40 Weeks and Counting

I went to the doctor today for the non-stress test and it went well. The baby's heartbeat is strong and he passed with flying colors. My induction is scheduled for July 9, so at least I know that is the absolute latest that this pregnancy will go. During the exam today, I found out that I am 3cm dilated and 70% effaced, so I am making progress. However, I still haven't had any contractions! I've never looked forward to experiencing pain before, but all of a sudden find myself eagerly waiting for it come... lets go Baby P!

On an unrelated note, we ordered a compression bar hanger for the quilt that my mom's friend, Lynnis, made for the baby. The quilt has cute turtle fabric on the squares, which is the same fabric that was used in the shower favors. We got a tip on where to find a quilt hanger like this from our friends Sara and Kenny, who have one in their nursery too. It came from http://www.gwizpro.com/, which custom makes the compression shelves to the size and finish you need. Brian installed it this weekend in the nursery and I thought I'd show you how it came out.

Updates from the Doctor

We went to the doctor yesterday and I was glad to learn that I'm a little more than 2cm dilated now and 50% effaced. However, the doctor is predicting that it could be another week before I go into labor. I'm hoping to prove him wrong and plan to have a very active weekend to encourage the baby to come sooner. On Monday, I will go in for a non-stress test, which is basically performed by monitoring the baby's heartbeat for 30 minutes. It's supposed to measure the baby's heartbeat relative to fetal movement (they want to see that the heartbeat rises when the baby moves). Normally this test is performed at 41 weeks, but can be done anytime the baby is passed his due date. I've tried to look online a little bit to find out more about why it is performed and what the results mean, but I've found little more than the explanation of 'its used to find out how the baby is holding up during his extended stay in the womb.' There is no risk to the baby or myself in taking the test, so I am not questioning the need for it.

As far as an induction date goes, the doctor wanted to book it for July 7 (also Brian's birthday), but it turns out that there are so many women due around this time that the hospital is booked for scheduled inductions through the 10th, so they are going to book me for the 11th and then try to move it up as open slots become available. Obviously, not everyone who schedules an induction makes it to the date. My doctor doesn't think that I would even make the to the 7th, let alone the 11th, but still, I don't like seeing a date so far past my due date. During this coming Monday's appointment, we'll see how the test results look and I am going to ask if we should consider moving the induction date up to late next week instead... maybe the 3rd. We'll see... hopefully I'll just go into labor naturally by then.

The 39 Week Count Down

We are coming up on to the due date, this Sunday, June 29.

Brian and I are excited and nervous. We know life is about to radically change forever! I don't go to the doctor until Thursday, so I have a few more days until we find out if any more progress has been made. During this week's appointment, we will schedule an induction date, so we will at least know the maximum day that I will go with this pregnancy if the baby doesn't come on his own. In my previous appointment, one doctor told me they'd let me go 10 days late, the other told me 7 days. We'll see what they say Thursday.

I have been recording and watching a ton of TLC's 'A Baby Story' to try to help prepare for what to expect during labor and delivery. It's been helpful to see different scenarios and issues that people have faced and to talk to Brian about what we would do if we faced the situations. I don't think you'll really know until you're there, but I'd say we're about as ready as we're going to be.

More to come after the appointment on Thursday. If I go into labor before then, I'll be sure to ask Brian to put up a post for me.

38 Weeks & 1 Centimeter Dilated

Well, we were off to the doctor today for my weekly check-up and a sonogram to see what position the baby was in. The weather started to storm a bit on the way to the office, and just after signing in for the appointment, the office lost power. The exam rooms all have windows, so the doctor was still seeing patients, but of course, we weren't going to be able to have a sonogram if the power didn't come back on.

When the doctor came in, he explained that if the baby were breech, that we would have to choose between scheduling a c-section or an external version. I asked about having a third option of just letting nature take its course... essentially proceed without any intervention, let things progress on their own, in hopes that the baby would turn in time, and if he didn't when I went into labor, then we'd have a Cesarean. But, the doctor said that this wouldn't be an option, that if the baby were breech today, then I would have to decide on scheduling a c-section at 39 weeks (this coming weekend) or a version. In the absence of the sonogram, we proceeded with an internal exam and it turns out that I am one centimeter dilated. This was good news because the doctor was actually able to feel the baby and he felt a head, confirming that the baby is vertex (head down)! So, I didn't have to make any decisions today and nature can take its course. I'll just go back for my normal weekly appointment next week, and I won't have another sonogram. Hopefully the baby remains head down. He hasn't dropped yet, so he's not locked in, but it looks like things are heading in the right direction.

Oh, and for anyone wondering, don't get too excited about the 1 cm dilation... women can be 1 cm dilated for weeks before going into labor. We'll see if I've made any more progress at my next appointment.

37 Week Check In

I don't know if it's been the heat, or the fact that I am nearing the end, but I have really started to drag this week. I am even starting to have a little back pain. I feel weighed down and am having a hard time focusing on my work! One of my coworkers said it perfectly, I have senioritis! My boss is in Miami for the week and I can't wait for him to get back so that I can make sure we really are set with planned coverage for my maternity leave.

I had my doctor appointment today and the doctor made a comment about being glad that it seemed that I wasn't having a huge baby. That is music to my ears since I have to birth this child! Unfortunately though, it looks like the baby has decided to move out of the head down position and his head is somewhere on my left side. For next week's appointment, I have to go to my group's other office for a position sonogram. If he is breach, it doesn't mean he can't move, but now that we are nearing the end, he needs to lock into a head down position. If he doesn't, I'll be facing the decision to go with a Cesarean birth or to try a procedure called an External Version, in which doctors try to manipulate the baby into moving. That procedure only has about a 50% success rate, and it doesn't sound very pleasant. It could result in a need for an immediate Cesarean the day it is performed if it causes fetal distress.

I know this doesn't sound like the "best" update in the world, but don't worry just yet... I am not. I am healthy and so is the baby, so lets see what Monday's sonogram shows and then we'll have to take it from there.

Nursery Pictures

This week, we finally got the nursery together. We ran into some issues with the dresser and had to have it replaced. The new dresser came this morning, so we were able to get the rest of the baby's things put away. The shot above of the crib is what you see straight ahead when you walk into the room. The words on the wall came from Wall Words, which is a company that my friend Denise is a consultant for (http://www.wallwordsconsultants.com/). The words look like stencils, but they are stickers, so they go on quickly and come off easily when you are ready for something new. I was having trouble getting a good close up shot of the words with the lighting this evening, but they say, "Sweet dreams, sleep tight, we love you, good night." I'll post a close up shot later, when I can get a picture without the glare of the overhead light or flash.


To the right of the door, is the dresser, glider and ottoman. We received a beautiful handmade quilt with turtle fabric and have ordered a shelf that has a compression bar to hang the quilt. That will go behind the glider on the wall when it arrives.

I am also including a shot of the closet system that Brian did a great job installing. Having a few extra drawers and shelves is helpful since the room isn't huge, so we need to make the most of the closet space.

The Dubin Twins Have Arrived

Despite having plans for a Thursday arrival, Mariah's water broke on Monday morning, so her and Howie headed to the hospital to have their babies! The girls were born on 6/2/08 at 8:45 AM. Mariah and the babies are doing well.

Avery Elizabeth Dubin
6 lbs. 5 oz.
19.5 inches long

Olivia Rileigh Dubin
5 lbs. 3 oz
19.5 inches long

36 Weeks And Counting

Well, this weekend, I did a lot of work around the house putting away the baby supplies. Brian and I made some exchanges at Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us. Despite all the work, the living room is still a mess! I am getting closer to being able to post some shots of the nursery... hopefully later this week. Now that I only have 4 weeks to go, I plan to post a picture of myself each week so you can see how I look as I approach the end.

For anyone interested in an update on Mariah, she is scheduled for a Cesarean Birth this Thursday at 5:30 AM! I know she is excited to meet her baby girls and I believe she will be having them at Huntington Hospital.