New Rotation

Nate started another rotation on Monday in Hudson. He likes it so far with the exception that the hospital is 1 hr 40 mins away from us. This means he has to stay at housing away from us during the week since he has to be oncall here and there. 

He said the staff is very nice and the CRNAs or anesthesiologists stay in the room but let them do their own thing. They are there if they have questions as well. He likes this much better than the last two clinical sites. 

He has been doing mainly ortho cases so far. The size of the hospital is comparable to Allegiance Health in Jackson. 

The last 3 months he did special rotations including neuro, cardiac and OB (he liked OB the best out of the 3). On one of his night shift rotations he was able to do a liver transplant from start to finish taking 11.5 hours! He said it was interesting. 

Just trying to document more of his clinical experience. 

That's all for now! Till next time!!

34 week survey

Due date: 7/28/15

What fruit are you: pineapple (4.9lbs 19-22")

How far along: 34 weeks

Next appointment: 6/26/15

Gender: I'm leaning towards boy

Total weight gain/loss: 37lbs

Exercise: walking a little bit and swimming

Stretch marks: I think I found a couple new ones but it honestly doesn't matter bc I already have a bunch.

Swelling: in my feet, ankles and fingers

Maternity clothes: you bet!

Belly button: getting very flat and pushing out at different times of the day (usually after meals)

Sleep: pretty good still only waking up once a night for the most part.

Food aversion/cravings: loving salty stuff and ice cream/Popsicles

Symptoms: large baby bump, waddling is now my gait.

Movement: getting more painful as baby gets bigger

Labor signs: lots of Braxton Hicks, increased mucous but nothing serious

What I miss: sleeping flat

What I am loving: just spent the last couple of days with my mom and had a wonderful time! We even finished the hot air balloons for the mobile!!

What I am looking forward to: my chiropractor appt this morning. It's been months!

Best moment of the week: tackling and completing the mobile last project I had to do before baby B#3 comes!

Milestones: making it another week closer to the due date. I'm hoping this baby will be my non-issue baby once he/she is here.

News: Nate started another new rotation yesterday in Hudson, FL so when I go into labor he'll most likely be 1 hr 45 mins away from home. Thankful for our doula Clarissa, who is going to be a support person for me 😃

Goals: keep food portions in check...this is the point where weight gain can spiral out of control.

Weekly wisdom: water water water is my friend!

Well that's all for now! Till next time!!

33 week survey

Due date: 7/28/16

What fruit are you: Honeydew melon (4.5 lbs & 19")

How far along: 33 weeks

Next appointment: 6/12/15

Gender: it's a surprise and I can't wait!

Total weight gain/loss: 35 lbs

Exercise: none put on bed rest 5 days ago :(

Stretch marks: no new ones that I see.

Swelling: none really since I'm not on my feet much. Maybe a tiny in my fingers. 

Maternity clothes: yes

Belly button: inny still

Sleep: finally stopped taking Unisom a couple nights ago and only wake up 1 time to pee. Taking naps again

Food aversion/cravings: nothing has changed. 

Symptoms: baby bump

Movement: lots of movement. 

Labor signs: yes. Preterm labor 2-3 cm dilated and 60% effaced with anterior cervix. This little one wants out but we are trying to keep him/her in. 

What I miss: doing things with my family. 

What I am loving: having a break is kinda nice. Nate is doing a FANTASTIC job taking care of us!!!

What I am looking forward to: getting off bed rest & meeting this little one. 

Best moment of the week: yesterday & today I was hooked up to a monitor to record baby's movement & heartbeat. Music to my ears!

Milestones: making it another week! Counting it a huge blessing after the news we received on Friday. 

News: started taking betamethasone to help develop the baby's lungs incase I go into labor. Also, I was put on procardia to help slow things down. 

Goals: make it to 35-36 weeks if possible!

Weekly wisdom: rest rest & more rest. 

That's all for now! Till next time!!

Update on Pregnancy

This morning I woke up to contraction cramps on the left side and low back pain so we went to the women & baby hospital in Orlando called Winnie Palmer(they have a NICU there).  Long story short is they didn't record any contractions, when they checked me I'm 1-2cm dilated max 50% effaced my cervix is still high up.  I don't need to be on bed rest so that's good. It's basically the opposite of what I was told in Friday. 

They did an ultrasound and measured amniotic fluid and it's well within normal limits so I'm not leaking that. They did discover I have a yeast infection, which could be contributing to the cramping and back pain. I got a script and was discharged around 9am and got home around 9:45. 

I had my appt to get my second dose of betamethasone (steroid to help develop baby's lungs) they said it's better to get it just incase I do go into labor to help the baby. It can't hurt us. My appt was at 1 but got there early so they could get a 20 minute strip of activity of the baby then get the shot. When the nurse talked to the oncall doc they asked if the doc from Winnie Palmer measured the length of my cervix (which they did not do and asked if they did the fetal fibronectin test which they did but never ran it bc they felt it was unnecessary). So the oncall doc has ordered another ultrasound to measure my cervical length and from there will determine the next steps. If my cervical length is 2.5 cm or longer I will not need to be on bed rest or procardia but if it is shorter than I will. 

During the ultrasound they measured the stomach, femur length, brain, head, looked at the position of my cervix and measured the length. The ultrasound tech even took a profile picture for me 💛💙💜💚❤️

After I got back from the ultrasound they hooked me back up to the monitor to see if I was contracting and they wanted to see the baby's heartbeat. The baby's heartbeat was all over the place. Here are a couple pics of it at the highest and lowest rates.

After waiting awhile Dr. Lemert came in to talk to me about the results of the ultrasound. It was great news! My cervical length was 2.7 and my amniotic fluid levels were at 11.8 (5-25 is normal) so he said I do not need to be on bed rest and to take procardia as needed. That was music to our ears! Nate has been so amazing helping out and taking care of us. The doctor also wanted me to keep my appt on Friday for a follow up. 

Friday 6/12/15

I had my follow up with Dr. Lemert. I waited almost 2 hours to be seen (thankfully I had a babysitter!) The dr measured me (measuring right where I should be 33 weeks) and listened to the heart beat which was at 148. I go back in 2 weeks to have group B strep test done and possibly an ultrasound to measure amniotic fluid again and to see position of the baby. 

Well that is all for now! Till next time!!

Pregnancy Update

Yesterday, I had an OB appt with my midwife Judy. My BP was good, I'm measuring at 32 weeks (right on track bc I'm 32w3d) and the baby's heart rate was so precious to hear. At first it was in the 170's then slowed down to rest in the 130's and back up in the 160's. I love how the baby is always moving around to keep me guessing 😍.  I shared with Judy I have been having a sharp pain on my left side for 4-5 days but the day before it was really bad (we went to Animal Kingdom bc we had free tickets and walked a lot. By the end of the day I ended up in a wheelchair.) She asked me if I have ever had kidney stones and I told her no, but my mom gets them all the time so they run in our family. So she said, "Okay baby doll, we are going to check you to make sure you are not in preterm labor. This usually happens between weeks 28-33 and you fall right within that range." So she checked me and sure enough I was dilated to 2-3 cm already and 60% effaced with a very soft cervix. She put me on bed rest and a med called procardia to hopefully help me to get further along. She does not believe I will make it another 7.5 weeks and her goal is to get me to 35-36 weeks. At 38 weeks pregnant with Adam they checked me and I was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced and I am already further along than that with baby B #3. I have a lot of pressure and the baby is low. When Judy checked me she said the baby's head is right there (which I knew the baby  had been head down for a few weeks bc I feel feet in my ribs frequently) I have a follow up visit with Dr. Lemert to see how I am doing with the medicine. I'm not sure if he will check me to see if I have progressed more or not. I will keep updating my blog to keep everyone informed. 

So there is the update and I am hoping and praying I can last a few more weeks!

Here are a few pics from Animal Kingdom

Kids saw the signs to our surprise destination 

On the tram

Kids infront of the Tree of Life

Fun with daddy

Maybe the last family picture we will have of a family of 4!

Hanging out with Daisy Duck

Family pic with Daisy

Kids wanted a break from walking so daddy gave them rides on his shoulders. 

Adam & daddy

Yummy treat on a hot sunny day

Waiting for the Lion King Festival to begin. It was an awesome show and we all enjoyed it. 

Love this😍

This one too!

A couple minutes after we got in the van the kids were passed out!

That is all for now! Till next time!!

32 week survey

Due date: 7/28/15

What fruit are you: head of lettuce (3.9lbs 19")

How far along: 32 weeks

Next appointment: 6/4/15

Gender: still a surprise 

Total weight gain/loss: 37lbs

Exercise: swimming, walking up and down stairs

Stretch marks: no new ones

Swelling: in lower legs and hands

Maternity clothes: yes

Belly button: still an inny

Sleep: been having insomnia here and there. One night I didn't wake up at all then a couple nights later I could fall asleep till 2am :(

Food aversion/cravings: salt & vinegar chips, pickles, dessert of any kind, ice cream, frappacinos, fruit & salad. 

Symptoms: growing baby bump!

Movement: yes lots of it! Starting to figure out what I am feeling. I feel like the head is down but we will see on our last ultrasound in a few weeks!

Labor signs: lots of pressure down below and very sore. I've been wearing a belly support band to give some relief. Having contractions here & there. 

What I miss: snuggling with my kids at bedtime. Getting more difficult to get up out of their beds but I need to do it because once this little one comes along things will be quite different. 

What I am loving: having more help from Nate and the kids and taking naps when I cannot keep my eyes open!

What I am looking forward to: hopefully I can get maternity pictures done within the next couple of weeks. 

Best moment of the week: At my MOPS end of the year party I chatted with my girlfriend Rebecca who is a photographer and she is going to do birth photography for us for free! She wants the experience and I'm so happy that she will be there to capture this special occasion for us especially since family won't be there to experience it with us....and that she will capture the moments we find out the gender of baby B#3!!!!

Milestones: can't believe I'm in my 8th month of pregnancy!!! 

News: none that I know of 😃

Goals: keep moving and drinking lots of water. Try to eat healthy since I'm in the final stretch and pounds can pack on at the end. Don't drink sugary drinks...wasted calories right there!

Weekly wisdom: take it easy!

That's all for now! Till next time!!

Update on CRNA school

Most of our family knows about the situation regarding Nate's school. March 9th, he received an email from Wolford stating they are no longer allowed to do their clinicals at the Davenport site. Nate was already assigned to do clinicals in Tampa for March and April but we did not know how long he would have to commute. We kept waiting to hear news from the school and finally last week he received an official email stating that the Davenport site was closed. 

We both were disappointed that they no longer will be doing clinicals there because that is the reason why we moved to Davenport. This decision also comes during my third trimester. I'm 31 weeks along and has added some extra stress to our lives. Nate is going to have to commute the rest of the program (a little less than 9 months). Currently, he is doing clinicals in Tampa. He will be there till mid June then he will be doing clinicals in Hudson from mid-June to the end of August. This clinical site is 1 hr 40 minutes away from our condo. 

Our lease is up mid August, however since we do not know where he will be doing his clinicals after August, we cannot move closer to to these clinical sites.  There is a possibility he could go to Miami, Pensacola or back to Tampa. He will go wherever he's assigned. So we will just take it one step at a time and keep counting down till he's done with school!

Well that is all for now! Till next time!!