Went for a bunch of tests today (will get results on Monday) and did the bio-physical ultrasound. The US showed the baby’s fine – she’s in great shape. I did my blood pressure this morning at Shoppers and it was still high – 148 / 97. By time I went to the doc it was down to 130 / 64!! Thank god! I get to avoid a trip to the hospital this weekend.

I go back on Monday for another US to make sure things are still fine and to check my blood pressure again. If it goes back up and I do end up the hospital they’d only keep me for 2 days before inducing. That’s a huge relief! I was worried I’d be weeks in there.

In preparation of possibly going to the hospital this weekend I packed the diaper bags and picked up a few items (bottles, receiving blankets, burp pads, soothers). We also got the glider and Ben already put it together. He’s going to put in the floor tonight and we’ll get the furniture on Sunday. I’m so happy I’ll be home to set up the nursery myself.

So I went to Shoppers Drug to check my blood pressure like the doctor wanted. It was higher than yesterday!! My pre-natal instructor called me tonight after getting my note about not making the last class tonight. That was so nice of her to call and she helped ease a few of my fears. Since she works at the hospital she said to just call and she'll come visit me if I get admitted. She said I'll be in the "high-risk maternity ward". I love how I go from near perfect pregnancy to high-rish in a matter of a week. Geesh! Since things don't look good for home rest and will likely be admitted to the hospital tomorrow or this weekend I went on a whirlwind today to get as much as I could done around home.

I removed all the tags from the baby's clothes and got them all washed in special detergent. That was about 4 loads!! The washer/dryer is still going and it's 10:30 pm! The only thing left to wash is the cloth diapers but that can wait till we come home with her. We'll use the disposable "umbilical care" ones for the first few weeks.

I got my bag for the hospital packed complete with the items I'll need for after delivery (in case I don't make it home before then). I'm just finishing up packing the diaper bag(s) once the last load of laundry is out of the dryer.

Ben was awesome tonight. He knows what's stressing me out and we took care of business! We went to Home Depot so I could pick out the floor for the nursery and he'll get that in place on Saturday. His uncle is delivering the crib, change table, baby bath, change pad and stroller on Sunday. Between Ben and my Mom they can set it up. We also went to Walmart and they actually had the glider we've been looking at out in a box! Thank god! We snatched that up and Ben's already got it built! I also grabbed just a few glass bottles, burp pads, soothers and receiving blankets - just enough to do her at the hospital and get her home. Then me or Mom can run out and get a few more of each. I got the bottles and soothers sterilized and packed. Did I mention Ben also got the carseat installed in the Focus? We're still deciding if we want to get a second base to put in the Civic. That can wait till I'm home from the hospital.

So, now that things are almost taken care of I feel much better about possibly heading to the hospital for a week or two. Now maybe I can relax and reduce my blood pressure and come home and wait for labour here. My instructor thinks I wouldn't be admitted and stay there for four weeks with high blood pressure. Either the blood pressure goes down or I get induced. I'm at the stage now where baby can come and be just fine. She's over 6 lbs, tall and hearty - totally ready to come. She just won't be the 9 lbs they're estimating but that's ok with me! Less baby to push out of me. If I am admitted hopefully I can get in one last entry to let you all know what's going on. I'm praying for wireless at the hospital so I can at least keep my blog going and play Scrabble on Facebook... heh.

Till next time!

Well I knew this pregnancy was going too good to be true. I've finally run into some complications.  

I went to the OB today for my first appointment. My blood pressure is sky rocketing so she's sending me for a bunch of tests over today, tomorrow and Friday. I did some bloodwork today and I have to take tomorrow off for a 24 hour urine collection and another blood pressure check at Shoppers Drug Mart. On Friday I take in the urine samples, go for a fetal assessment scan to check on baby, then go back to the OB (all same building) for another blood pressure reading and more bloodwork. If it hasn't gone back down to normal she's considering admitting me to the hospital this weekend for bed rest. If my blood pressure goes down and stays stable while in the hospital I can go home. If the blood pressure stays up I may be induced early. She wants me to stop working immediately. I'm sure by not working my bloodpressure will go back to normal. There's no talk of putting me on meds cause it hasn't been a long-term condition.

She's concerned but not freaking out as all my urine samples and bloodpressure have been consistently great for the first 36 weeks of the pregnancy. Chances of it becoming pre-eclampsia is slight but she wants to be safe. I'm sure a few days rest will get it all under control. If anything, checking me into the hospital will only increase my pressure. How can anyone stay calm sitting in a hospital room with no air conditioning, a crappy bed, the smallest TV you've ever seen with no beagle? If she tries to admit me this weekend I'll fight it and see if I can spend the weekend home and re-test on Monday.

I'm a bit freaked out. I'm sure baby's fine, the last ultrasound was only two weeks ago and fine, but I'm not ready to be stuck in the hospital on bed rest. I don't have the nursery stocked and set up and hell, I like my freedom!! Can you imagine hospital food for a month.. ick! I'm sure mom would come by to help Ben with the house and set up the nursery.. she'd love to do that but I really want to pick out the neccessities myself and set up the nursery the way I want to.

One piece of good news from today's visit is that I can stay on my anti-depressants and breastfeed without worry! I'm on a low enough dose of a mild drug it won't have any effect on the baby. This has been backed up by two doctors now *phew*.

So, I'll update on Friday after the doctor and hopefully not be going in for a visit this weekend. If I do, it better only be a few days or my stress will hit the roof!!

Today was the shower for my friends and family. We had a good turn out (about 20 people) and I think everyone had fun. Good food, people and wonderful gifts. My sister did an amazing job hosting and the food was awesome. I feel spoiled getting my favourite maple smoked salmon from Amazing Food Service. It's robbery what they charge for it but hot damn you can't go wrong. The last time I had it was at the post-wedding party we had.

It was nice to see some people I haven't had a chance to since being pregnant and everyone agrees I look pretty damn good for being 35 weeks. I hear I'll get bigger in the upcoming 5, but for now I can't complain. I got to see my friend Monia from school and my dearest friend Ali made the trip up from the US for me. I love that girl! She spoiled us rotten and I'm thankful for all her advice and home made baby goodies.

The nursery's almost done so all the baby things will have to live in the spare room till Ben puts in the new floor and we get the crib, change table and glider next week. Then I can start washing all her clothes and cloth diapers and set the room up. By then we'll be down to 3 weeks till she arrives (if on time). Lord help me if she's early!!

I'm feeling pretty prepared already. I scored another free diaper bag and formula samples from Similac so we're good to go on that front. My neighbour wasn't able to come to the shower but stopped by with a basket of clothes and misc items like diapers and wipes. Very cool! My gf Monia's gift was a basket full of Johnson & Johnson baby products!! Fantastic! I was secretly hoping for that since she works for the company.   

The other big ticket items we didn't get through the shower we'll be able to get from Ben's Aunt and put our money elsewhere like clothes, bottles, diapers and other small items. We have amazing families and we're well supported. My Aunt Kathy went above and beyond by giving us a video baby monitor. So now we won't be able to just hear the baby when she's in her room, we'll have a live video feed of her too on a small portable tv! Very cool. Something tells me we'll be spying on Sprocket as practice, heh. My Mom had one of my old dresses from my Grandma and passed it down to my daughter, that got her crying, then me crying then the aunts started.. geesh!  Who woulda thought. I could spend all day writing about each and every amazing thing we go but I'll stop now.

So to everyone who reads this who came out today thank you soooo much for coming and all the wonderful gifts. You'll be recieving a thank you card shortly! Yes I know, I'm too organized. I'm already starting to think about the birth announcements too!