I am SO excited to be getting closer and closer to meeting this little girl. This pregnancy has definitely been an emotional rollercoaster and I'm so thankful that we've only got 10 weeks left or less!
I saw my MFM and OB last week for our appointments and we got some good news! Baby girl is still measuring small, however, since the MFM was able to see the records from the pregnancy with my son, he said that it looks like genetically I have small babies. The placenta and blood flow look good, so we're not longer concerned and talking about inducing next month! As much as we'd love to meet her, we also would like to make it to full term and have a healthy baby who gets to go home with us.
She's currently measuring in the 28th% and we have a diagnosis of asymmetrical IUGR. Basically, her legs are growing longer than her stomach and head (which are really small), but as long as she continues growing and everything looks good, we're good to go! We were thrilled to hear that wonderful news. The doctor was actually happy with her stomach growth and I'm still on supplemental protein twice daily.
As far as the gestational diabetes goes, my numbers are definitely better. I take insulin 4x/day which can be a little overwhelming (especially when my stomach gets itchy at the injection site), but we're making it work for our little girl. My fastings are a little sporadic, but they're still in the safe range so that's good. Every day is a little bit different.
We have tried to get a 3D ultrasound twice now and she has made it super difficult. We're going in for a rescan on Friday and we're really hoping to see her sweet face! As of right now, I'm still loving feeling her movements even though some of them can be super uncomfortable depending on her position, but at least I know she's doing well.
My friend is hosting a low-key BBQ sprinkle for me this Saturday and I'm really looking forward to it! We've been working on getting her room finished in case people want to see it when they're here and we've made a lot of progress! Just a few more things to do and one big load of laundry to fold and it will be right where it needs to be for now.
Showing posts with label baby reese #2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby reese #2. Show all posts
Monday, June 8, 2015
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Baby Reese #2 Update
Ah, the third trimester, finally! I've been looking forward to being here for so long! I can feel baby kicks throughout the day and know that we'll get to meet our sweet baby girl soon enough! Of course, the rush of hormones, emotions, and lack of sleep make for some fun times around here, but I wouldn't change it at all.
I've been a little quiet here for a week or so because I've been trying my best to process everything. Of course, we all know that I'm considered high-risk and I've been seeing the MFM since the beginning. I was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes again and I'm on insulin four times per day. In addition to that news, we went in for a regular cervical check and to see if they could get all of the pictures of our baby that they weren't able to get the last time. As the tech was measuring, we noticed that she was still measuring a little behind. No big deal, right?
When the doctor came in they explained that not only is she measuring small (25th%), but her abdominal circumference has dropped in the last three weeks. Umm, what?! We knew it was measuring smaller than the rest of her so I upped my protein and we prayed. He told us it went from being 9th% three weeks ago to <5th baby="" better="" concerning.="" get="" growing="" i="" is="" need="" p="" this="" time...which="" to="" told.="" was="" we="" what="">
Basically it comes down to a few possibilities with the first being since my GD numbers were a little high, maybe that's the cause for lack of growth. Simple fix...up the insulin and monitor my numbers carefully. It could also be placental failure in general that may or may not be related to GD. It happens sometimes and you're monitored closely until delivery. The third option is that because I had a previous pregnancy where he measured small, it could be genetic. In this case, they still monitor, but they're less concerned overall since we have seen a healthy baby as a result.
In addition to the small baby news, we were told that my cervix is measuring short and funneling when stressed which is not good at this point. They have me taking progesterone suppositories as well as doing FFN tests for preterm labor at every appointment to see if I'm going to need steroid shots to boost her lungs in case she does come too early.
As you can see, it's been a heck of a week! We've been trying to process all of it the best we can knowing that we can deliver early if she's not picking up her growth or I go into preterm labor. I know the goal is 34-37 weeks right now, but we won't have more answers until our next appointment on June 5th.
It's been exhausting on my end and I'm now having to add in 60g of protein every day to try to get her growth up. Fortunately, he has me drink two protein shakes per day for that, but it's all been a little crazy over here!
Praying that our little girl makes it to full term and is healthy with no complications. We're doing everything we can over here so it's up to God at this point.
I've been a little quiet here for a week or so because I've been trying my best to process everything. Of course, we all know that I'm considered high-risk and I've been seeing the MFM since the beginning. I was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes again and I'm on insulin four times per day. In addition to that news, we went in for a regular cervical check and to see if they could get all of the pictures of our baby that they weren't able to get the last time. As the tech was measuring, we noticed that she was still measuring a little behind. No big deal, right?
When the doctor came in they explained that not only is she measuring small (25th%), but her abdominal circumference has dropped in the last three weeks. Umm, what?! We knew it was measuring smaller than the rest of her so I upped my protein and we prayed. He told us it went from being 9th% three weeks ago to <5th baby="" better="" concerning.="" get="" growing="" i="" is="" need="" p="" this="" time...which="" to="" told.="" was="" we="" what="">
Basically it comes down to a few possibilities with the first being since my GD numbers were a little high, maybe that's the cause for lack of growth. Simple fix...up the insulin and monitor my numbers carefully. It could also be placental failure in general that may or may not be related to GD. It happens sometimes and you're monitored closely until delivery. The third option is that because I had a previous pregnancy where he measured small, it could be genetic. In this case, they still monitor, but they're less concerned overall since we have seen a healthy baby as a result.
In addition to the small baby news, we were told that my cervix is measuring short and funneling when stressed which is not good at this point. They have me taking progesterone suppositories as well as doing FFN tests for preterm labor at every appointment to see if I'm going to need steroid shots to boost her lungs in case she does come too early.
As you can see, it's been a heck of a week! We've been trying to process all of it the best we can knowing that we can deliver early if she's not picking up her growth or I go into preterm labor. I know the goal is 34-37 weeks right now, but we won't have more answers until our next appointment on June 5th.
It's been exhausting on my end and I'm now having to add in 60g of protein every day to try to get her growth up. Fortunately, he has me drink two protein shakes per day for that, but it's all been a little crazy over here!
Praying that our little girl makes it to full term and is healthy with no complications. We're doing everything we can over here so it's up to God at this point.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Gestational Diabetes Take 2!
Last pregnancy, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GD) at the end of my second trimester. I wasn't really all that shock, but I was in denial. After all, I have PCOS which causes some insulin resistance so I was already at a higher risk. Then add in the fact that I am heavier than ideal and you have a recipe for GD.
With my history of GD from the last pregnancy, they were super cautious this time around. My A1c was "borderline" and just .1 above normal range! I had brought it down through diet and exercise quite a few points right before we found out we were pregnant so I was thrilled! They immediately sent me over to the MFM and had me talk to the diabetic educator. I was told to check my numbers 4x/day for two weeks and email them weekly to her. She would go over it and see how they looked.
At first I was super disappointed. Seriously? I'm not even out of my first trimester and I'm already having to count carbs/protein and do finger pricks all day...WHY?! I can be slightly dramatic at times, but it is what it is. I ordered a new meter through my insurance company and started testing. I was a little upset to learn that their values are even more strict than my last MFM. Don't they know it's hard enough to control your blood sugars if you have an issue? Oh well, I tested and my numbers came back well in range!
Since I had been doing so well, they decided to let me check just twice per day! When those numbers continued to be in range, they had me just check my fastings every other day until they determined I no longer needed to be monitored. I was SO excited! I stopped checking and was told my OB would do a 1 hour glucose test at the normal time and we'd go from there.
I decided to do some "spot checks" with my fasting numbers along the way. Every few weeks I would check just to see what they were. I could see a steady increase in the numbers, but didn't think too much of it just yet. Then, yesterday I decided to do another check and was not happy to see a 104. I knew I had a problem at this point and that was so discouraging. I decided to go ahead and test after 1 hour to see if it was just a problem with my fasting number or overall. My after breakfast number was 23 points higher than what they wanted! So, I made the decision to check after lunch and the same thing happened again. I called in to the educator and my OB so we could get started and get an official diagnosis before the glucose test.
I now have an official diagnosis and have been monitoring for just over a day. I know it's not the end of the world, but GD has a way of messing with your emotions. Numbers can be deceiving and you can eat the exact same thing one day and be well in range and the next it can be high! I'm trying not to get discouraged and just deal with it.
There is a little bit of silver lining though! Now that I have GD and will likely be on insulin based on my fastings alone if nothing else, we know that our little girl will be here no later than mid-August! They won't let me go past 39 weeks with medication and that means that my mom and sister will get to meet our baby and get to spend time with her! For this, I am really grateful even if that means 14 weeks of checking numbers and watching everything I eat all day, every day.
With my history of GD from the last pregnancy, they were super cautious this time around. My A1c was "borderline" and just .1 above normal range! I had brought it down through diet and exercise quite a few points right before we found out we were pregnant so I was thrilled! They immediately sent me over to the MFM and had me talk to the diabetic educator. I was told to check my numbers 4x/day for two weeks and email them weekly to her. She would go over it and see how they looked.
At first I was super disappointed. Seriously? I'm not even out of my first trimester and I'm already having to count carbs/protein and do finger pricks all day...WHY?! I can be slightly dramatic at times, but it is what it is. I ordered a new meter through my insurance company and started testing. I was a little upset to learn that their values are even more strict than my last MFM. Don't they know it's hard enough to control your blood sugars if you have an issue? Oh well, I tested and my numbers came back well in range!
Since I had been doing so well, they decided to let me check just twice per day! When those numbers continued to be in range, they had me just check my fastings every other day until they determined I no longer needed to be monitored. I was SO excited! I stopped checking and was told my OB would do a 1 hour glucose test at the normal time and we'd go from there.
I decided to do some "spot checks" with my fasting numbers along the way. Every few weeks I would check just to see what they were. I could see a steady increase in the numbers, but didn't think too much of it just yet. Then, yesterday I decided to do another check and was not happy to see a 104. I knew I had a problem at this point and that was so discouraging. I decided to go ahead and test after 1 hour to see if it was just a problem with my fasting number or overall. My after breakfast number was 23 points higher than what they wanted! So, I made the decision to check after lunch and the same thing happened again. I called in to the educator and my OB so we could get started and get an official diagnosis before the glucose test.
I now have an official diagnosis and have been monitoring for just over a day. I know it's not the end of the world, but GD has a way of messing with your emotions. Numbers can be deceiving and you can eat the exact same thing one day and be well in range and the next it can be high! I'm trying not to get discouraged and just deal with it.
There is a little bit of silver lining though! Now that I have GD and will likely be on insulin based on my fastings alone if nothing else, we know that our little girl will be here no later than mid-August! They won't let me go past 39 weeks with medication and that means that my mom and sister will get to meet our baby and get to spend time with her! For this, I am really grateful even if that means 14 weeks of checking numbers and watching everything I eat all day, every day.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
22 Weeks with Baby #2
Wow, we are more than half-way through this pregnancy and it seriously blows my mind. We've had two anatomy scans so far and everything is looking good! She's a little stubborn though and they can't seem to get all of the pictures they would like at one time so we get to check on her again at our next appointment with the specialist!
I've been receiving weekly progesterone shots now for the past month and only have about fourteen left! They're definitely not fun or exciting, but whatever helps baby girl make it to full term is what we're working on. I also get regular checks to make sure I'm not dilating and so far everything looks good which I'm super happy with!
My hips have been killing me a lot lately and the lower back pain has started with occasional pelvic pain. I've been seeing my chiropractor weekly and that's been helpful as well as I'm going to start getting a prenatal massage monthly (?) as long as things continue to be so uncomfortable.
I don't have gestational diabetes yet, but I suspect when the check me next time I will. I have a higher risk for it and with PCOS you have some insulin resistance so it's just a recipe to have it happen at some point. I'm definitely not looking forward to the diet and possible insulin, but whatever it takes is what we'll do!
I have been told I do need to up my protein since her stomach is measuring smaller than the rest of her body. They're not concerned and said that it could just be that I have small babies, but they would like to see if we can get her to put on a little bit of weight in the next few weeks either way. Protein drinks will be my friend for a while.
Other than that, we've finally decided on a name and I'm just so excited to not have to think about it or worry about it anymore. It was so stressful to not have a name and nothing just felt right for the longest time so that's been a huge relief!
I've been receiving weekly progesterone shots now for the past month and only have about fourteen left! They're definitely not fun or exciting, but whatever helps baby girl make it to full term is what we're working on. I also get regular checks to make sure I'm not dilating and so far everything looks good which I'm super happy with!
My hips have been killing me a lot lately and the lower back pain has started with occasional pelvic pain. I've been seeing my chiropractor weekly and that's been helpful as well as I'm going to start getting a prenatal massage monthly (?) as long as things continue to be so uncomfortable.
I don't have gestational diabetes yet, but I suspect when the check me next time I will. I have a higher risk for it and with PCOS you have some insulin resistance so it's just a recipe to have it happen at some point. I'm definitely not looking forward to the diet and possible insulin, but whatever it takes is what we'll do!
I have been told I do need to up my protein since her stomach is measuring smaller than the rest of her body. They're not concerned and said that it could just be that I have small babies, but they would like to see if we can get her to put on a little bit of weight in the next few weeks either way. Protein drinks will be my friend for a while.
Other than that, we've finally decided on a name and I'm just so excited to not have to think about it or worry about it anymore. It was so stressful to not have a name and nothing just felt right for the longest time so that's been a huge relief!
Monday, March 30, 2015
It's a GIRL!!!
I know I haven't written a lot about this pregnancy (mainly because I haven't been sitting down to blog a ton lately), but we are just about halfway through and I thought it was time for an update!
Baby Reese #2 has been confirmed now (multiple times) to be a GIRL! We are beyond excited to be able to experience all of the wonderful differences between our little guy and this little lady. My husband is really hoping for a daddy's girl and I'm looking forward to all things girly! Matthew still has no idea what's going on and that's ok. We figure that he'll get it in time.
Our little girl is doing well and there hasn't been any drama this time around which we are SO thankful for. We have some extra precautions that the doctors are taking due to having a late pre-term last time, but I'll go into that in another post. Today we had our anatomy scan and every thing looks good, but they were unable to get a good picture of a couple of things so we get to repeat it in a month! I'm definitely not sad to get to see her again.
I've been feeling a lot of movements the past couple of days consistently and that's been great. The movements certainly can't be felt from the outside yet, but I can't wait to be able to have Phil and Matthew feel the baby move too. Our cat just loves snuggling with me even more now and is very insistent on being on or next to my belly.
I'm showing quite a bit already and I definitely don't mind it. The hip pain comes and goes, but that's to be expected. I tend to get pretty uncomfortable carrying and holding our little guy so he's just going to have to work with me for a while and we'll be working on his patience.
We are definitely still praying for a healthy baby and mom this time around and would love to have as many prayers as we can get! We're doing well and we pray it continues.
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