37 Weeks!!

It’s finally June and almost time for our little Junebug to arrive!  

I am tentatively scheduled to be induced on 6/19 (one day before my due date).  This could change obviously.  The baby could decide to come early or my platelet issue could change the date.  But it looks like we will have a baby on or before that date!

Please excuse the awful attire - comfort is key these days!

I get on Baby Center and The Bump a lot these days and there is A LOT discussion about inductions.  People seem to have strong feelings for or against doing them.  I don’t have strong feels one way or another to be honest.   A lot of women are adamant that they do not want to be induced and would rather things happen naturally.   Natural Birth with little to no intervention is a big thing right now.  No induction, no Pitocin, no, IV’s, no fetal monitoring, nothing.  I cannot say that I completely agree with those opinions.  In a perfect world, I guess a baby would come quickly with no need of any interventions or medications and zero complications.  But the world is not perfect and we cannot predict what may happen.  I would rather err on the side of caution when it comes to my children.  IV placement allows for the doctors to quickly and effectively get medicine to me and my baby if needed.  Fetal monitoring helps the doctors and nurses keep an eye on how the baby is handling everything.   I was induced with Evie and overall, it was a good experience.  I like the planning aspect of inductions.  My parents could rearrange their work schedules and knew when to come to town.  My doctor was able to deliver the baby.  I was able to tell my work exactly when my last day before maternity leave would be.  In my case, inducing meant that I was definitely able to have an epidural, something I wanted.  This time around, all of these things still apply.  The one difference this time around is the my platelets are already too low for an epidural.  Steroids seem to be helping, but if my platelet counts are not high enough for an epidural, I would rather not be induced unless it is absolutely, medically necessary.  I’m already slightly freaked out about the fact that I may have to go without pain meds – I’d rather not intensify the process, as the drugs of inductions are known to do.  That said, if it is in the best interest of the baby to be induced early, I won’t argue. 

I had an appt. with a hematologist last week, in addition to my regularly scheduled doctor’s appt.   I was hoping for a little more insight into thrombocytopenia from the hematologist, but I really didn’t learn anything that I didn’t already know.  The doctor told me that I either have gestational thrombocytopenia (only during pregnancy) or something called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP, a more chronic form of the condition.  I wondered why she thought it might be the more chronic, considering I’ve never been told that I have low platelets outside of pregnancy.  I was told that it was because my platelet count dipped below 70.  With gestational thrombocytopenia, they expect the platelets to stay above 70, but ITP can go much lower and cause bleeding issues.  I’m not a doctor, but I don’t think that I have the more chronic form.  I’ve never had bleeding issues.  I think my platelets just got low with this pregnancy.  They went right back up once Evie was born and I have no reason to think that the same thing won’t happen this time. Talking to my OB put my mind at ease somewhat as well.  The steroids seem to be helping and she is not concerned right now about any bleeding complications during childbirth.  We talked about the possibility of IV steroids if necessary and I’ll be having my blood drawn weekly to monitor my platelet counts until the baby is born.  The baby’s blood should also be tested at birth to check his/her platelet counts.  There is a small possibility that my low platelets could be passed on to the baby in utero, so they should test to make sure.  During my appt. on Friday, I also had a NST (non-stress test).  My normally active baby had been very, very quiet on Friday which worried me a little.  I figured it was because I spent the day running around like a crazy person and maybe hadn’t notice any movements, but since I was at the doctor anyway, I mentioned it to her and she hooked me up to some monitors to check on the baby.  My stubborn child’s heartbeat sounded great…but she/he refused to move the whole time I sat there.  My doctor sent me home with directions to eat a good dinner and then do some kick counts that evening.  I joked with her that the baby would probably decide to practice some soccer skills right when I decided to go to bed and, and sure enough, that’s what happened!  The little stinker waited until 10:00 at night and then woke up and kicked like crazy!  

 

Popsicle time!

As for Evie, she's loving summer so far.  We got her a new swimming pool and it’s all she can talk about now.  We got it at Toy R Us over the weekend and Evie told the cashier “thank you so much!” at least a dozen times.  She also yelled “I’ll miss you so much” as we were leaving, which made everyone laugh.  All she wants to do is put on her swimming suit and go in her pool.  I sat next to the pool in a chair and put my feet in and it felt great!! Evie entertained herself for a while splashing, spraying things with her spray bottle, and ‘painting’ my legs with her paint brushes.  We had fun!!

Water Baby!

This pic was too funny not post.  This is what happens when you don't use a swim diaper.  Evie was not a happy camper!