February 26, 2004 Saw the Dr. today -- The heartrate is 141 and I am 70% effaced and 2 cm dilated. The Dr. said she would be on call this weekend if I needed to go to the hospital! Later I had some definite progression -- lots of cramping! Looks like the baby is ready to go any time now! I asked the Dr. about inducing if I go past my date and she said she didn't think that was going to happen at all. February 19, 2004 We met with Donna, the Nurse Practitioner today, since my Dr. is on vacation -- hold on a few more days, baby! The heartrate is 152 and I am measuring a week ahead (38 wks). I'm full term on Saturday! I'm almost 2 cm dilated, I'm 60% effaced and the baby is still at Station -2. Donna said it could be any time now! February 12, 2004 Well, lots of great news -- I am 1 cm dilated and I snuck a look at what the Doctor was writing in my chart. It looks like I am 50% effaced and the baby is at Station -2 which is 2 stations away from the opening of the birth canal! The baby's heartbeat was 146. I start going to the office once a week now. I jokingly asked the Doctor if she had any way of telling how soon and she smirked and said no but she would see me next week for my appointment. So looks like the baby will bake another week -- HOPEFULLY! I don't want to go into labor too soon! January 29, 2004 And the News is: looks like we are having a natural birth! The fibroid is still there and the same size, but because of the growth of my uterus, it has moved away from my cervix. So no scheduled c-section. I'm not sure how I feel about it right now, I got used to the thought of a c-section, I guess. So now I need to focus on psyching myself for pushing. The ultrasound went well -- we saw our little one again and we have pictures. The weight was 5 lbs 3 oz. -- pretty average for 33-34 weeks. The heartbeat at the ultrasound was 147 and when the doctor took it, it was 163. The Doctor was very happy with the fibroid's move. My next appointment is in 2 weeks. January 15, 2004 Another good visit to the doctor today. The heartbeat is 142 and I am measuring 32 weeks -- right on schedule again. I blame the holidays for the last measurement! We have scheduled another ultrasound in 2 weeks to check the fibroid's position and determine whether to schedule a c-section or not. If we do schedule one, it is not the final decision -- we will check again before the c-section to figure out if it is still necessary. I am getting really excited now! I can't wait to meet my little one! January 7, 2004 Well, I pushed myself a little too far last night while trying to put all our Christmas stuff in order. I had a lot of cramping last night and this morning so I went in to the office. The Nurse Practitioner took a look and everything looks good. Baby's heartbeat still in the 160s and she said I'm growing a good sized baby! The baby is in head down position and is ready to go when the time comes (if he/she decides not to flip a few more times). She also said that the fibroid will probably act up more with my usual activity since my belly is getting bigger and the uterus is taking even more blood supply. December 22, 2003 The baby is doing great! The heartbeat is 162 (not dropping -- is this a girl????) and I am measuring 30 weeks -- about 1.5 weeks ahead of schedule. My Gestational Diabetes test came out very well. Because of my previous complications, I am restricted on travelling now. I can't go too far away from home. :( My next appointment is in 3 weeks. It's getting closer! November 20, 2003 The baby is doing good. The heartbeat is 160 and didn't get the measurement of my belly this time. I have to take the Gestational Diabetes test this week. I will continue to stay on bedrest. My next appointment is in 4 weeks. October 29, 2003 Last week during my ultrasound they found a large fibroid on my uterus -- which is in a position that covers my cervix. I was told at this time that I may be looking at a c-section. Over the weekend, I came to terms with the c-section and am keeping positive that the fibroid may shrink. On Tuesday, I started having cramping that I figured was normal for my body preparing for the weight of my belly and labor. Unfortunately, the cramping became worse throughout the night and was pretty bad yesterday. I went to my dr. office and was told that I was having contractions. The fibroid is putting me at risk for pre-term labor and the contractions could start my cervix dilating. I was sent to the hospital to be placed on a monitor for contractions and another ultrasound. My cervix is not dilating, thankfully. I have been put on bedrest again -- the nurse practitioner is very adamant that I do not do anything but keep my feet up. We are all hoping it is temporary but if the fibroid continues to give me pain and grows, I will be on bedrest a lot longer. The baby is doing well -- a nice strong heartbeat and movement. The fibroid shouldn't bother the baby -- as the baby gets bigger it may hinder movement, but it looks like a c-section will probably be inevitable. I'm hoping to be off bedrest by the holidays AT LEAST, so please think positive thoughts! Patrick has been wonderful thoughout this and I hope he will get some rest from it all soon! October 23, 2003 I am halfway through! I had my ultrasound today! The baby measured 20 weeks 1 day (4 days earlier than my due date), and is 12 ounces. They gave us a ton of pictures. One of them is of the feet and if you look closely you can see the little toes! So cute. Another one is of the baby trying to suck it's thumb. I have a bit of an issue, though. Nothing that will harm the baby thankfully. I have a fibroid on my cervix and it may block dilation. I might have to have a c-section. They will do another ultrasound closer to the end to see how it has progressed. My next appointment is in 4 weeks.