Eviction notice

Today was another dr's appt-and thankfully one of the last!  We were told today that we have an appointment to check into the hospital next Wednesday evening at 6pm!! Here is how the whole induction will go down- we check in (makes it sound like a vacation doesn't it??) at 6pm.  Once I'm all hooked up and settled in they will give me Cervadil, which is the first step in the induction process.  Cervadil is a drug that is given intravaginally (tucked behind the cervix) that acts as a ripening (back to the good ole days of fruit) agent.  The purpose is to ensure that the cervix is "ready" when the pitocin is administered.  Cervadil may or may not cause contractions.  We were told that the first night would be more of a slumber party than a work party. (weird) Renee's orders will state that pitocin is to be given the next morning if I haven't gone into active labor with the Cervadil.  Pitocin is an IV drug that will cause my uterus to contract actively helping Jax move down towards the light. (fun) At about noon, Renee will break my water (if this hasn't already occurred)  to keep things progressing. (more fun)  And at some point on the 19th we will finally get to meet Jaxon Mathew Simmons face to face!  If at any point in time, labor fails to progress or it stalls out-Renee will not continue to administer the drugs and will opt for a c-section.  Her theory is that stalled labor is nature's way of saying "this is not a safe fit".  And we fully support that theory!

After she gave us all of that information, she did an internal exam and found that I am now almost completely effaced (the disappearance or shortening of the cervix) and about 1cm dilated (the opening of the cervix-only 9 more to go!).  This progress means my body is getting ready for the big event.  So, unless you hear otherwise (and my fingers are crossed that he's coming before next week) our boy will be here in 8 days (max)

We look forward to seeing all of you within the next week or so! If you have any questions or want recommendations on hotels-give Justin a call...he's got all the info!!

much love~

Justin, Robin and Jaxon

And the waiting game continues

Today was the BIG day (ok...not THE big day...but a big one none the less).  We had our final ultrasound today.  The idea was to take some final measurements of Jaxon to see if he's still growing as big as we were thinking he is.  His average measurements today put him at 39weeks 2 days along.  Mind you...gestationally we are only 36weeks 3days.  So the boy is still big!  His head and abdomen are way ahead of schedule, while his femur (thigh bone) is right on schedule.  All of these measurements gave us an estimated weight of 7lbs 12 oz.  The "normal" estimated weight of a 36 week baby is about 6 lbs.

  When I met with Renee yesterday for my regular weekly appt, she told me that if he wasn't at the 8lbs mark-we weren't going to talk induction.  Today after looking over the ultrasound results (and taking into consideration my internal exam from yesterday) she explained to us that waiting another week to make a decision is our best bet.  While he is big enough, my body isn't showing the signs of being ready to deliver (not enough cervical action).  Essentially, she wants to wait until I am showing signs of readiness to ensure that IF we induce (to push things farther faster)--something will actually happen.  So the decision was made to wait until next Wednesday's appt, were I'll have another internal exam.  If things are starting to move along-we will talk induction for the week following.  And so we wait...

Here are some pics from today! We were able to see him sucking his thumb (he was going to town!) and watch as he practiced breathing! All very cool! Enjoy! (one is a profile pic with his mouth open and the other is 3-D of him sucking his thumb)

hope all is well with you~

much love, 

Justin, Robin and Jaxon

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...)

Mom-31...Jaxon-34

weeks that is...Today was another Dr's appointment. Our appointment that had been scheduled for last Friday was bumped by an emergency c-section (which is why there was no post last week...sorry if you missed us)  But what we did find out today is that Jaxon is still measuring ahead of schedule-this was done by measuring my belly this time, no ultrasound today.  The belly measurements are taken from the top of the pubic bone to the fundus (the top of the uterus).  This measurement should be as many centimeters as weeks of gestation.  So I have been pregnant for 31 weeks and should measure 31 cm.  However today I was measuring 34+ cm.  Justin and I spent a lot of time with the midwife today picking her brain on what she thinks is going to happen delivery wise.  She told us that we would continue to track Jax' growth through measurements and ultrasounds (we have an ultrasound next Thursday and another in 3 weeks).  The next ultrasound will give us his "growth trend" which just means it will tell us if he is continuing to grow at the same rate as he has been.  The BIG one is going to be the ultrasound that will be done at around 35 weeks.  This will be the deciding picture.  If at this point in time he is still measuring ahead of schedule and by all measurements appears to be weighing in at 7-8 lbs, she will strongly recommend a scheduled induction at 37 weeks (close to the 10th of March) or we can opt for a c-section at 38 weeks (the week of the 16th).  She believes that this little boy will be coming sooner rather than later!! Which means that we have about 6 weeks until baby day!

Justin and I are researching and weighing our options as we try to determine the path that will lead to the safest delivery of our boy.  And to put your minds at ease about the possibility of him coming early--babies born between 37-40 weeks are considered full term babies.  Those that are born between 34-37 weeks generally do not have any long term health issues and most won't spend any time (or very little) in a neonatal unit.  

Just a little Jax FYI- if he were truly a 34 week baby, he would be weighing in at 4 3/4 lbs (but he's already surpassed that) and measuring at about 18 inches.  His central nervous system and lungs continue to mature as he puts on more weight.  He is supposed to be gaining about an ounce a day at this point in the pregnancy!

We'll keep you posted as we can! Look for ultrasound pictures next week!

much love, 

Justin, Robin and Jaxon

Jax' Shack

I know that I didn't post on Jax' development this week...to be quiet honest...I'm just a little bit confused as to where he is developmentally.  Is he 32 weeks?? or 33?? possibly 35?  I really dunno.  So I decided that I would take a break from the medical and post a little on the fluffier side. (at least until I  get some better answers on Friday)

The most exciting thing is that we are almost done with the boy's room!  Justin laid the baseboard and chair railing yesterday and then we took to putting up decorations/pics and arranging the furniture! We both really love the way it is turning out! There are still a few finishing touches to be made (hamper, trash can, The Chair, another side table...the list goes on) but I wanted to share with you now!  The best part about all of the decorations is that they are things Justin and I had collected pre-Us and pre-Jax.  Many of the items are from our travels and carry fond memories with them.

Thats really all I wanted to share this week with you--Enjoy the pics and hopefully everyone has been enjoying their weekend!

Much love, 

Justin, Robin and Jax

***a side note--this kid seems to LOVE classical music...as I sit here listening to a great classical CD...he is bouncing (quiet literally) all over the place!