38 and 39 Week Check-up

My 38 week appointment was so fast, it was almost a blur. After doing the usual pee in a cup, weight check, BP check, and whatnot, I saw Dr. Tweedt, whom I love, and she checked Emery's HR (155) and measured (38 and some change). She remarked that all looked well and was right on target, and we again, were so grateful. 

She then checked my cervix and said it was closed and tight and there was no dilation. I think she expected me to freak and become irritated that he wasn't in position, ready to go - she told me to be patient, go to the movies, go out to eat; it could be late 39 weeks/early 40, or afterwards, before he makes his debut! I told her, I wasn't concerned, that little man would come when he and the Lord were good and ready for him to! She smiled, agreed, and with that, was out the door!

38 weeks and counting :) 

My 39 week appointment was the following Thursday, yesterday, and it went really well! I actually saw Dr. DuBose, whom I had not yet seen at any point this far. She was super nice and extremely bubbly - my kind of lady. My urine, weight, and BP checked out, again, very nicely, and my measurement (39 and some change) and Emery's BP (145) were on target. She then checked my cervix, and once again...nothing. Closed, high, and no dilation.

She was just about to send me on my way when I told her I had a few questions. Although I know that I should not, I unfortunately have a really bad habit of listening to others and allowing myself to take their comments to heart. I expressed to her that a few people had hit me up with the whole, "Goodness! I think you're going to have a big ole' baby - a 10 pounder for sure!" and that when I tried to just let it go, I could not. I explained to her that this thought was getting to me, and while I know a C-Section is very routine and normal, it was not my desire if I could have a say-so in the matter. I would really like to give birth vaginally, and with my size and thinking about others comments, I had begun to worry about this (which is so wrong on my part, and for future reference, while I am not saying this to be in any way mean, at all, you just never know what feelings/worries/anxieties/emotions are going through a soon-to-be mother (especially a first timer's) mind, so just be cautious and gracious in what you say and how you share excitement for the coming arrival of sweet baby). 

She immediately responded with a couple of very good points. 1 - a growing baby is a healthy baby. Something no one should ever "worry" about. 2 - I am short. She joked did everyone want Emery to grow in my big toe!?!? Short waisted mama's babies have nowhere to go but OUT. 3 - she said that if I wanted to do an ultrasound that we most certainly could because she too, was just curious. 

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE these doctors at Piedmont?!??!

So I saw the ultrasound tech and she very sweetly and quickly did some measuring, and predicted a nice, healthy 8lb 4oz baby boy! However, she did remark that these are just estimations, and what that really means, is that he could be anywhere between the wide range of 7.2 to 9.4, which is exactly what I had been thinking in my gut the whole time: that there is no way to know, prior to birth, how much sweet, baby boy would weigh. She ended that we could expect him to more than likely weigh in the high 7's to the low 8's. 

After we finished up, I saw Dr. DuBose once more so she could take a look at the ultrasound, and she was pleased with what she saw. She reassured me that everything looked great, my placenta was still doing it's job, my fluids were awesome, and that we could not have a healthier baby on our hands! This mama was very thankful, and once again, reminded by God to just trust. 

39 weeks and counting :) 

Latest update:

Weight gain: 20+ lbs.    

Sleep: What's sleep!?!??!! 

Gender: B-O-Y, BOY!!! 

Name: Emery Anthony Edens!!! A blog post with the name explanation is still waiting in the wings....

Feeling: Tired. The days I do nothing but lay around and sleep, I feel my best. Uncomfortable. I have still had some stretching/growing pains across the mid-section of my stomach which is just plain painful. 

Cravings: Nothing. My acid reflux is still as bad, if not worse than it's ever been, and activated by literally everything but ice water, so I am so hesitant to eat for fear of the pain. It stinks.  

Health: Continuing to be blessed with such wonderful visits with the doctor and such a great, typical, healthy pregnancy. I am so thankful. 

Movement: Rolling, punching, moving constantly. I am particularly sore on the upper, right side of my belly from what I predict, after yesterday's ultrasound, is a little, fat tummy. :) 

My due date is this Monday, September 1st/Labor Day, and my next appointment is Wednesday, September 3rd - Dr. DuBose said that if Emery has not made his arrival by then, we'll have a normal check-up and discuss the possibility of induction! Could be ANY day now folks, so we. shall. see!!! :) :) 

So many of you have been so sweet and have given us so much encouragement throughout our entire pregnancy, especially here at the end. All the comments, texts, calls, messages, and conversations have been exactly what we needed during this very exciting, but uncertain time due to the newness of it. We have had so many tell us in the last couple of weeks that you are praying for us and for our labor and delivery and I, personally, cannot tell you how much that means to me - all of the love and kind words in addition to the prayers. Thank you SO much. We are so blessed with such wonderful family and friends who love us, and Emery, so very much! 

Keep the prayers coming because I know my God already has this whole thing planned out and we will praise Him for the journey and the miracle! 

36 and 37 Week Check-Up

Doubling up on updates again because, well, I'm that pregnant, and since I am now going every week....
Both visits went REALLY well!! 

I was able to see my actual doctor for my 36 week visit and was given the Group B Strep (GBS) test and she also asked if I wanted my cervix checked...well, duh!! Ha!! I told her please do, as long as she didn't get anything started :) 

She checked, and to answer so many's question, the result: "Oh he's still up there, and you are tight and thick! It'll be a couple more weeks!" 

So that's the doctor's verdict on that for now. She also introduced me to the term, "wimpy white boy" syndrome and said that they really like for boys to stay in until at least 39 weeks due to the development of the lungs. I had never heard of this before, but apparently, it's pretty common. The doctor also said that she expects me to deliver either a few days before our due date or on the actual due date, unless of course my water were to break. 

The doctor measured me; we were right on target, and then not only did she check Emery's heartbeat - which was a nice 155 bpm - but she also used the newest and coolest doppler to do so that actually has a handheld screen attached to show an ultrasound - it. was. awesome. So basically, while she did her GBS test, she gelled my belly up and let me slide the doppler all around while I checked out my precious, baby boy via the screen.
Did I mention how much I LOVED Dr. Keller?!!?

For my 37 week visit, it was short and to the point. I didn't pass my GBS test, which apparently is not uncommon and means nothing, except that they will have to give me an antibiotic during labor to prevent it from passing on to Emery. Supposedly, half of us test positive and there is nothing we can do to prevent it. 
We went over my chart, which, I am very thankful to say, that the doctor remarked, "Lindsey, you're perfect on paper - these stats over your pregnancy could not be any better!" I cannot thank the Lord enough for such grace during these past 9 months and for such great health for myself and Emery. He also remarked that my hemoglobin was some of the best he had ever seen (13.1). I think he was a bit impressed and all I could do was give thanks and praise to my Father! 
He measured me - again, right on target - and then we did the doppler and his heartbeat was again, very strong. We talked a bit about some pain that I had been having in my butt and pelvis, which he prescribed as swelling, and then I was on my way! 
Again, 2 more great visits with the best OB-GYN in the upstate! 

36 weeks...baby head of Romaine lettuce. 

Latest update:

Weight gain: 20+ lbs.    

Sleep: Continued back pain and having some MAJOR edema in my butt and pelvis, so...sleep is rough, if even happening.  

Gender: B-O-Y, BOY!!! 

Name: Emery Anthony Edens!!! A blog post with the name explanation is still waiting in the wings....

Feeling: Aside from the butt and back pain and the stretching in my stomach from his continued growth, really good!

Cravings: Still nothing; HOWEVER, I have noticed in the last 2 weeks that I. AM. STARVING. I cannot get full and just want to eat, all the time. 

Health: Doing well. Every appointment I have brings good news. I am so blessed with such wonderful visits with the doctor and such a great, typical, healthy pregnancy. I am so thankful. 

Movement: STILL...this boy never. stops. moving. I can tell he is getting pretty squished though because now I mainly just feel rolls. Lots and lots of rolls! 

I was exactly 2 weeks from my due date as of yesterday, and I am 38 weeks today. Moving right along, my next appointment is this Thursday, August 21 for my weekly visit - a normal, routine visit, but I am told starting at this appointment, they will begin checking my cervix regularly. So we shall see what the update with that will be!  

I just want to say again, how overwhelmed I have been at how near perfect each visit has been in regards to mine and Emery's health. I have spent TOO much time in the early stages of my pregnancy fretting over worries that I should have simply given over to God, but, if you've ever been in this position, you can understand why we as women, and mothers-to-be, do so.
My goal in these last few weeks has been to instead take JOY with each passing moment - with every ache, every precious movement, every odd little pain, every sweet moment of anticipating his arrival. I will say that I have done better, and while my mind and heart will slip back into worry, in the last few weeks the Lord has helped me to redirect those thoughts to thoughts of praise for Him and all that He has blessed us with during these 9+ months in our sweet, baby boy already. 
This has been largely in part to the encouragement of my incredible husband, who knows the Lord did not create us for worry, but for joy and praise. To Jonathan, I am so grateful for his leadership in our home, and his love for the Lord to always better serve Him. 

One of the albums that is currently in my CD changer in my car, and that I listen to frequently, is "Beautiful Things" by the band Gungor. I am reminded of this constant need to give Him praise, no matter what, when I listen to their song Higher. 

Emery could make his debut any day now, but I would like for him to hold out until at least 39 weeks...so please continue to lift our family up in prayer as THE most incredible day, whenever the Lord sees fit, arrives!