Saturday, February 20, 2010

Latest Ultra Sound Picture of Austin Josiah

A.J. is starting to look more and more like a baby in his pictures. I can't wait to see and hold him :).

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Ready for Maternity Leave

Well I guess I spoke too soon in my previous post about my fluid levels being great. The last two NSTs show my fluid levels are high. This usually means the baby has abnormalities, which we know he does, so there really isn't much they will do about it for now. I guess it just means I get to feel even more like a whale and AJ has more liquid to play in (which he loves to do). So far I have managed to only gain 12lbs this whole pregnancy, 4 of the pounds in just these last two weeks (its the fluid & baby, right? ha ha). Anyway, these 4lbs have made a world of difference. I can hardly tie my shoes or get up out of our recliner. I'm starting to feel tired more and losing energy. I am so happy that next week is my last week of work. It will be nice to sleep in and only have doctor appointments to attend. I have to try and take advantage of this time before all the chaos begins ;). My mom joked with me and said "watch, you'll go into labor a week after leave." NOT FUNNY MOM!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Wonderful video that made me cry yet gives me hope

Sofia had the same CDH as my baby. Left Sided with 90% of diaphragm missing with stomach, intestines, and part of liver up. I pray that Austin Josiah will be a fighter like her!



Sofia's CDH Story from Jen Miller on Vimeo.

Twice a week NST

For two weeks or so now I have been going to the hospital in town to have a Fetal Non-Stress test (NST) done twice a week. NST is a non-invasive test performed in pregnancies over 28 weeks gestation. The test is named “non-stress” because no stress is placed on the fetus during the test.

Since I go into the hospital every Tuesday and Friday after work, I've been getting to know the nurses very well (too bad I won't be delivering there). When I arrive I try to peak around to see if any new babies have arrived. I just love newborns! The nurses weigh me (YUK) and then take me to a delivery room where they attach two belts to my abdomen. One to measure fetal heart rate and another to measure contractions. Movement, heart rate and “reactivity” of heart rate to movement is measured for 20-30 minutes, however, it's been taking longer since my baby moves a lot and its hard to get a full 20-30 minutes of constant heart rate. Last Friday I was there for 2 1/2 hours because they did an ultrasound in addition to the NST to check my amniotic fluid level. I was getting impatient and wanting out of there....can only imagine how bad it's going to be when I'm actually having AJ and having to be in the hospital with him for a very long time. Good news is my fluid level and NSTs have been great.

I am getting eager to start maternity leave. As I push week 32, I am noticing my energy level has dropped. I love to cook, however, I haven't even desired to do that lately. I also wonder if it's depression because I am not having a typical pregnancy. Usually at this time in a pregnancy, one would be decorating the nursery, picking out strollers, etc. I am doing some of that but there is so much more focus on the CDH that it's hard to maintain the "normal" excitement.
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AJ 34 Weeks