By the way, today is the BIG u/s. Very excited. But a little nervous. I had thoughts of, "what if they find something wrong?" But I'm really trying not to think about that.
And we may or may not find out the sex. But sorry, I will not be revealing that if we do. (seriously Meredith, let it go) No matter what, we want that to be a surprise for everyone. Mr. H2O is adamant. And besides, I don't really care either way. I just want a healthy baby.
Still 21 weeks, 0 days.
(3 posts in one day?? Wow)
Monday, January 5, 2009
A Little GD Irony
I have a super fabulous client that is in the Hershey, PA area. And of course, since he is from Hershey, the land of chocolate, he sent me a giant box full of all sorts of chocolate for Christmas. And all my favorites, especially the dark chocloate. I really haven't blown through it yet, and I've had it a month now. I was savoring it slowly.
Well now, with the GD, I better lock all that chocolatey goodness away.
Boo.
Well now, with the GD, I better lock all that chocolatey goodness away.
Boo.
I've Got The GD
The week of Christmas I managed to squeeze in my 3 hour glucose test (oh so much fun). Then last Tuesday was my appointment at 20 weeks. First news, it looks like my quad screen results got lost in space somewhere which I was a little peeved about, so they were going to have to redraw my blood again for that. As if I didn't get poked enough the week before. Oh, and the weight gain was only about 4lbs, so that wasn't too bad, especially with the holidays that I was eating carefree.
Next, I asked if they got my 3hr glucose results yet. By the look on the midwife's face, I knew that they did, and I could tell that the numbers weren't great. And there were not. The two middle numbers were too high for their liking. So I've got the Gestational Diabetes diagnosis.
I was handed a Rx for getting a glucose monitor and all that jazz. Right now I get to poke myself 6 times a day, before I eat a meal, and 2 hours after. Yay! I am also to really seriously follow the GD diet plan she gave me before closely and see how my sugars respond. I am to come back in 3 weeks and have to see the doctor instead of the midwives, who will then decide if I go on medication or insulin.
Now, judging by my numbers I am getting right now while strictly following the diet, I'm not sure if I will be able to avoid medication or insulin. But it is hard to tell. I was just given the glucose meter and strips and told to test and follow the general diet they gave me. I wasn't told of what ranges my blood sugar readings should be in. And from what I am reading and researching about GD around the net, usually GD patients are referred to a dietitian to help tailor an eating plan for their specific needs. So I feel like I'm flying a little blind here.
Then the news that I would have to next see the doctor, I was a bit disappointed in. I'm not sure if it means that my care will all be in done by the doctor instead of the midwives now since I moved up to a slightly higher risk category. I'm sure we'll see as my visits go on. But I really like the midwife I had been seeing, and, you know, I'm a little biased about them (because of my mom).
I do know that now this means business. This isn't only about my health, but that of my baby's health too. It kind-of sucks, and the very regimented eating and poking schedule is very hard for me. But I have to do it to avoid having a 12lb unhealthy baby.
21 weeks, 0 days
Next, I asked if they got my 3hr glucose results yet. By the look on the midwife's face, I knew that they did, and I could tell that the numbers weren't great. And there were not. The two middle numbers were too high for their liking. So I've got the Gestational Diabetes diagnosis.
I was handed a Rx for getting a glucose monitor and all that jazz. Right now I get to poke myself 6 times a day, before I eat a meal, and 2 hours after. Yay! I am also to really seriously follow the GD diet plan she gave me before closely and see how my sugars respond. I am to come back in 3 weeks and have to see the doctor instead of the midwives, who will then decide if I go on medication or insulin.
Now, judging by my numbers I am getting right now while strictly following the diet, I'm not sure if I will be able to avoid medication or insulin. But it is hard to tell. I was just given the glucose meter and strips and told to test and follow the general diet they gave me. I wasn't told of what ranges my blood sugar readings should be in. And from what I am reading and researching about GD around the net, usually GD patients are referred to a dietitian to help tailor an eating plan for their specific needs. So I feel like I'm flying a little blind here.
Then the news that I would have to next see the doctor, I was a bit disappointed in. I'm not sure if it means that my care will all be in done by the doctor instead of the midwives now since I moved up to a slightly higher risk category. I'm sure we'll see as my visits go on. But I really like the midwife I had been seeing, and, you know, I'm a little biased about them (because of my mom).
I do know that now this means business. This isn't only about my health, but that of my baby's health too. It kind-of sucks, and the very regimented eating and poking schedule is very hard for me. But I have to do it to avoid having a 12lb unhealthy baby.
21 weeks, 0 days
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Been a Bad Blogger - Some Updates
Ok, ok, I've been a really bad blogger. Last time I was here I was over 14 weeks, and now I am nearly 21 weeks. Bad, bad blogger. So here is an update on what happened over the last few weeks since.
15 Week appointment - I had an appointment that was a week after I last posted due to that high blood pressure situation. At this appointment the blood pressure was perfectly fine, so the week before must have been a fluke or some weird anxiety thing. I also had my blood drawn for quad screen and then my 1hr glucose test, which I learned later I failed. But I still had no weight gain at that point, so the midwife told me to go ahead and enjoy myself on Thanksgiving. And I did.
15, 16 & 17+ weeks - Baby bump really started to make it's appearance and maternity clothes became a constant wardrobe must. I no longer looked like I just put on a few pounds. A little, not only fat, belly was starting to show.
Mom visit - My mom came to visit in the beginning of December. I worked my butt off to get my house all decorated for Christmas and cleaned, and got my business in order before she got here to make sure I could take some time off. It was great spending time together one-on-one which I never really get to do with my mom often. She took me on a maternity clothes shopping spree, which was awesome. Then we took a trip to NYC for a couple nights, did some more shopping and went to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Overall the trip with mom was a pretty great visit.
Christmas season - It was a crazy, busy time of year for me. I had a new client that came on that had lots of set-up to do. Plus it was holiday mailing season so I was going crazy trying to get all my clients calendars/greeting cards out, plus send holiday cards for my own business, not to mention to do my personal Christmas cards. All that on top of all the regular client work. And somehow I needed to sneak my Christmas shopping in there as well. And did I mention that I had to somehow fit a 3hr glucose test in there too?
I was working at a crazy pace and it was pretty stressful. But I managed to get through it, get it all done, and have some time to occasionally breathe. I am still busy but the added stress of Christmas is now over.
Christmas Eve - Our Christmas was pretty awesome. Christmas Eve I managed to work, clean the main floor of the house, dress up, go to mass, and then come home and fix our dinner for two... Whew! But somehow I got it in my hormonally challenged brain that Mr. H2O failed to recognize my work to make things nice, felt unappreciated, blah blah blah. But really, these days, it doesn't take much to make me cry or overreact. So I realized later that I let my hormones get the best of me and it was pretty much in my head.
Christmas Day - This Christmas was a great day. It was sunny but cold. We headed up to my in-laws house and spent such a lovely day with Mr. H2O's family, who I love. Food was great, my niece and nephew were so much fun to play with and be around, and I realized how next year our baby will be here and get to share in all the wonderfullness. And my mother and father-in-law are so very generous, and spoiled us and baby rotten. Among many of the great gifts they got us, we received our baby bedding that I have been coveting for months. It was a fabulous day.
Movement - I had been feeling very small movements over the past few weeks. Pretty much started at the end of 18 weeks where I was sure I was feeling baby and not the rumbling of my digestive system. I feel a little more each day, and this week they are stronger and way more frequent. So very cool. And If I didn't think it was real before, it's a definite reminder that this definitely is.
I promise there will be more to come bout my last appointment and more in my next post.
20 weeks, 6 days
15 Week appointment - I had an appointment that was a week after I last posted due to that high blood pressure situation. At this appointment the blood pressure was perfectly fine, so the week before must have been a fluke or some weird anxiety thing. I also had my blood drawn for quad screen and then my 1hr glucose test, which I learned later I failed. But I still had no weight gain at that point, so the midwife told me to go ahead and enjoy myself on Thanksgiving. And I did.
15, 16 & 17+ weeks - Baby bump really started to make it's appearance and maternity clothes became a constant wardrobe must. I no longer looked like I just put on a few pounds. A little, not only fat, belly was starting to show.
Mom visit - My mom came to visit in the beginning of December. I worked my butt off to get my house all decorated for Christmas and cleaned, and got my business in order before she got here to make sure I could take some time off. It was great spending time together one-on-one which I never really get to do with my mom often. She took me on a maternity clothes shopping spree, which was awesome. Then we took a trip to NYC for a couple nights, did some more shopping and went to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Overall the trip with mom was a pretty great visit.
Christmas season - It was a crazy, busy time of year for me. I had a new client that came on that had lots of set-up to do. Plus it was holiday mailing season so I was going crazy trying to get all my clients calendars/greeting cards out, plus send holiday cards for my own business, not to mention to do my personal Christmas cards. All that on top of all the regular client work. And somehow I needed to sneak my Christmas shopping in there as well. And did I mention that I had to somehow fit a 3hr glucose test in there too?
I was working at a crazy pace and it was pretty stressful. But I managed to get through it, get it all done, and have some time to occasionally breathe. I am still busy but the added stress of Christmas is now over.
Christmas Eve - Our Christmas was pretty awesome. Christmas Eve I managed to work, clean the main floor of the house, dress up, go to mass, and then come home and fix our dinner for two... Whew! But somehow I got it in my hormonally challenged brain that Mr. H2O failed to recognize my work to make things nice, felt unappreciated, blah blah blah. But really, these days, it doesn't take much to make me cry or overreact. So I realized later that I let my hormones get the best of me and it was pretty much in my head.
Christmas Day - This Christmas was a great day. It was sunny but cold. We headed up to my in-laws house and spent such a lovely day with Mr. H2O's family, who I love. Food was great, my niece and nephew were so much fun to play with and be around, and I realized how next year our baby will be here and get to share in all the wonderfullness. And my mother and father-in-law are so very generous, and spoiled us and baby rotten. Among many of the great gifts they got us, we received our baby bedding that I have been coveting for months. It was a fabulous day.
Movement - I had been feeling very small movements over the past few weeks. Pretty much started at the end of 18 weeks where I was sure I was feeling baby and not the rumbling of my digestive system. I feel a little more each day, and this week they are stronger and way more frequent. So very cool. And If I didn't think it was real before, it's a definite reminder that this definitely is.
I promise there will be more to come bout my last appointment and more in my next post.
20 weeks, 6 days
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Baby This Week
How big is baby this week?
Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.
Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.
Appointment the Other Day
I've been slacking a bit on the latest from my last appointment on Tuesday. All seemed pretty uneventful, and I had to wait for what seemed like forever before I could see the midwife after I did the customary pee in a cup, weight and blood pressure check.
Soon after my midwife came into the room, she immediately wanted to check my blood pressure again. I guess the first reading was pretty high and she was concerned. She took it again and it had gone down a little bit which was better. But I was a little alarmed. She asked if I had been having headaches, and as a matter of fact, all last weekend I was suffering from terrible ones but I chalked it up to sinus headaches. She said that she is going to want me to come in a little more often to check my blood pressure to see if this will be a real concern. So I get to go back again next week to do my glucose test (oh joy!), get my quad screen, and of course check the blood pressure. She said if it still shows as being high, then I might have to be treated with medication. Great.
But I then got a quick ultrasound and saw the sweet baby again. It has grown so much bigger and the heart was beating away. That relieved me a bit. Everything else was ok, no weight gain still, seem to be eating healthy (sort-of).
I'm trying not to worry about the blood pressure thing too much. I'm only 14 weeks. I've read about preeclampsia, and all the fun that goes along with it. At this point I know that it's not that, it's too early. Could just be some minor hypertension brought on by anything. Could have been just a fluke. Could have been anxiety about the appointment (I was a little worried about seeing if the baby and the heartbeat were still there... it was). Could have been the quantity of salt I've been eating, or my lack of water drinking. So I'm praying that all will be well next week. Please pray that it is.
14 Weeks 3 Days
Soon after my midwife came into the room, she immediately wanted to check my blood pressure again. I guess the first reading was pretty high and she was concerned. She took it again and it had gone down a little bit which was better. But I was a little alarmed. She asked if I had been having headaches, and as a matter of fact, all last weekend I was suffering from terrible ones but I chalked it up to sinus headaches. She said that she is going to want me to come in a little more often to check my blood pressure to see if this will be a real concern. So I get to go back again next week to do my glucose test (oh joy!), get my quad screen, and of course check the blood pressure. She said if it still shows as being high, then I might have to be treated with medication. Great.
But I then got a quick ultrasound and saw the sweet baby again. It has grown so much bigger and the heart was beating away. That relieved me a bit. Everything else was ok, no weight gain still, seem to be eating healthy (sort-of).
I'm trying not to worry about the blood pressure thing too much. I'm only 14 weeks. I've read about preeclampsia, and all the fun that goes along with it. At this point I know that it's not that, it's too early. Could just be some minor hypertension brought on by anything. Could have been just a fluke. Could have been anxiety about the appointment (I was a little worried about seeing if the baby and the heartbeat were still there... it was). Could have been the quantity of salt I've been eating, or my lack of water drinking. So I'm praying that all will be well next week. Please pray that it is.
14 Weeks 3 Days
Monday, November 3, 2008
Nothing Much To Report Here
It's been uneventful on the pregnancy front. We've told pretty much everyone we could, and it should be filtering to the ones we couldn't reach. Clothes are getting a little tighter and I've done a small maternity shopping spree.
Mr. H2O is coming up with and actually suggesting the weirdest baby names. I am drawing the line on using numbers or weird mathematical/science terms.
But really, not much going on here. Still have my typical 1st trimester symptoms of tiredness and such. I really can't wait to get my energy back. People keep telling me that I'll wake up one day and feel 3x more energetic than ever. So I'm waiting for that. For now, afternoon naps feel pretty darn good.
12 weeks 0 days
Mr. H2O is coming up with and actually suggesting the weirdest baby names. I am drawing the line on using numbers or weird mathematical/science terms.
But really, not much going on here. Still have my typical 1st trimester symptoms of tiredness and such. I really can't wait to get my energy back. People keep telling me that I'll wake up one day and feel 3x more energetic than ever. So I'm waiting for that. For now, afternoon naps feel pretty darn good.
12 weeks 0 days
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