Karen: So I've hit 22 weeks now and am thrilled to be more than halfway through, but I gotta say - this pregnancy thing is for the birds!!
If I'm not feeling pukey, then I'm throwing out my hip, or struggling to breath, or experiencing tachycardia! I've had a couple of near fainting episodes that I had chalked up to anemia or low blood pressure. Well, it turns out neither are my issue - it's my heart! My resting heart rate at today's OB appointment was 104. Normally it's 68. During pregnancy, it was expected to get up to about 80 or so. So 104 is pretty fast, and I FEEL it! And this is at rest, if I try to say - make the bed - I feel as if I've just finished a kick boxing class.
So next week, I'll be seeing a cardiologist for an ekg and possible home monitoring of my heart activity. My OB says there's not much they do to treat it, and I'll most likely have to learn to live with it while preggo and avoid anything that triggers it. UGH. I'm not sure what more I can avoid! I'm practically on bed rest as it is.
C'mon July! C'mon July!!
Our Progress
Friday, March 12, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
20 weeks: halfway there!
Karen: Boy, I've neglected this blog a bit, haven't I? I guess its because I'm doing much better and am out and about more! 16 weeks proved to be my magic number once again and since then I've been having more good days, more often. I am still medicated however, and may need to be for the duration of the pregnancy, but I'm on such low doses that I really don't mind.
I've learned quickly though, that although I don't feel as green these days, I'm not totally out of the woods. I've had several near-fainting episodes and have developed some pretty annoying heart and breathing issues. Waiting on blood work results to see what may be the cause. Speaking of blood work, I had my lovely 1 hour glucose tolerance test today! They had me drink this awful super sweet orange flavored, room temperature, non-carbonated syrup (10oz. of it!) and then I had to sit still for an hour with 50 grams of glucose wreaking havoc on my stomach and nerves before getting blood drawn. Normally, this test is done between 24-27 weeks, but since I'm having these funky fainting issues, my dr. decided to test me early. Glad to have it over with and crossing my fingers I won't need to go in for the dreaded 3 hour test (100 grams of glucose and FOUR blood draws in three hours!!)!
We've got a lot in store for us over the next month or so. First, a trip to New Orleans for a wedding. Then, the following weekend, a move to the next town over. And after that some greatly anticipated house guests! Hopefully, this means that time will pick up the pace a bit as we trudge closer and closer towards baby time!
So here's my 20 week belly. Feeling pretty big already, but know I have a LONG way to go!!
.jpg)
I've learned quickly though, that although I don't feel as green these days, I'm not totally out of the woods. I've had several near-fainting episodes and have developed some pretty annoying heart and breathing issues. Waiting on blood work results to see what may be the cause. Speaking of blood work, I had my lovely 1 hour glucose tolerance test today! They had me drink this awful super sweet orange flavored, room temperature, non-carbonated syrup (10oz. of it!) and then I had to sit still for an hour with 50 grams of glucose wreaking havoc on my stomach and nerves before getting blood drawn. Normally, this test is done between 24-27 weeks, but since I'm having these funky fainting issues, my dr. decided to test me early. Glad to have it over with and crossing my fingers I won't need to go in for the dreaded 3 hour test (100 grams of glucose and FOUR blood draws in three hours!!)!
We've got a lot in store for us over the next month or so. First, a trip to New Orleans for a wedding. Then, the following weekend, a move to the next town over. And after that some greatly anticipated house guests! Hopefully, this means that time will pick up the pace a bit as we trudge closer and closer towards baby time!
So here's my 20 week belly. Feeling pretty big already, but know I have a LONG way to go!!
.jpg)
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Hitting 16 weeks, a scare and great news!
Karen: So I've finally reached the point where things turned around in my last pregnancy. Of course, last time my relief was due to a course of hard core steroids. This time, I seem to have naturally come out of the worst of it! Although I still require medication and still have an odd green day, things are certainly looking up and my energy is beginning to return. Gabe is officially back at work full time and the adjustment has been tough, but not impossible.
Last week we had a bit of a scare. I went to the bathroom in the middle of the day and found that I was bleeding and passing small clots. I was terrified, but had to keep it somewhat together since I was home alone with Miya. A phone call to my OB's office didn't ease my mind. I happened to speak with the only person in the office who doesn't know me and she was less than reassuring, saying to this terrified mama, "Geez, at 16 weeks its tough, there's really nothing that could be done..." and "We can't get you in today, you'll have to call the perinatologists in the morning to schedule an ultrasound". OMG! So I had to manage my heart palpitations alone until Gabe got home. The next morning we were lucky enough to get a fairly early appointment for a scan. They managed to rule out anything scary and concluded that it was most likely an isolated incident and was not a dangerous bleed. PHEW!
The silver lining of the whole experience? We got to take a peek at Pumpkin's "junk"! I was able to discern immediately that we are expecting a baby GIRL!! Of course, I had the ultrasound tech confirm it and we fell instantly in love. We surprised Miya with the news that evening over some fro-yo and she is beyond thrilled.
Here are some slightly overdue shots of my 16 week belly and the little girl scan. I guess I'm running on the slightly large side, because two people have told me in the last couple of days that I look a bit further along than I am. Thank you for that, total stranger and my doctor!
Last week we had a bit of a scare. I went to the bathroom in the middle of the day and found that I was bleeding and passing small clots. I was terrified, but had to keep it somewhat together since I was home alone with Miya. A phone call to my OB's office didn't ease my mind. I happened to speak with the only person in the office who doesn't know me and she was less than reassuring, saying to this terrified mama, "Geez, at 16 weeks its tough, there's really nothing that could be done..." and "We can't get you in today, you'll have to call the perinatologists in the morning to schedule an ultrasound". OMG! So I had to manage my heart palpitations alone until Gabe got home. The next morning we were lucky enough to get a fairly early appointment for a scan. They managed to rule out anything scary and concluded that it was most likely an isolated incident and was not a dangerous bleed. PHEW!
The silver lining of the whole experience? We got to take a peek at Pumpkin's "junk"! I was able to discern immediately that we are expecting a baby GIRL!! Of course, I had the ultrasound tech confirm it and we fell instantly in love. We surprised Miya with the news that evening over some fro-yo and she is beyond thrilled.
Here are some slightly overdue shots of my 16 week belly and the little girl scan. I guess I'm running on the slightly large side, because two people have told me in the last couple of days that I look a bit further along than I am. Thank you for that, total stranger and my doctor!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Coming out on the other side...
Gabe: Well, Karen's almost coming out on the other side. There doesn't seem to be any actual or predictable end to the HG, but it has felt more and more under control over the last few weeks. It's almost like she's beaten it, except of course that any pull-back at all of the nausea meds will instantly throw her back into misery. Or it'll fire up a migraine. We all agree at this point that the preemptive medication made all the difference in the world this time around. We started ahead of the HG, and have mostly stayed ahead of it.
And having a (you could call it) tame encounter with HG this time really puts the first pregnancy in perspective. Karen's caregivers in San Diego 7 years ago did all they could, but they didn't really know what they were dealing with. All OBs, Midwives etc. should be trained specifically and thoroughly in HG, if the standard isn't already in place.
So the back-to-work conversation is now hanging in the air, but hasn't been tackled just yet. It will be hard to make the switch back because Karen's not really going to feel good until after the delivery. She's feeling better, but it's all so relative. All this excitement and relief is great, but she's still only able to do basic stuff for short periods of time, and one missed dose of meds means a guaranteed setback. I see it as the pendulum swinging back towards something close to normal; after a shorter but still trying HG journey. We've all gotten really comfortable with the work-from-home arrangement though, so even once the HG is sufficiently under control, we'll have a major readjustment to contend with.
And having a (you could call it) tame encounter with HG this time really puts the first pregnancy in perspective. Karen's caregivers in San Diego 7 years ago did all they could, but they didn't really know what they were dealing with. All OBs, Midwives etc. should be trained specifically and thoroughly in HG, if the standard isn't already in place.
So the back-to-work conversation is now hanging in the air, but hasn't been tackled just yet. It will be hard to make the switch back because Karen's not really going to feel good until after the delivery. She's feeling better, but it's all so relative. All this excitement and relief is great, but she's still only able to do basic stuff for short periods of time, and one missed dose of meds means a guaranteed setback. I see it as the pendulum swinging back towards something close to normal; after a shorter but still trying HG journey. We've all gotten really comfortable with the work-from-home arrangement though, so even once the HG is sufficiently under control, we'll have a major readjustment to contend with.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Graduated to once a month visits
Karen: Nearly 15 weeks now, trucking along...SLOWLY. Still having green moments here and there, but mostly just exhausted, having lost all stamina to the 10 weeks of sedentary life.
Saw my OB today. The nurse called me "sparkly" - so maybe I'm starting to glow a little bit? She says I only need to come every four weeks now, which officially takes me out of the high risk category! Well, that is until the end of the pregnancy when my VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) attempt puts me back into the high risk category. We discussed attempting the VBAC and the risks. I was surprised to learn that I would be on a sort of time limit for labor (14 hours) and that she'd use pitocin to speed things up if needed. Not really thrilled about that as I wanted things to go as naturally as possible. Pitocin pretty much guarantees the use of an epidural. Ah well, whatever it takes to avoid the dreaded c-section again!
Not much else to report. Gender prediction happens in less than a month!! Until then, just counting down the days...
Saw my OB today. The nurse called me "sparkly" - so maybe I'm starting to glow a little bit? She says I only need to come every four weeks now, which officially takes me out of the high risk category! Well, that is until the end of the pregnancy when my VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) attempt puts me back into the high risk category. We discussed attempting the VBAC and the risks. I was surprised to learn that I would be on a sort of time limit for labor (14 hours) and that she'd use pitocin to speed things up if needed. Not really thrilled about that as I wanted things to go as naturally as possible. Pitocin pretty much guarantees the use of an epidural. Ah well, whatever it takes to avoid the dreaded c-section again!
Not much else to report. Gender prediction happens in less than a month!! Until then, just counting down the days...
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Test Results - Looking Good!
Karen: We got a call from our genetic counselor today with the results of my bloodwork last week. We already felt pretty good about things considering how well our ultrasound went, but hearing the actual numbers put things in such a comforting perspective! Our chances of having a child with Down's Syndrome are 1 in 12,000 (average for a 31 year old is 1 in 909) and our risk for Trisomy 18 is 1 in 57,000 (normally, 1 in 2385). Those numbers are about as good as it gets!
On the HG front, all is pretty much the same. Eating is a struggle, but I manage to find enough foods to get down and even some variety. Drinking has become much easier as my thirst has really increased the last couple of weeks. Meds are keeping my nausea in check and I'm slowly starting to feel stronger and more energetic. We've been trying small outings to lunch, or the store the last week or so in order for me to build up some stamina before Gabe returns to work in the city.
On one of those said outings today, to Miya's ballet class, I got to experience the first "I didn't know you were pregnant!". Apprently, I've moved beyond the "Is she fat or pregnant?" look and into the clearly preggo look! Woo hoo! Either that, or this lady had some cajones!! Regardless, it was nice to get to share it with the world a bit. Now, if only I'd start to glow!
On the HG front, all is pretty much the same. Eating is a struggle, but I manage to find enough foods to get down and even some variety. Drinking has become much easier as my thirst has really increased the last couple of weeks. Meds are keeping my nausea in check and I'm slowly starting to feel stronger and more energetic. We've been trying small outings to lunch, or the store the last week or so in order for me to build up some stamina before Gabe returns to work in the city.
On one of those said outings today, to Miya's ballet class, I got to experience the first "I didn't know you were pregnant!". Apprently, I've moved beyond the "Is she fat or pregnant?" look and into the clearly preggo look! Woo hoo! Either that, or this lady had some cajones!! Regardless, it was nice to get to share it with the world a bit. Now, if only I'd start to glow!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
"Almost" 13 weeks!
Karen: Second Trimester starts tomorrow!! Even though this means nothing in terms of how I feel (pukey, thanks for asking), its a major milestone for me. I can relax a bit about losing this very much wanted pregnancy. I can look forward to less green days in the (hopefully) near future. And I will finally start to look pregnant!
On the HG front, I have slid back a bit. Was pretty much the most nauseated I've ever been this morning, but managed to keep it all in. I'm having to up my constipating med dosage again, which is a bummer. But hey, I never really liked pooping anyway. :) I've realized that it was just wishful thinking that I was coming out of it at 11-12 weeks. It was too soon, and I should have known better than to get all excited.
On a much happier note; we had our Nuchal Translucency ultrasound today. Everything looks perfect!! Baby has all limbs, heart rate was a strong 160 beats, got some great pics of Pumpkin's profile, and even a VERY early estimate at gender (which we are not disclosing yet, because the doctor said she was not even close to sure)! Had a brief fibroid scare again, and again it turned out to be unfounded. I was contracting pretty strongly when they started the scan, so it appeared that I had a mass on my uterus. But after some rest on my side and allowing my bladder to fill a bit more, the contraction lifted and showed everything to be normal again. Whew!
Here are a couple of pics. One of cutie pie's face, which we swear already looks like Miya's profile. The other is a 6 day late 12 week belly pic. As you can see, I'm plumping up!
On the HG front, I have slid back a bit. Was pretty much the most nauseated I've ever been this morning, but managed to keep it all in. I'm having to up my constipating med dosage again, which is a bummer. But hey, I never really liked pooping anyway. :) I've realized that it was just wishful thinking that I was coming out of it at 11-12 weeks. It was too soon, and I should have known better than to get all excited.
On a much happier note; we had our Nuchal Translucency ultrasound today. Everything looks perfect!! Baby has all limbs, heart rate was a strong 160 beats, got some great pics of Pumpkin's profile, and even a VERY early estimate at gender (which we are not disclosing yet, because the doctor said she was not even close to sure)! Had a brief fibroid scare again, and again it turned out to be unfounded. I was contracting pretty strongly when they started the scan, so it appeared that I had a mass on my uterus. But after some rest on my side and allowing my bladder to fill a bit more, the contraction lifted and showed everything to be normal again. Whew!
Here are a couple of pics. One of cutie pie's face, which we swear already looks like Miya's profile. The other is a 6 day late 12 week belly pic. As you can see, I'm plumping up!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)