See if I Ever Try to Predict a Dr's Appointment Again!

Well, have I had an interesting morning! Remember how I was a miss smarty pants yesterday about how easy going, and care free, and non exciting my Dr's appointment was going to be? Well, insert the foot now. My appointment was at 9:15 and I didn't get out of there until 11:45! 

Apparently my blood pressure has been slowly climbing over the past few visits. I remembered one visit a while ago, where she took my BP and said "Hm, that's kinda higher than normal..." and so she took it again. She had said it came down some. Well today it was 140/80 which is considered borderline. Your goal is to keep your BP lower than that, and apparently mine isn't cooperating. I also had some traces of protein in my urine. 

That means I have to go in weekly for non-stress tests (NST's) just for a better safe than sorry type of a deal. They went ahead and had me go in for one today (the nurse that does them is in the same office) and all you do is sit in a big comfy chair with the same external fetal monitors they put on you when you're in labor. You get to listen to your babies heart beat for a good 30-45 minutes if all is going well, or up to an hour or two if they're concerned. If you don't have a good NST, they send you in for a ultrasound.

Baby Scooter did what he was supposed to do (heart beat increases with fetal movement) and I'll be darned if that fetal monitor didn't pick up a contraction while I was there! It was just one, so the nurse wasn't concerned. She also told me that the reason why I was having the traces of protein in my urine could simply be because I hadn't had enough water that morning. I drank a big glass of orange juice before I went, and had drank probably close to a 16 oz glass of water between 3 and 6 this morning, so I don't know about that...but I hope that's the case!

Then, after the NST, my Doctor sent me down to labor and delivery where they drew my blood and gave me a lovely orange jug to collect my urine in for the next 24 hrs. Yippy skippy. Nothing like keeping your pee cold in the fridge. That was of course, AFTER I had to register as an outpatient AND pre-register for my delivery.

So, needless to say I'm worn out. I have to do fetal kick counts, cut back on salt and carbs, and make sure that I put my feet up every 3-4 hours for 10 minutes at a time. How much more precise can we get?? But, that's what Dr's do, they are precise. And that's why you have prenatal care...to help avoid problems. 

Besides, God is bigger than my blood pressure (that sounds kinda funny) but seriously, I'm not worried. My Dr talked again about an induction date. She gave me the low down on what would happen IF I were to develop pre-eclampsia, and encouraged me that most babies born after 34 weeks don't even need extensive NICU care, and that only 10-15% of babies born after 34 weeks and pre-term end up on oxygen. Etc, etc. She basically just told me not to worry, and that if my BP stays stable and doesn't continue to increase, we won't worry about that. However, she said if it starts to climb, and if the NST's ever show any stress as the weeks progress, she will consider an induction medically necessary at 38/39 weeks. So I believe she set me up sometime between the 15th and the 21st of January, and we'll see how it goes! After the 22nd, I start going weekly for my regular OB appointments. They'll do the Group B strep test, and also start cervical checks. 

All of that to say, I'm really not going to fret about it. Because, you know, if God can aide a woman through birth out in the middle of the African desert and keep her safe from harm, do I really think He is an any less powerful and merciful God because I'm in a labor and delivery room? I don't think so. 

People always say you shouldn't intervene with what is natural, and I believe that. I also believe that when we trust in HIM, and let those who we have entrusted the care of our health do what they think is needed to be done, my God is still greater! I said He is still GREATER than anything that any man or woman can do. Yes, I believe we are to be wise and seek His instruction in all things. But I'm not going to fear, or worry, or stress or try to take charge of something I have no idea about. I believe that the Holy Spirit can influence the heart and mind of any person if it means my protection. Whether they are saved, spirit filled, or not! If he can use a donkey to talk to a man, then I do believe I'm in good hands. :) 

Today has kinda slapped me in the face with the reality on just how CLOSE we are to our sweet baby being born. It's been in the back of my mind for the past few weeks, but now with all of this added hooplah, and the weekly visits, I have a feeling it's really going to be here before we know it. Then, life is really going to get interesting.  Everyone keeps going on and on about how they can't believe that Brandon is going to be a Daddy, and quite frankly, it's still shocks me from time to time that we'll soon have the title of parents. ;) 

I don't think life is just going to stop spinning and all the sudden hop on another axis that's rotating a different direction. I realize there will be adjustments, but if we both keep a good attitude and rely on strength that's not merely our own, I can still see us enjoying the things we do now. I'm most certain that between Scooters Grandma and his Aunt Rachel and Uncle Zach, Brandon and I will be able to make some time for ourselves, too. I've already told B that I want to mark the calendar every 6 weeks, and we are to have a date night! Even if that means sharing a cup of coffee and looking through books at Barnes & Noble, we are sure going to try to keep that up for each other. 

Golly gee, I'm getting all emotional thinking about it. Hand me a hanky! :P 

That's the latest greatest. My sister in-law is coming over to paint tomorrow, so I'm excited about that. I'll post pictures when it's done. 

Hope ya'll have a great rest of the work-week. There's only two more weeks until Christmas!!! 

Love ya,

LeAnna