36 Week Appointment
I was really happy I had an appointment today, since I wanted to mention to the doctor that I didn’t think the baby was moving as much as he had been. He isn’t not moving, he just wasn’t as kicky yesterday and after the article on Jezebel about stillbirths I had myself all kinds of freaked out. My midwife was very understanding and checked for a heartbeat right away (totally fine), said my blood pressure was good, and my ankle swelling was within normal range – but I did have some protein in my urine. I don’t know why that’s bad but this is the first time it’s happened. She checked with the doctor and he said I should go up to Labor & Delivery for a non-stress test (NST) just to be on the safe side. I was relieved I wasn’t going to have to throw a fit to be taken seriously but scared that obviously the medical staff was concerned enough to order a test.
Despite having regular pre-natal care, I sort of feel like my doctor has WAY too much faith in my ability to do things right in regards to this baby. Ten minutes on the internet will give a pregnant woman nightmares for weeks, why does anyone think I am responsible enough to know if a pain or a feeling is normal? I’ve never done this before, I have no idea what I am doing. I think a nurse should just follow me around all the time, asking me how I feel and taking my blood pressure every 30 minutes. Maybe she could bring me water and cookies too. I think selling full time nurse care to rich pregnant women might be my million dollar business idea.
Luckily, my NST showed no problems, just a very happy baby running out of space and a couple of Braxton-Hicks contractions. They took another urine sample (good thing I have to pee all the time anyway) and did a Strep test that involves swabbing the opposite of my tonsils (figure it out) and scheduled me for another appointment in a week. No one starts looking at my actual cervix until 39 weeks so I have no idea if the baby plans to make his escape earlier than April 1st. I can only hope.
You are going to be an awesome mama, and I have faith in you and your abilities and instincts!
Your pregnancy has made me realize something: pregnancy fascinates me. I’d like to follow your nurse around and write a book about a bunch of pregnant ladies. Alas, I think these books are called “chick lit.” Or even “ivillage.”
Glad to hear things are OK-and the stillbirth post freaked me out a lot too. I can’t imagine having to go through labor and know that all that awaits you is a dead baby. Shit.
protein in your urine can be a sign of preeclampsia. With swollen ankles too, I’m not surprised they put you on more tests. I had the same thing, except mine was really bad! The good news is that only 2 more weeks until you are term and then if there’s protein in the urine they’ll just induce you.