31 weeks

How far along?  31 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: our scale= +19lbs, doctors scale= +14lbs

Maternity clothes? Yes.

Stretch marks? Not yet.

Sleep: Comes and goes. I've tried Tylenol PM and it's not much help. Doc recommended buying a recliner to read or surf the net then nap in when possible. Doubt we'll do that but if we had one I'm sure I'd give it a try. The other suggestion was a glass of wine. Now that I might try.
Best moment:  Passed the glucose test!! Ffn test was also negative - should have two more weeks of cookin'.
Miss Anything? Church, sermons online just aren't the same. And I miss bringing/picking up Madi from school.

Movement: Pretty much all the time whether big or little.
Food cravings: not any this week

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Have you started to show yet: Sitting up or eating a full meal squishes everything and makes it very uncomfortable to take a deep breath. 

Gender: boy, still a boy
Labor Signs: not yet
Belly Button in or out? less an innie every day

Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: happy

Looking forward to: sewing more of the crib set and getting the nursery switched over and some maternity pictures

This was the summary after my 3-hour glucose test that I never posted last Thursday:

Blood pressure continues to be elevated but I've been tracking it at home at least twice a day. Doc was okay with the readings I've been getting. He did say that it'll probably be high blood pressure that causes us to deliver around 36 weeks. It's not good for me to have that high of BP for an extended time. It's only impacting me, little guy's still rockin' it! Had my 3-hr glucose test on Thursday. Don't care to do that again. The 4 blood draws nearly put me over the edge. My left arm was bruised from the draw the week before so when the tech went to draw from it again, couldn't stand the pain. So we were counting on my right arm for the remaining three draws. Go figure, right arm gave out for the 3rd draw. No food since dinner the night before plus lady was digging around repositioning the needle and I about passed out. Had to lay down and breathe deep for a bit. She went to get a smaller needle and we tried it again but had to move to my left arm. I was pretty much done at that point - two sore arms and one more draw to go. Said a quick prayer that attempt #4 would go without a hitch and that I'd pass the test. Not sure I could handle adding another set of shots to our routine.

And here's today's report from the doctor's office:
I passed the glucose test!! My fasting blood sugar level was good, failed the one hour test but my two and three hour readings were good. 3 out of 4 means I passed. Wheh. Thank you Lord.

Today doc said the nonstress test looked really good. They're checking to make sure that whenever he moves/kicks or I have a contraction that the placenta and sac are still "communicating" well and passing oxygen. With higher blood pressure I could already be limiting the oxygen flow to the placenta so if his heart rate were to drop significantly during a contraction or movement then we could be discussing delivery as prolonged drops like that would affect his growth and safety. Learning more every week! My blood pressure was 138/84 and other than a few higher readings that's what I've been getting at home. Those are pretty good and way better than 145/90 or higher. 

I mentioned I still wasn't sleeping well and Tylenol PM doesn't seem to help. Guess what doc recommended ... a glass of wine! Seriously?!? He did clarify that means a regular sized glass, not one of those half-bottle sized glasses. Might give that a try. Doc said that was a better option than a shot of Nyquil. (said I was real tempted to try that on the really bad nights) Dupler made a comment about my weight plateauing which wasn't a big deal cuz little squirt will take what he needs from me first. I'm not sure if the plateau is a good thing or bad thing but at this point, if they're not threatening a hospital stay - I'm doing just fine! 

I've had a headache since Saturday that doesn't seem to go away with Tylenol. I called on Monday as that was one of the things Mernitz told me to watch for. Doc on call and Dupler today said it could be a variety of things. Since the nonstress test was good he wasn't as concerned. If vision changes, swelling increases or I start to feel off let them know. When Dupler suggested trying a little caffeine he was surprised to learn I was allergic to caffeine - causes migraines for me. "Wow, most migraine medicines have caffeine because it treats headaches well." Yeah I know, preaching to the choir. Learned the hard way with Excedrin Migraine one time. He asked if I was dehydrated and I had to apologize for laughing. If there's one thing my friends and family would get right in a "How well do you know Reeda" contest it would be that I drink water constantly. To the point of great teasing. 

Nothing really new this week so we'll repeat the same thing again next week - nonstress test, chat with doc and next week we'll do another Ffn test.

Had to include this pic cuz it's so cute. Madi said "I cold." and asked to put on her duckie. She has a big stuffed chicken from Uncle David so we thought that was what she was talking about but Madi meant her Halloween costume from two years ago. So on it went!

high blood pressure test results

Had a full work up on Wednesday the 23rd due to my elevated blood pressure (160/100). We started off with an ultrasound which was amazing to see. I still thought of him being a little fish in a big pond – plenty of room to flip and twist but that’s not really the case. No wonder he’s kicking all the time – trying to make more room for himself! He was laying like a backward C with his feet up by my right ribs, bum over on my left side and his head down by my right pelvic bone. He was very cooperative and kept moving and kicking like he always does so Dan could see. He was opening and closing his mouth, swallowing and had a little case of hiccups while we were checking things out. His feet measured 2.5” long, estimated at 3lbs and heart rate was around 160. They like to see 3lbs at 30 weeks and I’m just at 29 weeks. He has chubby cheeks and muscular thighs. Yay for chub! He’s in the 59^th percentile which puts me about 4 days ahead of schedule. High blood pressure can affect his growth, amniotic fluid levels and the placenta. All three got a passing grade!

Next up was a non stress test. 30 minutes hooked up to a monitor to track his heartbeat and any contractions. It was the same two bands I wore around my belly in the hospital before Madi came. Same sounds too! Clear heartbeat followed by periodic swooshing sounds as they wiggle around. I’d planned to just lay there and check Facebook, get more toddler apps for Madi, maybe read a little in my book but nope, had to hold a little button like the answer buzzer on Jeopardy and click it any time I felt movement. I seriously thought the lady was joking at first – this kid moves ALL THE TIME! Going to be pressing that thing the whole 30 minutes. Then it made sense. The printout may show an increase or decrease in the heartbeat but without knowing what was going on at that time, doesn’t tell them much, so they use my record of movement to justify the spike or dip. No contractions were recorded, haven’t been having any that much. And the changes in heartbeat must’ve corresponded with movement because we got a passing grade on that test as well. Take a listen to his heartbeat:

 

Results of the glucose test weren't immediate so we didn't have a grade on that one. People talked about how bad the glucose test was – the drink tastes horrible, lightheaded and dizzy, nauseous – but my drink tasted like orange Gatorade or those plastic freezer pops. Didn’t notice any side effects either. If they said I had to do it again it wouldn’t bother me.

Then we met with our secondary, Dr. Dupler. He was pleased with what he saw from the ultrasound and non stress test. While my blood pressure may be elevated the nurse got 120/80 today. I asked for her to take it every time! He reviewed my at home readings too. Instead of diagnosing me as having pre-eclampsia he put it as pre-hypertensive, same as before I was pregnant. I may have some higher than desired readings but there is no impact on Stone Jr. which would have indicated pre-eclampsia. As long as the problem stays with me we should be okay. I have plenty of room to increase my blood pressure meds in dosage or frequency. Dupler’s ok with bp readings under 140/90 which is where I’ve been most of the weekend.

Dupler did extend my going to work privileges so I can go to work for 2 hours 2-3 times/week and work from the recliner. That makes some of the training I need to get done much easier. Plus the socialization aspect is nice too! Really miss the random personal interactions. Those that have been to the house for one reason or the other have probably figured out that I don’t let you leave in under 15 minutes – gotta talk to me, tell me how the outside world’s doing.

Having made it to the 3^rd trimester and with the high BP on the radar I now go in every week for a non stress test and check-in with the doc. If you want to be on the call list to listen to the heartbeat let me know! We’ll also do an ultrasound periodically to check the placenta and fluid. He said that should the BP stay up it could go to appointments twice a week closer to 36 weeks but we’ll see how things go. I asked if we got reserved parking with appts twice every week…answer’s No. Dang it! Next week we’re back with Mernitz so we’ll get his opinion on everything and see if something changes.

While there was cause for alarm on Friday, today’s test showed everything’s ok. Not great but ok. So we’re back to being a fairly normal high-risk pregnancy. A big Thank You for all your prayers.

I think I forgot to mention that last time I met with Mernitz he mentioned not taking the stitch out before 36 weeks instead of 32 like he’d said before. “What drugs was I on?” was his reply when I asked if that was still the goal. Guess they don’t normally take the stitch out that early. I know I didn’t make that up though. Dan and I both heard him say on several occasions that’s what we’d do. Not sure if the 32 week comment was because he was slightly pessimistic at that point or what. It appears our goal date for delivery at 36 weeks may get pushed back. I'll keep you posted.

Here's the big guy now. The first pic was an attempt at a 3D but with his head up close to my placenta we didn't get a clear shot. Shy guy!

"That way - the exit's that way."

can't wait to kiss those chubby cheeks

You can go back and look at the ultrasound pics from 11/29 for comparison, click here. I'm amazed at the difference. This time we could only get one body part at a time in the viewer where last time we'd get from his head to his belly in the shot. Of course I knew he'd continue to grow and get bigger, this just makes it all the more real.

We've since gotten the results of the glucose test...I failed. They wanted to see a blood sugar level of 140 or lower but I scored a 154. So now I have another marathon appointment next Thursday for a fasting blood sugar test. No food or drink after midnight, except water. Report at 8:30a for some more orange sugar drink. Then a blood draw at 9:30a, 10:30a and 11:30a. Yay! I LOVE needles!! (heavy sarcasm) I'm kinda curious to see where they draw it all from, usually you alternate arms but I have two arms and three blood draws. Hmm. Either way, not excited. They didn't say what would happen if my blood sugar level indicated gestational diabetes. I've read where some balance it with diet and exercise but others have to inject insulin. I'm sure you know which I'd prefer.

28.5 weeks

How far along?  28 weeks, 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: our scale= +13lbs, doctors scale= +8lbs

Maternity clothes? For the most part. If I know it's just me all day then I tend to grab the yoga pants or comfy new PJs I got for Christmas.

Stretch marks? Not that I can see.

Sleep:  What's that?? Sciatic nerve is nutso so I nap at night. I prefer not to think of it as sleep deprivation but re-training for having a newborn.
Best moment:  all of it - trying to enjoy every minute and find the happy
Miss Anything? pedicures and lunch dates

Movement: I think we have a kickboxer. He'll be so buff and tone with all the kicking and punching he does. Sorry little man, kicking and punching won't make your cocoon any bigger.
Food cravings: seems to be something different every day - couple days ago it was Sunny D, jug's half gone already

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Have you started to show yet: Very proud of my baby belly! Discovered the other day that I've lost my feet. I have to lean forward to be able to look down and see my feet.

Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: not really
Belly Button in or out? just barely an innie

Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: happy and sleepy

Looking forward to: ultrasound next Wed

Will have to update with a photo later on, self portraits didn't turn out today...at all.


Had a blood pressure check today because it was really high at my 27 wk appt on the 9th. 160/100 high. That's a huge jump considering I've been at 120/80 for months and months. I had asked for permission to go into the office and work from the recliner since we have a new registrar I've been training and some of the procedures are paper based and much easier to explain in person with printouts. Doc said yes on a trial basis - 2 hours 2-3 times a week until our check-in on the 23rd. I did go in twice so I'm not sure if it was that or just a general relaxation of "bed rest" that might have put me in the spot I'm in now. I didn't pass today's blood pressure check - 150/85. Rats! 

Doc's a little concerned about pre-eclampsia. (fancy name for high blood pressure during pregnancy) Yesterday I woke up with a busted blood vessel in my eye - again - so I figured I wouldn't get a stellar bp reading today. Yes the "evil eye" is back! If that gets worse or acts different than last time I'm to follow up with Dr. Crabb as they're usually a symptom of high bp. Mernitz ran through all the interventions for high blood pressure:
        blood pressure medicine...check
        bed rest...check
        more water, less salt...check
        steroids...check
Uh, already doing all those things so what else? If it gets real bad and starts to affect me or baby then we get to talk about delivery. Fantastic. Right now I'm just going to take it easy, pay attention to an increase in headaches, pain in the upper right abdomen, swelling in my hands/feet, increased heartburn, blurred/spotty vision and home bp readings inching towards /100. Next week was my glucose and repeat fetal fibernectin (fFN) test but with today's bp reading we added a few more items to that appt:

•        Ultrasound to get a base line for baby's growth. High blood pressure can affect what nutrients he gets and therefore stunt his growth. Mernitz wasn't too concerned since I've been measuring growth like I should but a more accurate measurement couldn't hurt if we're going to start battling high blood pressure.
•        Non stress test. 20-30 minutes hooked up to one monitor for baby's movement and heart rate and one monitor for contractions. I'll have drank the super sugary drink for the glucose test so he should be bouncing all over the place. Might have to record the sounds so everyone will know what I mean when I say he's a mover and a shaker!

Starting at 8:15 we have scheduled:  drink glucola stuff, ultrasound, non stress test, fFN swab and then meet with the doc. Wheh! Needless to say, we're going to be there a while next Wed. Wonder how that'll figure into my allotted time up from bed rest?!  

If you find yourself with a spare minute, say a prayer that this blood pressure issue will resolve itself and we can go back to routine bi-weekly check ins that are boring and normal.

Madi's Christmas program

Madi's Christmas program was Monday, Dec 17th. Her switching to the church's daycare has all of us growing up. I can't believe we watched our first Christmas program as parents already. We're too young! She's too young!! It was one of the most precious things though. Her class got to sing Happy Birthday Jesus. Not the birthday song but the one written specifically for Christmas time. I'm sure it's tough for the teachers to find a Christmas song that's simple and short enough for a two year's old attention span.

We had about an hour between work and when Madi had to meet her teacher in the sanctuary. I was nervous we'd be crunched for time but it worked out perfectly. I had Madi's outfit ready when they got home, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and actually weren't running around like crazy. The school had Jingle Jack bring in a reindeer friend for pictures before and after the program. What a great idea! Madi wasn't too sure of the reindeer, Dan had to stick close and they stayed away from the face. She did pet him and pose for a few pics.

Quick family picture before we headed into the sanctuary:

Sitting with her class beforehand, Madi wasn't too sure she liked what was going on. It was a bit loud and overwhelming. Papa came back to report Madi was a little unsure so this Mama had to go make sure her little chick was ok. Madi did better than one little guy in her class who ended up getting sick before the program even kicked off, poor guy. I gave her a little tickle, hug and slipped off to my seat right before everything started. The 2's class was second up. They filed up on stage, got all arranged and the music started. She was a rock star - sang the song AND did the hand motions. So proud! See for yourself:

Since the program we've been singing Happy Birthday Jesus around the house and in the car. It it the most precious thing. I'd say that this year's Christmas was a very good balance between baby Jesus and Santa Claus. Madi learning the real reason for Christmas makes this Mama very happy. Of course she's had some funny comments here and there:  "Baby Jesus in the manger, eat my Cheerios" was the most recent one I can think of. Still makes me chuckle...