Wow.

Lookey at that.

38 weeks?  Already???

I feel like I was just taking my pregnancy test, and now here I am, on the last few prenatal visits.

Today’s visit was with Dr. Fred - the man doctor who will be delivering my baby.  Well, that is, if he’s working at the time.  Most likely I’ll be delivered by the doctor on call.  Whoever that might be.

But right now, Dr. Fred is in charge.

My appointment today was at 12 noon.  I had been up since 5:30 am, sorting through baby clothes, and finishing a few last small things in the nursery all morning - so by noon I was completely pooped!  Thank goodness my mom goes with me to these appointments.  I probably couldn’t have kept my eyes open if I was by myself!

I arrived at the OB office a few minutes before noon and only had to wait 5 minutes or so (whoohoo!).  An intern was there today (they’re there often) so she took my vitals.  Blood pressure was the same as usual - running a little low - 80 over 52.   Weight was 146. 

Once I was placed in the exam room, the intern also checked the baby’s heartbeat (158 bpm) and told me to undress from the waist down.

It was at that moment that I assumed I was having a pelvic exam.

(Does no one ever think to tell me these things before hand?)

It didn’t take too long for Dr. Fred to appear either.  He also brought good news - my beta strep test was negative!  That means I don’t have to have the antibodies during labor!

Then he measured my belly.  Today I measured at 29 weeks - the highest I’ve ever measured with the “tape over the belly” thing is 34 weeks and it’s consistantly dropped since then.  The ultrasound, which is what they focus on the most for gestational measurement, has always placed me at the correct week I was.  Dr. Ann thinks that because the baby is sooooooo low in me, the belly height (measured manually with a measuring tape stretched over my stomach) is just reading low.  I agree with her.  Dr. Fred didn’t seemed too concerned with it today either.

Then, he pressed the buzzer for the “witness” (female intern) to come in and the pain fun began.

Apparantly, where the baby’s head is makes it harder to reach the cervix.  So, lemmetellyou, it was quite an ouch-filled few moments for me as he was a-probin’ and a-prodin’ up in my nether regions.

Finally though he was through. (Whew).  Then he brought out a little chart to “award points” (goodie!) and explained what it all meant.

I was 2 cm dialated, 70% effaced, soft, and the baby’s station was -1.   Based on the points that gives me, he says I have a very, very good chance - an 80% chance - of going into labor within the next 7 days.  He doesn’t think I’ll make it to my due date (May 6).  He doesn’t even think I’ll make it back to my next OB appointment (next Wednesday). 

That’s fine with me!  I just hope he doesn’t come before Saturday though.  My mom is holding a shower for me with the church ladies this Saturday at 2 pm.  The big joke for the past few weeks has been that he’ll be born Saturday morning.

Kevin says that’s fine because it means he’ll not only get to see his son, but also get to open all the shower gifts instead of me having all the fun.  :) 

Tagged: Dr's Visits

What Next?

• “Beta Strep Test Time” Prenatal Visit #15 (36 Weeks) (Viewed 0 times)
• “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” Pre-natal Visit #10 (31 Weeks) (Viewed 0 times)
• “CBC - Complete Blood Count” Pre-natal Visit #11 (32 Weeks) (Viewed 0 times)

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