OB Appt 32w1d & Steroid Shots

Yesterday I had my 32 week OB appointment. I am going every 2 weeks now, it's wonderful! Of course, going to the normal appointments offer no real reassurance; I can check his heartbeat on the doppler anytime I want! But it's nice to get through my list of questions-- I am having more and more at every appointment these days :)

My appointment was with Dr. O'Brien, who I really really like at that practice. He answers your questions thoroughly and will give personal anecdotes if appropriate. He obviously listens, which I appreciate. He also brings in his laptop so he can see my charts-- unlike another lazy doctor in that office (all she wants to do is get my appointments over with, because patients are clearly SO time-demanding!).

Anyway, I asked him about the steroid shots and he said if it's something we talk about, we do it. So I asked him if he thought we should do it, and he said, "well, we're talking about it, aren't we?" Very clever response! So he sent me over to L & D to get the first of the shots. I must have been the healthiest most unlabored woman they ever saw because they were curious why I was having the shot, was I in labor? Was I bleeding? Who sent me? Why?

But I don't care. I have a miracle baby in my belly and I will do everything possible to keep him here with me, in and out of my belly. If, god forbid, I go into early labor, I will have no regrets. And if they decide to do an early c-section because of the previa, well then, we are prepared just in case. I love this baby.

So, the steroid shot does kind of hurt. Not nearly as bad as Menopur going in, because it goes in fast. It's a quick jab and a quick pain. It is kind of sore now, but nothing worse than a flu shot. And it's for my baby! I'd lose a limb for this little guy!!!

Growing by the day! 31w3d

Today it's in the 70's, and I had a pair of black shorts that I got a few weeks ago. I brought them up to my Mom's for the weekend (I'm visiting Matt this weekend) and planned to wear them today. Yup, they already don't fit!

Luckily I only paid $6 for them at a consignment shop!!! :)

Liam is being a little spidermonkey in there. I can feel his fingers poking and prodding; are you a directing an orchestra, baby? :) I love you Liam!

30w5d: I get to see his sweet face!

Today I had my MFM appointment in Annapolis. They were busy, so they were about an hour behind  but I didn't mind! I got to catch up on magazines and just sit for an hour. It was nice! 

However, their ultrasound found that my placenta was covering my cervix, so I have partial placenta previa. Such a difference from what my OB just told me! So glad I went to the MFM! 

OB Appt - 30w1d

Today I had an OB appt afterschool. We had a lot to check on! 


-My baby boy: looks good! Getting big. Measures 31w4d gestational age (his head is bigger, ha! one measurement was on target at 31w4d and another was 32w0d). He weighs 3 lbs 12 oz. His growth is good, all within normal limits, he's just big for his age, tee hee! He was hanging out upside down, with his head down near my cervix and his toosh up by my ribs on the right side. His legs were folded in with his knees down towards my belly button and feet back up towards my left rib. This is where I always feel him hang out, so it was nice to see it confirmed on the screen!

-Placenta previa: It was difficult to see behind his head :)  We had to do an internal ultrasound, and even then she struggled to figure out what was the edge of the placenta. It definitely wasn't near the cervix though, so it was enough that they upgraded me from marginal placenta previa to "low lying placenta".

-My cyst: I'd previously had two cysts that made my right ovary quite large! They were even talking about the possibility of removing the ovary during delivery if the cysts didn't clear up. Luckily, they started to shrink around 20 weeks. By my last u/s at 24 weeks, I only had 1 cyst at 4 cm. At yesterday's scan I had no cysts and my ovary was normal! :) Yay!


I discussed with my doctor my anxieties about the placenta and vasa previa, given that I have a SG friend who went through it. I asked for a referral to an MFM just to ease my concerns and he easily gave it to me. They called and scheduled it for the next available so I am going on Monday! My questions for the MFM are really anxiety relievers, to check the placenta for any blood vessel issues, double check the cord, and make sure my little beeb looks good as we go into the final weeks. I can't believe it's almost here!

My doctor also gave me a note excusing me from work beyond 36 weeks. I am sad to have to miss the end of the year, but I know this is what's best for my miracle baby. I am going to give it to them on Monday. Fingers crossed it goes okay!


Tonight I am at my mom's house in PA; I have an interview tomorrow afternoon in Westminster. I am kind of stressed about the interview but this baby is just my #1 priority right now. If any prayer is to be answered, I want it to be getting Liam safely and healthily in my arms. I'd rather be a poor Mommy than continue to be a childless teacher... and now I am crying! :)

29 week belly!

29 weeks 1 day

Today I went to Longwood Gardens with Mom, Emmy and the boys. I am starting to feel huge! My hips hurt and I feel like I need to waddle to keep myself upright! I get tired easily these days; I'm not sure if it's the anemia or just the fact that I have a growing boy inside me! I am trying to not be one of those "overly neurotic" pregnant women, or self-martyring people who go on and on about "Ohhhhhhhhh I'm soooooooooo tireeeed!!!!". But you know what, I actually am kind of tired sometimes. Long drives even wear me out! Just sitting in the car, hahaha.

Longwood Gardens was beautiful and Liam was squirming the whole time; I think he loved all the pretty smells of the flowers.  :)