36 week appointment

Today we were scheduled for our 36 week appointment. We are actually only 35 weeks and 5 days, but my Dr. is only working today and only a half day, so she was only seeing prenatal patients. Then she isn't working again until around New Year's Eve (when we go again for our 37 week appt. ) However when I got to the parking lot, my cell phone rang and it was the Dr.'s office. They said she had just left for the hospital. She had 3 ladies in labor and they needed to reschedule or I could see a different Dr.

Well being 36 weeks and wanting to get "checked" for the first time as well as get the Strep B thing out of the way, I agreed to see a different Dr. My 11am appt turned into a 1220 appt. The most waiting I had to do yet. We got called back to the room and they made it seem like the other Dr. wouldn't be doing any checking or the test. I was disappointed. But as we waited longer, the nurse came in again and said "Good news, Dr. Dutta is on her way back from the hospital." So, I was given my sheet and I prepared for the appt.

So here are the normal basic stats:
Weight: 208.6 lb
BloodPressure: 112/70
Baby's heartrate: 156bpm
Tummy measurement: 37 cm (measuring ahead again.)

New and EXCITING stats:
2cm dilated
50% effaced
Baby is still head down

What? I was totally expecting to be 0cm dilated and closed up like Fort Knox. However, I must remind myself you can stay at 2cms for WEEKS so it doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it was pleasant news that my body is ready to prepare for labor as we face the weeks ahead.

We did discuss how my fingers are very swollen today, but everything is okay as long as my blood pressure is in check. We also discussed with her some of our "birthing" plan ideas and got her opinion on a few things like the tub, birthing ball, etc. We talked about Pitosin and epidurals. I want to try to go as long as possible without the epidural but I am keeping things very open.

Clay isn't as excited about our progress because he thinks the baby should stay in there until Jan 20 to make sure it's "done cooking" and completely healthy. I keep telling him that the baby will come when the baby is ready to come and things will be fine.

We have class tonight and tomorrow so we are busy this week. With Christmas at the end of the week, next week and our 37 week appointment will be here soon. We take our 36 week pictures this Wed so stay tuned for those too ;o)