35 Week Update

Well, it has been another busy few weeks!! Let's see-where should I start.... On Sunday (8/24), I had my baby shower at work. A big THANK YOU to my NICU family for all of the wonderful gifts for Tristan!

the cake

a few of the wonderful gifts

The next morning, I had my first non-stress test (NST) at the doctor's office. They strap you to a monitor and measure the baby's heart rate, movements, and if you are having any contractions. Tristan's heart rate was fine and he was very active. The doctor said that I was having a few mild contractions but that they weren't labor-like. I didn't even feel them! Then the next day, I had to go back to the doctor because I woke up early that morning with contractions that were about 4 to 6 minutes apart. I gave it a couple of hours, hoping they would stop, but they didn't. When we got to the doctor, they strapped me to the monitor. And of course, I didn't have any contractions while I was on the monitor! The doctor checked me and my cervix had thinned out but I hadn't dilated any. She sent me home and told me to take it easy for the next couple of days. I continued to have contractions off and on for the rest of the day, but nothing regular like that morning. I had another (already scheduled) doctor's appointment on Thursday and they did another NST. I had a few contractions but nothing regular. She told me that as long as I wasn't having anymore problems then to come back the next week for another biophysical profile (ultrasound). I continued to have a few random contractions here and there throughout the weekend, but nothing regular.

35 week belly

Then on Sunday, we had another baby shower. It was a couples shower and Justin even got to open a few gifts! Thank you Liz, Carley, Smitty, Cheri, and everyone else for a wonderful shower and great presents for Tristan. At least Gustav hung out in the Gulf long enough for us to have the shower!

the cupcakes and diaper cake

some of the great presents

I ended up working Sunday and Monday night and then I woke up on Tuesday around 3 pm with contractions. I tried to give it some time to go away, but of course it didn't. They were anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes apart and were painful. I was a little more worried this time because before they had uncomfortable but not painful. I called the doctor and she said to come on in. I ended up having to go to the hospital since the office was about to close. I was worried that Justin and I were going to get stuck sitting in the ER for a while, but when we got there, I was quickly whisked away to L&D. Evidently they don't like babies popping out in the ER! They got me in a room and strapped to the monitor. My contractions were about 4 minutes apart and still a little painful. Tristan's heart rate was fine and he would kick a lot after each contraction-I don't think he liked being squished! They checked me and I still hadn't dilated any, which is good. I ended up getting some IV fluids and then they gave me some Nubian. It is a muscle relaxant that is supposed to help stop the contractions. All I can say is wow, I was out of it after that! Justin said that I was slurring so bad that he couldn't understand what I was saying. But it did the trick. The contractions stopped and after a while we got to go home. I was starving, so we picked up some food on the way home and then I went to bed. Other than having to get up to go to the bathroom, I actually slept pretty good last night-I think the Nubian had something to do with that. I was put on bed rest until my doctor's appointment on Friday, so I guess I will be taking it easy for the next couple days, which is going to be hard because I still have a lot to do to get Tristan's room ready. I've had a few here and there contractions this morning, but hopefully they won't start up again. I'll keep you posted!