36.5 week (long) update

I was such a slacker this past week, but I promise it was for good reasons.

How far along? 36w4d
Total weight gain/loss: +46lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Some nights yes, some not really
Best moment this week: My birthday :)
Movement: Yes
Food cravings: nothing in particular
Labor Signs: I'm starting to notice more "real" contractions with menstrual like pain and back pain. I might have one or 2 a day
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Not having chest pain from severe reflux
What I am looking forward to: Baby girl's b-day!
Milestones: None really

So, from last Friday (the 22nd) till yesterday was a crazy week. Last Friday I ended up going to L&D b/c of high BP and trace protein in my urine. All ended up being fine, but I have apparently been diagnosed with gestational hyperternsion. I find this funny b/c the only time my BP is high is when I go to the doc's office--white coat syndrome much? As of last Friday I was told I needed to come in for bi-weekly appts with NSTs each time. Tuesday's appt went just as well as Friday's. I was hooked up on the NST for about 1.5 hours and they just couldn't get baby girl to do what they needed her to do...plus my BP was high again...shocking. Especially considering that I now have anxiety about getting my BP taken at the doc's office since my new diagnosis. So, off to the hospital I went again. This time for b/w for the high BP (no protein in urine this time) and for a bio-physical profile on the baby.

Between the doc's office and the hospital visit, it was 8 hours. Thank God I had an afternoon appt and had left work for the day already. On the bright side, I got to see baby girl, who at 36 weeks was measuring 6lbs 7oz...but all her measurements were "on time" for 6/23--if I make it till then, she's estimated to be around 8lbs. I found out she does indeed have hair on her head and that she has long legs! Baby girl is also VERY low in my pelvis which explains all the pain and pressure I've been feeling. She has definitely dropped. She passed the BPP with flying colors, as I did my b/w as well. I was released from the hospital at 10pm that night and I was exhausted!

Yesterday was my 2nd weekly appt and I decided to bring Chris for moral support. Baby girl passed the NST this time, just barely. The problem was that she was moving around so much in the beginning they couldn't establish a "baseline" heartrate....and then she fell asleep. After being buzzed, oh about 5 times, she finally pulled through in the last 5-10 minutes and showed the doc what he needed to see. And....drumroll please, my BP was ok yesterday. My doctor asked that I now take it 3-4 times a day, just to be sure. Everytime I have taken my BP at home in the past week it has been normal every.single.time. I'm pretty sure I just have white coat syndrome now....especially since they are being so overly cautious about it-->this of course, I understand. They certainly don't want me to develop preeclampsia.

In any case, I left my appt in smug bliss that I did not in fact have to go to the hospital for another BPP...when it happened. My tire blew out on the highway on my way back to work. After about 1.5 hours I was on my way back to work.....but man....what a week!!! Hopefully next week is much better. If anything, I am so excited to be 37 weeks on Tuesday--Yay for full term! I haven't had any internals yet, but I bet they'll start next week.