Pregnancy Health Scare

Last week we had a midwife appointment and it did not go quite as planned. The complete opposite really.

As she took my blood pressure, she became concerned. She took it again, not much better. We had to start talking about what would happen if I developed pre-eclampsia again, but this time early. This means high blood pressure and protein in my urine. Basically, if I developed pre-eclampsia before 37 weeks, I would have to be put on hospital bed rest until 37 weeks when baby boy could be safely induced and delivered.

The next step was for me to do a 24 hour urine collection and then send it off to be tested. If there was more than 300 (I’m not sure exactly how to put this, so bear with me) in my urine then I would be considered at risk. So from 7:15am on Friday until 7:15am on Saturday, I collected my urine. It was extremely unglamorous and I was extremely nervous of what the results would be.

In addition to the urine collection, I am monitoring my blood pressure – taking it every morning and evening. The at risk zones are if the top number goes over 140 or if the bottom number goes above 90. I have a log going that I will bring with me to my next appointment and only contact my midwife it the blood pressure spikes into one of the at risk zones.

I held it together during our appointment, but I was extremely frustrated and disappointed that I might have to birth in the hospital. The hardest part was knowing that I was trying really hard to do better this time in order to not have this happen. Eating healthier, being more active, taking the recommended medication. It is so hard to hear that “it’s not your fault” “you’re doing everything you can do” “you may be predisposed” “it’s hereditary” “there’s no tried and true way to avoid it”… as much as those phrases are supposed to be helpful, they are more discouraging than anything.

I didn’t enjoy my hospital birth last time – the experience or the cost – but it’s even less appealing amidst a pandemic. With that being said, that evening was full of multiple breakdowns. The silver-lining I keep focusing on: at least we’ve done it before, so we kind of know what to expect.

So I received the results of the urine collection and they were positive! My count came in at 202, so I am not currently at risk. My blood pressure has not spiked since I’ve started monitoring it. This is all great and encouraging news. I will continue to monitor my blood pressure every morning and night and will only have to do another urine collection if my blood pressure spikes. Praise God for these wonderful results.

I humbly ask you to pray for me – that my blood pressure would stay low and steady, that no protein would build up in my urine, and that baby boy can continue to cook until he is good and ready to be born. I am praying for all those things as well as general health for me and baby boy, no induction needed, and no need to go to the hospital. If you’re not the praying type, please send all your hugs and positive vibes. ❤

Bump Update: 32 Weeks

I’m so close, yet it feels so far! At 32 weeks, I am in the third trimester and just beginning my eighth month of pregnancy. Only eight weeks to go and it can’t come fast enough.

Jameson is as big as a cantaloupe – a very long and heavy cantaloupe. 😀 He is measuring roughly 17 inches long and weighing 5 pounds. I swear he is huge! I feel him constantly – always poking his butt or feet against something.

The symptoms have been coming in hot the past few weeks. I am pretty much always uncomfortable. Hip and pelvic pain when I sit or lay down, so standing is the most pleasant, except for when my feet start to hurt. It makes sleeping extremely difficult. Still some heartburn and a little bit of swelling in the feet. Finally starting to want him out.

We had a wonderful shower and have basically everything we need for baby boy. His room is complete and I cannot wait to share it with y’all. I’ve gotten my TDAP shot and now it’s just a waiting game!

Bump Update: 28 Weeks

Hello third trimester! At 28 weeks pregnant, I am in my seventh month and just entering the third trimester. It’s officially the beginning of the end with only twelve weeks to go!

Jameson is about as big as a head of lettuce. Measuring approximately 15 inches long and weighing 2.25 pounds. I know he’s growing like crazy, but I feel like my belly doubled in size the past week and he is basically taking up all the space in there.

Normally I have pretty positive things to report as far as symptoms go, but this time not so much. As excited as I am to be nearing the finish line and meeting our new little babe, I have not felt so good the past couple of weeks. Lots of sciatica pain in my lower back and butt – like tears and limping kind of pain. I think Jameson is moving lower, because the peeing has taken on a life of its own; sometimes I feel like I live in the bathroom. I’ve also finally had a craving – all the tortilla chips – I even bought some and hid them from my husband. 😀 On top of all that just major exhaustion and sleepless nights.

On a more happy note, his room is almost completely done! The walls are painted. All the furniture has been bought and built. He has a closet full of clothes, shelves full of books, and a crib full of stuffed animals. All I’m working on now is wall decor and gathering a few more essential items. I cannot wait to share with you the final product!

So happy to say that my glucose test results came back and I do not have gestational diabetes. Yay! We will be getting our TDAP shot this week. Then just on to waiting to meet our little boy.

Bump Update: 24 Weeks

I am 24 weeks with our little man. Tracking pregnancies can be confusing, so I actually misspoke on my last update saying I had one month left of the second trimester… that was not true, but it is now as I am currently in my sixth month of pregnancy.

Per usual, the apps can’t agree on what size he is, but somewhere between a cantaloupe and a papaya. Roughly 12 inches long and 1.5 pounds. Growing like a weed!

Although I still feel pretty good, this past week I started experiencing really sore nipples for the first time and it’s not fun. Other than that, the usual lower back discomfort, exhaustion, insomnia, pregnancy brain, and constant peeing.

I’m still working tirelessly on getting his room ready and all his essentials stocked up. It’s such a fun project and I am having a blast. I only have a few things left to do for his room and I think it is coming together beautifully and will for sure be completed months before his arrival.

We start the third trimester in a month. At our next appointment, I’ll take my glucose test to check for gestational diabetes and start going to the midwife twice a month. But for now, we are just waiting patiently for his arrival.

Bump Update: 20 Weeks

Woah, we’re half way there
Woah, livin’ on a prayer
-Bon Jovi

Cheesy to quote Bon Jovi in regards to pregnancy? Probably. Do I care? Not one bit. At 20 weeks, we are HALFWAY to meeting our little guy. We have one more month left of the second trimester | five months along.

About this time in the pregnancy, all the apps start to really differ on sizing. So he’s somewhere between a large sweet potato and a really fat banana. 😀 Weighing in around 11 ounces and stretching out to 6.5 inches.

Last week we had our anatomy scan where they confirm the baby’s gender, check all the baby’s organs and spine to make sure they are all there and growing correctly, and point out your baby’s body parts to you. You get to hear and see the heartbeat. Jameson looked wonderful, no issues. And we got updated pictures that I put up around the house.

I am very grateful to have had a low-key pregnancy so far. Just some minor back aches and paints, exhaustion, frequent hunger, trouble sleeping, constant peeing, and a bit of pregnancy brain. Pregnancy Brain is a new offender as of the last couple of weeks. Nothing too bad, mainly just losing my train of thought, but it causes me to talk to myself a lot which is always fun.

Right now, I am just busy putting together Jameson’s nursery and gathering some cute clothes. I honestly I had no idea I would be so excited to shop for boy clothes, but I’ve found some great stuff! Currently on a spending freeze until next month, because baby stuff is just so so so adorable.