this benson is stubborn

So Tuesday morning 8:45 I went in for my 38 week appointment.  Starting there it became a very crazy day.  First off my blood pressure was high.  I went to the little room and waited for the midwife.  While waiting the nurse checked my blood pressure again and it was still high.  The midwife finally came in and we listened to the heart beat of Kaysleigh and everything sounded great.  The midwife felt for the head and decided she must be really low because she couldn't really feel the head.  We talked about my blood pressure and since I'd also been having some headaches they decided to send me to labor and delivery to get monitored just to be safe.  The midwife figured I'd be there a few hours then go home.

On the way to the hospitals I told Eric about everything and convinced him not to leave work because I knew he was gonna miss enough work when Kaysleigh comes.  I get to the hospital and it took a little while but finally around 11:30 the nurse got me hooked up to everything to be monitored.  My first blood pressure looked great and so did all the ones after that.  I only wound up having to be monitored for like an hour.  Then I had to wait for the midwife to come in and talk because they were still a little concerned about the headaches.  Finally Jenny the midwife came in and decided to get some blood work done just in case.  She also looked over my records and saw the midwife this morning had actually put head down ?. Jenny said now was as good a time as any to figure out if Kaysleigh really is head down. Jenny felt around a little first and couldn't feel the head down.  She started with the ultrasound and it took a little bit because she was looking for Kaysleigh to be head down.  Once she started looking all over we found her head in my ribs.  I started crying instantly because I knew what that meant. It was so frustrating I went to the hospital for one thing and found out something else.

Jenny talked to me about doing a version where they try to turn the baby.  The doctor that is best at them was actually there in the hospital so she got him to come in.  The doctor decided it would be worth trying. With a version there is a chance of an emergency c section.
So they had to check with anaesthesia to see if they would be comfortable because I had eaten breakfast that morning.  They decided we could do it but had to wait till 3:45.  While I was waiting lots of doctors and nurses came in and out to introduce themselves and explain the procedure.  Eric was also on his way to the hospital.  At one point I could hear the doctors talking in the hallway and apparently my amniotic fluid is on the low side of normal.  While we were waiting I had to get an iv put it in just incase it was needed and some blood drawn.  They also put me back on the fetal monitor for a little bit to watch Kaysleigh's heart beat.  Finally around 4 everyone was ready.  It was pretty intimidating when everyone came in the room.  They had me on the bed tilted back so I was basically upside down and I'm looking up and see the bright light, doctor, 2 students, a nurse, and Eric all staring down at me.  The doctor put a whole tube of the ultrasound goop on my belly and starts pushing.  These were not gentle pushes by any means.  It felt like he was digging around my stomach and then pushing on her butt and head as hard as he could to try and get her to rotate.  There was a lot of pressure and it was really hard to breathe.  It wasn't helping that I was up side down.  I don't know how long he tried but it felt like forever.  We took a few short breaks so I could catch my breath and to check her positioning on the ultrasound.  In the end it wound up not working and was very awful.  I got put back on the fetal monitor to make sure Kaysleigh handled everything OK and was given sometime to calm down before the nurse came back in to talk about the c section.

Jenny was caught up in an emergency so she wasn't able to come back and talk to me but the nurse came in and she was great.  They scheduled a c section for Monday morning.  We talked about options to make the c section more family friendly.  As long as Kaysleigh is healthy she can be put on my chest right after she is born and kept with me while they finish closing me up and everything.  She shouldn't have to be seperated from me and Eric. We left the hospital not with news I was hoping for but feeling OK with it.

Yesterday morning I got a call from jenny apologizing that she wasn't able to come talk to me again.  I thought that was very nice but I understood that there where other patients that needed her as well.  Jenny wanted me to come in today Thursday to check my blood pressure just to make sure.  She also scheduled me for an ultrasound to get a measurement on Kaysleigh.  They think she might be very small.
 If it turns out that she is in the bottom 10% the c section will be done Friday.

This has been a very stressful last few days and at this point I'm ready for it to be over.  I just want to hold Kaysleigh hear her cry and know that everything is OK.

36 and 37 weeks

Charley and I 36 weeks

How far along?  36 weeks Kaysleigh is the size of a honeydew

Total weight gain/loss: 30 lbs I was hoping not to go over 30 but I guess that's not going to happen

Maternity clothes? Yes
Best moment this week: Going to one of my best friends weddings in Cincinnati.  It was a long car ride and late nights but I had so much fun.  I'm glad we went even though it probably wasn't the best idea to travel 10 hrs at 36 weeks pregnant.  Everything worked out great.  We got to see my friends who is due 2 days before me and lots of other friends.
Movement: Kaysleigh moves all the time.  They aren't just little kicks anymore.  It's like I can feel her trying to shift her whole body.  Sometimes it gets pretty uncomfortable.

Symptoms: I'm getting a lot of ligament pain. I've been having quite a few contractions.  They aren't strong and are random so I know it isn't labor or anything.

Food cravings: I've actually been craving ice cream. I don't usually eat ice cream it might have something to do with the fact that I'm always hot.

Food aversions: Nothing particular as long as I don't eat to much at once.

Gender: girl

Labor Signs: none I've had some Braxton hicks contractions though

Belly Button in or out? it's pretty much flat

Stretch Marks? I'm starting to get some on my sides. I was doing good for so long.

Wedding Ring? off  :( unless I'm inside in the ac.  I try to wear it if we go out somewhere.

What I miss: Sleeping good at night. Even if I get comfortable I always have to get up to pee.

What I am looking forward to: Finishing up are birth classes. The last one is a week before my due date. Hopefully we make it.

Milestones: Kaysleigh's liver and kidneys are in working order

How far along?  37 weeks Kaysleigh is the size of a wintermelon

Total weight gain/loss: 27 lbs Somehow I lost weight not sure how that happened.  

Maternity clothes? Yes
Best moment this week:
Movement: Kaysleigh moves all the time.  They aren't just little kicks anymore.  It's like I can feel her trying to shift her whole body.  Sometimes it gets pretty uncomfortable. She is still kicking my ribs a lot.

Symptoms: I've been getting a lot of pains in my hips.

Food cravings: nothing really this week

Food aversions: Nothing particular as long as I don't eat to much at once.

Gender: girl

Labor Signs: none I've had some Braxton hicks contractions though

Belly Button in or out? it's pretty much flat

Stretch Marks? On my sides but I haven't seen any new ones.

Wedding Ring? off  :( unless I'm inside in the ac.  I try to wear it if we go out somewhere.

What I miss: Sleeping at night. I just can't seem to sleep anymore. I toss and turn all night.

What I am looking forward to: Of course getting to hold Kaysleigh! Finishing up are birth classes. The last one is a week before my due date. Hopefully we make it.

Milestones: Kaysleigh's full term