Not So Typically After All…

Well, my prediction yesterday was a little bit off; yesterday’s doctor’s appointment wasn’t as typical and in-and-out as I thought it would be. For starters, I *still* haven’t gained any weight. I know I shouldn’t be complaining about this, but I am already 4 months. I feel like I should have gained *something* *anything* by this point. I just want the baby to be getting all the nutrition and growth he needs. The doctor didn’t comment on my lack of weight gain so I guess I shouldn’t start to worry about it just yet.

I also found out yesterday that I will be going to *a lot* more doctor appointments. One of my blood tests came back abnormal. The results are nothing to panic about; the doctor’s just need to monitor me a little bit more closely. Apparently, one of my hormone levels is very low and this puts me at risk for pre-term labor.

So now I need to go to the doctor every other week to get my cervix measured and make sure that I am not dilating. I’m sure that procedure will be tons of fun. Then I also have to get monthly ultrasounds to make sure the baby isn’t sitting too low (i.e. trying to get out) and to make sure he is developing normal. I am looking forward to the monthly ultrasounds; they are the best! Plus, I still have to go to my monthly pre-natal exams. So in one month I will have 4 doctors’ appointments. Yikes! At least I work for a company that is understanding and supportive of all these crazy doctor appointments.

I don’t want to get panicked over this little revelation. I know that the doctors are just being overly precautious. And that’s a good thing, because it is better to be safe than sorry. I now need to pay extra close attention to my body. Any cramping, bleeding or contractions and I need to get myself to the doctor, or if severe, the hospital immediately.

I guess Cayden is just super excited to meet everyone, but he needs to stay in the oven a bit longer so he can be healthy and strong. I don’t think this is a bad thing or anything to get overly worked up about. I plan on being calm and taking everything one day at a time. Pregnancy is full of surprises and if this is the worst news we get I can take it.

My poor parents; they were more shocked and concerned than I was. I was proud of them though for not panicking or freaking out. Plus, once they heard the baby heart’s beating rapidly they were completely filled with joy. He is definitely in there and he definitely sounds like he is thriving.

Since Chad did not make it to the doctor appointment with me I had to explain to him everything that had been explained to me in the doctor’s appointment. It’s hard to remember all the details and get everything right. He kept saying, “Did you ask (fill in the blank)?” And, of course, my answer would be, “no.” I get stage fright when I go to the prenatal visits. I have questions in my head and once I get to the exam room I totally freeze up. I think next time I will take the questions on a piece of paper so that I am forced to ask them. Chad was calm the entire time I was explaining everything and telling him all the appointments I will be going to. He wasn’t panicked or worried. At least he didn’t appear to be panicked or worried. Right now I think his main priority is to be my support system and I love him for that.

Another slight revelation yesterday; Jodi, the nicest FNP ever, said the heartbeat sounded like a girl! The baby’s heart beat was 146 and she says fast heartbeats usually mean girl! Yikes…maybe Cayden will turn into Addison after all. Chad is freaking out about this a little bit. In the end I am going to put more stock in the ultrasound technician who was looking at a picture; rather than the speed of our baby’s heart. It will be quite an adjustment if the baby does turn out to be a girl; just because we are so used to and excited about our little boy. We have our next ultrasound in about two weeks so we will get confirmation then. Whatever happens, boy/girl, I am 100% in love with our baby and can’t wait to hold him/her. But until we get confirmation otherwise I am sticking with Cayden.

So yes, the adventures continue in this exciting process called pregnancy. I can only imagine what lies in store for us over the next few months.