Drowning in Love

Ever since a prayer request went out for me last Friday, I've been overwhelmed with cards, phone calls, emails, and offers. Everyone wants to bring us a meal, and I am having a hard time accepting any of the offers. It began with Nell, our neighbor across the street and a member of the church. She would hear nothing of my protestations and insisted on bringing over food, so she came over on Saturday. Meanwhile, she spoke to two of our other neighbors, one of whom dropped by on Sunday to visit and see if there's anything we need and the other will apparently be calling to find out when she can bring over a meal. I already told the church secretary that I didn't want her to send out a request for meals, but the offers came rolling in anyway. When I told the children's council that my parents will be coming to visit as a way to refuse the offer, they volunteered to bring meals for after they leave. One woman left a message on my cell phone offering to bring a meal, coffee, dessert, anything. Others have sent cards asking me to call if we need anything. With the exception of Nell, I've turned them all down so far. Until today. Today, one of the women who'd sent a card called and asked if she could bring me Chick-fil-A and visit with me for lunch. I decided to accept, and we ended up talking for 2 hours, which was a great way to spend the afternoon. I think I'm much more agreeable to having people bring lunch because it's not encroaching on my time with C, plus it's less likely that I'll end up with food we don't eat (like the chicken salad and potato salad Nell brought, which I feel horrible about not eating, but I just can't deal with mayonnaise). I am so grateful for the prayers and support, but I feel so guilty accepting anything. Who am I that these people would bring food? There are people so much worse off than me! I don't feel that being on bed rest makes me deserving. And yet, I know that that's not the point. These people are in ministry to me, and by declining their offers, I'm not allowing them to serve. The whole thing just makes me uncomfortable.

One gesture of love absolutely blew me away, though. My father's sister always sends cards for birthdays, etc. and has gone out of her way to connect with me about church and seminary (she gives money to a scholarship fund that supports several of my classmates). Out of the blue, I received an email this morning informing me that she sent a $25 Amazon gift card with the sweetest note about how she wants me to get some new reading material while I'm on bed rest. She doesn't have a lot of extra money, so that makes it mean even more.

I know I'm so blessed to have a family and church community that cares so much about me. I just wish I could get more comfortable with accepting their help.

33 Weeks

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Up 15 lbs still.
Maternity clothes? Yes, but I've been living in yoga pants and maternity shirts while on bed rest.
Stretch marks? No new ones from last week, but the existing ones seem more apparent.
Sleep: I'm sleeping OK, but if I need a nap, it's not like I have anywhere to be...
Best moment this week: The outpouring of support from our neighbors and church. I've never received so many (quite insistent) offers to provide meals, etc.
Movement: Yup, but it's different than before. Now it's mostly just pressure as he twists around and stretches. I have finally decided that the little rhythmic pulses in my lower abdomen must be hiccups.
Food cravings: Still craving sweets.
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: I feel pressure (like he's pushing down) any time I sit up too long, so I'm trying to be good on my bed rest restrictions. I got really nervous last night because I wasn't feeling well and was having a lot of pressure. I just feel like I don't know what's real labor, what's false labor, and what's just normal pregnancy discomfort.
Belly Button in or out? In, but very shallow.
What I miss: Going outside, even when it's 100+ degrees. Sitting up and walking around without worry.
What I am looking forward to: My parents coming up this weekend, even though it won't be like we planned. Also, my 34 week appointment to see what's going on down there.
Weekly Wisdom: Try to have a positive attitude, no matter what complications arise. It's all for the good of your little one!
Milestones: 50% effaced, -3/-2 station

A picture will have to wait until tomorrow, I think. (Picture taken at 33w1d and posted at 33w2d)

Bed rest

Well, this is my first non-weekly-update post in a long time, and it's not the post I expected to write. However, since I now find myself with all kinds of time on my hands, perhaps I'll finally getting around to writing those other posts I've planned for all these weeks. Anyway, to the subject at hand:

As I briefly explained on Monday in my 32 week post, last Wednesday I began having some symptoms of preterm labor, and the internal my OB performed at my appointment revealed some cervical changes and a low baby. I tried to follow doctor's orders about taking it easy, and on Monday I didn't have any issues. Then on Tuesday, I had to run all around for various meetings and errands, and since it was all in another city, an hour away from home, I didn't have any opportunity to lie down and rest. Plus, it was 100+ degrees with the heat index. Needless to say, by that evening, my legs were sore and swollen, and I was experiencing some of the same pressure I did last week, as if Stretch was trying to make his escape. I resolved to take it easy the rest of the week but knew I needed to go into work on Wednesday to let my boss know about everything and prepare for the week's activities. Before I even made it to work the next morning, the pressure was already back. I knew I needed to lie down, but I also needed to talk to my boss. He finally came in and convinced me to cancel that evening's study so that I could rest. I guiltily agreed and spent the rest of Wednesday lying down. The pressure progressed to some cramping and sporadic cervical pain, but it wasn't as bad as last week. On Thursday, I made it in for my final Thursday morning study and promised my boss and the church assistant that I'd rest the rest of the day. I called my doctor's office on my way home to update them on the pressure, and the nurse requested that I come in to be checked again that afternoon.

Thankfully, the same doctor I saw on Monday was available to re-check me, and she said that things were still pretty much stable and my cervix remained closed. However, since I'm 50% effaced, baby's head is at -3/-2 station, and I'm still experiencing a lot of pressure anytime I'm not horizontal, she wants me on modified bed rest until I'm 35 weeks. So that means I'm on bed rest for the next 2.5 weeks, which I'm none too thrilled about, though I'm certainly willing to do whatever it takes to keep him in! I know how blessed I am that it's such a relatively short time. Plus, even if the bed rest didn't work, he's still in a pretty good place if he decided to make an early entrance. And I have C's support (more on that in another post), my parents calling constantly to check on me and see if I want them to come up early, and the complete understanding of all those involved in my internship. There's never a good time for bed rest, but I'm in pretty good shape, and for that I'm very thankful.

Since this post has already turned into a novella, I'll wait for another time to post my bed rest plans, goals, and concerns. Until then, I'm just focused on keeping Stretch an inside baby until at least 37 weeks!

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: According to the doctor's this morning, up 15 lbs. That had been my personal goal for total weight gain ::sigh::
Maternity clothes? Indeed.
Stretch marks? Yes, and several new ones have appeared while the older ones have become more apparent.
Sleep: I'm getting up more during the night to pee and really having a hard time getting and staying comfortable.
Best moment this week: Going to the LLL meeting and beginning to read the breastfeeding and labor books. It was a slow week, I guess.
Movement: All the time. He's getting bigger and stronger, which leads to pain when he wedges his feet in my ribs or his shoulders in my pelvic bone.
Food cravings: Still have a sweet tooth.
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Unfortunately, yes. After an episode beginning on Wednesday of increased pressure and menstrual-like cramps that eventually began wrapping around my back, I started to get nervous. I rested basically all of Thursday-Saturday and brought it up with my doctor today. She decided to do an internal and discovered that my cervix is softened and beginning to efface and Stretch's head is "quite low." She seemed fairly concerned, so I'm supposed to keep an eye on it and restrict myself to the couch at any signs of increased pressure/cramps. Hopefully that'll keep him in for at least the next 5 weeks!
Belly Button in or out? In, but stretched out.
What I miss: Not overanalyzing every abdominal twinge and worrying about overexerting myself.
What I am looking forward to: I'm looking forward to my parents visiting in just under 2 weeks, which also coincides with the end of my internship. As much as I've loved it, I am looking forward to having no obligations!
Weekly Wisdom: Don't second guess yourself. If you're concerned by a pain or pressure, call your doctor!
Milestones: I guess cervical softening and a low head are milestones, but they aren't ones I wanted to hit this early!

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: No clue. I haven't weighed myself in several days.
Maternity clothes? Always!
Stretch marks? A-yup.
Sleep: I'm definitely having a harder time getting and staying comfortable. I also haven't had time/opportunity to nap in over a week, which makes me sad.
Best moment this week: Having my grandmother-in-law spoil me with concern over resting enough. Also, hearing the ILs discuss baby names since it was the first time they really showed an interest!
Movement: Oh yeah. I had C put his hand my belly tonight to feel some, and when he pressed down, Stretch went nuts and kicked the heck out of me! His sleep-wake cycles are getting more defined, too, which is neat.
Food cravings: More cravings for ice cream and cookies. And bananas for some reason.
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Nothing real, but there's been a lot of pressure, some random pains, and more Braxton-Hicks.
Belly Button in or out? In, but definitely shallower than pre-pg.
What I miss: Being able to sit and lie down comfortably. Being able to stand for more than a few minutes without my legs hurting. Just getting around in general.
What I am looking forward to: I'm going to my first LLL meeting tomorrow. I was looking forward to our childbirth classes starting this week, but I screwed that up... ::sigh::
Weekly Wisdom: Make sure you pay for the childbirth classes or else they'll cancel your reservation. I was POSITIVE I'd paid it and happened to look at the letter we got confirming the reservation only to realize the payment stub was still attached. When I called, they confirmed that they'd canceled it months ago and all the other classes are filled. So now we have no class to attend, which sucks a lot.
Milestones: 7 months!

30 Weeks (+ 1 day)

C and I spent all of yesterday sailing so I missed my regularly scheduled update. My apologies again for what this blog has become. For weeks, I've had all these grand ideas for other blog topics, but I've yet to find the time to get them written. If nothing else, at least this blog will serve as a record for me to look back on!

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Oy. Up 12 lbs according to the doctor today. However, the dr. didn't seem concerned by this recent surge in weight gain, so I guess it's OK?
Maternity clothes? Yup. I'm pretty much stuck with the ones I have now because I can't rationalize spending money on things I'll only wear for 10 more weeks.
Stretch marks? Yes, and I just noticed some new ones today, above my belly button this time.
Sleep: Still getting up once a night to pee and having a harder time getting comfortable. Plus, I've been awakened by leg cramps on multiple occasions. However, I'm still getting enough, I think!
Best moment this week: Seeing Stretch moving around from the outside! And having Henry fight with the baby again =)
Movement: It's my favorite thing! I could stare at my belly for hours.
Food cravings: Still craving sweets. I guess that explains the weight gain...
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Even the Braxton-Hicks are getting less noticeable!
Belly Button in or out? In, but it's stretched all kinds of funny!
What I miss: Not having to pee all the time. I mostly missed this yesterday when we were on a 18.5' sailboat for 6 hours.
What I am looking forward to: I'm starting to look forward to bringing home our outside baby (not that I haven't looked forward to that this whole time and before that, too, but it's seeming closer and more realistic now). Also, deciding upon a name! I'm tired of that conversation!!!
Weekly Wisdom: Apply sunscreen twice as often as you would pre-pregnancy. Trust me on this one ::rubs aloe on scorched shoulders::
Milestones: Only 10 weeks to go! Also, seeing Stretch move from the outside. Oh, and I got my RhoGAM shot today, which is sort of a milestone.

29 Weeks

How far along? 29 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: *sigh* Up 10 lbs as of this morning. Not quite sure what happened.
Maternity clothes? Oh yeah. I tried to wear a normal shirt today and wound up with my belly showing.
Stretch marks? No additional ones, but I have some other odd marks.
Sleep: I'm waking up at least once a night to pee, but sleeping OK otherwise.
Best moment this week: Finally realizing that Stretch is going to be here before we know it!
Movement: Yes! However, he's freaked me out a couple of times by being less active than normal. Then he'll have wild dance parties a few hours later, so who knows what he's up to!
Food cravings: Things I shouldn't have like ice cream, chocolate, and cookies.
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Nothing except for Braxton-Hicks
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Being allowed to climb up on chairs and such to reach things. Being pregnant and short is making things difficult.
What I am looking forward to: Still looking forward to being 30 weeks. And I'm also thinking more and more about doing the 3D u/s, so I'm looking forward to that possibility, too!
Weekly Wisdom: When in doubt, drink water.
Milestones: Today is our two year anniversary! No major pregnancy milestones this week, though.