Another Chunky Monkey!

The ultrasound tech had trouble getting more of her face because she is so low down in my pelvis). She shouldn't be as chubby as she looks now, she is just all squished up in there. As you can see her nose is almost perfectly flat! She seems to have a head full of hair and was practicing breathing so everything is a go, whenever she gets ready!



Well, we went to the doctor today for what they consider my 37 week 3 day visit (and what I think is really my 36 week and 5 day visit). We had our 'growth' ultrasound to estimate her size since we are once again measuring larger than our gestation age and they estimate her to be 8lbs 6oz today! I don't believe them and I told them as much, and they actually took it pretty well. I just don't feel she is as big as Jake. The ultrasound tech was really nice and said that it can be off because they only measure the femur (thigh bone), rib cage, and head to come up with these estimates. So, if she comes out anything like Jake-she will be a long tall baby. I was still so upset, but I tried not to let it show. James and I have spent a lot of time, effort and money to try and have a vaginal birth this time. To add to my distress, my 37 week appointment was the one where a certain young doctor attempted to strip my membranes in an attempt to presumably put me out of my misery by sending me into labor (we don't really know because he didn't consult me at all before deciding to do this--I guess he just felt he was acting in my 'best interest'). What he did instead was make a small tear in my membranes that resulted in my water breaking later that day and most of you know the rest of that story (if not it is on my blog under archives--I don't exactly want to relive the moment right now). SO, needless to say I have not been looking forward to today's appointment, except for the fact that they were going to do an ultrasound-which meant I got to see her, AND I had to see my least favorite DR again today--the one I feel has been least supportive of the whole VBAC thing. When they took me back to weigh me and do my blood pressure they told James to wait in the waiting room because there was not an exam room available yet. My weight was fine (well compared to Jake's pregnancy, I am right under a total gain of 50lbs right now), but my blood pressure was 150/98. The nurse started spazzing on me (mine has been around 120/68 during this whole pregnancy and is normally 110/70 or lower). I started tearing up and just explained to her how upset I was and scared to see Doctor Otey, because I just knew he was going to say no way on the VBAC. I told her if they let me see James it would go back down because he generally helps calm me down. She agreed and they quickly found an exam room and made me lay on my left side. James and I talked things out and he cheered me up and my blood pressure went down to 130/80 (which was borderline, but since it went down so fast and there was no evidence of protein in my urine they believe that I am just easily excitable--they have NOOOO idea). Dr. Otey was really nice about everything. No, this doesn't mean we have to give up a VBAC yet, but we will just have to take it week by week. No changes in dilation or effacement, but we are still doing good and we are both really healthy as far as he is concerned. He and the nurse actually made me feel better when they were measuring my belly they couldn't believe I had a c-section, much less an emergency one! He said if I healed internally as well as I did externally, then it would be no problem. He also made me feel perfectly normal for having a big baby. He said I am perfectly healthy and that obviously my babies are too, so there is nothing for me to stress over. With James and I both being taller than average, he said it is not like we were ever going to have a 5lb baby unless we went preterm or something. He was so much nicer than I expected and I am just releived more than anything else. Some days I am so miserable that I feel that she is going to 'fall out' any moment and other days I feel like I could last 3 more week no problem. I still don't think she will make her arrival until the 27th, but only time will tell. I am kind of at peace about it now, I know that I am trying my best and apparently I am doing good (my last doctor-with Jake-made me feel like I was abnormal or something for having such a big baby). When I left I felt so much better, I am just so emotionally drained. I am still so exhausted. It has taken me three times to type all of this in. I am definitely pregnant with a girl, I keep crying all the time now. Mostly, I cry because my baby isn't a baby anymore (Jake) and I can't believe how big he is and all the things he can do these days. When he saw the ultrasound video, he said Baboo! I hope he is as excited about her when she gets here! I am off to work for a few hours.