36 weeks, 2 days - 3nd Trimester

Countdown: 3 weeks & 5 days or 26 days

This morning about 10am I woke up to eat breakfast. I had this feeling that I was leaking fluid or urine. I wasn't sure so I called my doctor and he suggested I go to the hospital to get checked, just in case I was going into labor. I wasn't having any contractions and the fluid wasn't soaking my pantyliner which I wear on a regular basis. We waited until Jenalyn got out of school, and we had lunch. If I was having this baby today, there's no way I was going into the hospital starving, because you can't eat or drink during labor. Anyways, I went in around 2pm. Today seemed to be a busy day at the hospital, they barely had any beds available. I got put into an observation right away. My RN, named Marissa, was nice. She put me on a fetal monitor to monitor the baby's heart. Brian and Jenalyn had to stay in the waiting room.

Next, she conducted 3 tests.

1. The nitrazine test uses pH to distinguish amniotic fluid from urine and vaginal secretions. To perform the test, a pH strip is used to test the fluid. But my pH levels were no where near as that of amniotic fluid. - NEGATIVE! 
2. Checked for dilation - I am 1 cm dilated. Normal for around this time in my pregnancy. If contractions begin, then I would dilate more. When contractions start coming around 5 minutes or less apart, then I need to go back to the hospital.
3. Ultrasound - to check for ample fluid around the baby. There is still a sufficient amount of fluid around the baby.

So, I was discarged and sent home. I also learned that baby is in the head down position. "thumbs up!" But unfortunately, that's very uncomfortable for me, as her head is pressing down on my bladder, hips, and pelvis, and her legs are right underneath my ribs, sometimes she kicks my ribs so hard. =( 

As much as I would love for baby to arrive, I feel that it's still too soon. But I do feel that she will be an April baby. On another note, I've gained another 4 lbs!!!!!! ARGH! I'm really trying not to eat as much, maybe it's the food I eat. I am now 151 lbs. AHHH!! 

Next Wednesday, I will be considered Full Term. Jenalyn was born at 37 1/2 weeks. Lastly, I will be following up with my doctor on Monday, 4/18. Stay in there baby!!!!

36 weeks