Oooooooooh I feel good. The weather today was beautiful, and my massage was so wonderful. The therapist was a doll. She said she loves giving pre-natal massages because "they're so sweet." She liked to hear how the baby was moving during it and she and I talked about mommying everything from babies to animals to cousins. I liked her very much, and she made me feel absolutely and completely at ease. That is such a gift in a massage therapist.
She worked the horrid knots out of my neck so that my head doesn't feel so weird anymore. She also worked on the muscles around the sciatic nerve. It's amazing to me how they can feel a little bit and then go right to the problem area. I couldn't have even really told her where to massage, but she got it perfectly. When I flipped to the side for her to get it, it hurt as usual. By the time she was done and I flipped back, it wasn't hurting at all! I do believe some angels sang. The babybutt seemed to like the massage too as he was the quietest he's been in weeks throughout the whole thing. Normally, me lying down like that would cause a whole lot of stretching and punching protest. But there was not a peep from the little bugger for at least 40 minutes.
After my massage I went to DSW and bought brand new sneakers with divine gel insoles. The sciatica doesn't stand a chance now! Then I picked up a peanut butter cup smoothie (banana, chocolate and peanut butter) and drove home with the windows down and a blissful smile on my face.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
When Will I Learn?
Overconfidence is completely foolish where my body is concerned. I was actually just thinking that last night as I prepared to get the results for my 1 hour glucose tolerance test and reflected on my assertion that I thought it would be fine. "Silly Barb," I thought to myself. It's still not horrible, but not ideal.
So the bad first: my level was one point above normal. Isn't that annoying? When I asked what that meant for me, the doctor said that though he's not too concerned, he'd like me to do the 3 hour test just to be sure. ACK gag me. That's going to suck big hairy ones. He says that while he thinks there's only a 5 to 10% chance that it's actually gestational diabetes, with my PCOS history and the fact that my level jumped from 86 last time to 131 this time, he'd like to err on the side of caution. He seemed genuinely regretful about it though. He also said that even if it is GD, that we could manage such a mild case with diet alone. So I know there are a lot worse things. In fact, I've been through a lot worse things. It's just that I so hate that test, so I'm bummed about it. I keep thinking that if I just hadn't eaten as late as I did the night before, or eaten better or something like that, that I would have passed it and wouldn't have to do this bullshit. Oh well. There is a LOT to be thankful for without dwelling on that.
So the GOOD news is that the doctor thought my weight gain "fabulous." Who can figure these guys out? He said I'm on track to gain a total of about 30 pounds, and he's completely comfortable with that. OK. That was a nice surprise. Thank goodness, because he might have made me cry otherwise. That's not too difficult to accomplish these days. He said that I look fabulous and that again, this pregnancy is progressing beautifully. He's generally quite the cheerleader.
My sciatica has been getting much much worse. It's now on both sides, but the right side is horrible. I overdid it with the in-laws for 2 weekends and then overdid it at work the day before yesterday. That night I had some of the worst pain I've had. It was horrible trying to sleep. Tylenol barely touches it, and sleeping on my sides makes it hurt more. Lovely. When I brought this up with him, his attitude was pretty much that he knew it was going to happen because I'm small, and that there's not much I can do about it. He suggested sleeping in a recliner - which for us means buying a recliner. I know it's a really good idea, it's just that with all the expenses we have coming in lately, I don't want to have to do that. But I guess my continuing to work is a bigger issue than spending a few hundred dollars. Because if this problem gets much worse, I may have to ask for light duty. And if they can't accommodate that, they'll put me on maternity leave early. bleh. So perhaps we'll be on the lookout. If you've heard any good deals with a decent, but not expensive, fancy chair, please pass it along.
And lastly - the very best news of all - I have my prenatal massage today that the Hub so kindly gave me as a birthday gift! Maybe she can work on those stubborn nerves and muscles!
So the bad first: my level was one point above normal. Isn't that annoying? When I asked what that meant for me, the doctor said that though he's not too concerned, he'd like me to do the 3 hour test just to be sure. ACK gag me. That's going to suck big hairy ones. He says that while he thinks there's only a 5 to 10% chance that it's actually gestational diabetes, with my PCOS history and the fact that my level jumped from 86 last time to 131 this time, he'd like to err on the side of caution. He seemed genuinely regretful about it though. He also said that even if it is GD, that we could manage such a mild case with diet alone. So I know there are a lot worse things. In fact, I've been through a lot worse things. It's just that I so hate that test, so I'm bummed about it. I keep thinking that if I just hadn't eaten as late as I did the night before, or eaten better or something like that, that I would have passed it and wouldn't have to do this bullshit. Oh well. There is a LOT to be thankful for without dwelling on that.
So the GOOD news is that the doctor thought my weight gain "fabulous." Who can figure these guys out? He said I'm on track to gain a total of about 30 pounds, and he's completely comfortable with that. OK. That was a nice surprise. Thank goodness, because he might have made me cry otherwise. That's not too difficult to accomplish these days. He said that I look fabulous and that again, this pregnancy is progressing beautifully. He's generally quite the cheerleader.
My sciatica has been getting much much worse. It's now on both sides, but the right side is horrible. I overdid it with the in-laws for 2 weekends and then overdid it at work the day before yesterday. That night I had some of the worst pain I've had. It was horrible trying to sleep. Tylenol barely touches it, and sleeping on my sides makes it hurt more. Lovely. When I brought this up with him, his attitude was pretty much that he knew it was going to happen because I'm small, and that there's not much I can do about it. He suggested sleeping in a recliner - which for us means buying a recliner. I know it's a really good idea, it's just that with all the expenses we have coming in lately, I don't want to have to do that. But I guess my continuing to work is a bigger issue than spending a few hundred dollars. Because if this problem gets much worse, I may have to ask for light duty. And if they can't accommodate that, they'll put me on maternity leave early. bleh. So perhaps we'll be on the lookout. If you've heard any good deals with a decent, but not expensive, fancy chair, please pass it along.
And lastly - the very best news of all - I have my prenatal massage today that the Hub so kindly gave me as a birthday gift! Maybe she can work on those stubborn nerves and muscles!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Weighing In
Well, I'm now up to the 25 pound total weight gain my doctor wanted to see by the time I delivered... except that I'm only at the 29 week mark. That means I gained four pounds in 2 weeks. I am not excited to be weighed at this week's appointment. I'm sure he's going to have a few things to say. I wouldn't have anxiety about it at all if it weren't for the big weigh in and lecture crap. That's the only thing that bothers me about my otherwise perfection of an obgyn.
Send me happy thoughts please.
Send me happy thoughts please.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Breast Pump Help (Again)
I called my hospital about this, and they gave me an answer, but I'm not sure I remember it all correctly. So rather than call them again, I thought I'd ask all of you bright people. I think my hospital says they carry Ameda and Medela breast pumps to show their new moms. Now since they carry both of those, would you get the attachment stuff for free to take home with you from one of them? You know, like the suction thingies and tubes. Yes I am very technical. I was mistaken in some of my info on my first call, so I didn't remember what I needed to know correctly.
Thanks peeps!
Thanks peeps!
Bribery Already
Dear Babybutt,
I love you lots and lots. Do you think maybe you could not bounce so much on my bladder and kick where it hurts when I'm trying to sleep? If you could do that, I'll try to be more generous in my cookie portioning later when you're on the "outside."
Love,
Mama
I love you lots and lots. Do you think maybe you could not bounce so much on my bladder and kick where it hurts when I'm trying to sleep? If you could do that, I'll try to be more generous in my cookie portioning later when you're on the "outside."
Love,
Mama
Friday, October 16, 2009
Last night Hub loaded the dishwasher just to be nice. I was going to do it, but I was so tired after my sojourn of the day that I kept dragging my feet. He just got up and did it. Then he eagerly dragged my clothes out to the washroom for me to do, because he was afraid he'd forget otherwise. Those of you who know him know that that's a HUGE deal because he usually waits until the last minute and forgets stuff like that.
And finally, when he crawled into bed he hugged me and said, "You know I just don't love you right? I also LIKE you a lot. You're my favorite person." It was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment, and we had a very productive, brief conversation.
Lots to be thankful for today.
And finally, when he crawled into bed he hugged me and said, "You know I just don't love you right? I also LIKE you a lot. You're my favorite person." It was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment, and we had a very productive, brief conversation.
Lots to be thankful for today.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Big Day
Today I felt like a character in one of those children's books. You know the ones. They have titles like, "Suzy's Big Day Out!" or "Sammy's Zoo Adventure!" But mine would have been titled, "Barb's Big Day Out that Would Have Been Bigger Had She Not Been Stymied at Every Turn!" Too long? I'll have to work on it.
In any case, here's how today went. First I woke up at 7am to head out for the wonderful glucose tolerance test. I had imagined it was the two hour, but nope! It was the one hour! Huzzah! That was a wonderful gift to a tired, hungry, pregnant lady. I guess this gift came with caveats though, seeing as it's still the dreaded sugar-sludge-chugged-in-under-5-minutes-prisoner-for-an-hour-before-bloodletting crappy test that it always is. I have very high hopes of passing it. It feels weird to trust my body at this late stage, but I believe I'm starting to do just that.
After that I wolfed down the first breakfast I could find and then collapsed for a nap before getting ready to head to our hospital for pre-registration! I am quite excited about our beautiful hospital and had only seen it from afar and on the website before today. It's exclusively for women and babies and has pretty much everything you could want for delivery and infant care. And all rooms are private! My excitement waned some this afternoon though when I came upon rain and 2 accidents on the interstate - never a good thing. It took me almost 2 hours to drive the 13 miles necessary.
When I got to the hospital parking garage, what I had thought was a $5 bill in my wallet turned out to be two ones. I told the attendant I'd just turn around, but then he asked how much I had. I told him $2.50. He told me it would be silly to turn around and to just give him the money. I thought this was a very gracious gesture on his part before he handed me the stub that said "$1 Parking Pass." Upon reflection I came to the conclusion that the arrangement was perhaps more beneficial to him than I had thought. If he gave me a $1 parking pass, and I gave him $2.50.... Well, I imagine you can put 2 and 2 together. Oh well. He could probably use the money, and I still saved $1.50 on parking, so all benefit.*
The hospital itself is beautiful. There is a waterfall people - and lots of glass. The lobby is gleaming, and the staff are almost frighteningly pretty. I was directed to admissions for my paperwork. It was sobering to fill out information about my son. My son. I was feeling very sentimental of course. Then the mobile NICU went by with lights flashing, and the thought of someone's precious baby in there almost made me cry. Of course the crying is pretty frequent these days.
When I took the forms back to the desk, they handed me a buzzer like you get at restaurants. Weird. Has anyone else had these? I was glad of its portability though because by this time, I had not used a restroom in over 2 hours.** Even the restroom was fancy. Something that tickled my funny bone was the sink set up. There were no real sinks. There was a slab of frosted glass a few feet across that angled to a trough. The faucets were positioned above the trough at the back of the slab. I thought to myself, "How fancy!" before leaning over to wash my hands. I often forget that my belly doesn't clear things like it used to. I had to chuckle as I huffed and oomphed leaning into that damn glass to reach the faucets. The cleaning lady chuckled with me too when I said, "This sure is pretty, but they weren't thinking much about the patients here when they designed it!"
When my buzzer rang... "Please return to the admissions desk at this time. Thank you!" I was directed to a little office where a woman sat to sign a bunch of consent forms. I can't imagine doing all this while in labor. If you can pre-register, do it!
I signed a bunch pertaining to my health and care, and then she handed me a set of what looked to be identical forms. "These are for the baby," she said at my quizzical look. I initialed and signed and then came to the part that says, "relationship." At this she said, "Now instead of self, you write Mother," and gave me a warm look. Wow. That almost did me in. I'm signing for my baby. I'm signing for another human being's welfare. I am responsible for another human's life. My face got warm and my eyes burned. My chest felt light and full at the same time. Our baby. It doesn't get better than that.***
*Well, except perhaps the hospital coffers, but I think they're getting enough from me and my insurance company. What they don't know won't hurt them.
**Not an acceptable amount of time even when I wasn't pregnant.
***And indeed it didn't as my next adventure involved trying to find some maternity shirts that fit as I'm rapidly running out again. It's hard to do regular large shirts anymore due to the damn bazoombas. I wanted some dresses. Yeah right. Out of 10 try on items, I found 2 that were ok. (Mainly because they were so cheap). Then I drove home through yet MORE awful traffic, and this trip took me 50 minutes. I guess it was an improvement over 2 hours.
P.S. The hospital cafe is AWESOME
In any case, here's how today went. First I woke up at 7am to head out for the wonderful glucose tolerance test. I had imagined it was the two hour, but nope! It was the one hour! Huzzah! That was a wonderful gift to a tired, hungry, pregnant lady. I guess this gift came with caveats though, seeing as it's still the dreaded sugar-sludge-chugged-in-under-5-minutes-prisoner-for-an-hour-before-bloodletting crappy test that it always is. I have very high hopes of passing it. It feels weird to trust my body at this late stage, but I believe I'm starting to do just that.
After that I wolfed down the first breakfast I could find and then collapsed for a nap before getting ready to head to our hospital for pre-registration! I am quite excited about our beautiful hospital and had only seen it from afar and on the website before today. It's exclusively for women and babies and has pretty much everything you could want for delivery and infant care. And all rooms are private! My excitement waned some this afternoon though when I came upon rain and 2 accidents on the interstate - never a good thing. It took me almost 2 hours to drive the 13 miles necessary.
When I got to the hospital parking garage, what I had thought was a $5 bill in my wallet turned out to be two ones. I told the attendant I'd just turn around, but then he asked how much I had. I told him $2.50. He told me it would be silly to turn around and to just give him the money. I thought this was a very gracious gesture on his part before he handed me the stub that said "$1 Parking Pass." Upon reflection I came to the conclusion that the arrangement was perhaps more beneficial to him than I had thought. If he gave me a $1 parking pass, and I gave him $2.50.... Well, I imagine you can put 2 and 2 together. Oh well. He could probably use the money, and I still saved $1.50 on parking, so all benefit.*
The hospital itself is beautiful. There is a waterfall people - and lots of glass. The lobby is gleaming, and the staff are almost frighteningly pretty. I was directed to admissions for my paperwork. It was sobering to fill out information about my son. My son. I was feeling very sentimental of course. Then the mobile NICU went by with lights flashing, and the thought of someone's precious baby in there almost made me cry. Of course the crying is pretty frequent these days.
When I took the forms back to the desk, they handed me a buzzer like you get at restaurants. Weird. Has anyone else had these? I was glad of its portability though because by this time, I had not used a restroom in over 2 hours.** Even the restroom was fancy. Something that tickled my funny bone was the sink set up. There were no real sinks. There was a slab of frosted glass a few feet across that angled to a trough. The faucets were positioned above the trough at the back of the slab. I thought to myself, "How fancy!" before leaning over to wash my hands. I often forget that my belly doesn't clear things like it used to. I had to chuckle as I huffed and oomphed leaning into that damn glass to reach the faucets. The cleaning lady chuckled with me too when I said, "This sure is pretty, but they weren't thinking much about the patients here when they designed it!"
When my buzzer rang... "Please return to the admissions desk at this time. Thank you!" I was directed to a little office where a woman sat to sign a bunch of consent forms. I can't imagine doing all this while in labor. If you can pre-register, do it!
I signed a bunch pertaining to my health and care, and then she handed me a set of what looked to be identical forms. "These are for the baby," she said at my quizzical look. I initialed and signed and then came to the part that says, "relationship." At this she said, "Now instead of self, you write Mother," and gave me a warm look. Wow. That almost did me in. I'm signing for my baby. I'm signing for another human being's welfare. I am responsible for another human's life. My face got warm and my eyes burned. My chest felt light and full at the same time. Our baby. It doesn't get better than that.***
_______________________________________________________
*Well, except perhaps the hospital coffers, but I think they're getting enough from me and my insurance company. What they don't know won't hurt them.
**Not an acceptable amount of time even when I wasn't pregnant.
***And indeed it didn't as my next adventure involved trying to find some maternity shirts that fit as I'm rapidly running out again. It's hard to do regular large shirts anymore due to the damn bazoombas. I wanted some dresses. Yeah right. Out of 10 try on items, I found 2 that were ok. (Mainly because they were so cheap). Then I drove home through yet MORE awful traffic, and this trip took me 50 minutes. I guess it was an improvement over 2 hours.
P.S. The hospital cafe is AWESOME
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
