29.5 week ultrasound

Here he is (again)! He's definitely a lot bigger than last time, but I think his ultrasound pics look very much the same. He measured about 3 lbs. 10 oz. I think it was nap time, so no big performances, but it's always fun to get to see him. Still placenta previa, so the early December birthday is looking much more likely. The doctors still want to monitor my progress, so I have another ultrasound scheduled in 4 weeks. Getting so close now...

28-29 weeks

28 weeks

29 weeks

Well, here we are starting the third trimester. It's been a very busy couple weeks for Nick and I, so nursery progress has been put on temporary hold. Nick was in Paris last week for a work conference.  As exciting as that sounds, I don't think it was much of a vacation-type trip. He was able to spend a little time sightseeing, but it sounds like most of his time was consumed by work obligations. Personally I'd like to complete some of my work obligations in Paris, but generally speaking, graphic designers don't need to travel often. I blame the internets.

While he was away, I had a lot of time to get some work done myself. I took on quite a few freelance projects within the past couple months which could be viewed as perfect timing or really bad timing. The extra cash flow is lovely, but I admit my schedule has been approaching Crazy Town. Nevertheless, I think I've cleared that pile of work (only to be replaced by a new pile). It's just how I operate. I need to practice the word, "no." Kids fix that for you, right?

Baby is still incredibly active these days, and Nick has decided that he's training to become a fighter pilot (due to the comfort level he has with tumbling and flipping). I have two uncles that would be so proud, though I think we're counting some chickens here.

I had a doctor appointment last week and my next ultrasound is this week. The doctor's appointment was just routine. I had a lot of questions about the possibility of a c-section, and also wanted to broach the subject of my scoliosis. Since my original intention was always to have a natural birth (if possible), I hadn't really considered the complications with receiving an epidural. I always knew this could be a complicated process, but hadn't really done the research just yet. It's too early to speak definitively, but I've learned I may have to prepare myself for the possibility of general anesthesia for my c-section. This basically means that I'd have to be completely out for the birth. General anesthesia also affects the baby much more than the spinal or epidural, which means he will be under the effects of the anesthesia as well when he's born. I'm really bothered by this possibility, but unfortunately it's a situation I can't control. Nick is much more of a "cross that bridge when we get there" guy, but I'm not feeling very patient about this. I'm hoping if I'm a little proactive, I can possibly meet with the anesthesiologist early to find out whether they've dealt with a scoliosis surgery patient, and maybe get my old x-rays for them to review.

In any case, I have my next ultrasound this week to see if I'm still placenta previa. If yes, I may have one more check-up ultrasound before the doctors formally diagnose me as a placenta previa c-section candidate.

Whew! So many "ifs" right now, and I'm grateful that in the long run, baby and I are still perfectly healthy. It's really just the disappointment of possibly missing his first moments and that he'll also be under anesthesia when he's born that really bothers me.

More fuzzy ultrasound pics to come...stay tuned. :)

Ultrasound and Nursery

I'm now finishing my last week of the second trimester (27th week) and gearing up for the big finish. After my ultrasound at 25 weeks, I've been pretty motivated to get this party started (well get everything READY to get this party started). From my earlier 20-week ultrasound, they diagnosed me with placenta previa with a chance it would resolve itself within the next few weeks. As it turns out, that crazy placenta is fairly stubborn and is still covering the cervix. What does that mean? Well, for now it just means I'm not allowed to do much. I've been taking it easy since about 20 weeks, but now that Baby is a bit bigger (he's about 2.5 lbs.), I have to be really careful about my daily activities. I feel really good which makes it hard to take it easy, but the other extreme is bedrest. Um, how about no.

In the long term, placenta previa means a C-section birth. I'm slowly wrapping my head around that idea. I'm actually not really afraid of surgery, or the healing process. It's really more about the fact that it would be scheduled 2-3 weeks before my due date. Let me tell you, the difference between a December 30th baby and a December 12th-ish baby is huge when you haven't done much to get anything ready. Cripes! That's right around the corner! So, I've begun the nesting process. I don't feel like I'm really "nesting" in that sweet mom sense I've seen on tv. It feels more like "get $h!t done mode." (Sorry for the necessary profanity, Mom).

Aside from that, things are going well. All reports of baby health are great, and placenta previa poses no harm to the baby. The C-section is not a done deal just yet. I have another ultrasound in a couple weeks to see if it corrects itself. I'm not really feeling like that's probable at this point, but it is a possibility. In any case, Nick is excited about that tax break looking like a done deal for this year. :)

The main highlights of progress are:

1) Getting registered. We registered online, located here. Registering is a huge undertaking of overwhelming possibilities, and I'm glad we can check it off the to-do list.

2) Acquiring a few key components for the nursery. Nick put together a dresser this weekend, we have a crib, and I sorted all of the clothes and various items we've received so far into various age-appropriate totes. I doubt I'll be able to keep up this level of organization, but it can't hurt to start out that way.

3) Choosing a daycare. It ended up being the first one we visited, but I think we both feel good about it.

I'll have a few more photos to post in a few days. Thanks for reading!