The Jones' Journey

Because I can only think in list form right now, that’s how this shall be

• Last weekend, I had a fair number of contractions (I have Braxton-Hicks early on apparently…18wks with Keaton, 16 with Benjamin 14 or 15 weeks this time…so, nothing new, but I just felt that it was more than I should be having). I put myself on “couch rest” last week (we got lots of new goodies for the boys, planned easy meals/Zach took over meals, etc…) They always stopped with rest, water or a shower, so no real concerns (spoke with the nurse early last week and she agreed with me on all these points & gave me the run down on when to call/come in, what to watch for, etc…)
• After talking more in-depth with my midwife this morning, she isn’t concerned either
• My BP was a tad high, but no swelling/anything else that would indicate problems
• She told me she WAS going to say see you in two weeks, but because of my BP, she wants to see me next week
• We re-checked my BP at the end of my appt., and it was still where it was an hour earlier
• They sprung my Group B Strep test on me (thought that was at the next appt., whatever…it’s over with!)
• We went over my birth plan (which I wouldn’t even call it that, but, that’s what they call it) and she said it was “beautiful and perfect”
• Baby is “very” head down (still)
• She said baby feels a “normal” (???) size but very long, which is what I’ve been saying for awhile now
• Baby was super active and she asked how I got any sleep *
• We scheduled my next (and LAST) 5 appts…
• I made sure to schedule with the same midwife that I had my appt. with on my EDD with Benjamin – the appt. I never made it to because I had him early that morning We’ll see if she has the same affect on this baby (except she’s the one I’m praying is on-call when I go into labor…so we have to time this just right)
• We agreed that one more week of “couch rest” would be in the best interest for baby & myself and then, next Tuesday, at 36 weeks, whatever will be, will be….

So, that’s where we stand with Baby Jones #3.

We finally agreed on a girl name – it’s been about 3 weeks and we both still love it, so I think it’s been decided (We had a boy name picked out before BENJAMIN was ever born, ha, so that wasn’t an issue).

We’re planning B’s 2nd birthday party! I can’t WAIT! We’re doing a sock monkey theme and it’s going to be oh-so-cute

*When I was pregnant with Keaton and was told to do kick counts (where you lay on your side for a bit after eating and time til you feel 10 movements/kicks) I thought it was so odd that it took less than 30 seconds. Of course, I googled this and I kept reading how it would take people 6-10 MINUTES to feel these kicks! I discussed this with my OB and he said some babies are just active. The same thing happened with Benjamin. This time, I don’t even bother with the kick counts because this kid never. stops. moving. If it does, then I just press on my belly and I’ve got another 30 minutes of action…so don’t press on my belly. Please.

For Zach’s 30th birthday, the family all pitched in and got him (us) tickets to see Star Wars in Concert. Well that big event was this past weekend.

When I was purchasing the tickets online, I just put in “Best Seats Available” and took what they suggested. Well, we probably did have some of the best seats available, the best part, we were on the end of the row. First, I’m incredibly claustrophobic and HATE being in the center of the rows, but also at approximately 34 weeks pregnant, I need easy access to the isles to go potty Yes, we had to stand up 18,000 times to let other people out of the row, but totally worth it!

When we arrived, the usher cautioned me about the stairs (they were very steep), informing me, “They’re not like the steps at your home…” Right, if I had those stairs, I’d move. Seriously.

Upon returning from potty break #1, another usher whispered, “Let me know if I need to start boiling some water…”

Wow.

On my way to break #2, I was told to take it easy by usher#2…well, if your snack bar hadn’t enticed me with popcorn and a Sunkist, I wouldn’t have to go again, but here I am

On my way to break #3, there was a doctor from the local hospital (I know they’re staffed for emergency situations as I have always seen them at events). He even stopped me and asked if I was doing OK…

At this point, I was wondering if I was the only pregnant woman in the building (although, I did see one other…not sure if she was getting the “special treatment” or not…)

Break #4 consisted of usher#2 using his flashlight to light up the stairs for me (even though I could see perfectly fine).

Break #5 – There were now two doctors from the local hospital, informing me that they would both be there for the remainder of the performance…

How awful did I look on Sunday to warrant this?! I mean, I was tired, swollen, sweating and hugely pregnant, but seriously!

Break #6 – usher#2 started to walk down the stairs to me with an outstretched hand – I stopped him and told him I was fine!

While I really did enjoy the show, I was never so glad to be gone from a place! Wow.

Atleast I know if I had gone into labor, I had a huge support team!

….and boiling water

(Please ignore my horrible singing!)

*for my sake, Benjamin at 23 months

::eyeroll::

I had to meet with the head of the OB department today (I see midwives, but they practice with OBs. Basically, if the midwife on call when I go into labor is with another mom, as she was with Benjamin, I get the on-call OB….like I did with Benjamin. Loads of fun. What this also means is that before I’m allowed to have a VBAC, it has to be cleared by an OB…Nice, huh?)

Well, when I had this meeting while pregnant with Benjamin, I had to correct the OB I met with on all his numbers. Nice. He finally just shoved the form at me and said, “Sign this – you know what you’re talking about…”

The lovely thing was, when I showed up in labor, I had to sign the exact. same. form. Again. (you can see me rolling my eyes, right?)

So, since I have no intention of having a repeat c-section, save an emergency, I had to meet with the OB.

Again.

Yes. Even though I ALREADY had this meeting once (twice actually, because I had it at my previous OB’s office before I switched to the midwives) AND I’ve already HAD a VBAC – I still had to drive an hour, wait an hour for him to finally come in the room, talk for 3.5 minutes with the OB, sign the form and drive an hour home.

Awesome.

The OB couldn’t believe I didn’t have any questions…but seriously – why would I???? What do you want me to ask? (I may or may not have actually asked him that…only my toddlers and he know…ahem).

He also wanted to do an ultrasound (because that’s what they’re good at I suppose) just to “make sure” baby is head down (I was irritated because 1) I told him baby was head down and 2) my midwife wouldn’t have to do an ultrasound to figure that out. But I had maybe 3 hours of sleep last night and was just about asleep laying on the exam table that I couldn’t even argue with him). His exact phrasing was, “We need to figure out where this baby is now. We don’t want you to have to labor with a breech baby…and if baby isn’t head down, we should go ahead and get something on the books…” (meaning: we need to go ahead and schedule a c-section)…His exact words. Really… really?

I had some snarky comments with my doula via text after my appointment about how if baby isn’t head down at 32.5 weeks, there’s absolutely no way baby will turn (more eyerolling…keep in mind Benjamin, who wasn’t a small baby, was ALL over the place (breech, transverse, back to breech, vertex, back to transverse, etc…etc… until 48 hours before I went into labor….sign me up for a c-section for a dumb reason like that and see if I show up!)

Yes. I was bitter about this meeting…still am. I think it is absolutely ridiculous.

There was not one mention of ANY c-section risks, just the talk of the dangers of VBAC’s. (I can feel my BP rising thinking back to the conversations, not just with this OB, but the other two “talks” I’ve had).

I’m so thankful we live in a day and age where c-section is a viable option SHOULD mom/baby need that, but, to mention it so nonchalantly …agh.

Anywho.

Baby is head down, (“very, very” head down, ha) and in “perfect position”.

Good thing I didn’t tell him that baby was most definitely transverse last night…he’d probably have rushed me to the OR right then and there…

Hopefully that’s the last time I have to see an OB for a very. long. time.

Where did I leave off?

Thursday, we headed to Roanoke as we had a couple much needed stops to make. First, was visiting my mom’s office/my former temporary workplace – the office wanted to meet the boys! Then lunch at the best place to eat in Roanoke, Macado’s. Seriously. Delish. I had to also get some Deb’s Lemonade – we’re not usually in Roanoke in the summer, so I was definitely craving it! Zach’s grandmother was placed in the hospital upon our arrival to Virginia and he went to visit her while I took the boys to visit some other family. When he was finished, we headed back to his parents house and…back in the pool

Friday, we had a relax at “home” day, minus lunch at a super-yummy BBQ place. After naps, we were back in the pool

Saturday, Zach’s parents took the boys back to the Farmer’s Market and to see the fire trucks while we packed up best we could. Lunches, naps, the pool (of course!) and then we had to head home.

I think we all could have stayed another week or two