Weekly Check-ups

I had my first weekly check-up and nothing too new to report. As usual everything is measuring out great, blood pressure still low, etc. This was the first time the doctor checked my cervix though and she said there is a slight "dimple", but that's about it. I guess a dimple means slight movement, but not quite 1 centimeter just yet. Till next week!

In the meantime, we are "interviewing" pediatricians. Our expectations are quite high since Matt and I both had fantastic pediatricians growing up - good old Dr. Pfeffer back in Virginia! Being able to pick out a brand new sticker from the sticker box after being good for a shot did the trick for me. Loyal customer for life (or until I was too old to go to a pediatrician)! Hopefully we can find someone William will enjoy just as much.

34 weeks

34 weeks

34 weeks along and had my last bi-weekly appointment earlier this week. Dr. Moore said everything was still right on track. Blood pressure still low, measuring on time, heartbeat great. She doesn't think I will go any earlier than 39 weeks, but I think she just meant in general most first time babies don't arrive before that time (instead of my check-up giving some sort of indication he'd rather wait till then). We shall see!

This past week I have absolutely felt "pregnant." Till now I've had some small discomforts even now and then, but now I can't stand sitting in one spot for too long because my ribs and back get really uncomfortable, sleeping on my side at night doesn't feel right unless my pillow is between my knees, there is more pressure lower in my pelvis and thought I'd never say it.... but there is definitely a waddle starting to occur as a result of that lower pelvis pressure. Eesh! 

So that's all great, but then I met with Dr. Shroff today... the hematologist. My blood platelets dropped quite a bit since two weeks ago, so now I have to take a prescription to try and up that platelet number. It may go right back to normal. It may not. It isn't a proven method, so I'll be going back next week to see how my numbers look. Then take it from there.

In other fun news - Matt and I finished our childbirth series (3 classes once a week at the YMCA). I did skip our second class - labor and delivery. I kind of figure... it is what it is. Why give myself more to think about - surprise me! The first class was helpful in explaining how to know you're going into labor and they also toured us around the hospital - from labor and delivery to postpartum. Then the last class we learned how to take care of our new baby - very important! Matt changed his very FIRST diaper (on a fake baby doll) and was a natural. This was our baby - please excuse the glasses, my contacts were irritating my eyes. Isn't he swaddled so nicely? We have much more to learn, but it was a nice little preview of life to come!

Florida Baby Shower

My friends Sara and Katie threw a baby shower for me and William this past weekend - a delicious brunch was served and it was so nice to spend time with all the girls. Once again William was spoiled rotten! All the gifts were so thoughtful. Sara and Katie were amazing hostesses!

With the hostesses - Katie and Sara

Sara's mom's yummy sugar cookies - W onesies!

Amazing brunch fixed by the girls

More gifts for William

All the Florida ladies at the shower

Then on Monday my work friends threw yet another shower for William! We went to Seito for lunch (yes - I requested a sushi restaurant as the shower location, but their bento box is delicious and very pregnant friendly with nothing raw served!). More gifts for William and he even received his first knitted sweater and booties - they are so sweet!

32 Weeks

8 months along and coming up on the homestretch. I had a 32 weeks/8 month routine ob/gyn appointment yesterday where they measure my stomach (normal), check the fetal heartbeat (136), weigh me (spot on at 25 pounds gained - holy cow - they say to gain 25-35 pounds by 40 weeks, so if I continue at 1 pound a week then I should have gained 33 pounds total. I will mention they weigh me with my shoes and clothes on, so I bet it's more like 23 pounds ;) so far), look at my blood pressure (still low), and everything checked out great. I have one more bi-weekly appointment at 34 weeks then I will be checking in with the doctors on a weekly basis to see how D-Day is progressing.

My blood platelets are low again. If it weren't for that particular issue then this just might be the easiest pregnancy ever. Nothing physically bothers me and there isn't a thing I can do to change my results. It has nothing to do with diet or exercise or anything. Just the way it is. So now I need to check in with my hematologist on a weekly basis to make sure it doesn't go any lower. Talk about doctor appointments galore!  

I'm really looking forward to the weekend... I'll be 33 weeks along and celebrating with my Florida girlfriends! My friends Sara and Katie are throwing a baby shower for William! Pictures to come!

32 weeks in Clearwater Beach, FL