Fair warning: This post will be long and may include some less than flowery descriptions of the disgustingly beautiful process that is childbirth.  It also may seem disorganized as it is being written stream of consciousness style.

Another side note: I originally intended for her birth story to be a single post.  However, it is not something I’m capable of telling in few words since I want a thoroughly detailed account recorded.  Something I can share with her when she is older.  So, it will be told in more than one post… here is part one.

Part One

My last OB appointment was on October 28th.  At that time, I was scheduled to be induced on November 5th.  Actually, at the beginning of that doctor appointment, I was scheduled to go into the hospital the night of November 4th to be given something to help my cervix dilate prior to the induction.

At that time, I was scheduled to begin my FMLA leave from work on November 3rd.

At that time, I thought I’d be coming home with a beautiful baby on November 7th.  However, Miss Aerissa had other plans.

Let me back up a moment.  I know posting slowed down here.  Nearing the end of my pregnancy, I was feeling more exhausted and trying to prepare as much as possible for my daughter’s arrival.  I never felt the nesting experience the way I’ve heard so many women describe it.  I didn’t go crazy with cleaning the house and kept questioning my perceived lack of motivation.  My focus was on my daughter’s laundry and her room.  It was also on groceries – making sure we had what we’d need for a few weeks (other than minor basics like milk), knowing that once babygirl arrived, we wouldn’t be going out too much for the next month.

There were still preparations I was planning to make… including posts I was going to write/schedule.
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We saw my belly start to pop in the second trimester.  Now here’s how it’s been growing in the third trimester!

(Warning – I didn’t know Brian was getting my face in these pictures too – I look a mess! Before he was only focusing on the belly.  Dang him! lol)

August 29th – 29 weeks 4 days

September 13th – 31 weeks 5 days

September 26th – 33 weeks 4 days

*(This last one is not the most up-to-date, since today I am 36 weeks 4 days)

At this point, time feels fast yet slow all at the same time.  I can hardly believe our little one will be here in less than a month.  The weeks seem to go by quickly.  Yet… it doesn’t seem fast enough.  Work days drag on.  Having medical monitoring appointments twice a week (due to the diabetes) does help the weeks go by a bit faster.

I just can’t wait until she is here.  I want to snuggle her!

It’s really like my husband said the other day:

Waiting for her to be born is like waiting for Christmas morning.

The anticipation and excitement continue to grow!

Looking around the nursery, it really looks like a little girl lives here.  Brian put together the swing, stroller, and pack ‘n play.  This weekend I washed all of her sheets, blankets, bibs, towels, washcloths, hats, mittens, socks and 0-3 clothes.  At first, I was only going to wash a few things.  I had this moment of panic what if she isn’t a she but a he? And then it passed.  We’ve gotten more ultrasounds than most people.  I don’t think they were wrong.  Yet, there’s still that tiny bit of fear… not that I wouldn’t be happy with a little boy – just he wouldn’t be happy with all the pink and purple stuff.
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Another reality check closer… we met with the pediatrician yesterday as a “get acquainted” appointment prior to the arrival of babygirl.  I’ve never done anything quite like that before, but it certainly made her arrival even more real (is that possible?!) and imminent.

I didn’t have a list of questions or anything – just a couple general things to ask.  I didn’t take one of the pre-made question lists from any of the baby books I’ve read since this doctor came well recommended.  See, she’ll be seeing the same doctor as her two nephews on my husband’s side of the family.  I trust my sister-in-law’s recommendation.

We did feel comfortable with the doctor and he clearly had a sense of humor – which is important, I think.  Since we didn’t have a laundry list to go over, he gathered some information that will start her file and all that.  I will be back there a couple days after leaving the hospital… which should be in about a month!

Some of you (namely family) have already placed your bets on when baby Aerissa will arrive.  It’s almost hard to believe that she’ll be here in a little over a month!

If you want to participate in the guessing fun, head on over to the baby pool.  It’s a win-win for you and her.  You could win half and Rissy will get a jump start on her savings account.

Today marked the start of my twice weekly monitoring appointments, which will continue until babygirl gets here.

On Monday mornings I will have a biophysical profile (BPP) and Thursday mornings I will have non-stress tests (NSTs).  4 weeks ago I had I growth ultrasound and today they combined that with my BPP.  I’ll have another growth ultrasound with my BPP in another 4 weeks.

They are going to keep close tabs on her growth and measurements, the condition of my placenta, and amniotic fluid levels especially because of the gestational diabetes.  Good news though, I’m still keeping my sugars under control quite well!

So today’s appointment was bright and early at 8am.  I was the first one of the day, woohoo.  The ultrasound tech took measurements and said fluid and such looked good.  Babygirl had the hiccups for a bit.  It was weird seeing and feeling it at the same time.  She continues to be head down and ready to go.  This is kind of a relief for me… one less thing to worry about come delivery time!  We also got to watch babygirl practice breathing! How cool is that?

Unfortunately, no new pictures printed out.  We haven’t gotten one for the third trimester yet.  She had her hands over her face again.  We could kinda see a cheek.  Oh! But this time she had hair! Hopefully she’ll be born with it!!

Per usual, she was a wiggly thing, movin’ and kickin’… just bein’ a busy body.  I love when the ultrasound techs comment on her activity (she’s really active!)…. Trust me! I know!  But of course, that is just a good sign that she’s a healthy baby.  Today’s tech said that babygirl got all her points right away.  She was very cooperative and the appointment didn’t last quite as long as I thought it would.

I wasn’t given a percentile today, but her heartrate was 150 and her measurements put her at 4lbs 2oz.  No wonder I feel more tired and my mobility is … hampered.  That’s a lot o’ baby!  Yet, I haven’t gained very much.  3 pounds over pre-pregnancy weight, max, so far.  (But since I started out a bigger girl, this is healthy)

When Brian and I were in the waiting area, I commented on seeing a 5th doctor’s name on the listing.  I swore there were only 4 before.  I’d met 4 different ones thus far.  I joked about having yet a different one today and whaddya know? We met with Dr. #5 to review the ultrasound and BPP.

He said she looked like a happy baby, which was great to hear.  I didn’t mind today’s doctor too much.  He had a decent sense of humor.  He did ask about my blood sugar levels and how much insulin I’m on.  But he didn’t say too much about it, just that things looked good and confirmed that I’ll be monitored twice weekly from here on out.

Oh, and I even let an ultrasound student practice on me… got to see babygirl just a bit longer that way!

And now to close out with something complete random… I like the smell of the goo they put on my belly for the ultrasound.  It has such a… baby product smell.  In fact, it reminds me of Baby Soft – a body spray scent I used to like when I was younger.  I don’t really know how to describe it.  It doesn’t smell like powder or wipes.. but it smells babyish.

I can’t wait til she gets here.

All the superduper extra monitoring is about to start.

Just for a bit o’ background info so you don’t have to try and dig through past posts: I’m 28.5 weeks now and was diagnosed with GD at 15 weeks.  They suspect possible Type 2 (T2) that was undiagnosed (but I honestly don’t think that’s the case due to previous testing I’d had done pre-pg.. although I was “borderline” for a period of time.  First A1C (blood test that shows average blood sugar level for past 90 days) came back normal (5.5))

Thursday I had my A1C drawn again to make sure things look good although I keep being told my blood sugar (BS) levels are looking good and I’m controlling it well (on insulin).  Had growth ultrasound on Thursday as well.  Babygirl is weighing 2lbs 15oz and is in the 64th percentile – so looking good there too.  Late in the afternoon on Friday, I received the results for my latest A1C… 5.2!! Lower than it was last time and I was told this was excellent.

Unfortunately, my blood pressure was high on Thursday and it hasn’t been before.  Had bloodwork drawn to see if it’s pre-eclampsia.
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Last weekend we had our childbirth class.  It was a couple hours long on Friday night and then about 3ish more hours on Saturday morning.  I kinda liked it that way rather than going for an hour or two once a week for 6 weeks… that’s just too much.

The class was held at the hospital I’m going to be delivering at and run by a pediatric nurse who has 2 children that she delivered there.  As a sidenote, I thought it was great that one of her labors ended up needing to use an epidural while the other was all natural.  It felt like she had a great handle on the information she was sharing.

There were a few things I noticed while in class… every woman really carries differently and it is difficult to tell how far along they are.  We did introductions which included how far along we were.  I was one of the “earliest.”  I was a little surprised by a couple people with how far they were… I wouldn’t want to wait until after 32 weeks to take a childbirth class!

I also must just be having a very hot pregnancy.  I was the only one that didn’t bring along a hoodie or long sleeve shirt.  All of them ended up wearing them at one point or another (or wrapped up in their throw blanket).  I was never cold in either of the rooms we were in for class!

I also felt like the most emotional one in the class.  Sure, I couldn’t see everyone’s face at all times or exam their eyes… but just the very fact that we were in class got me a little misty as it started.  Babygirl’s arrival is getting closer and there was something so real and final about childbirth class.  Also, I wasn’t sickened by the birth videos.  Instead, I was fighting back tears – I was very touched by the moment of birth and baby being placed on Mom’s chest.  Goodness, I’m getting a little watery just thinking about getting to experience that first introduction to our baby!

I’ve also decided that childbirth is the most disgustingly beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.  
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