Insulin

At my appointment yesterday at 31w4d, I was having chest pains again. That is 3 times in one week. It seems to correlate to my blood pressure being high. The doctor wants me to see a cardiologist before starting me on BP medication. She also prescribed Previcid to help with the heartburn, just in case that was causing chest pain as well.

Upon looking at the last week of sugar levels, my fasting is always high even when having a good number after dinner and the appropriate snack of carb to protein ratio, so it was determined that my GD isn't just diet influenced, but more the placenta not making enough insulin. This is tough. After a year and half of doing injections for IVF, I thought I was done with needles. Sigh, I need to do 10 units at night and I go back in a week to see if any adjustments need to be made. The doctor also put me back on rest, so I can't do much or go many places anymore. I wanted to setup my 37 week induction, but she didn't even think I will make it to 37 weeks. It was mentioned that the chest pains could be atypical of Pre-eclampsia and they might need to deliver me early if it continues. Scary for sure as I need baby boy to cook a little longer!

Nick has attended almost every appointment this pregnancy. I am grateful as he will ask questions and stay involved when this just feels so overwhelming to me.

Weight gain so far is 25lbs

Baby Shower Day!

8/25/18

I was blown away at how perfect everything was for our shower! Our friend, Lynn Shaw did an amazing job and completely exceeded expectations! I wasn't involved in the planning, which was hard for my type A personality. A few months earlier, I emailed Lynn some ideas that I had on Pinterest. She ran with it and it was better than I could have hoped for!

We had most people attend that we invited, 22 people total and several kids. My mom and sister did not attend. My feelings were slightly hurt, but I figured if they would have attended, I would be dealing with them the entire time. Tristan did not have expected behavior as he wanted to leave to go to his step brother's birthday party at his dad's house, so he was picked up early from the shower. Other than that, everything was perfect!

30w5d BP Scare and admitted to L&D

8/24/18

Friday morning I woke up at 2am with chest pain and shortness of breath. I tossed and turned for awhile trying to go back to sleep. I finally got up and checked my blood pressure and it was 155/96, the highest it has ever been!

I laid down and checked again 10 minutes later, the same. I called the after hours nurse and she told me to go to the hospital.

Nick was woken up and so was Tristan and we made our way to Texas Women's at 4:30am!

We hadn't taken the hospital tour yet, so were a little discombobulated. Nick dropped me off at the ER, while he parked, instead of using the free valet! The ER told me to go to L&D in the West Tower (we were in the East Tower), so Tristan and I walked to L&D and went up to the 3rd floor. Upon checkin, L&D stated I needed to go to the ER and then they wheeled me in a wheelchair. Goodness!

By the time we get to the ER and get checked in, my blood pressure was normal! Since I was still having chest pains, they started an arsenal of tests: bloodwork, BP monitoring, urine tests, several EKGs,  a VQ scan and an X-Ray. I can only imagine the bill for all this!

My BP did start spiking when Nick left to bring Tristan to school, so I was admitted to L&D for further observation and monitoring of baby. My baby shower was the next day! Good thing is everything stabilized and I was released at 3:30pm to go home. I missed my dinner reservations with Sonia and Mindy. MIL's flight landed at 4:30pm, so it was good timing all around to get checked out and pick her up from the airport.

I was so tired from everything. I had stickiness all over me from the many EKGs and a hole in my arm from the port that the ER put in. It started gushing when the nurse removed it, like a geyser that wouldn't stop! Glad Nick was able to handle the blood and not pass out.

After a good night's rest, I felt better the next day and had the best baby shower EVER!

Maternity Photos 30w2d

Yesterday was a busy day!

I had a hair appointment at Bella Rinova Salon at noon. Then a makeup appointment at 2:30pm at Nordstrom, then drove to my photo shoot in Spring at Bri Sullivan Photography. I made it there 15 minutes early...WHEWW!

I LOVED my photographer and I can't wait to see the photos! I wore a blue dress from Sew Trendy and a cream lace dress from her client closet for my photos. My hair and makeup looked amazing and I felt soooo beautiful during the photos.

This pregnancy has been a difficult journey, so anything to make me feel beautiful is necessary at this point.

Updated with favorites from photo shoot!

Gestational Diabetes

I found out I failed my 3 hour glucose test on 8/16/18. I was devastated and completely depressed about it. Today is my GD training class with a specialist and dietitian.

I hate diets and being restricted during pregnancy is miserable. I needed a few days to cope with my new reality: finger pricks 4 times per day and watching what I eat. It's been a few days now and my sugar numbers are always high regardless what I eat. I just know that I will need insulin or meds until the end of my pregnancy.

Why has my journey been so hard this time?

28w4d ultrasound

What we know is this little guy is still breech, has a ton of hair already and very chubby cheeks! My fluid level dropped again and I need to drink more water. The fluid level was measuring at a 10, when last time it was a 13. Dr Kelly didn't seem concerned, but I will go back at 32 weeks for another and then every week afterwards. 

3 hour Glucose Test

Yesterday morning was a miserable day. Since I failed the one hour glucose test by 7pts, I needed to take the 3 hour fasting to check for gestational diabetes.

It took an hour to get to the medical center and then I needed four blood draws every hour. I was hungry, lightheaded and nauseated from fasting and that awful sugary drink. I did survive and now await the results. Fingers crossed! I've had enough complications this pregnancy, I don't need anymore.

29w - Postpartum care kit

If you have been following this blog, you have probably figured out I am a planner and I don't procrastinate.

I had a vaginal delivery with my 10 year old son and I assume to have another one with my doctor recommending an induction at 37 weeks. This means I am taking my memory and knowledge of my previous delivery aftercare needs and applying them to what is available today.

I had the squirt bottle and Dermaplast from the hospital last time and needed both for several days.I wish I would have had ice packs, so bought some specifically made for delivery and hemmorroid care.
I also plan to make padsicles

Painful BH at 2am - 28 weeks

I woke Nick up last night at 3am after an hour of painful contractions that were coming every ten minutes. I walked the house, sat on my stability ball and drank a bottle of water. By 4:30am, the pain stopped and I was able to go back to sleep. I was calm, but a little worried that we were going to have to go to the hospital! I've had the same feeling a few times today as well.

This pregnancy has been so different than with Tristan. I rarely had any BH with my son and didn't feel the pain of contractions until my water broke. Nick will be going on his last work trip next week for 3 days and now I am worried something will happen while he is gone. 

27+4 checkup

It took me an hour and 15 minutes to get to my appointment due to traffic. My bladder was about to burst and I didn't think I would be able to get off the freeway to stop to pee. Madness I tell you!

Dr Kelly is keeping me off work the rest of my pregnancy and Unum approved the claim, so officially no more work for me. Also, due to ongoing high blood pressure issues, I will be getting an ultrasound every 4 weeks until 32 weeks, and then weekly thereafter. She stated she would induce me at 37 weeks. I am so excited to have only 9 weeks left!  That is the week of Oct 7. I like dates 10/8/18 and 10/10/18. LOVE IT!

I also had to due the glucose screening, which I know I am going to fail the one hour test and have to do the 3 hour test. I failed with Tristan and passed the 3 hour. That sugary drink makes me so sick the rest of the day! I got home and literally crashed by napping for two hours.