week 33

so i actually drafted this a few days ago, but never posted it.  since it was started, i ended up at the hospital for a non-stress test and a fetal fibronectin test. i've been having a lot of BH contractions lately, and on wednesday they culminated in a self-imposed bed rest for the cramping to go away.  so yesterday i decided to see the OB on call at my clinic, and he sent me to the hospital. after an hour of monitoring, i had several contractions but they were all very mild, and the baby was looking good.  just as a precaution, the fetal test would determine if i could be going into labour in the next week or two.  a positive test result at 33 weeks would mean further observation and possible injections to help ensure baby's lungs are fully developed in case i ended up delivering early.  a negative test result meant no further action would be required and i would see my OB next week for further monitoring.

fortunately within a couple hours i heard from the hospital, and they had my official diagnosis...irritable uterus.  so now i just have to deal with these annoying "contractions" that hit me throughout the day - sitting, standing, walking - there isn't anything i can do to stop them...i just have to switch from whatever i'm doing to something else.  another problem is that i could be dehydrated, so now i have to drink more fluids...which is not fun considering i pee every 45-60 minutes already. there are other possible causes of irritable uterus but nothing definitive.

so for now, it's business as usual, but if the "contractions" become more painful, or other symptoms develop, i have to go back to the hospital...but at least next week my regular OB will be back from vacation, and will be keeping an eye on me!

anyways, below is my original post for week 33 :-)

i'm getting close.  that's what i keep telling myself.  assuming all goes according to plan, i have just over 5 weeks until baby lok arrives.  between now and then i have a checklist of things to do:

• coordinate 2 closets with storage options (almost done!)
• consolidate (i.e. toss) some of gabe's toys (done!)
• buy a changing table (since this post was drafted, we bought our table)
• sort and wash cloth diapers, clothes, and toys in prep for baby's arrival (clothes are ready!)
• i've already inherited a bouncy chair and bumbo seat - VERY excited about this!
• swap ikea poang chair for glider and ottoman
• buy a fish (baby's present to gabe)
• christmas shopping - UGH!!
• 1 more ultrasound
• 2 more blood tests
• get a steroid injection for my trigger finger (i was waffling over this one, but the pain is pretty constant now and i can't close my hand to grip a pen)
• and my hospital bag is packed!

my ultimate goal is to have everything ready by end of november (except for the fish) so by the time i'm in my last few weeks, i can stay relatively calm and relaxed.  easier said than done, when every single activity triggers BH contractions or the baby shifts position and really pushes out on my belly :P

i've also signed gabe up for more swimming lessons, which will end right before baby arrives.  we worked really hard and he passed sea turtle, so at least for sea otter i can watch from the sidelines.  i'm not sure how well he'll do on his own, but we've got some momentum right now and we're thinking positively.  if all else fails, we'll take a break and try again in the spring/summer.  in an effort to maintain my sanity in the new year, gabe's got ski lessons and floor hockey to keep him busy for 9 weeks :-)  lots of father-son bonding time!

with both pregnancies, i feel like they're never-ending, but as i'm approaching the home-stretch, it's hard to believe we'll be a family of 4 in a few weeks.