Baby Update 4.21.11

I went to my OB for a “check-up” while my fetal specialist is on vacation.  I wasn’t expecting another ultrasound (since we had one Monday too), but alas, another one. 

With Emerson, I loved ultrasounds because they were far and few between.  BUT this time, I am kind of over it.  It’s nice to see that “Bobby” is still breathing, moving, etc. but it’s starting to hurt laying on my back for so long and all the pushing of that ultrasound wand on my belly. 

Since I thought it would be a quickie appointment, Phillip didn’t go with me.  But I didn’t feel like driving, so I asked my mother to go.  This was the first ultrasound appointment that she was able to go to…And I think it was good for her to see the baby in motion and the ultrasound tech was able to show her the VSD (hole in the heart).  It’s a lot easier to see on the ultrasound screen rather than those tiny pictures they give you. 

There really isn’t much to update, but confirming I am the same since Monday…Baby is doing fine, I am still having contractions, and I need to remain on bed rest for now.  Of the few I have told all of this to, the main concern / question is the confusion on the reason for bed rest.  This whole blog is to answer those questions (and to keep up with our life).  As the doctor explained, the contractions aren’t necessarily an omen of labor…as long as they aren’t painful or really intense over a long period of time.  They just mean that my uterus/body is being stretched to the limits at this point.  The positive results from the Fetal Fibronectin Test basically only mean that I could go into labor in the next 2 weeks…Apparently, a negative result provides a doctor with more information than a positive result does (a negative result meaning that the likelihood of you going into labor is almost impossible).  So, the bed rest is only a precaution to keep stress to a minimum and to prevent the weight of my uterus from putting pressure on my cervix (therefore, encouraging labor). 

The bed rest has helped lower my stress.  It put work on hold and let me focus on just taking it easy.  I have accomplished a few little projects here and there that I can do sitting or laying.  Daytime TV is beyond mind-numbing.  I am hoping that doing almost nothing for a week or so might help me get off of bed rest…But I won’t know that until I return to the doctor next Thursday. 

On a side note, my sweet Toby (mini schnauzer) has been by my side for the past several days.  During the day, he sleeps at my side and always stays close.  It’s making me nervous…I have always heard that dogs have a sixth sense about things.  I am just hoping he thinks I feel bad and wants to be my little buddy.