Update from today's follow up doctors appointment....
Blood Pressure medicine does seem to be working. Blood Pressure this morning was 130/88, which is much better than last Wednesdays. We have only been on the medicine four days, so hopefully in the upcoming weeks it will stabilize, at least stay where it is. Although still on the high side, they are completely okay with the 130/88 readings.
However, my 24 hour urine test shows for a little concern. Due to the high blood pressure they wanted to capture a 24 hour urine to test for protein in my urine to rule out preeclampysia. Today, we found out that my urine is showing elevated levels of protein. Good news, is it is not at dangerous levels, but something we will continue to watch very carefully. So, next week, we get to do another 24 urine test....at least we are doing it "in-house" at the doctor's office and we do not have to go through the hosptial to do it. Praying my protein levels will not continue to increase. We do not need preeclampysia and having to deliver you early....we want you to bake as long as you can!!!
Love you baby girl!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Our Trip to Labor and Delivery
Sweet girl, today we took a little tour of Labor and Delivery. Our official tour date is not until December 11th, but we got our own tour today.
This morning we had our follow-up appointment from our 28 week appointment last week with the high blood pressure. We were high again! At the initial reading we were at 142/110. We were put in our little room and the nurse took it again. 150/100. At that point we heard your heartbeat. You were holding out strong at 145 bpm and doing wonderful. The doctor we met today, we loved. She explained everything and definitely calmed our fears. We talked about my blood pressure, my swollen feet, when I get headaches, etc. She told us, that so far all of my labs (blood and urine) have come back perfect with nothing to be concerned about. However, a nurse was going to return to take my blood pressure again. If it was high, she was sending us over to Labor and Delivery at the hospital. This is where my panic kicked in! BUT, she was so wonderful and calmed us down. She said since everything else was so normal, it just looks like chronic hypertension runs in my family and has just decided to show it's ugly face in my pregnancy...so we were going to Labor and Delivery just to check on our sweet little one to make sure you were not in distress and to make rule out preeclampsia again.
I freaked a little, had a few little tears, but held it together fairly well....I must say your daddy rocked it with the support and so glad he was there. So we headed over to Labor and Delivery. Need I mention, it was like a monsoon outside....perfect day to lay down hooked up to machines? I thought so myself. We went up to Labor, got in a room, and all that run stuff. We took blood, started out 24 hour urine collection (these are the rule out preeclampsia parts) and chilled out for 3 1/2-4 hours. They hooked me up to an automatic blood pressure monitor that every 15 minutes took my blood pressure. The original reading was 140/100. For an entire two hours with me laying there with my feet elevated, my blood pressure continued to drop every 15 minutes....it got as low as 109/63....the last reading was 112/71.....which is perfect to where they want it during pregnancy. I was so proud. Then I had to use the restroom....aka, go collect my urine. I stood up, walked 5 feet, did what I had to do, and walked 5 feet back to the bed. The nurse was there waiting on me, curious to see what my blood pressure was after standing up....154/91. Fifteen minutes later it was 146/85...and continued to go down.
So it's not chronic hypertension, because it can and does go down. It does not look like preeclampsia. It just looks like hypertension in pregnancy that spikes when I exert myself....Ha, if standing up to use the restroom is exerting myself, I am curious to see what my blood pressure is at work after a 10 hour day. Your daddy and I feel like this was the best case scenario for our situation for the time being. It could be a lot worse. They put me on Aldomet 500 mg 2x a day. We have a follow up first thing Monday morning to see how the blood pressure medicine is working. If it stabilizes then we will call it a day and just continue to monitor with routine visits and routine tests to make sure there is no protein in the urine, etc. WE PRAY THIS IS THE END RESULT!!!! If the medicine, does not seem to be working, we may increase dose, talk about bed rest (since it only elevates when I exert myself, etc.), so we will see.
THE AMAZING NEWS IN ALL OF THIS! You, precious little one, are doing wonderful. So wonderful, after only ONE hour at Labor and Delivery, we were allowed to take you off the monitor because my elevated blood pressure was causing you NO stress. This was great and means as long as you are healthy and fine, we should easily be able to control my blood pressure....and with you not in distress, you can stay in there and cook a little longer! YAY!
You were so happy to be off the monitors....you were NOT a fan. You kicked the contraction bands and kept trying to move away from the doppler. Silly little girl. So sorry we were bothering you. You did amazing, though! I loved the fact that your daddy actually was about to hear you and get a feel for your personality more. I always tell him, "Wow, she's not happy about this!" or "She is kicking up a storm..." but being hooked up to monitors he was able to constantly hear your heartbeat and your angry kicks. We even got to hear you hiccup. The other day, I felt them for the first time. Hearing them, was even more wonderful. You had them for a good 3-5 minutes. I couldn't stop giggling. Your daddy and I both had smiles from ear to ear and tears in our eyes.
We get to see you on Friday...then back to the doctor for a hospital follow up visit on Monday....
You are absolutely precious and you have both of us wrapped around your little fingers. We love you so much, sweet girl.
Love you,
Your Proud Momma and Daddy
This morning we had our follow-up appointment from our 28 week appointment last week with the high blood pressure. We were high again! At the initial reading we were at 142/110. We were put in our little room and the nurse took it again. 150/100. At that point we heard your heartbeat. You were holding out strong at 145 bpm and doing wonderful. The doctor we met today, we loved. She explained everything and definitely calmed our fears. We talked about my blood pressure, my swollen feet, when I get headaches, etc. She told us, that so far all of my labs (blood and urine) have come back perfect with nothing to be concerned about. However, a nurse was going to return to take my blood pressure again. If it was high, she was sending us over to Labor and Delivery at the hospital. This is where my panic kicked in! BUT, she was so wonderful and calmed us down. She said since everything else was so normal, it just looks like chronic hypertension runs in my family and has just decided to show it's ugly face in my pregnancy...so we were going to Labor and Delivery just to check on our sweet little one to make sure you were not in distress and to make rule out preeclampsia again.
I freaked a little, had a few little tears, but held it together fairly well....I must say your daddy rocked it with the support and so glad he was there. So we headed over to Labor and Delivery. Need I mention, it was like a monsoon outside....perfect day to lay down hooked up to machines? I thought so myself. We went up to Labor, got in a room, and all that run stuff. We took blood, started out 24 hour urine collection (these are the rule out preeclampsia parts) and chilled out for 3 1/2-4 hours. They hooked me up to an automatic blood pressure monitor that every 15 minutes took my blood pressure. The original reading was 140/100. For an entire two hours with me laying there with my feet elevated, my blood pressure continued to drop every 15 minutes....it got as low as 109/63....the last reading was 112/71.....which is perfect to where they want it during pregnancy. I was so proud. Then I had to use the restroom....aka, go collect my urine. I stood up, walked 5 feet, did what I had to do, and walked 5 feet back to the bed. The nurse was there waiting on me, curious to see what my blood pressure was after standing up....154/91. Fifteen minutes later it was 146/85...and continued to go down.
So it's not chronic hypertension, because it can and does go down. It does not look like preeclampsia. It just looks like hypertension in pregnancy that spikes when I exert myself....Ha, if standing up to use the restroom is exerting myself, I am curious to see what my blood pressure is at work after a 10 hour day. Your daddy and I feel like this was the best case scenario for our situation for the time being. It could be a lot worse. They put me on Aldomet 500 mg 2x a day. We have a follow up first thing Monday morning to see how the blood pressure medicine is working. If it stabilizes then we will call it a day and just continue to monitor with routine visits and routine tests to make sure there is no protein in the urine, etc. WE PRAY THIS IS THE END RESULT!!!! If the medicine, does not seem to be working, we may increase dose, talk about bed rest (since it only elevates when I exert myself, etc.), so we will see.
THE AMAZING NEWS IN ALL OF THIS! You, precious little one, are doing wonderful. So wonderful, after only ONE hour at Labor and Delivery, we were allowed to take you off the monitor because my elevated blood pressure was causing you NO stress. This was great and means as long as you are healthy and fine, we should easily be able to control my blood pressure....and with you not in distress, you can stay in there and cook a little longer! YAY!
You were so happy to be off the monitors....you were NOT a fan. You kicked the contraction bands and kept trying to move away from the doppler. Silly little girl. So sorry we were bothering you. You did amazing, though! I loved the fact that your daddy actually was about to hear you and get a feel for your personality more. I always tell him, "Wow, she's not happy about this!" or "She is kicking up a storm..." but being hooked up to monitors he was able to constantly hear your heartbeat and your angry kicks. We even got to hear you hiccup. The other day, I felt them for the first time. Hearing them, was even more wonderful. You had them for a good 3-5 minutes. I couldn't stop giggling. Your daddy and I both had smiles from ear to ear and tears in our eyes.
We get to see you on Friday...then back to the doctor for a hospital follow up visit on Monday....
You are absolutely precious and you have both of us wrapped around your little fingers. We love you so much, sweet girl.
Love you,
Your Proud Momma and Daddy
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Hiccups, Holidays and Happenings....
Woohoo, we are officially 29 weeks and 2 days. 75 more days to go! You are in the ball park of 16 inches and 3 lbs....give or take a few....what a big girl! Less than 11 weeks to go....you are full term in 7 weeks!
Yesterday, you had the hiccups! It was precious. I have thought I have possibly felt them before, but yesterday, it was definitely the hiccups. My whole belly had the hiccups!
I'm pretty sure you are still breech. Every kick is still so VERY low...and the past few days, I can feel you trying to turn, you just can't seem to completely get it. I know you are running out of room! It feels like my belly is a steering wheel, and you can get turned so far, then you flip back! Come on sweet girl, you can do it!!! We know at the very beginning one doctor mentioned you are so low, you are more than comfortable and probably will stay this way. You have about 2 1/2 more weeks before we will start talking about the possibility of having to have a c-section! We have two visits this week...Wednesday and Friday....maybe we can find out how your positioned.
Saturday is the Hartsell Thanksgiving! YUM! Being super pregnant during the holidays is a pregnant woman's nightmare...and dream, all wrapped in one! All I know, is I cannot stop thinking about delicious turkey,sweet potato casserole, and all the yummy fixings!!! And....I have to drink only water all week long because of my Friday visit, so you can guarantee I sweet tea is definitely on the menu for Saturday! Ahhh, my mouth is watering!
We were given the coolest blanket the other day...along with super cute outfits and bibs! Ms. Morgan knitted you a baby blanket that matches your nursery exactly. It is precious and so warm!!! I was tempted to cover up with it the other night....but it is draped over your crib waiting your arrival! I am so excited because it is beautiful and I have said all along having a January baby I want lots of blankets so we can snuggle with you and you will be warm and cozy! Check it out....I know you are going to love it....
Keep cooking a little longer sweet girl! We love you!
Yesterday, you had the hiccups! It was precious. I have thought I have possibly felt them before, but yesterday, it was definitely the hiccups. My whole belly had the hiccups!
I'm pretty sure you are still breech. Every kick is still so VERY low...and the past few days, I can feel you trying to turn, you just can't seem to completely get it. I know you are running out of room! It feels like my belly is a steering wheel, and you can get turned so far, then you flip back! Come on sweet girl, you can do it!!! We know at the very beginning one doctor mentioned you are so low, you are more than comfortable and probably will stay this way. You have about 2 1/2 more weeks before we will start talking about the possibility of having to have a c-section! We have two visits this week...Wednesday and Friday....maybe we can find out how your positioned.
Saturday is the Hartsell Thanksgiving! YUM! Being super pregnant during the holidays is a pregnant woman's nightmare...and dream, all wrapped in one! All I know, is I cannot stop thinking about delicious turkey,sweet potato casserole, and all the yummy fixings!!! And....I have to drink only water all week long because of my Friday visit, so you can guarantee I sweet tea is definitely on the menu for Saturday! Ahhh, my mouth is watering!
We were given the coolest blanket the other day...along with super cute outfits and bibs! Ms. Morgan knitted you a baby blanket that matches your nursery exactly. It is precious and so warm!!! I was tempted to cover up with it the other night....but it is draped over your crib waiting your arrival! I am so excited because it is beautiful and I have said all along having a January baby I want lots of blankets so we can snuggle with you and you will be warm and cozy! Check it out....I know you are going to love it....
Keep cooking a little longer sweet girl! We love you!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
YOU ARE ENROLLED!!!
Today has been full of ups and downs.
This morning I went back to the doctor. It was just for my gestational diabetes test so your daddy stayed home and had the alarm company come out and add some things to our alarm.
I got there and they took my blood pressure, like normal. 149/92. WHAT!!!! So since I had to wait an hour to get blood drawn, they made me wait 40 minutes and took my blood pressure again. 146/96! Those are the two highest readings it has been this entire pregnancy. So I sat there and waited some more....when my timer had two minutes left until I had to go to the lab and get blood drawn, the doctor came in. We rotate doctors in the practice with each visit, since whichever one is on call when I go into labor will be the one delivering you. So far, I have loved our first three that we rotated through. This one, NOT A FAN! She did not introduce herself, was the most unfriendly doctor I have ever met, and ran through a punch list with me in the two minutes until my timer went off.
Blood pressure elevated?.....yes! has been previously?....yes! Are my ankles swelling? Yes....but not too bad today. (she did not hear me out that this week they have looked like loaves of bread after 3 hours of being on them)....do I have headaches?....yes, every night around 6pm! BEEP BEEP!....Timer goes off and she rushes me to the Lab. At this point I am so frustrated, Kendra is drawing my blood and I am just fighting back the tears....so we talked about my cravings, her cravings 20 years ago when she was pregnant, her daughter may be pregnant now.....she was clearly trying to calm me down. Once I left, I wondered around the hall until I found a nurse. Was I done? Did the doctor want to finish up? Was anything going to be explained to me? The first nurse originally said I would take my blood pressure a 3rd time before I left....so did I need to have it taken again?
The nurse (I have no idea who she was) went and found the doctor and came back and told me I was good to go. That I will come back in a week. If still elevated, I will probably be put on a blood pressure medicine and have to do weekly visits from here on out....and if still elevated we may go ahead and do a 24 hour urine jug....but good news, as of right now I am not showing protein in my urine (I only know that from reading it on the discharge paper)....
While I am sitting in the waiting area waiting on the random nurse to find out what I am doing, in tears about to absolutely loose it or go off on someone, in comes April and Brandon. They do not know me from Adam....but Brandon is the worship minister at our church. April is due any day now, I believe. Anyway, there they come in. That made me cry harder. It was my sign from God that I knew through all the frustrations, today you and me would be okay.
All in all, we go back next Wednesday....we get to see a different doctor, thank goodness, and lets hope all is well with the blood pressure. Daddy is coming with us next week and we will demand some answers.
After that, I was emotionally exhausted. Came home and your daddy and I went to grab a bite to eat and then went to register you for daycare. You will not start until mid/late April and wish you didn't have to go to daycare, but since you do, this is the best place! We were given a tour, spoke with the director the whole time and felt nothing but personal connections, comfort and love from these people. It completely eased our minds. So, you are registered and have a spot held for you! How exciting!
Now for the fun part....
This is you and daddy hanging out yesterday...he was having quiet time with you....you were kicking him! :) Silly girl...you were wanting to play!
We love you sweet girl!
This morning I went back to the doctor. It was just for my gestational diabetes test so your daddy stayed home and had the alarm company come out and add some things to our alarm.
I got there and they took my blood pressure, like normal. 149/92. WHAT!!!! So since I had to wait an hour to get blood drawn, they made me wait 40 minutes and took my blood pressure again. 146/96! Those are the two highest readings it has been this entire pregnancy. So I sat there and waited some more....when my timer had two minutes left until I had to go to the lab and get blood drawn, the doctor came in. We rotate doctors in the practice with each visit, since whichever one is on call when I go into labor will be the one delivering you. So far, I have loved our first three that we rotated through. This one, NOT A FAN! She did not introduce herself, was the most unfriendly doctor I have ever met, and ran through a punch list with me in the two minutes until my timer went off.
Blood pressure elevated?.....yes! has been previously?....yes! Are my ankles swelling? Yes....but not too bad today. (she did not hear me out that this week they have looked like loaves of bread after 3 hours of being on them)....do I have headaches?....yes, every night around 6pm! BEEP BEEP!....Timer goes off and she rushes me to the Lab. At this point I am so frustrated, Kendra is drawing my blood and I am just fighting back the tears....so we talked about my cravings, her cravings 20 years ago when she was pregnant, her daughter may be pregnant now.....she was clearly trying to calm me down. Once I left, I wondered around the hall until I found a nurse. Was I done? Did the doctor want to finish up? Was anything going to be explained to me? The first nurse originally said I would take my blood pressure a 3rd time before I left....so did I need to have it taken again?
The nurse (I have no idea who she was) went and found the doctor and came back and told me I was good to go. That I will come back in a week. If still elevated, I will probably be put on a blood pressure medicine and have to do weekly visits from here on out....and if still elevated we may go ahead and do a 24 hour urine jug....but good news, as of right now I am not showing protein in my urine (I only know that from reading it on the discharge paper)....
While I am sitting in the waiting area waiting on the random nurse to find out what I am doing, in tears about to absolutely loose it or go off on someone, in comes April and Brandon. They do not know me from Adam....but Brandon is the worship minister at our church. April is due any day now, I believe. Anyway, there they come in. That made me cry harder. It was my sign from God that I knew through all the frustrations, today you and me would be okay.
All in all, we go back next Wednesday....we get to see a different doctor, thank goodness, and lets hope all is well with the blood pressure. Daddy is coming with us next week and we will demand some answers.
After that, I was emotionally exhausted. Came home and your daddy and I went to grab a bite to eat and then went to register you for daycare. You will not start until mid/late April and wish you didn't have to go to daycare, but since you do, this is the best place! We were given a tour, spoke with the director the whole time and felt nothing but personal connections, comfort and love from these people. It completely eased our minds. So, you are registered and have a spot held for you! How exciting!
Now for the fun part....
This is you and daddy hanging out yesterday...he was having quiet time with you....you were kicking him! :) Silly girl...you were wanting to play!
We love you sweet girl!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sweet girl...
Just some sweet little happenings....
You love music...LOVE it...at church you dance every week. I usually have to sit down....you are getting so strong and you get so excited, it hurts!
Tonight we put earphones on my belly, and there you went again. You were jamming out! It is precious! I know it is probably just you responding to the loud sounds, but I love to think your little personality is shining through and you will love music.
You definitely are a daddy's girl! I knew you would be, but I didn't realize so soon! We are in trouble! You will kick like crazy when his hand is on my belly...but as soon as anyone else puts their hand on my belly, you are DONE! No kicks, no rolls, no nothing! You go nuts when he enters the room and you hear him talk! Ohh, you love him! It melts my heart! What are we going to do with you!!!
Love you, baby girl!
You love music...LOVE it...at church you dance every week. I usually have to sit down....you are getting so strong and you get so excited, it hurts!
Tonight we put earphones on my belly, and there you went again. You were jamming out! It is precious! I know it is probably just you responding to the loud sounds, but I love to think your little personality is shining through and you will love music.
You definitely are a daddy's girl! I knew you would be, but I didn't realize so soon! We are in trouble! You will kick like crazy when his hand is on my belly...but as soon as anyone else puts their hand on my belly, you are DONE! No kicks, no rolls, no nothing! You go nuts when he enters the room and you hear him talk! Ohh, you love him! It melts my heart! What are we going to do with you!!!
Love you, baby girl!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
HELLO THIRD TRIMESTER!!!!
Hello, Third Trimester! Yup, you read it right! Tomorrow, we hit 28 weeks....less than 12 weeks to go - 8 weeks until full term! WOOHOO! The time is starting to FLY by! We are so ready to meet you, sweet lovebug!
And who would have known that after 27 weeks...189 LONG days.....we would finally be over the morning sickness....or so it seems!!!! For the past week I have not thrown up in the morning or evening. I did get sick one time but that was random due to my super sense of smell. I am so thankful....it is making life so much more enjoyable. However, I am not giving up my Zofran. Your daddy has a long list of pills of I have take at night and he swears taking them all together he has come up with this "perfect recipe"....I must say, since then I have not had the killer heartburn and now the morning sickness is gone. Maybe he does know what he is talking about!
It is getting super uncomfortable to sit, walk, sleep, etc. Work is wearing me out. My ankles swell if being on them for more than a few hours. The past few days I have spent some time on the register, sitting on a stool in between customers, and delegating tasks to my employees! I am giving up truck days though - I just can't do it anymore. I also now snore!!! It may be due to complete exhaustion or the fact that you and I are running out of room for me to breathe, but your daddy finds it amusing to let me know when and how often I snore now!
But....He still is being super husband/daddy! Poor fellow! He has taken such good care of me....when I wake up 7 times a night, each time he asks if I'm okay, when I can't sleep, he asks what he can do....he makes dinner while I nap, he cleans more than I do, still doing all the laundry, wakes up to help me get dressed in the morning....the list could go on and on! LOVE HIM! I know you will too!
We have dates we think you are coming. I think you will arrive on January 6th....your daddy thinks January 10th. I know there is a possibility you can even come mid February, but well, let's shoot for the moon, not PAST it.
Love you baby girl.....we are so ready to meet you!!!
And who would have known that after 27 weeks...189 LONG days.....we would finally be over the morning sickness....or so it seems!!!! For the past week I have not thrown up in the morning or evening. I did get sick one time but that was random due to my super sense of smell. I am so thankful....it is making life so much more enjoyable. However, I am not giving up my Zofran. Your daddy has a long list of pills of I have take at night and he swears taking them all together he has come up with this "perfect recipe"....I must say, since then I have not had the killer heartburn and now the morning sickness is gone. Maybe he does know what he is talking about!
It is getting super uncomfortable to sit, walk, sleep, etc. Work is wearing me out. My ankles swell if being on them for more than a few hours. The past few days I have spent some time on the register, sitting on a stool in between customers, and delegating tasks to my employees! I am giving up truck days though - I just can't do it anymore. I also now snore!!! It may be due to complete exhaustion or the fact that you and I are running out of room for me to breathe, but your daddy finds it amusing to let me know when and how often I snore now!
But....He still is being super husband/daddy! Poor fellow! He has taken such good care of me....when I wake up 7 times a night, each time he asks if I'm okay, when I can't sleep, he asks what he can do....he makes dinner while I nap, he cleans more than I do, still doing all the laundry, wakes up to help me get dressed in the morning....the list could go on and on! LOVE HIM! I know you will too!
We have dates we think you are coming. I think you will arrive on January 6th....your daddy thinks January 10th. I know there is a possibility you can even come mid February, but well, let's shoot for the moon, not PAST it.
Love you baby girl.....we are so ready to meet you!!!
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