36 weeks

Wow. Its really around the corner. I feel like I am preparing for someone else's life. This is so surreal to me. That next Friday I will be holding Carter man in my arms.

Kyle and I are so blessed. Well forever broken, but blessed. Our family will never be complete without her of course. 

Carter's room is finally almost done. We are awaiting a rug, some wall ledges and a nightstand. 

I will of course post more pictures when everything else arrives. I am thrilled I am at 36 weeks, and only having labile pressures...could be worse right?

My Braxton Hicks, have been quite strong lately. Last night had me up for two hours, I almost thought I was going to have to wake the hubby to take me to L&D however I feel asleep counting contractions, so they could not have been that bad.

I am nervous. Not for delivery, but im nervous about Preeclampsia. Not only did I have it before delivery last time, I developed it even worse after delivery last time. You can get Post Pardum Preeclampsia/HELLP up to 6 weeks after delivery. So the fact that I am not in the clear for 6 weeks worries me. 

I also will have to worry about Carter for the rest of my life. I hope I am not one of those moms who watches her son sleep, checks his breathing every two minutes etc...sigh...No one said it would be easy...just worth it right?

I have made my decision

After I lost Cara, I couldnt watch Greys Anatomy, couldnt drive past a hospital, calling a doctor would make my stomach churn. I relied every four hours on Xanex, and forever thought I would be terrified of Doctors, hospitals etc. I never ever wanted to go back to a hospital, never wanted anything to do with it, it was all a horrific reminder.

Not the case anymore. Took me about 6 months for my curiosity on health care started to kick in. Knowing I could and would never be the type of doctor, assistant, receptionist etc, who would not take someone seriously. I craved to make a difference. Dont get me wrong, those of you that are my clients who read, no worries, I will always be a stylist at Ginger Root. I love it, and that is my passion as well... but my decision is made. I will be going back to school within the next year. I don't care if I only take one class a week night (which is what I probably would only be able to do/afford) but I am going to do it.

Once Carter is born and things settle down I will start to look into what I wanna be, nursing assistant, nurse etc. I dont care if it takes me 10 years. 

My own personal knowledge on health has surprised even me. I become more and more intrigued with everything. I also retain medical information like a sponge.
What are platelets and the ranges they are supposed to be at? What a systolic versus a diastolic pressure is, what they do and what is dangerous? What a CBC is. The difference between Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and Preeclampsia. Tachycardia. What a stress test does. What Cardiomyapathy or Atrial Fibrillation is. Aspiration Pneumonia vs. Pneumonia. The list goes on.  My hunger for more knowledge on anything I can get my fingers on that deals with health is crazy!

I feel incomplete and like something in my life is missing. Cara has driven me to want to help others more than ever.

I can't wait to start this journey!!

First trip to Labor and Delivery

Yesterday was my first trip in 35 weeks. I am happy I made it to 35 weeks without being admitted, but yesterday was a different story.

I didnt feel so hot the whole day. I went in to the office for my normal BPP. (Ultrasound) I started feeling a bit dizzy, so I asked if someone could take my BP. The nurse came in and took it three times, not telling me the reading the first two. The last reading was 128/86. They sent me over to Labor and Delivery. Don't get me wrong I am so glad they did. I DO NOT want to get sick. I would rather be delivered early than sit around and wait for Preeclampsia. NO THANK YOU!

I was admitted around 2:30. They did blood draws and started a 24 hour urine. The staff was wonderful and it was a great experience. On my way to the hospital I cried. I was nervous, but once being there I was reassured. I was hooked up to fetal monitors and Carter was doing fantastic. I was having contractions left and right, but they are not worried. Around 8 pm, I was finally sent home. My blood work came back normal, platelets dropped a bit from 290 to 230, but no worries. I am now on modified bed rest. No cleaning, working, shopping, etc...I can get my legs waxed, hair done etc...I am really proud of myself for making it working even if it was only 3 days a week until 35 weeks. I really wish I could work these next two weeks for financial reasons, but I understand why I can't. My bosses have been wonderful and told me to enjoy my leave. Something I was not able to do last time for obvious reasons.

I am doubting that Carter will make it to his amnio. For the shear reason that I know if things progress in any which way I will deliver. I am told to take my BP daily and if my bottom number reaches 90 to call in right away. This am right out of bed I was already at 114/89. My top number has never ever given me trouble, its always been my bottom. Of course it has to be the number they worry about. I was told I have Clonus also known as hyperflexia as well as Labile pressures.

Clonus is defined as alternate involuntary muscular contraction and relaxation in rapid succession.

Labile pressures are defined as blood pressure that fluctuates abruptly and repeatedly, often causing symptoms such as headache or ringing in the ears. People with labile hypertension often react to emotional stress with an increase in blood pressure. Frequently, traditional blood-pressure medicines have little effect.

So thats me and where we are at right now.

One more tidbit I would like to add. Its so ironic. The day I was admitted with Cara was a tuesday, and my furniture was being delivered. Yesterday was a tuesday, and my furniture was being delivered. 

On a happy 35 week note!

 

Im not going to get any bigger right ;)