On top of everything else going on, today I got a call from my midwife that I have gestational diabetes.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001898/
It is one of the most common pregnancy problems/complications, and it is easily managed. My midwife said it looks like I have a fairly mild case that should be able to be managed by watching my diet carefully. But I'm still frustrated that I have so much to worry about with this pregnancy.
I will be meeting with another doctor and a nutritionist in the next week. In the meantime, it looks like my Girl Scout cookies will be finding a home in the freezer for the next few months...
Showing posts with label midwife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label midwife. Show all posts
Monday, February 13, 2012
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
A Baby Story
Caroline and Josie on Josie's due dateDecember 2, 2009
Caroline and Josie on Josie's birthdayNovember 21, 2009
I thought it would be appropriate for me to do my first post-baby blog on my actual due date (up until now, Ryan has been keeping up with the blog for me). I was originally due today, December 2...but Josie decided to come early on November 21, so she is now 11 DAYS OLD! I can barely believe it!
In honor of today being my due date, I would like to share Josie's birth story with you:
Warning: there are birth details in this story so read at your own risk :)
The evening of Friday November 20 was like any other Friday evening for me and Ryan since we have been expecting. We went to Northfield to go out to dinner and a movie. We ate BBQ for dinner, but I decided I was too tired for the 9pm movie so we decided to call it an early night. Good thing we did!
I woke up at 5:30am on Saturday and was laying in bed when my water broke. I was surprised because I was told that this does not happen to most women until they get to the hospital. It was a small but noticeable amount of water so I told Ryan and we decided to call the midwife. I was not having contractions, so she recommended that I eat, sleep or shower. They would need to see me by 5:30pm if contractions had not yet started.
I decided to make some oatmeal and lay back down in bed. Ryan and I watched tv, and then he decided it was finally (FINALLY) time to install that car seat. I took a shower and then we met up downstairs to watch the UNC-CH and Ohio State football games. By that time, small contractions had started but I was timing them myself so they weren't so bad. I sat on the birthing ball, and Ryan started making note of when they started and how long they lasted. The midwives wanted us to come in when they were 4 minutes apart lasting for 1 minute each for 1 hour. My contractions increased, and I needed to change positions frequently. Humphrey didn't know what to think, so he sat next to me and whimpered...trying to make me feel better.
My contractions were steadily 5 minutes apart, but they were not lasting for a minute yet. The intensity was increasing and I definitely felt pressure on my tail bone. Sitting was no longer comfortable, even on the birth ball, so I stood and swayed while leaning on the sofa back or the kitchen island counter. By this time it was between 11am and noon. I had been having contractions since about 8am. The contractions started causing some burning in my thighs, so I decided to do some contractions in the bathroom so I could "sit on the throne." This was definitely more comfortable, but the contractions hit their highest intensity and I had some other strong signs that it was time to go to the hospital...even though I had not hit the 4-1-1 mark that the midwives told me to look for.
Ryan called the midwife, and she said we could come in but she was pushing with someone else...so she could just check me if I felt I needed it. I did, so off we went.
Once we were out the door, I had a contraction on the patio, 3 in the car during the 10 minute ride to the hospital, 1 in the hospital parking lot, 1 in the lobby, and 1 in the elevator. They were obviously coming very quickly now! I had totally skipped over 4-1-1. A nurse got me checked in to a labor and delivery room, and I had another contraction while I was changing into my gown. Ryan ran downstairs to get our bags from the car and made record time coming back. While he was gone, I asked the nurse for an epidural. She said "oh, I thought you were going natural," and I responded "I was but now I want the epidural." She said of course I could have one. She would start an IV and send the anesthesiologist in. In the meantime, she went to get Ann, the midwife on duty. After about 10 minutes of being in the hospital, Ann came in to check my progress. Low and behold...I was 10 cm dilated! Time to push! No time for an epidural...
When each contraction came, I pushed as hard as I could (sometimes it was harder than others...I got weak very fast). There was a lot of holding legs, heads, chin to chest, mirrors in places no mirror should be... After an hour of pushing, the baby's heart rate began dropping. She was in distress and needed to come out. The midwife told me that we had one more push, and then she would have to make a cut to get the baby out. I pushed SO HARD but the baby didn't quite make it out so I had to have a small episiotomy. I pushed one more time, and the baby came out...head, shoulders and body. She was blue but quickly turned red and cried. Hooray!
The midwife and nurse assured me everything was fine, but they had to check the baby's vitals quickly. Ryan cut the umbilical cord (although he wasn't sure if he wanted to) and I told him to go watch the baby while she was being checked. I began shivering and shaking uncontrollably...and sneezing to make matters worse! The nurses brought me warm blankets, which helped...but I continued to shake on and off for the next few hours. In the meantime, I had to work on another delivery...the placenta. After another 10 minutes of pushing, that was done. The baby was brought to me and finally we could bond. I could not believe I had only been in the hospital for 1 hour and now had my baby in my arms. What a surreal day!
I cannot describe the experience. It felt completely out of body. But today, on Josie's due date, I know it was all worth it for the little peanut that Ryan and I got to bring home! :)
In honor of today being my due date, I would like to share Josie's birth story with you:
Warning: there are birth details in this story so read at your own risk :)
The evening of Friday November 20 was like any other Friday evening for me and Ryan since we have been expecting. We went to Northfield to go out to dinner and a movie. We ate BBQ for dinner, but I decided I was too tired for the 9pm movie so we decided to call it an early night. Good thing we did!
I woke up at 5:30am on Saturday and was laying in bed when my water broke. I was surprised because I was told that this does not happen to most women until they get to the hospital. It was a small but noticeable amount of water so I told Ryan and we decided to call the midwife. I was not having contractions, so she recommended that I eat, sleep or shower. They would need to see me by 5:30pm if contractions had not yet started.
I decided to make some oatmeal and lay back down in bed. Ryan and I watched tv, and then he decided it was finally (FINALLY) time to install that car seat. I took a shower and then we met up downstairs to watch the UNC-CH and Ohio State football games. By that time, small contractions had started but I was timing them myself so they weren't so bad. I sat on the birthing ball, and Ryan started making note of when they started and how long they lasted. The midwives wanted us to come in when they were 4 minutes apart lasting for 1 minute each for 1 hour. My contractions increased, and I needed to change positions frequently. Humphrey didn't know what to think, so he sat next to me and whimpered...trying to make me feel better.
My contractions were steadily 5 minutes apart, but they were not lasting for a minute yet. The intensity was increasing and I definitely felt pressure on my tail bone. Sitting was no longer comfortable, even on the birth ball, so I stood and swayed while leaning on the sofa back or the kitchen island counter. By this time it was between 11am and noon. I had been having contractions since about 8am. The contractions started causing some burning in my thighs, so I decided to do some contractions in the bathroom so I could "sit on the throne." This was definitely more comfortable, but the contractions hit their highest intensity and I had some other strong signs that it was time to go to the hospital...even though I had not hit the 4-1-1 mark that the midwives told me to look for.
Ryan called the midwife, and she said we could come in but she was pushing with someone else...so she could just check me if I felt I needed it. I did, so off we went.
Once we were out the door, I had a contraction on the patio, 3 in the car during the 10 minute ride to the hospital, 1 in the hospital parking lot, 1 in the lobby, and 1 in the elevator. They were obviously coming very quickly now! I had totally skipped over 4-1-1. A nurse got me checked in to a labor and delivery room, and I had another contraction while I was changing into my gown. Ryan ran downstairs to get our bags from the car and made record time coming back. While he was gone, I asked the nurse for an epidural. She said "oh, I thought you were going natural," and I responded "I was but now I want the epidural." She said of course I could have one. She would start an IV and send the anesthesiologist in. In the meantime, she went to get Ann, the midwife on duty. After about 10 minutes of being in the hospital, Ann came in to check my progress. Low and behold...I was 10 cm dilated! Time to push! No time for an epidural...
When each contraction came, I pushed as hard as I could (sometimes it was harder than others...I got weak very fast). There was a lot of holding legs, heads, chin to chest, mirrors in places no mirror should be... After an hour of pushing, the baby's heart rate began dropping. She was in distress and needed to come out. The midwife told me that we had one more push, and then she would have to make a cut to get the baby out. I pushed SO HARD but the baby didn't quite make it out so I had to have a small episiotomy. I pushed one more time, and the baby came out...head, shoulders and body. She was blue but quickly turned red and cried. Hooray!
The midwife and nurse assured me everything was fine, but they had to check the baby's vitals quickly. Ryan cut the umbilical cord (although he wasn't sure if he wanted to) and I told him to go watch the baby while she was being checked. I began shivering and shaking uncontrollably...and sneezing to make matters worse! The nurses brought me warm blankets, which helped...but I continued to shake on and off for the next few hours. In the meantime, I had to work on another delivery...the placenta. After another 10 minutes of pushing, that was done. The baby was brought to me and finally we could bond. I could not believe I had only been in the hospital for 1 hour and now had my baby in my arms. What a surreal day!
I cannot describe the experience. It felt completely out of body. But today, on Josie's due date, I know it was all worth it for the little peanut that Ryan and I got to bring home! :)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Birthing class and midwife visit
In the past few days, Ryan and I have been very busy with pregnancy-related appointments. We finished up our birthing classes, so now we are fully prepared for labor (or at least as ready as we are going to be). We were given a lot of tools for natural pain management, and we are prepared to labor at home before going to the hospital. We just need to buy a birthing ball. The doula gave us a lot of comfortable positions for me to sit, stand and lay in while I am going through contractions. I feel pretty prepared, but I guess I won't really know until I am actually in labor. Hopefully I still have a few weeks before that happens!
Yesterday, we also went to the midwife for our weekly visit. Yes, now we are in the homestretch with weekly visits. They measured my fundal height (35 1/2 cm, so we are in the "normal" range). The baby's heartbeat is in the 130 beats per minute range, also the "normal" range. I also had my Group Strep B test (not fun, but not terrible either). We will get results next week.
Ryan and I have started packing our bags for the hospital, since we know we could be going at any time. I still need to make a final trip to Target to get some necessities for our bags. Some of the things we are packing are kind of funny...like our "digital fireplace" dvd for pain management/relaxation. I'm just ready to feel a little more settled instead of having my life so up in the air. Hopefully that will come soon...
Yesterday, we also went to the midwife for our weekly visit. Yes, now we are in the homestretch with weekly visits. They measured my fundal height (35 1/2 cm, so we are in the "normal" range). The baby's heartbeat is in the 130 beats per minute range, also the "normal" range. I also had my Group Strep B test (not fun, but not terrible either). We will get results next week.
Ryan and I have started packing our bags for the hospital, since we know we could be going at any time. I still need to make a final trip to Target to get some necessities for our bags. Some of the things we are packing are kind of funny...like our "digital fireplace" dvd for pain management/relaxation. I'm just ready to feel a little more settled instead of having my life so up in the air. Hopefully that will come soon...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Only 6 weeks to go!
Today we are 34 weeks pregnant (8 1/2 months). Only 6 weeks until my December 2 due date! Baby should be about 4 3/4 lbs, around the size of a cantaloupe.
I had a midwife appointment this morning, and it seems like everything is going just fine. I didn't get the exact measurement, but the midwife said my fundal height (size of my uterus) is normal. Baby is head-down with her legs spread-eagle in a very unladylike "froggy" position...so I can feel her kicks and knee jabs on both sides of my stomach.
Also, I got a lesson in pre-natal "exercises" that I should be doing every day between now and when the baby is born. Baby needs to be encouraged to settle into my belly with all of her heavy parts (bottom, back, etc) resting against the front of my stomach...we ideally want her facing backward for birth, head-down. So, I'm supposed to squat on all fours and do pelvic tilts 50-100 times a day to "rock" her into the correct position. Once she learns how comfy she can be in that position, she should choose to settle that way on her own...which is supposed to make my life easier during the birth process. This seems a little crazy to me, but if it will make birth easier I'm willing to try it!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
3rd Trimester...Here We Come
Today I am 28 weeks pregnant...this begins the 3rd trimester. I am 7 months pregnant now! Baby is the size of a head of napa cabbage.
I went to the midwife yesterday, and I have gained approximately 19 lbs. I've put on some weight since my last appointment! However, since I am supposed to put on between 28-40 lbs, I seem to be right on track in the weight department.
My fundal height (the size of my uterus, which houses the baby) is measuring 27 1/2 weeks, so everything seems to be growing just fine. My midwife also complimented me on my belly cream, the Mama Mio Tummy Rub! Apparently it is worth the money I am shelling out for it, because my tummy was still soft and silky (with no stretch marks to report...yet) after a full day of wearing the cream.
All of my blood results and glucose results came back in the normal range, although the midwife did say my iron levels are a bit low. I'm not anemic and do not require a supplement, but she did encourage me to work red meat back into my diet. In fact, I could have a bit of red meat every day. This will be a huge change since I haven't really eaten beef since early May, but I've already had a half a burger (dinner last night) and a small serving of steak (lunch today).
Me at 27 weeks pregnant (still in my 6th month)
Yikes! That's a big belly!Friday, June 12, 2009
It's really in there!
Yesterday Ryan and I had our 3rd appointment with the midwife. I gained almost 5 lbs in the past month, and while my blood pressure was a bit higher than it usually is everything fell into the "normal pregnancy" range. After talking with the midwife about some of my question (and Ryan sat quietly and listened), I laid down on the exam table so we could hear our baby's heartbeat with the doppler again. Except our baby just didn't want to be bothered. The midwife searched and searched for the heartbeat with TWO doppler machines for a very long time, and while we could hear the little one moving around in there we only caught VERY VERY short blips of the heartbeat.
So then the midwife asks a very interesting question. "Do you mind if I get the ultrasound machine?" What, are you kidding? I would love for you to get the ultrasound machine! So she wheels in the old ultrasound machine that the ultrasound department "rejected" when they got an upgrade. She sets it up, and Ryan comes around beside me to see the monitor. In no time at all, we see baby...the whole baby! Not weird alien looking thing or blob or anything like that. This is a baby with a big head and little arms with fingers (balled up into fists and punching, like it was trying to make sure that doppler thing didn't come back poking around) and little legs all stretched out and pushing on the edge of the uterus. I think I just kept repeating "This is crazy!" I think I still had doubts that there was actually a baby in my barely-there tummy. But no, it's really in there! And actually seeing it moving on the screen was cooler and more real than any still ultrasound pictures ever look. The midwife pointed out the little heart beating (which we could actually see on the monitor. How cool!), and we could even see the baby opening and closing its mouth. We don't have any pictures because the midwife didn't know how to print with the old ultrasound machine, but I have the image ingrained in my memory (and everyone else will just have to wait).
This baby seems so much more real now that we've seen it with our own eyes. Now we just have to wait one more month before we can stop calling the baby "it" and "Humphrey #2" and start saying "him" or "her!"
So then the midwife asks a very interesting question. "Do you mind if I get the ultrasound machine?" What, are you kidding? I would love for you to get the ultrasound machine! So she wheels in the old ultrasound machine that the ultrasound department "rejected" when they got an upgrade. She sets it up, and Ryan comes around beside me to see the monitor. In no time at all, we see baby...the whole baby! Not weird alien looking thing or blob or anything like that. This is a baby with a big head and little arms with fingers (balled up into fists and punching, like it was trying to make sure that doppler thing didn't come back poking around) and little legs all stretched out and pushing on the edge of the uterus. I think I just kept repeating "This is crazy!" I think I still had doubts that there was actually a baby in my barely-there tummy. But no, it's really in there! And actually seeing it moving on the screen was cooler and more real than any still ultrasound pictures ever look. The midwife pointed out the little heart beating (which we could actually see on the monitor. How cool!), and we could even see the baby opening and closing its mouth. We don't have any pictures because the midwife didn't know how to print with the old ultrasound machine, but I have the image ingrained in my memory (and everyone else will just have to wait).
This baby seems so much more real now that we've seen it with our own eyes. Now we just have to wait one more month before we can stop calling the baby "it" and "Humphrey #2" and start saying "him" or "her!"
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Hi there! I'm not much of a blogger, but since I live miles and miles away from so many of my friends and family members I thought this would be a good way to keep everyone updated on my pregnancy. Ryan and I are officially 14 weeks pregnant as of yesterday. This means we have just begun our 2nd trimester! Yipee! We don't have a good nickname for the baby yet (since we don't know the gender), so sometimes we just refer to him/her as Humphrey #2 since this baby will technically be Humphrey (our dog)'s little brother or sister. Heehee.
So far our pregnancy has been pretty normal. Around 6 weeks morning sickness hit...and it hit even harder around weeks 7 and 8. Nausea, dry heaves, vomiting, need I say more? At 14 weeks, the sickness seemed to be waning until I got a wiff of dirty dishes in the sink this morning and I found myself holding my nose and mouth and running to the bathroom! My midwife says things should be looking up at 16 weeks. I certainly hope so!
We've decided to see a group of midwives at the University of Colorado Hospital for our pre-natal care. Midwifery at University of Colorado Hospital They provide very personal attention and offer a lot of options for low-risk births (a category that I will hopefully continue to fall under). We've only had 2 appointments so far. I gained a whopping 1/2 lb between appointment #1 and appointment #2 (1 month apart), but the nurses assure me I will start packing on the pounds in no time. At our last appointment, we were able to hear the heartbeat with a fetal heart doppler (after about a minute of searching for it and me getting very nervous). Our baby had a strong heart rate of 160 beats per minute! Our next appointment is next week, but I don't expect anything too earth shattering to happen. They'll probably just get my weight and blood pressure, so I'll update the blog if I've gained a few pounds in the past month.
I'll post more on this blog as I think of interesting tidbits about my pregnancy to share with the world...or at least the friends and family that are interested enough to read this! Love you all!
-Caroline
So far our pregnancy has been pretty normal. Around 6 weeks morning sickness hit...and it hit even harder around weeks 7 and 8. Nausea, dry heaves, vomiting, need I say more? At 14 weeks, the sickness seemed to be waning until I got a wiff of dirty dishes in the sink this morning and I found myself holding my nose and mouth and running to the bathroom! My midwife says things should be looking up at 16 weeks. I certainly hope so!
We've decided to see a group of midwives at the University of Colorado Hospital for our pre-natal care. Midwifery at University of Colorado Hospital They provide very personal attention and offer a lot of options for low-risk births (a category that I will hopefully continue to fall under). We've only had 2 appointments so far. I gained a whopping 1/2 lb between appointment #1 and appointment #2 (1 month apart), but the nurses assure me I will start packing on the pounds in no time. At our last appointment, we were able to hear the heartbeat with a fetal heart doppler (after about a minute of searching for it and me getting very nervous). Our baby had a strong heart rate of 160 beats per minute! Our next appointment is next week, but I don't expect anything too earth shattering to happen. They'll probably just get my weight and blood pressure, so I'll update the blog if I've gained a few pounds in the past month.
I'll post more on this blog as I think of interesting tidbits about my pregnancy to share with the world...or at least the friends and family that are interested enough to read this! Love you all!
-Caroline
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