37 weeks

Hi all!

Yesterday I had to go in to see my doctor for a non-stress test and an appointment. Last Friday they suspected that I had the beginnings of preeclampsia, which would not be the greatest for the baby or for me. The good news is that I am not considered to be at that level yet anyway. The bad news is that the blood pressure will only get worse, so my doctor wants to get the baby out sooner rather than later.

That being said, she put me on bed rest (no more work for me!) and scheduled me for an induction of labor on Tuesday May 26. The reason that we are waiting for the 26th is because she is on hospital call and would be the doctor to deliver me on that day, and we would absolutely love to have her there! If I would start to feel bad I can call her and she will get me in earlier if need be. Of course, there is a chance that I may go into labor on my own...I was dilated to 3 cm when I saw her, a dramatic change from Friday when I wasn't dilated at all. So we will put it this way, if the baby is not born by Tuesday, I will be going in on Tuesday to be induced.

Today I had my last biophysical profile and the baby passed all of his tests with flying colors. On Friday I return to see Dr. Sherren again and have another non-stress test, this way we can see that all is still well with the baby.

That's all for now! Hopefully next time I write it will be to let you all know about baby!

36 Weeks, part 2

Yesterday I went in for my non-stress test, as well as an exam with one of my doctor's partners, as my doctor was away at a conference. I had my Group B strep test, and an exam, but I was not dilated yet at all. There was some concern however with my blood pressure. There was also a some protein in the urine sample that I had to give. Both of these things could be pointing to the early stages of preeclampsia (which is basically high blood pressure). I am on blood pressure medication, so the fact that my blood pressure has gone up is not good. I have to do a 24 hour urine collection, bring it in to the doctor on Monday, have blood drawn again and go in on Tuesday to see my doctor and have another non-stress test. Depending on what they find in the urine, and how my blood pressure is on Tuesday, there is a chance that I would be put into the hospital to deliver the baby as the only cure for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. This would be the safest thing for the baby and for me. I will be 37 weeks on Wednesday, which is full term. If things are okay on Tuesday, I would assume that I will still go for my ultrasound on Wednesday and back to see my doctor on Friday. So basically depending on what is found, the only day I will not be at the doctor this week is Thursday unless I would be in the hospital delivering.

I have been put on strict orders to take it easy and pretty much be a couch potato this weekend, so that is my plan. Please keep us in your prayers.

The Mallers

36 weeks

Well, we have reached the 36 week mark (on Wednesday technically, but close enough) which means since the doctor will not let me go past June 5, I only have three weeks to go. That sounds pretty good to me right now, since I am pretty uncomfortable most of the time. :)

My last day of work before the baby (unless he would come before then) is going to be May 29. A lot of my co-workers are asking me how I am going to make it that long even...Some of my co-workers gave us a really nice gift of a bunch of baby stuff yesterday, it sure was thoughtful of them. Everything will come in really handy, though with this being our third there really isn't anything that we need.

I continue to have my ultrasounds every Wednesday and a doctor's appointment and non-stress test every Friday. Our neighbor Sarah has been watching the kids on Wednesdays and Brad has been going in to work late on Fridays so that I am able to go to the appointments by myself.

Last Wednesday on the ultrasound I was able to see the baby's hair, which the ultrasound technician pointed out, and she also showed me his male anatomy.He passed his test in 5 minutes!

On another note, last Thursday we lost a very important member of our extended family. Brad's best friend of over 20 years lost his mother, Linda to liver cancer. She was 57 years old. She was one of the best people we knew and we will miss her more than words. Jeff and his wife Jeanne are also expecting their third child about two weeks after us. They too are having a boy.

Next Friday, the 22nd, Brad and I will be celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary. We sure have been busy in those 5 years :)

Congratulations to my cousin Jessica and her husband Chris as they welcomed their brand new baby girl Emma on May 7. She joins them and their son Troy.

Congratulations to my cousin Nate, who will be getting married on Friday to Mary. Best wishes to you both, I wish we could be there to celebrate with you :)