Thursday, July 3, 2008

His Head Is Where?

Today was my (almost) 32 week check up. Once you switch to biweekly appointments at my clinic, you start seeing the nurse practitioner for every other one. I had heard from a few other friends that she was a bit of a meanie when it came to weight gain, so I was a bit nervous about that. For the most part, the appointment went really well. She was a lot nicer than I was expecting and didn't say anything about my weight gain.

The stats:

Blood pressure was good: 114/68. The bottom number up a bit from last time, but not enough to be concerned.

Weight gain: 2 lbs up from last time for a total of 25 pounds at 32 weeks. I am pleased with that.

Iron levels: Got my blood taken and expect to hear back on Monday with the results.

Swelling: Moderate in my lower legs and feet, but nothing alarming.

Bad news? Well, there is no bad news, but as she was measuring me and feeling around, she definitely felt his head and Little Man is breech. He still has a couple of weeks to "settle in" to position, but we'll probably get an ultrasound down at 35 weeks to see what's up, unless he has obviously moved head down. She mentioned that my OB is a fan of external cephalic versions, which I am not so excited about, so everybody keep fingers crossed that he turns on his own.

Second piece of interesting information is that she could feel my uterus contracting during the exam. I had been feeling these contractions but figured they were Braxton Hicks and didn't worry about them. Last night, I had a couple of sharper pains, but there weren't four an hour (my OB's threshold for calling in), so again, I wasn't concerned. Well, she said that I should be counting all of my contractions, even the not-so-painful ones and that I need to call in should they continue. She recommended trying to rest for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon, and there is just no way that I can really do that during the work week.

So, hopefully, no more contractions and Baby Boy will move head down. All in all, a good appointment, and can you even believe? Almost 32 weeks!

8 comments:

Kim said...

I love when OB's tell you to relax/rest/take it easy.. um ya, let me just tell real life that - ya know? 'Cuz in real life, you can't just take NAPS and lay around and do NOTHING. I think they say it just because they have to. My OB is the queen of saying 'just let me know if it gets worse', and then it does and I do and I get told 'yeah.. I know, sweetie, it sucks'. Um... okay.

Anyway, I'm glad that you had a non-eventful appointment and I hope your bean gets the hint and turns!!

AwkwardMoments said...

yes please rest and relax at 32 weeks of pregnancy - because every position at that stage is OH SO comfortable!

Hang in there - there is plenty of time for handsome baby to move into the "ready" position. I am praying for that for you

Cibele said...

Nice to hear that everything is going well. I hope that your baby boy turns, my baby never did so I had to have a C-section. I was going to try to turn her by my water broke the day before at 36 weeks. Rest as much as you can and be aware of your contractions. Because my baby was breech I was having many of them and did not know that they were contractions and I think I over did and end up on bed rest at 34 weeks. TAKE CARE. Soon you will meet your baby boy and that is very exciting!

Jen said...

I can't hardly believe it. Wasn't it just Christmas and you were just getting the good news??? Two more months and he'll be here!

Tracy said...

It's so funny how different OBs are, even within my own practice. If I kept track of all of my contractions, oh my! And my OBs just ask, "any contractions?" I say yes, but not bad, to which they just nod.

Well, rest when you can, but I suppose you're doing that anyway, right?

K @ ourboxofrain said...

I'm glad bp and weight were good and that the nurse practitioner was nicer than expected. I hope the contractions settle down!!!

As for the breach issue, he still has a while to turn, especially since they won't normally do a version before 36/37 weeks given the risk that it will bring on labor. Even if he doesn't turn on his own, there are lots of things you can try in addition to (ideally before) the version -- acupuncture is supposedly quite effective, and two friends of mine have tried the Webster Technique with a chiropractor (one successful, one not). Check out www.spinningbabies.com -- I believe they have some suggestions too. Good luck!

Amy said...

Oh snap! Well, I have a couple friend who has sucessful versions so worst case it won't be too bad..I pray he flips! And worst/best case is you don't have to blow out the vajayjay! LOL! LOVE YOU!

missing_one said...

My first was breech up until 36 weeks. I did the downward dog position every night/morning on the ball and finally he turned.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!