Work Shower

They threw me a shower at work today. I was pleasantly surprised at the turn-out. Since I haven't even been at this job 6 months now, I didn't feel like I knew that many people. I guess I was wrong! And a few guys were brave enough to attend!

It was a potluck lunch, so I was a little nervous about what I would find to eat. And although I skipped out on a few yummy things - I found plenty I could eat. I even took a bite of the cake (and brought some home to freeze for later).

I got lots more goodies (I can't wait to get it all home so I can lay it all out to see what I have). The even better news is that now I am free to go home and take an inventory before I make a big shopping trip to get the last of what we still need.

33 Week Doctor Visit

I had a doctor appointment today. All was well - blood pressure, baby's heart rate, my measurements - all as they should be. I was relieved to get some positive feedback regarding my sugars. All signs indicate that I have the gestational diabetes under control. Wshew!

I asked what the "plan" was for the rest of the pregnancy. I was interested if they would want to automatically induce (to prevent the baby from getting too big) or if they would go off of an ultrasound to determine size and then potentially induce if she was getting too big. I was relieved to hear that we are taking the "wait and see" approach. The doctor indicated that if all goes well and I keep my sugars under control, there is no reason to believe that I can't carry the baby to term. They will keep an eye on me to see how I am week to week and assuming nothing is out of the ordinary, we will wait for the baby to come on her terms. That was exactly what I wanted to hear!

We have furniture!

We had a busy weekend assembling things for the nursery! Eric put together the crib - now I have to get busy with the bedding. I have the sheets and the bumper ready to go, but I need to get a mattress pad. And I didn't think I needed a dust ruffle, but based on the looks of this, I need something:

And Eric also put together the changing table (which is currently serving as a tv stand):

I even contributed by putting together the swing:

Doctor's visit schedule for the weeks ahead

I have the following doctor's visits scheduled:

• Thursday, September 24 - 33 weeks
• Friday, October 9 - 35 weeks
• Wednesday, October 14 (the start of the weekly visit!!) - 36 weeks
• Tuesday, October 20 - 37 weeks (the last visit before they change offices to be by the newer nicer hospital)

Nursery Update

31 Week Bump

I'm not sure if you can tell in these pictures - but this shirt almost wasn't covering my belly. My belly is peeking out a bit. A sure sign that I'm getting bigger...

2 Months From Today...

It is exactly 2 months until my due date...

Gestational Diabetes

I found out yesterday that I have gestational diabetes. I went in for my 3 hour glucose tolerance test and failed. My fasting blood sugar was 99 (needed to be below 95) and then my 1 hour level failed as well. On the bright side, the doctor said I was still measuring well and that the baby had already shifted into a head-down position. The heartbeat was also good in the 140's.

I went to a class this morning that ended up being a one-on-one meeting with an educator and then a dietician. It was very informative and reassuring. I left with a meal plan that consists of 2000 calories a day spread out over 3 meals and 3 snacks. I also have to test my blood sugar 4 times a day (first thing in the morning fasting and then 2 hours after every meal). The overall goal is that while I am awake, I eat something every couple of hours. The meal plan is very specific - for example, at breakfast I can have 2 servings of starches, 1 meat and 2 fats. So maybe half a bagel with cream cheese and some eggs. I was pleased to learn that I could have some splurges if my blood sugar is under control. Of course, the serving sizes are very small.

Today was the first day to test my glucose and the first real day on the new "diet". The fasting reading was good but my reading 2 hours after breakfast was a little high. But I think that was because I didn't eat the right foods. I misread the book and ate the entire bagel, instead of half. Also, the meal plan I got today is more specific (and probably better). My breakfast today had milk but the new plan specifically excludes milk from breakfast (interesting). I rebounded with a normal reading after lunch.

Here's some background on GD:

What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is when you have elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy. The placenta produces hormones that block the action of the mother's insulin in her body (insulin resistance). Insulin resistance makes it hard for the mother's body to use insulin. She may need up to three times as much insulin. Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and be changed to energy. Glucose builds up in the blood to high levels. It usually shows up after 24 weeks and only occurs in about 4-7% of pregnancies.

How is it treated?
Hopefully, blood sugar levels can be controlled through diet and exercise. If that is not effective, insulin may be needed or other medicines.

Is it dangerous?
Yes, uncontrolled it is to both the mother and the baby. I won't get into the scary facts since most cases can be controlled. There is every reason to think that if I do what I'm supposed to, I can control it.

What does it mean for the birth?
Often, the baby comes early due to the baby being larger. Regardless, there will be more monitoring of both mother and baby through the labor and delivery. I am now considered a "high risk pregnancy."

What does it mean for the future?
There is now a 40-50% chance that I will develop Type 2 diabetes in the future (most likely within the next 5 years). I'm also more likely to develop this again in future pregnancies.

The Shower

My shower was this weekend. We had lots of fun and of course, I got lots of goodies. OK, I guess the baby got lots of goodies :) It was great to see everyone and I wished I could have spent more time with each person.

Jenny, Karen, Kathy and Edie did a great job with everything. The decorations were so cute - with everything matching the nursery (check out the cake to the left). And as a nice surprise, they rounded up pictures of Eric and I when we were babies. That provided much entertainment for all. The consensus is that our child will not have any hair, since apparently Eric and I were both light in the hair department.

I have spent the better part of the last two days "playing." I have given myself the green light to start opening packages and taking off tags. Hours of fun organizing clothes (and man, is this girl gonna gave a lot of clothes!) and checking out all the cute things.

Unanticipated practice

Eric and I have been getting some unintentional practice the last couple of weeks. Since Mulder has been sick, we are experiencing frequent feedings (I've been going home at lunch to feed her and we've had to schedule our nights and weekends around feedings, too!). And not only are the feedings frequent but they are hands-on (it's not like we are putting the food down for her and leaving - we have to sit and feed her through the feeding tube!). We also have to prep the food for her (think mixing formula/warming bottles) and make sure it is the proper temperature.

Last night we were up late because she was acting a little weird, so we were debating calling the vet (that was me) and figuring out how to make her feel better.

I guess the only thing we are missing with Mulder is diapers...