not as bad, maybe a 5, but not good.
I woke up about 3:00am and was writhing in pain again.  I waited an hour to see if it would go away but it didn't, so I called the hospital back and luckily one of the nurses that had helped me when I was there answered.  I told her I was still having alot of pain in my side.  She told me to drink a ton of water and if it wasn't better in 45 minutes to call back.  Well it did get quite a bit better and I fell asleep.

Tuesday, my side was still achy and just didn't feel right but was much better than it had been.  Harry went to work and Mom came over.  Throughout the day my side would feel like it would catch on something and I would get a stab or pain or it would just hurt and hurt for an hour and then go away.  Mom and I were looking online trying to figure out what it could be and I had alot of symptoms of kidney stones.  I have had a kidney infection before and more UTIs and bladder infections than I can count, and Mom has had kidney stones, so it wouldn't be an insane idea.  It also said it is more common for pregnant ladies to get kidney stones than no pregnant ladies and if you eat alot of berries and nuts you could be more prone.  I am eating blueberries, strawberries, soy nuts and peanut butter every day!  So we decided if I had another "spell" we would call labor and delivery again.
Of course it happened again around 5:00 and they said it could be that, but they really thought it was back labor and contractions.  I kept telling them that my uterus was not contracting and getting hard (I think I would know since I have had contractions since 23 weeks!) but they were just sure that is what it was.  So Harry got off at 5:00 so we waited for him to get home and then went up there.
I wasn't dehydrated this time because Mom was making me drink so much water all day I thought I was going to get water poisoning.  They hooked me up and saw that I wasn't really having any contractions.    So I told them when my back was hurting, the monitor wasn't showing anything, so I think they realized it wasn't contractions, which I had been telling them.
They thought it could possibly be kidney stones so they gave me a shot of demerol to help with the pain.  It made me very dizzy, faint and nauseous, but it worked.  My pain went from an 8 to a 1.  Since I was scheduled for an ultrasound in the morning they added to it and wanted them to check my kidneys.  They said I could stay overnight and they could watch me or I could go home with some medicine and to come back if it got worse.  So I opted for home because I thought there was no way I could sleep at the hospital.  So they gave me some lortab for the pain and Harry asked for a prescription of phenergan gel since I got so nauseous with the demerol.  And we came home.
I took the lortab and went to bed and slept great.

Wednesday morning we went to the doctor for the ultrasound.  I hadn't had any lortab since 2:30am and my side still felt fine, which was good.  They looked at little Ramey and he is measuring 33 weeks and 4.7lbs.  Everything about him looks great.  They checked my cervix and it has GROWN from a 2.8 to a 3.3.  So the progestrone shots are working great.  Harry gave me one on Tuesday and did a great job too!  They also didn't see any kidney stones but I do have a mild case of hydronephrosis.  This is the simplest explanation I found: very common and almost always is on the right side because genetically our uterus's typically tilt towards the left.  Over 50% of pregnant women get it and only rarely is any surgical action taken to correct it (ie a stint being placed in the ureter that is being pushed on by the uterus). It like a hose with running water in it being stepped on where it slows the flow of the urine.


I am glad they found something because I was thinking I was crazy because they just didn't know what it was.  But the rest of the day Wednesday and all of today, I have felt fine.  I also found that it said it comes and goes with pain, but I still have the lortab so I am good to go!  I obviously won't take it if I don't need it, but tylenol did nothing for the pain.

Here are some baby Ramey pictures!

 Looking from below up

Well I wrote more than a novel.  Have a great day!!!
Thanks for reading!

Not the best news....

Tomorrow I will be 31 weeks.  Today I had my regular every 2 week appointment.  I'm still having contractions and the doctor checked my cervix and said it was still "high and closed" as far as she could tell.  I have another ultrasound in 2 weeks to check exactly how thick or thin it is.  But she wanted to do another fetal fibronectin test to see if the chemical was present that would suggest that I could have the baby in 2 weeks.  

The test is good for 2 weeks and the past 3 that I have had have all come back negative.  Well of course, this one came back positive.  So the doctor called me, which was scary enough because it wasn't one of the nurses, and she told me to take a deep breath and told me the test was positive and she wanted me to come into labor and delivery so they could monitor my contractions for awhile and give me a couple of shots.  She wanted me to get a progesterone shot to help my cervix not shorten any more. I will receive this shot every week until 36 weeks (I believe) and she said that Harry could give it to me because he can give shots.  And another shot (a steroid) to help mature Ramey's lungs in case he is here early.  I have to get another one of these shots tomorrow.

So Mom and I went up to labor and delivery and I was monitored for about an hour.  I didn't have any contractions (of course I had some when I got home, but not many and not regular at all.while I was there) and got the 2 shots.  And they hurt!  The progesterone shot is really thick so they can't use the sharpest needle because it would take too long for me to get the medicine so they have to use a bigger, basically blunter needle, and it still took forever for it to go in.  And they gave me one in each hip, so my hips are sore.  And they sent me home.  I go back tomorrow for the 2nd steroid shot to mature those little lungs.

I did some research on the fetal fibronectin test and found this information on babycenter.com

The fetal fibronectin (fFN) test can't tell you for sure that you are in labor, but it can tell you that you're not. This is useful because in the early stages of preterm labor, it's very difficult to tell if a woman really is in labor based on her symptoms and a pelvic exam.

A negative result on the fFN test means it's highly unlikely that you'll give birth in the next week or two, which can set your mind at ease and allow your practitioner to hold off on treatments that may not be needed. 

A positive result, on the other hand, is not as useful. It means you're at a higher risk of giving birth early, but it doesn't guarantee that you're about to give birth or that you'll deliver early at all, so it won't help your practitioner decide how to manage your situation.

One website said your chances of having the baby in the next 2 weeks is 3 in 10 and another said 1 in 6, so all prayers for this baby to stay in as long as possible would be GREATLY appreciated!!!  Some people still go full-term with positive tests.

In other news, at the doctors office I did have a small panic attack and this was pre-fetal fibronectin test results.  I have always had a high heart rate. I actually went an saw a cardiologist at the end of March just to check everything out because my heart rate was so high the first time I went into labor and delivery that the machine would not stop beeping and they had to turn it off.  So Dad talked to one of his doctors, remember my dad sells pacemakers, and the doctor saw me just to check everything out.  I had an echo and ultrasound on my heart and everything is perfect, I just have a fast rate.

Anyways, today my rate was 156, my normal pre-pregnant is normally 90-100.  So the doctor was concerned today and we got it down to 120 then 113 once I calmed down but then I got dizzy and had to lay down because I was starting to really worry about it.  So the doctor gave me a number for a doctor to see about my anxiety.  I have always had little panic attacks about certain things and she is afraid if I don't get it under control now I will have post-pardum depression.  I was in the process of setting up an appointment when the doctor called and told me to come back to labor and delivery.  So needless to say, this hasn't been the best day.

Yesterday was rough too because all of my 22 precious kindergarten babies were getting their awards at school.  As of last week I was planning on going, but then was put back on very strict bed rest after my ultrasound.  I cried when I found out I couldn't go.  I miss those little kids so much it is crazy.  This is the best part of the year and I don't get to be there to see how huge their brains have grown.

In other news, Wednesday my team had a baby shower for me.  Well actually, the teachers brought presents to school and one of my team members brought them to me.  I really wanted to see everyone and thank them in person, but that wasn't in the cards.  Thank you wonderful Deer Creek Elementary teachers!  I love you and miss you all!

Mom and Dad went to Babies R Us and got me some essentials if this baby boy is here early, which is a definite possibility, so I am feeling a little bit better if he is here early because I have some of the things I need now.  I ordered a changing pad and bassinet and they are suppose to be here Wednesday and Thursday.  

Harry has been running all over too trying to get things for the baby room too.  But being a great hubby, he won't just buy something, he will find what he thinks I want and send me a picture before he buys anything.  And it is good thing he does because it normally takes a few tries before he gets the right idea.  And he surprises me with delicious treats when he leaves work.  I'm very blessed to have such a kind and caring hubby.

My sweet sister has finals this week but has been coming over for study breaks and is texting me throughout the day so I don't get too bored.  She is also looking for houses with her hubby, so she stops by for bathroom breaks when they are out driving around Edmond, lol.  She wanted me to mention this.

One of my very best and sweetest friends brought her precious little one over the other day with lunch and kept me company for awhile too.  And brought me some of Everett's old clothes for little Ramey to wear!  Thank you BF!

  

And of course, Ellie has been keeping me company.  That big thing to the right of her head is my belly.  She likes to lay right on top of it or under it and Ramey kicks her repeatedly but she never moves.  She loves her Mommy and doesn't like that she can't lay directly on top of me. 

Ellie with pregnant belly.

Ellie pre-pregnant cuddling.  She is laying the whole length of my body, lol.

That is all for now.  I'll update you if anything else happens!  Thanks for reading!

Meredith

Back to Strict Bed Rest...

Here are some "sneak peek" pictures from the materity pictures that the amazing 

Shannon Foster of www.photojunky.com took on Friday.

Well I had been taken off "strict" bed rest and could "putter around the house" and go out to eat occasionally, which I never actually did, and could go to my baby classes and take maternity pictures.  Well I had an ultrasound today to check my cervix and see how Ramey is growing and my cervix has shortened to 2.8 cm, they want it between 3-5cm, so I'm back to strict bed rest.  It isn't that much different than what I have been doing anyways, Mom doesn't like me walking around the house or doing anything for myself when she is here, but the whole idea of it is frustrating.  And I was going to go to my kids award ceremony on Monday morning, but now I can't.  It makes me so sad I can't see them again before the year is out.
Other things we learned from the ultrasound... Ramey is a big little boy.  He weighs 3.9 lbs and is measuring 10 days big putting him at 31 weeks and 3 days when I should be 30 weeks.  However, I know the day I ovulated even though doctor use the last period, that puts him about 3 days ahead of where I think he should be.
But he was being a stinker and was VERY low and we couldn't see his face or measure his head or my cervix the "normal" ultrasound way, so they had to do it the "fun" way.  But we still didn't get to see his face at all.  But the tech said it did look like he had some hair!  The only picture we got was a thumbs up.  This little boy is going to trouble, just like his Daddy!

For those of you that didn't see my facebook on Saturday, here is a little story for you....
Alright people I had to yell at someone on the phone today, this is only the 2nd time in my life I have had to do this. First, Do NOT go to Salon 9309 at Penn and Britton. 
So I have been on bed rest for 27 days and had a Groupon that was expiring for a facial on Monday so I made an appointment and mom drove me there. We thought a facial would be okay since I would just be laying there and relaxing. Well, I got there and they had double booked the appointment. They had my name and number down wrong but my groupon number correct. They called this imaginary person and she said that she hasn't made an appointment so they booked someone else instead. Well I show up and they just automatically give the appointment to the other person even though I made the appointment first and someone else had obviously made an appointment because they still had the groupon number. So mom brings me home, I was crying because I was so excited about actually getting out of the house for something other than a doctor's appointment. I had been looking forward to this for 2 weeks! So mom called and bitched them out and the lady who was suppose to do the facial called me back later. After alot of "it isn't my fault you wrote down the wrong name AND number you should have known someone was coming for an appointment" she was not apologetic at all and I told her that I would have to arrange for a driver again and she said, "Well if that doesn't work, would you like a refund from groupon?" and I said "yes because I don't want to come back to your salon." And I asked what if groupon doesn't give me a refund and she said then I could still use the money on it but would have to pay the difference since it would be after the expiration date. I told her she was crazy and that I didn't do anything wrong and if they didn't refund, I would not be paying any extra and the groupon would still apply for the same services. She then got tired of me and realized I wasn't backing down and finally said, Ok fine! I have already emailed groupon and hope that I get my refund because I will not be going back to Salon 9309 and none of you should either!!!
Update: Groupon did refund my money and this salon isn't going to get a penny from me!

On Sunday, Mom and Dad came over and put up the trees that are going in the nursery.  Now these trees seemed like a great idea when I found them on Etsy.  However, they came from China and came with directions in Chinese.  There were some directions in English but they didn't make any sense at all so we basically used our 3 brains and the pictures.  It was like a huge puzzle.  There was 26 different pieces for 3 trees all mixed up and we had to label the parts ourselves using the pictures because they weren't already labeled on the actual tree just the directions.  The trees still aren't done, we still need to add about 6 more branches and all of the leaves, so I am not going to post all of the pictures yet because I want you to see the finished product.  So far they look amazing and better than I thought they would!

But here is a sneak peek!

Harry and I had our Caring for Your Baby class on Monday.  I actually already knew alot of the stuff since I have been reading the baby books, so that made me feel better, but I still learned some good info.  I still need some practice on swaddling though, I've never been good at it, but I'm sure I will have plenty of practice once the little guy is here.

I had asked for recommendations on pediatricians earlier and had gotten a list of preferred ones from my doctor.  Well, I have decided to go with my old pediatrician, Dr. Adair.  She was my doctor from age 1 or 2 until I was 21.  She basically had to kick me out because I loved her so much, I didn't want to go to anyone else.  She was even invited to our wedding (and didn't come) but sent a gift!
I had thought about using her for Ramey before and then like 4 people suggested her and various people in her practice, so I decided that I really want to use her and I am so excited she will be taking care of my baby like she took such good care of me.  Plus it is close and all of the other doctors there are great too, some of them saw me when I was little too!

I got up to take a shower and Ellie stole my spot!

I think that is it for now!  Have a great day!