06/07/06 Checkup (40 weeks and 2 days)

Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock...... you get the point.

Speck is in no hurry to vacate the premises, so we must continue to wait.

Speck, Mommy and Daddy went to see Doc Jeanie today for what would have been the last appt before speck's arrival, but don't hold your breath ;) Doc Jeanie said nature has finally started to take it's course. Progress is being made and we thank the powers that be for it. Doc Jeanie was very glad to see the progress and allowed for Speck and mommy to wait it out till next week, if nothing happens before then. Doc Jeanie ordered a couple of tests for mommy to take before she left the hospital. (Secretly mommy was very glad about this, as mommy was rather nervous about going into the hopsital to be induced.)

One was a Non-Stress Test which is done to assess the well-being of the baby in utero if there is reason to suspect that the baby may not be thriving. Non-stress testing involves monitoring the fetal heartrate elctronically for 20-30 minutes and seeing how the rhythm changes in response to stimulation such as fetal movement, sounds and vibrations, or uterine contractions that normally occur in late pregnancy. Nurse Laurie said Speck passed with flying colors. Speck is doing well in her current home and is very comfortable. During this test mommy actually got to differentiate between a contraction and the urge to run to the restroom. It was actually quite exciting.

The other test was an AFI. Amniotic Fluid Index is an estimate of the volume of amniotic fluid within the uterus. It is performed via ultrasound. AFI is believed by many doctors to be a good indicator of placental sufficiency. It is also used to assess fetal well-being since amniotic fluid is primarily made of of fetal urine. That also came back with good results.

Mommy was allowed to go home after she passed the tests and just wait on speck to arrive when she is ready. Mommy has her bags packed and is ready to go to the hospital any day now. We are all waiting so anxiously.