All is well with both the baby and me. My blood pressure was 124/70, proper weight gain and measurements etc. The baby's heart rate was a little higher--152-156 she said, but it was a different nurse, so who knows if they all count the same way.

My mom, wise in all things, especially when and how to expand your worry list, asked me last week if I'd stay on the heparin all the way through delivery. "Wouldn't it be dangerous to enter surgery while on blood thinner?" she wondered. As always, Mom was right. I asked Dr. Kennedy about the heparin schedule and she said I would not be on it at delivery, but just one day off will be enough time off to return to normal for surgery. So I just won't take it the day before the C-section is scheduled. She's not sure whether I'll need it after, but doesn't think so. She thinks continuing the
baby aspirin will be enough, but reserves the right to change her mind.

Just so it doesn't seem like I'm coasting through problem free, I will admit to some lower back/leg pain on the right side that makes walking--my primary form of exercise--less comfortable. Dr. Kennedy smiled and nodded knowingly when I told her about it--just another one of the things I didn't get far enough to experience last time, she said. She said the baby's position probably is putting pressure on my sciatic nerve(s?) and it could continue or the baby could move, relieving the pressure. She offered to send me to physical therapy if I want it, but we'll see. It's not debilitating, just sort of a stiff feeling. Definitely contributes to the "pregnancy waddle" or maybe it's vice versa. Once I get going and loosen up a bit it's better. I can still make it all the way home from work, though I didn't hesitate when John found me on my walk this evening and stopped to pick me up!

Today's blood pressure: 110/70
Baby's heartrate: 146
No additional news means a boring update: all is well.

John gave his first heparin injection tonight. He's been dreading it for weeks, knowing that as I approached the third trimester (!) I'd have to stop using my abdomen as an injection site. Because of the bruising the shots cause, it's important to vary the site as much as possible. The other two options are thigh and upper arm. I've been alternating between thigh and abdomen, but now must switch to alternate between thigh and arm. Giving the shot requires pinching up the skin and then sticking the needle in. Logistically, it's impossible to do this for myself on my arm since it's a two-handed process. John did very well, though I don't think he believed me when I said it didn't hurt. I suppose I'm used to needle sticks by now. He'll be used to it too after another 13-14 weeks.

Today I started my weekly OB appointments. At this point in most pregnancies the check-ups are still every four weeks, but my checkered history calls for more careful monitoring. As of today though, everything is fine. The baby's heartrate was 144, which is about where it's been all along. My blood pressure was fine at 120/73 and all signs point to continued health for both of us. Dr. Kennedy keeps saying she just knows everything will be fine this time. Sometimes I wonder if she says that to reassure herself or me. Probably a little of both. It can't be easy to have two people's lives in your hands.

On Thursday I went for the 23-week ultrasound that is part of the study I wrote about in early September. This was to measure the bloodflow through the uterine arteries where signs of constriction could point to oncoming preeclampsia. The right side was completely normal and the left slightly elevated pressure, but not enough to warrant any concern. Dr. R. who is running the study took one look and declared, "You will not be having a baby in the next few weeks." Music to my ears! She can't rule out later-onset preeclampsia, but she believes that if it were coming soon there would have been visible constriction in one or both arteries. In fact, she's the doctor who did the ultrasound the day before Will was born. She remembered that when she first spoke with me about the study three weeks ago and flipped back in my chart to look at her notes from that test. Sure enough, one of the arteries was described as "kinked" which doesn't mean that bloodflow was completely cut of, but severely restricted. The next part of the study will be a repeat ultrasound at 28 weeks and we'll hope that the only thing that has changed in the picture is the size of the baby!