Pregnancy: 34 Weeks ... Slow Down!

 Read about this week's "Slow Down" adventure after the weekly update.

How far along? 34 Weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: I know that I have gained more than 35 pounds, BUT that being said I agreed that we would have a tear free weekend so I stepped on the scale backwards at the doctor's office this week :) I feel better knowing I don't know!
Maternity clothes? Yes & my husbands clothes.  With the crazy Texas weather we have been having lately my maternity wardrobe isn't filling all the gaps these days.  I have borrowed some things from one of the teachers down the hall... thank goodness for her because otherwise I might just look like a giant slob!!
Stretch Marks? The doctor said that's what good thing I have going for me still, haha.  No belly stretch marks.  I will keep hoping that they don't show up.  
Sleep: Is very challenging.
Best moment(s) this week: What a busy, busy week.... Best moment would have been our housewarming yesterday.  It was great getting to show off our home and visit with so many people who love and care about us. My husband also took charge and handled all the food and did a GREAT job!
Miss Anything? Feeling comfortable lol.
Movement: Oh yes... Alien belly for sure.
Food cravings: Just hungry all the time. Nothing in particular.
Anything making you queasy or sick: The thought of greasy chicken makes me uncomfortable, but that's pretty normal.
Gender: Blue for Baby Boy
Labor Signs: Well... again I say everyone just PRAY that little Moose stays put until he's supposed to.   
Symptoms: Swelling, Tired, Doctor Confirmed a crushed sciatic nerve, break outs, itchy ribs, heartburn...
Belly Button in or out? Oh so flat
Wedding rings on or off? OFF :( I'm so so so sad!   
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy But Tired!
Looking forward to: Team E Rally this week with Cheer to raise money for a great cause!! Friday off! And Easter Weekend :)

This week was quite the adventure... I went to ER on Wednesday. We have been practicing a lot to prepare for our performance at the Team E Rally: Cheering for a Miracle.  On Tuesday night, my wonderful mascot leaned over and asked me if my feet were supposed to be purple.  This was the first red flag I should have noticed.  I hadn't been feeling super duper & I had been swelling.

Wednesday, I woke up feeling puffy and sort of funny.  I made my way to school and had to take off my wedding ring.  My finger hurt trying to pull it off.  I am trying not to take any time off work before the Moose arrives so that we can save as much money as possible.  I decided to tough it out, despite some serious nagging from my momma & a few co-workers.  By the time 7th period arrived, I knew I didn't feel like myself.  I waddled (yes, thanks to my awesome back nerve pain I walk like a penguin) down to our athletic trainer and asked him to take my blood pressure.  I am normally very low when it comes to BP.  I mean they ask every time if I am dizzy.  (Think 100s/60s or 70s) Needless to say when my BP was 128/95 there was some cause for concern for me. 

I called the doctor's office, and they promptly told me to waddle my way into the OB ER.  Let me tell you telling that to my darling hubby wasn't fun.  We drove to the hospital and checked in.  I was hooked up to several machines.  Once sitting in a hospital bed, my blood pressure quickly started to stabilize (hmmm maybe I should have just sat down at school? lol), but it was good that we were there because the doctor came in and asked me, "Are you feeling those contractions???"

Like the blonde I am, my response was, "Ohhhhhhhhhh! That's what that is!"  When you are majorly uncomfortable, your brain manages to skip some reoccurring pains and discomforts.  The biggest concern was that I was having regular contractions every 5 to 7 minutes.  They weren't lasting long and they were non-producing (so not actual labor contraction yet!), but it's still not what they want to see. They dripped a bag of fluid to see if they would stop on their own - they didn't.  I got a super fun shot (that is sarcastic...) called terbutaline to stop the contractions.  It made me heart raceeeeee, which I hated, but the contractions did stop.  They didn't find anything else wrong with me and the verdict was.... This momma needs to SLOW DOWN!

I have rested my tail off since then and I can tell you that I feel world's of difference!  I have just reached the time where I can't go and go.  Friday was my regular doctor's appointment, and my bp was gladly back to normal. My swelling has decreased, and she said that our little adventure hasn't increased my risk for early labor or anything like that.  She has officially put me on minimum walking/activity, but NOT bed rest. :) I will take my good luck where I can.  I guess I just have to take it easy until after this kiddo is born.

It was definitely an adventure, but I know what contractions are like now.  Sam said that it was little preview for him what we will be in for coming up pretty soon, too.  I guess we are now just playing the guessing game of when will moose decide to come.  :)


Keep saying prayers that Moose stays put as long as he is supposed to, whatever that means.