33 weeks

The countdown is on!  Especially due to some new developments in the last few weeks.  I started noticing some strange itching on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet.  This irritating type of itching would seem to come and go, but I couldn't relieve it with lotion or scratching.  It then moved on to my arms, ankles, legs, shoulders...you name it.  When it didn't improve I had a blood test to check my liver function levels.  My doctor suggested that I see a specialist so off to the specialist we went.  My liver tests came back elevated, but not so high that he was overly concerned.  This week we will get back the results of my bile acid tests to see if we are dealing with a case of Cholestasis.  If that is the case, there is medication which he can prescribe and most likely I will be induced around 37 weeks.  If it isn't the case, I hope he has some other great suggestions (he recommended Benadryl and Hydro-cortisone cream) because I already have sleep deprivation due to waking up with this horrible itching.  It seems to be worse first thing in the morning and at night, but if you can imagine a bunch of No-See-Ums (you know...those tiny little black bugs that bite) biting you from the inside out, well then you can imagine why I can't sleep well.  This, along with heartburn, and limited bladder capabilities...well let's just say I am ready to get little man here safe and sound so I can move on to sleep deprivation from nursing throughout the night.    

The good news is that baby is very healthy.  They did a series of tests including checking all of his measurements (he is measuring 4 days ahead of schedule and has a large head...surprise, surprise), amniotic fluid, practice breathing and then monitored his heart rate for 20 minutes.  He tolerated a contraction perfectly well.  We also walked away with our first ever 3-D ultrasound photograph.  The ultrasound tech told us he already has hair and it seems to me his chin structure looks exactly like Jacob's. 

We'll keep you posted and in the meantime, we appreciate your prayers for baby's continued good health and safe delivery, and some sound answers and relief for mama. 

Thanks for checking in!