36w1d

• I am now 36w1d pregnant.

• I had an OB appointment at 36w0d.  I am STILL 2cm dilated (no shocker).  My platelets came back at 137k which is a bit lower than the 142 k from about 28 weeks and a bit lower than the normal range of 150 k – 450 k but still over the 100 k required to get an epidural.  So there is not too much of a concern at the moment.  The hospital will check my platelets again once I go into labor.  I am STREP B negative.  So no antibiotics during labor!!  And my TSH came back at 1.6 so I do not have to worry about changing my synthroid dosage until after delivery of baby boy.  The appointment was otherwise uneventful.  I go back next week.

• I got my final P17 injection!!!  (there is a part of me that believes these shots are keeping little boy in my belly)  I had a total of 23 injections over the course of the pregnancy.  I’m so grateful that I was approved, by my insurance company, for the shots.  It brought so much peace of mind.  But my BUTT is so glad they are done!!

• I am now going to the MFM 2x a week for a NST.  And baby boy passed with flying colors.

• Both the nurse at the NST and the OB mentioned that baby boy had a lower than normal (for him) heart rate.  It has always been between 140 bpm – 160 bpm and at the OB appointment it was 122 bpm, at my P17 appointment it was 128 bpm, and during the NST it never got above 141 bpm (and that was an acceleration point).  Anyhow both the OB and nurse mentioned that a lower than “normal” heart rate are signs of (1) running out of room and (2) nearing labor.  I’m going to go with option (1) because while I was worried about preterm labor for so long I now believe baby boy would love to hangout in my belly for another 6 months!!

• I am analyzing every symptom as a possible “symptom of labor” and it is starting to drive me CRAZY.  I am OK with baby boy making his arrival at anytime now.  I know that 37 weeks would be the ideal scenario but I will not lie … I AM DONE!  I am not able to sleep at night.  I am uncomfortable all the time.  The physical limitations are starting to wear on me.  I am carrying a full term baby (estimated at close to 8lbs now).  I have heartburn all the time.  I cannot focus at work.  I cannot get comfortable at work.  The baby has dropped low into my pelvis with basically feels like carrying a bowling ball between my legs at all time.  Any kick feels like a bruise to my ribs.  Is it possible for him to break a rib?  Haha.  

• We still have an eviction date of July 7th.  

Mary