The Alsmans

I went today for my 38 week appt. I measured between 1-2 cm but the doctor was concerned that my belly was only measuring 34 and last week it was 36. Not sure what that means. So she wanted to check my amniotic fluid. It was at a 6 and it should be at an 8. So she called the on-call doctor and they both agreed that I should be induced today. She asked how I felt about it and of course I would rather not be I diced but if it means the baby is safe, then that's what we do! She thinks it should go pretty quickly! We'll see! I am just waiting for Grant to get home and we are off! Luckily Caitlin is at daycare so I didn't have to worry about her!! My parents will pick her up later! She will be so excited to meet her sister! She has been saying all week that she wants Elise to come out of the bubble (that's how we explained it to her)! So excited and so nervous to welcome our new baby girl! We have been waiting a LONG time for this! Our lives are about to completely change! Of course, for the better...

Posted by Grant, Jennie & Caitlin Alsman at 11:08 AM 0 comments

Oops, I am a little late posting this! I went to the doctor last Thursday! I was 1 cm dilated and she said my cervix was very soft. She also said the baby is very low! But, I am still pregnant and nothing has really happened since then! I have had some contractions on and off but they usually go away! I am still feeling pretty good and am able to continue going to the gym! I think this has really helped me! I go back on Thursday for my 38 week appt! Will try to remember to post afterward!

Posted by Grant, Jennie & Caitlin Alsman at 3:16 PM 0 comments

I had another ultrasound today to check my placenta! Great news, the doctor thinks it has moved far enough for a vaginal delivery!!! Of course there is still a possibility of a c-section if I bleed too much in labor. But they did an external and internal ultrasound and don't think it is covering my cervix!!! Finally some great news :)

Elise is looking great! She is measuring 6 lbs 6 oz. The doctor said that isn't too big or too small! The u/s tech said she thought she saw a little hair on her head but it was hard to tell. I did get to see a 3D pic of her little nose and mouth. She was also opening her mouth and sticking out her tongue during the u/s. Too cute! The doc said her head is nice and low!! Can't believe it is 4 weeks or less! The u/s tech was impressed that the placenta actually moved away since I had a complete previa at 20 weeks. I feel very lucky but know that a c-section is still a possibility! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!!

Posted by Grant, Jennie & Caitlin Alsman at 10:19 AM 0 comments

I had my 33 week appt on Monday.  I met the new doctor in the practice and really like her.  She explained more about my previa.  She said the u/s report stated that it is a marginal previa which means it isn't complete anymore.  However, there is not guarantee that it will move completely away.  We will still wait and see what the 36 week u/s shows!  She did say I would have my c-section at 39 weeks if it goes that way (praying I don't have to have a c-section).  So that would put the c-section around April 14th!

I have been having a lot of abdominal pain the last two days.  It is probably just BH contractions but is more uncomfortable than I remember.  I am praying it is nothing else.  Last night I thought for sure they were real contractions (paranoid pregnant girl over here). 

This little girl is SO active.  The doctor couldn't get her heartbeat right away because she wouldn't stop moving.  So we both just watched my belly.  She said, "oh look, there goes her foot."  Elise is just like her big sister!  Caitlin was so cute the other day.  She was all serious and said "Mommy, when is Elise going to come?"  She is getting very impatient!!!  She gives kisses and hugs to my belly every night and talks to her sister!  She has been feeling her kick and move a lot lately and she just loves it!

I go back to the doctor at 35 weeks and then every week after that.  Looking forward to the 36 week u/s.

Posted by Grant, Jennie & Caitlin Alsman at 8:30 PM 0 comments

I wish I had better news. The doctor said my placenta moved a little but not a lot. They won't commit to a c-section yet. I will go back at 36 weeks, on March 26th. He said he didn't seem hopeful that it would move :( He seemed surprised that I haven't had any bleeding. So still have to wait but it looks like I need to prepare for a c-section :( Good news is Elise is head down!! But guess that doesn't matter if the placenta is still in the way.

The doctor said all her measurements are perfect! She weighs approx 4 lbs 5 oz. her heartbeat is about 141 bpm which is normal! I could see all 4 chambers of the heart clearly :) She kept opening and closing her mouth!! The tech said "wow her legs are really high up there." I figured that since I keep getting kicked in the ribs :( not very fun :(

So guess we will keep praying! Doesn't look good though :(

Posted by Grant, Jennie & Caitlin Alsman at 10:27 AM 0 comments

Our friends, Laurie and Drew, got us a giftcard for a 3D ultrasound when we first got pregnant.  Thanks guys!  Grant started researching when the best time to get this done and realized it was right around 30 weeks.  I thought it would have been better at the end, but I guess the baby is too big at that point.  We called today and got in today!  Yay!!  I was so excited for Caitlin to see baby Elise.  She was interested for about 2 minutes.  After that, she ran around the room like a crazy person.  The u/s tech said "all the attention is on the baby so that's probably why she is acting that way."  Uh oh, we are in for some interesting behavior once Elise arrives if that's the case :)

I will post some pics at the end of this post.  We didn't get great ones because Elise likes hanging out on my placenta.  I am fine with that b/c it appears the placenta may have moved.  We aren't sure if it has moved enough (will know on the 25th) but we know it is at least partially on my side!  Woohoo!!!!  The doctor at my 20 week u/s said he thought I might end up with a lateral placenta, which seems to be the case right now, but who knows!  Not getting my hopes up until I know something for sure on the 25th!

Covering her face, she's camera shy, haha!!! Looks like she is giving us a smile!  Also looks like she is being smashed by the placenta!
Grant is convinced Elise looks just like Caitlin as a baby.  I have a hard time seeing it.  It's so hard to tell from these pictures!  She does seem to have a cute little nose and the perfect little mouth!!  The ultrasound tech also confirmed that Elise is still a SHE!  Yay!!!

Posted by Grant, Jennie & Caitlin Alsman at 10:15 PM 0 comments

I had an appointment on Tuesday!  I can't believe I have hit the 30 week mark, woohoo!  This week started out awful because I had a horrible cold or sinus infection (not really sure what it was).  Grant stayed home from work Monday because I barely slept the night before.  It was nice for him to see what a day is like for me and Caitlin.  He had to handle preschool drop-off and pick-up, a playdate, ballet, etc.  He did a great job!!  I asked my OB on Tuesday for an antibiotic which has really helped me feel better.  Finally, I feel better (it's Friday)!  Not much else happened at my appointment. I still find it so weird that the doctor barely spends any time with you when it's your second pregnancy.  I go for my next ultrasound on Feb 25th.  I am hoping my placenta has moved!! 

Posted by Grant, Jennie & Caitlin Alsman at 9:50 PM 0 comments