Pregnancy update

Not much new to report... just waiting, waiting, waiting. Had a visit with my OB Monday afternoon. He reports that I'm 1/50/0. That is, I'm 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and at 0 station (look it up). That's progress - I was 50% effaced, but not dilated at all two weeks prior. So that's my status.

As for the baby, he's doing great! I had the ultrasound portion of a Biophysical Profile (BPP) test on Monday, also. This is just an ultrasound where they take measure of 4 things and give him 0-2 points for each: fetal body movements, muscle tone (flexing of the arms and legs), breathing movements (moving his chest muscles and diaphragm), and an adequate amount of amniotic fluid. They've done this a couple of times over the past 6 months, and he ALWAYS scores 8/8 - A+! Of course he does - not only is he my son (heh!), but everything works just fine while he's on the inside.

I've also had the other portion of a BPP twice - the Non Stress Test. He always passes that with flying colors, too. Basically, there are two monitors strapped to my stomach, one measuring the baby's movements and heart rate, the other measuring contractions. Healthy babies respond with an increased heart rate during movement, and the heart rate decreases at rest. The heart rate should also remain steady or increase during contractions. The concept behind a non-stress test is that adequate oxygen is required for fetal activity and heart rate to be within normal ranges. If the heart rate drops during a contraction, it may be a sign that that the baby's oxygen supply is compromised. A good result is a "reactive" result, meaning that the heart rate correlated in the right direction with movement and contractions. Make sense? You can find out a ton more about these tests by good old Googling.

By the way - he's had hiccups while writing that last paragraph. Kind of an annoying feeling, but normal and a sweet reminder that he's there.

So, because of the long weekend, I have two appointments scheduled, one tomorrow (Thursday) and one next Tuesday if I'm still pregnant (that''ll be 40 weeks, 2 days, but who's counting?). The testing is frequent now I guess to make sure he's born in as strong a condition as possible. Tomorrow morning I'll have another BPP, and if all is normal, I won't even need to see the doctor. Tuesday will also be an U/S, then a visit with the OB to get see if I'm progressing towards labor. At that point, he wants to begin discussing the "I" word. Aaaah! I really don't want to be induced. I don't have any numbers or data here, but I have heard that induction can lead to longer labor, stronger contractions (therefore more likelihood of pain management drugs), and higher likelihood of birth by cesarean section. No thanks. SO, I'm hoping he's ready and wants to come within the next week or so. They'll want to induce if he hasn't come naturally by the 41 week mark. BUT as long as the baby and I are still doing well, I'll definitely push to wait until 42 weeks, or at least in that 41st week.

So... I'll write again soon with an update. Let's hope it's with news of labor!