Watermelon, yes please with....

38 weeks into my pregnancy it finally happened.  Today I had a weird pregnancy craving.

Today all that I wanted to have for a snack was:

watermelon.

with cheese.

(specifically swiss cheese)

topped off with an oreo at the end.

Now, I am not saying I have not had cravings, but this is by far the strangest.  

The other cravings I have had include tacos, guacamole dip, ravioli's, and chicken 

ceasar salad. Lately I have wanted cheeseburges as well.

My typical diet has included lots of cheese and fruits.  

My meat of choice is beef/steak.

And of course, an extra thick chocolate milk shake is never turned down!

Induction-Take 1

Where to begin.... this past week has been interesting to say the least.

On Tuesday, June 21st, Rick and I set forth for me to be induced as I have been having some complications.  It was our hope that we would be bringing home our baby girl on Wednesday. 

 

37 weeks..pre-induction.

 

We went in excited, nervous, and ready to meet our little girl.

I had received medicine to induce my labor Tuesday evening.  When I woke up on 

Wednesday morning I was contracting regularly. 

The doctor came in after my labs where drawn and checked me and told me that I had not dilated at all

...okay, i knew this may take a while as I was only 37 weeks along.

She then proceeded to tell me and Rick that after reviewing my chart again, the fact that I am 37 wks and that I have not progressed if they continued to induce I would almost certainly need a c-section.

...okay, I knew this was a possibility too, and I am of the opinion that whatever delivery option ends with

a healthy baby and mommy I am ok with the decision made as long as I am informed.

She then proceeded to tell me that after discussing my case with another doctor in the practice I go to that it would be best to stop the induction as my condition is currently 

stable,  not worsening, and our baby is doing well.

excuse me? I am contracting every 2-3mins?

And that I would be sent home once everything calms down, unless I do end up progressing.

I'm sorry, did you say home, as in go home WITHOUT my baby....?

That was in-fact what I was being told. 

I was going to be sent home.  

The discussion was more indepth and I did get to speak to the doctor who has been 

overseeing my care on a more than weekly basis for the past 2 months.

I was heartbroken.  

I was supposed to be going home with my baby. 

In my head I knew that it was best for me to leave with her still in my stomach, but my heart was ready to finally hold this little angel who I have been waiting to hold... and meet...and introduce to everyone.

Talk about a roller coaster of emotions and hormones...

being in the hospital for 12 plus hrs + pain from contractions + pregnancy hormones + leaving without my baby.  

I was in overwhelmed to say the least.

I am thankful for my doctors who are fabulous and did re-evaluate my situation. 

They could have easily continued with their original decision and I could have ended up 

with a c-section and a baby in the NICU.  Even though my little girl was 37 weeks,

there is still a small chance she could have breathing problems.  

I feel that they made the best decision as she was clearly not ready to come out (and apparently still is not!)

I am also thankful that I am "healthy" enough to allow our little one more time to develop.  

So, it is back to bedrest for me.

The whole experience was humbling to say the least.

So I left the hospital, waddling out as I had waddled in, with my baby in utero.

Here are some pics of the event...

 

waiting.

Rick sleeping soundly (I was awake until 3am..)

Since then I have seen my doctor again and the new game plan is to wait until 39 weeks.  If I do not go into labor spontaneously then I will be induced at 39 weeks.  This will give our little girl some more time to develop.  Hopefully it will also allow me to dilate some before hand and I will be able to transition into a smoother labor if I have to be induced, again.  Ultimately it is the best choice for my situation and I am thankful for the medical team, doctors and nurses that continue to take care of me.

I guess it just shows how on our toes we will have to be with our little one! 

She is stubborn like her Mom.

She turned!

From 20 weeks on (that we know of) baby girl has been lying transverse (across my stomach) 

so that her back was the presenting part.  This caused some problems in the 20 week anatomy scan as it was difficult to get a decent picture of her heart.  

At 32 weeks she was still transverse, BUT we were able to find out that she was indeed a SHE!

On Monday, the start of my 36th week she was still transverse... I am scheduled 

to be induced [related to some complications...;o(..] on Tuesday night of the 37th week! This was a bit of an issue as you can not be induced unless the baby is head down.  

So today I want to the perinatalogist, and the first thing that they did was to take an ultrasound.

After giving my rather long history, the ultrasound technician, Cathy, looked over with a smile and said, "well, she is head down!"

WAHOOOOOOOOOO.  HEAD DOWN!!!!

I am so excited that I do not have to make a decision about having a version (where the doctor manually tries to manipulate the baby into a head down position...OUCH!) or have a c-section.

Now we can continue as planned for a nice, hopefully,  normal delivery next week. 

Baby F's stats: 6lbs 3oz

(From the ultrasound)

Nursery

Baby F will be making her debut in a week!!!

I am happy to say the nursery is ready for her to arrive!

Our little one will be arriving earlier than expected, but will be 37 weeks on Monday and considered full term!!  I am thrilled to get to meet her and finally be able to hold her in my arms.

although I feel bittersweet about not being pregnant.  I will be glad to feel healthy again, but its a weird feeling to know that she will not be part of me anymore.

This Bassinet has been in my Mom's family for about a century.  I was in it as a newborn and am excited to have our little one in there.

Our beautiful sleigh crib.

the MOST comfortable glider.

LOVE this giraffe.

This is our "mobile" which is
actually a wind chime that
I found made from shells
off the coast of the Philippines.

G Diapers.

Luvvy.

Lucky Elephant.

I hope you enjoy the nursery as much as I do!  

I can't wait to show it to my little girl!

...almost 9 months

Well, it certainly has been a while.  Several things have taken place.  First, I have gotten huge!! 

I am currently 35 weeks 4 days, but the picture below goes up to 34.5 weeks.

Baby F is doing well and we found out that we are having a Baby Girl!

We found out that our little on was a girl on the day I took the 32.5 weeks preggo picture!

Luckily we were able to find out at our 32 week ultrasound to measure growth.  

Our little girl is practically perfect measuring a potential 4lbs 9oz at 32 weeks 4 days. 

I also had the most beautiful shower. It was perfect and I have never felt so loved.

 Rick and I with our Mom's who hosted the shower.

We found out that Baby F was a girl 3 days prior to the shower and I have never seen so much pink!  

I can't imagine how much more it would have been if people knew sooner.  

Our little girl is spoiled already and will not have to wear an outfit twice for a long time!

Thank you to everyone who made it such a special day.  It was truly perfect!

Lastly, I have been on bedrest since week 32.

Nothing more to said about bedrest really.  Just taking it easy for this little one to grow.

Although my due date is July 11, 2011 since I have been having complications my doctors have 

decided it would be better for our baby girl to make an appearance a little sooner.  

So, I am scheduled to be induced on June 22nd.

12 days to go!