It's not the baby blues...

Sorry I haven't written.  I've been diagnosed with postpartum depression and have just started treatment.

I'll write again once the clouds lift.

Introducing...

Haven

Born Weds. May 25th at 3:43 pm

7 lbs 9 oz

21 inches

Birth story to follow...

At 41 Weeks

Yet another ultrasound

Everything continues to be just fine.  The placenta is good, the fluid level is good, and baby girl continues to grow.  The weight estimate is now 8 pounds 7 ounces, give or take a pound in either direction.  That's a big baby!

I received another CD of images (this particular company gives them to you for free), but they're not the best.  Her head is so low, it's not easy to get a good picture of her face.

After the long weekend I have another ultrasound and then a doctor's appointment right after.  Will I make it to Tuesday??

Well, hello there mucus plug.

Passed the plug this morning.  Lots of lovely mucus all day as well.  Surely this must mean things will happen soon??

"I'm REALLY good at stripping membranes."

Had another appointment today.  At my clinic, there are four doctors that see all the patients; you are not attached to any one doctor.

Sooooo, the doctor today did all the usual stuff (my blood pressure was NORMAL!!) and then asked if I wanted my membranes stripped.  I told her it was done on Monday by a different doctor and resulted in some mild menstrual cramps, but nothing more.

Her reply?

"Well, I'm REALLY good at stripping membranes."

HOLY SHIT!  What a difference!  For comparison sakes, let's say the doctor I saw on Monday gently swept one finger around for about 5 seconds, producing a mild discomfort.  Today, it felt like she shoved her entire hand up there, and swirled it around for 10 seconds and THEN said, "only 5 more seconds!" as I writhed in pain.  I do believe I was ONLY moaning in pain, not screaming, thankfully!!

If THIS doesn't get things moving, I don't know what will!!  I am still in pain, not contractions at all, just really sore.  About as sore as you think you might feel after a hand was shoved into your uterus.

No blood yet (she said I may have a few days of bleeding), and an ultrasound scheduled for Friday.

Tentative induction scheduled for May 26. :-(  But I really don't think it will come to that.

Deja Vu?

So my due date has come and gone...I wonder how to fix that on the countdown ticker?  But now that I think about it, that ticker is set to my original due date (16th).  Oh well, two different doctor's offices = two different due dates.

I went to the doctor today and once again my blood pressure was too high, after taking it three times.

She checked me and said I was 4 cm dilated and 70% effaced.  Then she 'stretched and swept' my membranes.  Uncomfortable?  Yes.  Painful?  No.

Then I was sent off to the hospital once again for monitoring.  The doctor seemed pretty confident that the on-call doctor at the hospital would want to induce.  She also mentioned that it wasn't too busy, so it was a 'good day to have a baby'.  This hospital gets VERY busy.

I did not go straight to the hospital this time, since my Mom and brother were waiting for me at home.  Once I got home, I grabbed my bags and off we went.

Just like last time, my blood pressure went down, but then it went up again, and remained up, but just 'borderline'.  My blood work was fine, and the baby was fine, so they let me go home.

WOOHOOOO for not being induced today!  I reallllly want this baby to come when she's ready.

While being monitored I did feel some light menstrual cramps, so I think the sweep and stretch worked.  But now, hours later, I feel nothing.

Back to the doctor on Weds. and then another ultrasound on Friday...if there's still no baby.

If my pressure is high on Weds. I really don't think they'll let me go home again.  Cross your fingers!!!