Well, for all of you who have been poked and prodded, this blog's for you. I just got back from my doctor's appointment. It is 3:30, and my appointment was at 10:40. I had to do a lot of "stuff" (I always tell my students not to use this word, but, hey, I'm the boss here).
Good news first - from my last appointment three weeks ago, I have lost 6 pounds. No concern about that, because I had a bit of extra padding.
Bad news - my blood pressure was up and there was protein in my urine. My doctor is concerned that I am developing preeclampsia. So, now I have to collect my urine in this big orange jug for 24 hours. The jug needs to be refrigerated. I know this is serious, but it really just cracks me up, especially since it looks kind-of like an orange juice jug!
Next bad news - I have developed severe itching all over my body in the past two days. Not just little itches. This is scratch-yourself-raw itching, which I am trying not to do!! Apparently, there is a condition called cholestasis that some pregnant women develop. It results from bile salts building up in your skin, and is a bit of a problem with the liver. So, I had a lot of blood work to do today. I'm hoping my "itchies" are just from this dry, cold weather. If I have this condition, she will need to be delivered very soon from what I have researched, because there is a risk of stillbirth. It's very rare though. Think positive!
Next, I had to drive up to the hospital to start NST testing (not sure what that stands for). Basically, they hook you up for about 15 minutes to monitor the baby's heart rate and any contractions. During my appointment with the doctor, the baby's heartbeat was a bit on the high side, so she is having me do this testing twice weekly now.
Lastly, I had a quick ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid, which is fine. The nurse did say that the baby's head has dropped really low into my pelvis. I guess our little Mia did not get the message that she does not get to come out that way!
So, that's it! Oh, yes, and the doctor still wants me to stay on the meds and on bedrest. I forgot to ask her if I could go get my hair done (I'm desperate), but I'm pretty sure that doesn't qualify as bedrest. Nor does that "Fit Mama" DVD that I never got around to doing. Oh, well, this isn't about me....
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Where's the Sun?
I just realized that I have not been out in the sun since the Friday before last! The opportunity has not really presented itself, unless someone were to set up a bed or a chaise lounge outside for me. How quickly I have become a "girl in a bubble". Tomorrow, fortunately, I have a doctor's appointment, so I will try to soak up some quick rays as I make the short walk into her office.
I am very anxious for this doctor's appointment. Not nervous, just hopeful that my bedrest sentence will be eased up a bit. Of course, I will do whatever my doctor says, as the most important thing to be considered here is the health of our little girl. We shall see...
I am very anxious for this doctor's appointment. Not nervous, just hopeful that my bedrest sentence will be eased up a bit. Of course, I will do whatever my doctor says, as the most important thing to be considered here is the health of our little girl. We shall see...
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sitting on My Bum
Hello All!
Well, this is my first blog, created out of necessity and boredom. I have been on bedrest now for about 8 days, and have grown very weary of television (long ago), magazines, and surfing the web. I am hoping to reach out to others who have been in or are currently in the same situation. I would also love to give and receive ideas for good books to read during this time.
Over a week ago, at 33 weeks, I went into preterm labor. They kept me in the hospital for 3 nights. They first put me on magnesium sulfate. After about 12 hours of that, I was not doing well. I could barely move and was having difficulty breathing. So, they discontinued that and put me on oral terbutaline, which I am tolerating better (but still having some side effects). After being home for one day, I ended back in the hospital for one night, again in labor. They were able to stop the contractions with a terbutaline injection and IV fluids, and thankfully let me come home again. I've had 4 good days and am learning when I need to get on my side if the contractions start up. I am 34 weeks 3 days now, and I will see the doctor in 2 days. I believe their plan will be to keep me on the terbutaline and bedrest until at least 36 weeks, but we will see for sure on Tuesday.
So, that is how I got here! We are expecting a baby girl, and are looking forward to meeting her. Yes, this is a drag, but I know that I am lucky that I am this far along. I have been reading about others who have been placed on bedrest much earlier. I have a 3 and a half-year-old son, who is having a hard time with this. My husband just left this morning for a week-long extremely important business trip, so my mom is coming to help me. We are fortunate also to have full-time daycare, so that she can focus on me during the week.
Okay, so as I mentioned earlier, part of why I wanted to start this blog was to give and receive ideas for good books. My sister-in-law gave me a great book in the hospital that I wasn't sure I would like, but I have ended up loving. It is called Honeymoon With My Brother by Franz Wisner. If you like to travel off the beaten path, you will especially like it!
Okay, well that is all for now! I will probably post frequently, and I can't wait to meet you!
Well, this is my first blog, created out of necessity and boredom. I have been on bedrest now for about 8 days, and have grown very weary of television (long ago), magazines, and surfing the web. I am hoping to reach out to others who have been in or are currently in the same situation. I would also love to give and receive ideas for good books to read during this time.
Over a week ago, at 33 weeks, I went into preterm labor. They kept me in the hospital for 3 nights. They first put me on magnesium sulfate. After about 12 hours of that, I was not doing well. I could barely move and was having difficulty breathing. So, they discontinued that and put me on oral terbutaline, which I am tolerating better (but still having some side effects). After being home for one day, I ended back in the hospital for one night, again in labor. They were able to stop the contractions with a terbutaline injection and IV fluids, and thankfully let me come home again. I've had 4 good days and am learning when I need to get on my side if the contractions start up. I am 34 weeks 3 days now, and I will see the doctor in 2 days. I believe their plan will be to keep me on the terbutaline and bedrest until at least 36 weeks, but we will see for sure on Tuesday.
So, that is how I got here! We are expecting a baby girl, and are looking forward to meeting her. Yes, this is a drag, but I know that I am lucky that I am this far along. I have been reading about others who have been placed on bedrest much earlier. I have a 3 and a half-year-old son, who is having a hard time with this. My husband just left this morning for a week-long extremely important business trip, so my mom is coming to help me. We are fortunate also to have full-time daycare, so that she can focus on me during the week.
Okay, so as I mentioned earlier, part of why I wanted to start this blog was to give and receive ideas for good books. My sister-in-law gave me a great book in the hospital that I wasn't sure I would like, but I have ended up loving. It is called Honeymoon With My Brother by Franz Wisner. If you like to travel off the beaten path, you will especially like it!
Okay, well that is all for now! I will probably post frequently, and I can't wait to meet you!
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