The Ankles Begin to Swell

So today was not my favorite day at the doctor. My ankles had swollen pretty badly yesterday and were not back to normal when I went in for my appointment. My weight was up 5 pounds since last Monday! They feel like it's all fluid, and they are a little bit concerned about blood pressure and fluid retention. Apparently being an old lady and having diabetes put me at increased risk for something called pregnancy-induced hypertension (or toxemia). I think they are just being cautious, but they ordered a bunch of bloodwork and urine tests today. They want me to take my blood pressure and record it each day at work. I follow up with them again next Monday (11/09), and we will see how things stand. If the swelling is better, my weight is back down and my blood pressures are all normal, we have nothing to worry about. If the labs or my blood pressures are abnormal, I may have to go on bed rest. It sounds like a nice treat, I know, but I'm pretty sure it would get really boring really quickly. My gut reaction is that this is no big deal. Everybody has swelling with pregnancy, and I have had none until now. So no worries until they tell me I have something to worry about. On a good note, my blood sugars continue to get better and better. The baby is doing great. He or she continues to be very active. All things baby look good!

Foot and Hair

Monday, October 26, 2009

31 Weeks

Once again, our little bean likes to hide from the camera. Today we were only able to get pictures of his or her foot, which measures about 2.5 inches (see top photo), and they tell us the baby has hair on his or her head. They promise us that there is evidence of this in the bottom photo. I'm not sure I'm buying it. See for yourself.

Whoa Baby!

Monday, October 26, 2009

31 Weeks

4 Navel Oranges

Ok, so they say the baby is supposed to be the size of 4 navel oranges at 31 weeks. Well, our baby is the size of Texas! Today we had another ultrasound, and the baby is estimated to weigh 5 pounds! I will say it again, 5 pounds! Some babies are born at 5 pounds, and this baby has 2 more months to go! Dr. Roussis was very encouraging about the baby's size (he or she now measures at the 95th percentile). He does not feel that this is a reflection of poorly controlled diabetes. My blood sugars continue to get better and better. My weight gain has been minimal. I had gained 11 pounds at 27 weeks but have lost 1.5 pounds since then. Don't worry, I am eating plenty, and the baby is obviously growing just fine. He thinks I am simply destined to have a big baby. Unfortunately, this puts us at higher risk of having a cesarean section, which means they might have to cut my belly open to get the baby out! I am praying that the baby does not get that big. I think they may be wrong about our due date. I am thinking the baby might actually come some time around the 1oth of December. All of the baby's measurements (weight, femur length, head and abdominal circumference) measure ahead of shcedule - at about 33 1/2 weeks. Dr. Roussis says the early ultrasounds are very accurate, and they estimate our due date as December 25th, but I am not convinced. We shall wait and see. On the bright side, we don't have to worry about having a runt! Both the baby and I are doing well. We start weekly visits next Monday, November 2. We'll keep you posted!

Breathing and Relaxation

Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Breathing and Relaxation Class

Paul and I opted to attend a Breathing and Relaxation class to help us prepare for labor and delivery. There were 5 other couples there, and our due dates ranged from early November until February. Not only did all of the couples know the sex of their babies, they had also already chosen names! The class was informative and helpful. I think we may utilize some of the stress-relieving measures we were shown. I will say, however, that it is not helpful to watch a video of women, who are in labor. Watching people in pain makes me want to vomit. I think it's better to deal with what comes than to anticipate the worst. After all, women have been doing this for thousands of years, right?

Butternut Squash

Monday, October 12, 2009
29 Weeks
Butternut Squash

Another good check-up at Dr. Roussis' office. My blood sugars are improved on the insulin pump, but they are still tinkering with it. Always room for more improvement, I guess. My belly measures exactly where it should, which means the baby is growing just as expected. I had not gained any weight from the previous visit, which pleased me. They seemed to be okay with it, too. They are very concerned about my getting H1N1 ("Swine Flu"), since I work with sick children. I assure you all that I am taking every precaution. I wear gloves with every patient I see, sick or well. I also wear a mask and gown with any sick child I see. It can get pretty hot with all that garb on, but it's worth it to prevent illness. The hospital should have H1N1 vaccine soon, and I will be first in line to get it. The dietitian was pleased with how much dairy I include in my diet. She said that the baby is working to harden his or her skeleton right now and is depositing about 25o mg of calcium into his or her bones each day! We return for another check-up with an ultrasound on October 26th. After that visit, we have to be seen weekly with ultrasounds to check the baby's growth.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Right-click to download

So we finally figured out how to upload the video to the blog. The video is subtitled, so you should know what you are looking at. No, we still do not know the sex of the baby. We chose this song, because we thought it was appropriate for a baby video, regardless of the baby's gender. We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we have enjoyed editing it!

Sweet Baby

Monday, September 28, 2009

27 Weeks

Here is the baby's profile. His or her foot and hand are both up near the face. It looks as if the baby is blowing bubbles (there are no bubbles, though, because there is no air in the lungs...yet).