27 week update

Land of bed rest!!

Although I am still happily gestating, I am having quite a difficult pregnancy. I am overjoyed to welcome a new little girl into my life, but if only my body felt the same way! I wasn't expecting this pregnancy to be so hard on me physically. It seems I never get a break. I can't walk around, do chores, cook, or drive anymore. If I do, I will have constant contractions and be in considerable amount of pain. I also have stage four hemorrhoids and the only thing to relieve them is to get off my feet and to lay on my left side. I am coping well, but I am in pain a lot.

I've had to go back to L & D last week for decreased fetal movements. Of course, when I was hooked up to the monitors she moved like 8000 times. A little awkward. I am so grateful that the staff is so kind and understanding.

I had two consults with two different surgeons for my hemorrhoids. The advice was to wait until baby is born because surgery will be excruciatingly painful. I was told my hemorrhoids are the worst possible to have, but other than all the basic first aid care, there is nothing that can be done for me. I was able to get medicated  creams and a Rx pain meds, though. I have to follow a daily regiment of care and it isn't convenient or comfortable. Basically, my body is aching for wellness.

What I do to keep sane on bed rest:
1. I have switched to a one-one-one teaching in my bed for my three youngest. It is actually really effective. I will probably keep this part of our normal routine.
2. I read books to my little ones.
3. I fold the laundry.
4. I am making a lot of crock pot meals, so my time on my feet is limited.
5. I go on pregnancy online forums a lot.
6. I work on stitching projects.
7. I make my bed every day and keep my room tidy. I like being in clean spaces.
8. I am up and dressed after breakfast and always before I start teaching.
9. I worked on our budget.
10. I watch TV.

How Far Along: 27 weeks 3 days

Sleep: I sleep really well, actually. I don't get up to pee. I feel rested and I am sooo grateful for this right now!

General Feeling: I still have the lingering cold. I even took antibiotics, but it didn't help. My body is going through a lot. This is no picnic.

Best Moment of the Week: Homeschooling the kids makes me really happy.

Movement: I feel the baby a lot. It is random and there isn't a pattern. She does moves when she feel like it.

Food Craving: Nothing.

Food Aversions: Nothing. But, I am a gestational diabetic, so I have a lot of "do not eat" foods I avoid.

What I miss: Being up and active and not confined to a bed.

What I'm looking forward to: Washing baby clothes, buying a bassinet, and packing my hospital bags.

Other NEW news this week: My oldest daughter helped move my bed so that I can see my TV when I lay on my left side. I love rearranging furniture, so this made me happy!

Weekly Wisdom: Being grateful and compassionate is better than demanding my way.

Favorite thing I did this week: Finished one of my wool gloves. It is finger-less and has a mitten cap

Favorite item I bought this week: Giving the shopping list for groceries to my husband and letting him take over this job. He is a dear!

More pregnancy drama

So, yesterday morning I woke up and was contracting. It lasted for hours. I finally called my OB and was told to go in to L&D. I was hooked up the the EFM, checked for dilation, had a culture swab test, a urinalysis test, and blood work done. Everything came back normal and I wasn't dilating. I was contracting every few minutes, but they never seemed concerned about that since all the other tests were normal. So, all in all, I spent three hours there.

Today, I feel horrible. My symptoms feel like labor to me:

1. Loss of appetite
2. Cramping intestines and loose stools
3. Pressure in my pelvis when standing and especially when I sit on the toilet
4. Ache in my upper thighs
5. Contractions, but very sporadic. More when sitting up or standing.
6. A feeling of unease

Hopefully, these feelings will pass and little Abigail will stay in for the duration of this pregnancy.