Meighen

Went for a bunch of tests today (will get results on Monday) and did the bio-physical ultrasound. The US showed the baby’s fine – she’s in great shape. I did my blood pressure this morning at Shoppers and it was still high – 148 / 97. By time I went to the doc it was down to 130 / 64!! Thank god! I get to avoid a trip to the hospital this weekend.I go back on Monday for another US to make sure things are still fine and to check my blood pressure again. If it goes back up and I do end up the hospital they’d only keep me for 2 days before inducing. That’s a huge relief! I was worried I’d be weeks in there.In preparation of possibly going to the hospital this weekend I packed the diaper bags and picked up a few items (bottles, receiving blankets, burp pads, soothers). We also got the glider and Ben already put it together. He’s going to put in the floor tonight and we’ll get the furniture on Sunday. I’m so happy I’ll be home to set up the nursery myself.

So I went to Shoppers Drug to check my blood pressure like the doctor wanted. It was higher than yesterday!! My pre-natal instructor called me tonight after getting my note about not making the last class tonight. That was so nice of her to call and she helped ease a few of my fears. Since she works at the hospital she said to just call and she’ll come visit me if I get admitted. She said I’ll be in the “high-risk maternity ward”. I love how I go from near perfect pregnancy to high-rish in a matter of a week. Geesh! Since things don’t look good for home rest and will likely be admitted to the hospital tomorrow or this weekend I went on a whirlwind today to get as much as I could done around home.

I removed all the tags from the baby’s clothes and got them all washed in special detergent. That was about 4 loads!! The washer/dryer is still going and it’s 10:30 pm! The only thing left to wash is the cloth diapers but that can wait till we come home with her. We’ll use the disposable “umbilical care” ones for the first few weeks.

I got my bag for the hospital packed complete with the items I’ll need for after delivery (in case I don’t make it home before then). I’m just finishing up packing the diaper bag(s) once the last load of laundry is out of the dryer.

Ben was awesome tonight. He knows what’s stressing me out and we took care of business! We went to Home Depot so I could pick out the floor for the nursery and he’ll get that in place on Saturday. His uncle is delivering the crib, change table, baby bath, change pad and stroller on Sunday. Between Ben and my Mom they can set it up. We also went to Walmart and they actually had the glider we’ve been looking at out in a box! Thank god! We snatched that up and Ben’s already got it built! I also grabbed just a few glass bottles, burp pads, soothers and receiving blankets – just enough to do her at the hospital and get her home. Then me or Mom can run out and get a few more of each. I got the bottles and soothers sterilized and packed. Did I mention Ben also got the carseat installed in the Focus? We’re still deciding if we want to get a second base to put in the Civic. That can wait till I’m home from the hospital.

So, now that things are almost taken care of I feel much better about possibly heading to the hospital for a week or two. Now maybe I can relax and reduce my blood pressure and come home and wait for labour here. My instructor thinks I wouldn’t be admitted and stay there for four weeks with high blood pressure. Either the blood pressure goes down or I get induced. I’m at the stage now where baby can come and be just fine. She’s over 6 lbs, tall and hearty – totally ready to come. She just won’t be the 9 lbs they’re estimating but that’s ok with me! Less baby to push out of me. If I am admitted hopefully I can get in one last entry to let you all know what’s going on. I’m praying for wireless at the hospital so I can at least keep my blog going and play Scrabble on Facebook… heh.

Till next time!

Well I knew this pregnancy was going too good to be true. I’ve finally run into some complications.  

I went to the OB today for my first appointment. My blood pressure is sky rocketing so she’s sending me for a bunch of tests over today, tomorrow and Friday. I did some bloodwork today and I have to take tomorrow off for a 24 hour urine collection and another blood pressure check at Shoppers Drug Mart. On Friday I take in the urine samples, go for a fetal assessment scan to check on baby, then go back to the OB (all same building) for another blood pressure reading and more bloodwork. If it hasn’t gone back down to normal she’s considering admitting me to the hospital this weekend for bed rest. If my blood pressure goes down and stays stable while in the hospital I can go home. If the blood pressure stays up I may be induced early. She wants me to stop working immediately. I’m sure by not working my bloodpressure will go back to normal. There’s no talk of putting me on meds cause it hasn’t been a long-term condition.

She’s concerned but not freaking out as all my urine samples and bloodpressure have been consistently great for the first 36 weeks of the pregnancy. Chances of it becoming pre-eclampsia is slight but she wants to be safe. I’m sure a few days rest will get it all under control. If anything, checking me into the hospital will only increase my pressure. How can anyone stay calm sitting in a hospital room with no air conditioning, a crappy bed, the smallest TV you’ve ever seen with no beagle? If she tries to admit me this weekend I’ll fight it and see if I can spend the weekend home and re-test on Monday.

I’m a bit freaked out. I’m sure baby’s fine, the last ultrasound was only two weeks ago and fine, but I’m not ready to be stuck in the hospital on bed rest. I don’t have the nursery stocked and set up and hell, I like my freedom!! Can you imagine hospital food for a month.. ick! I’m sure mom would come by to help Ben with the house and set up the nursery.. she’d love to do that but I really want to pick out the necessities myself and set up the nursery the way I want to.

One piece of good news from today’s visit is that I can stay on my anti-depressants and breastfeed without worry! I’m on a low enough dose of a mild drug it won’t have any effect on the baby. This has been backed up by two doctors now *phew*.

So, I’ll update on Friday after the doctor and hopefully not be going in for a visit this weekend. If I do, it better only be a few days or my stress will hit the roof!!

Today was the shower for my friends and family. We had a good turn out (about 20 people) and I think everyone had fun. Good food, people and wonderful gifts. My sister did an amazing job hosting and the food was awesome. I feel spoiled getting my favourite maple smoked salmon from Amazing Food Service. It’s robbery what they charge for it but hot damn you can’t go wrong. The last time I had it was at the post-wedding party we had.

It was nice to see some people I haven’t had a chance to since being pregnant and everyone agrees I look pretty damn good for being 35 weeks. I hear I’ll get bigger in the upcoming 5, but for now I can’t complain. I got to see my friend Monia from school and my dearest friend Ali made the trip up from the US for me. I love that girl! She spoiled us rotten and I’m thankful for all her advice and home made baby goodies.

The nursery’s almost done so all the baby things will have to live in the spare room till Ben puts in the new floor and we get the crib, change table and glider next week. Then I can start washing all her clothes and cloth diapers and set the room up. By then we’ll be down to 3 weeks till she arrives (if on time). Lord help me if she’s early!!

I’m feeling pretty prepared already. I scored another free diaper bag and formula samples from Similac so we’re good to go on that front. My neighbour wasn’t able to come to the shower but stopped by with a basket of clothes and misc items like diapers and wipes. Very cool! My gf Monia’s gift was a basket full of Johnson & Johnson baby products!! Fantastic! I was secretly hoping for that since she works for the company.

The other big ticket items we didn’t get through the shower we’ll be able to get from Ben’s Aunt and put our money elsewhere like clothes, bottles, diapers and other small items. We have amazing families and we’re well supported. My Aunt Kathy went above and beyond by giving us a video baby monitor. So now we won’t be able to just hear the baby when she’s in her room, we’ll have a live video feed of her too on a small portable tv! Very cool. Something tells me we’ll be spying on Sprocket as practice, heh. My Mom had one of my old dresses from my Grandma and passed it down to my daughter, that got her crying, then me crying then the aunts started.. geesh! Who woulda thought. I could spend all day writing about each and every amazing thing we go but I’ll stop now.

So to everyone who reads this who came out today thank you soooo much for coming and all the wonderful gifts. You’ll be recieving a thank you card shortly! Yes I know, I’m too organized. I’m already starting to think about the birth announcements too!

Well it was a productive weekend in the Richard household. Ben finished the basement floor and was able to move out of his office on Monday. Mom arrived yesterday and painted the nursery for us. I’ll have to add a pic tomorrow cause the colour doesn’t come out very good in a picture now that it’s nightfall. It’s a light shade of purple with white accents. I bought some butterfly and flower decals that stick on the wall as decoration. We’ll tackle buying the blinds tomorrow and get those up tomorrow night. The crib and change table will be arriving next weekend (June 1) and we’ll be good to go! I’ll be picking up a couple items from Ikea as accent furniture – a really cute enclosed shelving unit that hangs on the wall and a matching mini-bookcase for her umpteen mililon books. I’ve been collecting kids books for the past 7 years since working at the publisher.

This coming weekend is my shower. I’m very excited! I’ve been dying to shop for stuff but won’t till after my family and work shower.

I’ve definately grown in girth lately and feeling the late stages of pregnancy setting in. Today was crazy insane at work and I was in agony from about 9am on. With every step it was like lightning shooting through my body. I wonder if the baby’s resting on a nerve. I have an OB appt next week and I’ll let her know what I’ve been feeling. It’s probably nothing but worth mentioning. I have no appt’s this week so might not update again till after the shower. Check back for nursery pics… well empty but painted nursery pics.

I think I felt baby hiccups yesterday for the first time. She was poking right at the bottom and top of where she’s laying (at the same time) and they were consistent with hiccups. Ha, kinda cute, kinda annoying. Why does she have to be the most active while I’m at work? Ben’s missing out on all the activity.

I woke up really sore and overall not well this morning. It’s been getting better throughout the day but when I’m up and moving it comes back. There are a couple people at work who won’t give me any consideration and get me to do the stupidest things for a pregnant women. That’s going to change though, I’m going to start letting them know when they’re being ridiculous. They’re going to have to learn to do things for themselves very soon. I’m only here for another 5 weeks and my physical abilities are getting really limited. My replacement starts in 2 weeks but she’s not as experienced as I am so the rest of the staff are going to have to get a clue (well those who don’t have one already).

Thank god it’s a looong weekend. Ben and I both have tomorrow and Monday off. We’re hoping to get the floor put in the basement and finish packing Ben’s office to move him out on Monday. Somewhere in all that I’m sure I’ll be able to rest a bit. Once he’s fully moved out I’ll be able to rest in June and set up the nursery. Ben can do the furniture and I’ll do everything else – set up clothes, diapers, lotions, creams, wipes, put the decals on the walls etc. Fun easy non-labour activities = )

Well tonight was my last appointment with my GP. In two weeks I switch over to my OB. Everything’s still on track, good blood pressure, gained 3 pounds in the last couple weeks and am measuring 1 cm above average. Last week’s ultrasound showed the baby at 5.5 lbs which is just above average and bodering large. I still have 6.5 weeks to go! Hopefully she doesn’t get too big to where I’ll be forced into a c-section… that would make me an unbearable patient but I won’t get into that. She threw it out there that being induced early could be a possibility but she’ll let the OB decide that.

Next baby event is painting the nursery next week then my shower on the 24th! My gf is coming up from the states for it and I can’t wait to see her (and maybe her little boy too). I found out today she’s finished with her Graco Snugride stroller and can lend it to us. That’s so fantastic! She’s an awesome friend.

That’s about it for now. I’ll post when more things cross my mind. We’re onto class 2 this Thursday. Our third class is the hospital tour so I’m sure I’ll have plenty to say after that.

Last night was our first pre-natal course at the hospital. They run once a week after work for 3 hours per night – a bit exhausting. I’m glad I finished school when I did.It was fun – a small group of seven couples and we’re all due around the same time (within one month). Our teacher is fun and breaks the night up between lecture, discussion and videos. Something tells me we’ll be seeing more “births” on film. There are some things a women goes through that does not require an audience… ick! I didn’t find the first night terribly informative. I think I’ve read too many resources already. Hopefully the other nights will cover things I don’t know much about. Either way it’s better to be over educated than not have a clue. I feel prepared. Totally looking forward to the hospital tour on May 22.

Ben’s still working on the basement this weekend. The final two walls should be up, taped and gooped. Then we can sand over the week and hopefully install the floor ourselves this week (just buying a roll of vinyl since it’ll be a doggie room). Then next weekend (the long weekend) Ben and his buddies can clear out his office and I can get it ready for Mom to paint. I’m so excited to see it transform from a den-for-men (or man cause it’s so full) to a little girls room. His dad will be coming when we’re ready to paint the new rec room/office downstairs.

The shower’s in two weeks and I’m sooooo excited for that. It’ll be the first time seeing a lot of people since being pregnant and I can’t wait to see all the baby stuff. I’ve been looking at it all online and in stores for so long dying to buy them but had to wait till after the shower. Once I’m paid again at the end of the month I get to go shopping for the rest! I found a couple of pieces at Ikea I want to get (a small bookshelf and matching thing for the wall). You know pictures will be up as soon as it’s done.

That’s it for now, the next update will probably be next Tuesday after my last GP visit before switching over to the OB. We’ll get the ultrasound results and have an idea of how big she’s getting. Till then!

I just got back from my last ultrasound. Everything’s great! It’s still a girl and she’s in the right position to come out. I won’t know the weight/length till I see my doc next week.

Tomorrow’s our first pre-natal course. I’ll write more then.

Well I’m 32.5 weeks along now. Not far to go!

Everything’s ready for Mom to come paint the nursery in a couple weeks. I picked up the paint – a nice light purple (lavender, mauve, whatever you want to call it) for the walls and white for the door, trim, ceiling and windowsill. The nursery will be painted before the shower so we’ll have a place to put all the baby stuff. We’ll be getting and assembling the crib and change table the first weekend in June so we’ll be all set! I can’t believe Ben’s messy crowded office is going to become a spacious precious nursery. When I walk by it sometimes I try to picture it all done up. It’ll be awesome. We’re pretty lucky to have been able to afford a 3 bedroom house in Toronto and be able to fix it up just the way we want it.

I’m getting excited for my baby shower. My sister will do an amazing job (as always). It’ll be nice to see all our family who are eager and waiting for this baby to arrive. There’s no shortage of Aunt’s who will want to hold, love and snoogle her.

I think I’ve figured out how I want things to go at the hospital and home after she arrives. It’s a toss up between my sister and mom for who will be our second support person. I’ll probably go with my sister as she’s in TO, available at any moment, and will be calm and collected during the process. She’ll be a good support for Ben. My folks will get the first visiting spot (I feel terrible I can’t have Mom there right away) and then Ben’s Dad, brother and his wife will follow. That should take care of all the hospital visits. I had originally said I wanted the first 48 hours home alone just me, Ben and baby but that’ll have to change. I really want my Mom as involved as possible so we’ll invite her to stay with us the first couple of nights. I figure this will be when I’m most tired, sore and moody. Nothing she hasn’t been through a hundred times before, ha! That’s also the time we’ll totally need the help and being just like me, Mom can’t sit still for long. She’ll be a great support and helping hand at home.  I’ll have to cap each over night guest at a couple nights cause we tend to go a bit crazy having people over too much. We’re private people. So by day 4 of baby being home we should be on our own and able to enjoy Ben’s last week off together as a family. Ben’s mom will be down mid-July for a visit and will meet our baby then. I’m sure my mom will be by a couple more times until I’m well enough to travel to her place. Ideally I’d like to work in a few nights at her place a month over mat leave. It’ll be a nice get away. This will probably be during the week so we don’t have to kennel the one dog and she usually has other overnight guests on the weekends. I haven’t brought it up yet but we’re planning to kennel the one dog and spend the September long weekend up there. I’ll try to get my sister to come too = ) I think the August long weekend would be rushing it so we’ll try for September.

I’ll post again tomorrow after the ultrasound and probably on Friday to let everyone know what we thought of our first pre-natal course. Looking forward to it! Then again, I’ve ready quite a few books, blogs and websites so have a fairly good idea of what goes down during labour. You can never be too prepared. I’m toying with the idea of taking the infant care course too. It’s a one (or two) day seminar on how to care for your newborn. Bathing, feeding, soothing, general care tips.