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Maternity & Parenting Center

30 week prenatal appointment

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Today we had our 30 week prenatal appointment. It was just another run-of-the-mill appointment. We discussed my medication, and I am supposed to stay on the current dosages of the tylenol and the Terbutaline. I am measuring 29 cm, which is right on track. The baby is head down and slowly descending – I think he already knows the way out, so we are going to have to convince him to hang in there a bit longer. We got to hear (and record) the heartbeat again, so I am posting it here if you are interested in listening!

The good news is that my last urine culture finally came back negative! We sent out one more today to see if the “maintenance” dosage of antibiotics I’ve been taking is keeping this infection at bay. I really hope it does! On Thursday, we go back to the Maternal Fetal Medicine office for another ultrasound. I will find out if I am allowed to do any more courses of Indocin, they will be checking on my cervix to make sure I am not starting to go into labor, and they will also take another good look at Frank to see if he is growing or shrinking. I am also going to ask them to search for Fiona, because I think she is in there somewhere.

So . . . . for right now, all is well. I am back to appointments every 2 weeks unless there are new problems with Frank and contractions. Oh, and for those of you who have been asking, here is a “belly shot” of me at 30 weeks:


My only other thing to add was that we stopped by the house to check on the progress . . . I really hate our contractor. He got the wrong granite in again, but at this point, we might just accept it because if we don’t, he really won’t ever finish the damn house! We are still hoping to start moving in next weekend, but I’m still uncertain if that is just a pipe dream.

24 weeks 2 days

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Today I am 24 weeks 2 days pregnant! We had another appointment today, and we finally managed to record the heartbeat again. He was playing keep away with the doppler, and even kicked it a few times before running away. He kicked so hard the probe actually moved! There are actually 2 recordings – the first one is the actual heartbeat, and the second one is the baby moving around and kicking the doppler. Hope you enjoy!

I did get in “trouble” today, however, for not gaining weight. Or, perhaps more accurately, for losing another 1/2 lb. I’m still pretty surprised I haven’t been putting on weight considering how big I’m getting, and I’m not really sure what else I can do! I eat . . . and eat . . . and eat, and the weight doesn’t seem to go up yet. I think this baby has Elliot’s metabolism! I also had gained so much weight before getting pregnant that I wonder if this is just my body stabilizing . . . kind of like an advance on a paycheck or something.

Other than that, I’m still worried about Nugget. She hasn’t passed the blockage yet and still isn’t eating. We go back tomorrow for another xray, and I’m hoping they will say she is okay.

16 week appointment

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I had my 16 week appointment today! All is going well . . . I’m measuring right on target, and the baby’s heartbeat was 155. I wasn’t able to record it this time, but hopefully next appointment! I was cleared to travel for work next month, and I’m off for my vacation in North Carolina tomorrow morning with Heather & Brad – a week at the beach (and hopefully we’ll get to see the movie Mamma Mia, too)! I was given a prescription for our 20 week u/s and for bloodwork (an AFP – to check for spina bifida/Down’s Syndrome, and a glucose check to make sure I’m not dealing with early onset gestational diabetes). I had a work conference this week – I can’t believe I actually got away with “hiding” the pregnancy . . . or, at least, no one asked if I was pregnant.

I’m still dealing with morning sickness, but all is going well!

Baby’s Heartbeat

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I think we finally figured out the technology . . . hopefully this will work for sharing the baby’s heartbeat. Just click play to listen! Partway through, there is a loud “thwap” sound, and we were told it was the baby kicking!

Another baby picture!

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Today we had another ultrasound! Not to crank and complain, but the ultrasound tech showed up to work over an hour late AGAIN. The staff was fairly rude, and the doctor just made excuses for everything. We told her we would be leaving the practice – I really have had enough of the way this office is run.

Luckily, Elliot and I were stopped short in our complaining when the ultrasound began. We couldn’t believe how much the baby has grown over the past few weeks. Elliot was watching the screen, and when he saw the baby, his jaw dropped and he said “It looks like a baby and it is moving!!” I can’t believe I’m actually 10 weeks pregnant already! On another good note – my previously enlarged and cysty ovary seems to have returned to “almost” normal.

First OB appointment

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Today I woke up excited for our first OB appointment . . . until I went to the bathroom and realized I was spotting. I became panicked, and I was sure I was going to miscarry. We got to the doctor’s office – and no one was there! Our appointment was at 8, they asked us to arrive at 7:45, and we were not seen until 8:50. I was LIVID – the doctor blamed the ultrasound tech, and the ultrasound tech blamed the doctor, but the bottom line was neither one of them showed up on time and we were forced to wait.

The ultrasound tech was horribly rude. I mentioned that I was worried about the spotting, and when she did the ultrasound, she hid the screen from us. When I asked her questions, she told me that she doesn’t share information. I was not pleased with this office at all. I asked her a simple question – was there a heartbeat – and she wouldn’t even answer me.

Luckily, it all turned out to be good news. The baby’s heartbeat was measured at 178, so doing quite well. I have to go back for another ultrasound with the rude lady in two weeks to monitor my ovary (it is currently enlarged), and then another appointment at 12 weeks. We also got a prescription to do a nuchal translucency scan to check for Down’s Syndrome. I’ll be setting that up soon!

And the Verdict is . . .

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Today was our first ultrasound . . . and we have a beautiful little baby with a heartbeat! The baby measured right on target today with a heart rate of 107. It was fantastic – the ultrasound tech was so wonderful, and the doctor and my nurse were all in the room. My heart just swelled with joy. They took several pictures (the nurse put one in a frame for us). I just cannot believe it – Elliot & I were crying when we saw the heartbeat. We are going to my parents’ house tonight to share the news!

Here is my little bean’s first picture: