Alright, so I am officially 36 weeks tomorrow! I honestly don't know where the time has gone. This pregnancy has been so different for me mentally than my other pregnancies, and in some ways, while I feel like I have been pregnant for two years, I also can't believe I only have a month or less left!
The last time I blogged, my fluid levels were high and the doctor wanted to see me in two weeks to check the fluid levels again. That was at 34 weeks. The fluid levels were checked again and instead of going up, they went down. From a 22, to a 17! That was good news for sure. The ultrasound technician told me that the fluid levels can vary from day to day and so she wasn't surprised that the fluid levels were back down. I also found out at that appointment as well that I had lost two pounds, making my total weight gain up to 34 weeks, 10 pounds.
Today, I had my 36 week appointment, where they did the last ultrasound and growth scan. They checked the fluid levels again just to make sure everything was good. They are estimating this little girl to be at 6 pounds, 4 ounces give or take a pound. I have a feeling she is going to be a big baby, but time will tell! Fluid levels were down to a 16.4 and her arms, legs, torso, and head are all measuring just fine!
I shared this on my Facebook page, but thought I would give my readers a little laugh. I was at the grocery store last week, with both kids, checking out with a large amount of groceries. I am putting the bagged groceries into the cart, and I look up and realize that an old woman is staring at me. We make eye contact, and she proceeds to yell: "When is your baby due?" I pretend for all intents and purposes that this little baby is going to be mine, and reply: "I'm due at the end of August." The old lady then says: "Oh, are you having twins or something?" "No" I reply, "There is just one in there." I tell ya, I am not a violent person, nor would I ever wish harm on an elderly person, but I have never wanted to punch someone in the face more in that moment! The cashier was avoiding eye contact with me as much as I was with the old woman, and I got myself out of there as soon as I could! Yep, that's just what every pregnant woman wants to hear! Especially when it is 103 degrees outside with two kids who have been well behaved up until then, but are ready to be done there as well. That's the perfect thing to say! Are we sensing a sarcastic tone here? GOOD!
The doctor checked my cervix today as well, and while that was the most uncomfortable thing I have experienced in a while, it is completely closed! No effacement either. I'm fine with this news at this point. I need this little French Baguette to wait until her parents get here, and for my husband to come back to this part of the country as well! The couple will fly on the 18th of August, and my husband will hopefully be here the weekend before that! That will put me at 38 weeks and 4 days and then she can come anytime after that! The doctor thinks that I will go into labor closer to 39-40 weeks. She is still talking about inducing but she knows my wishes with not wanting a c-section if at all possible, and so if my body isn't showing signs of being ready, then she will try to let me go into labor on my own, which is what we all prefer anyway! I was tested for Group B Strep as well today, so we will find out if I will need to get to the hospital a little earlier for antibiotics. The ultrasound technician that I have been seeing every time, is so sweet. She told me today that she got all excited when she saw my name on her schedule, and that I am her favorite patient right now. She said she is going to be sad that she won't be seeing me anymore lol. She has been great to me, and very supportive!
I have been trying to keep in mind through this whole process that I am going to go into labor again. With my first child, labor was not easy, it was long at 45 hours, and there were a lot of things done to me that I think impeded on the process. With my daughter, things were much different, I felt more in control, and did a lot of the labor at home. I'm hoping that this one is relatively quick and without complications! I am so excited for the couple to witness their daughter taking her first breaths, and for them to get to bond with her! I will be keeping my mind on that when I'm in labor. Since I applied to be a surrogate when I was 6 months pregnant with my daughter, the only time I ever wavered in my decision or had second guesses, was during labor. Here I am though, so obviously didn't waiver too much! I would ask for those of you who have been praying to pray for a speedy, no complications labor!
It has been a really hard three weeks with my husband being gone, and with being this pregnant, but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's a very vague, very small light, but it is still visible lol.
Now starts the weekly appointments, so I will have an update next week! My doctor is on vacation so I will just be seeing another OB, but not Dr. Snider thankfully!
Thanks for reading!
Sarah
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Monday, July 7, 2014
32 Weeks Update
Alright people,
I am 32 weeks and 4 days! This is the part of the pregnancy that always seems to just drag on, and while I feel a little bit like that, it is going very quickly as well! Almost 7 more weeks, and these intended parents will finally get to meet their little girl!
In other sort of related news, my husband starts a new job on Wednedsay! He has been working at Mission Repair for 5 years, and while this new job is a great opportunity for him and for us, we are very sad to say goodbye to the last five years and his amazing boss who has done great things for us! Troy is going to be working at Mayvillage. They are a company that sells parts for repair companies all over the country. Sadly, he has to be in New Jersey for the next three months. Yes, he will come back for this baby's delivery, but will otherwise be out of town. I am stressing a lot about his time away. The last time him and I were apart, it was for 6 months, and Brae was only 6 weeks old at the time. Now, with two kids, they are both aware of when Daddy usually comes home, and so the nights and weekends are going to be harder than hard, but we will get through it. I have friends and family close by thankfully and will be leaning on them for support during this time.
Last week, I had my 32 week ultrasound! Baby girl is growing just fine, and is measuring long in the legs and arms, but otherwise her torso looks to be right on track. She just might be a tall girl like her daddy! During my ultrasound, the technician took notice of the amount of fluid that is in there with this baby. There is a lot of fluid in there for this point in my pregnancy and so they will be keeping an eye out for an increase in fluid. I have another appointment scheduled for next monday to check the fluid levels again. They don't like to see it above a 25, and right now I am at a 22. My doctor was talking about possibly inducing labor a little earlier, or trying to draw some of the fluid out to relieve some of the pressure this extra fluid might be putting on my uterus. My sister, the nurse in our family, also told me that with extra fluid, when water breaks, it can sometimes take the umbilical cord with it, and cause it to get pinched between baby's head and birth canal, in which case they would need to do an emergency c-section. Let's hope that does not happen!
I have to admit, I am a little stressed about this new development! As with any labor, there is a lot that can go wrong and change within a matter of seconds. I just want everything to go as smoothly as possible and I would prefer a vaginal birth for so many reasons but mostly for the intended parents to get to be in the room and witness their child being born. I'm not sure how the hospital would handle a c-section and if they would let the couple into the operating room with me and Troy, so we will see! Just pray that everything works out and that I can be allowed to go into labor on my own, and not have to be induced, and that if my water does break, the cord doesn't come out with it, and I can be allowed to labor naturally from there. I will update with my next appointment when we know what the fluid levels look like at that time. I gained 7 pounds in a month, and the doctor looked and me and said:"You don't look like you've gained that much. That weight is all baby and extra fluid." I definitely have been feeling the extra weight as well in my midsection. Harder to breath, heartburn is really bad, and towards the end of the day, it's just plain uncomfortable! One other thing the ultrasound technician informed me of was that this little French Baguette is finally head down! So as long as this fluid level thing cooperates, I can safely deliver vaginally! Woohoo for that! I was beginning to think she liked my ribs way too much!
The last few times that I have face timed with the intended parents, they have been excited to show me the progress they have made on the baby's room, and all of the adorable little clothes they have purchased for her! They tell me they are very anxious to come for the delivery and are so excited to hold her finally! I can't wait for that for them either! That is going to be an awesome moment and one I probably won't be able to hold the tears in for! One other thing they were celebrating was the issue of citizenship in France. Up until just a few weeks ago, this baby that I'm carrying would have been considered a US citizen since she will be born here, but would have to wait for 8 years before she would be considered for citizenship in France. While surrogacy in France is illegal, they have passed a law that for all babies born to French parents like the intended parents, they will immediately be considered a France citizen, instead of having to wait those 8 years! The intended parents were very excited for this new law! Yay for them and this little Baguette!
Thanks for reading and I will be back with an update next week after the ultrasound! :)
Sarah
I am 32 weeks and 4 days! This is the part of the pregnancy that always seems to just drag on, and while I feel a little bit like that, it is going very quickly as well! Almost 7 more weeks, and these intended parents will finally get to meet their little girl!
In other sort of related news, my husband starts a new job on Wednedsay! He has been working at Mission Repair for 5 years, and while this new job is a great opportunity for him and for us, we are very sad to say goodbye to the last five years and his amazing boss who has done great things for us! Troy is going to be working at Mayvillage. They are a company that sells parts for repair companies all over the country. Sadly, he has to be in New Jersey for the next three months. Yes, he will come back for this baby's delivery, but will otherwise be out of town. I am stressing a lot about his time away. The last time him and I were apart, it was for 6 months, and Brae was only 6 weeks old at the time. Now, with two kids, they are both aware of when Daddy usually comes home, and so the nights and weekends are going to be harder than hard, but we will get through it. I have friends and family close by thankfully and will be leaning on them for support during this time.
Last week, I had my 32 week ultrasound! Baby girl is growing just fine, and is measuring long in the legs and arms, but otherwise her torso looks to be right on track. She just might be a tall girl like her daddy! During my ultrasound, the technician took notice of the amount of fluid that is in there with this baby. There is a lot of fluid in there for this point in my pregnancy and so they will be keeping an eye out for an increase in fluid. I have another appointment scheduled for next monday to check the fluid levels again. They don't like to see it above a 25, and right now I am at a 22. My doctor was talking about possibly inducing labor a little earlier, or trying to draw some of the fluid out to relieve some of the pressure this extra fluid might be putting on my uterus. My sister, the nurse in our family, also told me that with extra fluid, when water breaks, it can sometimes take the umbilical cord with it, and cause it to get pinched between baby's head and birth canal, in which case they would need to do an emergency c-section. Let's hope that does not happen!
I have to admit, I am a little stressed about this new development! As with any labor, there is a lot that can go wrong and change within a matter of seconds. I just want everything to go as smoothly as possible and I would prefer a vaginal birth for so many reasons but mostly for the intended parents to get to be in the room and witness their child being born. I'm not sure how the hospital would handle a c-section and if they would let the couple into the operating room with me and Troy, so we will see! Just pray that everything works out and that I can be allowed to go into labor on my own, and not have to be induced, and that if my water does break, the cord doesn't come out with it, and I can be allowed to labor naturally from there. I will update with my next appointment when we know what the fluid levels look like at that time. I gained 7 pounds in a month, and the doctor looked and me and said:"You don't look like you've gained that much. That weight is all baby and extra fluid." I definitely have been feeling the extra weight as well in my midsection. Harder to breath, heartburn is really bad, and towards the end of the day, it's just plain uncomfortable! One other thing the ultrasound technician informed me of was that this little French Baguette is finally head down! So as long as this fluid level thing cooperates, I can safely deliver vaginally! Woohoo for that! I was beginning to think she liked my ribs way too much!
The last few times that I have face timed with the intended parents, they have been excited to show me the progress they have made on the baby's room, and all of the adorable little clothes they have purchased for her! They tell me they are very anxious to come for the delivery and are so excited to hold her finally! I can't wait for that for them either! That is going to be an awesome moment and one I probably won't be able to hold the tears in for! One other thing they were celebrating was the issue of citizenship in France. Up until just a few weeks ago, this baby that I'm carrying would have been considered a US citizen since she will be born here, but would have to wait for 8 years before she would be considered for citizenship in France. While surrogacy in France is illegal, they have passed a law that for all babies born to French parents like the intended parents, they will immediately be considered a France citizen, instead of having to wait those 8 years! The intended parents were very excited for this new law! Yay for them and this little Baguette!
Thanks for reading and I will be back with an update next week after the ultrasound! :)
Sarah
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