I had my doctor's appointment - heartbeat there and strong! I'm a little over 16 weeks and feeling better and better :)
However, they took my blood pressure and looked at me in surprise - I think it was about 95/62, I can't recall now - and said I was half dead. I know my blood pressure has been trending super low since I got pregnant (it was always pretty low to begin with) because anything over easy exercise makes me pretty dizzy and lightheaded. But they also weren't concerned enough to recommend anything, so I won't worry about it, just deal with it as a symptom of pregnancy.
My platelets are also really low from my last blood test, so I got sent back to the blood lab to get tested again. She said I am around 100 and if my levels are below 75 when I go into labor, I can't get an epidural (not that I am 100% sure I want one, but I want the option!). Also, if the levels are below 75 - and they are going to test my blood monthly - I have to get a platelet transfusion. Bah.
It seems I am destined to have blood issues! I got those transfusions last year because of the scary ulcerated thing in my stomach last year that made me lose half of my blood. I don't love seeing my own blood, or other people's, but got to deal with what I got to deal with, I suppose!
After my appointment, we went to a surprise party for a friend who just graduated and is opening her own business to congratulate her. It was AWESOME, but I overate a lot. Someone brought local donuts as an appetizer and I probably ate two whole donuts (she sliced up all the different flavors into bite sized pieces, danger). And dinner was grilled personal pizzas. Huge personal pizzas. I ate my whole pizza. I felt full when I woke up this morning >.<
On a side note, my friend graduated with a degree in alternative medicine and gave me some good advice for my diet if I want to support my blood supply - obviously get red meat back into my diet, add lots of dark leafy greens, beets, dark berries, etc.
I've actually been doing a lot better with my food. Lots of vegetables and fruit, far less grains, a focus on eggs/dairy for protein with a little meat thrown in. Way less junk. But I totally binged at the party. Got to reign that type of behavior in!
They weighed me at the doctor - I am only up 11 pounds since I got pregnant (from 126-137), so that's actually really good and I hope to keep the weight gain moderate. But less pigging out at BBQs this coming summer!
So yeah, pretty good all around. I could always use some tweaking but things are going well :)
Curious to know what you think would have happened with your food/pregnancy if you had only gotten information from your medical world - ?
ReplyDeleteAnd the information you did get, was it because you initiated the knowledge?
Without your knowledge, would they just have let you roller coaster along with carbs/nausea/blood sugar for the whole pregnancy?
Mine did. I was pretty much patted on the head for all of my middle pregnancy (she is now 21). I was on and off IV's, was cared for, but no one talked to me about the roller coaster effect of blood sugar (caused by carbs). I was just told to eat whatever I thought I could keep down, whatever sounded good. A lot of my problem was caused by orange juice. I craved it something fierce.
I think that would have been a challenging pregnancy, no matter what, but I caused a lot of it, without knowing.
My knowledge came much later.
I had no problems with my last pregnancy (she is now 17) but I cannot remember if I knew what/how to eat with that pregnancy. I cannot remember how I was eating with my first pregnancy either. There was definitely something unique with that middle pregnancy. And I compounded it, greatly.
Very glad things are going well for you.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR - one of my girls had a condition that caused her blood pressure to be low and Mayo recommended increasing water and sea salt. She was already a good water drinking but increased. (There is such a thing as too much water.) We are a low sodium household (as I suspect you might be also). It was important it be sea salt because of the iodine in regular table salt. She also drank one small Gateraide at lunch to help with her hardest part of day (afternoon at school). She drank it with her lunch to balance out the carbs.
DeleteI hunted, my info after that mayo trip is in comments here
http://baby-steps-v.blogspot.com/2012/01/mayo-results.html#comment-form
Again, ask your doctor, but wanted you to have the information.
You are looking great and doing well. Best to keep an eye on the bloods for sure! Yes, keep an open mind about an epidural - it does seem to affect labour from what I've witnessed... so many go on to need a caesarean operation. My daughter had two natural births but opted for the epidural for the last as it was an induction which can be more painful. She loved it and still had an easy birth so just do what feels right for you. Exciting days ahead for you both :)
ReplyDeleteA little over sixteen weeks ... time seems to be passing quickly. So good to hear a strong heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteTake Care
All the best Jan
Yes get the platelets. You will be optimizing the baby's health
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are doing well and also that you were able to get some nutrition advice to help with the medical news.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're both doing well :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear things are going well, Jeanette. I know you had been worried a bit, hope hearing the heartbeat put you at ease, doll!. xoxo
ReplyDelete