AUGUST 2008 ~ BUMP BUDDIES

[seltzer]

Tina - I am so sorry to hear about what happened with your mother. But, as everyone else is saying, your DH sounds wonderful. Thank goodness he is stepping up to the plate. I really hope with this situation on top of the pregnancy you do decide to rest more and take it easy. After all, you've got to save up your energy for the L&D (never mind the sleepless nights with the wee Noah!).

Shari & Rebecca - glad to hear the GD management is going well. Keep up the good work. I think this is now the GD forum, LOL Shari - what does the slight spotting mean? What does your OB say about it?

Marybeth - Ugh RE the GD! But you are certainly not alone here. Maybe with twins you're more likely to have it?

[tryw8]

Shari & Rebecca: Glad to hear that the management of GD is going well. I, too, have found those sugar free treats at the market. I still have to watch for sodium content also.

Marybeth: Sorry to hear about your GD. Hope everything goes well with you.


I just got back from seeing my OB/GYN. He had me sign the consent release form to deliver my little one. He doesn't see anything but I'm on schedule and that I'll be delivering vaginally. Thank goodness. I'd probably freak if I need to deliver via C-section. So I've got ten more weeks unless the little one has a mind of its own. Then on walking out he told me to make an appointment for next week.

What?!? Hey, wait ... something's not right. I stopped him and asked about my results from the repeat 3-hour glucose test ... after the ordeal I went through last week. He said that the results are below the normal average so enjoy my pregnancy and make an appointment for next week.
I was quite surprised since this repeat of the 3-hour glucose test wasn't planned so it had to be based on what I ate on the three days prior ... not that I wasn't watching myself either.

Whew! What a relief that was.

Have a great weekend everyone! It's getting hotter here.

Karen

[sharishu]

Rebecca,
Thanks for the words of encouragement, and for the snacking tips . I really have been watching myself, the GD diagnosis was a shocker for me. I have diabetes on both sides of my family (aunt, uncle, cousin, grandfather) and I saw what they went through. It was awful. Of course, I know that GD is very different than type 2 diabetes, and I know it goes away after the birth (PG), but the very thought that I could be at greater risk somewhere down the line has REALLY been a wake up call for me. I plan to continue with a regular dietician after the birth. (I began my pregnancy a bit bigger than you and most of the girls here). How are you doing with all this? Hope all is well. From the tone of your posts, you sound like you are taking it all in stride, which I think is fantastic. It's amazing that so many of us have it, just goes to show how common it is after all!

Marybeth,
I do know how you feel regarding the diagnosis. HOWEVER, I feel much better now that I started the diet and saw that my numbers were responding in kind. I know in the beginning it could be a shocker. I personally played the self-blame game which I decided was no fun and of no use at all. You will slowly start to feel better, I am sure of it. Give yourself time to get through your feelings and you will start to relax soon enough. Give yourself plenty of credit for doing a really great job up until now, especially with your dynamic duo on board. BEST of luck, and keep us posted. I am sure it will all go fine.

Tina,
How's mom doing? How are you feeling? Hope all is well with you and your family.

I am doing pretty good with the bedrest. I will admit that sometimes the cabin fever gets to be a bit much but so far so good.

Have a great week everyone.
Shari

[sharishu]

Karen-
Yay, looks like you are in the clear re:GD. Great news! Congrats.

Seltzer-
The spotting... I have no idea, but I figured since it was soooo light, I'd ignore it unless it got worse. It stopped completely (TG), so I'm not worrying about it. The first time I had it it was REDDDD- that's when I was hospitalized, during which time they discovered the short cervix, GD, etc. I am under close watch and I feel pretty well. How are you? Hope all is well.

Rebecca-
I read back what I wrote to you about how it's 'amazing' how many of us have GD. Of course, by amazing, I meant shocking, or hard to believe. Certainly not 'woo hoo!' amazing . Just wanted to clear that up.

Gonna try sleeping soon. 'Night.
Shari

[tinaO]

Hello all! My mom is doing much better. We have been over there all day today. My husband and I went and picked out the new wheelchair her home health people needed on Thursday and a few other things they need. Then my husband and I took my mom to the orthopedic surgeon on Thursday afternoon and thank goodness, she doesn't need surgery. We put a new red, white and blue cast on her leg in honor of the 4th of July. We all got a kick out of it. My brother actually met us there which was pretty amazing. I think he has finally realized that he needs to step up and help out. Then my husband went and picked up the new wheelchair on Friday and met with the home health workers to get everything set up. My mom's hairdresser met my husband and I at my mom's today so that she could do her hair for her. I was so grateful to her for coming to my mom's, I could have cried. My brother and his wife came over with my 3 nephews and my brother helped my husband with these adjustments to my mom's bed that had to be made. Then we all went out to lunch. I have to admit that perhaps this whole thing that has happened has opened my brother's eyes and now he may actually really start to help us with her care. Regardless, it was nice. My husband and I went back to my mom's and met with one of the nurses to get all the paperwork signed for Medicare and then came home and I took a nice nap. I know I need to slow down some, but I have always been really active so it is very tough for me. I really am doing well with the pregnancy so I guess I don't worry too much. I am starting back on my exercise routine tomorrow. Oh - but I do think I am developing pregnancy carpal tunnel. Ugghhh....at least it appears to go away shortly after birth.

Marybeth - Sorry about the GD!! I guess the important thing to keep in mind is that it usually does go away after pregnancy. It is like I heard, "Pregancy causes EVERYTHING"!!! Just take care of yourself and remember - we don't have long to go!!! How is the nursery coming along? I posted some more pics of Noah's room. We don't have a theme. I do think we are going to be adding some airplanes in there as we put up a really cool picture that matches his bedding with this cool airplane on it.

Shari - Glad to hear bedrest is going ok for you. I would probably lose my flippin mind. I am proud of you for doing what you need to do for you and the baby. Glad your spotting stopped. Are you sleeping ok at all? I am still sleeping pretty well, although the hand falling asleep all the time wakes me a lot.

Karen - Congrats on getting past the GD test. It sounds like you are doing well.

Rebecca - Where are you again? It sounds like it is as hot there as it is here. I have to admit that the heat does get to me now. I think that is why I really want to avoid the travel. That just really makes me hot!!

Seltzer - Glad to hear things are going better for you. Pregnancy is such a crazy time. So many great things and so many unique things that you have to learn to overcome. I love it, but I have to admit the thought of having my body back is so appealing some days. I also think finally the hormones started to get to me recently!

Ok ladies, I am off to do a few things around here. Thank you again so much for all your thoughts and well wishes for my mom. I really appreciate it. Hopefully she will get her cast off about the same time the baby comes. That will be a relief. In the mean time, I am just so grateful that my husband has shown me how much I can count on him. It makes me love him even more...

Take care of yourselves!!!

Tina

[tryw8]

Hi Everyone!

My DH and I just got back from my inlaws. Whew! I swear, when things go wrong, it surely pours.

Last week, I had car trouble ... an appointment screw up ... repeat the 3-hour glucose test ... then my DH's cellphone went on the blink (not receiving the signal from the network. We had to get new upgraded phones. Don't want that not to work when we are really in need.

I received boxes of orders at my place of employment with the boss's permission. I didn't want UPS/Fed Ex to just leave big dollar items in the garage when we weren't home because of the high theft rate island-wide. We set up the sleeping area and crib/playpen for the little one, put together the stroller, tried the carseat out in my car (we're such novices), and after that my DH decided to go to Costco. On the way back at the stop light, from switching from the brake to the accelerator, the engine revved but the car didn't go.

OH-oh!!!

We managed to drive back home. My DH said, first it was the distributor that needed changing now the transmission is gone. So, I'm out a car. We borrowed my mother-in-law's car for just tomorrow until I can get a rental.

We're at odds to repair my '94 Corolla which changing the transmission will run us into $2,600 - $3,000 or bite the bullet and buy another car. What timing for it to happen. It could have been worse, though.

I don't know if it is a sign. I've had car trouble during these last six months:
1) while parked on the street, car gets hits by another vehicle when I was at work. That was taken care of. The owner of the other car's insurance (GEICO) pulled through to fix my car.

2) faulty valve stems of tires to cause tires to go flat. DH took tires to work to repair. He said that Costco uses the junk/cheap kind. I just bought those tires from them.

3) car wouldn't start or if I got it started, it would immediately kill. Changed distributor and and to adjust timing.

4) car still acting up. Car jerks when pressing the accelerator.

5) transmission is shot.

So I'm waiting to make a reservation for a car rental w/ Enterprise. My DH doesn't know how long my car will be in the shop. ARGH!!! What to do? We don't want to make anymore bills even with a little on the way. Not now!

Counting down the days/weeks. Hoping that everything is better with everyone else.

Karen

[sharishu]

Hello Ladies,
How is everyone? Decided to bump us back up as it's been quiet around here lately. Weird question- I swallowed a plum pit by mistake this morning. I read on the internet that plum pits can contain trace amounts of cyanide . I was shocked by that! I looked it up just to see if my digestive tract could handle it, and then next thing I know, I see 'cyanide in plum pits'! Has anyone ever heard of this? Is this dangerous for the baby? Life is never boring, ay? Well, I have an appointment with the high risk doctor today. I will mention it, I don't care if he laughs at me .

Karen,
Man! It seems like you need to get a new car! I know it is a big expense, but your old car is just gonna keep draining your wallet, it seems. And especially now, you NEED a reliable car(read: hospital delivery run!). To me, anyway, that is the main thing. Have you considered leasing? Sometimes you can find good deals on reliable cars with relatively low monthly premiums. Whatever your decision, I wish you luck in solving your car woes.

Hope all is well with all of you. Have a great day.
Shari

[sharishu]

Um, plum pit problem solved. Let's just say I got really nauseous just now and 'lost my breakfast'... complete with plum pit .

Shari

[2ndtimer]

Hi Everyone,
It's been really busy around here, but I have been reading the posts. Hope everyone is doing well. Karen, I know it's awful to have to deal with any problems when you're pregnant! I just got my car fixed last month. Hang in there.
Shari - I bet you would have to grind up a really large # of plum pits and eat them(which would be a weird thing to do) to have any problems. Sorry you got sick to your stomach but at least now you don't have to worry about passing the pit, which I bet would not feel too good on the way down!

I'm getting really frustrated with this whole GD thing. I got the diagnosis & all the warnings from my MD 2 weeks ago, but was told by the nurse not to worry about checking my BS's until I had the nutrition class. So I just cut out milkshakes & popsickles. Then I had the class on Monday & was told to be on a 2100 cal diet and check my BS's first thing in the morning & one hour after meals. I've been cheating on the diet and I still feel starving all the time. None of my BS's have been over 140 and most are around 120 one hour after I eat, with baselines as low as 85. I had my regular MD appt today and they are not happy with me because I've lost over a pound instead gaining weight! I mean, what the heck??? No ice cream is making me feel really crabby and I'm losing weight which is bad, but they still want me to keep up the 2100 cal diet and exercise and see how it goes!!! I'm giving this diet a full week and then I might get a little noncompliant with it.

Anyway, sorry for my rant. You know how it is with us pregos when we get hungry.
Take care,
Rebecca

[sharishu]

Rebecca,
I am so sorry your GD diet is causing you stress! Mine is not limited to a certain amount of calories. Basically, the things that are limited are sugars/fruits/milk products and complex carbs. Veggies, proteins, and even some healthy fats are not limited. It's kind of like a revised Atkins. I am not hungry on it, and my numbers have been good so far. Of course, the milkshake would not be allowed on my diet, but I don't feel so deprived. I feel bad because it sounds like you need to gain weight, and so you're in a catch-22 because of the calorie limit. Is there a dietician you meet with regularly? Perhaps your diet can be revised to be more satisfying for you. Hope you can get it sorted out so that you feel more nourished. The good thing is we're ALMOST there. Then all this GD nonsense will be but a distant memory. Hang in there!

Be well everyone.
Shari

[2ndtimer]

Hi Shari,
You're right, the diet is kind of like a revised Atkins with more meats & vegetables, and way less carbs than I normally eat. I think that's the problem. I LOVE carbs and I'm really not a big meat eater. I've been having to really make myself eat more meats since I've been pregnant & now they want to eat even more of that and way, way less of the things that I like. Like potatoes, white bread, pasta, white rice, etc. I think I'm in carbohydrate withdrawal and it's making me crankier than when I quit coffee. I'm used to watching how much fat I eat, and usually keep it very low(mostly out of preference/what tastes good to me.) It just doesn't seem right to me to eat the amount of meat/cheese/milk/ etc that this diet calls for although i know baby probably could use the protein.
So anyway.... you are also right about this only being a temporary thing. I think that the thing that really got to me this morning is that I'm losing weight which they don't want me to do but they don't want me to quit trying with the diet. It's a catch-22.
I also don't like the way the MD's just seem to have a script about GD that they read off -all doom & gloom about how this increases your chance to get diabetes in the next 10 years if you don't watch your weight & exercise(as if I don't know that) -and they don't even seem to look at who you are when they're telling you all this. I mean, I'm 39 with below normal BP, normal cholesterol, & before pregnancy I weighed about 130 lbs at 5'6" and regularly exercise. I've known I'm at risk for diabetes my entire adult life & I've been trying to do the things to keep it away. But when I try to explain this to my MD, it's like he just doesn't hear me.
I was complaining to my mom earlier about all this, then I felt really guilty because she's an insulin-dependent diabetic who has to watch her carb intake & sugars all the time for the rest of her life, and here I am whining about having to do it for a couple of months.
Thanks for listening,
Rebecca

[tryw8]

Hi Everyone!

I still haven't heard from the shop where my car is at if the problem was diagnosed. My DH said that they called him yesterday and guess what ... the car acted perfectly normal. So they're going to keep it a little longer to see if they can pin-point the problem. It might be a electrical problem now, not the transmission. Once we get word, we'll be able to decide. My inlaws are already volunteering to help with the financials. We haven't discussed anything, though.

But, on the other hand, I love the 2008 Nissan Sentra rental. Very roomy!

We just came back from my GF's house. Her husband went on TDY to Germany. He's in the Air National Guard. I was kind of surprised when she called me yesterday. She said that her DH was able to bring back a case of Heineken from Germany. The bottles are brown and according to my DH, it's a smoother taste the the US bottled green ones. I wouldn't know. I don't drink. I haven't since my 21st birthday. So I told her to drop it off on Friday when I'm off at the house. To make a long story short, I told my DH about it and he didn't want me to carry a case by myself. (I think he's afraid I would drop it.) He reminded me that I would be working 1/2 day today (State Holiday) and that we could go by and pick it up. I was laughing hilariously. DUH! Now, why didn't I think of that? Darn pregnancy sure makes one lose those important braincells.

We went to pick it up and had a nice visit with my GF. We go back to the second grade. Anyways, she also gave my husband two bottles of another German beer. She's a beer connoiseur. She said that this one is even smoother than the German brown bottle Heineken. Of course, my DH was game to try it.

What are we going to do with the case? I'm wrapping a ribbon around each bottle saying, "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!" My DH said one each for the one guy he works with @ work, his brother, his sister, his dad, my brother and my dad when I deliver. We thought it would be a unique idea. Now the problem will be not having him dip into to the stash before I deliver. I told him that he has to save for himself after the delivery.

I have to now think about what to get for my office when I deliver.

Karen

[sharishu]

Hi ladies,
Well, it seems my cervix is doing well, and has even lengthened since my hospital stay. I am happy about that. All in all, everything is looking good. I have been getting out to do some light shopping with dh at night so I don't completely flip out. Although everything seems to be going well, I am still being instructed not to overdo it. I certainly don't want any more bleeding/complications, so I am following those instructions. With all this inactivity, I am looking online for the perfect athletic shoe to start working out ASAP post delivery. Any suggestions for a really good, cushiony, supportive athletic shoe? I'm flat-footed so I need a shoe with really good arch support.

Rebecca,
As far as your mom, I wouldn't feel bad about venting to her. If anyone understands, it would be her. I know exactly what you mean about being frustrated that the doctor is just not seeing you as an individual. You take care of your health, and it's upsetting when a health professional talks at you instead of having a conversation with you, especially since you are a medical professional with a better than average understanding of these things. I am wondering if they will allow an increase in sugars/carbs once they see how well your numbers are doing. Kind of a trial-and-error diet. Have you had any symptoms such as increased amniotic fluid? My high risk doctor told me he sees I have a mild increase in amn. fluid (nothing he's overly concerned about), and is sending me for a special ultrasound just to make sure the baby is swallowing and handling fluids properly, or something like that. Do you know what problems can arise from an increase in fluids? Do you also have to do that ultrasound? Anyway, I hope you are feeling somewhat better about the GD stuff today. You can certainly always vent to me about this or anything else. We are in the home stretch of an emotionally trying period (albeit exciting period) in our lives, and need somewhere to turn with all these new feelings. Feel good!

Shari

[seltzer]

Shari - Excellent news RE your cervix. Congrats. You are doing a good job with your inactivity! Keep up the good work. I am sure it ain't easy to be on bed rest (all I need is one unstructured, boring weekend to lose my mind) but you're almost done. I think a really good/supportive sneaker (particularly good for walking and running) are asics. They are pricey (mine were like $85 or $90) but they are excellent. My DP is marathon/race runner and she usually gets those.

Rebecca - sorry to hear about the GD diet issues. Going off carbs DEFINITELY sucks. A few years ago I attempted to go on the South Beach diet. The first week or two you cut out carbs and detox yourself from them. Well, the first two days had me being a total *****, crying, you name it. I was an emotional wreck. Finally, on the morning of Day #3 I couldn't help myself and ate a giant bowl of Cocoa Krispies with loads of sugar piled on top. I felt GREAT afterward! The body doesn't enjoy being weaned off carbs but I think once you're through the hard part (a week maybe) you will feel better. Hang in there!

Things are good w/me. My 32 week visit went very well. I am returning in 2 weeks...and my OB said he would give me an U/S just because I want to see the baby. Yay! He said, "No offense, but I don't need to see your baby because I know everything's fine with it. But I know women like to see the baby near the end of the pregnancy, so I'll schedule an U/S." LOL, he is too funny. I've been having stretching (muscle? ligament?) pain on my right side, which has been a new thing for me & kinda annoying. Every time I try to work out or go for a walk it starts up. I'm off to childbirth class this evening...talk to you all later.

[MBG]

Hello ladies!!!

Shari: You are too funny! I was cracking up reading your post about the plum pit!!! Glad to hear everything ended up ok!

I have started my gd diet....it is not that bad....I am to test my blood 2 times a day..once in the morning and once 2 hours after any meal...like Shari, I am not restricted on proteins, calories, fats only carbs...I just didn't realize fruit and milk were considered carbs...it is hard to make sure I am getting enough calories in each day without my usual carbs. I just keep looking at the u/s pics of my little boys and reminding myself I am doing this for them!! We can do this ladies!!!

Karen: Sorry to hear about your car problems!! Love beer idea! Very unique!! I want a new car sooooo bad! However, think we should probably wait until after I get back from maternity leave and bringing in a steady income again!

Well ladies....I am off to start dinner..

Marybeth