Hello, Little Bud!

Here is the first photo (ultrasound) of My Little Bud!

Bud is doing well. I got to see Bud's heart fluttering away. Besides that (as you can see) there was not much else to look at, because Bud is still so tiny (just over a centimetre long).

Bud is measuring at 7 weeks, 2 days right now, which means my adjusted due date is August 5. That was the exact same due date I had for Andrea! Maybe they really will end up sharing a birthday (July 23rd). We'll see. :))

***

Our next ultrasound will be on January 22, at 12 weeks.

Visit to Dietitian and Nurse Educator

This afternoon, I went for my appointment at the hospital to meet with the dietitian and nurse educator.

First, I have to say that both ladies were excellent: they listened to my concerns, acknowledged my previous experience, and were comfortable having Andrea present during our meetings!

My visit with the dietitian was longer than I expected, because there have been changes in the way they manage diets and food choices in the last two years. The system is more concerned with "carb choices" now, because it is the carbs that really affect blood glucose levels. So, my chart from my last pregnancy is now obsolete; and she had to make me up a new diet, and show me what values have changed, how to work with the new system, etc. Actually, it's not all that different from the old one, and it's easy to understand, so it shouldn't take me long to get used to it.

I didn't even have a formal visit with the nurse educator. She's the one who would teach me how to do my tests and injections, but I am already doing that just fine (I remember from my last pregnancy).

But, I did talk to her about one concern I have: my glucose levels are high right now, much higher than they should be when I am already following a strict diet. Oddly, Dr. S. only gave me insulin for bedtime. When I was pregnant with Andrea, he had given me daytime and night-time insulin right away. When I told the nurse my levels she was quite concerned, but reassured me that it wasn't time to panic or anything. However, she did give me her card and tell me to call her in a week. If my numbers haven't settled down by then, she will get me in to see the endocrinologist on call at the hospital, who will give me the daytime insulin.

Why not call Dr. S., you might ask? I did, on Monday, after 4-5 days of steadily high readings--only to find out his office is CLOSED until January 2nd. I told my family doctor about it yesterday at my 2-month appointment with her, and she told me to talk to the dietitian today (in other words, she couldn't do anything). The dietitian and nurse educator informed me that they had heard Dr. S. had also cancelled his clinics until the SECOND week of January, which means he probably won't be available until then. They agreed with me that it would not be prudent to wait that long to see him, if these high readings continue. Thus, the nurse educator offered her help, and assured me I'll see a doctor next week if these readings stay high.

Like I said, though, the nurse educator reassured me that the baby will be okay, and not to worry too much.

***

My first ultrasound is tomorrow, at noon. Now I am really anxious to see how My Little Bud is doing. I hope we see a healthy, happy Little Bud in there (and that I get a good picture to share!). :))

Oh So TIRED

Alright, so today I had my first visit with Dr. S., who will be treating my Gestational Diabetes.

This Blog is for My Little Bud, so I will try not to be too negative here, but Dr. S. really was rude today, and he upset me very much. I came away from the appointment quite stressed out and angry, because the doctor was focusing on negative things which I felt were not pertinent to my treatment during this pregnancy (i.e., my daughter's presence at the appointment [Guess it's not allowed, but no one told me that!], my family doctor's lack of providing correct information and recent lab results, me not returning diabetic equipment used for my first pregnancy, etc.). Anyway, it's a long and irritating story, and I'm trying to let it go (operative word being trying).

In summary, he says that I have been diabetic since May (That's news to me!), and I should have been on insulin before I got pregnant.

So, tomorrow I am taking the day off to get all my Gestational Diabetes business in order. I'm going for the official 2-hour Glucose Challenge Test first thing tomorrow morning. Then, I am heading to the pharmacy to get all NEW diabetes equipment: new glucose meter, test strips, insulin pens, needles, alcohol wipes, record book, and of course, the insulin itself . . . Oh, joy . . .

Sorry for the sarcasm there. As Daddy reminded me, "You wanted to be pregnant again!" (In other words, "You knew you'd have to go through all this again, so don't complain!") Well, of course I/WE wanted to be pregnant again! Of course I knew what I was getting myself into! I just thought Dr. S. would give me a little more credit due to my previous experience, and we'd work together as a team. Instead, he lectures me about non-pertinent issues, and insists I get all new equipment, and go see the Dietitian and Nurse-Educator again (even though I still remember how to do the glucose monitoring and injections, and I still have the specialized diet they gave me last time, which I've already been following for almost a month now!).

Oh, my goodness. As you can see, I am worn out today--emotionally, and also physically. That's why this entry is called "Oh So TIRED": because I AM TIRED.

***

I really hope we see good things on the 8-week ultrasound (a week from today). It will cheer me up and help me focus on what's important: Our Little Bud!

[Phooey on cranky doctors! :-) ]

Doctors, Doctors, Doctors

Today I had to go in and see Dr. R., who has been treating me for Panic Disorder for the past 7 years. (A lot of you probably didn't know this. Oh, well. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Now you know why I seem so nervous all the time!)

Anyway, I am on 2 medications right now to help with symptoms; and one, I was on when pregnant with Andrea, and everything was fine. The other, however, has more risks, so I wanted to go off it right away. Dr. R. agreed, and I'll be cutting down doses to zero over the next week or so. (So, if I seem extra jumpy, you'll know why!) He also said not to worry about the exposure baby has had so far, because I'm on a low dose, it's early, and we're cutting it off now. So, that was comforting to hear.

***

Other upcoming appointments: Dr. S. (diabetes doctor) on December 13; and first ultrasound (8 weeks) on December 20th. I am so excited for that one! I love ultrasounds, and seeing the Baby. It's reassuring, and makes it seem more real, especially when it's too early to feel movement or anything yet. :))

Test Results are Good :))

This morning, at the family doctor's, I got my initial pregnancy test results back, and everything looks great!

The pregnancy test was positive (thank goodness!). I don't have any diseases. There's no protein in my readings (a good thing--means blood pressure is normal).

I was also pleasantly surprised to hear that my random-sugar test was within normal range. Very nice! Perhaps that's because I went back on the gestational diabetes diet as soon as I suspected I was pregnant. But, I am still going to see Dr. S. as a precaution.

***

It is also, however, my duty to report that the morning sickness began last night, after I had told several people I hadn't felt anything yet (except some major heartburn). Is it psychological, or just a coincidence? Who knows?

I haven't gotten sick yet (knock wood), but Dr. H. gave me a prescription for nausea meds, considering my history with hyperemesis gravidarum, when I was pregnant with Andrea.

But, hey, it's definitely worth it. :))

Tough Week

This past week has been full of ups and downs: unfortunately, more downs than ups.

The good news is that I am definitely pregnant. Today I am 5 weeks pregnant; my period is a week late, and I'm still feeling all the aches and pains, plus the beginnings of an icky tummy. It's not fun, but I'm glad, because it reassures me that the pregnancy is progressing.

The bad news is that over the past couple of days, we have been in the process of mourning my uncle; furthermore, Andrea had to go into the hospital on Monday, because she developed Bronchiolitis. She's at home now, and starting to get better, but that was also very emotionally and physically draining for us.

Tomorrow I am taking Andrea to the family doctor for a follow-up visit, and I also booked an appointment for myself, to see if my blood/urine tests are back yet. Think healthy! :))

Oh, and on that note, I have been doing very well with my diabetic-friendly diet. Even with all the stress this week, I've managed to follow my guidelines, and I've lost about 5 pounds. Yay!

First Doctor's Appointment

Today I had my first doctor's appointment for this pregnancy. Basically, I went in and told my family doctor, "I've had positive home pregnancy tests!" and we went from there.

Next was the flurry of questions. Last period? I told her about the uncertainty, and she agreed October 26 sounded right. That means my due date is August 1st. (BTW--my due date for Andrea was August 5. Their birthdays may be less than a week apart!) She was also surprised by how early I knew. "You're barely 4 weeks!" she said. So, I told her about the early symptoms I've had--achy chest, back, and pelvic region--that made me want to test sooner rather than later.

She said to Andrea, "So, you're going to have a baby! You're going to be a Big Sister!" and Andrea grinned at her. (Andrea's probably thinking, "Tell me something I don't already know!")

Then we discussed next steps. First, blood and urine tests. Then, call Dr. P (my OB) to notify her of my pregnancy. Then, book first ultrasound--but--I have to wait a while, because there's nothing to see until at least 7 or 8 weeks gestation! (I figured she'd say that.)

Also contact Dr. S. (gestational diabetes doctor) right away, because I still have my glucose meter from my first pregnancy, and preliminary tests are showing high readings. My family doctor jumped on that right away, and said, "Do you still have your eating guide? Were you taking insulin? Are you taking vitamins?" Yes, yes, and yes! I knew I'd need it all again within a few years. And she insisted that I follow a "strict" gestational diabetic's diet. Yep, knew that was coming, too.

I got very lucky, in terms of blood and urine tests. The lab, in my doctor's building, was open until 4:30. My appointment ended at 4:15, I rushed downstairs, and thankfully, I got in. I was the last patient they took! That worked out well.

So, now I wait again: for test results; for doctors to call other doctors; and doctors to call me back with a slew of appointments . . . I forgot how much fun this was (slight sarcasm here). :))

HAPPY!

Well, I'm still not a fan of F.R.E.D., because it takes too much personal interpretation to decide what's positive, and what's negative. "Is there a faint pink line? Are my eyes deceiving me?" Ack.

However, a combination of F.R.E.D., and C.B.E. Digital, made me a very happy woman this evening!

Both, from a distance . . .

F.R.E.D. close-up: definitely a second, if faint, pink line there!

C.B.E. close-up: God bless digital--no misinterpretation--clearly positive again. :))

I have an appointment booked with my family doctor for tomorrow after work. Then, we'll probably do some blood work. I'll keep posting . . .

F.R.E.D. Says NO

I am bummed.

Because of all the concerns, epecially with the gestational diabetes, surrounding my last pregnancy, I figured I'd better call my doctor's office tomorrow, and get in to see her. But first I wanted to make sure I really was pregnant. Yesterday, C.B.E. said I was; so, I figured I'd do a F.R.E.D., today, just for reassurance, because I'm still about 4 days pre-period.

Yes, I know, F.R.E.D. packages say that you can't be really sure until after your period is due; but C.B.E. said positive, and it's not even an early-result test.

Also, I've always used C.B.E. in the past, and it was always correct (all negatives except when we had Andrea--it was right). But the Andrea-test was, admittedly, 3 days post-period-being-due.

So, as Rod says, now we wait. He wants me to test again tomorrow, but I figure I might as well wait at least another 4 days, until the day I'm due to start my period. It should be accurate by then, right?

Geez, this is emotionally draining. And Rod is going out of town for two days, starting tomorrow; then leaving for a week, next weekend . . . sigh . . .

Footnote: Did Andrea Know?

In all my excitement last night, I forgot to add this anecdote about Andrea:

On Thursday morning, when I went to get Andrea out of her crib, she greeted me with her usual, sunny, "Hi!"

But as I leaned over to lift her from the crib, she poked me in the stomach, and said, "Two?"

At the time I just kind of laughed and said, "Do you know something I don't know?"

Hmm. I've always believed that young children have a spiritual connection to some things, in ways that most older people would laugh off. If her comment was purely a coincidence, then it's an interesting one!

It's POSITIVE!

Over the Labour Day weekend, Daddy and I decided we wanted to have another baby. Kind of funny the conversation came up on that particular weekend, eh?

So, we have been trying for three months now, and tonight, Mommy just felt like doing the pregnancy test. Really, I should have waited another week or two, but something was telling me to just do it. So, I did. And here's the result:

I am so happy, but so scared. It is very early. I hope the test is right, because we want another baby very much, and this would be perfect. Big Sister, Andrea, will just have turned two years old when this baby is born, if all goes well. We want our children to be close together in age, so they can have a close relationship. And having another summer baby would be nice for Mommy, because being a teacher, I'm on vacation then.

***

For now, this blog is going to stay private. Later on, when we're sure everything is okay, people can come back and see Mommy's thoughts about this pregnancy from the first moment I found out I was pregnant!