Friday, July 24, 2009

Hanging in there...

Well, after making us all think that he was going to be coming out early, this baby has decided to just hang in there a bit longer. We had a doctor's appointment today, which neither we nor the doctor thought we would make as we figured he would be out by now. With every doctor's appointment now they attach these monitors to my belly and one measures the baby's heartrate and the other measures foetal movement. I had a Braxton-Hicks contraction while they were busy today and the sister thought I was in labour but then the doctor checked and said everything was still closed up tight! Cervix still long and no signs of dilation. So we made an appointment for next week and I am back home again. Baby had a bit of a growth spurt in the last 2 weeks and now weighs about 3.2kg.

I suppose I should really be enjoying this enforced rest. I can read to my heart's delight and eat what I like and get Gathry to do all the shopping, fetching to and from school, cooking etc. It would be so much better if I weren't so darn uncomfortable. But this is never going to happen again so I suppose I should really make the most of it and stop wishing the little fella would arrive.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Moving on

Well, it has taken me long enough to get my new blog going. As with Kendra's World I cannot promise regular updates but I will try my best. As mentioned there, I have decided that Kendra's World was just that, her world. I have said all I can say on the topic of grieving for a lost child, well no, there is still a lot more, but that chapter of my life, although it will never be over or closed, is suspended. It is time to move on and celebrate new and existing life. I never really felt comfortable talking about the rest of the family on a blog that was created to keep people up to date with Kendra's progress. I will still update that blog now and again but for the most part, I will be using this one.

So, on to current happenings. Branston is in PE visiting his grandparents and cousins and is very reluctant to return home. He is having a lot of fun over there and, although he is probably missing pizza and takeaways, is enjoying being able to play with his cousins and on his Wii and lots of late nights.

When we sent him, we really thought that he would be coming home to his new baby brother but this baby is really hanging in there, despite what we all thought a couple of weeks ago. At the doctor's appointment on 1 July she informed us that the placenta was showing signs of calcifying, which usually means that the baby is getting ready for delivery. Because of that and the fact that the amniotic fluid had reduced and my history of early delivery, she decided to give me steroid shots to get baby's lungs ready just in case. Well, those steroids gave me a few sleepless nights and seem to have made baby's kicks really powerful but he has decided to stay where he is for now. I spent a frantic week trying to get my work up to date so that everything could continue smoothly once I go off.

Well, I had another appointment on Tuesday, which we did not think we would make, thinking baby would be out already. And everything is looking good. Baby's heartrate was a little bit fast, but when I went back yesterday to check again it was all fine. His weight has stabilised which is another indication that he is getting ready to come out. He now weighs about 2.8kg(6 pounds). I am 35 1/2 weeks along and this weight is about right for where I am now.

I think I am ready, we have the pram and carseat as well as loads of wonderful things which I received at my babyshower and since then. I consider myself really lucky to have so many friends who could help me set up again. The prices of baby things nowadays is really scary. Mentally, of course, I am terrified, mainly because I know what is waiting for me. There is a part of me that really wants this baby out now - the part that is uncomfortable and aching all over - but another part that says he must stay where he is for a bit longer.

So, here I am, sitting at home, waiting it out, resting as ordered. Anybody want to pop around for a cuppa? The hospital is only 5 minutes away, so I promise you won't have to deliver the baby!!