F is for Family

Family, home, travel, life

Archives for November 2013

Put It On My Tab

Making it past the 25 week point was a momentous accomplishment for me and my little boy. It not only helped me breathe a small sigh of relief but also gave me the opportunity to experience things during pregnancy that will always be unique to us. I never made it things like the glucose exam, the third trimester, pregnancy insomnia. But now we are on our way!

First up is the glucose exam. I went in last week and took the 1hr, non fasting glucose test and FAIL. No worries though, I missed it by a measly 6 little points. I was sent back last Friday to take the 3 hour…which should be called the 4 hour… glucose exam. This included a fasting draw and then the sugar juice and then 3 more blood draws every hour after that. Needless to say, I felt like a pin cushion and was BEYOND starving by the time I left. This was a pregnancy torture session.

Testing was done on Friday therefore, I didn’t stalk the OB office that afternoon and I assumed I’d just call sometime on Monday. Right on schedule my cell phone rings Monday morning and the nurse confirms some information with me and tells me…I FAILED! Wait, hold the phone, what?! She spewed off some information that I tried to take in and jot down and we hung up the phone. Around 2 minutes post hang-up is when it really clicks what I was just told and that we are literally days away from entering the best food time of the year and I am “grounded” from the good stuff. There was a good 45 minutes of pouting, a short, flickering idea that I should run out and buy my favorite sweets and indulge one last time and finally, rational thought resumed and the Google searching began.

I don’t recommend Google searching anything related to medical symptoms, conditions or the like. The verdict is inevitable; you or someone you know is or will be dying at some point. Basically, it’s the end of the world. I did run across a few good recipes and ideas for snacks and meals and I’m revamping my dinner menus for the family slightly. I of course, reached out to my ever supportive “Mom board”, the group of women who got me through my first pregnancy and helped drag me through being a first time parent and was given some great information and a sounding board which is much more helpful than Dr. Google.

Just for giggles though, let me recap the last 2 pregnancies quickly…development of uterine fibroids, check…Incompetent cervix, check…Preterm labor, check…Cerclage, check…P17/Progestrone shots, check…GESTATIONAL DIABETES, check!  It’s safe to say that my pregnancies are eventful, if nothing else. Deep breath, game plan, we’ve got this. 🙂

Put It On My Tab

Making it past the 25 week point was a momentous accomplishment for me and my little boy. It not only helped me breathe a small sigh of relief but also gave me the opportunity to experience things during pregnancy that will always be unique to us. I never made it things like the glucose exam, the third trimester, pregnancy insomnia. But now we are on our way!

First up is the glucose exam. I went in last week and took the 1hr, non fasting glucose test and FAIL. No worries though, I missed it by a measly 6 little points. I was sent back last Friday to take the 3 hour…which should be called the 4 hour… glucose exam. This included a fasting draw and then the sugar juice and then 3 more blood draws every hour after that. Needless to say, I felt like a pin cushion and was BEYOND starving by the time I left. This was a pregnancy torture session.

Testing was done on Friday therefore, I didn’t stalk the OB office that afternoon and I assumed I’d just call sometime on Monday. Right on schedule my cell phone rings Monday morning and the nurse confirms some information with me and tells me…I FAILED! Wait, hold the phone, what?! She spewed off some information that I tried to take in and jot down and we hung up the phone. Around 2 minutes post hang-up is when it really clicks what I was just told and that we are literally days away from entering the best food time of the year and I am “grounded” from the good stuff. There was a good 45 minutes of pouting, a short, flickering idea that I should run out and buy my favorite sweets and indulge one last time and finally, rational thought resumed and the Google searching began.

I don’t recommend Google searching anything related to medical symptoms, conditions or the like. The verdict is inevitable; you or someone you know is or will be dying at some point. Basically, it’s the end of the world. I did run across a few good recipes and ideas for snacks and meals and I’m revamping my dinner menus for the family slightly. I of course, reached out to my ever supportive “Mom board”, the group of women who got me through my first pregnancy and helped drag me through being a first time parent and was given some great information and a sounding board which is much more helpful than Dr. Google.

Just for giggles though, let me recap the last 2 pregnancies quickly…development of uterine fibroids, check…Incompetent cervix, check…Preterm labor, check…Cerclage, check…P17/Progestrone shots, check…GESTATIONAL DIABETES, check!  It’s safe to say that my pregnancies are eventful, if nothing else. Deep breath, game plan, we’ve got this. 🙂

Put It On My Tab

Making it past the 25 week point was a momentous accomplishment for me and my little boy. It not only helped me breathe a small sigh of relief but also gave me the opportunity to experience things during pregnancy that will always be unique to us. I never made it things like the glucose exam, the third trimester, pregnancy insomnia. But now we are on our way!

First up is the glucose exam. I went in last week and took the 1hr, non fasting glucose test and FAIL. No worries though, I missed it by a measly 6 little points. I was sent back last Friday to take the 3 hour…which should be called the 4 hour… glucose exam. This included a fasting draw and then the sugar juice and then 3 more blood draws every hour after that. Needless to say, I felt like a pin cushion and was BEYOND starving by the time I left. This was a pregnancy torture session.

Testing was done on Friday therefore, I didn’t stalk the OB office that afternoon and I assumed I’d just call sometime on Monday. Right on schedule my cell phone rings Monday morning and the nurse confirms some information with me and tells me…I FAILED! Wait, hold the phone, what?! She spewed off some information that I tried to take in and jot down and we hung up the phone. Around 2 minutes post hang-up is when it really clicks what I was just told and that we are literally days away from entering the best food time of the year and I am “grounded” from the good stuff. There was a good 45 minutes of pouting, a short, flickering idea that I should run out and buy my favorite sweets and indulge one last time and finally, rational thought resumed and the Google searching began.

I don’t recommend Google searching anything related to medical symptoms, conditions or the like. The verdict is inevitable; you or someone you know is or will be dying at some point. Basically, it’s the end of the world. I did run across a few good recipes and ideas for snacks and meals and I’m revamping my dinner menus for the family slightly. I of course, reached out to my ever supportive “Mom board”, the group of women who got me through my first pregnancy and helped drag me through being a first time parent and was given some great information and a sounding board which is much more helpful than Dr. Google.

Just for giggles though, let me recap the last 2 pregnancies quickly…development of uterine fibroids, check…Incompetent cervix, check…Preterm labor, check…Cerclage, check…P17/Progestrone shots, check…GESTATIONAL DIABETES, check!  It’s safe to say that my pregnancies are eventful, if nothing else. Deep breath, game plan, we’ve got this. 🙂

Reaching New Milestones

Today is 25 weeks 5 days…the furthest I’ve made it in 2 pregnancies. Each day from here on out is uncharted territory. It’s the first time taking a glucose test, first time we’ll hit the 3rd trimester and God willing, first time to full term. The old full term that is, not the new 39 week full term definition. I can’t wait for all the new firsts of this pregnancy. I have pictures of this little guys big sister to really show me where he is developmentally.

With the unknown comes some fear. An excited, fear, more anxiousness. The biggest of which is whether I’ll be able to bond the same way with this little boy. When you think you may lose something, you hang on tight, you drown yourself in every second and moment that becomes available. My micro preemie had my undivided attention, my every waking thought. Can I give all that to someone when I still have someone else who needs me?

After 3 months in the hospital, I spent 3 months home with Sofia before going back to work. If I make it full term, I get a disappointingly short 8 weeks. Is it enough? Will we have “enough” time together? I hope to keep this in my mind, to spend my moments with him engaged and savor them with the same conviction I had with Sofia. I know that each child gives us a new level, a new depth…I wait, patiently, for what he will teach me and how his love will change me.

Reaching New Milestones

Today is 25 weeks 5 days…the furthest I’ve made it in 2 pregnancies. Each day from here on out is uncharted territory. It’s the first time taking a glucose test, first time we’ll hit the 3rd trimester and God willing, first time to full term. The old full term that is, not the new 39 week full term definition. I can’t wait for all the new firsts of this pregnancy. I have pictures of this little guys big sister to really show me where he is developmentally.

With the unknown comes some fear. An excited, fear, more anxiousness. The biggest of which is whether I’ll be able to bond the same way with this little boy. When you think you may lose something, you hang on tight, you drown yourself in every second and moment that becomes available. My micro preemie had my undivided attention, my every waking thought. Can I give all that to someone when I still have someone else who needs me?

After 3 months in the hospital, I spent 3 months home with Sofia before going back to work. If I make it full term, I get a disappointingly short 8 weeks. Is it enough? Will we have “enough” time together? I hope to keep this in my mind, to spend my moments with him engaged and savor them with the same conviction I had with Sofia. I know that each child gives us a new level, a new depth…I wait, patiently, for what he will teach me and how his love will change me.

Reaching New Milestones

Today is 25 weeks 5 days…the furthest I’ve made it in 2 pregnancies. Each day from here on out is uncharted territory. It’s the first time taking a glucose test, first time we’ll hit the 3rd trimester and God willing, first time to full term. The old full term that is, not the new 39 week full term definition. I can’t wait for all the new firsts of this pregnancy. I have pictures of this little guys big sister to really show me where he is developmentally.

With the unknown comes some fear. An excited, fear, more anxiousness. The biggest of which is whether I’ll be able to bond the same way with this little boy. When you think you may lose something, you hang on tight, you drown yourself in every second and moment that becomes available. My micro preemie had my undivided attention, my every waking thought. Can I give all that to someone when I still have someone else who needs me?

After 3 months in the hospital, I spent 3 months home with Sofia before going back to work. If I make it full term, I get a disappointingly short 8 weeks. Is it enough? Will we have “enough” time together? I hope to keep this in my mind, to spend my moments with him engaged and savor them with the same conviction I had with Sofia. I know that each child gives us a new level, a new depth…I wait, patiently, for what he will teach me and how his love will change me.

Recap of 2nd Trimester

Once you’ve had an “eventful” pregnancy that results in hospitalization and preterm labor, you look forward to and almost question “normal”. It’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop. My 2nd trimester has been fairly quite, just as I’d hoped for. This is an absolute blessing but is also mentally exhausting because every cramp, pain, twinge, anything sends my brain and nerves into overdrive.

Some additional insurance was put in place the first weekend in October at the 20 week and 1 day mark. This is when I started the P17 (Progesterone injections). Progesterone is the hormone that keeps your body from beginning labor during the baking stage of pregnancy. It typically occurs naturally and tapers off toward the end of the pregnancy in order to allow labor to occur when your full term. Sometimes, the body doesn’t produce enough hence, preterm contractions, dilation and delivery. With my history there is no 100% way of knowing whether I strictly had incompetent cervix (dilation occurs for no reason) or if it was incompetent cervix and preterm contractions. The cerclage takes care of the incompetent cervix and the progesterone should assist with the rest.

I receive the shot every 7 days. There is a window of a few days before or after where you are still “safe” to receive the injection. Any contractions including Braxton Hicks stay pretty mild to non existence until day 6 before the next shot. The consistency of the injections have helped keep everything fairly  predictable. Until week 23, that is! My normal nurse was unavailable and the “substitute” nurse had to come two days early. No problem, still within the acceptable date range. Too bad my uterus didn’t agree, nor appreciate the 9 day lapse. Right on schedule day 6 I had some Braxton Hicks, nothing intolerable…day 7 a little stronger and more regular…day 8 increase…day 9…timeable, contractions every time I stood or walked. Oh and week 23 was when I went into the hospital on bed rest with Sofia, can we say heart attack?! Per doctors orders, I spent the entire weekend, Monday and Tuesday, on modified bed rest, complete with tons water and laying on my left side. Finally got it under control and avoided any hospital visits.

Now we are right on the brink of completely uncharted territory as I get closer to 26 weeks and 3rd trimester…I point I never reached with Sofia.

Left 24wks with Little #1 and Right 24wks with Little #2. Pretty noticeable difference!

Recap of 2nd Trimester

Once you’ve had an “eventful” pregnancy that results in hospitalization and preterm labor, you look forward to and almost question “normal”. It’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop. My 2nd trimester has been fairly quite, just as I’d hoped for. This is an absolute blessing but is also mentally exhausting because every cramp, pain, twinge, anything sends my brain and nerves into overdrive.

Some additional insurance was put in place the first weekend in October at the 20 week and 1 day mark. This is when I started the P17 (Progesterone injections). Progesterone is the hormone that keeps your body from beginning labor during the baking stage of pregnancy. It typically occurs naturally and tapers off toward the end of the pregnancy in order to allow labor to occur when your full term. Sometimes, the body doesn’t produce enough hence, preterm contractions, dilation and delivery. With my history there is no 100% way of knowing whether I strictly had incompetent cervix (dilation occurs for no reason) or if it was incompetent cervix and preterm contractions. The cerclage takes care of the incompetent cervix and the progesterone should assist with the rest.

I receive the shot every 7 days. There is a window of a few days before or after where you are still “safe” to receive the injection. Any contractions including Braxton Hicks stay pretty mild to non existence until day 6 before the next shot. The consistency of the injections have helped keep everything fairly  predictable. Until week 23, that is! My normal nurse was unavailable and the “substitute” nurse had to come two days early. No problem, still within the acceptable date range. Too bad my uterus didn’t agree, nor appreciate the 9 day lapse. Right on schedule day 6 I had some Braxton Hicks, nothing intolerable…day 7 a little stronger and more regular…day 8 increase…day 9…timeable, contractions every time I stood or walked. Oh and week 23 was when I went into the hospital on bed rest with Sofia, can we say heart attack?! Per doctors orders, I spent the entire weekend, Monday and Tuesday, on modified bed rest, complete with tons water and laying on my left side. Finally got it under control and avoided any hospital visits.

Now we are right on the brink of completely uncharted territory as I get closer to 26 weeks and 3rd trimester…I point I never reached with Sofia.

Left 24wks with Little #1 and Right 24wks with Little #2. Pretty noticeable difference!

Recap of Baby #2- First Trimester

Hi Peanut!

Shortly after the last time I posted we got our pregnancy news. We were over the moon and excited to share the news as soon as we hit our 12wk mark. Too bad for me, the 24/7 morning sickness bug took me down for the majority of the 1st trimester! This is where the hiatus began. Between feeling perpetually sick and falling asleep by 8pm every night, my blogging time was null and void. 

Around the same time, I was also given the opportunity to step into a new position at work. Add in the learning curve, some unprecedented travel and being the mother of a very busy toddler…I basically slept walked right to 13weeks. 
Because of my history with S and her being a micro preemie, I was immediately referred to a Maternal Fetal Monitor who will follow this pregnancy from beginning to end. The first step to the “Keep Baby Baking Plan” was to schedule a cerclage. The original cerclage appointment was scheduled to be placed around 17weeks. However, during an appointment at the end of the 1st trimester, right around 13 weeks and a few days, it became apparent that I was having some shortening of my cervix and funneling with pressure. 
Bump goes the appointment and we had the cerclage placed at 14 weeks. The day after my birthday and the day after I got back from my first big work trip. Timing in life is always such a fun surprise! Anyhow, when I went in for the procedure, I was already down from the preferable 4cms in length to 1cm. By the time I left the outpatient procedure, we were up to 2cms and the MFM was very happy with how the procedure went. Phase 1 complete!

Recap of Baby #2- First Trimester

Hi Peanut!

Shortly after the last time I posted we got our pregnancy news. We were over the moon and excited to share the news as soon as we hit our 12wk mark. Too bad for me, the 24/7 morning sickness bug took me down for the majority of the 1st trimester! This is where the hiatus began. Between feeling perpetually sick and falling asleep by 8pm every night, my blogging time was null and void. 

Around the same time, I was also given the opportunity to step into a new position at work. Add in the learning curve, some unprecedented travel and being the mother of a very busy toddler…I basically slept walked right to 13weeks. 
Because of my history with S and her being a micro preemie, I was immediately referred to a Maternal Fetal Monitor who will follow this pregnancy from beginning to end. The first step to the “Keep Baby Baking Plan” was to schedule a cerclage. The original cerclage appointment was scheduled to be placed around 17weeks. However, during an appointment at the end of the 1st trimester, right around 13 weeks and a few days, it became apparent that I was having some shortening of my cervix and funneling with pressure. 
Bump goes the appointment and we had the cerclage placed at 14 weeks. The day after my birthday and the day after I got back from my first big work trip. Timing in life is always such a fun surprise! Anyhow, when I went in for the procedure, I was already down from the preferable 4cms in length to 1cm. By the time I left the outpatient procedure, we were up to 2cms and the MFM was very happy with how the procedure went. Phase 1 complete!

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