Expect The Unexpected

Well as with most things in life you have to expect the unexpected and that's just what happened this past Saturday, July 6th. I woke up to some light pink spotting. I contacted my mid-wife and based on our conversation she determined it best if I went to the ER to get checked-out (she was out of town). She and I were both worried about the possibility of preterm labor as my Braxton Hick contractions were more frequent and I had been feeling a lot more low pressure in addition to the spotting. I hadn't had anything like this with my own so we felt better to play it safe with this special baby on board. 

I have never been in an ER so I was really freaked out, thankfully I had my husband and IP's with me who were all smiles trying to keep me calm. To relax myself as I was wheeled through hallways I tried to picture myself in a really good episode of Grey's Anatomy. They did a sonogram, urine & blood work, cervical check and gave me a IV of Saline (my first IV) to help with the Braxton Hick contractions. All in all baby was great, cervix was closed and no infection was found to keep me so I was discharged after a 4 hour stay.

My midwife had me rest with no activity on Sunday and I went in to see her for an appointment on Monday. On Monday, she did notice that my cervix is soft and baby G's head is far down. She estimates baby G will be at least 8lbs. (my own babies were in the 6-7lb. range). This might be why I feel such low pressure lately and could have been what brought on the spotting. But since we are only 33 weeks baby G can't come just yet so I have been put on 'sitting-rest' for the next 3 weeks. We just don't want a lot of pressure and/or friction on my cervix. 

My husband has been wonderful. He has had to take over the groceries, dinner making, laundry, housecleaning, etc. so I can sit as much as possible. My mid-wife said when I go to Target I should be the pregnant woman in the motorized cart, I am not so sure my pride will let me do that so Target might have to miss me for a few weeks (really it's me missing Target). I still tend to our 3 kids during the day but I try to stay sitting at whatever it is we are doing and I make it a priority to get back home after a few hours to rest on the couch.

It's definitely an adjustment since those of you who know me know that I am very active with my kids' but it's just for a few weeks and it is so worth it. I care so deeply about my belly buddy that I want the very best for her and I know right now the best thing for her is growing inside my belly for a few more weeks. So bring on the re-runs of Sex and the City (the weekend), Tia & Tamara (this is always on from midnight to 2:30am when I can't sleep), Little House on the Prairie (late afternoon) and 90210 (in the morning) cause I have a daily appointment with the couch.

Here is a quick picture of me from today.

32 weeks and Growing Right Along

How did we get to 32 weeks already?! Time has just flown by (probably more for me than the IP's) and here we are now finalizing the last of the birth plans for delivery.

Last Saturday, June 29th my family and I attended the IP's family baby shower. It was such a nice shower. I really enjoyed getting to meet their family and see how excited everyone is to meet baby G. Baby G sure is one lucky little girl to have so many people who already love her.

S & E received some really wonderful baby gifts. My family and I gave them a bath themed basket full of some baby bath essentials such as a pink Blooming Bath, Aveeno bath set, owl hooded towel, owl washcloths and a shampoo rinser. I was the most excited to give them a Blooming Bath, it received all star positive reviews and can you imagine the cute baby bath pictures? Here is a picture of me at 32 weeks just before we went to the shower.

Today my 3 kids and the IF joined me at my 32 week, 5 day mid-wife appointment.  Baby G measured 34 weeks (I always measure a little ahead), heartbeat sounded great and we got a couple more things in order for our birth and after birth plan. 

I often get asked if I will be a surrogate again, even my oldest daughter asked me at lunch today if I will do this again and my reply is yes. If I found the right 'match' and my family was in support I probably would. I cringe a little bit when I think of the medications I had to do before and early on in the pregnancy but of course it's all worth it in the end. 

Years before I started this journey I always had a feeling I would be a surrogate, it just felt like something I was meant to do. But before I can even think of starting this process again I will need to lose this baby weight, I will be pumping milk for baby G, of course give my body enough time to heal itself and enjoy some time with my family minus the baby bump and all that comes with it. 

I can't put into words the joy that fills me to know that I am helping grow a family. I feel so fortunate to have been matched with such a great set of IP's who care so much about my family and I and over our journey together we have all become such close friends. Although the journey doesn't really ever end because once I put this sweet baby girl into her parents waiting arms I will get to watch her grow and know that I helped bring this precious baby girl into this world. So amazing right?!