Ashleigh Farrell, BellaB Maternity, week 33

Week 33: Update to contractions and pre-term labor. now what??!

So after meeting with the doctor after our L&D experience we have some more
insight into what is going to happen these next few weeks. Basically, the
doctors are confident that based on my negative FFN test I have at least 2
weeks until there's a chance of delivering. After 2 weeks we will test again
and hopefully get another negative which will tell us we have ANOTHER 2
weeks putting me at 36 weeks pregnant. At this point (36 weeks) the doctors
will stop all medication and bedrest restrictions and let nature take it's
course.

I was a little bit confused at this advice because the rule of thumb is that
37 weeks is full term and so they want to make sure you do NOT deliver prior
to the 37 weeks. However, after speaking with the doctor, she said that 37
weeks is ideal but really 34 and up is not too much of a concern for them.
She informed us that the big hurdles are 32 weeks, 34 weeks, and 36. Her
words were that "A 36 week baby is the same as a 37-40 week baby, they are
fine and go right home with you, a 34 week baby may need a week or so in the
NICU but they are fine and a 32 week baby may need 3 or more weeks in a
NICU." Her attitude was that at this point the baby will be fine and ideally
we can get to 36 weeks with no worries and no anticipated NICU time.

Confused yet?? Yea it's a lot of numbers, and if you aren't pregnant and
aren't used to measuring your life in weeks, it can be a little
overwhelming. Bottom line is that we have another appointment to redo the
fetal fibronectin test at 34 weeks and are hoping for the negative result
which will tell us we WILL make it to the 36 week goal! And after that point
baby has medical "permission" to arrive whenever he feels like arriving. FYI
36 weeks is Halloween ha!

Other than that, this week has been pretty good! I was lifted to "modified"
bedrest and am allowed to take the crack pills at my own discretion.
Basically, if my contractions start ramping up I am supposed to get back on
the couch and take my pills, other than that I can carry on normal
activities. well still "taking it easy" activities I should say. So I've
been able to run errands, clean the house, and some other things so that I
don't feel like a complete SLOTH.

What other juicy bits do I have for you.. ? Weight gain, as of my last
appointment I have gained 9 pounds, and yes I feel very lucky not to be a
jabba the hut, I wish I could say that it is because I'm a disciplined, work
out everyday, and eat like a rabbit. but it's not true. I'm just blessed
with a good metabolism and naturally eat pretty healthy and frequently.
Another fun thing is my linea nigra. that's the dark line women get down
their belly when pregnant. I do indeed have one now!! It's tiiinny and very
faint but I can see it! The belly button is a little outie now too. My
stretchies.. well they suck.. still on the boobs only but I can't help but
feeling hideous looking at them in the mirror. Hubbs is doing his best to
keep my spirits up by telling me they are fine and will go away. but I think
they are UGLY! I guess that makes up for the weight gain or something.

Labor & Delivery thoughts.. Quite honestly I am terrified of delivery. It's
one of those fears of the unknown, you just have NO idea what it's going to
be like until you experience it. You can read all the books you want, talk
to everyone on the planet but you will not know until you experience it
yourself. What the heck do real contractions feel like, how am I going to
handle the pain, how am I going to stay in control? I don't have the
slightest clue how on earth I'm going to push a baby out of me. I mean
seriously. how the heck do you just push them out? Then you have the
c-section possibility, which I absolutely do NOT want. I hear all the time,
"oh go with a c-section, that's the way to do it" WHO says stuff like that??
Yea sure cut me open that sounds like a better alternative. Not to mention
recovery. NO. And call me crazy, but I feel like if you don't actually push
the child out of you the old fashioned way that you are somehow missing out.
I know, that's crazy, you're right, but I feel in a way that I would be
robbed of the TRUE labor experience if I end up with a c-section, almost
like I didn't "earn my stripes" or something. But when it comes down to it,
whatever keeps me and baby healthy is what we'll do, plain and simple.

So, that's about all the exciting news in our household right now. and
hopefully it stays that way for a few more weeks before Little "H" decides
to debut!