Changes? Really????

So yesterday (12/14/2011) we went to our weekly appointment.  When we arrived, we signed in and were sent back to ultrasound.  We got a few regular ultrasound pics, but none were 3D or showed anything adorable, so I won't be posting them this time.  Sydney was active and was actually playing with her feet.  It was cute to watch, although the picture they tried to take of it didn't come out very good.  She's weighing approximately 5 lbs 11 oz and on the growth chart, she's coming in just under the normal line. 

From there we were sent over to do the NST.  It too showed that Sydney was doing good.  Usually her heart rate is 143 - 148, but her average today was 168 - 173 or so.  When I'd have a contraction, it would drop down to the 130's. 

Then we got to see Dr B.  He said the NST looked great and her heart rate being up was a good thing.  I was in the bathroom when he said this to my husband, and he didn't think to ask him WHY this was a good thing.  Oh well.  It's good and that's all that matters.  My urine was free of glucose and protein, as usual, and Dr B commented that my daily blood sugar checks look awesome.  He assured me that as long as my numbers are in the normal range and I keep them there, that Sydney's body isn't having to do any extra work, which made me feel good.  Then it was time for my fundal height measurement and my cervical check.  Fundal height measured 36 weeks today, which just tells me it must differ from week to week anyway.  But my cervical check is actually where the interesting stuff started happening.  We told Dr B that although we don't think I look any differently, but over the past few days it felt like Sydney or Roy was lower in my pelvis.  Also, TMI ALERT *** since Monday, I've noticed some clear stringy like mucus sometimes when I'd wipe.  Not all the time, but once or twice a day. *** When Dr B checked me, he said my cervix was much lower and he could actually feel Sydney's "presenting part," her head!  He said I'm thinning, but didn't give a percentage or anything.  He said I'm still closed but that the mucus I'm seeing is normal and is part of the mucus plug that I'll continue to loose as my cervix tries to dilate.  Wow!  What a difference a week can bring! 

So, what's the plan???  Plan is to let me dilate to no more than 4 cm.  Apparently, as you dilate, the baby moves further down into the birth canal and can actually cause problems come time for the c-section.  So, if I actually start dilating, once I get to 4 cm, it's time for the c-section.  If my water breaks, we bypass everything else and it's time for c-section.  And of course, if Sydney becomes stressed or my blood pressure starts elevating, they'll be doing the c-section.  IF by chance things stall out and my contractions no longer produce any changes, then he's scheduling the c-section for January 10th, 2012.  He's reassured me that once I get to 36 weeks (next Tuesday), we're in the clear and shouldn't have much to worry about, although it's of course best to keep her cooking until 39 weeks when possible.  He said sometimes it's just not possible.

Excited!  Can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring.  And, we know for a fact she'll be here in no more than 26 days!!!!!!