Wednesday morning I had my regular OB appointment as well as the first NST (non-stress test) for Peanut. She had a beautiful test and the doctor said that she must be very happy in there. I told him that I’ve definitely noticed she has a mind of her own because lately when I lay on my left side she just pitches a fit and kicks and punches until I go to my back or right side. (David said she must be like me – The Princess and the Pea.) I measured out at 31 weeks so everything seemed to be just fine. The doctor wanted me to come back Thursday morning for a baseline ultrasound to track things over the next eight weeks so we set up that appointment.
As I mentioned recently, Peanut has become very active the past two weeks. I feel her strongly all the time and have really gotten spoiled by it. I have to do kick counts each day and I frequently get all of them after the first meal (lunch) so I don’t even have to bother doing them at supper or breakfast the next day. However, Wednesday she was just not interested. I’m not sure if she was miffed about the NST or what, but she was QUIET. I could feel her move very slightly from time to time, but I did not get my kick counts in for Wednesday/Thursday morning. I know it is normal for babies to have quiet stretches or days, but because I did not get my kick counts in I was supposed to call the doctor.
So I called and told them that I hadn’t gotten my kick counts, feeling rather foolish since she had just had an NST the previous morning. But they told us to come right in so we dropped everything and left. When they tried to strap on the monitor and get a heartbeat she would not cooperate! Every time she’s had her heart rate checked it has always been a piece of cake. I don’t think it’s ever taken more than 5-10 seconds to find her heart rate. Not this time. The nurse ended up having to stay in the room and manually hold the equipment in order to keep a rate on the machine. Thankfully, everything checked out fine.
We then waited around for my ultrasound appointment and had the ultrasound and a biophysical exam. She passed the exam just fine. However, I think she was still miffed because she would NOT give us a good profile shot. This is our third ultrasound and I keep thinking that one of these days we’re going to get a good shot to share here, but she will not cooperate. We did find out that she has hair and that she’s still a she. (Whew!)
We also found out that she is measuring 34w 3d when I am only 31w 3d. The doctor said that pretty much settles the question about the c-section. She’s currently in the 88th percentile so she won’t be a small baby. (David said we should have nicknamed her Pumpkin instead of Peanut.) So unless I go into labor like today, she won’t be coming naturally.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed at all. Of course, I am curious to go through a normal labor and delivery. I’m especially curious about the pain after my orthopedic specialist told me he’s had many women tell him they would rather go through labor than a herniated disk again. In a way I was curious to compare the pain levels (up until my epidural!). But that’s just not the way God designed my body, I guess.
David did mention after the appointment yesterday while we were having lunch that if we lived in a different age and place, he would probably lose both me and the baby during the delivery. Kind of a sobering thought. And humbling to be so blessed to live in this day and age. We can complain all we want about living with all of the modern and post-modern ills and woes, but we have some incredible benefits living during this time as well.
So that sums up our past two days. I’ll admit it has been a bit of an up and down time. On the way to the doctor yesterday I thought about whether Peanut might be in distress, whether she might have a problem with her cord, etc. All the stuff that a mom-to-be can wonder about. We’re thankful that everything checked out fine. She seems to be back to her normal self now. She’s been super active while I’ve been sitting here typing this and even woke me up in the middle of the night, pitching another fit because I had the audacity to be on my left side! I don’t mind. I’m glad she’s strong and healthy enough to wake me up. 🙂
So glad to hear that everything worked out. I have been through my share of NST’s!
I’m glad things worked out too. It doesn’t take long as a mother to go to happy, contented pride to abject worry and fear, does it?
My ds didn’t like me to lay on my left side, or when I did he would turn his back to the left and I ended up noticably larger on the left than on the right. Your case might have to do with the position of Peanut’s placenta. I don’t know if you could see it in the U/S, but that is something to ask about next time while you’re trying to get that profile shot.
Sorry to hear about the end of possibility for natural labor. I do agree about being thankful to live in this day and place. Of course things are meant to work in a certain way, but this isn’t the Garden of Eden anymore, so I’m very grateful to have hospitals to help us make it through!