Minivan

Oh joy! We are the new owners of a minivan. I've been dragging my feet for months about purchasing a minivan. I think Mike waited until I was stuck in the hospital to go and do it. I think I'm just too young for one. I'd much rather have a SUV, but they're more expensive and the gas mileage is worse. My new van is a 2006 red Nissan Quest. It has a sun roof and leather seats, so at least I'll be styling a little bit. But, it still doesn't change the fact that it's a momma-van!

Baby #3 is still hanging in there. Each time I'm hooked up to the fetal monitoring system, the nurses tell me I have such a happy baby. Let's hope he/she is like that after birth! My doctor did check me today and I'm the same--still 7cm and 100% effaced. I'm going to talk to my doctor about staying in the hospital a couple more days beyond 36 weeks. Mike really wants me at home, but I really want to give the little one a couple more days. I don't think I could handle another week of this, but a couple days would be tolerable.

Ethan and Mia still come up each day to see me. It's the highlight of my day! It always seems to be around nap time or bed time, so they aren't in the best of moods. Ethan loves getting into all of the nurse's supplies, especially the ultrasound gel. Mia crawls around a little on the floor but otherwise sits on one of our laps. Though, she can spot my purse from a mile away and will sit there for awhile pulling everything out of it. She has learned to say, "hi baby," but won't say it for me. Little pill!

The Hospital is Boring!

I've made it to 35 weeks 4 days. Nothing new to report here. My doctor didn't check me today since I haven't had an increase in contractions. In fact, they've slowed down to every 20-30 minutes if I'm lying down. They're 10-15 minutes if I'm sitting up. Baby continues to move like crazy and I can tell he/she is getting bigger because the kicks are getting stronger and stronger. Three more days of this!

35 Weeks 3 Days

Nothing new here! I remain unchanged at 6-7cm and 100% effaced. My contractions are 7-20 minutes apart. I'd really like to go home, but the perinatologist said he didn't want to see me on the news. He didn't think I'd make it back in time if my water broke. We're still aiming for Tuesday when I'll be 36 weeks. I don't think I could do this another week! I've never been so sedentary. I think I've watched everything on the Discovery Channel and on Court TV. My eyes are buggy!

Grandma Schmidt has been watching Ethan and Mia for the last couple of days. She said last night that she's going on vacation after this! They are a lot of work. They usually come visit me in the evenings. It's during their crabby time, so they don't usually stay too long. I'm looking forward to Saturday and Sunday when they can come during the afternoon. They should be in a much better mood and can stay longer.

Still Pregnant

Baby is still hanging out! My doctor checked me today and I am still 6-7cm and 100% effaced. My contractions are now 7-15 minutes apart. Things have slowed down quite a bit. My bag of waters is bulging. If I sneeze hard enough, it could break! The nurse told me that once my water breaks, it'll be over. The plan is for me to try and stay pregnant until 36 weeks, which is on Tuesday. On Tuesday, they plan on breaking my water. I asked if I could possibly go home and that was a big no. With how far along I am, they don't want me delivering at home.

Still Hanging Out

I am now 35 weeks and 1 day. They moved me from high-risk OB back to labor and delivery because I am 6-7cm and had been contracting every 2-3 minutes. My contractions have slowed considerably and I've been 6-7cm since 9am. My contractions are now about 5 minutes apart, sometimes 6-7 minutes and farther apart (which I am totally happy with!) The contractions don't hurt but I do feel pressure when they come. When I start getting more uncomfortable, I'll get my epidural. My water still hasn't broken. Mike really wants baby to come, but I'm happy staying pregnant for as long as possible!

Baby #3

The doctors turned off the magnesium sulfate today. The perinatologist said it helps decrease cerebal palsy along with stopping contractions. I was on it for 24 hours, and that stuff is nasty! I don't know how some women can stay on it for weeks at a time. It makes you feel like you have the flu and you get nasty headaches. I am now 35 weeks and the doctors aren't going to stop labor if I get going. I'm still dilated to 5cm and 100% effaced. I'm glad that I haven't progressed, but I know this little one will be coming soon. I'm still in the hospital and they aren't sending me home because of how far along I am. I'm hoping to hang on for as long as possible but I think my water has been leaking (as of 6:45pm.) I'm on antibiotics all ready so the nurses aren't too concerned if it is leaking. They also took out my foley catheter and I'm not hooked up to the fetal heart tone monitor, blood pressure cuff, and oximeter probe, so I feel a little more free. Though, I can only get up to go to the bathroom. It's kind of a nice break lying in bed all day but I miss my Ethan and Mia a lot! I was really hoping for a normal experience with this pregnancy! I certainly agree with the saying, "If You Want to Hear God Laugh, Tell Him Your Plans!"

Baby #3

Baby #3 will more than likely be coming early. I went into pre-term labor today at 34 6/7 weeks. I arrived home from work at 8:00am and noticed I was having some bleeding. I went to triage and found out I'm dilated to 5cm and 100% effaced, but my water hasn't broken. For some reason, my body wants to kick this little one out. I don't have an infection and the doctors have no explanation for my pre-term labor. The plan is for me to be on magnesium sulfate for a day to slow the contractions. I wasn't getting many to begin with, but this will help quiet my uterus down. I guess it's pretty irritable. The contractions I had been getting were Braxton-Hicks, or so I thought/think. They don't hurt at all but they are obviously changing my cervix. The perinatologist thinks I'll have baby in the next day or two. Keep us in your prayers!