The Baldwin Experience: My Journey Through Life

Well, Bennett has arrived!! I still can't believe it's real... I left off on Friday, when I was leaking "fluid". By Saturday, I was still consistently leaking, so I called the doctor's office per instruction from my appointment on Friday. They said to come into triage to get everything checked out, and to bring our stuff just in case. We arrived at the hospital at about 1pm... Dr. Shoenmaker (not our original doctor, but the one that we really liked of all the other doctors we met in the group) first did an ultrasound. My fluid levels that were at about 12 the day before were now at 6! Even though they consider 5 and above to be "normal", since I was obviously leaking at a fast pace, it was time to consider our options! They also did another pH test to confirm that it was amniotic fluid (in case there was any doubt), and it was positive right away. Okay, now what?! I had been "crampy" all morning, but I didn't think they were contractions b...

Since yesterday’s “plug” incident, there has been more excitement. I called the doctor’s office because my sister-in-law mentioned that maybe I should just let them know. However, I left a message and I missed the call when the phone nurse called back. Then, last night in the middle of the night I started “leaking” water!!!! It wasn’t what I would consider big amounts, but it continued consistently through the night and morning. So, when I called the doctor's office back this morning, I mentioned it just in case and they said to come in. They ran a couple of tests on the fluid to see if it was, in fact, amniotic fluid, and they came back “inconclusive” (PH test and looking under a microscope). Inconclusive… LOL, of COURSE ... At that point they wanted another ultrasound because it was clear that I was losing fluid, they just couldn’t determine what kind or how much. The ultrasound showed that the levels look fine as of now , but they said that if I continue to “leak” at the same ra...

I feel a lot of pressure down low, am experiencing some cramps (almost feel like menstrual cramps), having “hot flashes” and am taking many trips to the bathroom, LOL… The doctor said my body is doing “warm-ups”. Also, something somewhat interesting happened (and *warning*, a little gross too…). I just “lost” my mucous plug! Since I didn’t even know what it was, I had to google. Here is some of what I found: Some women will lose their "mucous plug" weeks before they go into labor. Losing your plug does not always mean labor will begin shortly. Keep in mind that even if a woman has begun to dilate, it may be weeks before she actually goes into labor. As your body prepares for labor your cervix will begin to dilate and thin. As your cervix opens up, your mucous plug may fall out. This is a good sign that labor is on its way - Though, it could be days or even weeks after you lose your mucous plug before labor actually starts. Okay, it’s a little disgusting… and it doesn’t sound...

A little late on posting! ;-)