Karen: Saw the midwife at my OB's practice today. She is also wonderful and her son is in Miya's first grade class! Miya came along and was able to play helper midwife, holding the doppler to find Pumpkin's heart beat. We asked very nicely and also got a peek at the little one, who was sitting straight up and only gave us a view of his/her head. Still, Miya is proudly parading around with a picture of "her baby". So sweet.
I am feeling very medically good! My nausea is well under control and I'm able to eat at very frequent intervals, resulting in a weight gain (finally) of 1 pound from the pre-pregnancy weight! All in all, I really can't complain as this Pumpkin is taking it really easy on me.
The belly is growing!! I look about a full month ahead of where I really am. I guess this is typical the second time around. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow. Happy New Year!!!
Our Progress
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Missing the little things!
Karen: Today my brother and sister in-law are coming in for a visit for Christmas. They have a 2.5 year old little boy who is just adorable and Miya cannot wait to get her 6 year old paws on him! Said sister in-law is also expecting, about five weeks ahead of me (a great source of envy!). I am beyond excited ot have some company and someone to commiserate with.
But in preparation for our visitors I have managed to work myself into a nauseated ball of exhaustion just by doing a few little things like showering and blow drying my hair!
I miss showering daily (or almost daily). It's such a simple pleasure that we ordinarily take totally for granted. Usually 20 minutes in a nice hot shower is bliss, but lately, it's a total nightmare. The temperature fluctuations leave me disoriented, faint and incredibly queasy. So I've had to reduce my showering to about twice a week, and hair washing even less frequently!
I miss drying my hair without using every spare unit of energy left in my body. I literally have to go lay down after a shower, and then again, after drying my hair. It's pathetic!
I miss make-up. My skin has not seen any more than lip balm in the last 5 weeks. And to add to the sense of deprivation, I have developed several skin disorders as a result of hormones and dehydration. I have some lovely exzema along my hairline and eyebrows, which is red and flaky. I also have teenage-like acne on my chin and nose!! If ever I really needed make-up...!
I miss food! I miss craving and enjoying food. I miss the enticing smell of good food cooking on the stove or baking in the oven. I miss savory flavors like garlic and onion and herbs (all horrible nausea triggers right now). These days, I eat what I know will stay down and I don't enjoy a moment of it. The only things I do actually enjoy, I have to avoid in large quantities; sugary baked goods. Last pregnancy I was on the borderline of having gestational diabetes. I don't want to even flirt with the condition this time around. I also developed gall bladder disease, which has miraculously resolved itself after following a fairly low fat diet. To add butter laden baked (or fried) foods back into my diet could mean a relapse, which would be disastrous.
I miss fresh air. I've been out only a handful of times since week 6. The few times I've ventured to do more than see my OB, I've ended up paying for it with the next day in bed. I remember this exhaustion lasting well into the second half of my pregnancy 7 years ago, even though I was no longer as sick, the weeks of sedentary life had robbed me of all my strength and stamina. Even though I'm not quite as sick this time, I've still weakened in much the same way and anticipate a long and slow recovery after the baby is born.
Alright, enough feeling sorry for myself. It's Christmas, my favorite time of year. I am going to enjoy it no matter what! And I must remember to be thankful. At the end of this horrible condition (and there IS an end!) I will be rewarded with something absolutely priceless. I don't know of any other medical condition that can leave someone saying "It was worth it!". I am very lucky to be able to count down the days until this is gone for good! That would be 205 days or less. :)
But in preparation for our visitors I have managed to work myself into a nauseated ball of exhaustion just by doing a few little things like showering and blow drying my hair!
I miss showering daily (or almost daily). It's such a simple pleasure that we ordinarily take totally for granted. Usually 20 minutes in a nice hot shower is bliss, but lately, it's a total nightmare. The temperature fluctuations leave me disoriented, faint and incredibly queasy. So I've had to reduce my showering to about twice a week, and hair washing even less frequently!
I miss drying my hair without using every spare unit of energy left in my body. I literally have to go lay down after a shower, and then again, after drying my hair. It's pathetic!
I miss make-up. My skin has not seen any more than lip balm in the last 5 weeks. And to add to the sense of deprivation, I have developed several skin disorders as a result of hormones and dehydration. I have some lovely exzema along my hairline and eyebrows, which is red and flaky. I also have teenage-like acne on my chin and nose!! If ever I really needed make-up...!
I miss food! I miss craving and enjoying food. I miss the enticing smell of good food cooking on the stove or baking in the oven. I miss savory flavors like garlic and onion and herbs (all horrible nausea triggers right now). These days, I eat what I know will stay down and I don't enjoy a moment of it. The only things I do actually enjoy, I have to avoid in large quantities; sugary baked goods. Last pregnancy I was on the borderline of having gestational diabetes. I don't want to even flirt with the condition this time around. I also developed gall bladder disease, which has miraculously resolved itself after following a fairly low fat diet. To add butter laden baked (or fried) foods back into my diet could mean a relapse, which would be disastrous.
I miss fresh air. I've been out only a handful of times since week 6. The few times I've ventured to do more than see my OB, I've ended up paying for it with the next day in bed. I remember this exhaustion lasting well into the second half of my pregnancy 7 years ago, even though I was no longer as sick, the weeks of sedentary life had robbed me of all my strength and stamina. Even though I'm not quite as sick this time, I've still weakened in much the same way and anticipate a long and slow recovery after the baby is born.
Alright, enough feeling sorry for myself. It's Christmas, my favorite time of year. I am going to enjoy it no matter what! And I must remember to be thankful. At the end of this horrible condition (and there IS an end!) I will be rewarded with something absolutely priceless. I don't know of any other medical condition that can leave someone saying "It was worth it!". I am very lucky to be able to count down the days until this is gone for good! That would be 205 days or less. :)
Friday, December 18, 2009
10 Weeks!!!
Karen: Double digits! Saw the OB and the first thing she said was "I see some freckles returning!". My weight is the same as it was two weeks ago, still 2 pounds down, but holding steady! Tried to find the heartbeat on doppler, but its a bit too early, so she checked things out by ultrasound. Pumpkin is starting to look human! We saw a big head, fluttering heart and arms and legs flailing all over the place. I asked if it was ridiculous to think I'm feeling flutters already and she said that given the weight loss and how much the baby was moving she wasn't surprised. How cool!
I'm having a really good day today. After getting out for my appointment, I told Gabe to keep driving so we could shop a little (my first outing in 4 weeks!). I made it through Toys R Us and Borders and just as I was getting wiped out, I smelled the coffee from the cafe and decided I could risk trying a decaf Eggnog Latte and some pumpkin bread. Both went down smoothly, surprisingly, and I feel even better! Is this a sign of things getting better? Or a brief respite before another wave? Doesn't matter, I'm thankful for today.
I'm having a really good day today. After getting out for my appointment, I told Gabe to keep driving so we could shop a little (my first outing in 4 weeks!). I made it through Toys R Us and Borders and just as I was getting wiped out, I smelled the coffee from the cafe and decided I could risk trying a decaf Eggnog Latte and some pumpkin bread. Both went down smoothly, surprisingly, and I feel even better! Is this a sign of things getting better? Or a brief respite before another wave? Doesn't matter, I'm thankful for today.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
9 Weeks, Down 4 Pounds
Not much to report. Its kind of just a waiting game now. How long will the misery last? Could be another 4 weeks, could be another 10 weeks. Can't really compare it to last time anymore, it's just too different.
I'm starting to get sore from sitting or laying around all day, so I'm sort of pacing the house until I get dizzy. For those of you who've been to our place, you know it quite small, so I feel sort of like a hamster in a cage. But it's better than bed sores I suppose!
A friend stopped by yesterday with bags and bags of food! A huge lasagna (I even ate a little bit) and all sorts of fresh fruit and veggies and lemon cookies! What an angel!! Anyways, we were chatting and I happened to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and almost fell over. My hair was sticking out from my very stylish messy bun in every direction. My teenage acne was red and raw on my chin. My face was pale and gaunt. And dehydration has sparked some pretty lovely exzema around the edges of my hairline! Lovely. She later told me I looked better than she expected...she must have known how humiliated I was to be seen!
P.S. I'd heard that the comment option wasn't working. I've fiddled around and it should work now. So comment away...if you're so inclined!
I'm starting to get sore from sitting or laying around all day, so I'm sort of pacing the house until I get dizzy. For those of you who've been to our place, you know it quite small, so I feel sort of like a hamster in a cage. But it's better than bed sores I suppose!
A friend stopped by yesterday with bags and bags of food! A huge lasagna (I even ate a little bit) and all sorts of fresh fruit and veggies and lemon cookies! What an angel!! Anyways, we were chatting and I happened to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and almost fell over. My hair was sticking out from my very stylish messy bun in every direction. My teenage acne was red and raw on my chin. My face was pale and gaunt. And dehydration has sparked some pretty lovely exzema around the edges of my hairline! Lovely. She later told me I looked better than she expected...she must have known how humiliated I was to be seen!
P.S. I'd heard that the comment option wasn't working. I've fiddled around and it should work now. So comment away...if you're so inclined!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
IVs at the hospital, round 1
Gabe: This is all so familiar! 2 liters of fluids, plus Zofran and some nutrition
PS. Karen: Whadya know, I got Nurse Ratchet!
PS. Karen: Whadya know, I got Nurse Ratchet!
8 Weeks
Karen: I LOVE my ob!! She is wonderful and caring and gives it to me straight. She also lets me see the baby every time she sees me to remind me why I am putting myself through this Hell. Today, I could make out the head and see the little thing wiggle! The heart was beating steady at 160bpm and I'm still measuring right on track!
When she walked in today the first thing she said was "You look green, you're losing your freckles!". I explained that I'm still way better off than I was last time, and she said "Girlfriend, you've lost 2 pounds and you've got protein in your urine, you may think this is way better than last time, but I don't want you even getting THIS sick! I promised you a better pregnancy and I'm gonna get you there!" I wanted to hug her. She really gets it.
My perinatologist wants me admitted to the hospital now, before it get's worse. SCARY. My OB consulted with the head of obstetrics and they decided I can just make due with a couple of liters today and see if they can get me through the weekend. Either way, there's no avoiding the dreaded first IV!!
Now IV's can go a few different ways. If you happen to get Nurse Ratchet, then it will be sort of like torture; they just take that fat needle, jam it into a vein (or two- when you're dehydrated, veins may collapse), wiggle it around until you're about to pass out, then thread the catheter into the most uncomfortable spot, tape her down and flush you with high rate freezing cold saline and glucose...or whatever cocktail is called for. But if you are lucky enough to get a sympathetic nurse, usually one who's seen HG before, then it can be a walk in the park; a little injection of lidocaine so you don't feel that big needle at all, a quick and fluid threading of the catheter, warmed IV fluids at a slow drip complete with a good dose of anti-nausea meds, and a cozy blanket - it's enough to have you begging to stay there the rest of the pregnancy!
So I'm starting to feel a bit isolated. But much of that is my fault. I can't really talk on the phone; just too green. I'm trying my best to keep up on emails, but you know how it goes; out of sight, out of mind. My friends have gone on with their lives. Gabe will mention that so and so asked about me or so and so says hi, so I know I'm not totally forgotten. But man, its during times like these that friends will do one of two things; stick by you, or disappear until the weather is fairer. I'm very thankful for my sticky friends!
When she walked in today the first thing she said was "You look green, you're losing your freckles!". I explained that I'm still way better off than I was last time, and she said "Girlfriend, you've lost 2 pounds and you've got protein in your urine, you may think this is way better than last time, but I don't want you even getting THIS sick! I promised you a better pregnancy and I'm gonna get you there!" I wanted to hug her. She really gets it.
My perinatologist wants me admitted to the hospital now, before it get's worse. SCARY. My OB consulted with the head of obstetrics and they decided I can just make due with a couple of liters today and see if they can get me through the weekend. Either way, there's no avoiding the dreaded first IV!!
Now IV's can go a few different ways. If you happen to get Nurse Ratchet, then it will be sort of like torture; they just take that fat needle, jam it into a vein (or two- when you're dehydrated, veins may collapse), wiggle it around until you're about to pass out, then thread the catheter into the most uncomfortable spot, tape her down and flush you with high rate freezing cold saline and glucose...or whatever cocktail is called for. But if you are lucky enough to get a sympathetic nurse, usually one who's seen HG before, then it can be a walk in the park; a little injection of lidocaine so you don't feel that big needle at all, a quick and fluid threading of the catheter, warmed IV fluids at a slow drip complete with a good dose of anti-nausea meds, and a cozy blanket - it's enough to have you begging to stay there the rest of the pregnancy!
So I'm starting to feel a bit isolated. But much of that is my fault. I can't really talk on the phone; just too green. I'm trying my best to keep up on emails, but you know how it goes; out of sight, out of mind. My friends have gone on with their lives. Gabe will mention that so and so asked about me or so and so says hi, so I know I'm not totally forgotten. But man, its during times like these that friends will do one of two things; stick by you, or disappear until the weather is fairer. I'm very thankful for my sticky friends!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
SOOOOOOOO green :(
Karen: The good - still no vomiting. The bad - I've been sitting at the threshold for days. The ugly - haven't bathed in 3-4 days, my muscles are pretty much gone, my pee (I know, gross) is brown, and the meds I'm on...um....slow things down quite a bit...Hey, I promised to give you an account of an HG pregnancy, and it gets plain ugly! Just trying to hold on until my next OB appointment on Friday before I go in for that dreaded first IV. The weird thing is, despite only taking in MAYBE 800 calories a day, I've only lost about a pound! At this point in my last pregnancy, I'd lost 8 pounds! So SOMETHING is going better this time. Honestly, I'm not nearly as miserable as I was last time....yet.
Sanity-wise, I'm hanging in there. It's really nice to have Gabe home, even if he's in the next room most of the time. I know he's got his ears perked to come when I call and give me my heart's desire (usually a vitamin water or a PB&J to nibble on). Miya checks in every once in awhile and does not seem traumatized yet, so that's good. Its a little lonely here in my little cave. I miss my friends. I miss fresh air! But I'm keeping my eye on the prize and damn, its a good one!
Sanity-wise, I'm hanging in there. It's really nice to have Gabe home, even if he's in the next room most of the time. I know he's got his ears perked to come when I call and give me my heart's desire (usually a vitamin water or a PB&J to nibble on). Miya checks in every once in awhile and does not seem traumatized yet, so that's good. Its a little lonely here in my little cave. I miss my friends. I miss fresh air! But I'm keeping my eye on the prize and damn, its a good one!
Yeah, I know...ugh.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)