I arrived at the doctor's office around 3pm. My appointment was scheduled for 3:15, and I'm always roughly 10-15 minutes early in case I need to hit the restroom and get comfortable. Well, I waited in the main office until about 3:30. I was called back, did my urine sample, and all the usuals. Well, I waited in another area for about 10 minutes, and then finally was taken back to my room. Not so bad at this point, right? Only about 20 minutes behind. The nurse checked my weight and blood pressure and said the doctor would be right in.
I waited in the exam room for well over half an hour. It was after 4:15 by the time Dr. Helmken even came in. At one point, I started nodding off because I was so insanely bored. That's what I mean by "long" appointment. I had every intention of going back to work, if possible, but damn, that really crashed those dreams.
Either way, Dr. Helmken said my weight is great - it weighed me 2 lbs heavier than last time, but I'm blaming it on having just eaten ;). My blood pressure is good, and my fundal height is perfectly normal. She said that I was right to come and get checked out for the cramping. She asked if the water is helping, and I told her that it seems to be. She said that if I feel any more cramping even though I'm chugging water, I should come back.
Then, she started checking on Stella. Her heart rate was 150, and Dr. Helmken thinks her feet are over on my right side now and her head is near my belly button. Dr. Helmken was grabbing my stomach - like never before - and man-handling Stella. It kinda hurt and kinda scared me. I know she knows what she's doing but that was crazy.
She told me not to worry about the whole not being head down stuff. She said it's actually very normal for babies to remain head up right now because her head is her biggest body part and it gives her more room to move around if she stays head up. She said I may or may not feel her flip in the next couple weeks. At 4:30 am this morning, she was making some of the craziest movements I've ever felt. I was sleeping really close to Derek, and I think she woke him up. She was shaking my entire stomach, and I had high hopes that she was doing her flip then. I guess not. She still has time, though.
I go back on the 21st at 3:45 and I'll see a nurse practitioner. I'll be seeing Beverly - the mega hyper nurse crazy lady. She will literally read her notes aloud to you. It's kinda weird, but she's very thorough.
Overall, things are going well. My feet were swollen - just a little - from walking around so much today. Dr. Helmken says I can get back to exercising - yay! - as long as there is no cramping. I plan to hit the fitness center in the morning :D I think I'll just keep it to walking for now, just to be on the safe side. If I get any larger, I may just be doing good to walk. I'm barely able to get out of our bed at night to go to the restroom. Which can I just say how annoying that is anymore?! All this water and this giant belly - I'm going to the restroom like 3 times a night!
Anyway, our swing came today (thanks, Mom) and my other collage from Maple Shade Kids. I think next I'll order some of the things we didn't get at our shower and probably some more clothes. We still need a bouncer and I really want this co-sleeper that I found at Wal-Mart. I also need to get those basic essential items like wipes and all that.
Derek and I recently purchased a new digital camera. In case you didn't notice, we've been using our phones to take pictures, and we decided that we need to be civilized and have a good digital camera for when Stella is born and after. We ordered a Canon Powershot - not too expensive but will do the job well. I want to be sure Derek has everything he needs on his packing list! :)
It's crazy to think that I'm going every two weeks, and I'll be back in their office on the 21st. Then, I guess I'll be going in around the 7th or so, and then every week after that. Not much longer to go!
