The Pavelka Family: Let the countdown begin...

Hi everyone! It's been almost a month since I've posted last! This has been due to the fact that we've been SO busy preparing for our little girl, and also that there hasn't been much to report up until now! We had our 36 week appointment yesterday, and got some surprising news - I am already 2 centimeters dilated and 50 % effaced! Our doctor started the appointment with a preparation speech about how most women go past their due date with their first pregnancy. After the exam, however, she was telling me that 2 cm is pretty far along for being only 36 weeks. She said that I need to take it easy and stay off my feet as much as I can until next week, when the baby will be considered full term. Most likely, I probably still have a couple of weeks to go, but according to the doctor, I'll probably go early rather than late!

We also had a non-stress test done on the baby. I sat in a recliner for about 20 minutes with monitors on my stomach, and had to press a button every time I felt the baby move to make sure that her heart rate was accelerating with each movement. She passed with flying colors! We will have to have that done every week until the baby is born, since I'm still considered high-risk with the complications we had in the beginning. It's kind of a pain, but it is reassuring to hear the baby's heartbeat and monitor her movement. She had the hiccups during the test, which was fun because we got to hear them LOUDLY on the machine! The poor girl has hiccups all of the time!

Overall, I've been feeling well! Although I definitely feel like I'm ready to be done. My feet and hands have been very swollen lately, and I've been so tired! I can't complain too much though - the baby is healthy and that's all that matters!

I will be updating the blog often, now that there will be things to write about! I will have another doctor's appointment next week, and will keep you all posted on how it goes! I've posted some pictures below of me at 36 weeks, and some more pictures of the baby's room! Happy Halloween everyone!!