28 Week Pre-Natal Appointment

One 28 week DR appointment down and only a few more to go! Our next appointments are scheduled for the mornings of February 22nd (32 weeks pregnant) & March 22nd (36 weeks pregnant). After these next two meetings with our health care provider, we switch to appointments every other week until delivery! So truly, if we make it until our due date, we may only have 4 more pre-natal appointments at most with the wonderful Rhonda Chick, CNM left! I cannot believe how quick this pregnancy has gone. But yet again, oh so slow, because we are SO anxious to meet little man Wayde!

Today we had to arrive to the Kaiser Medical Building early, as we had the 28 week glucose screening for gestational diabetes. Every pregnant woman was forced to take this tolerance test at this point, to see if you at at risk for developing, or have already developed any sort of gestational diabetes. Unlike typical diabetes, it would immediate disappear after the baby is born, which is a positive thing! But if it is found, we would have to highly monitor my food intake and do constant glucose tests through the day. It truly is the most common pregnancy related problem, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that all turns out perfectly normal!

We were informed to go to the lab, where I was forced to drink 50 grams of glucose syrup in 5 minutes! From what I have unanimously heard from past pregnant woman, is that this is the most disguising substance known to women! Luckily, I was able to choose from the gross orange flavor, or the surprising lemon lime. Thankfully, after choosing the lemon lime flavor, I did not think it was bad in the slightest! It tasted like a child’s lime juice box, so I truly had no problem getting it down quickly. I hope that is not a precursor to actually having diabetes, yikes! :) We had to wait exactly an hour from finishing the liquid, to see what the dilution of sugar is in my blood stream. We should receive the results by Wednesday, if they should show up as diabetic. If all comes out perfectly, we will receive a letter in the mail sometime next week! Cross your fingers for us, as that would mean we would have to attend a class to learn about diabetes management and how to test your blood sugar at home!

While we waited for the one hour to be over, we had our appointment with Rhonda Chick! After going through the normal nurse’s screening (urine sample, weight check, pulse, blood pressure and check in), we found that all looks to be normal and perfectly on track. At this point in the pregnancy, they are truly watching the blood pressure, just to check to signs of preeclampsia. Thankfully, this appointment showed everything is perfectly in line! Everyone is so amazed at how easy all has been so far, as even nurses comment!

Wyatt and I have been watching the “Laugh and Learn about childbirth and newborn baby care” series and “Happiest Baby on the Block” DVD, in preparation for our childbirth classes starting tonight! We only have one DVD left until we are complete, but I figure we are still fairly ahead for our first class! While we waited for Rhonda to come in, I quizzed Wyatt on the baby’s positions during labor, 6 signs of preliminary labor, 3 signs of actual labor; breathing techniques and all other information we soaked up through our DVD’s! He passed with FLYING colors, and actually remembered a few things that I had forgotten. He will be the BEST birth coach. I cannot wait for him to see and hold his son for the first time! By the way, if anyone wants to borrow the DVD’s to help get ready and gain the most current information/refresh as well, I am happy to lend them out!

Rhonda came in and answered all our questions, as she is always so cheerful and helpful! We asked her about the excruciating rib pain that has been occurring (ice, ice, and more ice is the answer!), the hospital swine flu restriction (which was confirmed that is has been lifted, WAHOO!), as well as the best choice for infant health coverage. We also showed her the ultrasound results from the 3-D ultrasounds on Friday, which she was pleased to hear that all is well! She said that we will do one last ultrasound at our 36 week appointment as well (March 22nd) to determine Wayde’s final position for birth! (Just hope for not breech!).

She measured by uterus again, in which it is coming up at 28-29 centimeters! Each centimeter is equal to the week in pregnancy. Since I am at 28 weeks and 2 days, this is a perfect measurement and means that wayde is growing DIRECTLY on track for mid April delivery! This photo was at at 27 weeks, and if you can beleive it or now, he has grown since then!!

We also listened to little man’s heart beat, as that is always the highlight of our visit! Because of the INSANE amount of sugar that I just digested for the glucose test, his adorable heart beat was racing off track! Apparently Wayde LOVES sugar!!! He even kept kicking our midwife while she was trying to get his heart beat with the dobbler, as my whole stomach looked like a bouncing ball. We all laughed, as it took a few tried before he would stop moving and let us listen. He already makes Wy and I laugh, even before he is born!

I am so thankful that Wyatt goes to all my appointments with me, as he is right by my side each step of the way. What a wonderful man, as he is so involved and excited to be a father!

It looks like now we will just await the test results and start our first class of Childbirth Preparation tonight at 6:30!

11 weeks, 5 days and counting….. Not a moment goes by that i am not anxious for April to come!