At Home

January 13, 2006

Well, I went to my doctor for a follow-up exam yesterday morning. There, she decided to check my cervix and take samples for the GBS (Group B Streptococcus) test. The first thing my doctor did was take my blood pressure...very high: 140/100! My cervix was dilated 0.5 cm (not a big deal) and the baby's head is down and low in my pelvis...also very good. The swelling in my feet had gone down from the previous appointment, but because of my high blood pressure, my doctor told me she didn't want me to go back to work. She said that she wanted me to stay home and rest with my feet up. I can get up and walk around to make myeslf food, go to the bathroom, shower, etc., and if I need to go to the grocery store then Mike has to take me and it has to be a quick trip. Otherwise, I can't exercise, be on my feet for long periods of time, or clean the house. So, here I am parked on the couch :)

I went to work after my appointment yesterday, to let everyone know that I would have to go home, and to attend the baby shower my co-workers threw for me :) It's really nice to work in an environment that realizes the importance of families! Everyone at work has been so supportive, and the shower was the icing on the cake! I am planning to do some work from home, and go into work once a week to meet with my supervisor and turn in work.

One thing that I was talking to someone at work about that I wasn't really prepared for is how things can drastically change in the last month of pregnancy. I don't know if it was because my blood pressure was high, but at my last appointment my doctor was very serious and firm (not at all with her usual relaxed and laid-back attitude). She didn't come across as worried, but the fact that she told me not to return to work (and had the lab draw blood for testing) made ME start worrying. I guess this is a critical time period in pregnancy...the baby is taking more of a toll on your body than before, and your body isn't working as efficiently.

Anyway, I have another appointment on Monday morning. They're going to perform an ultrasound to check the true position of the baby and also do the non-stress test. Mike wasn't able to come with me to my last appointment (we both thought it would be a quick follow-up, and not a big deal since my swelling had gone down). He was upset that he didn't end up coming with me, but I think it was the first one he's missed during my entire pregnancy. He'll be able to come to my Monday appointment :)