{Pregnancy Update} 28 Weeks

Today marks the beginning of the third trimester! I'm getting excited to meet this little girl (in February...not November, December, or January)! Overall I'm feeling good still. I noticed I was a little more tired this past week, and the random nosebleeds are back, accompanied by bleeding gums when I brush my teeth. Gross.

Last Friday I had a growth scan. Although this pregnancy is going great, I'm getting monthly growth scans since Tennyson was so severely growth restricted. Baby measured four days ahead of schedule and everything looked great. She is nearly the size Tennyson was when she was born!

I also had my glucose test while I was at my Friday appointment. I passed with flying colors with a result of 94. I didn't even mind the orange sugar drink. I also received the TDaP vaccination.

I met with a different doctor this past appointment. I know I should try and meet with other doctors in case mine isn't available on the day I deliver, but I just really like my doctor. I liked this doctor as well, but I still hope I get mine for the big day. I went over my history with him and he listened and asked questions, which I always appreciate. Now that I've entered the third trimester, I'll have appointments every two weeks.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to have a phone appointment with Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg. It took a lot of coordinating, but I was really grateful for the opportunity to talk with her. She is the director of the clinical trial for cord blood transfusion to help kids with cerebral palsy. We contacted her when Tennyson was around a year old and asked to be part of the clinical trial, but were declined since we didn't have Tennyson's cord blood banked. We don't want to miss the opportunity to bank this baby's cord blood.

Dr. Kurtzberg is also the director for Carolinas Cord Blood Bank (CCBB). After talking with Dr. Kurtzberg, we have been approved for "directed donation". Directed donation is for parents who have a child that is need of a cord blood transplant. This means the cord blood will be banked with the intention of Tennyson or Baby Girl getting to use it in the future. I am beyond thrilled we have been approved. There is no annual fee to bank at CCBB. There is a one time fee that is charged, but our insurance will be billed first to see if they will cover it.

The point of me telling you about CCBB is because I also met with one of the cord blood collection nurses last Friday. The doctor I saw wanted to make sure I was on their radar for directed donation. I have a large packet of paperwork to go through and read, but I feel better knowing everyone is tracking the cord blood is being banked.

I've started packing my hospital bag already. I didn't get to pack my bag last time and had to rely on my husband to choose clothes for me to wear home. He chose pre-pregnancy clothes and I didn't fit into them. I'm not messing around this time.

Our baby still doesn't have a name. We did have a name for a few weeks until my husband vetoed it. I was bummed. We had decided on Harlow. I thought it sounded pretty and girly, he thought it sounded manly. He ruined it for me when he said it like a pirate. "HARRRRRRlow". I fought for it still, but he said it sounded "HARRRRRRD" and "HARRRRRSH". I still love the name, but he has to also so the search continues.

Amy

tennsense@gmail.com