Hello, Little Person :))

Today I went for my 12-week ultrasound, and it went great! I had a really nice ultrasound technician, and My Little Bud is doing well.

Bud is measuring 12 weeks, 4 days, which is right on track for my due date.

When we first saw Bud on the screen, the technician said, "Looks like baby is sleeping!" But within a couple of minutes, Bud was practically dancing on the screen! I saw arms and legs waving, and Bud kept turning towards and away from us. It also looked like Bud was trying to do somersaults! The technician said, "Your little person is definitely awake now!"

It was so awesome to see the baby moving around, and to actually see human features--face, arms, legs, feet, toes, fingers . . . It's astonishing how much they change in the first few weeks. At the start, all you can really distinguish is a beating heart; within a couple of weeks, you see a tiny person in there!

Bud was very cooperative for the camera, and put on quite a show for us. Unfortunately, the images never come out in print as well as they do on screen, but I put some labels on the pictures I've got to help you understand what you're looking at.

Say "Hi" to Bud--because Bud is waving hello to you!

So Many Appointments, So Little Time!

Today I had two important doctor's appointments: I saw my OB/Gyn., Dr. P., for the first time for this pregnancy; and I also went and faced Dr. S., my GD (Gestational Diabetes) doctor, for my second appointment with him.

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My appointment with Dr. P was long and involved, and there was a lot of conversation and planning going on. Most of it was good news, but a few other things came up. So, as much for myself as anyone else, I'm going to type out everything that I want to remember from today:

• Dr. P. is pleased with my weight and my blood pressure; we will keep an eye on the blood pressure, because it got dangerously high at the end of my first pregnancy, which led to hospitalization
• we booked an ultrasound for 18 weeks (March 2), which is the standard one to check baby's anatomy (MIGHT DETERMINE THE SEX THEN!)
• she said I could cancel the ultrasound for January 22 if I want to, but I don't want to--I like seeing the baby!
• she asked if I wanted Maternal Serum Screening and I said NO--remember the false positive for Spina Bifida I had with Andrea? SO not worth it
• she asked if I wanted a planned C-section this time and I said YES!--she gave me thumbs up, and was very pleased by my decision
• if all goes according to plan, will likely have the C-section in the last week of July
• because of the GD, will again be going for weekly ultrasounds and non-stress tests after about 28 weeks gestation
• CONCERN: new studies link mother's use of Paxil during pregnancy to heart defects in babies; therefore, will discuss options with Dr. R. (psychiatrist); ALSO going for a special echo-cardiogram to check out baby's heart at about 20 weeks (not yet booked); Dr. S. is not too worried because Andrea was carried under same circumstances and is fine, but we will check the baby just in case

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My appointment with Dr. S. was unbelievably pleasant. I went in expecting to do battle, because of last time, but he was in a good mood. I don't know if it was his new hairdo (cut way short), or his 3-week Christmas vacation that sweetened his temper, but it was like meeting with a totally different guy!

• I've lost 5 pounds, according to his scale, since I saw him 4 weeks ago
• when I showed him my high glucose readings from my journal, I said, "I really have been following my diet!" and he said, "I believe you!" (probably because he saw the 5-pound loss)
• he didn't yell at me for the readings I've missed, or for not recording my readings properly in the journal; he just smiled, and patiently explained his preference for how it should be done (Um, is this the same guy?!)
• he gave me a new insulin pen for the meal-time insulin which I will be taking now--with no comments whatsoever about past diabetic equipment not being returned to him (I just about fell off my chair!)
• I will be taking 8 units of rapid insulin just before breakfast, lunch, and dinner--as well as continuing the 36 units of NPH insulin at bedtime
• WOULD'VE BEEN GOOD TO KNOW: he finally received the results of the blood tests he complained about not having received last time; apparently, they show that I have been TYPE 2 DIABETIC since the summer; but, instead of making me feel bad about it, this time he just explained the results to me, wrote a note on my chart, and said we'd probably have to continue treating for Type 2 after this pregnancy is completed

So that was it! He was all smiles--no snide remarks, tirades, or complaints. He told me to "keep up the good work"! Gee, I sure like this Dr. S. a whole lot better!

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So, next event of interest: 12-week ultrasound on Monday . . . just because I want to see My Little Bud. :))

You Have To Laugh!

This cartoon was attached to my 11-week update from baby-gaga.com, and I thought it was perfect for this week:

Glucose Levels Update

Some of you have been inquiring as to the status of my glucose levels, so here's an update.

They are still a bit high. I have yet to get a morning reading under 5.0, which is what the doctor wants. However, my daytime readings have dropped from 12s and 14s to 7s and 9s, which shows some improvement. Right now I'm up to 24 units of the NPH insulin at bedtime.

I called the doctor's office, and he has extended his vacation until January 8, as the nurse educator had previously told me. So, I called the nurse educator this morning, and told her about not reaching 5 yet, and how my other readings are still over 7, but improving. She said, again, not to be too worried yet. She reminded me that each pregnancy is different, soIi shouldn't compare my numbers to last time. I may be more resistant to insulin this time, so it's taking my body longer to respond.

She suggested that I start pumping up my night-time insulin by 2 units each night (previously it was 1) in the hopes I will get a below-5 morning reading more quickly. She also assured me that the doctor will definitely put me on meal-time insulin when he sees these numbers. She also said that I should call him when he returns on Monday, and tell him about my levels. I already planned on that.

So, in sum, she said: don't fret, stick to your diet, don't worry hesitate about increasing the insulin, quit focusing on the numbers, and you will be fine.
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By the way: morning sickness sucks, and all-day sickness is even worse! But Diclectin (medication) helps. At least I can keep food down this time, and usually only vomit first thing in the morning. Then, I just feel icky and exhausted all day. Ah, the joys of pregnancy. ;p