Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The Home Stretch
I only have 9 weeks left of this pregnancy. I can't believe it. Time has flown, but passed slowly at the same time. I've been doing better- my gallbladder still hurts often- but I've resigned myself to the fact that it's just going to hurt until baby T gets here. I can't wait for the pain to go away, but at the same time I am sad that this pregnancy will be ending soon. It's such a bittersweet feeling. I am so excited to hold, hug, and kiss my little girl, but I will mourn the loss of my pregnant belly- because I don't know if I will ever be lucky enough to experience this again. I've had my share of health issues and problems, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Even if the pain were 100 times worse. I still feel like the luckiest person in the world because I am growing a person inside me. I get to see what DH and I created together. Will she have my eyes or his? What color will her hair be? It's such miracle, and so strange to think that this is how all of us got here. We all grew inside another person. When she comes out I will have to share her. I will miss feeling her kicks and rolls (even if they are getting a little painful), and I will miss watching my body change as she grows. I don't care if I have stretch marks, loose skin, and saggy boobs when this is over. I will look at them and know that they provided a place for my little girl to grow and thrive. I try to be somewhat anonymous on this blog, but my stepsister took a picture of me at my shower last weekend and I think you can see the pure joy I'm feeling- so you are getting a rare pic that includes my face, as well as my 31 week belly pic. Keep growing baby T- you're almost ready to join us on the outside!
Monday, May 21, 2012
More drama
This weekend it was back to L&D again. I started having a really bad gallbladder attack on Wednesday. The pain wouldn't ease up no matter what I did. It was even keeping me up at night. I spent Thursday and Friday eating super bland foods hoping the pain would subside. On Saturday I was still miserable and Dr. G.oogle had me convinced that my gallbladder was infected and I was dying. I hate him. I think he tries to convince everyone that they are going to die. So back to the hospital I went. DH joked and said I must have a boyfriend there.
This trip was not like the two other quick ones. They were busy and I had to wait almost an hour to be seen. I started to second guess myself and even told the check-in nurse that I wanted to go home. She said I felt bad enough to come in, so should really get checked out. They got me back into a bed and the doctor came to see me right away. He said he wanted an ultrasound of my gallbladder and then we would go from there. So I waited. For almost 5 hours. I didn't bring anything with me because I didn't think I would be there long. I also couldn't get cell service in the area they had me. I was so bored. I was alone and had a mini-breakdown around hour 4. I cried to the nurse (a new nurse because the shift had changed) that I couldn't lay there any more. I was starving and going crazy. They wouldn't let me eat until after the ultrasound. I had barely eaten all day because my gallbladder was hurting so bad. The new nurse wasn't very nice and told me I could go home if I wanted! I told her I'd been waiting 4 hours for my ultrasound and if I left now then I've waited for nothing. I thought she was rude, but maybe she thought I was crazy because I was crying hysterically. I blame hormones and hunger.
About 45 minutes after my breakdown the ultrasound tech showed up. Apparently they only have 1 on a Saturday and she had an ER case before mine. I still don't get why that took 4 hours, but what do I know? Hospital time is different, I guess. She did the ultrasound and said a radiologist would read it and the doctor would get back to me. Great....I figured the radiologist would only take a few more hours to read the damn thing. Surprisingly it was only about 20 minutes. The nurse came to release me and said my gallbladder looked fine, but I had some swelling around my kidneys. Awesome, something else for me to worry about! She said to stick to a low fat diet because of my pain and to avoid anything drinks except water (which I already do). She talked to my OB and she said we would talk more at my regular appointment this Thursday. I still don't understand why my gallbladder hurts so bad if it's not sludgy or has stones, but I will just have to deal with it.
I started to freak out about my kidneys, but my friend assured me that they wouldn't have sent me home if it was a huge concern. I went to acupuncture today and my acu doc explained that my kidneys are working for two lives right now instead of one, so it only makes sense that they are a little stressed. He said my coloring, pulse, and blood pressure were all great so I shouldn't worry. I told him I drink a gallon of water a day (I've been doing that since my amniotic fluid was low about 10 weeks ago) and he said that was probably overkill and could be too much for my kidneys. As far I as know my fluid is normal now so I can just stick to a normal amount of water. I've been really good and I haven't ask evil Dr. G.oogle what he thinks about pregnancy and swollen kidneys because I'm sure he will tell me awful things. He's an ass like that.
During all that time at the hospital, baby T did great. She was kicking and her heart rate was awesome. At one point I thought she was repeatedly kicking the same spot, but the nurse came in and said that she had the hiccups. I recorded it on my phone- so cute! I just need to keep reminding myself that despite all of my pain, drama and worry, she has been a rock star! I hope the next 10 weeks pass without any drama. OMG. I will be having a baby in 10 weeks or less!!
This trip was not like the two other quick ones. They were busy and I had to wait almost an hour to be seen. I started to second guess myself and even told the check-in nurse that I wanted to go home. She said I felt bad enough to come in, so should really get checked out. They got me back into a bed and the doctor came to see me right away. He said he wanted an ultrasound of my gallbladder and then we would go from there. So I waited. For almost 5 hours. I didn't bring anything with me because I didn't think I would be there long. I also couldn't get cell service in the area they had me. I was so bored. I was alone and had a mini-breakdown around hour 4. I cried to the nurse (a new nurse because the shift had changed) that I couldn't lay there any more. I was starving and going crazy. They wouldn't let me eat until after the ultrasound. I had barely eaten all day because my gallbladder was hurting so bad. The new nurse wasn't very nice and told me I could go home if I wanted! I told her I'd been waiting 4 hours for my ultrasound and if I left now then I've waited for nothing. I thought she was rude, but maybe she thought I was crazy because I was crying hysterically. I blame hormones and hunger.
About 45 minutes after my breakdown the ultrasound tech showed up. Apparently they only have 1 on a Saturday and she had an ER case before mine. I still don't get why that took 4 hours, but what do I know? Hospital time is different, I guess. She did the ultrasound and said a radiologist would read it and the doctor would get back to me. Great....I figured the radiologist would only take a few more hours to read the damn thing. Surprisingly it was only about 20 minutes. The nurse came to release me and said my gallbladder looked fine, but I had some swelling around my kidneys. Awesome, something else for me to worry about! She said to stick to a low fat diet because of my pain and to avoid anything drinks except water (which I already do). She talked to my OB and she said we would talk more at my regular appointment this Thursday. I still don't understand why my gallbladder hurts so bad if it's not sludgy or has stones, but I will just have to deal with it.
I started to freak out about my kidneys, but my friend assured me that they wouldn't have sent me home if it was a huge concern. I went to acupuncture today and my acu doc explained that my kidneys are working for two lives right now instead of one, so it only makes sense that they are a little stressed. He said my coloring, pulse, and blood pressure were all great so I shouldn't worry. I told him I drink a gallon of water a day (I've been doing that since my amniotic fluid was low about 10 weeks ago) and he said that was probably overkill and could be too much for my kidneys. As far I as know my fluid is normal now so I can just stick to a normal amount of water. I've been really good and I haven't ask evil Dr. G.oogle what he thinks about pregnancy and swollen kidneys because I'm sure he will tell me awful things. He's an ass like that.
During all that time at the hospital, baby T did great. She was kicking and her heart rate was awesome. At one point I thought she was repeatedly kicking the same spot, but the nurse came in and said that she had the hiccups. I recorded it on my phone- so cute! I just need to keep reminding myself that despite all of my pain, drama and worry, she has been a rock star! I hope the next 10 weeks pass without any drama. OMG. I will be having a baby in 10 weeks or less!!
30 weeks!
Baby T's hiccups
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Another trip to L&D
I was hoping when I went to labor & delivery at 18 1/2 weeks that I wouldn't see that place again until baby T was ready to be born. I didn't make it :(. On Sunday DH dragged me on a road trip with him. He is into all of these roadside oddities and wanted to travel to Louisville, KY to see a collection of horse statues. I really didn't want to go, but I felt bad making him go alone and we didn't spend much time together over the weekend so I thought it would be nice to be together. We ended up being in the car for 9 hours. We got out and walked some, but not a lot. I kept feeling a cramp in my left leg, and when we did walk my feet felt swollen. I just figured it was because it was almost 80 in Louisville and muggy.
Yesterday I went to work as usual, but instead of being in my classroom I had a meeting all afternoon, so I wasn't on my feet much after 1 pm. On the way home from work I stopped to run and errand and looked down at my feet. My left ankle looked like it belonged to an elephant. It scared me and I did a double take. I examined my other ankle and it was only slightly swollen, so I decided to call the OB. Neither doctor was in, so the nurse said to go to L&D. She was concerned because it was only one ankle, and wanted me to get my blood pressure checked also.
Last time I was there the nurse I had was very friendly. This time I wasn't so lucky. She told me that "anyone who is carrying extra weight is bound to swell," and that "those doctors will send you in for a hangnail." She also said my ankle didn't look swollen. She's crazy. I wish I would've taken a picture of it. Then she went to put the monitor on my stomach for the baby. She tried each side, then she stopped and said "How far along are you again?" I said 27 weeks. She tried the sides again and then asked if I had felt her move lately. I was panicked, but I knew I had just felt her less than 30 minutes before. She finally moved the monitor down lower and there was baby T, with a strong heartbeat. Stupid nurse. Thanks for giving me a mini heart attack.
My blood pressure was great, thank goodness. The doctor came to look at my ankles and agreed that my left one was very swollen. She checked my pulses and felt around, checking for signs of a clot. Nothing. I told her about the car ride and she thinks that because I was sitting so long it caused all the fluid to build up, then when I didn't do my normal activity that afternoon it made it worse. DH was there at that point so she went over the signs of a clot with both of us and told me to watch my leg very closely. She said she wasn't too concerned but if I saw any signs I need to come back immediately, but for now I could go home. Then she said "your baby looks awesome on the monitor." Go baby T!
This morning my ankle looked fairly normal, and after working today they are both slightly swollen but I'm thinking that is going to stick around since I am almost 30 weeks (what?) and it is getting hot. I had some liver function tests done at my last OB appointment (because of my gallbladder pain) and everything is normal. I also passed the glucose test! My gallbladder is still being a b!tch, but I think it will ease up some when school is out. I can't believe how far I've come. I really hope the rest of my pregnancy is drama free.
Here is my 27 week pic. Please ignore my sloppy bed and laundry I need to put away!
Yesterday I went to work as usual, but instead of being in my classroom I had a meeting all afternoon, so I wasn't on my feet much after 1 pm. On the way home from work I stopped to run and errand and looked down at my feet. My left ankle looked like it belonged to an elephant. It scared me and I did a double take. I examined my other ankle and it was only slightly swollen, so I decided to call the OB. Neither doctor was in, so the nurse said to go to L&D. She was concerned because it was only one ankle, and wanted me to get my blood pressure checked also.
Last time I was there the nurse I had was very friendly. This time I wasn't so lucky. She told me that "anyone who is carrying extra weight is bound to swell," and that "those doctors will send you in for a hangnail." She also said my ankle didn't look swollen. She's crazy. I wish I would've taken a picture of it. Then she went to put the monitor on my stomach for the baby. She tried each side, then she stopped and said "How far along are you again?" I said 27 weeks. She tried the sides again and then asked if I had felt her move lately. I was panicked, but I knew I had just felt her less than 30 minutes before. She finally moved the monitor down lower and there was baby T, with a strong heartbeat. Stupid nurse. Thanks for giving me a mini heart attack.
My blood pressure was great, thank goodness. The doctor came to look at my ankles and agreed that my left one was very swollen. She checked my pulses and felt around, checking for signs of a clot. Nothing. I told her about the car ride and she thinks that because I was sitting so long it caused all the fluid to build up, then when I didn't do my normal activity that afternoon it made it worse. DH was there at that point so she went over the signs of a clot with both of us and told me to watch my leg very closely. She said she wasn't too concerned but if I saw any signs I need to come back immediately, but for now I could go home. Then she said "your baby looks awesome on the monitor." Go baby T!
Here is my 27 week pic. Please ignore my sloppy bed and laundry I need to put away!
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