Lots of updates...and I've had lots of time, just haven't made it here to post.
A week ago, I went to my OB appointment and was still spilling sugar in my urine. My OB thought for sure that I was heading towards gestational diabetes, despite passing my 3 hour glucose test, so he suggested getting a glucometer and testing for a couple weeks. I agreed. I didn't end up getting it until Tuesday afternoon, and so far all my numbers are under 100 with the exception of a 105. The first fasting morning I woke up hungry and with a 58...too low. The next couple nights I had a snack with protein prior to bed and both of those next morning fastings have been in the 70's...perfect from everything I've read. My two hour post meal readings have been between 66 and 105 (those are the lowest and the highest) with the majority falling in the 80's. Seems there is no way I have GD with those numbers. We will see what dr. says at my appt. today.
Since having contractions start a couple weeks ago, I noticed that I hardly had any as long as I rested at home a lot. But as soon as I left to the house and starting walking around, they'd come back...sometimes up to 10 per hour. Not good. I told my OB about this and asked about physical activity and if I should avoid it if it brings on contractions. He said yes and asked if I got disability benefits at work. As soon as I told him I did, he mentioned being on best rest the rest of the pregnancy. I agreed, so long as it was reducing the contractions. So, 3+ months of bedrest. It was a tough decision for me and I cried a lot that night. I felt guilty for leaving work without their second designer...I felt bad that DH was going to have to bear most of the burden of responsibilities around the house. And I felt scared about the whole process. A week later, I'm doing ok. I get bored easily, but I realize it's all for baby and it will definitely be worth it.
I am still in the process of getting all the paperwork completed for the short term disability and my work/HR has been awesome about. They said if there is a delay between what I have left for vacation/sick pay and benefits, that they will float me the difference and work out what I owe them when I return in the fall. That way we won't have a gap in money coming in to pay bills.
26 weeks today and so hard to believe! Baby boy has been kicking me like crazy...and it actually hurts when he's feet down. He's head down again and starting to get pretty close to my ribs!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Fears Somewhat Calmed
My mom had to talk me into going to L&D yesterday. I kept thinking it was just a bladder infection, but in the back of my mind, I couldn't stop worrying about whether everything was okay with baby. Finally, my mom convinced me and so we went. We went to the ER first as we had no idea where Labor & Delivery was...and as I went to check into the ER and told them I was almost 25 wks, they had someone come down and wheel me up to L&D. Thank goodness. I got right into a room!
They started with a urine sample, which I expected, then hooked me up to the monitor to check for contractions. They also listened to baby's heart with the doppler (a healthy 150 bpm). They then got an IV going, which I also didn't expect and the nurse did a pretty crappy job putting it in. I'm usually pretty pain tolerant as I've had a ton of IVs when I've had kidney stones, but I really whinced when she put this one in.
Once it was in the doctors came in (both women and young, but super nice). I actually felt more comfortable that they were all women even though my OB is male. Anyway, they got some swabs from my cervix to check for infection (ouch, hate that speculum) and then she checked my cervix (which didn't really hurt just felt like lots of pressure). She said my cervix was closed and thick (great signs).
They ran labs for preterm labor, UTI, and any other infections. This took a while, so in the meantime, mom and I watched my contractions on the monitor. They got more and more regular as time went on...maybe every 5 minutes. They weren't super strong, but got up to 50 on the monitor.
Finally, the doctor came back in after checking all the labs and speaking to my OB. No UTI or other infection. No preterm labor. And definitely having contractions, but not often enough or strong enough to make any changes to my cervix. I was given a prescription for Procardin to take as needed when I start feeling contractions.
So overall, a good visit considering baby is just fine. My next appt with my OB is Thursday, so we will see what he says about it. Not sure if he will monitor or check me more regularly or just blow it off as BH contractions. We shall see!
They started with a urine sample, which I expected, then hooked me up to the monitor to check for contractions. They also listened to baby's heart with the doppler (a healthy 150 bpm). They then got an IV going, which I also didn't expect and the nurse did a pretty crappy job putting it in. I'm usually pretty pain tolerant as I've had a ton of IVs when I've had kidney stones, but I really whinced when she put this one in.
Once it was in the doctors came in (both women and young, but super nice). I actually felt more comfortable that they were all women even though my OB is male. Anyway, they got some swabs from my cervix to check for infection (ouch, hate that speculum) and then she checked my cervix (which didn't really hurt just felt like lots of pressure). She said my cervix was closed and thick (great signs).
They ran labs for preterm labor, UTI, and any other infections. This took a while, so in the meantime, mom and I watched my contractions on the monitor. They got more and more regular as time went on...maybe every 5 minutes. They weren't super strong, but got up to 50 on the monitor.
Finally, the doctor came back in after checking all the labs and speaking to my OB. No UTI or other infection. No preterm labor. And definitely having contractions, but not often enough or strong enough to make any changes to my cervix. I was given a prescription for Procardin to take as needed when I start feeling contractions.
So overall, a good visit considering baby is just fine. My next appt with my OB is Thursday, so we will see what he says about it. Not sure if he will monitor or check me more regularly or just blow it off as BH contractions. We shall see!
Monday, March 18, 2013
GD Results & Nervous
Time still seems to be flying by! I'll be 25 weeks on Friday.
Good news is that I found I passed my 3 hour glucose test with flying colors. The nurse called Friday to give me the results and I missed her call. I thought for sure she was calling to tell me I failed. I called her back and to my surprise (and hers too, I think) she gave me all my #s.
Fasting: 81 (has to be less than 95)
One Hour: 165 (has to be below 180)
Two Hour: 125 (has to be below 155)
Three Hour: 109 (has to be below 140)
I'm so relieved!
We also picked up the crib this past Friday and DH and FIL put it together yesterday:
Good news is that I found I passed my 3 hour glucose test with flying colors. The nurse called Friday to give me the results and I missed her call. I thought for sure she was calling to tell me I failed. I called her back and to my surprise (and hers too, I think) she gave me all my #s.
Fasting: 81 (has to be less than 95)
One Hour: 165 (has to be below 180)
Two Hour: 125 (has to be below 155)
Three Hour: 109 (has to be below 140)
I'm so relieved!
We also picked up the crib this past Friday and DH and FIL put it together yesterday:
It's all starting to feel so real and to be honest, I'm scared! At a moments notice, I feel like crying and I'm not even sure why. It's just all so overwhelming and I realize my life is going to be changed forever. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited, but it's scary. Our whole routine is going to change...just...everything.
On top of that, we've reached viability, so every twinge and ache scares me. On Saturday, I was cramping off and on all day. I don't know if it's RLP or what, but it scared me. Now I'm feeling pressure down low...almost like a UTI, but I'm not sure. I tried calling my doctor this morning and spoke to the nurse. She didn't seem too concerned...just sent me to the lab to give a urine sample. The lab tech said it would take a couple days for results. In the meantime, I'm freaking out. I've never made it this far and so I don't know what's normal...and my nurse is not helping any. I seriously need reassurance. I'm this close to going to L&D just so I can know that everything is OK, but then I feel stupid for even thinking that. And the next minute, I feel stupid for ignoring any type of ache/pain like this. I'm just so scared and I don't know what to do.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
One Hour Glucose Fail
I found out yesterday that I failed my one hour glucose test...but just barely. My blood sugar was 145 after an hour (cut off was 140). Doc was hesitant to have me do the 3 hour already before 25 wks since this one was borderline as he suspects I'm going to have a problem regardless. But he gave me the lab slip to schedule it (hoping to schedule it on a Saturday....where I'll be 24w1d). I've changed my diet drastically (did before the one hour), so if I fail it, it's beyond my control. All I can do is keep eating good and hope for the best.
In other news, baby is doing great! OB found the heartrate right when he placed the doppler on my belly! 154 bpm. And he's measuring right on track if not a couple days ahead. I was 22w5d yesterday and measured right about 23.
Ultimately, as long as baby man is healthy, I'm happy. GD would kind of suck, but it is what it is. I used to have trouble with low blood sugar, so OB isn't surprised that my pancreas seems to be confused again. I'm trying to stay positive about this. There are so many worse things that could go wrong during pregnancy, and this one just seems like a minor blip! We've been through so much prior to getting to this point, that it seems like nothing really phases me anymore. What will be...will be.
In other news, baby is doing great! OB found the heartrate right when he placed the doppler on my belly! 154 bpm. And he's measuring right on track if not a couple days ahead. I was 22w5d yesterday and measured right about 23.
Ultimately, as long as baby man is healthy, I'm happy. GD would kind of suck, but it is what it is. I used to have trouble with low blood sugar, so OB isn't surprised that my pancreas seems to be confused again. I'm trying to stay positive about this. There are so many worse things that could go wrong during pregnancy, and this one just seems like a minor blip! We've been through so much prior to getting to this point, that it seems like nothing really phases me anymore. What will be...will be.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Fear
The last couple weeks, my thoughts have been consumed with fear. The farther along I get with this pregnancy, the more anxious I become. It's all becoming so real, and now, the thought of something going wrong would seriously destroy me. I'm trying to remain strong...but in the back of my mind, that thought is always there. What if.
I know everything has checked out perfect with baby so far, but I can't help but worry. Right now I'm focusing on making it to 24 weeks (viability). But then what? I honestly think I will still worry even when I make it to that point.
I broke down crying to DH over the weekend because the feelings had begun to overwhelm me. I just couldn't hold it in any longer. Just scared of everything. Of him being OK and making it here safely to my arms. Then taking care of him and worrying about being a good mom. But it ultimately came down to the fear of losing another one. The odds are pretty good that everything will be fine, but that fear still exists within me and I can't seem to shake it.
Please tell me this is normal. Perhaps for every mom...but maybe even more so for those that have experienced a loss. How do I deal with this?
I know everything has checked out perfect with baby so far, but I can't help but worry. Right now I'm focusing on making it to 24 weeks (viability). But then what? I honestly think I will still worry even when I make it to that point.
I broke down crying to DH over the weekend because the feelings had begun to overwhelm me. I just couldn't hold it in any longer. Just scared of everything. Of him being OK and making it here safely to my arms. Then taking care of him and worrying about being a good mom. But it ultimately came down to the fear of losing another one. The odds are pretty good that everything will be fine, but that fear still exists within me and I can't seem to shake it.
Please tell me this is normal. Perhaps for every mom...but maybe even more so for those that have experienced a loss. How do I deal with this?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Possible GD & Baby Showers
I had my 20/21 week usual appointment on Tuesday. I ate like crap all day because the sciatic nerve pain had been AWFUL. It was making me nauseated it hurt so bad...so my food intake before my appointment was deplorable (McD's bagel and sweet tea for breakfast, granola bars for snack, and another granola bar and some milk before the appointment...pretty much no lunch to speak of). Mom went with me since DH went last week and I hate going alone (just in case of bad news; I should really get over that by now). Anyway, the nurse got my weight (141) and I'm up 12 lbs. total so far. My blood pressure was fine at 120/82. While we waited for the doc, baby boy was kicking like crazy. I laid back and had mom put her hand on my belly. She was shocked when she was able to feel him. She just couldn't get enough and keep egging him on to keep kicking!
Finally doc comes in and says I'm spilling a ton of sugar in my urine (3+; whatever that means) and he suspects I may have gestational diabetes. He doesn't want to wait another 3-4 weeks to have me do the one hour glucose test, so he gave me a slip to go have it done...and an appt. in 2 weeks as a follow-up to go over results. He's pretty sure I had it, but now I'm wondering if the junk I ate that day could've made a difference. Then I started feeling guilty, as if it was my fault even though he said it wasn't. I felt like a bad mom...and that it was something I could've controlled. Everything I've read says otherwise, but I still went home and cried to DH!
I also requested an appt. with a nutritionist to get pointers of what I can and can't eat if I do in fact have GD. Regardless, I need to eat better. And also an appt. with a physical therapist to help with the sciatic pain. However, the receptionist was new and promised to call me Wednesday with that info, which of course, she didn't. Since my sciatic pain is gone (for now) and I don't know for sure if it's GD just yet, I'm going to just wait to follow-up on those at my next appt. on March 6th.
In other news, I have dates for all 3 of my baby showers already! Everyone is seriously on the ball. The out of state (Indiana) shower will be April 13, my work shower will be April 17 after work, and the BIG shower close to home will be May 5. DH & I got a list together of our friends and his dad's side of the family last weekend (about 50 people) and gave it to his mom, who said she needed to buy more invites. She had only bought 40. That list of 50 didn't include any of DH's mom's side or his step dad's side (and his step dad has no kids of his own; so this will be his first/only way to have a grandchild). Needless to say, it's going to be quite a large shower I think!
I'm starting to get excited! March is almost here...my dad and step mom are coming up with the crib March 22, so we can finish setting up the nursery that weekend...then 3 weeks later is my first shower. Time is just going to FLY soon!!
Oh yes and I found this and want it!
http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=93098930210&MasterCategory_Id=MC21?MULTI
Finally doc comes in and says I'm spilling a ton of sugar in my urine (3+; whatever that means) and he suspects I may have gestational diabetes. He doesn't want to wait another 3-4 weeks to have me do the one hour glucose test, so he gave me a slip to go have it done...and an appt. in 2 weeks as a follow-up to go over results. He's pretty sure I had it, but now I'm wondering if the junk I ate that day could've made a difference. Then I started feeling guilty, as if it was my fault even though he said it wasn't. I felt like a bad mom...and that it was something I could've controlled. Everything I've read says otherwise, but I still went home and cried to DH!
I also requested an appt. with a nutritionist to get pointers of what I can and can't eat if I do in fact have GD. Regardless, I need to eat better. And also an appt. with a physical therapist to help with the sciatic pain. However, the receptionist was new and promised to call me Wednesday with that info, which of course, she didn't. Since my sciatic pain is gone (for now) and I don't know for sure if it's GD just yet, I'm going to just wait to follow-up on those at my next appt. on March 6th.
In other news, I have dates for all 3 of my baby showers already! Everyone is seriously on the ball. The out of state (Indiana) shower will be April 13, my work shower will be April 17 after work, and the BIG shower close to home will be May 5. DH & I got a list together of our friends and his dad's side of the family last weekend (about 50 people) and gave it to his mom, who said she needed to buy more invites. She had only bought 40. That list of 50 didn't include any of DH's mom's side or his step dad's side (and his step dad has no kids of his own; so this will be his first/only way to have a grandchild). Needless to say, it's going to be quite a large shower I think!
I'm starting to get excited! March is almost here...my dad and step mom are coming up with the crib March 22, so we can finish setting up the nursery that weekend...then 3 weeks later is my first shower. Time is just going to FLY soon!!
Oh yes and I found this and want it!
http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=93098930210&MasterCategory_Id=MC21?MULTI
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Over Halfway & Updates
It's official...I'm terrible at keeping up with this blog right now!
So much is going on and so much to update, but I just haven't made it here. Work is so busy right now and the next month or so is going to be crazy before it slows down a bit right before my leave.
We are slowly getting stuff for Brady. My dad and step mom are buying the crib and bringing it up the weekend of March 22nd to help us put it together.
Other than that, my cold/flu is better, but I am still congested a bit at night. The last couple days I've been dealing with horrible sciatic pain. In the past it has only lasted a day or two, then gone away...eventually to come back again. This time it's as bad as it's ever been. It's on the left side and so bad that I can barely walk to the bathroom at night. I pretty much need a cain or just hobble on one leg :( Then it's nearly impossible to get back to sleep!
Good stuff though...I feel him moving every day now and he's starting to fall into certain patterns of sleep and movement. He's quiet when I'm at work (for the most part), but wiggles a bit more after I eat something. He's a lot more active in the evenings between 7-10pm. And once the weekend hits, all bets are off. I swear he's practicing aerobics or karate in there 24/7. I've figured out that when I am talking, he's more active. He likes mommy's voice :)
Oh yes and DH finally got to feel him move. This Sunday (20w2d) morning he was moving a ton. DH was laying in the guest bed, so I ran in there to lay next to him and made him put his hand on my belly and told him to wait. About 5 minutes passed and I felt a kick. I didn't tell him, but I could tell he felt it when he turned towards me, smiled and his eyes got really wide :)
My belly is really getting out there and I'm pretty sure it's noticeable even to strangers now!
Here's my 20w2d pic:
So much is going on and so much to update, but I just haven't made it here. Work is so busy right now and the next month or so is going to be crazy before it slows down a bit right before my leave.
We are slowly getting stuff for Brady. My dad and step mom are buying the crib and bringing it up the weekend of March 22nd to help us put it together.
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| Crib we're getting! |
We originally had the dark espresso version of the same crib picked out, but have decided to switch which room we are going to put him in. We are leaving the guest room as the guest room, but turning the bed the opposite way to make a bit more room to move the computer desk in there. The currently computer room (which is already pained a dark dusty blue color) will become Brady's room.
We decided to do this after buying the dresser and nightstand at an antique shop. I've been fretting over this whole dresser thing for a few weeks now. The one that matches the crib at Babies R Us is $550. No one in the family had mentioned buying it or pitching in, and I didn't want to wait until the shower(s) to see if someone would...and if they didn't, have to worry about getting one at 32 weeks+. I'm a planner, for sure, and waiting that long for something so unsure was stressing me out. Plus DH hated the thought at spending anything other $300 for a dresser, which I agree, seems crazy when we have so much other stuff to buy/worry about/pay off.
So this weekend we went to a few places (Big Lots, Target, Walmart, etc) only to find expensive stuff that you had to put together and would still be crappy :( We ended up at a big antique store hoping to get lucky...and I think we did. We found this dresser/changing table...and the top area is the perfect measurement for a changing pad. The nightstand is so cute and just what I wanted...just something to put a lamp and had some drawers to store diapers or other small items in. We might end up putting another coat of white on the dresser depending on how it matches the crib, and we'll have to paint the nightstand white. But we got both for $125 total, so we are happy! You can also see the blue on the walls of Brady's room...which just so happens to go great with the crib bedding mom bought...
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| $80 dresser/changing table we bought at antique mall. Will probably paint knobs. |
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| Nightstand we will paint white. |
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| Crib bedding mom bought. Comes with quilt, bumpers, sheets, valance and the 3 pieces of wall decor. Registered for the blanket, lamp and mobile. |
Oh yes, and I went ahead and bought the carseat. I wasn't going to, but it was no longer available on Babies R Us and went on sale on amazon for $135 with free shipping! I still want to get the matching stroller (Graco Urbanlite Stroller).
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| Graco Snugride 35 in Rittenhouse |
Good stuff though...I feel him moving every day now and he's starting to fall into certain patterns of sleep and movement. He's quiet when I'm at work (for the most part), but wiggles a bit more after I eat something. He's a lot more active in the evenings between 7-10pm. And once the weekend hits, all bets are off. I swear he's practicing aerobics or karate in there 24/7. I've figured out that when I am talking, he's more active. He likes mommy's voice :)
Oh yes and DH finally got to feel him move. This Sunday (20w2d) morning he was moving a ton. DH was laying in the guest bed, so I ran in there to lay next to him and made him put his hand on my belly and told him to wait. About 5 minutes passed and I felt a kick. I didn't tell him, but I could tell he felt it when he turned towards me, smiled and his eyes got really wide :)
My belly is really getting out there and I'm pretty sure it's noticeable even to strangers now!
Here's my 20w2d pic:
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