"I Don't See You Having This Baby Anytime Soon"

"I don't see you having this baby anytime soon." -- Direct quote from my specialist Dr. R today during my routine checkup.

Baby Carly is up to 5 pounds 7 ounces (compared to 3 pounds, 3 ounces a month ago), and the cerclage is still holding tight thanks to Dr. C's excellent stitch work. I was very glad to hear this after having some pretty intense and painful contractions this past Saturday around 5:00 a.m. I was worried that these contractions might have loosened up the stitches, but that is not the case.

Anyway, Baby Carly continues to grow fast. Her growth rate is now in the 68th percentile (50 being average) compared to the 64th percentile a month ago. She's growing just slightly faster than 1/2 pound a week.

She was in a head down position for the last 2 visits with Dr. C, but today she was breech. I'm now 33 weeks pregnant and her position at 35 weeks could influence if Dr. C wants to do a scheduled C-section. It all depends on which position she ultimately gets stuck in when she finally runs out of room. My uterus has expanded tremendously for her, but it can't expand forever!

My Mom came with me to the ultrasound today (her first time to see both Baby Carly live on the screen and the ultrasound technology in use period) and I learned that as the babies get bigger the ultrasounds get less cute. For the first time I didn't get any souvenir photos.

It was much harder to see anything that looked really "baby like." And Baby Carly did not help at all because she was facing my back and would not turn her head no matter how many times I poked her and changed positions. My Mom was able to see bits and pieces like the beating heart, hands, internal organs, etc., and she did get to hear the strong heartbeat.

The only thing that was new or different in today's appointment was the fact that Dr. R said my amniotic fluid level was a little bit low. He said not alarmingly low, but low nonetheless.

He instructed me to start drinking more water. MORE WATER?!?!? I already have a bottle going at all times and feel like I'm going to float away. I'm already going through more than a roll of toilet paper a day.

Ok. More water it is. Whatever is best for Baby Carly.

My activity restrictions remain the same ... just keep walking and standing to a minimum and no lifting. I'm glad that I'm still allowed to drive and don't yet have to be confined to the bed.

I see Dr. R again for fluid assessment in 2 weeks.

Cheers!!!