First NST

Yesterday I had my first non-stress test (NST) and another uneventful OB appointment. I worry more than ever before that each appointment is going to be the one that concludes with, "go get your bags and head back to the birthing center." I'm in this constant state of anticipation that either my blood pressure will be too high, or my cervix will be long gone, or I'll be contracting and not be able to distinguish it from the other daily pains I feel, or some other reason will make that appointment my last. But this time, my blood pressure was "good" as well as everything else- so I'm back to work on Monday and back to the clinic on Friday for another NST and u/s with the perinatologist. I'm guessing I have over 9 and 1/2 lbs of baby in there, so I estimate that by the u/s I'll have 10 and 1/2 lbs (since each babe is supposed to gain about 1/2 a week). I guess I've proven that bed rest after contractions at 26 weeks was not necessary, huh?

The NST was no biggie, because I was hooked up to monitors during my brief hospital stay two months ago so it was just more of the same. Little Bean (baby boy) got hiccups during it and it was very comical to see and feel my stomach jerk rhythmically while hearing it at the same time. I was supposed to push a button every time I felt movement, so I was pushing it every second there for a while.

I let my OB know that I'm still on the vaginal delivery side of things, but that if I make it to 38 weeks, I'm probably more inclined to prefer a C-section. I asked if that would need to be scheduled in advance, and he said no- that if I have an appointment in the morning, I can let him know and we can do it later that day, or if my appointment is later in the day, we can plan it for the next day. So we'll just have to wait and see. I liked the idea of having a definitive date in my head that the babies would be here no later than, but I like that my doctor is okay with whatever I want (vaginal or C-section, and timing: anywhere in the 37th or 38th week).

Wish me luck for another week of teaching kindergartners while 8+ months pregnant with twins!