30 Week Update

I met with the Diabetes Educator at my clinic this morning. Went over carbohydrate counting, free foods, etc. Most of this I knew and had already been abiding by.  I got my official numbers for my 3 hours test.  I was only over 2 points at the 1 hour mark and my 2 hour mark was 2 points under.  So that's where my borderline gestational diabetes diagnosis stems from. I received a glucose meter this morning and an Rx for the supplies.  I have to test four times a day; once before I eat in the morning and then 2 hours after the start of each main meal. My next OB appointment is on October 9th where I'm sure we will review my numbers.  So far today they've been well on the lower side of the normal range.  My morning sugars will likely be the highest.  It's thought I might experience somewhat of the "Dawn Phenomenon" in which my liver releases glucose overnight and elevates my blood sugar.  So the morning fasting sugars should show whether or not this is occurring.

Otherwise things have been going very well!  I'm a little panicked with coursework on top of regular working hours and things to do around the house.  But it also is something I've come to expect to tackle.

How far along? 30 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 13.4 (was 18.3 pounds last week).....I have cut out most ice cream and most sweets the past week in addition to taking stairs again at work.  I've been drinking more water. Also some of the edema I've had on my shins has disappeared, so likely also water weight loss.
Maternity Clothes? yes
Stretch marks? None that are new since pregnancy.
Sleep: comes and goes.  All depends if baby is active at night, leg cramps, if Chloe has a bad night (she jumps onto the bed) or if Mike can't sleep too!
Best moment this week: finding out I can soon start working from home.  The goal is up to four times a week by the time baby is born.
Miss Anything? free time, something I know I'll never get back :)
Movement? crazy child is all over the place, or so it feels.
Food Cravings: still fruit, which is a big no-no right now unless it's for a snack.  No longer included in breakfast!
Anything make you queasy and sick? overeating
Gender Prediction: really NO clue. Back to girl.
Labor Signs: still continue to have Braxton Hicks.  Some days are more than others.  I've become better at recognizing when they are about to start!
Symptoms: Sciatica.
Belly Button in or out? in but stretched!
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody? Happy.  Occasionally frustrated with things lately as I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed with course work and everything to do before in the house before baby arrives.  I know I could ask for help from friends/family, but then I would likely be home at the same time and still not get my homework done....so I figure just doing it myself is the same thing.
Looking forward to this week: my friend Stephanie's wedding on Saturday!

29 weeks, 11 (or more) to go!

Had unfortunate news earlier this week. I did pass the 3 hour glucose tolerance test, but only by a few points. So I'm being considered borderline gestational diabetic and will be seeing a diabetes educator next week on 30 weeks. It's likely I will have to check my blood sugars several times per day, but at this time do not need insulin as they should be diet controllable for now. As much as I hate needles (yes a nurse that hates needles!), it's for a great reason that I will be doing this and it's temporary.

Did you know that about one-third to one-half of women who have gestational diabetes will have it again in a later pregnancy? And up to 50 percent of women with gestational diabetes will develop diabetes at some point in the future? Guess its a gentle reminder how important it is to watch carbohydrate intake and consume low/moderate glycemic index foods to prolong and stabilize blood sugars so your body uses glucose properly.

How far along? 29 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 18.3 pounds
Maternity Clothes? just got myself two pairs of jeans and a few more fall/winter tops. Some of the tops can be worn even after baby is here :)
Stretch marks? None that are new since pregnancy. Using Lovely Jubblies and CoCo from Lush Cosmetics on belly, hips and chest. The belly is starting to itch though, despite the lotion.
Sleep: a little better since we got our sleep number bed.
Best moment this week: getting information at the birth class and using it to aid a birth plan. Shower invites are all out and can't wait to see family and friends!
Miss Anything? being able to clean, do laundry and just normal activities of daily living without grunting, groaning or having to get creative to reach to certain places or carry items.
Movement? Constantly it seems.  Definitely waking up at night due to kicks, punches and stretching. This baby loves my ribs.
Food Cravings: nothing much anymore. Most of the time food sounds like a chore.
Anything make you queasy and sick? nearly lost my cookies brushing my teeth this morning!
Gender Prediction: really NO clue. Back to boy.
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks here and there. I have anywhere from 1 to 4 per day so far.  Mostly in the evening after I get home from work.
Symptoms: Sciatica.
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody? Happy
Looking forward to this week: doing some baby item browsing and shopping. Picking up a reliable vehicle as well! Older, but good condition as two of our three vehicles will soon see their light!

28 Weeks

Received the results of my one-hour glucose tolerance test on Tuesday.  It definitely was not what I wanted to hear, but can say I am not all that surprised since my past fasting blood glucose levels have always been borderline pre-diabetic. The lab at my clinic considers normal values below 140, I was at 158. So today I have my fasting 3-hour blood glucose tolerance test.  Nothing to eat since 11pm last night (had a late PB sandwich and some milk to help get some protein in to balance out blood sugar) and my first blood draw (fasting) is not until 10:10am.  Second lab draw at 1 hour around 11:15 and so forth.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to eat ANYTHING until around 1pm today.  Not sure if I'm going to make it that long, but I have to try.  Hopefully this ends up good.  Many friends I know have failed their one-hour test but passed the 3 hour by a long shot!  I'll update when I hear the results.  Might not be until next week though.


How far along? 28 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 17 pounds
Maternity Clothes? Good combo of maternity and pre-pregnancy items.
Stretch marks? None that are new since pregnancy. Using Lovely Jubblies and CoCo from Lush Cosmetics on belly, hips and chest.  Seems to have helped, but I also don't feel my skin stretching quite yet.
Sleep: a little better since we got our sleep number bed on Monday.  Helpful to be able to adjust the firmness of the mattress as my body grows and changes.
Best moment this week: getting our new mattresses
Miss Anything? being able to clean, do laundry and just normal activities of daily living without grunting, groaning or having to get creative to reach to certain places or carry items.
Movement? Constantly it seems.  Definitely waking up at night due to kicks, punches and stretching
Food Cravings: nothing much anymore. Most of the time food sounds like a chore.
Anything make you queasy and sick? it goes day to day
Gender Prediction: really NO clue. Back to girl.
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks here and there. I have anywhere from 1 to 4 per day so far.  Mostly in the evening after I get home from work.
Symptoms: Sciatica.
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody? Happy
Looking forward to this week: birth class on Saturday.  Not excited for the class itself, but am to finally get a real tour of the birthing suites at the hospital instead of just through visiting friends.  Sunday date day with Mike.

27 weeks! THIRD trimester!

How far along? 27 weeks
Total Weight Gain: 16 pounds-right on track!
Maternity Clothes? Definitely. Can't wait to have more jeans that fit!
Stretch marks? None that are new since pregnancy. Using Lovely Jubblies and CoCo from Lush Cosmetics on belly, hips and chest.
Sleep: I have accepted that from here on out, I will never know what a solid night of sleep is anymore. Turning in bed is becoming a sport!
Best moment this week: learning baby is head down (hope it stays there) and finishing that glucose tolerance test.
Miss Anything? sleep! Laying on my belly and back.
Movement? Burgeoning martial artist!
Food Cravings: nothing much anymore. Most of the time food sounds like a chore.
Anything make you queasy and sick? it goes day to day
Gender Prediction: really NO clue. Back to girl.
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks here and there. Whomever said they are not supposed to hurt was wrong! I've had a few that definitely rated in the moderate-mild side and had to get up and move around to feel better. Otherwise just uncomfortable when they occur. Was told I can expect 4-6 per hour as normal "practice contractions" for now.
Symptoms: Sciatica. Nauseous.
Belly Button in or out? in, but stretching.
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody? Happy
Looking forward to this week: hopefully Mike will get to see and feel baby move. And we get our new sleep number bed!!

26 Weeks

• How far along?  26 weeks

• Total Weight Gain: 14.5 pounds (down from last week, not eating as big of meals)
• Maternity Clothes? Definitely
• Stretch marks? None that are new since pregnancy.
• Sleep: okay. Waking up quite a bit. Hips hurt when laying on sides.
• Best moment this week:  watching belly dancing from the outside
• Miss Anything? sleep
• Movement?  Much
• Food Cravings: 
• Anything make you queasy and sick? it goes day to day 
• Gender Prediction: boy
• Labor Signs: no
• Symptoms:  Sciatica.  
• Belly Button in or out? in, but stretching.
• Wedding rings on or off? on
• Happy or Moody? Happy
• Looking forward to this week: being up north enjoying some outdoors!