Week 25: The Mysterious Dr. W

Hey Humble Readers!

(Fair warning: this is a long post.)

Well, I've just gotten back from my first appointment with my new OB.  I confess, I was nervous.  Would she be one of those doctors who doesn't like questions?  Would she take issue with my weight, as other doctors have?  Would I feel confident in her abilities? 

While she isn't my wonderful Dr. U, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.  She took a full half hour with me (unheard of!), asking questions about this pregnancy, and my previous pregnancies.  She asked about how I understood my IF/RPL issues, and how they have been resolved.  She asked about my family history and my Beloved's, and about Ginny's development. 

Then she let me ask all my questions, and she actually answered them!

• Rapid/sudden weight gain?  Not worried at this point, but we will monitor it.  My target should be no more than 10 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight (which I'm still below).  If I see any big jumps that concern me, I should call her office.
• Heartburn?  Zan.tac is no longer working, so it's time to switch it up.  Will now be taking 60mg of Pan.ta.loc (also known as Pro.tonix) once a day. 
• Low-Lying Placenta?  This is actually an unknown at this point, as the tech at my last u/s was unable to get a clear look at the whole placenta.  It appears to be a partial previa, but it's still uncertain. 
• Next Ultrasound? At 28 weeks.  Requisition in hand, just waiting to hear back from the medical imaging clinic with my appointment date and time.
• Scheduled c-section or induction?  We briefly discussed VBAC, and the unlikely possibility that an induction would work.  I am not bent on delivering vaginally, and after my induction experience last time, I would rather just get straight to the point.  So, scheduled c-section at 38 weeks it is.  The Halfling will be making his/her introduction to the world sometime between May 10-15, most likely the 10th or 11th.  Woohoo!
• Tubal Ligation?  Absolutely!
• Do I keep seeing Dr. B?  Nope!!! Yay! She will be managing my care until the baby is born.  Then it's back to the unremarkable Dr. B, but at least I will feel more secure in my obstetrical care. 

Other outcomes of the appointment?  We discussed the fact that I haven't been able to have any genetic test results (no NT measurement, maternal screen bloodwork was botched), and the possibility of an amnio.  I have decided against it, at least for now.  Halfling's heartrate was 145 bpm.  My blood pressure was actually on the lower side, and she has asked me to reduce my Lo.beta.lol back to 50mg three times a day.  She is a strong advocate of breastfeeding and we will be discussing the issues I had with bf-ing Ginny at future appointments, to see if there is anything that we can do to make things go better this time around.  She is sending me for some bloodwork (just some basic stuff) and I have to do a 24hr urine collection.  And I see her again in two weeks. 

I think it will take me a little while to feel completely comfortable with her, and she made several mentions of my weight being a big issue (duh!  Talk to any fat person.  They KNOW that their weight is a big issue.).  But overall, I'm happy with how today's appointment went, and I think I will be okay with her.  She's younger than any doctor I've ever had before, and I've never had a female doc either. 

On to the update...

How far along? 25w0d

Maternity clothes? Yup..

Body Oddities? VERY dry skin, alternating constipation and IBS flares, acne, bruises from insulin injections, back ache, cracking joints, super sore & slightly leaky boobs, increased earwax, dry/itchy eyes, leg cramps, round ligament pain, heartburn is much worse, tingly fingertips, NEW THIS WEEK: heavy fatigue

Sleep? I've been very tired this week.  Almost like first trimester tired.  I've been sleeping well, and heavy.  I haven't even been waking up to pee. 

Best moment this week?  I had the most glorious nap on Sunday afternoon.  My Beloved looked after Ginny and I woke up feeling great.

Worst moment?  When we were grocery shopping on Saturday, I had a lot of lower back and hip pain. 

Movement?  All the time.  I'm pretty sure that the baby is transverse, as I feel movement on either side and down low.  Only occasional movement higher than my belly button.

Food cravings/aversions? Chocolate.  I made some no-bake chocolate cookies with Splenda, but they didn't quite fill the need.

Rings? Still on.

Gender? Still think it's a girl.

Intense Dreams? Nothing baby related, but very strange combinations of people, places and situations.

Medical Concerns? Gestational Diabetes (insulin 5 times a day), High blood pressure (on 50mg of lobetalol 3x daily), continued heartburn (on 60mg of Pan.taloc daily), kidney stones, low lying placenta.

What I miss? walking without waddlng, being able to lift Ginny without grunting like a mule

What I look forward to?  Sushi, ice cream, chocolate milk, my next ultrasound

Emtional State?  Okay most of the time, but my blood sugars have been a tad wonky and that frustrates me

Week 25: Halfling Update

Greeting Humble Readers! 

Your friendly neighbourhood hobbit is pretty tuckered out today.  But once I get myself motivated to get off this couch I'm planning on getting back to work on the nursery.  I figure if I go through my craft stuff today, then my Beloved can go through his immense set of junk drawers later this week.  When we get the room done, I'm going to post pictures for you all.  I just hope it turns out the way I'm visualizing.

How far along? 25w0d


Maternity clothes? Yup... The bella bands are starting to get a bit tiresome now, so I think come September, I will only have three pairs of pants to wear to work.  Oh well... I've also ordered 2 pairs of maternity jeans. 

Body Oddities? The stuffy sinuses are back, I'm going to have to start using the nose strip things again.  Weight has been all over the place, up, then down, but generally hanging out within 2 pounds of my pre pregancy weight.  My internal thermometer is also way out of wack... I feel like I'm living in a world that's 5-10 degrees warmer than everyone else's.  Leg cramps have been a real biotch too.

Sleep? I have a love-hate relationship with sleep these days.  I love sleep, but I don't feel like I'm getting enough.  One of the things that helps me sleep is my insanely huge body pillow.  It's one of those curly ones, so it hooks over my shoulder and goes between my knees.  It's great, except that I don't roll over at all at night when I sleep with it, so my hips end up being really really sore when I wake up.

Best moment this week?  Yesterday, when I realized I only have three more weeks in the second trimester.

Worst moment?  Finding out that I have the dreaded GD, being woken up from a dead sleep by leg cramps

Movement? He/she is most active in the morning when I first get up and then through the afternoon and evening.  My Beloved still can't feel the kicks and rolls yet, but I think it will be soon.

Food cravings?  Hummus, yoghurt, sweets (which I am striving to avoid as much as I can)

Rings? Still on... but I think I've only got a few weeks left. There have been a few mornings where I have woken up concerned that I wasn't going to be able to get them off.  I have put off getting them soldered, and to have them prettified, so I think now might be a good time.

Gender? Not going to find out, but I think it's a boy

Intense Dreams?  So many about loss.  Blood has also been a key image in my dreams lately.  I wish they would stop.

Medical Concerns? High blood pressure (on 50mg Trandate/Lobetalol, 3 times a day... bp holding steady at 130-ish over 70-ish), Gestational Diabetes (going to a GD clinic on Thursday to learn how to test my blood sugar, etc), on prescription Zan.tac for heartburn.

What I miss?  Chocolate peanut butter cups, being able to shave my legs in the shower, sushi

What I look forward to? the full hour massage I have scheduled for this afternoon, getting to start painting the nursery.

Emotional State? Still all over the place.  Laughing hysterically one moment, snarky the next.  Mostly tied to my energy level.