!!!Weekly Chat May 21st!!! - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[Ninetales]

Originally Posted by intime0 

Ninetales, that IS sad that they are moving.  Can he not baptize the new baby at the new church?

He's not starting until September anyway, and honestly I would feel weird having him baptized at a church we've never been to and won't be attending.  It seems, I dunno, weird.  The way we do baptisms, it's both becoming part of God's family and the church family.  I haven't talked to them yet, but I'm sure they will have good ideas, even if we have to do it privately.

[iixivboots]

Thanks for all the input on getting/being uncomfortable. Hopefully I'll make it through this scorching summer. Still feeling pretty good, although the belly does feel heavier when I walk.

My friend had her baby today and I'm sooo jealous. What a ridiculous thing to feel. I'm getting impatient, but i have 12 more weeks!

[eleuthia]

Originally Posted by intime0 

Elethia, I'm feeling the same about the preeclampsia.  Have you had it before?  Forgive me if I've asked and you answered.  My BP is just creeping up.  NO other Pre e signs, but that's enough.  What are we 30 weeks?  The baby would certainly live...and they might even let me birth vaginally, but you KNOW it would be in the NICU for a while.  I just want my body to cooperate with me! 

We're 28w4d :) 

This is my first pregnancy, so no previous pre-e, though I had borderline high BP before getting pregnant. I think it's at least partly white-coat syndrome (which extends to blood pressure monitors too, I guess). I get +1 protein on the strips at the birth center, but I'm assuming my 24hr urine came back ok since no one called. I took my BP twice today and it was 132/84 in the morning and 126/75 in the afternoon (was standing up for that one - they really need to put a chair by the machine!). I had some green tea in the morning and I think I've become really sensitive to caffeine, so I've got to cut it out completely. Well, other than chocolate ice cream when I'm relaxing on the couch at home 

I guess I am just stressed thinking about where I would want to go for care if I need to deliver in a hospital (fortunately, I have a lot of choices, but I don't know how I'd choose) and what would happen with work if I had to go on bedrest prior to delivery - would I end up having to return to work w/in 6 weeks after birth (& what would that mean for breastfeeding)? Would I lose my job if I'm out longer than 12 weeks? And in the shorter term, is it ok for me to have dental work done on Thursday? Can I travel as planned on the 31st? But none of that stuff seems important when I think about what really matters - bringing home a healthy baby. I wish I could *know* that everything will be ok. 

[intime0]

Yep, I'm feeling the same worries.  Your bp looks way better than mine!  I wish mine were that low. I keep thinking maybe today is the day I go in....but then I start thinking they will want to induce and it's TOO EARLY.

[eleuthia]

The high one from yesterday was 151/87 (there was an even higher reading that didn't get saved), though now that I think about it, the morning readings were also taken with people "helping" me/standing around me, which is anxiety-inducing. I'm not sure how much it matters if high BP is due to anxiety, though (it's... still high). I need to talk with the midwife tomorrow about what qualifies as needing an urgent call to them, what means a trip to the ER/L&D, and what is normal, because I have a really hard time evaluating my own symptoms. I can't really rely on "gut feelings" because I 2nd/3rd/4th guess myself. I don't want to miss something significant, but I also don't want to stress myself out by going to the hospital without cause. 

[ithappened]

eleuthia I think all the anxiety around birth and the job can't help. I know when I think too much about our situation for the rest of this year I really panic and always start to have rapid heartbeats (so much so I can feel them). Maybe its worth seeing the hospital options in person? I found talking to people regarding my options and seeing locations I might give birth helped a lot.. a lot of times they weren't the monsters I'd imagined at all.
 

[LeAnn A Doula]

eluethia - Hospital tours are a great idea! I even reccomend them to home birth clients. It goes a long way towards taking some anxiety out of the possibility of transfer. Every hospital has a different birth culture. You can really tell a lot from talking w the nurses on the floor, too.

[eleuthia]

I may do a couple tours if I think we'll end up in the hospital. It seems like my choice will be Level III NICU close to me with semi-private postpartum rooms & standard practices I'd have to fight vs Level II NICU farther away w/ private rooms & policies I like more.

[sallyrae17]

Eleuthia - Have you tried taking tincture of lobelia yet? It helps with anxiety, which will help lower your blood pressure. I took it every day at the end of my pregnancy when my bp was getting high. It doesn't taste good, but it's worth a shot. I would drink it with orange juice in a shot glass. :)

[eleuthia]

I haven't talked about herbal options with my midwives yet, but if my anxiety gets worse I'll bring it up. My appt today was great - 24hr urine was 165 (150 is normal, and I think 300 is the diagnostic cutoff for pre-e). My BP was fine, 128/78 I think? The NP said not to worry so much about my daily BP at work, since they're seeing me every 2 weeks. She gave me good suggestions for getting my iron levels up and for relaxation techniques and said I should look into a prenatal yoga class (there are a couple nearby I think). I'm still measuring about 3wks ahead, which they'll watch but is within normal and I'm already going to be getting a 32wk ultrasound. She also gave me a list of potential peds since we need to choose one before birth. Ahhhh, I love leaving there feeling reassured (sadly not what happened last visit).

[KristyDi]

I just answered intime's thread about the Brewer Diet, but figured I'd chime in here too.  The first time I went to the Dr. with this pregnancy I had scary high BP (can't remember the top number, but the bottom was 110)  The only other time in my life I had high BP was during labor with DD, but I think that was mostly me freaking out because nothing was going like I had wanted and DH was stuck at home and couldn't get to me (he did get there eventually and my mom and sister came quickly to support me)

So anyway officially I've been diagnosed with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension, which significantly up's my chanced for pre-e, especially when it's diagnosed as early as mine was.  It's something I try not to think about because it scares me.  I'm on a low dose of Labetalol (I think I spelled that right) which is one of the oldest BP meds and has a lot of research behind it.  That along with the Brewer Diet is keeping my BP in the healthy range.

I'm not happy about having to take the medicine, but the effects of the really high BPs I was having are scarier than the meds.  I'm doing what I can with diet and exercise to keep the dose as low as possible.

[keuriweo]

I'm so sorry that your uncle passed away, ithappened, and that you cannot attend the funeral.

LilyTiger, I'm glad that your concerns with fetal movement have been alleviated.  So wonder that there's a "light at the end of the tunnel" for you.

andaluza, fingers crossed that your lab results are good.  (I'm sure they are.)  It's great that you are walking so much.  (I've been slacking...)

 

eleuthia,  I'm sorry you have so much stress and worry right now.  The prospect of pre-e is scary.

The weather sucks and I'm being a hermit.  I have an on and off cough that I'm beginning to realize probably won't just go away on its own but that's about it (knock on wood.)  Baby was really active yesterday and, so far, today.  I'm finding I can't really be "lonely" with her moving around.  Wish I knew when DH is coming home.  Yesterday was the private cremation ceremony and today is the public memorial.  I'm so glad that DH is with his family since I'm not with him...just wish there wasn't so much "family drama" going on.  Why must a death in the family drum up so much squabbling?

[ithappened]

kristyDi does diet and exercise affect the outcome of getting pre-e? I was always curious about that. .

keuriweo are you in Europe by chance? the weather in Austria has totally sucked .. it will be 30F one day and the next day 98F..  The drama and death thing is really puzzling to me as well, My uncles death is just a giant financial mess and he seems to have no will so no one knows what to do with anything, or what needs to be paid or what is paid for (house, cars etc).. Its so much stress for no reason.. and then the fights over what little is left are starting.. its so sad.
 

[andaluza]

It's great to hear that you had a good appointment, Eleuthia, and that your numbers are looking good! I hope you figure out the possibilities for where you may be birthing. I found out recently that my ob is changing her hospital affiliation, so I was a little concerned, especially since our classes are at another hospital (closer to our home), but I felt better after visiting it to do the preadmission paperwork. I think we'll still tour the one where we have our classes, since the teacher will review strategies for natural birthing using the beds and equipment, whereas with a regular tour at the other hospital, we won't get that.

Thanks, keuriweo! I found out yesterday that everything was normal. I'm sorry about the squabbling, that is tough, but I imagine it has to do with people's emotions being high.

I had a good appointment, we talked about my birthing preferences and she suggested I write a birth plan, so it sounds like she will be supportive. She mentioned her experience working with midwives and how she was supportive of natural birth, which was also a relief. I only gained half a pound since my last visit 2 weeks ago, which is a little odd to me since I feel bigger and thought I had eaten a lot lately. So far my weight gain is in the normal range, although starting out it seemed like I gained an awful lot at the beginning. It may be that now I am exercising more, though.

I'm excited about our shower at dh's work today!

[Sol_y_Paz]

Andaluza, can't wait to hear more about DH's work shower, glad your appt went well.  So glad you have been walking a lot.  I haven't been getting out much at all lately.  Hopefully now that I am feeling better I will, I love to be outdoors.  

Sorry about the funerals and drama on top of that ithappened and keuri

Intime, that is hard about living in another country, do they do a lot of inductions there?  Do they have birthing centers or mostly hospitals? 

Boots, maybe you can carry around a portable mister and fan?  Always have ice water on you too.  I am sure you know all the tricks living where you live.  Hopefully you can get in a lot of pool time.  Congrats on finding out it is a baby boy.  

Ninetales, I am so sorry about family moving away and losing that family family support system and your LO missing their grandparents.  That sucks so much.  I would go to the new church to get baby baptized, but I do understand it isn't your ideal since it isn't your church. 

LeAnne, how did your appointment go?

Dove, so sorry your insurance won't cover HB.  I can see where you would be upset about that!  

Doing better now with the pain, no more bleeding either.  Baby is still doing great   Good check up this week. 

Anyone in the States have big plans for Memorial Day weekend?  

Edited by Sol_y_Paz - 5/23/12 at 5:34pm

[iixivboots]

So I found out I failed my 1 hour glucose with 137. I'm really scared and depressed about having to take the 3 hour test. I was a mess after the one hour test. Not really getting any alternatives from my OB but they did say they'd try to work something else out if I do end up throwing up and invalidating the test. My husband wants me to call back and try to talk to the doctor but I am just resigned they are going to insist on this...

[LilyTiger]

Originally Posted by bootsvalentine 

So I found out I failed my 1 hour glucose with 137. I'm really scared and depressed about having to take the 3 hour test. I was a mess after the one hour test. Not really getting any alternatives from my OB but they did say they'd try to work something else out if I do end up throwing up and invalidating the test. My husband wants me to call back and try to talk to the doctor but I am just resigned they are going to insist on this...

Aw, Boots, I'm so sorry.  Just remember, the one hour tests have a ton of false positives.  I really hope you can figure something out.  But I have heard from a lot of women who failed the one hour and passed the three hour.  What options does your husband think might work?  Retaking the one hour?  I know how worried you were about this, so it really sucks you have to do it all over again. 

EDIT: For some practitioners, 140 is the cutoff, so it seems like you could potentially avoid the 3 hour.  Are they worried because you have other risk factors?  Or is their cutoff lower?

[sallyrae17]

Boots - I've also known people who "failed" the one hour and passed the three hour. It's not a fun test to take, though, so I'm really sorry that you might have to take it again. :-(

[dovemama]

Hi everyone! Boots, could you ask your doctor to do at home glucose monitoring instead? Worth a shot, IMO. (like with a glucometer, before and after meals for two to three days)

[intime0]

Stink about the test.  Do you know who Ina May Gaskin is?  I was just reading her book last night and the GD test, according to her, is one of those tests they dont give to their prego's.  That in fact, there have not been any tests that can even prove that it helps.  Just FYI.  I like to be informed so that I can tell the doctors WHY I wont do a test.  LOL>  I had a few reasons already, especially the false positives and how unhealthy it is to do that to a pregnant woman, but after reading her book, I have a lot more ammo.

Intime, that is hard about living in another country, do they do a lot of inductions there?  Do they have birthing centers or mostly hospitals?

They do a lot of inductions and have a seriously high rate of csections.  I was told it's 80% but I dont know how true that is.  They have 4 hospitals, one of which is a birthing center. That hospital has midwives who practice there, but who cannot come to your home. It is illegal for midwives to do homebirths.  However, you can get a permit for an international midwife to come in.  I've heard the birthing center is really, really nice.  So if I had to transfer that's where I'd go.  I do love that they tell you the price before you go so no hidden costs. They do a great job keeping health care costs down around here.