Weekly Chat Thread May 7 - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[eleuthia]

I had my GD test yesterday and it wasn't too bad (no results yet) but I also had blood work done for possible pre-eclampsia because my BP was 140/80 (after she took my blood for the GD test). I should get results by Friday and may need to do a 24 hr urine as well. Plus the midwife was concerned because I'm measuring 29-30cm at 26w4d. So now I'm walking around with a feeling of dread, like I did a lot in the first trimester.

[Ninetales]

I heard so many horror stories about the glucola but honestly I don't find it that bad.  My office gives out a fruit punch one, and it tastes like...cheap fruit punch.  The one I got wasn't even overly sweet.  I got it down without any issue and my body didn't seem to have any noticeable reaction to it.  I'd rather not do it because the test seems pretty useless but it's a battle I don't mind not having.

[sallyrae17]

Originally Posted by eleuthia 

I had my GD test yesterday and it wasn't too bad (no results yet) but I also had blood work done for possible pre-eclampsia because my BP was 140/80 (after she took my blood for the GD test). I should get results by Friday and may need to do a 24 hr urine as well. Plus the midwife was concerned because I'm measuring 29-30cm at 26w4d. So now I'm walking around with a feeling of dread, like I did a lot in the first trimester.

Did she find any protein in your urine yet? I know that when I had pre-e with my first, I started to see some protein in my urine, but I didn't have to do a 24 hour test until it was +2 or something. That 24 hour test totally sucks, too. You have to keep this big gallon jar of urine in your fridge until you bring it in. I hope you don't have to do one!

[sallyrae17]

Originally Posted by LilyTiger 

Boots, my pregnancy journal starts the third tri at 25 weeks, the calendar at the doc starts it at 27 weeks, and a bunch of people I know start it at 28 weeks.  I split the difference and have deemed myself officially in the third tri at 27 weeks.  There doesn't seem much consensus, though.  Anyone else?

dovemama, I hear you on the sleeping discomfort.  So far, nothing too bad, but just random pains... and my crazy dreams are all about sex, not labor.  I wonder when the crazy labor ones will kick in...

 If you figure that each trimester is roughly 14 weeks, with the last being 12, then it begins at 28 weeks. But...I don't think there's really a firm guideline. I say that it's somewhere between 26 and 28. :P

As for the dreams, I am totally with you LilyTiger. With my first, I had a ton of dreams about delivering my baby by myself, usually in some form of water...or on the toilet. Otherwise, where the heck are these sex dreams coming from??? Some mornings I wake up incredibly disturbed.

[rebecca10]

Eleuthia--sorry about the anxiety over the tests. Hopefully, the results will be better than expected! Ithappened--family can be so hard some time. And as someone who spend most of her life battling eating disorders, I definitely know how much havoc it can create for the people around us. It sucks to have to deal with it. Hope you are at least able to get some more sleep.

Congratulations for everyone entering the 3^rd trimester! It’s pretty exciting, even if it is accompanied by more aches, pains, and exhaustion.  Weren't we just the newest DDC?

AFM,  I’m having a really tough week. Work has been crazy—I worked non-stop this weekend until midnight both Saturday and Sunday night and until 3am on Monday night. And I’m just exhausted. And it’s probably not a coincidence that on my way home from work on Monday, I crashed the car into a concrete pillar in the parking lot destroying the front of one side of the car (I was completely fine). Meanwhile, my in-laws are in town visiting for two weeks, which far from making things easier, is just greatly increasing my stress and anxiety. And it all would be bearable if now I actually could calm down for a minute. But instead, I just have to turn around and write another brief. We are supposed to go on vacation with my in-laws starting tomorrow. Already, this is not exactly the most relaxing proposition. But still it would be nice to get away, except that I’m going to be in crazy, frantic work mode locked in my hotel room the whole time. I just want to scream—and quit—but the latter at least is not a possibility. Meanwhile, overall for the last month, I worked almost double the amount of hours I was supposed to, and between that, moving my daughter into her own room, and all the talk about the baby my daughter is really seems to be feeling the pressure. I hate it. Oh, and have I mentioned that my hemorrhoids have become unbearably painful. I just want to cry.

Anyway, sorry to gripe. I just needed a place to vent a little.

[ithappened]

Oh, and have I mentioned that my hemorrhoids have become unbearably painful. I just want to cry.

I was there 2 weeks ago, I literally could not sit upright. Have you told your doctor? My OB gave me some Rx creams and inserts to use and after 3-4 days I feel totally normal again!
 

[iixivboots]

Ugh, I hate it when the baby has a quiet day. We're having a thunderstorm here, which you think would wake hir up, but not really. Also in a weird position, my belly feels softer than usual. Maybe down low low low.

[intime0]

ithappened, how old is your sister?  My sister sounds like that.  I've learned over the years to never say anything that might upset her.  And I pray that I'm not that way.  I mean that seriously.  That people can talk to me without walking on eggshells.  That I'm open.  You know?

eleuthia, I'm sorry!  That lower number is STELLAR.  That top number could be white coat syndrome.  I wonder why she didnt just start with a protein strip and save you the aggravation.  If it makes you feel any better, it's still pretty early for it to show up.  Not impossible, but pretty early.  At about 30 weeks, I start keeping a sharp eye on my proteins.

I explored Spinning Babies last night.  Have you ladies checked it out?  So interesting!

Worst night sleep ever last night.  Waking up peeing.  (And been having some nighttime bladder issues, which I've never had before.)  waking up stiff.  Waking up to little one wanting me. Bed wetting going on in another room.  LOL>  SNORING waking me up.  Yeah, I think I got about 4 hours total.

[iixivboots]

Originally Posted by eleuthia 

I had my GD test yesterday and it wasn't too bad (no results yet) but I also had blood work done for possible pre-eclampsia because my BP was 140/80 (after she took my blood for the GD test). I should get results by Friday and may need to do a 24 hr urine as well. Plus the midwife was concerned because I'm measuring 29-30cm at 26w4d. So now I'm walking around with a feeling of dread, like I did a lot in the first trimester.

Didn't see this at first...To me that doesn't seem SO high they'd immediately think you needed a pre-e test, but I don't know much about it other than what I've googled. I had some high readings in my first trimester and with the wrong cuff size, etc.

I also didn't realize that there wouldn't be signs of pre-e early. What puts women at risk for pre-e? There is HBP in my family but mine has always been pretty good (especially after I changed doctors). I'm sorry you have to deal with stress that reminds you of first trimester anxiety. How far ahead is that measurement? I assume that's just fundal height? I thought that was a pretty unreliable number since women's bodies and babies vary so much.

[eleuthia]

Originally Posted by sallyrae17 

Did she find any protein in your urine yet? I know that when I had pre-e with my first, I started to see some protein in my urine, but I didn't have to do a 24 hour test until it was +2 or something. That 24 hour test totally sucks, too. You have to keep this big gallon jar of urine in your fridge until you bring it in. I hope you don't have to do one!

I've been getting +30 (I think that equals +1?) in my urine for the past 3 visits, but my BP was normal til yesterday. I got the blood work results back today already and I passed the GD screening and all of the pre-e tests look good, except my hemoglobin is a little low so I need to start taking an iron supplement. And they are still having me do the 24hr urine, just in case/to get a baseline. They already gave me the container and I'll do it on Sunday since I don't have anywhere to be and then I can drop it off at the lab on my way to work Monday. I'm also starting to go to appointments every two weeks so they can keep an eye on things. I feel better about things than I did this morning, and as nerve-wracking as all the testing can be, I'm glad we're doing it so if I do end up with pre-e, I will know and be able to decide where to give birth in case I need to be in a hospital. 

[eleuthia]

Sorry, missed the previous two posts before I posted so I am... posting again! 

I think I do get white-coat syndrome and this was the midwife I don't really like (so I was a little on edge) and she had JUST taken my blood (which I don't have a problem with but is still... unfun) and was talking about giving me my rhogam shot (again, not fun) and I was nervous about GD test results. I kind of want to take my BP at home but I get overwhelmed when looking at cuffs/kits and unless I get an automatic one, I'm going to have to learn how to do it. And like my previous post indicated, they do the protein strips every visit, so that is another reason for their concern. 

There are a number of risk factors for pre-e (including age, first pregnancy, obesity, I think PCOS, migraines, periodontal disease...). I also had a high HCG level in my sequential screen, which can be considered a marker for potential placenta problems like pre-e, IUGR, etc. The measurement was fundal height and was 2-3 weeks ahead, but I read that baby's position can make a difference, as could my chubbiness, and it's not an exact thing... another midwife could've come up with something different. Since I'm worried about things like IUGR, I'm glad I'm not measuring small, but of course I don't want a giant baby either. Or excess amniotic fluid. 

[iixivboots]

Eleuthia, my mom who has HBP bought me a wrist cuff. She tried to show me how to use a manual cuff I had but I just couldn't see it and she did say it was really subtle. I really like the wrist cuff and the readings are consistent with what the OB gets. I think it was about $50 on sale at Walgreens. I also use it to take my pulse a lot because I get freaked out about how fast it seems.

I agree with you, I don't think I like that midwife. And who takes BP after taking blood? Seems like a bad combination! I feel like everything will be normal for you, hope you get to see one of the other midwives next time.

[sallyrae17]

Originally Posted by bootsvalentine 

Eleuthia, my mom who has HBP bought me a wrist cuff. She tried to show me how to use a manual cuff I had but I just couldn't see it and she did say it was really subtle. I really like the wrist cuff and the readings are consistent with what the OB gets. I think it was about $50 on sale at Walgreens. I also use it to take my pulse a lot because I get freaked out about how fast it seems.

I agree with you, I don't think I like that midwife. And who takes BP after taking blood? Seems like a bad combination! I feel like everything will be normal for you, hope you get to see one of the other midwives next time.

Eleuthia -

I picked up a bp cuff at Walgreen's for maybe $20. You have to pump it yourself, but it's pretty easy. It even remembers your past blood pressure readings and compiles an average. I bought it after I had my son because my blood pressure was still super high when I was discharged - they had me on blood pressure meds. Anyway, stress and time of day can have a HUGE impact on your blood pressure. Also, it will go down if you lie on your left side for a while. I also took a bunch of tinctures and herbs to help me relax and bring down my blood pressure. I think I was taking lobelia and something else - I can't remember at the moment. But you can also start drinking dandelion and nettle tea. I would make big pitchers of red raspberry leaf and nettle tea and keep it in the fridge when I was trying to stop my swelling. These teas will also help with low iron.

I really hope that you can find something that works for you, but don't worry too much - it will only make matters worse! 

[NewMumJoy]

Eleuthia - good luck with your additional testing, I hope everything works out!  

ithappened - ugh the drama!!!  You don't need any more of that!  I hope your visit w/your sister has improved by now....

Rebecca - sounds like you are having a grueling week, hang in there!  Hope you can get caught up and have some R&R soon....and be able to enjoy your time w/your in-laws!

intime - I've been checking out the Spinning Babies site too, really interesting!  I've been trying to incorporate more moves/stretches into my daily routine and they have some great info.  Hope you get a better night's sleep....mine's been horrible still too.  With DH away again, the only upside is that I get the whole bed and all 6 pillows to myself for the next few nights - and believe me I make use of them ALL!  I also have "preggo brain" too, and lately it's been affecting my motor skills - I've sliced my finger twice this week while chopping vegetables - now I'm afraid to go near knives!

We had our follow up u/s scan today and confirmed that my placenta has moved up and out of the way - no more previa, yay!!  Baby is head-down, fibroids are still non-threatening and all measurements were looking good, so I've got much less to worry about now.  We got a peak at Baby's sweet face, although I was disappointed that they did not have 4D available today and the few prints I got were so blurry I couldn't make out anything from them.  (Makes me wish that we drove back to the U.S. for the scan as they have far better facilities there - but I shouldn't complain, I'm really grateful to have seen him at all and know that all is fine).

It was GREAT to be able to finally correlate Baby's position w/all these crazy new movements I've been feeling (legs, knees, hands, etc).... And from the scan, we confirmed that Baby has mama's funny toes (my 2nd toe being longer than my 3rd toe), hehe!

[ithappened]

intime she is in her late 20s and has been struggling on and off with different types of eating disorders for probably 5-6 years now but refuses to get treatment and seems to be a functioning more or less but its really hard to be around..  ... she has a lot of paranoia as well and often takes out whatever anger she has on herself to our family..
 

[justchanti]

Originally Posted by NewMumJoy 

intime - I've been checking out the Spinning Babies site too, really interesting!  I've been trying to incorporate more moves/stretches into my daily routine and they have some great info.  

Me too!  I love it!  I liked the tips on "resting smart".  I've also incorporated some exercises into my pre-bed routine.  I'm not exactly sure where this baby is hanging out at the moment, but I like to think I'm helping him/her get into the best position possible.  

Eleuthia - I also have white coat syndrome, although I love my midwife. I have been getting consistently elevated blood pressure readings since the beginning of my care. Since there are no other problems being indicated and my blood pressure goes way down at the end of the appoint versus the beginning my midwife seems to think its fine.  It's good that your midwife is being vigilant, but it seems a bit excessive . 

I am so glad its almost Friday!  I can't wait for the weekend when I can do something other than teach and lesson plan!

[intime0]

I take something called Mukta Vati for high blood pressure.  It's an ayurvedic medication, which are well known over here. Within days of starting it my bp gets within the normal range.  It has not been tested on pregnancy.  But it's herbal, so to me seems safer than high bp meds. So...just fyi, for those of you who have high bp.

Had some pink spotting last night after practicing my Kegels. It kept me awake for a little while but I calmed down.  It wasnt red or anything...just a tiny bit of spotting. So I guess all is alright.  Of course, my husband is telling me to wear a pad to watch it.  LOL.  Anyone else have anything like that later in pregnancy? 

[ithappened]

intime0 hmm I had that the last 7-10 weeks of my pregnancy but it was more from dehydration then labor etc.. if I drank water it was fine (or I had just eaten beets)

chanti TGIF!!!

newmumjoy great news about the previa!! yahhhh!

AFM

My sister left early this morning which is always bittersweet and DH comes home tonight late from his work trip

also VERY excited that this morning DS1 has daycare which means I get a FULL 4-5 hours of 'me time' since I am all caught up with work this week and all my usual errands are also ran already. So I decided to get a massage and start working on my deck 'garden', I might even head out for a bike ride if the weather is nice and I have the energy for it
 

anyone have any fun weekend plans? our outdoor public pool finally opens tomorrow and I am SO excited, cannot wait to be able to swim laps outside rather then in.

[NewMumJoy]

Originally Posted by ithappened 

also VERY excited that this morning DS1 has daycare which means I get a FULL 4-5 hours of 'me time' since I am all caught up with work this week and all my usual errands are also ran already. So I decided to get a massage and start working on my deck 'garden', I might even head out for a bike ride if the weather is nice and I have the energy for it
 

anyone have any fun weekend plans? our outdoor public pool finally opens tomorrow and I am SO excited, cannot wait to be able to swim laps outside rather then in.

Nice!  Hope you had a great day and are enjoying the outdoor pool!

A boring, solitary weekend for me here..... DH is traveling again so I'm making a short list of baby things for him to bring back from the U.S. (a car seat this time!).  Meanwhile, I have this itch to get the rest of our "baby stuff" purchased and be done with it, so I'm trying to put together an online order (the local stores in my area have horrible selection and prices).  Really just cloth diapers/covers/wipes, a manual breast pump, nursing bras - and then I'll be satisfied.... I picked up a perfect used tub for $5 today (as opposed to $40 new!) and am keeping my eye out for a used bouncer seat and rocker/glider.... 

[intime0]

I want a wipes warmer.  I've not seen any over here...and I just realized the other day that I wanted one.  I hate putting cold wipes on baby. I've actually used cloth wipes for the last three babies but due to not doing my own laundry, I guess I'll use sposies. It makes me shudder to put that on a newborn. It's so not soft on their delicate skin.  But whatcha gonna do?