So much for an April baby

Dexter still hasn't dropped down and I am still only a couple cm dilated at today's checkup. I have another appointment for next Monday, May 4th. If he hasn't come by then we need to decide if I want to wait it out, have a medical induction or have a planned C-section. There are a lot of pros and cons to each decision so I guess that's what I can think about on my endless walks over the next few days. I dont know, I am pretty bummed that I will still be pregnant for another week or so most likely. I have felt all along that I would end up with a c-section and that Dexter would be a big baby so it might end up being that way. I would miss the whole drama of racing to the hospital in labor and contractions and all that but would also have the mental calmness benefit of knowing exactly when Dex would be born and could go in with less worry.

Oh and I am offically Obese according to Wii Fit - grumble grumble. What a fun day

Last belly picture

Hopefully not too much longer now. Here is me at 39.5 weeks and Heather at 33.5 weeks. I clearly win the largest belly contest!

Doctor visits

Today I had my 39 week checkup. although technically I am 39 weeks tomorrow. Dexter's heart rate is still in the 140s, belly still measures on track. He is still head down, but he hasn't dropped down yet. They did an internal exam - my cervix is nice and soft and I am about 2.5 cm dilated. My next visit is Tuesday morning, the 28th. Hopefully I will continue to progress and start having some regular contractions.

We also saw Dan's ortho doctors today. They removed the quasi-cast on his hand and replaced it with a metal splint and gave him some exercises he can do to prevent his shoulder from getting stiff. He doesn't need to wear the sling if he doesn't want to for his broken clavicle - they basically said do whatever he is comfortable with painwise while it heals naturally over the next 3-6 weeks.

Trip to the ER!

Now, one might think that at 38 weeks 3 days pregnant a trip to the ER would be about me or the baby. But if you know Dan you might think otherwise... Since its finally nice outside and our little world is about to change drastically we decided to go to the motocross park about 1 hour away and let Dan get in one more ride before Dexter arrives. Dan was riding for about 40min when on the face of a jump he accidentally shifted into neutral this meant he had no power to keep the front wheel up and he slammed into the next hill. I happened to be right there taking a picture and saw him fly over the handlebars and getting his legs trapped under the bike when it landed. Dan immediately thought he broke some fingers and dislocated his right shoulder so we packed up the bike with the help of some guys there and drove back to Dayton. When he arrived at the ER his pressure was 74/40 and he looked like he could pass out so they got him on a stretcher right away, by this point he also had left rib pain so they worried about possible internal bleeding. After ultrasounds and CT-Scans, IV Fluids, Blood draws and a tetanus shot it was determined that he had no internal injuries but he did have bruised ribs, a broken right collarbone, a broken right finger and lots of cuts and bruises. They also want him to come back in a few days and have another CT of his facial bones because he might or might not have a small break near his nose/right eye. They would have done it today but they didn't want to give him another dose of IV contrast. He is also following up with orthopedics on Monday or Tuesday.

Seconds before his crashOutside the ER in our makeshift sling

Dan all wrapped up ready to go home

38 weeks

So I am officially full term now! I don't think Dexter will be making his appearance any time soon but nice to know if he did he would be fully mature and ready to go. I am still feeling pretty good and functional despite the crazy swollen body parts. I plan on working up until my due date of the 29th still unless I start going into labor sooner. I am having some contractions but still mostly the non-productive, non-painful braxton-hicks ones. I got a check up today and Dex's heart rate is still in the 140s and I still measure right on schedule. They offered to do an internal exam to see if I am dilated at all - I said sure just because I was curious to see if anything was going on down there. Doc said I was only like a fingertip (1/2 cm) dilated and that they can recheck next week if I like to see if anything changes. My next two appointments are the 21st and 28th. That's it from here, Dan and I are getting excited that Dex will be arriving soon and turning our world upside down. The weather is finally getting nice here in Ohio - hopefully it stays nice for good now!

Barefoot and Pregnant

I always thought the expression "Barefoot and Pregnant" meant you were too poor to afford shoes. I have now come to realize it means your feet are so swollen that you can not fit into your shoes. My feet are pretty swollen, luckily I can still fit into one pair of crocs and pretty much wear those or no shoes during the day now. I have included a nice photo of my large legs for you to laugh at :) I have an appointment next Saturday for a pedicure so my feet look somewhat presentable during labor and delivery.


Today was my 37 week appointment, it lasted about 5 minutes. Only did a heart rate check - still beating in the 140s and measured my abdomen - still right on track for 37 weeks. Next Thursday I have my 38 week appointment, my doctor said he can do an internal exam next week if I wanted to see if I am dilated. Oh also my group B strep test was negative, so I dont need antibiotics during labor.

One year post chemo!

On Wednesday, I received my one-year post chemotherapy CT scan. The technician was kind enough to miss the artery this time with the contrast, which saved me a torturous amount of pain. On Thursday when Ali and went in for some baby appointments, we stopped by the Oncology department and spoke with Cindi, who was kind enough to print the CT report. I meet with Major (Dr.) Perroy on 17-April, but I am hoping our interpretation of the report is correct.

Among other things, the report states "No evidence of lymphadenopathy or other evidence of metastatic disease." Taken with the rest of the report, it appears that so far my internals are stable with respect to cancer, although I apparently have a kidney stone on the way.

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36 week visit

Today was our 36week appointment. It consisted of our final ultrasound, see pictures below. His heart rate was normal, 147. His estimated weight was 7 pounds 4 oz. They guess he will be around 9 pounds at birth. We also met with our doctor. My weight gain (about 32 pounds so far) and belly measurements are good. Did a test for group B strep today. If I am positive for it I will receive antibiotics at delivery so Dexter will be protected from infection. We made up a "birth plan" - general questions like who can be in the room, do I want pain meds/epidural (yes please), does Dan want to cut the cord (he does not), etc. We also went by the L&D wing to get our tour. Its a small hospital and the L&D wing only has 4 birthing rooms. They are large rooms and private rooms which is nice. They keep the baby with you unless the baby needs special treatment. We gave them a list of non-military visitors who may come while I am in the hospital so the gate guard lets them in. (You need ID, car registration and proof of insurance to get on base if your name is on our list). If I have a vaginal birth I will be in the hospital for 48 hours, C-section 72hours. That's about it, I am on weekly appointments now until I go into labor!

Profile view of Dexter (above)

Looking straight at his face and right arm (below)