I was vaccinated today at my doctor's appointment. It will take two weeks to be fully effective so I still need to stay away from sick people (you don't need to tell me twice). My blood pressure is a little lower than it was last time but they still don't know why I feel dizzy and faint. The baby was transverse at the last visit (head on the side of my abdomen) but he has turned. Robert and I have been telling him to turn and singing "turning" songs to him this week (mostly as a joke) and it appears to have worked :p So far I show no signs of labor so I go back next week. Because my diabetes has been so well controlled they are not going to induce for another two weeks if at all.
My mom is in town and we have been baby shopping this week. We have the necessities and I bought a rocking chair yesterday. Robert put it together today and it is so cute that I can't wait to rock our little baby in it. We will put the crib together tomorrow (thank you to aunts Jan and Ann).That's it for now other then the news that the law school has confirmed cases of H1N1.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Doctor's Visit
Friday I received a call from my doctor's office. He has H1N1 and they wanted to reschedule for the 27th. I reminded them that I was 35 weeks pregnant, and they rescheduled me with another doctor instead.
I felt dizzy most of the weekend so I was really looking forward to this doctor's visit. I stopped driving when the dizzy spells first hit this week so that I didn't cause an accident. I was hoping they could figure out what was wrong, fix it, and I could go on my merry way. They checked my blood pressure. It was lower than it had been but not too low for a pregnant woman. They then took some blood to see if I was anemic; nope not anemic. (He had asked me if I was taking me prenatal vitamins, I said yes and he was surprised when the blood test showed that I was telling the truth. Why would I lie when I want to find out what is wrong with me?) They asked if it was related to lows in my blood sugar. Nope told him that I tested when I felt really dizzy and told him my numbers, even he said they were excellent and wouldn't be the cause of dizziness. Bottom line - (drum roll please) they don't know what is wrong with me. If I don't stop feeling dizzy they want me to come in so they can give me and IV and hopefully make it go away. I go back next week anyway so we'll see what happens. I felt fine today until this afternoon at work.
Work: I gave notice that this is my last week until after the baby is born - I'll probably go back in January (December if I can swing it). I love my job. It is something I love doing and it keeps me sane (law school is insane and being able to get away and into the real world has saved my sanity). I also love the people I work with. They are like me but different also so we compliment each other well and have a good time at work. I'm really going to miss them. But, I realized that the baby comes first, right now school comes second, and then work. I had planned to work right until the baby was born but these dizzy spells have changed that. I really wish the doctors could find out and fix the dizzy spells so that I could work a few more weeks at least.
On other baby news - he has not turned yet. The doctor started feeling for the head and couldn't find it until he found the back. Yes, my cute little guy is still sideways. I am encouraging him to turn but don't know if he understands me yet (English is a difficult language after all). Anybody have any tips on how to safely get him to turn? The doctor wasn't concerned, he says that there is still plenty of time. Everyone, encourage John to turn so I don't have to have a C-section. (caveat: I have nothing against C-sections per se I would just rather not have to recover from surgery if I don't have to). I've only had Braxton Hicks so far so it looks like he won't come just yet. I'm 36 weeks this week so let's hope he doesn't go past 40.
I felt dizzy most of the weekend so I was really looking forward to this doctor's visit. I stopped driving when the dizzy spells first hit this week so that I didn't cause an accident. I was hoping they could figure out what was wrong, fix it, and I could go on my merry way. They checked my blood pressure. It was lower than it had been but not too low for a pregnant woman. They then took some blood to see if I was anemic; nope not anemic. (He had asked me if I was taking me prenatal vitamins, I said yes and he was surprised when the blood test showed that I was telling the truth. Why would I lie when I want to find out what is wrong with me?) They asked if it was related to lows in my blood sugar. Nope told him that I tested when I felt really dizzy and told him my numbers, even he said they were excellent and wouldn't be the cause of dizziness. Bottom line - (drum roll please) they don't know what is wrong with me. If I don't stop feeling dizzy they want me to come in so they can give me and IV and hopefully make it go away. I go back next week anyway so we'll see what happens. I felt fine today until this afternoon at work.
Work: I gave notice that this is my last week until after the baby is born - I'll probably go back in January (December if I can swing it). I love my job. It is something I love doing and it keeps me sane (law school is insane and being able to get away and into the real world has saved my sanity). I also love the people I work with. They are like me but different also so we compliment each other well and have a good time at work. I'm really going to miss them. But, I realized that the baby comes first, right now school comes second, and then work. I had planned to work right until the baby was born but these dizzy spells have changed that. I really wish the doctors could find out and fix the dizzy spells so that I could work a few more weeks at least.
On other baby news - he has not turned yet. The doctor started feeling for the head and couldn't find it until he found the back. Yes, my cute little guy is still sideways. I am encouraging him to turn but don't know if he understands me yet (English is a difficult language after all). Anybody have any tips on how to safely get him to turn? The doctor wasn't concerned, he says that there is still plenty of time. Everyone, encourage John to turn so I don't have to have a C-section. (caveat: I have nothing against C-sections per se I would just rather not have to recover from surgery if I don't have to). I've only had Braxton Hicks so far so it looks like he won't come just yet. I'm 36 weeks this week so let's hope he doesn't go past 40.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
I'm Huge
So I'm 35 weeks pregnant today. I wish I were 40 weeks and done already. I had to skip work and school today because I almost passed out as I was making breakfast. Never had that happen before. Also, The baby is sitting on my sciatic nerve and I walk like an old lady that needs a cane or a walker. I called the doctor and he told me to lie down. I was feeling better in the afternoon until an hour ago when I began feeling really light-headed and nauseated again. I'm also huge and I just want John to be born so I can be done with being pregnant. But, it's still a little too soon for him to come so I have to hang in there so that he is as healthy as he can be; he is most important right now. I'm getting sympathetic looks from people at school, along with a few "is she crazy" looks from others (why yes, I am crazy to be attending law school, working, and pregnant; just look up my picture in the dictionary - it's next to crazy, insane, giant pregnant lady). Others ask if I'm ready to be done (the answer is a resounding YES).
My diabetes continues to be well controlled with diet and I am anxiously dreaming of the day I get to eat ice cream again. They will need to monitor the baby carefully after he's born to make sure that he's okay. My arms and legs are actually smaller than they were when I was diagnosed, but my stomach is getting bigger by the second. I constantly feel the baby move and just wish he didn't like my bladder so much. It's embarrassing to go to the bathroom before class, during class, then again right after class. When he moves, I have to hobble to the bathroom. Most of all, I feel huge, ginormous, (insert favorite adjective or synonym for giant pregnant lady here). I remember buying maternity clothes and wondering if they were too big. It's a little depressing when you realize that you fit in them; then you wonder if you will ever shrink back to your old size.
I love my baby so much and I know that all of this is worth it. As long as he is safe and healthy I can deal.
My diabetes continues to be well controlled with diet and I am anxiously dreaming of the day I get to eat ice cream again. They will need to monitor the baby carefully after he's born to make sure that he's okay. My arms and legs are actually smaller than they were when I was diagnosed, but my stomach is getting bigger by the second. I constantly feel the baby move and just wish he didn't like my bladder so much. It's embarrassing to go to the bathroom before class, during class, then again right after class. When he moves, I have to hobble to the bathroom. Most of all, I feel huge, ginormous, (insert favorite adjective or synonym for giant pregnant lady here). I remember buying maternity clothes and wondering if they were too big. It's a little depressing when you realize that you fit in them; then you wonder if you will ever shrink back to your old size.
I love my baby so much and I know that all of this is worth it. As long as he is safe and healthy I can deal.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
One Month Into School
I had a doctor's appointment last week. The baby is still measuring a couple of weeks ahead of schedule so he might come early. My diabetes seems to be responding well to my diet but they will still monitor the baby closely, especially when he is born. His heartbeat was strong and I feel him move all the time now. He has steered clear of my rib-cage (he hasn't kicked me there yet), but sometimes I feel his head right at the top of my left thigh joint. When he gets an elbow or foot in just the right place it hurts. He is big enough that my stomach moves when he does and I have to admit it is fun to watch. He lets me know when I have disturbed his comfort because of the position I am in and sadly part of his comfort is settling right on my bladder. I have been achy this week and a little grumpy and emotional. More than anything I feel tired and huge (I haven't gained any weight this month :) and don't know how my body can stretch anymore than it already has.
School is...well...school. We are both in the swing of the semester and plugging along. Work is also going well and provides a nice escape into reality (law school is close to insanity most of the time), even though I'm editing Supreme Court cases :) Robert likes his job as a Lexis student rep.
If only I could have some ice cream, the real stuff with hot fudge and caramel, life would be awesome. (Grandma will have to eat enough for grandpa and me; he can't have any either.)
School is...well...school. We are both in the swing of the semester and plugging along. Work is also going well and provides a nice escape into reality (law school is close to insanity most of the time), even though I'm editing Supreme Court cases :) Robert likes his job as a Lexis student rep.
If only I could have some ice cream, the real stuff with hot fudge and caramel, life would be awesome. (Grandma will have to eat enough for grandpa and me; he can't have any either.)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday
We went to our new ward today. We went last week after checking the church website. We went to Sacrament Meeting and asked where Sunday School was. This stake does RS and SS before SM so we had missed the other meetings. Today we made it to all of them. We have 9:00 church. I usually like early church but it was difficult to get up today. Our new ward was very welcoming and I am glad that we are where we are.
Robert and I had some friends up at the cabin yesterday. It was a lot of fun. We ate, watched the game (go Cougars), played the Wii, and played board games. It's great to get out of Provo for a few hours and unwind with friends. Most of us are all in law school so it's great to out of the pressure situation. We have a solid group that does "geek nights" and we always have fun together.
The baby is moving regularly and when he moves my belly usually follows. Sleeping is getting more elusive so Sunday naps are a life saver. Work is going well. I like my job a lot and many days I prefer work to school (I think getting paid to be there helps).
Robert and I had some friends up at the cabin yesterday. It was a lot of fun. We ate, watched the game (go Cougars), played the Wii, and played board games. It's great to get out of Provo for a few hours and unwind with friends. Most of us are all in law school so it's great to out of the pressure situation. We have a solid group that does "geek nights" and we always have fun together.
The baby is moving regularly and when he moves my belly usually follows. Sleeping is getting more elusive so Sunday naps are a life saver. Work is going well. I like my job a lot and many days I prefer work to school (I think getting paid to be there helps).
Monday, September 7, 2009
Blood Sugar Update
I had an appointment with the diabetic nutritionist on Monday. My blood sugar levels were pretty low for the week so they are encouraged as it seems that the diet is controlling the diabetes. If this continues I will not need insulin and the diabetes should go away after the baby is born. I don't have another appointment for a few weeks, but they want me to call in this week for a phone appointment. When I arrived they were running behind so I had an opportunity to talk to some other gestational diabetes patients. Their levels were all pretty high and they were worried. I have the opposite problem, mine are sometimes too low.
Blood sugar needs to be 70 or above to be healthy; anything below that is considered hypoglycemic which brings its own risks (one of them being death). At least once a day I have slipped into the 60's and even the 50's. The nurses could not figure out why I was dipping so low and questioned me about what and when I ate. I always dipped that low before lunch or before dinner. They said it sounded like I was following the diet to a "T" and made some adjustments because of the lows and the fact that I was spilling ketones into my urine. The adjustments worked for a day or two then my blood sugar started dropping into the 50's again. I have to call in tomorrow and see what is going on. My blood sugar has never been close to the upper threshold, even the time I cheated and ate a cupcake (insert guilty face emoticon here).
Last night was really scary. They no longer have me test my blood sugar before lunch and before dinner because my levels were always so low that they weren't worried about them. I tested before dinner last night because I felt my blood sugar might have been high. Wrong. It was at 48. When blood sugar plummets to the 50's the brain is not getting the sugar it needs to function properly. When you reach these levels you are supposed to eat sugar to bring your level up to safety, then, to sustain it, you're supposed to eat a meal. I ate some chocolate cake that a member of the ward had brought as a welcoming treat, a hard candy, a glass of milk, and half a soda and tested again in 15 minutes. My blood sugar had increased to 69. I then ate dinner and tested two hours later (this is the norm). My blood sugar was 92; after eating all of that it was only 92 (120 is the upper threshold for two hours after a meal). This has left me wondering if I really do have GD. The nurses told me at my appointment that I might have had hypoglycemia before the pregnancy and that untreated hypoglycemia can turn into Type II diabetes. We'll see how the phone appointment goes this week.
Blood sugar needs to be 70 or above to be healthy; anything below that is considered hypoglycemic which brings its own risks (one of them being death). At least once a day I have slipped into the 60's and even the 50's. The nurses could not figure out why I was dipping so low and questioned me about what and when I ate. I always dipped that low before lunch or before dinner. They said it sounded like I was following the diet to a "T" and made some adjustments because of the lows and the fact that I was spilling ketones into my urine. The adjustments worked for a day or two then my blood sugar started dropping into the 50's again. I have to call in tomorrow and see what is going on. My blood sugar has never been close to the upper threshold, even the time I cheated and ate a cupcake (insert guilty face emoticon here).
Last night was really scary. They no longer have me test my blood sugar before lunch and before dinner because my levels were always so low that they weren't worried about them. I tested before dinner last night because I felt my blood sugar might have been high. Wrong. It was at 48. When blood sugar plummets to the 50's the brain is not getting the sugar it needs to function properly. When you reach these levels you are supposed to eat sugar to bring your level up to safety, then, to sustain it, you're supposed to eat a meal. I ate some chocolate cake that a member of the ward had brought as a welcoming treat, a hard candy, a glass of milk, and half a soda and tested again in 15 minutes. My blood sugar had increased to 69. I then ate dinner and tested two hours later (this is the norm). My blood sugar was 92; after eating all of that it was only 92 (120 is the upper threshold for two hours after a meal). This has left me wondering if I really do have GD. The nurses told me at my appointment that I might have had hypoglycemia before the pregnancy and that untreated hypoglycemia can turn into Type II diabetes. We'll see how the phone appointment goes this week.
Heather Luedtke Chapman
My cousin Heather passed away a week ago. She was an amazing woman, wife, mother, sister, and daughter. She lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 32. She has a husband and two children. One of my earliest memories of Heather (other then swimming in uncle Fred and aunt Coy's pool) is singing the "Elvira" song ("my heart is on fire for Elvira") in the old van they used to have. Heather loved the song and kept rewinding it to sing it; uncle Fred was driving and I was in the car. I don't remember what we were doing other than driving and singing the song. I also remember playing barbies and kitchen with her and Cherise. Her funeral was in California and I wish I could have been there. I had school and work and being almost 30 weeks pregnant with gestational diabetes (that has a tendency to dip into hypoglycemia) I could not travel. My mom said it was the best funeral she's even been to and that it was a real tribute to Heather and the Savior. I know Heather will be missed. Not that anyone ever deserves cancer, but Heather is someone who really didn't deserve it. She brought joy and happiness everywhere she went.
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