Kate's Eye View

Just had an appointment today. I'm calling this the 41 week appointment because I will be that far on Sunday. First of all, Keegan still hasn't dropped yet and my cervix is no where to be found... They had me do an NST (non-stress test) and he passed just fine. That consisted of being hooked up to a monitor which picked up his heartbeat and I held a clicker that I had to press every time I felt him move.  They are checking to see if his heart rate accelerates for at least 10 seconds after a big movement.  His heart rate did that at least twice which means he is still doing well so he passed.  It took about 45 minutes. They had me make an appointment for a BPP (bio-physical profile) for Tuesday with an OB.  I guess that consists of an ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels, condition of the placenta, etc. to make sure there isn't some urgent need for him to be born or something preventing a normal vaginal birth. Then I have another appointment on Wednesda...

Overall, appointment was good. I am GBS negative, iron is "low/normal" so I don't have to get pricked again, I have gained 35 lbs, bp was 116/63, I measured about 38 cm, and Keegan's hb was good (he was really active and she had a hard time following him!) He is also still head down and on the left side!!! Yay! The midwife I saw today said they don't check until 40 weeks which is different from what the head midwife told me last week... So I have no idea what's going on down there, but regardless of my knowing where I'm at what will happen, will happen. She also said that 80% of first time moms at the birth center are still pregnant on their due date and most give birth within that next week. This puts me between August 15th and August 22. She also gave a big talk about how these last few weeks are like the last weeks of high school where you are so excited to be done and just can't wait anymore, but also that your life changes foreve...

Today Keegan is 37 weeks which means he is full term! The major implication of this is that now I am allowed to go to the birth center (rather than the hospital) if I go into labor. Yay! I've had two appointments since my last post. The 36 week class/appointment and then a regular one last week. The class/appointment was good, but because we took the childbirth class with the front desk lady, Heather, who is training to be a midwife and filters all the calls of the laboring moms/dads, she did a really good job covering procedures and signs of labor. A lot of the other women at the 36 week class had a lot of questions and it really surprised me! I'm glad we took the childbirth class with Heather. We feel very prepared. The regular appointment went well, too. We finally formally met Tracy, the owner/head midwife and a newly hired midwife, Leigh. Keegan's heartbeat was good, 140, my blood pressure was good, 118/70 (I think), I was measuring 37 1/2 cm, have gained abo...

Sheesh! Where did the time go? I've definitely neglected my blog! Perhaps it was the stress of the school year. Yes. That is what it was... ;) Fast-forward 14 months and here is where I'm at: 35 weeks pregnant with a little boy named Keegan Jeremy Recently celebrated a 5th wedding anniversary About to become a stay-at-home mom (former teacher) New homeowner Preparing for a natural childbirth at Mountain Midwifery Since so much has happened in 14 months I will not summarize but rather pick up from here! Currently just waiting to hit July 25th, which is 37 weeks, when we are allowed to give birth at the midwifery. If Keegan decides to come in the next 9 days I would have to go to a hospital due to state regulations on birthing centers. Once July 25th hits, I'm am more than ready for this little man to make his grand appearance! I'm reading a lot lately to pass the time more quickly. I just finished Painless Childbirth: An Empowering Journey Through Pregnancy and C...