Week 35...a St. Patty's Day baby?

Week 35 was a pretty interesting one.

I had another doctor appointment on Wednesday, March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. It was at 2:30pm, so Mackenzie drove me. The Dupage Medical Group has many locations and usually I have appointments at the RollingRidge Office, which is near my parents house. Occasionally, I go to their Spaulding Office, which is located at Edwards Hospital, where I will deliver. Fittingly enough that is where we were headed for my appointment on Wednesday.

Week 35 began my weekly fetal non-stress test (NST). Before I see the doctor from here on out, I will be hooked up to the fetal heart rate monitor and contraction monitor in order to see how reactive McKenna's heart rate is with her movements.

At 2:30pm, Mackenzie and I headed in to the NST room and began the monitoring. The nurse came and checked on me a couple of times - about every 5 minutes - to see how we were doing. McKenna's heart rate wasn't responding in the manner they wanted to, so at first they brought me some apple juice to drink and wake her up. The apple juice didn't do the trick so, the nurse took a buzzer and pressed it against my belly, McKenna practically jumped out of my skin, but the next couple of times they did it, she didn't move much at all.

The nurse had said that her heart rate wasn't reacting enough. It was staying steady rather than increasing and decreasing the way it should be when a baby moves. Three times the nurses ripped the paper off of the machine to show Dr. Weeks.

The primary goal of the test is to measure the heart rate of the fetus in response to its own movements. Healthy babies will respond with an increased heart rate during times of movement, and the heart rate will decrease at rest. The concept behind a non-stress test is that adequate oxygen is required for fetal activity and heart rate to be within normal ranges. When oxygen levels are low, the fetus may not respond normally.

The next time the nurse entered the room, she so very nonchalantly stated that we would be heading to the hospital for observation. Mack and I looked at one another stunned. Uh...What?!
(this is why it turned out good that we were already at the Spaulding/Edwards location!)

Before walking over to Labor & Delivery, Dr. Weeks wanted to see me. He filled me in on why they were sending me over to L&D and went over the few things we usually talk about at these appointments. They found a small amount of protein in my urine. (the amount was so small that it wasn't an issue) He also checked to see if McKenna was still breech. He couldn't feel with his hands, so he grabbed the ultrasound machine. There we got to see that she had TURNED!!! YAY! Good girl! (We're thinking that it occurred the other night, when I woke up at 3am with a lot of pain in my abdomen - I thought I was having a contraction)

At this point, we are all thinking that Miss McKenna just may end up being a little St. Patty's Day baby...depending on how things go, the doctor's may decide to just get her out.

....and at this point...I'll admit...I was more then ready...

Once I got to the hospital, they put us right into a room for observation. They hooked me up to the fetal heart rate monitor and the contraction monitor once again to see how baby girl was doing. Mom and Brian arrived and they soon whisked us away to have another Biophysical Profile. This is our second biophysical ultrasound, we had our first one just a few weeks ago when they sent me to the hospital for high blood pressure. With the biophysical, the tech is looking for movement (flexion and extension of the limbs - at least 3 movements in the limbs within 30 mins) breathing (through the nose and the rise and fall of the chest), amount of fluid in the sac, the placement of the placenta, and the heart valves. We were in there a good 30 mins this time watching and waiting for McKenna to show the tech all of her skills. It took awhile for the woman to detect her movement - she just didn't seem to want to move at all. The tech even got to the point where she kept pushing my belly with her wand to try to get McKenna to kick her back. After a few minutes of worry and glancing between Brian & I , she kicked and flexed her hand.

If she hadn't passed the biophysical profile, then the doctor's may have made the decision to deliver her, but because she did ...we were good to go.

Brian & my Momma inquired about bed rest...asking to see if I should be on stricter bed rest rather than modified, but the nurse said no, I was fine to continue on modified.

The nurse also confirmed that from here on out, this could possibly become routine. It all depends on how McKenna reacts during her NST at the doctor's office. The doctor will always send you to the hospital for observation for precautionary reasons. It's obviously fine with me to be overcautious, but seriously, wouldn't it just make sense to deliver her if week after week there are questions??? I think I'd just rather her be here! But, we'll see, what happens next week!

Thank you very much for your continued thoughts, prayers, love and support. Brian & I greatly appreciate it! Love you all!

poor Krissy had strep this week and because she wants McKenna and her mommy to be healthy she wore a mask when she was downstairs....what a good sister and aunt!

we just had to document Mackenzie checking Kristen's throat! haha!

Brady & Megan stopped over on Wednesday while house hunting!
Here is Uncle Brady giving love to Kenna!

NST

...now with a view of the machine...

my photog is so good isn't she?? she made sure to document every step!
Here I am with my apple juice!

...same monitoring...different location...
at least they were able to give me a green gown in honor of St. Patty's Day!

what an awesome family!

...more apple juice...

Aunt Lynn stopped by too! How sweet is that!?

Mackenzie was my chauffeur all week...on Thursday we had to head out to David's Bridal to pick up my bridesmaid dress for my friend, Courtney's wedding this weekend. I think it turned out pretty good...the baby belly was able to fit after all!

driver...

...passenger...

Week 35: McKenna doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in my womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Week 34

Yes, I'm finally posting my week 34 pictures! Heck, I'm only a week behind, today I've officially begun my 35th week. You'd think that since I'm sitting here on bedrest I'd be better about blogging. Nope! I guess that daytime TV is really sucking me in!

Bedrest has been going fine, pretty low key. My days aren't very exciting...well, I guess that all depends on who is on my now two favorite talk shows...Oprah and Ellen.

I have been fortunate enough to have some really wonderful friends visit me; which helps to jazz up my day. Katie has visited a bunch of times afterschool. Melinda Clawson, a kindergarten teacher at my school came to see me on Friday! My extra special sister Mackenzie comes over to keep me company when she isn't working. She gets to take me to doctor's appointments, get me lunch, let the dogs out...all of the really fun jobs!

...And tomorrow I'm having an extra special visitor...one of my students is coming to see me with his mom and sister! I can't wait!

Mackie & I at the doctor's office

ugh...you can tell I've been on bedrest...week 34

Lizzie & I fooling around trying to get a nice picture...mom just kept snapping! Here's a glimpse of my spot on the couch where I spend my days!

I think McKenna kicked her off the couch!

Awww! we finally pulled it together!

my snuggle buddy

Week 34 info: McKenna now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Weeks and Weeks

Brian & I headed back to the doctor's office on Wednesday night.

Our appointment went as usual:
BP = 122/90...better
McKenna's heartrate = 152bpm
belly = 34, almost 35 inches
weight = haha...increased
blood work and urinanalysis = fine

Dr. Weeks explained preeclampsia a bit clearer for us, and said that I was indeed diagnosed with mild preeclampsia due to my high blood pressure. We were under the impression protein had to be present in your urine as well as high blood pressure in order to have preeclampsia. Not so. If my labs would have shown protein in my urine then I would have been diagnosed with severe preeclampsia.

This whole preeclampsia/high blood pressure subject is scary, it can really affect the baby's growth or cause the placenta to pull away from the uterus too soon. It can also cause early delivery. Dr. Weeks is hoping that we can keep McKenna in for atleast 3-4 more weeks. At the moment it's looking as though she'll be arriving before her April 20th due date. She just may be a little Easter Bunny after all! ;)

When we had the biophysical profile completed in the hospital, the ultrasound tech told us that McKenna is in the breached position. Dr. Weeks was able to confirm it by feeling my stomach. If she doesn't turn in the next couple weeks, we'll definitely be having a c-section.

I'm okay either way. I'm not particularly scared about giving birth, whatever is safest for both McKenna & I is good for me.

So, the big question came next...Can I return to work???

...the big answer...NO

Dr. Weeks has restricted me from returning to work for the duration of my pregnancy.

I thought for sure he would clear me to return to work...there was no question....

Well, I was wrong.

When I am up and moving around my blood pressure begins to increase and we can't risk it getting out of control again.

At school there is just too much walking around and too good of a chance of my bp skyrocketing into dangerous levels.

So, here I sit, at home, waiting...waiting for my little girl to make her big arrival.

From here on out I have weekly doctor's appointments, but everyone does starting at 36 weeks, so that isn't anything out of the ordinary. They have also added a fetal non stress test (NST) to each appointment from here on out. The primary goal of this test is to measure the heart rate of the fetus in response to its own movements. Healthy babies will respond with an increased heart rate during times of movement, and the heart rate will decrease at rest. The concept behind a non-stress test is that adequate oxygen is required for fetal activity and heart rate to be within normal ranges. When oxygen levels are low, the fetus may not respond normally. Low oxygen levels can often be caused by problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.

Showered with Love

This was a very special weekend for us. We welcomed lots of family & friends in town to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our sweet girl McKenna!

I was watched like a hawk by everyone all weekend, especially my Momma! She was very worried my blood pressure may skyrocket. So, I was also monitoring my blood pressure regularly. All stayed steady throughout the weekend, thank goodness!

A special thank you to Mackenzie for being my photographer all weekend! Because I had to stay seated and low key, she made sure to take over the picture taking duties.

Our extended family began rolling into town on Friday night. Everyone came over to my parents house for pizza, salad, and fun.

My cousin Julie and Sarah

blurry picture of Brad, Megan, & Lizzie

Grandma Sheila & I

Aunt Basi, Aunt Malo, Aunt Lynn & Mom

DeFisher Family with Kris

my cousin's Jake, Nick, Amanda & Hallie, and Aunt Susan

kitchen conversation

Grandma Beauty, Lizzie, Mom, Uncle Jeff, Mikey and Dad

Rocco & Aidan

Lizzie & Hallie

Aunt Jan, Mom, Aunt Malo, Aunt Basi

my girl enjoying the party

On Saturday, Kristen, Lizzie, & Mackenzie hosted my baby shower at the River Run Clubhouse. It was absolutely wonderful. McKenna received so many amazing gifts. I can't wait until she's here so she can see how much all of our friends & family love her!

centerpiece & favors

Thank you Katie for getting the cake! It was beautiful and delicious!

Graham School friends!

Courtney Koeller, Marianne Conkey, Kathy Anderson, Leah Early, Jen Michaels, Michelle Shiles & Katie Kerckhove

college roommates!

Renee Meyers & Jackson and Courtney Vermett (soon to be Stafford!)

DeFisher women

Kris, Liz, & Mackie got me a Kate Spade diaper bag!

love love love it!

beautiful rocker from my mom's best friends, Jody, Marie, and Diane

they even signed the back

McKenna's first Cinderella globe and music box from Aunt Malo!

The sisters & The Grandmas

mom & Aunt Susan

My beautiful Godmother & I

Valpo Wives! Deana, me & Steph

Hailey girl!

favorite cousins! me & my meem meem

McKenna's Mom & Dad

belly bump

Grandpa!!

After the shower everyone came back over to my parent's house for more family fun. It was nice to have all of the help hauling McKenna's gear into the house...it goes a lot faster that way!

my cousin Julie is due July 5th with her little girl!

Lizzie & Aunt Sylvia

comparing bellies...hey wait! no fair! I can't suck it in!

Kris & Grandma Beauty

My cousin Erin and I

Erin is getting married on June 12th!

token picture of Lizzie and Mackie

Mackenzie & Uncle Jeff

me, Sarah, and Kenna!

A special thank you all of the family & friends who made this weekend so special. It means so much to Brian & I that so many of you took the time this weekend to help celebrate McKenna and her upcoming arrival. We can't wait to introduce her to all of you!

An even bigger thank you to my Mom, Barb, Kristen, Lizzie, Mackenzie, & Aunt Lynn for the most amazing baby shower. From the gorgeous invitations, location, food, favors, corsage, centerpieces, gifts, speech...everything! It was beautiful and it was a blast. McKenna is so lucky!

We love you!