DH came with me today as he didn't want me to drive myself Thank goodness cos driving is so uncomfy for me

So, the m/w took bloods - the typical ones that should have been done last week, but she's doing extra cos I had protein, glucose & ketones in my urine She isn't too worried being I'm only 3 weeks from EDD. She's testing for a urine infection as well due to my light-headednedd and headaches - and advised me to drink as much as I can and drink cranberry juice as it flushes the peepee system out.

My rash on my bump, she wasn't overly concerned but I've to go back next week instead of in 2 weeks so she can re-check. Blood pressure was fine. My iron count is 114, their cut off point is 106 so she'll get that checked again from today's blood - I pray I don't need to take iron! OMG @ the constipation!!

Baby's heartbeat was perfect, I have a slight temp and my skin is hot to touch but she thinks it's the rash and cold from last week. She didn't seem overly concerned at all. And if anything shows up, the worst case scenario would be induction of labour but I don't think anything will show up though.

Baby is head down, 4/5 engaged. He/she has their back down my right side, looking over to my left with limbs to the left. I knew that though, he/she has been that position since 28 weeks. Good wee soul!! All in, a fab app really. DH got to hear the heartbeat

[Mars]

Ugh to the protein, glucose & ketones in your urine and to the iron results. I hope the tests show nothing but you are full term so baby should be doing great now and ready to come even if by induction.

I'm glad your DH got to go with you. Cheers to baby maintaining a good position! My midife think that my little one has started to move into my pelvis too. She didn't say how much but she said that she's feeling less of the head now or something to that effect.

I know you mentioned that you have to go back in a week instead of 2 for the re-check but I would have thought that you'd be on your weeklies now despite what turned up at this appointment. Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter anyway since you will be going next week.

What do you plan to do now that you'll be home?

I thought I'd be weekly as well despite the fact my notes do actually say 34, 36, 38 and 40 weeks for my appointments.

I thought they'd need to see me weekly but who knows! I go next Fri then not again until my due date should nothing have happened by then.

Mari, when the m/w feels baby's head... does it hurt you? I've noticed the past twice now (34 and 37 weeks), it's really uncomfy when she does that, takes my breath away

Plans for now I'm finished work: Saturday & Sunday I intend to relax. I might do a trip to the supermarket to get the last few things for my hospital bag. I don'tneed much but it needs getting! I need to hire my TENS machine (from the same grocery store - yey for them multi-tasking!).

Monday I have a mega-spring-cleaning planned for my house. We have a LOT of stuff cluttered about from Xmas - I just haven't had energy to do it all, but with DH being off too, he keeps saying next week we'll gut the house together (ok I'll watch, he'll do it all ).

Then I plan to relax and enjoy some "us" time with DH. Hopefully not too much lounging tho, I want to keep active and encourage this little one to come on it's own and not have to be induced!!

[Mars]

Not really. I felt pressure from her trying to feel it but it was more uncomfy for a bit than pain. She usually asks me to take a deep breath in and then she'd press down to feel for the head.

Can you explain what the pain felt like? Maybe the pain you felt is round ligament pain or your pelvis beginning to expand???

BTW: I know we have a lot of the similar practices (perhaps because we were once owned by England) but did you have any internal exams? I haven't had any (unless you count the swab test for Strep B) and my midwife said they don't usually give them prior to you going in to labour or unless your due date has passed. I'm just curious because I know a lot of the ladies here seem to get them often to check for dialation and effacement.

It's a very uncomfy/sore type feeling when she feels baby's head. But it didn't seem to concern the m/w that I grimaced, she just said sorry and went a bit softer. She has me do the same though, deep breath and blow it out as she feels.

And we're the same as you... I asked at my 34wk app when I should expect internals - I like to know when they are Our m/w's don't do them unless you feel labour is started or if you go over the EDD. She said I'd be offered a membrame sweep at my 40 week app but it's optional, and they don't interfere internally before your EDD. I have never had an internal whilst preggy. My last one was my cervical smear about a year or more ago.

The Mari and Fiona thread! I'm glad the baby seems to be in position Fiona. How exciting that you both will pop soon

I hope you don't need the iron Fiona.

[Frozendesire]

I'm glad for an over all good appointment. I hope all the blood work comes back normal. Man, only 3 weeks! hehe

It hurts when the doctor checks for baby's head. When I had the intern do it that was SOOO painful and nothing was down there but he kept digging his hands deeper and deeper, that's when baby was actually butt in hip and head in ribs. But ya, every time they check it's atleast tender if not painful, I grimace.

I am not getting internal checks either with this doctor. With Curtis I did. I don't mind though. I am curious but no biggy. I was offered the membrane sweep too, at 38 weeks though. I don't know if we'll do that though. I like just letting my baby's bake... but we'll see what we decide to do. I really think baby is still flipping back and forth from head down to head up, which kinda worries me...

Have fun getting your last minute things!! I think we are going to get some key things this weekend and then the last minutes things next weekend. (Next week is pay day hehe).

This baby has been so very well behaved - it's been head down since at least my 28 wk appointment. And has always laid with it's back on my right side. I think I'm the envy of pregnant women everywhere! Just hope my delivery is as routine and smooth

[Frozendesire]

Fiona, yes you are lucky!! I think Curtis was flip flopping around like this one too, but not this late in the game!! hehe.

Yes a simple, easy, fast delivery for you!

[Mars]

You are indeed lucky!!

Mine has been head down since 28 weeks too. First with the back to the left side and the at about 30-31 weeks she went into posterior position. I did realise that my u/s scan reports had my placenta listed as anterior and the general rule of thumb is that the baby tends to face the placenta so I guess that's why. I doing my stretches and the all fours thingies because Angela (and my midwife agrees) that gravity can help the spine to turn forward.

Either way, I'm pretty much prepared to go ahead with my natural birth even if the baby remains posterior.

[niknok]

Awwww Fi, you're gonna be a mommy so soon! I hope the blood work comes back fine. And yay for jelly baby being head down and behaving!

[soImarriedAnerd]

You are indeed lucky!!

Mine has been head down since 28 weeks too. First with the back to the left side and the at about 30-31 weeks she went into posterior position. I did realise that my u/s scan reports had my placenta listed as anterior and the general rule of thumb is that the baby tends to face the placenta so I guess that's why. I doing my stretches and the all fours thingies because Angela (and my midwife agrees) that gravity can help the spine to turn forward.

Either way, I'm pretty much prepared to go ahead with my natural birth even if the baby remains posterior.[/b]

We call the posterior births the sunny side up babies! (because they come out face on top instead of face to bottom). Plenty of moma give birth that way naturally so I have high hopes for you!!!!!!! And remember they like to move during labor still also!


Fifi I'm so glad you had a great appointment! Hope the rash goes away fast (oatmeal soap!) and your blood work turns out to be fine! Keep up that good job of sipping water--your really going to need it soon!