When I was pregnant with Noah I had to do a bi-weekly NST (Non Stress Test) for the last 5 weeks. This was because I had gestational diabetes and they wanted to make sure my baby wasn't going to be friggin' huge. The test was comprised of me relaxing in a bed for 20 minutes with two monitor belts around my belly--one for me and one for my baby to measure our heartbeats, the baby's movements and my contractions.
This time around I don't have GD so I figured I wouldn't have to have to any kind of special testing. However, in the last 3 years there's been some medical discoveries that assume women over the age of 35 might not produce enough amniotic fluid so medical care specialists are now recommending that us old ladies have AFI (amniotic fluid index) testing done (along with NST) twice weekly in the last 5 weeks of pregnancy. Dr. Hank said that it's probably not necessary given the fact that in the 3 years they've been doing this testing at Alta Bates they have yet to see a dried up old lady...but better safe than sorry.
So, today I went for my first NST test which included an ultrasound. The ultrasound measures the amniotic fluid so I'll get those once a week. Here's what I learned:
- Baby is active...and stubborn. He has a 6th sense for when something is expected of him and he won't do it.
- I'm having a lot of contractions. Nurse said they could be caused by dehydration so perhaps I'm still not well from last weekend's vomit-fest. Or maybe baby wants out early...if that's the case I have a lot I need to do!!!
- Baby is still breech; curled up like a taco with his feet kicking, pressing, pushing up under my right rib cage--just the spot where Noah used to like to torment.
I'll go back on Thursday, our 4 year wedding anniversary for another 20 minutes of NST testing. How romantic!
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