Amnio-a-go-go

LONG DAY boys and girls. LONG DAY! I told Damon this was good practice for when I am officially induced. We were there for a long time, however when we finally got to leave, I felt like I had been in some type of time dilation- The day really did go by fairly quickly, considering most of it was spent sitting on my bum watching the fetal monitor...

Last night I had a full-fledged anxiety attack- I guess the totality of things hit hard... The "clinical" path things have taken, the feeling of forcing my child into this world, fear over the amnio, labor and delivery- it all seemed to descend on my head as I was trying to sleep.

Once this was out of my system, and I finally fell asleep, I woke feeling better, and was able to function this morning quite well. I called the insurance company and was finally added- HURRAY!

Now onto the amnio- As always, Dr. Schwartz was running late. We did not get started until nearly an hour after our original appointment was scheduled. Ha- as was expected. Dr. Schwartz did multiple passes with the ultrasound monitor trying to find a "pocket" of fluid to draw from. Options were thin. He found 2 "pockets:" one close to the head but also close to the cord, and one up near her feet that would require going through the placenta. He ended up choosing the one going through the placenta as there is less possibility of damage to the bebe.

He numbed my tummy (it felt a lot like an slightly more intense insulin shot). Then he proceeded to use the ultrasound to find the pocket, and stuck me the first time. Unfortunately the angle was not correct and it took 3 more pokes to get it right (I have 4 little holes in a straight line at the top of my belly). The pain was not intolerable, the worst part was the maneuvering the needle through my placenta- it made a weird "pop" and made me feel a bit sick to my stomach. Thankfully, I was able to use deep breathing to keep myself calm and vomit free.

Damon was able to step in and help the doc with the ultrasound machine- I was SO PROUD!!!

Doc began to suction out 3 tubes of fluid. The first was a sheer opalescent viscous liquid (quite pretty actually), the second and third were blood tinged. And for fun, the baby kicked the needle...

Because of the blood in the fluid, they needed to run some tests... Apparently, if the baby was bleeding, there would be trouble.

So, Damon ran home and got me a pillow, grabbed some lunch, and brought back my overnight bag in case we were in for the long haul. Then we waited, and waited... nearly 4 hours after we started the amnio, we got word everything was fine. Baby's lungs are mature (Hurray) and the blood was "maternal."

Induction has been moved to Thursday night because my doctor's mother is having surgery in St. Louis. (WHAT? Doctors have a life???). At first I was disappointment, but now I am glad to have another day and a half to get myself ready.

Damon and I have set an afternoon date for tomorrow- movie and lunch. I am looking forward to that. And the rest of my time can be spent piddling about the house, lounging on the couch, or finishing last minute menial tasks. Hopefully I will get a walk in there as well- We need to coax this kid farther into the birth canal!

Damon's mood has been quite curious today. After my meltdown last night, and some tears right after arriving at the hospital, I imagine he was nervous I was going to be a wreck. But I pulled myself together and I think he is proud. A couple of times this evening he as popped in to make sure I am ok. Really, I am doing well. I am thankful to be off work, and thankful I am in good hands at the hospital (the nurses love me). Even though this is not the way I envisioned bringing my daughter into the world, I am glad I get the chance to "prepare" for her in a way most women do not.

Sizewise, they think she is probably close to 8 pounds. No surprise to me! I have never been under the delusion that she would be small. Neither Damon or I were under 8 pounds and GS goes hand in hand with big babies.

So, that is where we are- I am tired and about to head off to bed... One of my last full nights of sleep for a while. I plan to snuggle down and enjoy it.