B is for boredom and bulbous belly,
E is for ever-enormous ennui.
D is for divot I’ve made on my bed,
R is for rolling of eyes in my head.
E is for effort to find sunny sides,
S is for sonogram where my fluid hides.
T is for time, starting week four,
! is for !!!!!!!! Need I say more?

Quoth the doctor: “Another week of boredom!” She was really upbeat about it.

The thing that makes me shake my head is that a mere two years ago, they would have said, “What the hey, let’s just get that baby out!” I’m the first to admit I would have been all over that, readily agreeing out of worry, fatigue, and the desire to get on with life. But then I read this, which confirms what the doctor told me a couple of weeks ago:

Last Weeks Of Pregnancy Vital to Babies’ Survival

The reality is that the last month of pregnancy is especially vital, not only to the survival of the baby, but also for their long-term health. Babies born between 34-37 weeks of pregnancy are six times more likely to not survive the first week after life than those born at 39 to 40 weeks. Research also shows that scheduling a cesarean at 37 or 38 weeks of pregnancy were more likely to have the following complications:

* hospital stays for five days or longer
* respiratory/breathing complications
* neonatal sepsis (serious infection)
* mechanical ventilation (assistance with breathing)
* hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
* admission to the NICU

The last weeks of pregnancy also have many necessary changes, including fat layers being established, organs preparing for life outside the womb and increases in brain cell development.

Goldenberg suggests that expectant mothers discuss waiting until 39 weeks before scheduling any induction of labor or elective cesarean to avoid possible complications. He also recommends that hospitals establish policies that restrict routine inductions or cesarean without an indicated risk.

Source link here

Beatrix and Archie were 36-weekers because of low fluid. Comparing them to my other babies (born from 39w6d to 41w4d) demonstrates to me how the extra time does make a difference. Beatrix and Archie were small, both weighing 6 pounds. They lost weight, too, so I brought 5.5 pound babies home from the hospital. Both developed reflux. They had problems maintaining their body temperatures and a tougher time with jaundice. They were easily fatigued by nursing.

Archie ended up in the NICU with a collapsed lung.

I guess I am giving myself a pep talk that all this nothing is actually for something.

I go back Thursday AND Friday.

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Aidan is getting a new bed. She’s moving from twin to full. My husband, mom, and all the kids are out shopping for mattresses. I could have made an excellent addition to the team. Imagine my know-how, my expert touch, the manner in which I’ve perfected my approach to all-things loungeable. When this is all over, I am going to parlay my bedrest experience into a thriving consulting business.

Business cards: Matte or glossy?

My bed is really nice. It has a high headboard and a footboard with scrolls and swirls. The wood is dark and handsome. It’s scratch free, blemish free, and it will last for the rest of our lives and beyond. We’ve had it for about 7 years and it’s still one of my favorite pieces of furniture. The mattress is decent, too.

Bedrest rages on. At least I am doing it in style. But don’t look at my hair. Percale is murder on natural curls.

I had another appointment today. The fluid level was exactly the same. Our consistently dependable little Mr. Baby continues to enjoy his breech position, too. I have a giant noggin between my ribs. It’s like having a softball right under my skin.

I also had a non-stress test (NST) which showed the baby to be happy enough for me to stay pregnant. He had good variables on the NST strip, especially after I drank a juicebox.

The hospital where I am delivering has a policy that c-sections cannot be done before 39 weeks without a strong medical indication. It didn’t used to be that way. The OB said that since they put this policy in place, there has been a 30% reduction in the number of babies sent to the special care nursery, which I think speaks for itself. It’s obviously a wise policy. There is no strong medical indication for Mr. Baby to be born right now, so pregnant I must remain until the fluid drops, I go into labor on my own, or he starts looking dodgy during NSTs and BPPs…

…Or until my original scheduled c-section day arrives. That’s the ideal scenario because it means he’ll have the best chance for a healthy, chunky, lungs-developed start.

Apparently, being incredibly lonely, bored, and uncomfortable or worrying about inconveniencing nice people is not a reason to have a baby.

(Note: My mom is still here. This is the longest my parents have been apart in almost 41 42 years.)

I don’t have to wait until Monday for another fluid/happy baby check. They are having me come on Thursday. This eases my worries, too. Prayers are always, always coveted.

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I am back in the rotation at 5 Minutes for Parenting. My first post in ages appeared yesterday. I wrote about the importance of listening to our gut feelings and how that belief is transferred to our kids. Key lime pie is mentioned prominently. Pop over and say hello, if you please.