34-week appointment

Went today at 11:45. Got there 15 min early, waited 1 hour 15 minutes just to be called back. Finally I went to the window myself and demanded to be seen, so they weighed me, took my blood pressure, and showed us into a room. The doctor came in 5 minutes later, said, "Yay, everything's looking good", checked the baby's heartbeat, and then said, "See you in two weeks." Seriously? I could have done all that at home! This waiting game is ridiculous, and had been steadily getting worse with all my appointments. It's as though now that I'm this far along, I'm no longer that important, so they don't care. At this point I almost want to change doctors, but that's impossible this late in the game. I just don't even feel like she cares, really. Just reads the chart, says ok you're doing fine, and sends me on my way. I'll definitely go with another doctor next time around.

Anyway, all that frustration aside, the checkup was fine. My blood pressure is 118 over 84, I've only gained 1 pound in the last two weeks, and Gracie's heart rate was a perfect 140 again. I asked the doctor about the low cramps I've been having, and she said that's Gracie working her way slowly downwards, and my muscles and cervix and all that down there are gradually making way for her. She's still positioned head down, which is good. So hopefully we'll have a real easy road ahead. Next will be my 34 week appt., two weeks from today, on Tuesday the 23rd at 4:30pm. The one after that will be my 36 week appt. on Tuesday, November 6th, at which time they will do my first internal exam, to check for dilation and effacement. After that I'll be checking in every week, and if she hasn't made progress by week 39, they'll schedule an induction for a day or two after her due date. Hopefully she'll be a punctual baby!

Our 1st childbirth class went well last week. We learned about the labor process, all the hospital's procedures, and took a tour of the Labor & Delivery floor, as well as the nursery and Post Partum rooms. It was very informative, really set my mind at ease knowing the plan for action now and exactly how the hospital handles things. We have our 2nd child birth class tonight, in which we'll be learning about breastfeeding, diaper changing, bathing the baby, etc. Hope everyone's having a good week!