I've been waiting to update until I knew when my cerclage would be removed, and then so many things kept happening between getting a confirmed date.
I'm still working through the gestational diabetes. I'm on 2 pills a day-one before dinner and one before bed. That seems to work most of the time. I'm also doing a lot better with my water intake. I haven't made it to a gallon yet but I am usually over 80 ounces everyday. Next appointment with the Nurse practitioner is on Friday.
Baby and I have still been having our weekly tests. He is passing his biophysical profiles every Tuesday with flying colors! He is also doing well with his non-stress tests. I've said it before, he is such the overachiever. We also ended up having a stress test and he did well with that. At last Fridays appointment, I was having a lot of big contractions and his heart rate did exactly what he was supposed to do.
This led to my busy weekend! Not knowing whether or not I was actually about to go into labor, we had some last minute shopping to do Saturday morning. I made another payment on his crib, bought his bassinet and car seat cover (since it's apparently still winter) and also got my breast pump. At home, we made sure my hospital bag was ready to go with things for me, Terry and the kids.
From Friday's appointment to Saturday, I had contractions for over 24 hours and then they slowed down…..That is until Sunday afternoon! While grocery shopping, the contractions and back pain came back with a vengeance. Those required another call to the doctor and lasted over 5 hours.
This weekend's activities lead to me going on maternity leave a week early. I left at lunch time and really didn't expect to become an emotional mess when I left. These crazy contractions also led to me having my cerclage removed today in the office instead of in 2 weeks at the hospital. That was quite an ordeal. It took 2 doctors. Dr Saikie tried and gave up without hurting me too badly. His partner on the other is one tough cookie. Dr Berg delivered my twin and at that time, I felt that she had big hands for a woman. Well, she is also very determined! She got the cerclage out! It hurt and caused me to nearly break out in a sweat! I may have even stopped breathing for a second.
Good news is that now we now longer have to worry about going into labor early. I'm free to have strong contractions without worrying about tearing my cervix or doing any type of damage.
Baby's growth has also slowed down. He's gone from being about 2 weeks ahead to measuring right on schedule. At the last growth scan, about 2 weeks ago, he was weighing about 4 pounds 10 ounces. So if he comes soon, he may just be close to 6 pounds.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
That's A Lot of Water!
I had quite a bit of activity in just the last couple of days. First, my dinner number were kind of haywire, so my Nurse adjusted my meds again, up to 2 pills before dinner. Well, I would be so hungry and tired the last two days that I forgot to take the pills. Some how, my numbers for 2 days were perfect, except for the first fasting one. So, until they change again, I get to stay with my one pill in the evening right before bed. The nurse cautioned us that she typically has only seen numbers correct themselves about a week or so before the person goes into labor. Being that I am now 33 weeks, she said that baby's chance of survival is really good, but we'd expect that he would have breathing problems, because the lungs are quite fully developed. Fingers crossed that I'm just eating better or not that stressed any more and nothing else.
After that appointment, I had my fist NST. I'll have this test every Friday. I get hooked up to monitors, one to watch baby's heart rate and make sure it increases when it should and the other monitor is to check for any contractions. Well…. to my surprise, during our half hour test, I had at least 4 contractions. Funny that I didn't feel any of them like I had for 2 hours last week Friday.
The tech took my printout to the MFM Doctor. Thankfully he said since I couldn't feel them, I was allowed to go home and drink tons( a gallon a day to be exact) of water, like Kaylen said above, instead of being checked in to the hospital. Hopefully, I can get this water issue under control before next Friday.
A couple of weeks ago, the family and I took pictures. They are finally online. They turned out really nice. Now we just must decide which ones we want to purchase!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Highs and Lows
I guess all journeys have there high and low points. I have them both going on this week. My highlight for the week has been going to my first biophysical profile appointment. This is the ultrasound/test I'll have every Tuesday. Baby passed with flying colors. He scored an 8/8. It fairly easy-it's a regular ultrasound and they look for 4 things: breathing (they can see his diaphragm and lungs move), movement (he moved his arms and he had hiccups), good heart rate and right amount of amniotic fluid. It's scored all or nothing, 2 points each area. Baby is still head down, and fingers crossed that he doesn't find a way to turn. He was a little more cooperative this time, so we were able to get a few pictures. His cheeks do show that well on the pictures, but the area so chubby already!
My low is that I've really been struggle with the diabetes. I was put on medication, about 2 weeks ago, because my fasting numbers were consistently borderline high. Just one pill at bedtime with a lite snack. After see this tiny little pill that fits in the tip on my fingernail, I was ok. Now, I'm having trouble with my numbers after dinner. They are high more often than not. The nurse practitioner then added another half a pill and moved it up to before dinner instead of at bed time. Well, it didn't help this past week. I really thought she was going to put me on insulin today, but she let me go with 2 whole pills for now.
The part of having to keep track and report my numbers every 5-7 days and then worrying if they are going to be high or not, is completely making me crazy. I've had a few days or episodes to where I am just miserable and I cry. Those are the days when I'm ready for the pregnancy to be over. I had a little talk with myself today and figured that I can make it, because I should only have close to 30 days left.
Mommy/Baby Stats
Weight: After all the work I did to gain weight, with this new diet plan, I've now lost about 5 pounds.
Sleep: Sometimes more than others. I can't get comfortable at night. It's recommended to sleep on your left side for blood flow, but then my arm falls asleep. If I lay on either side too long, my hips hurt. His movement, if he is even awake, doesn't bother me at all.
Cravings: Ice cream, cake, cookies…just the things I'm not supposed to have.
Movement: He is still pretty active but much stronger. Some kicks/punches are really darn strong! He likes to stretch, so then I have to make sure I"m sitting up straight. He also gets himself into a little ball and then my stomach will stick out. I think when he balls up he pokes out his butt!
Next Appointment: Non-stress Test will be on Friday, along with another appointment with the nurse for a diabetes check-in.
Looking forward to: Seeing my maternity pictures. We took them a little over 2 weeks ago, so I should be able to see them any day.
(My pictures won't transfer from my phone, so I'll have to put it in later.)
My low is that I've really been struggle with the diabetes. I was put on medication, about 2 weeks ago, because my fasting numbers were consistently borderline high. Just one pill at bedtime with a lite snack. After see this tiny little pill that fits in the tip on my fingernail, I was ok. Now, I'm having trouble with my numbers after dinner. They are high more often than not. The nurse practitioner then added another half a pill and moved it up to before dinner instead of at bed time. Well, it didn't help this past week. I really thought she was going to put me on insulin today, but she let me go with 2 whole pills for now.
The part of having to keep track and report my numbers every 5-7 days and then worrying if they are going to be high or not, is completely making me crazy. I've had a few days or episodes to where I am just miserable and I cry. Those are the days when I'm ready for the pregnancy to be over. I had a little talk with myself today and figured that I can make it, because I should only have close to 30 days left.
Mommy/Baby Stats
Weight: After all the work I did to gain weight, with this new diet plan, I've now lost about 5 pounds.
Sleep: Sometimes more than others. I can't get comfortable at night. It's recommended to sleep on your left side for blood flow, but then my arm falls asleep. If I lay on either side too long, my hips hurt. His movement, if he is even awake, doesn't bother me at all.
Cravings: Ice cream, cake, cookies…just the things I'm not supposed to have.
Movement: He is still pretty active but much stronger. Some kicks/punches are really darn strong! He likes to stretch, so then I have to make sure I"m sitting up straight. He also gets himself into a little ball and then my stomach will stick out. I think when he balls up he pokes out his butt!
Next Appointment: Non-stress Test will be on Friday, along with another appointment with the nurse for a diabetes check-in.
Looking forward to: Seeing my maternity pictures. We took them a little over 2 weeks ago, so I should be able to see them any day.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
31 Week Check-In
Well, I don't have a whole lot going on this week. I had an OB visit yesterday. Uterus is measuring about 33 weeks so baby continues to grow pretty nicely. I'm secretly hoping that he will be under albs when he is born. I don't know how much luck I will have with that.
My sugar levels have been relatively good. Most of the time when they are elevated, I know it because of what I ate. I get upset and a little sad when they are elevated and I didn't expected them to be. Checking numbers 4 times a day is really stressful. I've been put on a low dose medication right before bed time. It's called Glyburide. My fasting numbers were constantly 90 or slightly above, but now they are doing better. I'm starting to notice that things that have ok to eat are starting to have a little higher numbers, which I guess is expected as I near the end of the pregnancy.
Starting next week, I'll be making trips to the hospital 2x a week, every Tuesday and Friday, for a biophysical profile and an NST (Non-stress test). I don't know much about the bop, but the purpose of these tests will be to check baby's movement, see if I'm having any contractions and his growth. Plus, I still have regular bi-weekly appointment with my OB.
Hopefully, I'll know when my cerclage gets removed in the next 2 weeks. Dr. Saikie said he will talk with MFM and see who will remove it and when (35 or 36 weeks). I'm ready for a date, so I can put in my maternity leave notice at work.
My sugar levels have been relatively good. Most of the time when they are elevated, I know it because of what I ate. I get upset and a little sad when they are elevated and I didn't expected them to be. Checking numbers 4 times a day is really stressful. I've been put on a low dose medication right before bed time. It's called Glyburide. My fasting numbers were constantly 90 or slightly above, but now they are doing better. I'm starting to notice that things that have ok to eat are starting to have a little higher numbers, which I guess is expected as I near the end of the pregnancy.
Starting next week, I'll be making trips to the hospital 2x a week, every Tuesday and Friday, for a biophysical profile and an NST (Non-stress test). I don't know much about the bop, but the purpose of these tests will be to check baby's movement, see if I'm having any contractions and his growth. Plus, I still have regular bi-weekly appointment with my OB.
Hopefully, I'll know when my cerclage gets removed in the next 2 weeks. Dr. Saikie said he will talk with MFM and see who will remove it and when (35 or 36 weeks). I'm ready for a date, so I can put in my maternity leave notice at work.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Week 29 updates
I'm only 4 days in to week 29 and they have been very busy. The week started with an email from the dietitian after turning in my numbers for the past week. I had a couple high numbers, but most were pretty good. My biggest problem is my fasting number first thing in the morning. It is supposed to be UNDER 90 and my readings are coming in at 91 up to 94 almost every morning. So the dietitian complimented me on doing such a good job tracking my levels and then said it's time to make an appointment with the lady in the metabolic center, to discuss medication. I'm not really looking forward to this appointment. I spoke to my high risk doctor today about. She said she is ok with my numbers right now ( the fasting one) but the problem is that it is going to get worse as the placenta and baby continue to grow.
On to better news… I had my baby shower this past weekend. It was so nice! The weather managed to keep a few people away, but we still had a nice turnout. We received many cool gifts with a few duplicates.. Apparently, my registry wasn't working correctly, because it wasn't showing that there were any purchases. We were completely monkey's' out, from Monkey decorations, gifts with monkeys on them and ….banana cake!!! I was delicious!
It gets better…. I had my growth scan today. Baby Boy is measuring 30 weeks 1 day and weighs approximately 3 lbs 4 oz. He was also head down! Of course, I'm hoping he stays in that position but the tech says he still has time to move. Terry and Dr. Strickland noticed that he has started to drop a bit. I can't really tell. She said that doesn't necessarily mean that labor is soon, but just watch for any signs.
We went over the plan for the rest of the pregnancy (and boy is time going to go fast). Starting at 32 weeks, I will start having Non-stress tests 2x every week, plus another growth scan at 34 wks. Then my cerclage will be removed at 36 weeks. Depending on what my body and baby feel like doing, I can have him anytime after that comes out, up to 38 wks. She is thinking that if nothing happens on my own, we will have to induce at 38 weeks! WHAT! I knew I was going early, but week 36-38 is really soon!
No new pictures this time. Not only was he head down, but he also had his face towards my back the entire time, so we only got a picture of his foot!
On to better news… I had my baby shower this past weekend. It was so nice! The weather managed to keep a few people away, but we still had a nice turnout. We received many cool gifts with a few duplicates.. Apparently, my registry wasn't working correctly, because it wasn't showing that there were any purchases. We were completely monkey's' out, from Monkey decorations, gifts with monkeys on them and ….banana cake!!! I was delicious!
It gets better…. I had my growth scan today. Baby Boy is measuring 30 weeks 1 day and weighs approximately 3 lbs 4 oz. He was also head down! Of course, I'm hoping he stays in that position but the tech says he still has time to move. Terry and Dr. Strickland noticed that he has started to drop a bit. I can't really tell. She said that doesn't necessarily mean that labor is soon, but just watch for any signs.
We went over the plan for the rest of the pregnancy (and boy is time going to go fast). Starting at 32 weeks, I will start having Non-stress tests 2x every week, plus another growth scan at 34 wks. Then my cerclage will be removed at 36 weeks. Depending on what my body and baby feel like doing, I can have him anytime after that comes out, up to 38 wks. She is thinking that if nothing happens on my own, we will have to induce at 38 weeks! WHAT! I knew I was going early, but week 36-38 is really soon!
No new pictures this time. Not only was he head down, but he also had his face towards my back the entire time, so we only got a picture of his foot!
Monday, January 27, 2014
Another Bump in The Road
Last week, I took my 1 hour glucose test and failed it big time. This past Saturday, I had to go back in to take a 3 hour glucose. I had to fast for 8 hours the night before and then go to the lab for a baseline blood draw, then drink the sugar solutions and have another blood draw for each of the next 3 hours. Well, I failed 2 of the 4 blood draws, so I am now considered to have Gestational Diabetes.
I had my 4 week OB check today. Dr Saikie went over things with me, informing me that because my body is now producing all of these hormones, as the placenta grows, it is making more more insulin resistant. He said I am no more of a higher risk pregnancy than I was before, but now they will just be monitoring my sugar level, also. The rest of my appointment went as usual. Baby's heartbeat was good and he is apparently going to be a big boy- my uterus was measuring about 3 weeks ahead!
An order was sent in for me to have a consult with a dietitian. As soon as we got home, her office called and said they could get me in today, so back out we went. The appointment with her was like a class. She first went through what diabetes is and how it developed and affects pregnancies. Then we went over what my levels were and where they should be. I learned how to check my levels, which I now have to do 4 times a day and report them every week. Then we moved on to the next "session" which was about my new diet-monitoring and counting carbs.
As much as I was panicking Sunday about this diagnosis, I'm starting to feel much better.
Mommy/Baby Stats
Weight: Just slightly 2 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight. I probably won't be gaining much anymore with the new diet plan.
Sleep: I'm falling asleep most nights between 9-10, but then I'm up again after 12:30 to as late as 2 am.
Cravings: FOOD!
Movement: Baby continues to do a lot of moving. I was able to catch him on my cell phone video moving around. It was hilarious watching him move my stomach like that. His activity patterns changed during Christmas break and now it seems like he is awake a lot more often.
Next Appointment: Growth Scan on Feb 10.
I had my 4 week OB check today. Dr Saikie went over things with me, informing me that because my body is now producing all of these hormones, as the placenta grows, it is making more more insulin resistant. He said I am no more of a higher risk pregnancy than I was before, but now they will just be monitoring my sugar level, also. The rest of my appointment went as usual. Baby's heartbeat was good and he is apparently going to be a big boy- my uterus was measuring about 3 weeks ahead!
An order was sent in for me to have a consult with a dietitian. As soon as we got home, her office called and said they could get me in today, so back out we went. The appointment with her was like a class. She first went through what diabetes is and how it developed and affects pregnancies. Then we went over what my levels were and where they should be. I learned how to check my levels, which I now have to do 4 times a day and report them every week. Then we moved on to the next "session" which was about my new diet-monitoring and counting carbs.
As much as I was panicking Sunday about this diagnosis, I'm starting to feel much better.
Mommy/Baby Stats
Weight: Just slightly 2 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight. I probably won't be gaining much anymore with the new diet plan.
Sleep: I'm falling asleep most nights between 9-10, but then I'm up again after 12:30 to as late as 2 am.
Cravings: FOOD!
Movement: Baby continues to do a lot of moving. I was able to catch him on my cell phone video moving around. It was hilarious watching him move my stomach like that. His activity patterns changed during Christmas break and now it seems like he is awake a lot more often.
Next Appointment: Growth Scan on Feb 10.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Acrobatic Baby
I had my last cervical check today. My cervix was actually crazy long and even some how managed to curve. For now, I have to wait a long month before my next MFM visit. Then we will do another growth scan.
Of course we had picture time today and he cooperated-somewhat! Baby was head down, but he had his feet all the way on his head. After a couple of tries, we were able to get a picture that showed his face and foot. The tech said he is very flexible! While she was figuring out his position, she quickly moved and asked if we knew his gender. We said yes. She said good and then moved back to where she was and said because he wasn't hiding anything today!
Quick update:
We are 25 wks and 3 day and according to our apps, he is the size of a cauliflower!
Couple minor scares- Braxon Hicks Thursday evening and off and on Friday. Also, was feeling quick of bit of movement, but when I did a kick test, it took almost the full 2 hours to get 10 kicks.
I will do my 1-hour glucose test within this week, maybe Thursday or next Monday.
Of course we had picture time today and he cooperated-somewhat! Baby was head down, but he had his feet all the way on his head. After a couple of tries, we were able to get a picture that showed his face and foot. The tech said he is very flexible! While she was figuring out his position, she quickly moved and asked if we knew his gender. We said yes. She said good and then moved back to where she was and said because he wasn't hiding anything today!
Quick update:
We are 25 wks and 3 day and according to our apps, he is the size of a cauliflower!
Couple minor scares- Braxon Hicks Thursday evening and off and on Friday. Also, was feeling quick of bit of movement, but when I did a kick test, it took almost the full 2 hours to get 10 kicks.
I will do my 1-hour glucose test within this week, maybe Thursday or next Monday.
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