Gestational Hypertension

Well, my BP was high again today while sitting, and normal lying on my side. All of my labs are still normal, so I have gestational hypertension and not preeclampsia. I am still home on bedrest and seeing my OB (who is back from vaycay on Monday!) every 2-3 days. I would love to stay pregnant for as long as possible, but I also take comfort in the fact that I will be 37 weeks tomorrow.

Mama's Eye View

Almost 37 weeks!

Back On Bed Rest!

At my OB visit today, my blood pressure was 144/88! Lying down, it went back to 120/70. My blood and urine labs were normal, but I am back on bed rest for at least the next few days. My bp will be rechecked on Friday and Monday. I am so bummed! To make it more stressful for me, my regular OB is on vacation this week, so I had to see one of her partners, who doesn't have the best communication style. I therefore learned all about the worst case scenario of possibly having preeclampsia and if I do have that, needing to be induced, etc. I am not currently diagnosed with preeclampsia because of my normal labs, but I will be monitored super closely from now on.

I wasn't even allowed the extra shot of progesterone, because of the possibility of needing to be induced within the next week if I develop preeclampsia. I was shocked.

I have been in tears today, totally freaked out and stressed. : (

Rethinking the Definition of Term Pregnancy

So this article freaked me out today:

Rethinking the Definition of "Term Pregnancy"

Click on the title to read the abstract. Basically, according to new research, "term pregnancy" should reference women who are 39-40 weeks pregnant. 37-38 weeks should be considered "early term." Early term infants are at higher risk for things like chronic respiratory disease and learning problems. And I thought getting to 37 weeks was enough! Of course, early term infants are at less risk for these things than preterm infants (less than 37 weeks gestation)... but still...

Well, when I reach 37 weeks on Saturday - you know I will be celebrating! It is still full-term to me, and SO much better than 26 weeks!