Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Dr. Appointment June 29, 2011

I went to the OB again today. All is well! I am gaining weight (scary) and so is he. It was just a regular OB visit where they just measure my belly and listen to his heart. All sounded great!!! I also went to the chiropractor again today and my back seems to be getting better. Going once next week and hopefully that's the extent to it because co-pays are too expensive! Gosh, I love our health care system... NOT! Better than nothing though. Anyhow... Next appointments...

July 13th- Ultrasound to check on Frankie at 9:45 am and then I meet with my OB to discuss his growth, etc.
July 20th- Meet with a pediatrician for a consultation for her to be Frankie's doctor once he's here! And to follow him now as well.
July 27th- Regular OB visit.

On Saturday, I will officially be in the third trimester! Holy cow! He's going to be here before we know it! Thanks for the continuous prayers. Love to all!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Meeting with surgeon and chiropractor visit.

This morning we met with the surgeon and the newborn medicine doctor. There are several different scenarios that we could go through, but no matter which one we go through, there is something they can do for our little Frankie! We aren't sure which scenario we will be living until he is here. They need to see him, the O and his lungs to determine what they will be doing and when they will do it. If the O is leaking, then surgery is more of an urgency. If it is not leaking and they can wrap it, then it is not. So, we just have to wait until he is here to really know what is going on. But, rest assured, there are several different things they can do for our little guy! He may be in the NICU for a month, 2 weeks, 3 months, it all depends on how everything goes. Joe and I both have a good feeling about this and that Frankie is a stubborn, strong little guy! We're hoping and praying for the best of all the scenarios.

We also toured labor and delivery at Barnes which was nice because now we know where to go when it's time! Speaking of the time, they are planning and hoping to do the c-section on September 19th. This isn't set in stone yet. They have to monitor him and make sure that his growth is above the 10%. If it is not and his growth stops due to the placenta not providing enough nutrients, he will be here sooner than the 19th. I'm hoping he camps out and keeps growing so that I am 39 weeks 2 days when he gets here! The longer the better for him. About a month before my due date, we will have a set in stone time that we will be having the c-section. Most likely early in the morning. Just so everyone knows, so no feelings are hurt at all, it's going to be tough visiting, at first. You can visit me all day everyday, but being able to see Frankie isn't going to be the easiest, just at first. Right after birth he will need all the medical attention necessary. I, the mother, will not even be able to hold him for 4-6 hours after birth :( I'm okay with it, as long as he's healthy! So, once I get to see my little guy and hold him and we know all is okay, they should let us be able to bring other people into the NICU. They have strict guidelines at the NICU on hand washing and only 2 people back in the babies room at a time. Just so everyone knows! If I learn of anymore strange rules and regulations, I'll be sure to let everyone know ahead of time! I will be in Barnes for probably 4 days because of the c-section, but luckily it's right next door to Children's and they can wheel me over there to see him! All day if I want to!


Visiting the NICU was great. The doctors and nurses are amazing there and we look forward to them taking care of our baby. Children's Hospital is an absolutely amazing place!!!!

The chiropractor went great! My upper back was totally jammed up and all out of alignment because so many things are growing and changing in my body. After a couple more adjustments, I should be good to go! I already feel better after one!

Keep the prayers coming! We appreciate them more than you'll ever know! Love to you all!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Gestational Diabetes

I got the results back the other day and I DO NOT have gestational diabetes! :) Thank the lord! They also checked for anemia and I do not have that either. All is still well! Love to you all!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Doctor's Visit June, 15th 2011

Hello! Today was another great appointment! I was there for what felt like an eternity (almost 2 hours) but it was worth it!

The first thing I did was have my blood drawn to check for diabetes. I will hear the results of that tomorrow. As soon as I get them, I will post them on here.

Second I had my ultrasound. Holy cow he is getting big! He now weighs in at 1 lb and 11 oz. and is roughly 13.5 in long. He no longer looks like a skinny, scary baby! His cheeks are filling out! They checked on his kidneys, stomach, bladder, heart, brain, the O and all of the in between. Everything is looking great! They check for fluid around the heart and the O. If there is fluid present then he is in distress and isn't doing well. Thankfully, there is no fluid present! We're pretty sure that he's going to look like his daddy from the 3d pictures today and that he is going to have a hilarious personality by the way he acted today during the ultrasound. His abdomen looks much larger than the O now which is amazing! I remember looking at the O and it consumed his body. It was scary! But, thankfully he is getting bigger and kicking this O's ass! 

Lastly, I met with my OB. She said everything looks great! She said things couldn't be better considering how scared we all were when this all came about. My weight is good, Frankie's weight and growth is great, and my belly measures correctly.  The only concern we talked about was my terrible upper back pain. Conclusion, get a bigger bra because I have clearly out grown the one I currently have on and if that doesn't fix it, I have a script to see a chiropractor because it's not going to get any better the larger I get!

I couldn't have asked for a better appointment today. We are both so thankful that are little guy is doing so great. He is one tough cookie! I thank you all again and again and can't thank you enough for all of the support and prayers! We appreciate it so very much and are thankful for each and every one of you! I am attaching a new picture of Frankie!

Next appointment: June 22nd- at 9:30am we will be meeting with the surgeons again to discuss Frankie's options once he is here. We will then be taking a tour of the NICU where Frankie will spend some good, quality time and we will also tour the labor and deliver at Barnes where I will be having the c section.
This may be hard to see but it is a 3d, side view of his face. His chunky cheek and his cute little nose and mouth. He still thoroughly enjoys having his hands and one foot by his face. I'm interested to see his sleeping position once he's born! Love to you all!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Doctor's Visit June 1, 2011

Hello! So I went to the OB today and all still looks well! Frankie's heart sounded fantastic and my belly measures just a little bit big! :) He's growing rapidly in there!

To all my Swardson family, I will not be able to go to Breckenridge this summer. :( My doctor and I discussed it today and it's probably our best interest to stay home. I am totally bummed. I will be 34 weeks pregnant at that point and will be a whale and very uncomfortable, not to mention I need to be here for my doctor's and the NICU for Frankie, in case he tries to come early. Hopefully he is a camper and stays in there until my c section! As for that, when we meet with the surgeons on June 22nd, we will have a better idea of when the c section will be and we can schedule it.

Next appointments:
June 15- Glucose test (checking for gestational diabeties), OB visit and an ultrasound to check on the O and Frankie's growth in more detail.
June 22- Meeting with the surgeons again (discussing Frankie's options once he is here) and touring the NICU at Children's and the labor and delivery at Barnes.

This is been an overwhelming experience thus far for us but having support from all of you has helped us out in so many ways! We thank you for your continuous support and prayers as we go each day through this. He'll be here and be healthy before we know it! I'll keep you posted if anything else new arises before my next appointment on the 15th. Love to you all!