I'm officially 7 months pregnant!! I'm so happy to be able to write that. I feel strong and I am staying positive that I'll be able to bring Lily to full term. So proud of myself! :)
At my 28 week check up my doctor told me I'd be having some blood work done. Its almost the same types of tests they screen you for in the beginning of your pregnancy, including a glucose test to screen for gestational diabetes. Every pregnant women has to get screened for this. I've heard of some horror stories, mostly about women getting sick from drinking so much sugar all at once. I wasn't looking forward to the testing at all. I'm not a big fan of very sweet things.
When we got to my appointment, they gave me this orange bottle and told me I had to drink the whole thing in five minutes, the nurse had to watch me drink it down. It really wasn't that bad, if you have a choice pick the orange bottle. It tasted like the Hi-C orange drink you get from McDonald's, but just a little sweeter. I really didn't have a hard time drinking it and it was a little smaller then a normal size water bottle. After I drank it, the nurses moved me to an empty room. I had to wait an hour, and since I've been on bed rest they had me lay down for my hour. Other people can go run an errand and come back. But for me I needed to lay down and stay put.
After the hour wait, they took my blood. I wasn't feeling sick at all from the drink and I was much relieved. I did bring a water bottle with me, but was told I couldn't eat or drink anything during that hour wait. After my blood work the doctor came by and checked me out. She measured my baby bump and made sure all my vitals were doing good. She told me it would be about a week before I would get the results. She told me that baby Lily was doing wonderful and that she was so relieved to see me happy and healthy at 28 weeks.
Since we were staying at the hotel for the weekend, we picked up some lunch and headed back to the hotel. I felt good about the doctors visit and had positive thoughts that my glucose results would be just fine. Only time will tell...
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
A weekend retreat for me!!!!
Every two years my husbands' "whole" company gathers somewhere to spend four days in training. For this year the company decided to pick Orlando to have this gathering. Lucky for me, we didn't have to go very far and I was able to join my husband at the resort. Since I had just been released to be upright for two hours a day I was excited about going.
The first night, the company had an "icebreaker" for everyone including family members to meet and mingle. I decided I would attempt to go. I was really nervous. I only lasted about twenty minutes. It was sad. When I got to the banquet room, they had no chairs anywhere, it was buffets and high top tables. I got some food and walked around mingling but was too nervous someone was going to knock into me or that I wouldn't be able to walk back to the hotel room. So I decided I needed to go back to the room sooner then I had hoped. A lot of my husbands' coworkers were really surprised to see me, everyone was asking me questions. It was nice, but I got overwhelmed very quickly. Once I was back in the hotel room I was so much more secure. It was at that point, that I realized being on bed rest for two months had really taken a toll on my strength an endurance.
The next day, Friday, I had a doctors appointment. My husband went to his meetings in the morning and I relaxed in the hotel room. At lunch time we left for my appointment. More about my appointment in my next blog entry. Once my appointment was over we went back to the hotel. My husband had afternoon classes he had to attend. I rested in the hotel room, I was perfectly happy there. It was a nice change of scenery.
On Saturday, I remained in the hotel room relaxing. I had some visitors, a few other women at my husbands company are pregnant as well, so they came by on Saturday to see me. It was nice to compare notes and talk. Saturday night was the formal awards banquet. I was saving all my energy to be able to go to this. We got dressed up, I figured I would stay for dinner and then head back to the room. I wasn't going to be able to stay for the whole thing, but it was nice to sit with others at a table and mingle. I was so nervous about being outside and around others that I almost cried twice during dinner. It was just so overwhelming for me. I was so scared I was going to get run into or that I would trip and fall. Its very strange to feel this way because I am a very confident person, but because of everything I've gone through with this pregnancy, I wasn't about to let someone else take it away from me. I'm very protective on Lily.
Sunday, we checked out and went home. The four day retreat was wonderful for me. I didn't mind staying in the hotel room at all. I enjoyed being able to go to a few functions and was surprised that I couldn't last that long standing, but I know in time I will get my strength back.
The first night, the company had an "icebreaker" for everyone including family members to meet and mingle. I decided I would attempt to go. I was really nervous. I only lasted about twenty minutes. It was sad. When I got to the banquet room, they had no chairs anywhere, it was buffets and high top tables. I got some food and walked around mingling but was too nervous someone was going to knock into me or that I wouldn't be able to walk back to the hotel room. So I decided I needed to go back to the room sooner then I had hoped. A lot of my husbands' coworkers were really surprised to see me, everyone was asking me questions. It was nice, but I got overwhelmed very quickly. Once I was back in the hotel room I was so much more secure. It was at that point, that I realized being on bed rest for two months had really taken a toll on my strength an endurance.
The next day, Friday, I had a doctors appointment. My husband went to his meetings in the morning and I relaxed in the hotel room. At lunch time we left for my appointment. More about my appointment in my next blog entry. Once my appointment was over we went back to the hotel. My husband had afternoon classes he had to attend. I rested in the hotel room, I was perfectly happy there. It was a nice change of scenery.
On Saturday, I remained in the hotel room relaxing. I had some visitors, a few other women at my husbands company are pregnant as well, so they came by on Saturday to see me. It was nice to compare notes and talk. Saturday night was the formal awards banquet. I was saving all my energy to be able to go to this. We got dressed up, I figured I would stay for dinner and then head back to the room. I wasn't going to be able to stay for the whole thing, but it was nice to sit with others at a table and mingle. I was so nervous about being outside and around others that I almost cried twice during dinner. It was just so overwhelming for me. I was so scared I was going to get run into or that I would trip and fall. Its very strange to feel this way because I am a very confident person, but because of everything I've gone through with this pregnancy, I wasn't about to let someone else take it away from me. I'm very protective on Lily.
Sunday, we checked out and went home. The four day retreat was wonderful for me. I didn't mind staying in the hotel room at all. I enjoyed being able to go to a few functions and was surprised that I couldn't last that long standing, but I know in time I will get my strength back.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A little freedom
Today I had another visit with my high risk doctor. I go every two weeks. I was very nervous about the appointment, I actually cried once we got there. I think I just get nervous that I might hear bad news, and its upsetting to think maybe I didn't do enough every week for Lily. Must be the hormones and the fact that this wasn't the way I had hoped my pregnancy would go. Nonetheless, the appointment went very well.
My cervix was measuring 2.9 cm, and with fundal pressure it was still measuring 2.9 cm. Being that the cervix did not funnel or shorten with the fundal pressure means that I'm in the best possible situation. I was very much relieved. The doctor told me at this point that since my cervix was doing so well that I could be upright for at least two hours a day. He told me that this would help with all the pinched nerves and headaches I'd been having from laying down so much.
With that said, I must tell everyone it was nice to hear the news, but its been two months of laying down. I'm not about to jump up and throw all of this time and effort out the door. I decided that "if" there was something that I "had" to do I would use that towards my two hours, but I wouldn't take advantage of the new freedom. It will be nice to maybe go for an hour a night and finish my baby registry in person versus doing everything online, but that's if I can even stand for an hour. I doubt I'm going to be able to last that long at first. I will probably have to build up to it. Its crazy how laying down for two months can really make you so very weak.
I'm also very nervous about being in the public. I know it might sound strange but when I do get to ride in a car, I feel like the world is going by so fast around me. I can't imagine what its going to be like to stand up and walk around a store with people possibly coming at me from all angles. I'm so protective of Lily and this has been such an overwhelming situation that I won't take this for granted, its not worth me losing my child.
To end this on a high note. I am happy to be attending a company function with my husband this upcoming weekend. This will allow me to stay at a resort (from one bed to another) and enjoy the possibility of room service and free movies! Now that's a freedom I can handle, and I'm looking forward to it. :-)
My cervix was measuring 2.9 cm, and with fundal pressure it was still measuring 2.9 cm. Being that the cervix did not funnel or shorten with the fundal pressure means that I'm in the best possible situation. I was very much relieved. The doctor told me at this point that since my cervix was doing so well that I could be upright for at least two hours a day. He told me that this would help with all the pinched nerves and headaches I'd been having from laying down so much.
With that said, I must tell everyone it was nice to hear the news, but its been two months of laying down. I'm not about to jump up and throw all of this time and effort out the door. I decided that "if" there was something that I "had" to do I would use that towards my two hours, but I wouldn't take advantage of the new freedom. It will be nice to maybe go for an hour a night and finish my baby registry in person versus doing everything online, but that's if I can even stand for an hour. I doubt I'm going to be able to last that long at first. I will probably have to build up to it. Its crazy how laying down for two months can really make you so very weak.
I'm also very nervous about being in the public. I know it might sound strange but when I do get to ride in a car, I feel like the world is going by so fast around me. I can't imagine what its going to be like to stand up and walk around a store with people possibly coming at me from all angles. I'm so protective of Lily and this has been such an overwhelming situation that I won't take this for granted, its not worth me losing my child.
To end this on a high note. I am happy to be attending a company function with my husband this upcoming weekend. This will allow me to stay at a resort (from one bed to another) and enjoy the possibility of room service and free movies! Now that's a freedom I can handle, and I'm looking forward to it. :-)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
No more headaches, but now my hands and arms ache...
I am posting this a week behind, but only for good reason. From Saturday April 17 - Friday April 23, I've had pain in my hands and arms to the point I couldn't type or do much of anything with my hands.
I woke up Saturday morning with an ache in my left arm that slowly increased to being so painful that by Sunday I went to the hospital. I wasn't able to bare weight or even move my left arm much at all. It was terrible. I was very concerned that it might be a blood clot or something drastic. When we got to the hospital they didn't have much to say for the reason of the pain. They sent me for X-rays just in case but the X-rays came back with nothing. By the time we left the hospital (9 hours later) all they told me was that it was probably caused from the bed rest and that I might have a pinched nerve. They gave my hubby instructions on how to massage my shoulder and arm to help relieve the pain. They also gave me some muscle relaxers to take and a stronger pain killer.
The next few days were a blur. The sad part was the pain moved from my left arm to my right arm as well. So by Wednesday I had no ability to do anything by myself. I could not use my arms or hands. It was so sad and I was so dependent on others, which didn't make me very happy. Thankfully I had a wonderful friend come by a few days and help me. She even massaged my shoulders and arms for me and it was starting to help relieve the pain. I have such a hard time depending on others, but I had no choose, I couldn't do anything for myself. Both of my arms by this point, were in arm braces to help relieve the movement of my arms, which helped with the pain. I was a site to behold, for sure. :-)
By Friday the pain was only in my right arm. No real reason for how I got in this position or what the cause was, but I suspect its from being on such strict bed rest. I never thought things like this could happen from just laying in bed. But after almost two months on bed rest I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I get winded from just taking a shower these days. Whoever thought bed rest was easy has another thing coming. Here I was six and a half months pregnant, on strict bed rest, and I couldn't use my arms. I was ready to toss in the towel. It had me concerned that if I couldn't handle this, how would I ever make it through labor and delivery....
Well thankfully, that week is behind me and my arms are back to normal, but for a few days I didn't have any hope in mind. I was starting to get really depressed and overwhelmed. I didn't imagine my pregnancy every turning out to be the way it is now. I firmly believe everything happens for a reason, but was this really necessary. Did I really deserve to have no use of my arms? Seriously... what did that week get me? Your guess is as good as mine.
I woke up Saturday morning with an ache in my left arm that slowly increased to being so painful that by Sunday I went to the hospital. I wasn't able to bare weight or even move my left arm much at all. It was terrible. I was very concerned that it might be a blood clot or something drastic. When we got to the hospital they didn't have much to say for the reason of the pain. They sent me for X-rays just in case but the X-rays came back with nothing. By the time we left the hospital (9 hours later) all they told me was that it was probably caused from the bed rest and that I might have a pinched nerve. They gave my hubby instructions on how to massage my shoulder and arm to help relieve the pain. They also gave me some muscle relaxers to take and a stronger pain killer.
The next few days were a blur. The sad part was the pain moved from my left arm to my right arm as well. So by Wednesday I had no ability to do anything by myself. I could not use my arms or hands. It was so sad and I was so dependent on others, which didn't make me very happy. Thankfully I had a wonderful friend come by a few days and help me. She even massaged my shoulders and arms for me and it was starting to help relieve the pain. I have such a hard time depending on others, but I had no choose, I couldn't do anything for myself. Both of my arms by this point, were in arm braces to help relieve the movement of my arms, which helped with the pain. I was a site to behold, for sure. :-)
By Friday the pain was only in my right arm. No real reason for how I got in this position or what the cause was, but I suspect its from being on such strict bed rest. I never thought things like this could happen from just laying in bed. But after almost two months on bed rest I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I get winded from just taking a shower these days. Whoever thought bed rest was easy has another thing coming. Here I was six and a half months pregnant, on strict bed rest, and I couldn't use my arms. I was ready to toss in the towel. It had me concerned that if I couldn't handle this, how would I ever make it through labor and delivery....
Well thankfully, that week is behind me and my arms are back to normal, but for a few days I didn't have any hope in mind. I was starting to get really depressed and overwhelmed. I didn't imagine my pregnancy every turning out to be the way it is now. I firmly believe everything happens for a reason, but was this really necessary. Did I really deserve to have no use of my arms? Seriously... what did that week get me? Your guess is as good as mine.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Elvis has left the building....
Its been five weeks that my mom has been able to come up during the weeks and help me. Today will be her last day here for a while. I will miss her as she was so very helpful. Most of all it was just nice being able to spend so much time together. We've been through a lot together but at the end of the day, she's here for me and I cherish that about her.
The next couple of weeks should be fun and adventurous for me. I'm going to be calling on all of my friends to come visit me, and help break up my day. I do have few things to look forward to. I am going to be staying at a nice hotel in town with my hubby for four days (perks: bed rest with room service and free movies) as he has a company conference he has to attend. Then the following week is our 5 year wedding anniversary and we might plan a peaceful outing for me. Nothing fancy but even a car ride to go lay on a blanket in the park would be nice. My husband has been so strong through all of this. He is the glue that holds me together and he is the best support system I could ever have.
Before you know it, it will be the middle of May and maybe I'll be able to finish putting the final details on my baby shower. (That's if I get to have one) Otherwise its back to planning for Lily's arrival. Bed rest hasn't been that bad. I have my ups and downs but I'm staying positive and pushing through it. Its very nice to have so much support from my family and friends. Keep it coming. :-)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Cross Stitch - Who knew it was so much fun!
So to occupy my time, my mom and I decided cross stitch might be a fun and easy project to work on while on bed rest. When I was born my Auntie Donna made me a cross stitch for my baby room. It had my name, birth date, and birth weight on it. My mom had saved it for me over the years and I plan to hang it in Lily's room. This is a picture of it.
So today my mom and I didn't have much going on, so my mom bought me a cross stitch I could make for Lily. Once she showed me what to do I became addicted! It was fun and instantly rewarding.
The cross stitch I am making has baby feet on it and a little teddy bear. Lily's name, birth date, and birth weight will be added to it after she is born. Its been a fun project and maybe it will become a family tradition for Lily to make for her children. Here is a picture of mine, but its not complete yet.
So today my mom and I didn't have much going on, so my mom bought me a cross stitch I could make for Lily. Once she showed me what to do I became addicted! It was fun and instantly rewarding.
The cross stitch I am making has baby feet on it and a little teddy bear. Lily's name, birth date, and birth weight will be added to it after she is born. Its been a fun project and maybe it will become a family tradition for Lily to make for her children. Here is a picture of mine, but its not complete yet.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
26th Week Doctor Appointments
Its been five weeks on bed rest. For the most part its been okay. It had a rocky start but with the support of my friends and family members it has been a positive experience. Today I have follow up appointments with both, my OB and my high risk doctor. My headaches have subsided, thank goodness. No real reason for getting them other then maybe stress from being in bed all day, or the added hormones and blood flow. Regardless, I am thankful they are gone.
My first appointment was with my OB. She's been my OB for four years now and she's wonderful. She said my pregnancy is going wonderful and that the baby is in the 53rd percentile, (I hear that's a good thing, but I didn't really understand that statement). My weight gain is exactly where it should be. That made me REALLY happy. One of my biggest fears with being on bed rest. was gaining too much weight. But thankfully I have been very mindful of what I eat and it is working in my favor. YEAH! She also added that they might want to start me on steroids, but that I would need to ask my high risk doctor what he thought. That had me a little concerned. The reason for the steroids was to help the baby develop her lungs quicker just in case I go into labor sooner then 36 weeks. I wasn't happy to hear about the steroids but I will do what is best for Lily regardless. After that we were done. So I slowly crawled into the back seat of the car and laid down for the ride to my next doctors appointment, with the high risk doctor.
At the high risk doctors appointment, they did an ultrasound to measure the length of my cervix. My cervix was measuring 3.0cm, that was the best news ever!!! Bed rest is working and we are so happy! We got to see a few pictures of Lily and she was just as cute as ever. She's slowly getting bigger and bigger each week we see her. Its so exciting each time. I did ask the high risk doctor about the steroids and he said, that since my cervix is doing so well he doesn't foresee why I would need to be put on steroids. He feels that I will be able to carry this baby to full term. Such a relief!
So at this time I will go to each doctor every two weeks. He did say that there might be a "slight" possibility that at 32 weeks he would allow me to have a more modified best rest, which could allow me to have an hour or two a day where I could run an errand or sit up. I'm not going to get my hopes up but that was surely nice to hear. I'm hoping to be able to have a baby shower before Lily arrives and I wasn't sure how I'd do that if I had to be laying down. The other big news was that both doctors felt that at 36 weeks I'd have my stitches removed and they figured I would deliver shortly after that. Which means I might have Lily earlier then July 23, which was her original due date.
After my doctors visits, I went home and relaxed as it was a big outing for me and a very happy one. As much as I would have liked to go home and celebrate I know I can't celebrate just yet. Lily and I still have about two months to go and I have to continue to be strict on myself to make sure we make it to 36 weeks.
My first appointment was with my OB. She's been my OB for four years now and she's wonderful. She said my pregnancy is going wonderful and that the baby is in the 53rd percentile, (I hear that's a good thing, but I didn't really understand that statement). My weight gain is exactly where it should be. That made me REALLY happy. One of my biggest fears with being on bed rest. was gaining too much weight. But thankfully I have been very mindful of what I eat and it is working in my favor. YEAH! She also added that they might want to start me on steroids, but that I would need to ask my high risk doctor what he thought. That had me a little concerned. The reason for the steroids was to help the baby develop her lungs quicker just in case I go into labor sooner then 36 weeks. I wasn't happy to hear about the steroids but I will do what is best for Lily regardless. After that we were done. So I slowly crawled into the back seat of the car and laid down for the ride to my next doctors appointment, with the high risk doctor.
At the high risk doctors appointment, they did an ultrasound to measure the length of my cervix. My cervix was measuring 3.0cm, that was the best news ever!!! Bed rest is working and we are so happy! We got to see a few pictures of Lily and she was just as cute as ever. She's slowly getting bigger and bigger each week we see her. Its so exciting each time. I did ask the high risk doctor about the steroids and he said, that since my cervix is doing so well he doesn't foresee why I would need to be put on steroids. He feels that I will be able to carry this baby to full term. Such a relief!
So at this time I will go to each doctor every two weeks. He did say that there might be a "slight" possibility that at 32 weeks he would allow me to have a more modified best rest, which could allow me to have an hour or two a day where I could run an errand or sit up. I'm not going to get my hopes up but that was surely nice to hear. I'm hoping to be able to have a baby shower before Lily arrives and I wasn't sure how I'd do that if I had to be laying down. The other big news was that both doctors felt that at 36 weeks I'd have my stitches removed and they figured I would deliver shortly after that. Which means I might have Lily earlier then July 23, which was her original due date.
After my doctors visits, I went home and relaxed as it was a big outing for me and a very happy one. As much as I would have liked to go home and celebrate I know I can't celebrate just yet. Lily and I still have about two months to go and I have to continue to be strict on myself to make sure we make it to 36 weeks.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Easter Sunday - 25 Weeks
For Easter Sunday, my parents were up visiting and it was a very nice day. My family decided because it was so nice outside that maybe it would be a good day for me to lay outside and get some sunshine. I feel like I'm getting so pale from not going outside and I miss my Florida tan. My father in law is now darker then me and that's not fair :-) (We tease each other all the time)
So around 3:00 pm, everyone helped me outside and I got to lay in the sun for about 20 minutes. It was so nice to feel the sun on my face and smell the fresh air. It helped me realize that even though I might be sacrificing some day to day activities, it makes me appreciate the freedoms I used to have and the joys of whats to come.
The neighbors were having friends and family members over for an Easter celebration so it was nice to see everyone out and about. Some of my neighbors have seen my mother out getting the mail, and they often ask her how I'm doing. It was nice for them to see me in person. I'm hoping in the future that I'll be able to go sit outside again.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.
So around 3:00 pm, everyone helped me outside and I got to lay in the sun for about 20 minutes. It was so nice to feel the sun on my face and smell the fresh air. It helped me realize that even though I might be sacrificing some day to day activities, it makes me appreciate the freedoms I used to have and the joys of whats to come.
The neighbors were having friends and family members over for an Easter celebration so it was nice to see everyone out and about. Some of my neighbors have seen my mother out getting the mail, and they often ask her how I'm doing. It was nice for them to see me in person. I'm hoping in the future that I'll be able to go sit outside again.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
I made it to 24 weeks (6 months)
On Thursday April 1, 2010 I had my second follow up visit with the high risk doctor. We made it to 24 weeks (6 months) and I am now seeing the high risk doctor every two weeks. Its been officially three weeks on strict bed rest. I've been feeling wonderful but I have had some difficult days. I recently discovered that because of the way I have to lay, I've been straining my neck which has resulted in headaches... They aren't fun.
When I went to my follow up appointment we asked the doctor if I would be allowed to get a massage, to help with the aches and pains of laying in bed all the time. The doctor said it was allowed. So lucky for me I have a friend who is willing to come to my house to give me a massage when I need one. I hope to get one, starting next week.
The visit with the doctor went very well. If you recall, my cervix at surgery was measuring 0.9cm, at my one week follow up it was 1.9cm, today at my visit it was at 2.4cm, with fundal pressure. Fundal pressure is the pressure the baby would put on my cervix if I were standing or sitting. They measure this when doing the internal ultrasound by pushing down on my lower abdomen to see how my cervix responds to pressure. Without that pressure my cervix was measuring 2.8cm. We were so relieved. The doctor was very happy. Bed rest is working and my cervix is relaxing, which is just wonderful!!!
They took a few pictures of baby Lily so I thought I would share them with everyone. One is of her profile and she's smiling. The other one is of her looking straight at us. Enjoy!
When I went to my follow up appointment we asked the doctor if I would be allowed to get a massage, to help with the aches and pains of laying in bed all the time. The doctor said it was allowed. So lucky for me I have a friend who is willing to come to my house to give me a massage when I need one. I hope to get one, starting next week.
The visit with the doctor went very well. If you recall, my cervix at surgery was measuring 0.9cm, at my one week follow up it was 1.9cm, today at my visit it was at 2.4cm, with fundal pressure. Fundal pressure is the pressure the baby would put on my cervix if I were standing or sitting. They measure this when doing the internal ultrasound by pushing down on my lower abdomen to see how my cervix responds to pressure. Without that pressure my cervix was measuring 2.8cm. We were so relieved. The doctor was very happy. Bed rest is working and my cervix is relaxing, which is just wonderful!!!
They took a few pictures of baby Lily so I thought I would share them with everyone. One is of her profile and she's smiling. The other one is of her looking straight at us. Enjoy!
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