The Fun Continues

Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading this little blog of mine. I know that I am not as good at updating it as I once may have promised.. and for that I must apologize. Also- I know that on multiple occasions I have provided TMI. Well folks.. this blog will continue that tradition. If you have a weak stomach or don't enjoy TMI- you need to go up to your address line and type in another site to go to. I will write this blog and attempt to not be too graphic.. but no promises. :)

Well my unilateral pitting edema continues. I thought that if I drank enough water then I can stop the swelling.. but no such luck. I am pretty sure it is because I continue to wear my crocs. I need to just wear my tennies, they provide much more support for my waddling legs. I realized that it is mainly the right side (the left swells, but on a much smaller level than the right). Last week when I got off work the swelling was a definite 2+ pitting edema. It was quite the site. It took a couple days to completely come down. I have began another 3 in a row and the swelling has already began. I have attempted to take a picture of it, but I must admit it does not do it justice. LOL

I went to the doctors for my 36 week appt. That appointment started the beginning of my weekly appointments. Whoo hoo! I am siked about getting to hear my babies heartbeat weekly (and also get checked for dilation weekly!!). Wow, I gotta tell ya- there is nothing better than having someone reach up and push at your cervix. This 36 week appt also included my strep b swab (there is nothing like a vaginal-rectal swab!) and checking for dilation. Dr.Adams ended up having to be at surgery that day so I had to see the nurse midwife. I was nervous that she wasn't going to check me for dilation- you have no idea how much I was looking forward to this part of my appt. So I made sure to make a point and ask if she was going to check me. Much to my happiness- I was checked!! I was 25% effaced with no dilation. The midwife said that my dear daughter is head down (which she has been for a while) however she is not completely wedged down into my pelvis. She felt Antebellums head, but then the baby quickly moved her head up. She said once Antebellum wedges down into the pelvis further I will much more quickly dilate. So with that being said... I think I may have dilated a little bit. I was using the restroom and felt something a bit funny "down there" and when I went to wipe I got this big blob of clear mucus. That my friends.. was my mucus plug... and I lost it! Whoo hoo! It was not bloody at all- which makes me think I am not very dilated at all. I read that if it is bloody that means that you have opened up quite a bit and some small blood vessels that have dilated with the cervix have started bleeding a little. I guess time will tell... but I have told my dear daughter to hold until Nov 1st. But if she chooses to go ahead and come in October- I won't be mad. :) I have posted a pic of dilation and effacement below.. enjoy!