>1 More Week To Go !

>I am scheduled for a C-Section next Friday - June 4th.

So unless I go into labor early, I will be introducing my new daughter into this world in one week.

I am excited and scared.

>So close but still so far away!

>So I went to the doctor yesterday- I am not 36 weeks.

Still have 23 more days!!!

They did my first internal. He said everything seems fine.

Now I am just waiting and waiting. . .

It seems so close when I think of how I have 2 more dr. visits and there are only 3 weekends left.

Also, when I think of how much there is left to do.

But then it's like geez, 23 more days is nearly still an entire month away...

I am just very impatient

>YAY ! I Scheduled the Date!

>I finally got to schedule the date for my C-section!!!

They scheduled me for Friday June 4th! !

Excited, but scared..

I am going to have to be in the hospital 4 days.

I do not know how I am going to sleep away from home.

I wish hospitals were more like hotels that the family can stay too.

I get so sad at the thought of being without her.

The only time our family is really away from each other is when my husband and I are working.

This is going to be extremely difficult!!!

>Mama Never Told Me by Emily Van Do ~ Book Review and Giveaway

>Mama Never Told Me - By Emily Van Do

I would like to start this review with quoting the first page of the book:

"Suddenly people (mostly coworkers, strangers) decide they have free reign in commenting on your appearance. They have no issues touching your belly or pointing out the unavoidable and beautiful transformation your body endures wile pregnant. If you appear annoyed then you are being hormonal. You are forced to laugh and bear it"

Being 34 weeks pregnant now ~ that is what grabbed my attention. Oh boy, the truth to it and how much it relates to myself as a pregnant woman was kind of a relief. Its nice to know your not the only one that gets comments thrown at them, especially in the work environment, which is completely inappropriate.

I enjoyed the book. I thought it was comical and true. My husband thought that she repeated herself a lot in the book. I agree that she did. However, the truth of pregnancy it does feel like you hear the same comments over and over.

Here are a couple things that I have heard that Emily Van Do may want to include in her next book:

So all this to get to asking for an envelope:

John: so how are you feeling Cindy?

Me: I am good.

John: so how much longer until the baby comes?

me: about 2 months.

John: oh, your getting big... (with his hands gestured a big stomach).. are you sure its not twins

me: yea, i am sure

John: oh cause your big

me: mmmm...

John: do you have a blank envelope.

me: yea, here..

This type of situation happens maybe once a week. Once he said "Your getting big, you must be eating a lot now huh?" My response: "I am pregnant!"

Just yesterday I was told by this guy Tom I work with that I am getting fat. I said "really - where have you been the last 8 months? Do you realize that I am pregnant?" He says "yea, I am just saying, it looks like there is a basketball under your shirt". Then I said "wow you are very observant".

It gets annoying hearing comments. Then there is always the after pregnancy comments. If you loose the weight or you don't everyone has a comment on your figure.

I would recommend this book as a gift to a friend that is pregnant. It's a cute baby shower gift. It is even a nice gift for yourself if you are pregnant. Its comforting to know that someone else has heard the same comments that you have during their pregnancy. It makes you feel like your not a big fat blimp, and people just don't know how to bite their tongue.

Where to Purchase: You can purchase your own copy at Amazon.com or Destination Maternity

Emily Van Do has offered one copy to one of my readers.

Enter to win your own copy of Mama Never Told Me by Emily Van Do. The giveaway will end May 18, 2010. The winner will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to reply, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

*Contest has ended*

 

* I did not receive any compensation for this post. I received a copy of Mama Never Told Me for review purposes. Based on reading the book I wrote this post based on my honest opinions and experiences*

>34 Weeks Pregnant

>Time is going so slow now!

I went for a Sonogram on Friday ~ they told me everything looks good.

The baby is 4 lb 8 oz. They weren't able to get a good picture, which I was kind of sad about.

With my first daughter I have an entire album filled with sonogram pictures. With this pregnancy- I have at most 4. And all of the pictures they take are so blurry and hard to make anything at all out.

When I went to my ob/gyn 2 weeks ago they told me the next visit I would be able to pick the date of the C-section. Yesterday was the 'next' visit. He told me I had to wait a little longer to pick the date. I was pretty disappointed about that. We are hoping for June 4th.

I am hoping to get 3 months off from work with the baby. Money will be tight, but I really want the time with the baby and my daughter. It is going to be a big adjustment for everyone.

>Exhausted From Life

>

49 more days until my due date.

I got a phone call from my doctor today with the results of my 24 hour urine.

The last time my protein was 298. Which I was concerned being I had preeclampsia in my first pregnancy. This time my protein level was 113, which I was really happy with. Then there is always a but...

So now my uric acid levels are high. Of course I am neurotic and no matter what the doctor says I read a ton of stuff on the internet which scares me. I have an appointment next week, so I will go into it further with them then.

So until then I am just left with worries.

>32 Week Checkup

>Every time I go to the Doctor I worry. I had Preeclampsia with my first pregnancy, and during the last few visits they detected protein in my urine. I had to do the 24 hour urine test twice. My protein level was 298 the first and 293 the second time. So thankfully, when I went to the doctor last night she said that she is not concerned with the protein and that my blood pressure is good. In her words she said "your blood pressure is better than mine." I worry so much, but now I finally feel like someone is on my side. Pregnancy is scary, but some of my fears now are going away.

Also, the doctor told me that when I come back in 2 weeks I get to pick the baby's birthday!

It will be somewhere between May 30th and June 4th. I am very excited about that!

>Test Results

>So, last Friday I had to do the 24 hour urine test to test the amount of protein in my urine. They also took blood.

I got the results today. The blood results were fine but they detected a protein level of 293. I am not sure if I am wording that right. The Dr. said they wouldn't define it as Preeclampsia yet and they insist on delivery when the level reaches 1000. I am glad to be well under 1000, but I am worried. The doctor told me that I would have to do the 24 hour urine test every 10 days... Fun.

My blood pressure has been normal, but my blood pressure was normal throughout my entire pregnancy with Samantha and in the end I had to be induced which led to a c-section.

>29 Weeks Pregnant ~ Part 2

>So last night I had my doctors appointment.

I got the results of the 3 hour glucose test and thankfully I do not have gestational diabetes. Gosh, you don't know what a relief it was.

Being they detected protein in my urine the last 2 visits the doctor wants me to do the 24 hour urine test for preeclampsia. I plan to pick up the bottle on Friday and do it at work. I don't want to do it on the weekend and ruin time that we can be out and about.

I do not have high blood pressure, just protein in my urine. But with Samantha I didn't have high blood pressure either. However, I was induced because of the preeclampsia, which led to C-section.

So it's just for precaution. Better to test and make sure that its okay then not to.

Next doctor appointment - 2 weeks.

>~ 29 Weeks Pregnant ~ Part 1

>So if you read my last post of when I went to the doctor, it wasn't horrible but it wasn't great.

Apparently when I took the glucose test my # was 151, when it should have been in the 130's. So my doctor told me that gestational diabetes is a possibility. She told me I had to go back for the 3 hour glucose test.

So, I went back to the lab on Saturday, yea it was torture, but not as bad as I was expecting it to be.

I have a doctor appointment tonight to get the results. I am very nervous. For one, the last time I was at the doctor they detected protein in my urine. Being I had Preeclampsia when I was pregnant with Samantha it scares me. Secondly, I will be getting the results of the lab test for gestational diabetes. Which if I do have gestational diabetes it will increase my risk of getting preeclampsia. I am not going to lie. It scares me.

This pregnancy has not been peaceful at all, I feel like from the beginning it has been one thing after another to worry about.

Doctors appointment today at 6:50 pm. Wish me luck... please. I will let you know how it goes.

>My Crib Experience

>AHHHHHH!

That is the sound of me screaming my head off in frustration.

Here is the story:

About 2 weeks ago, we decided on purchasing a crib. I am now 28 weeks pregnant. Some may say it is early to buy a crib but I want Samantha to get use to the idea of the crib and the baby stuff. I want her to learn she cannot throw anything in there. I want to start preparing her for her new baby sister.

So we went to Babys R Us about 2 weeks ago and purchased the crib. They had it the same day, which we didn't think they would. We had to make space for the crib. Which we finally got rid of the toddler bed, Samantha is in a twin now. The store told us that they would put it on hold. I was fine with that, they guaranteed that when we came back it would be there.

Well, we went back on Sunday. Guess what?? It wasn't there. It was "damaged", so they told us. Babys R Us definition of damaged: they sold it to someone else. They offered to have it in the store in 3 weeks. So I was very unhappy with that. I was guaranteed the crib would be there. They couldn't even present us with the "damaged" crib. If I saw that it was "damaged" then I would have accepted it more. But I knew they were just blowing smoke up our but.

So then they tried to offer us a different crib. I was open to other options, but it had to be the light oak color being the rest of the furniture is that color. So they offered me a different one which was not a convertible crib. I wouldn't take it. Finally they offered me one I was willing to take. They said they had 1 in stock which was on hold for someone else. They said that we can take that one. Being we were in the situation of having our crib sold under our feet the same way we told them we didn't want it. So they said if we want to wait 7-14 days they will do the delivery and the setup. So we agreed upon that.

We were in the store from 1-4 trying to sort this out. So now we are frustrated in Babys R Us with a 2 year old. It was just so impossible.

The manager told us to call the next day to schedule the delivery. So we called the next day and they told us that they are not able to do it. So immediately after work we picked up Samantha and went to Babys R Us. They said they cannot do the delivery and assembly because they would have to get the authorization through corporate. However he said they have 3 in stock. So being completely fed up, we decide that we will just put it on top of the car and bring it home. But guess what? THE MANAGER LIED! After we told him that he can take it now, he went in the back for 15 minutes and came out. They had none in stock. Then, it just so happened he was authorized to make the "executive decision" and setup the delivery and assembly. Funny huh??

I just want the crib. I am so fed up with Babys R Us and the runaround and B.S. that they gave us. Last night we didn't get out of there until 7:30 and didn't get home until 8. We have to call today to schedule the delivery and assembly. Let's see what happens....

>27 Week Doctor Visit

>I went to the Doctor yesterday for my 27 week checkup.

Well, last Saturday I want for the Glucose test and they are concerned. My level was 150, and they said it should be 130. So now on the 20th I have to go back for the 3 hour test. Very nerve wrecking.

This entire pregnancy is such a blessing. The first doctor I went to had me convinced for multiple weeks that the baby was Ectopic. So I thank god for this little baby in my belly.

I just cannot wait until the baby comes out because it is such a roller coaster. Then, on top of that they found protein in my urine. Which scares the crap out of me because I had Preeclampsia at the end of my last pregnancy. They had to induce me which led to a C-section. Last time I did not have the high blood pressure, but was very swollen. So far my blood pressure is fine and there is no swelling.

Now I have to go back in 2 weeks (3/23) , that way they monitor the protein level in my urine. I am very nervous now.

Anyways... Samantha came with us to the doctor yesterday. She got to hear the baby heartbeat. She was very excited. When you ask her what sound the baby makes she says "beep, beep, beep"

>Pregnancy & Life

>So I am now 25 weeks pregnant. Pregnancy is very scary, and exciting at the same time. I am getting huge, I have to post a picture of my belly. This weekend was very exciting. We bought the crib, which we have to pick up next Saturday, along with the mattress, mobile and the bouncer. We have a small apartment so Samantha and the new baby will be sharing a room. It is exciting to complete it. I cannot wait to pick up the crib on Saturday. Exciting!

So for the last week I have been using Starfall.com to teach Samantha sign language. I have been using the website for a long time with Samantha for teaching her the alphabet. I love the website. SO, I don't know sign language, I am learning it with her. This morning we went through the letters, and I always get stuck on F. So she say "Mommy, this F", and shows me how to sign F. It was amazing!! They absorb so much. I was in absolute wow over it. I just thought I would share that. Samantha is only 2 1/2 now. It is amazing what they pick up.

>It's a Girl!

>The other day hubby and I went for my 20 week ultrasound. The doctor asked if we wanted to know the gender. With Samantha I did not want to find out at all. But being our apartment is small and saved over 2 years worth of girl clothes my husband convinced me to find out. We are having a little girl.

The doctor checked the baby out and looked at her head, heart, spine and checked the stomach. I have been taking all the tests for down syndrome. Which normally the stats are 1 in 800 chance. After the last ultrasound and bloodwork it turned up 1 in 746 chance that the baby will have down syndrome. However, when I went for this ultrasound they noticed a calcium deposit on her heart. The doctor said normal babies also have it and it does not affect anything. However, it is a marker for down syndrome. So now being that they saw that marker the chance of having a girl with down syndrome doubled.

They gave me the the option of going for the amniocentesis. If I were to get that done, they can tell 100%. However, I have a 1 in 190 chance of losing the baby if I were to get it done. So I would have a better chance of losing the baby than the baby having down syndrome. My husband and I decided a long time ago before Samantha that no matter what happens we will deal with it. So termination is definitely not an option regardless.

So they told me to come back for another ultrasound between 34 and 36 weeks. They say that babies that do have down syndrome, that their intestines do not fully develop. So just incase anything is wrong we have a plan for birth. My doctor is pretty optimistic that there is nothing wrong, so that makes me feel better. But of course the worry is still there.

>UPDATE ON PREGNANCY

>I am 15 weeks pregnant now. This pregnancy is going by so fast.

I went to the doctor yesterday and heard the baby heart.

The ultrascreen results came back ok.

Everything is looking good. Thanks God!

As far as gender ~ my husband wants to find out but I don't. However I understand why he wants to. We saved all the stuff from Samantha and our apartment is not that big. So we can get rid of all that stuff if it turns out to be a boy. It will give us a lot more space. My point- I like the surprise of it (we didn't find out with Samantha.) Also, its not 100% accurate.

So probably the next appointment they will be able to determine the gender. So we decided to be fair and pick it out of a hat whether we will find out or not. I will let you know what the decision is when we do it.

>Ultrascreen

>So, I am about 12 weeks pregnant. The baby that my first doctor had me convinced was not going to be is doing just fine. Thank God! I went yesterday for the ultrascreen which tests if the baby has down syndrome, trisomy 18 or any other chromosome abnormalities. They do an ultrasound, in which they measure the fluid behind the neck of the baby, and they take blood sample which analyzes the chemicals found in pregnant women. It will take a week to get the results back. I am pretty confident about the test and regardless of which we will not love the baby any differently.

>Update on Pregnancy

>Besides from the $875 bill I got in the mail because my old doctor did too much testing and my insurance doesn't want to cover it, everything else is fine.

I went to my new doctor last week. He gave me a thumbs up! Everything looks good! Boy, do we have a lot to be thankful for this thanksgiving!!!

All he did was give me an ultrasound to check the baby and sent me for two blood tests, which I go on Saturday. Then I have to go for an ultrascreen on Monday.

Here's the picture he gave of my new little one. We are so excited.

 Samantha is so cute about it. We have not found out the gender but she says there is a boy in Mommy's belly and a girl in her belly and a big baby in daddy's belly.

I am not sure if we are going to find out the gender. I have mixed feelings. I didn't find out with Samantha and it was so great, there aren't many surprises in life. That's my feelings.

My husband brings up a few good points. He says it would be easier because then if its a boy we can get rid of all the clothes we have packed away from Samantha and make room. We live in a small apartment. Then also, we plan to switch rooms and give the kids the bigger bedroom. So, then it will be easier to know how to decorate.

He makes a lot of sense, but then I still like the surprise of it...

>Big Sister in Training!

>

 Samantha is going to be an awesome big sister. She tells me I have to keep my shirt up with my belly exposed so that the baby can see. She looks inside my belly button to see if she can see the baby. It is really really cute!

Sometimes she holds my stomach and says "I hold the baby." She loves singing the baby songs and giving the baby hugs and kisses.

Big Sister in Training. Samantha Feeding her baby doll.

>Changing Doctors

>As I mentioned in my earlier posts, after my ob/gyn predicted an ectopic pregnancy and everything turned out to be okay (knock on wood.)

So thats what made me decide to switch doctors. I mean within a weeks time this doctor put my husband and I through hell. I mean literally, we were in a state of depression and just waiting for the day to come.

My first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, we were caught by surprise, completely unexpected. So hearing that it was going to happen again was devastating, and totally heartbreaking.

So after I went to a different sonogram place, they saw the baby heartbeat and heart it and everything looked okay. I was in such tears of relief and happiness.

So the other night I went back to the doctor. The new doctor asked that I fax them over a copy of my records. At first it sounded like they said 75 cents a page if you just get the copies. I thought it would be free to fax. It wasn't free, either way it was 75 cents a page. Well there was like 103 pages. So it cost $77.50. I thought this doctor was money hungry before~ now I think she is starving for money.

I am not even 3 months yet. At the point of the sonogram that I heard the heartbeat, they measured 7 and a half weeks. The doctor had done a sonogram before I was pregnant- on September 1st, when I went in for the prenatals to tell her I was trthen again at the end of September once I told her I was pregnant. Then she did another one two weeks after that. Then she sent me for another sonogram out of her office. Each time, even the time that I went to her for prenatals she checked my hormone levels. Is that normal?

Well, whatever.. I have an appointment on November 18th with a different doctor. There are five doctors in the practice, which you see all of them. I think its pretty likely that one of them will deliver my baby too. With Samantha it was a regular hospital doctor that delivered.

>I Found A New Doctor

>After the whole situation that happened with the ob/gyn, if you read my earlier posts ~ I was recommended a doctor from my mother in law. I have an appointment for November 18th. I have to call my old doctor to have my records faxed over. I know this sounds nuts but its so hard for me to call. Like it kind of feels like a breakup. Like how do I say it? Are they going to ask questions? I have been going to her for over 3 years. Lately though I have really been questioning her practices. Like for my first miscarriage - was it necessary to have a D&C? Then when I was pregnant with Samantha she found protein in my urine so had me induced. After the first induction didn't work the hospital wanted to send me home but she wanted to keep me there. It was so painful and long. They then put me on pitocin and broke my water. Was that all necessary I question now? Then this pregnancy she already took 3 sonograms and I am only 8 weeks. Then she had me convinced that because she didn't see anything that the baby was ectopic or its not developing. Thank God, everything is okay. I just don't want my health and my baby's health in her hands.