First Admission

I had a checkup for baby yesterday since I'm on 2x per week checkups now.  There were 3 parts to the checkup:  First the non-stress test (NST), then the ultrasound, then meet with the doc.  We saw Dr W again this time.

The NST went much like the last one we did, in spite of my attempt to get Baby to wake up by slamming part of a bottle of Coke for my morning carbs.  I started out on my back, then the nurse had me roll to my right side and propped me up with a pillow.  We noticed my blood pressure spike quite drastically when I was on my back - I was giving off readings of 148/94, which is MUCH higher than what they want to see.  Baby seemed to be sleeping throughout the test again.  After 20 minutes, the nurse took a buzzer and put it on my stomach to wake baby up.  Then she explained a little better what exactly they're looking for since she was training a new tech.  They need Baby's heart rate to increase by 15 beats per minute and stay elevated for at least 10 seconds.  Baby has to do this at least 2 times in 10 minutes for the test to be considered 'reactive,' which is what the goal is.  The buzzer really seemed to do the trick - I got the living daylights kicked out of me for the next half hour! lol!!

We had another ultrasound to measure the fluid levels around Baby.  We were told the level is in the 'normal' range, although it's on the lower side of the normal.  This is another thing they're really keeping an eye on.  We got a pretty cute face shot of Baby though :)

Next we went to see Dr W.  She asked about my sugar levels, which have been really good since I've been on the Glyburide.  In spite of me overdoing some of my carbs a little bit now and then, my numbers are staying in range.  I've noticed quite often I underdo my carbs too, though.  Anyway, Dr W was very concerned with how high my blood pressure was.  She sent me over to Labor and Delivery for additional monitoring.  She didn't know if they were going to keep me overnight or if I'd just be there for a few hours.  It was dependent on how my blood and urine tests came back and how the monitoring came out.

We went over to the L&D Triage center and I got admitted.  After giving them a urine sample, I spent the next couple hours laying in the bed with the NST monitors and a blood pressure cuff on.  They checked my bp every 5 minutes for the first hour, then every 10 minutes for the next hour.  Hubby and I watched a movie to help pass the time.  With the docs and nurse coming in and with the monitor going off, plus having to contact people to keep them posted (my sister since she had my kids, and my mom and grandma), I missed quite a bit of the movie. What I did see what pretty good though.

In addition to the other tests, the OB on call in L&D did a pelvic exam since I haven't had one since about 20 weeks or so.  We found out I'm dilated to 2, 50% effaced, and even though Baby feels like he/she is sitting lower, is still at -3 station. (I've included these couple links for those who are unfamiliar with the terms.)

Obviously after this additional time added to my appointment, hubby didn't make it to work as planned :(  He had been planning on going in around 11 or 1130, but since we didn't get back to town until about 2, he said there was no point in going in.  Unfortunately that means he gets to spend all day Saturday working and putting in a few extra hours during the week...  He's been putting in up to 2 hours extra a night during the week.  I don't think he has any idea how much it means to me that he's been so supportive and so involved in this pregnancy.  This all would have been a lot more difficult if he wasn't so supportive.  I'm so lucky I found such a wonderful man!!

My bp mellowed out and my labs came back alright, so they decided to send me home.  I have to go back on Tuesday for another NST, ultrasound, and checkup.  They also sent a jug home with me with orders to collect urine for the next 24 hours (YUCK) so that they can check the protein levels in it.  Which means we actually have to go back this afternoon to drop it off.

Hubby really doesn't want me to go by myself just in case something happens, even though it's just straight over there and back.  I asked my best friend to ride with me, but she has to help her dad move today.  I can't go until after 3:30, which is about how late hubby was planning on working anyway, so we decided that I would just wait and we'd go when he gets home.  I had to move the seat back in my car, too, cuz my steering wheel was rubbing against the baby belly.  It's a little more difficult to reach the pedals now, so I try not to drive out of town if I can help it.  Since a friend had asked, here's a belly shot.  Not so flattering.  But I am still down a total of 8.25 pounds.  Yup - I gained 3 pounds this past week.

Next week I have to be back 2x again.  The plan was to go on Wed since Scraps has an ENT appointment then, but that doesn't work into their 2x per week schedule.  They said one appt has to be Mon or Tues and one has to be Thurs or Fri.  So next week I will be at Mayo Tues, Wed, and Thurs.  We were having a hard time figuring out how to do this since it would be super hard for hubs to take that much time off, so Grammy is going over with me on Wed for Scrappy's appt.  We don't have to be there until 945 for that one, and my appts are at 8am so it would be harder for her to go with to those.  I would prefer that hubby is with for mine anyway in case I get kept or anything happens.

And the more that things are going wrong, the more the docs are talking about induction.  Hopefully we find out a definite answer very soon.  As much as I love my babies and I loved being pregnant, this one has taken quite a toll on me.  I'm ready to meet this little one and have some strand of normalcy back in my life.

Mixed Emotions

Yesterday's appointments didn't go quite as well as we had hoped for.  I'm riding an emotional roller-coaster right now because of everything going on and all the stress and emotions involved with pregnancy.

My first appointment was for the non-stress test.  They let Scrappy come in with us for this one since he was being pretty mellow.  For those who have never had one, a non-stress test is one where I sit back in a recliner with my feet up.  The nurse puts 2 straps around my   stomach with monitors on them.  One was put at the top of my stomach to monitor for contractions and the other is placed over Baby to monitor movement.  During this I also had a blood pressure cuff on that would periodically monitor my blood pressure.  The test can last anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how the baby responds.

We seem to have a pretty stubborn baby.  I was hooked up for the entire 40 minutes. Baby's heart rate was in the lower 150's.  During the test, the nurse monitors how many times the baby moves and what the baby's heart rate does.  The goal is that when baby moves, his/her heart rate is supposed to go over 160 and stay there for a short period.  Baby did NOT want to cooperate.  We listened to hiccups for a while, which was the extent of the movement we were getting.  The nurse pushed on my stomach and had me change positions, rolling over to my left and rolling over to my right side.  I pushed on my stomach.  Scrappy yelled at and talked to Baby and pushed on my stomach.  Daddy pushed and shook and rubbed his hands on my stomach.  In spite of my carb restrictions, I even ate part of a granola bar to see if the sugar was going to get Baby moving.  We got a few kicks here and there, but not a lot.  Baby is most active around supper time and bed time, or really early in the morning and is pretty mellow throughout the day.  I was concerned, though, when I saw what my blood pressure readings were.  Throughout my pregnancy, my bp has been about 110/65-70.  My last appointment, Dr R said it was running a little high.  At this appointment, it varied with the top ranging from 128-138 and the bottom running from 83-92.

My second appointment there were no kids allowed, so Daddy and Scrappy had to wait in the waiting room during that one.  The ultrasound tech didn't do any measurements on how big baby was, just concerned about checking how much fluid there is and a few other measurements the doc needed.  She said Baby was 'face down' so she couldn't get a good profile shot.  But here you can see Baby's face, shoulder, and hand.

Then it was on to my third and last appointment - seeing the doc.  We didn't see my normal doc, but we got to meet another (Dr W), which is good just in case mine isn't there when we go in.  She was very brief and to-the-point.  I don't think we were in the room for more than 10-15 minutes with her.  She looked over my glucose readings since the medication started and looked over the non-stress test and bp results.  She was not happy with my bp being up since it's been so low until recently.  Of course she said she was concerned about pre-eclampsia and now wants me coming in twice per week.  Normally, she said, she wouldn't be so concerned about my bp since it's not horribly high, but because of the gestational diabetes AND the bp, she'd rather I come in more often.  She said if it stays high, she would like to induce me at 36 week.  I told her that Dr R had talked about induction at 34 weeks if it was high.  She didn't agree with that.  But I guess in the end it's up to what the two of them decide.  We're going back to see Dr W on Friday for a follow-up.  I'm not sure how she wants me to handle 2x per week after that since my next 2 appointments after that are on Wednesdays to coincide with Scrappy's.  We'll just have to see what happens.  On the 9th, we're scheduled to see Dr R again.

And after some discussion, my husband and I decided to stop down and change my registration.  We upgraded to a private room.  I'd rather not have someone else's newborn keeping me up all night or have to deal with their family visiting if I wanna nap during the day. 

I guess I'm as ready as I'm every going to be for this baby to come.  I'm kind of nervous because so many things have gone wrong already and I'm afraid of what else can go wrong.  I'm excited to see the little angel that's been kicking and hiccuping and growing in me for the last 32 1/2 weeks.  I'm terrified of the possibility of Baby needing surgery.  But we're seeing some of the best doctors in the country at Mayo.  We just need to put our trust in them....  We really can't do any more to prepare...

I'm getting restless and sore and craving everything I can't eat because of the diabetic diet.  I swear if I could, I'd chug a gallon of high-pulp orange juice right now!!!

Weekly Appts

We're at that point now - we are going to Rochester weekly to monitor baby.  The last couple weeks have been typical, and crazy.  After failing the glucose test and being diagnosed with gestational diabetes, Dr R had me meet with a diabetic specialist nurse and a dietitian.  I had to monitor my blood sugar for the next week until I went in to see him again too.  For some unknown reason, even though I've been very adamant about adhering to the strict carb count they put me on, my morning blood sugars were still high.  Throughout the day there were a few times here and there that they would spike again.  Dr R wasn't very happy with this last week when I went back for my checkup. (He said that most people cheat and don't fill in their real numbers on the chart - he was happy to see that I was!)


I'm still monitoring my sugars 4 times a day and now I'm also taking a pill every evening to help control my blood sugar.  Since I've been on it, my morning sugars have been right on target!  My fasting level is supposed to be under 95 (right when I get up in the morning) and then under 120 when I check it 2 hours after each meal.  They are very strict on exactly how many grams of carbs I'm to have for each meal and for snacks 3 times per day.  It's been hard to stick with, especially since I LOVE pasta and mashed potatoes.  The big surprise to me was that there are carbs in milk and yogurt but not in cheese.  There is also a list of veggies that have carbs and count against me.  So glad green beans aren't on that list since they're my favorite :)  Cooking has been a bit of a challenge for me, but I've been doing some experimenting, which has been coming out pretty good for the most part!


At my last appt, doc also gave me a prescription heart burn medication.  I've been having such awful heartburn that wakes me up in the middle of the night, I feel like I'm going to be sick!  Thankfully this medication has been working really well :)  Almost no heartburn since I started it. 


Next step is to get my blood pressure down.  Normally it's about 120/80 or a little lower, but when I'm pregnant it usually runs about 110/70 or somewhere in that area.  My last appt it was 130/85.  This worried our doc.  He said if the top # gets above 140 or the bottom goes over 90, they're going to look at inducing me at 34 weeks (I'm 32 right now.)  With the complications we've had, high blood pressure is coming out to be the final straw.  If we do go early, though, we suspect very few complications other than the echogenic bowel issue.  In the last ultrasound, the baby was practicing 'breathing,' so the lungs are looking good.  Based on the ultrasound, the baby weighed in at about 4 pounds 7 ounces.  That's a huge jump in 2 weeks from the 3 pounds 4 ounces they estimated then!!


Tomorrow we go in again.  Our weekly appts are non-stress test, ultrasound, and meet with the OB.  We'll be meeting with a couple others besides the one we've been seeing.  My sister has to work, so we are going to have to take Scrappy with us.  Beau has school, but we'll be able to drop her off and pick her up since we don't have to be in Roch until 930 and we'll be done before noon.  Hubs is planning to try to get to work in the afternoon if we get back in time.  Maybe then he won't have to work as long on Saturday.  I know he needs to make up the time, it just seems like I hardly see him when Sunday is the only day he's home because we always have so much to do.  It would be great to have a day to just relax and spend time together.


Since this is the number one question I'm asked: As of Thursday, my total weight change with this pregnancy:  Down 11.25 pounds still.  I've been asked often if I'm having twins.  I suppose since the baby is gaining weight and I've overall been losing weight, my baby belly seems to be protruding a bit more than with the other two.  My darling hubby told me that from the back he can't really even tell I'm pregnant cuz I seem to be carrying it all in my belly up front.  He's so sweet :)

Barriers.....

Yes, I'm way overdue on this entry.  My life has almost fallen apart in the past month and a half, and I have been having trouble putting it into words.  I have had enough trouble just understanding it all myself.  It's been more than a little overwhelming.

June 24 saw me back in the doctor's office - on basically an emergency-type visit.  The bleeding.  Again.  I called hubs at work and then Grammy to watch the kids.  Doctor L had an appt open at 2 and since I called at 12:15, he thought I could wait (obviously heavy bleeding wasn't much of a concern to him even though it scared the hell out of me!!!)  We went in, he listened and heard baby's heart beat, and told me to take it easy.  We were in, seen, and out in less than 10 minutes and I was in no way reassured.  When asked why I was bleeding, his answer was "I don't know."  Well, soon enough we would find out how reliable - and what a LIAR, this doctor was.

After my June 12th appt (and my last ultrasound here), I was supposed to be referred to Maternal-Fetal Medicine so they could get my medical background - supposedly.  After my July 15th appt, I was FINALLY scheduled with Maternal-Fetal Medicine and was to go to Rochester to see them to 1) meet with the nurse, 2) have an ultrasound, 3) meet with the OB, and 4) meet with the Genetics Counselor.  Um, no, I canceled the last appt right away - there was no reason to meet with the Genetics Counselor after we already did that less than 3 years ago after Scrappy was born.  We knew all we needed to about the chances of CF with the baby, the complications associated with CF, and all that other stuff that Dr L didn't seem to know about.  So here I still had 3 appts - but when I asked the appt desk AND Dr L's office WHY I was being referred - NO ONE knew!!  Was it for the CF or was it for the bleeding??  Turns out we wouldn't actually find out until we got to Mayo.

July 25 - Hubby took a half day off to go with me to my appts at Mayo.  Best decision ever.  We met with Dr R, who is a specialist in high risk pregnancies.  Turns out we'd been referred because there is a blood 'pool' or 'pocket' above the placenta.  Dr L knew about it but didn't bother to tell use.  Turns out THIS is why I've been bleeding - it's the blood from this pocket leaking.  WTH???  He couldn't say "I'm sending you to Roch because idk why this is here?"  (Nope, NOT going back to Dr L! Ever!)  Dr R told us to expect that Baby will most likely be here before 34 weeks because of the size of the pocket.  It's a rare complication and they're not sure why it happens, it just does.  (At least it's an explanation and an HONEST one at that!!)  Dr R said Baby most likely will end up in Rochester anyway, and it's up to us if we want to continue to see the docs at home or not.  Until we make our decision, we're supposed to continue with our appts as scheduled.

Aug 26 - Second appt in Rochester.  We had 2 appts with Dr Y, who was ok to being with, seemed nice and friendly, but I really DON'T like liars.  Especially when it comes to mine or my children's health.  Dr Y told us he's been in contact with Dr R and we're supposed to be having checkups and ultrasounds every 3-4 weeks.  According to Dr Y, we would ONLY do the steroid injection to help Baby's lungs develop if I was still ACTIVELY bleeding.  My husband and I also decided that I'm not going to get my tubes tied right away, as we had planned, because of the likelihood of Baby coming early.  We want to keep our options open.  Dr Y, however, said we're still going through with everything as planned, delivering here even though we told him we want to have the baby at Mayo, and that I'm still getting my tubes tied, even though we told him we changed our minds.  It was completely obvious he wasn't listening to me.  When I asked about when we should follow up with Dr R, Dr Y changed the subject.  I finally took it upon myself to call Mayo and found out the only contact he had with Dr Rose was ONE EMAIL.  Like I said, I'm NOT a fan of liars.  I made an appt to see Dr R, and we've decided that is where all of our appointments are going to be done from here on out.

Went to see Dr R.  He was happy to see us.  I think switching over there is the best decision we've made.  He said it looks like Baby will still be coming early just because of how much bleeding I had earlier on, but it's a good sign that it's stopped.  Hopefully it means Baby won't be coming AS early.  We weren't scheduled for an ultrasound, but he said let's do one anyway :)  We saw that the pocket was still there.  We also saw that Baby still has echogenic bowel.  (Echogenic bowel in this pregnancy means either 1) Baby has been swallowing blood and it's moving through his/her system  (which doesn't do any harm) or 2) it's a precursor to meconium ileus, which is intestinal blockage caused by mucus caused by CF - obviously we're hoping for #1!!!)  If Baby DOES have m.i. at least we'll already be in Rochester, which is where he/she would be sent anyway to have it treated.  We are supposed to go back to see Dr R in 3 weeks.  As we were on our way out the door, Scot mentioned getting a tour or knowing where to go if anything happens - so Dr R set up a tour right then and there for us!! Talk about a great doctor!!

I'm going to wrap this up now, but will keep posted as the pregnancy progresses.  And to keep things up-to-date, yes, I'm still attending TOPS religiously.  I'm not following my eating plan as religiously, but how often can we when we're pregnant.  But to-date, I'm at a 13 pound loss total!  I had gotten down a total of 15 pounds, but babies always have an effect on that :) 

I've been doing some thinking, and become addicted to a new blog I found.  I'm working on making my household more workable... and looking at re-evaluating my blog a bit.  Yes it was originally started as a method for me to track my health and fitness efforts, but I may expand that.  The title - TODAY is Day One - is all about new beginnings - being able to start over TODAY.  This can be health, fitness, financial, or just how to live your life.

Since I've not worked much since June, I KNOW there need to be some budgetary changes made in our house.  I'm also tired of the mounds of 'to-do' items on my list and would like to get it all under control before baby comes, especially since school has started for me now and will be starting for Beau soon.  My first effort has come in following many of the tips found in the blog I've been reading and incorporating many things from a book I have, "The Family Manager Takes Charge."  I'm going to start blogging about how these changes are progressing in our household.  I'm also up for suggestions and input.  No one ever tells you the reality of being a SAHM and how challenging it actually is.  I didn't know what I was getting myself into, and now, more than a year later, I'm working on getting my life in order.  Some things just take time.....

(yes at the beginning I said 'the past month and a half.'  I started this entry, then life just got in the way.  I'm going to make an honest effort to blog once a day or at least every other day.  Today's actual date - the completion of this entry - lands on Aug 30, more than a month after it was started.)

A month later?

I know it's been a while since my last entry.  It has been a difficult month.  Last month my grandpa's mother passed away while I was on vacation, shortly before that my step-father's father passed away.  My half-sister and half-brother's dad was airlifted to Rochester with a heart attack and had to have 2 stints put in about the same time that both the deaths occurred.  Then Memorial Day, step-dad was airlifted to Rochester with a heart attack and had to have a stint put in his heart.  Oh the craziness!!

Then it was my turn!  Last Saturday, June 4, I went to my all-day class.  Everything seemed fine, and I felt fine!!  After class I came home quickly to get my Pure Romance case and off I went to a show.  During the show is when my problem occurred.  We took a break about halfway through, and I excused myself to use the bathroom because I thought I was having a bladder issue.... and where I discovered it was much more than that!!  I was bleeding!!  Heavily!!!  I was so scared!!  I told the hostess (who already knew I was pregnant) and I asked a friend of mine to take me to the ER.  I left the 'samples' there for the party guests to check out and told the hostess I will be doing the orders over the phone once I got the "issue" settled.

A friend drove me to the ER and stayed there with me until hubs could get there.  He was going to bring the kids, but I didn't want to scare them, so I asked another friend (who conveniently lives across the street) if he could bring them over there, which she said was fine.  The doctor in the ER left us very little hope when she came in to examine me and took blood.  I had lost quite a bit of blood and was terrified we were going to lose the baby.  The doctor gave us very little reason to feel hopeful.  When she and the nurse attempted to find the baby's heartbeat, they couldn't find anything.  She did say it is sometimes difficult to pick up at 11 weeks.  She said she was going to have my hormone levels checked by the blood, and if they were high enough, I would be having an ultrasound.  Then she and the nurse left and we didn't see anyone for almost an hour.  The waiting was killing us, and I couldn't keep the tears back.  I could tell my husband was upset, but he was trying to stay calm to keep me calm.

Finally, an hour later, another lady came in who I presumed was another nurse.  Nope!!  It was the ultrasound tech!!  Finally we were hopeful!!  Off she took us to ultrasound, with a bathroom break along the way so the ultrasound would be "easier".  We were very excited to see our little baby on the screen!  Baby's heartbeat was 175bpm, nice and strong, and he/she was kicking little legs and waving little arms all around :)  I've never been so relieved in all my life!!

After the ultrasound, the doctor finally came back in to talk to us and said my hormone levels were well over 45,000.  Then she left.  Another nurse brought in my discharge instructions - bed rest until the bleeding stops, gradually resume activity, no lifting, no sex for 3 weeks, and follow up with my OB.  I called him on Monday and spoke with his nurse.  My bed rest lasted until Thursday, a full day after the bleeding had completely stopped.  I have my next appointment on Wednesday, June 15th, and we have our first "official" ultrasound, complete with pictures we get to keep :)  He is keeping me on the lifting restriction until at least after the appointment but it sounds like it will be a lot longer than that.  We'll just have to see what happens.  And, of course, since I was on bed rest, there was no TOPS for me on Thursday.  I called our group leader and I'm sure they understand. 

To bring my TOPS progress up to date - at my last weigh-in I was down a total of 6 3/4 pounds since I started on March 24.  I also received a prize at our last meeting - I was the contest winner for my division with the highest weight loss for last month. Yay!!  That got me a $2 bill, which I have on my fridge to remind me :)  I've been losing each week, just a little at a time - sometimes just 1/4 of a pound, but every little bit helps!!

For the time being I have also put my gym membership at Anytime Fitness on hold.  I did a 2 month hold for now, so August 7th it reactivates.  The gym manager told me I can only do a 3 month suspension.  Hopefully my doc will clear me for some light exercise before then!!!!