Got Vitamin C?

Just wanted to remind all of you to start popping that Vitamin C...keep those immune systems healthy! We are in the middle of the RSV season for this area (december-late april) RSV is a respiratory infection that affects adults (with less severity) and children/babies (with higher instance of complications).  In adults symptoms are similar to those of the common cold.  In infants, it can be a serious infection that requires hospitalization.  There is currently no medication for the treatment of RSV.  Because of the ease of transmission (spreads like a cold through sniffles, sneezes, coughs and hand to surface or clothing) Labor and Delivery wards will request that all visitors who have these symptoms stay out of the hospital.  We will also be asking that any sickos keep their distance until the symptoms are gone! 

With that being said--let's keep it healthy people! 

much love and respiratory health!

Justin, Robin and Jaxon

35 weeks and counting...

I apologize for going MIA lately.  But I haven't really had much to tell...So here is a quick run-down of the last few weeks...

We've been going to the Dr for weekly appointments now.  She checks my weight (yay...) blood pressure,  listens to Jax heartbeat and measures my fundal height (from the top of my pubic bone to the top of my uterus) and after answering any questions we may have...sends us on our merry way.  The fundal measurement is still ahead of schedule-by how much I'm not sure.  She usually doesn't tell me the numbers since this isn't an accurate way of determining baby size.  At the last appointment she did tell me that from the outside he doesn't "feel" as big as we've been concerned he will be, but we are still waiting on the final ultrasound (Thurs March 5th) for the most current measurements.  If he is still ahead-we will talk induction for the next week.  If he seems to be in closer range of the gestational time line, we will have the option to let nature do its thing.  So for now (and for the past month) its been a wait and see game.

In other news--we are now well into week 35...his lungs are mature, as are all of his other vital organs...his only job now is to pack on the pounds (ok...I'm packing pounds...he's doing ounces)  This also means that we are now operating on  new labor and delivery rules.  Prior to this week, if I had more than 4-6 contractions in an hour, I was told to guzzle the water and rest for an hour-If they didn't stop I was to go directly to L&D.  Now the rules are that I am to stay at home until my contractions are 3-5 min apart for at least an hour (so they have to be close and consistent) or my water breaks.  I've also been put on travel restrictions and need to stay close to home (boo...) just in case labor starts.

We have our hospital bags packed (well mostly packed...and definitely by the weekend!) and our phone lists made! Know that you will be getting a text message from Justin if we go into the hospital and Jax's decides to make a surprise appearance to let everyone know without taking the time to call everyone.  Once we get settled in for the long haul--he'll make the appropriate calls.  Of course if we induce...you'll all know the appointment time and can make your own plans!

So there you have it for now at least...We will let you know what happens Thursday!

hope all is well...

Justin, Robin and Jaxon

"Congrats...your having a Toddler."

Is what my midwife told me today after reviewing the ultrasound results!  Today's appointment was a "trend tracking" ultrasound.  And all this means is that we take another peak inside and take measurements to see if Jax is indeed growing ahead of schedule.  Today's measurements along with those taken at the next ultrasound appt (march 5th) will give us the information needed to make the best delivery decision possible.  

Today Jaxon is weighing in a 5lbs 11 ounces (at 32 weeks gestation he should be weighing about 4 1/2 lbs.)  His head is measuring at 36weeks 1day, his midsection was barely ahead at 33weeks 2days, and his limbs were at 33 weeks.  What all this means is that he is still measuring ahead of schedule--with an average of 35weeks 6days in development.  

And its because of that large head measurement that Renee (the midwife) is still leaning towards a scheduled induction or ultrasound.  The bummer is that we are still in limbo as to exact dates and final decisions.  What will happen next is that I will continue to meet with her-every 2 weeks-and then every week- to keep track of my weight, growth, contractions, symptoms etc.  And then after the 36 week ultrasound-we will know whether we are having a baby by scheduled appt within the next 2 weeks...or whether mother nature will get to do her job.

So sorry that I don't have more information for you all...its a huge source of frustration for me as well! 

hope all is well with you-

much love, 

Justin, Robin and Jaxon (who wouldn't wake up to take good ultrasound pics...)