33 weeks!

Marination Time:  33 weeks 1 day today ;-) only 6 more days to make it to 34, the first goal!

Fruit/Size of the week: Pineappple (19-22 inches long and 4.9 lbs) according to my pregnancy app.  However, we know he is 4 lbs 12 oz right now and will have another measurement on Monday at our next sono!

 Or, for those of you that know our little Olivia, Mr. Cohen is equal in weight to her! Ollie's the one on the left.  Bella is on the right and is pushing 8 pounds, so Cohen should be her size at birth. Ah, these two have NO IDEA what is coming!

Maternity Clothes: Yup, and comfy clothes this week since I'm sitting at home on my rear.

Movement: He's a bit quieter this week.  Maybe he's running out of room?  I can feel where his back and butt are, and sometime where a foot or two manages to stretch.  His hiccups are still really low since he is head down and sometimes his hands tickle my sides.

Cravings:  The steroid shot made me SUPER hungry for a few days.  I wanted anything carbohydrate packed.  In fact, I have strawberry cake and banana bread baked ready to eat at 2am if needed ;-)  I've had some great friends bring me lunch and keep me occupied for a bit- yummy sandwiches and some good girl time!

Annoyances:  If you know me, you know that this week was NOT part of the plan.  I am just annoyed in general that I can't do anything...but I know Cohen's worth it.  I just don't believe he's coming soon, maybe wishful thinking, but I need these extra few weeks!  I've really been working on lesson planning and getting stuff in order just in case.  Its been hard because I'm not allowed to drive, do laundry or clean, so I'm just stuck here with lists.  And if you know my hubbie, you know lists aren't exactly HIS thing ;-) so we will just learn to cope over the next few days.  Also, my heartburn has returned with a vengeance - we saw hair on the sonogram so maybe thats what is causing it!

Belly Button: Flat and more stretch marks.  Boo!

Highlights: Let's focus on the positive, shall we?
Even though the fFN test was positive I am showing no other signs of early labor = good!
I get a forced break before school starts to really sit down and put whatever it is I do on paper for the sub/staff = hard work, but worth it!
My hospital bag is really packed.  Like Cohen could come today and I have everything in there that I need!
I have fabulous friends and family that are checking in on us to make sure we don't go stir crazy = blessed!
We got to see cute little Cohen on the ultrasound - his cheeks and ears were adorable!! AND we get to see him again in less than a week!
The hospital moved our breastfeeding class up to yesterday....just to be safe! = Another thing crossed off the list and we learned a lot.  Now if Cohen will just bake a bit longer, we won't have to worry about the whole NICU feeding stuff.
We got an in house tour during our brief stay at Labor and Delivery.  I know what to pack and what to bring and where to go! = Preparedness for my a-type personality!

fFN test

What the.....?!?!?

That would be the quote of the day yesterday.  First from my OB, then from me and family and then from all our friends.  So here goes what I can remember and where we will be going from here.

Last week I have my usual 32 week OB appointment to check blood, weight, etc.  She had asked if I had been having any Braxton Hicks or cramping, and I had been all week but nothing uncomfortable or anything.  She decided to do an exam to check my cervix and then did this fFN test (similar to a pap smear).  After it was over she said everything looked wonderful, that there was no change and she'd see me in a few weeks....ha!

What Is Fetal Fibronectin (fFN)?

Fetal fibronectin (also known as fFN) is a “glue-like” protein that bonds your developing baby to your uterus. Fetal fibronectin is detectable in vaginal secretions in the very beginning of pregnancy, when this bond is first forming, and then again at the end of pregnancy, when your body is getting ready to deliver your baby.  After the 35th week of pregnancy, it begins to break down naturally, and is detectable. If your body is getting ready to give birth prematurely, fFN may be detected before week 35.

What a Positive Test Result Means

A positive test result means your body is leaking fetal fibronectin, a sign that your body may be getting ready to deliver.  There is an increased chance that your baby is going to arrive early — but not everyone with a positive test result delivers early. The test can be repeated as often as every two weeks to monitor your ongoing risk.

This was taken off the internet - I've highlighted what they have done and are planning to do for Cohen:

Developing a plan of action

Knowing this information will help you and your doctor prepare for a possible preterm birth, and take appropriate steps to help manage your pregnancy.

Depending on what week of pregnancy you are in, some recommendations your doctor may suggest include:

• Limiting activities 
• Reducing stress
• Bed rest
• Finding and treating any undiagnosed infection(s)
• Watching for cervical changes that would signal onset of labor
• Consulting with a high-risk pregnancy specialist
• Tocolytic drugs, which are used to alleviate preterm contractions
• Corticosteroids, which may aid in your baby's lung development
• Monitoring for other symptoms that may be indicative of preterm labor
• Additional intervention if and when preterm labor begins

Monday (8/13) during a break in summer band the triage nurse from the hospital called and said this fFN test had come back positive.  She and my OB were both shocked and ordered me to the hospital within the hour.  I know nurses have to keep us fully informed, but I was an absolute MESS after hearing these phrases:  steroids for lung development, possible bed rest for 6 weeks, possible hospital stay for 2 weeks, bring enough things to the hospital in case we don't let you out, etc.  My students and another director got to see the tearful hysteria...before I headed home to get my bags.

We got here and immediately were put on monitors and given our first of two steroid shots.

Here is a picture of one of my contractions (I didn't know I was having them, but sure enough!)  I haven't had any more since Monday afternoon - I also haven't moved out of this dang hospital bed, either!

L&D memories... Room number 2253 at Centennial in Frisco: Meagan, Kerry and Brandi are our fabulous nurses

We saw the high risk doctor and my OB who said for now everything looks great.  Ultrasound sound revealed:

-Cohen is measuring 4 pounds 12 oz (big boy!)  This is 61% on weight.  They didn't have a way to measure the length but neither doctor was concerned since Patrick and I are both tall (or taller).
-Cervix length was 46 mm
-Cohen's Heart-rate was in the 120-130 range, a bit low for him, but I haven't really been doing anything all day.

Here are a couple of our catered meals ;-) Grilled cheese for dinner and eggs for breakfast this morning.  Guess Patrick's going to have to make dinner for me now!!

We are waiting on the second shot and the second round of doctors visits this afternoon and evening.  If we get the all clear, it looks like I'll be home bound for the week until my appointment next Monday.  If everything looks good then, I might be able to go to work again!

Fingers crossed that the steroids help his lungs, that we make it another 9 days until 34 weeks, and that Cohen stays put until he's supposed to make his arrival!

I'll update when we know more.   Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!