Today was boring. I was supposed to study for finals but felt the house needed cleaned instead. Doing laundry and sweeping the floor is the most work out I have had in a long time! Aside from light walking, I have not been working out. I spoke to a nice gal at the gym the other day about her pregnancy. She is rail thin and all belly. She is at 20 weeks. She told me about her prior miscarriage and how she was working out during her last pregnancy more than she should have been. You can never blame a miscarriage on your situation but everything makes me think. Her midwife told her to take it easy this time around and so for the first three months she did pretty much nothing. I have been so busy with finals and work anyway, that doing nothing has come pretty naturally :)
Caffeine is another sad weeping friend sitting at the curb and begging to come back into my life. However, because studies have not proven the safety nor dangers of caffeine, it is one more of my obsessed precautions I am taking. My Coca Cola sits lonely in the fridge as caffeine free coke has over taken its place. And possibly too much information, but the only other thing I am doing differently is having the lack of a husband around, as he is out to sea. Figure that one out.
I am so tired today! I slept about ten hours last night and even though it is only seven pm now, I think I hear my bed calling my name. How I am going on a trip to see family and still keep this a secret through the nausea, sleepiness, lack of alcohol and caffeine.... not sure it's going to be a secret for long!
Sad news but not mine so I will give zero details other than a navy wife had a miscarriage. Sad times, makes me worried, makes me sad for her, but for those out there pregnant and reading--keep holding hope.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Blood Type
This post is early today because I have to somehow manage to stay awake and on my feet for the late night shift at the gym! Okay, when I say late, I mean 1pm-830pm, but when you're as tired as I have been, that's a long shift!
So after yesterday's fiasco, I have decided to do my own investigation. These days, I do that a lot and it seems to be paying off! The lab has told me that my blood type is B+. My United Blood Services card, previous knowledge, and my own Mom swears my blood type is B-. All of my life I have known my blood type to be B-. Suddenly, when the plus or minus sign matters the most, we have no idea what my actual blood type is! Did it change!?
The lab tech I spoke to via phone explained to me that the B antigen of my blood is 100% B. There is no doubt about that part. Then he explained that the blood is separated by the serum and umm, enzyme? Not sure. But there's two ways they separate the blood and they check each one against the other to get the plus or minus results. The D antigen is what tells the plus or minus. The lab tech says at first glance, anyone can see that I am B-. But, after incubating my blood and adding an enzyme, my blood then shows up with a very weak positive, but just enough to fully call me B+.
May 4th is my first ultrasound. At that time, I will be having my blood drawn again in order to confirm or deny whoever is right. So strange! Again, this really all matters because if you are negative, you have to get the rhogam shot during pregnancy. If you are positive, you do not. So what am I? If I am a weak positive, should I still get the shot just to be safe? Did anyone know there can actually be weak positives or negatives? So much for a solid answer.
Okay, must go focus on something besides pregnancy! Gee, how about that final coming up? :)
The mystery continues! Another interesting day in the sometimes very uninteresting life of your favorite pregnant navy wife!
So after yesterday's fiasco, I have decided to do my own investigation. These days, I do that a lot and it seems to be paying off! The lab has told me that my blood type is B+. My United Blood Services card, previous knowledge, and my own Mom swears my blood type is B-. All of my life I have known my blood type to be B-. Suddenly, when the plus or minus sign matters the most, we have no idea what my actual blood type is! Did it change!?
The lab tech I spoke to via phone explained to me that the B antigen of my blood is 100% B. There is no doubt about that part. Then he explained that the blood is separated by the serum and umm, enzyme? Not sure. But there's two ways they separate the blood and they check each one against the other to get the plus or minus results. The D antigen is what tells the plus or minus. The lab tech says at first glance, anyone can see that I am B-. But, after incubating my blood and adding an enzyme, my blood then shows up with a very weak positive, but just enough to fully call me B+.
May 4th is my first ultrasound. At that time, I will be having my blood drawn again in order to confirm or deny whoever is right. So strange! Again, this really all matters because if you are negative, you have to get the rhogam shot during pregnancy. If you are positive, you do not. So what am I? If I am a weak positive, should I still get the shot just to be safe? Did anyone know there can actually be weak positives or negatives? So much for a solid answer.
Okay, must go focus on something besides pregnancy! Gee, how about that final coming up? :)
The mystery continues! Another interesting day in the sometimes very uninteresting life of your favorite pregnant navy wife!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Physical Exam
Today was an interesting day. So, I get to the hospital and do the weight and temp check. Then, I sit in the room and wait for the doctor. He comes in and we discuss my visit yesterday. As we are talking, his nurse comes in and says something about the lady yesterday giving the wrong paperwork. I caught on that they didn't like the way the lady yesterday handled things and so I chirped in. I told them how I had waited in the waiting room and was skipped over, how she told me to get blood work when I said I already did that last week, and how my doctor told me I can get a seven week ultra sound--she said I couldn't, they don't do ultrasounds that early, I won't be able to tell anything anyway, etc. My doctor and nurse exchanged glances and then handed me a comment form! My doctor was upset that she made me get blood work, didn't listen to me--seven vials of blood! He said it was all unnecessary because I already did it last week, which is what I told her! Then, he was not happy that she gave me such a fuss about getting an ultrasound that my doctor had promised me! Plus, the fact that I had to wait. They said the lady yesterday doesn't have her crap together! I agree.
My HCG levels as of today are 1,636. That is good because it means they are doubling as they should. I have gained two pounds since last week's visit, which is also good because my doctor says I already needed to gain weight prior to the pregnancy, so I'm working on packing on the pounds. :)
We discussed the Rhogam shot, as one of my reader's was asking, what exactly does this mean? Okay, so here is what this means. If you are negative blood type you need to discuss the Rhogam shot with your doctor because, after a first pregnancy (or miscarriage in my case) you body builds up antibodies which fight with the babies. If the baby is positive blood type and you are negative, your body thinks the baby is foreign and tries to terminate. My lab work shows my blood is officially as of today, B positive. However, my mother does not seem to think that is correct! Both of my parents are negative blood types. So, now we are looking into this to see if the labs misinformed on the paperwork, my mom has lost her marbles :), my blood has changed?! (surgery and whatever the doctor put into me can do this rarely), or what the deal is!
A few other questions, before we get to the good stuff! Caesar salad dressing made in the store is processed, meaning it should not contain raw eggs, therefore, is safe to eat. If you are making your own dressing with raw eggs, you are best to avoid it. According to my doctor, fifty percent of raw eggs contain salmonella, which, can cause problems in your baby. He told me if I have been eating it before, I can still eat it if I'm aware of the risks. And the last question I was asked by a reader is how high your heart rate can get while working out during pregnancy. You take 220 and minus your age. Then, you take 70% of that, and that gives you the highest target heart rate you should be at while pregnant. It is also really important not to get too hot during exercise.
So... all of my labs looked good. My doctor told me my back could be a major concern upcoming and he is referring me to a gynecologist to make sure I will be able to properly deliver a baby with my back. He said pregnant women's backs curve in as their body changes, and obviously, my back is fused and barred and not going anywhere! So, this could be a potential difficulty. Then, we did the physical exam. I will spare details while still trying to be informative. He said my cervix is blue, which is good, meaning it's full of blood for the baby and obviously pregnant. He then checked my uterus and said it was of proper size for six weeks, about the size of a pear. He then took my hand and showed me externally how to feel my uterus. It was crazy because I could definitely tell something was there, after knowing what to look for!
My doctor then sat down with me and told me there is no reason to believe I cannot have a successful pregnancy resulting in a baby at the end. He said I need to eat eat eat and gain gain gain. He really thinks this time will be it. My doctor is great, he really takes his time with me and talks with me, listens to me, and makes sure that I am good with everything before leaving. He told me to show up for my ultrasound this week and take a VHS tape (old school!) with me for them to record it, as well as a camera. Then, he said to come back in six weeks to see him again. Which works out well because I will be gone that long on my trip.
Water water water! Food food food! Now, this morning I went to IHOP and I had stuffed french toast. Hard for me to eat a lot, I get full really easy! Then lunch I had Dairy Queen chicken strips. And my new thing is Dairy Queen Arctic Rush, basically a slushy. :) Best thing ever! Now if I would stop feeling sick long enough to enjoy it all!
Tonight is dinner with two of my navy wife friends. After being robbed of all my extra blood, I'm thinking a steak will do well!
So far so good!
My HCG levels as of today are 1,636. That is good because it means they are doubling as they should. I have gained two pounds since last week's visit, which is also good because my doctor says I already needed to gain weight prior to the pregnancy, so I'm working on packing on the pounds. :)
We discussed the Rhogam shot, as one of my reader's was asking, what exactly does this mean? Okay, so here is what this means. If you are negative blood type you need to discuss the Rhogam shot with your doctor because, after a first pregnancy (or miscarriage in my case) you body builds up antibodies which fight with the babies. If the baby is positive blood type and you are negative, your body thinks the baby is foreign and tries to terminate. My lab work shows my blood is officially as of today, B positive. However, my mother does not seem to think that is correct! Both of my parents are negative blood types. So, now we are looking into this to see if the labs misinformed on the paperwork, my mom has lost her marbles :), my blood has changed?! (surgery and whatever the doctor put into me can do this rarely), or what the deal is!
A few other questions, before we get to the good stuff! Caesar salad dressing made in the store is processed, meaning it should not contain raw eggs, therefore, is safe to eat. If you are making your own dressing with raw eggs, you are best to avoid it. According to my doctor, fifty percent of raw eggs contain salmonella, which, can cause problems in your baby. He told me if I have been eating it before, I can still eat it if I'm aware of the risks. And the last question I was asked by a reader is how high your heart rate can get while working out during pregnancy. You take 220 and minus your age. Then, you take 70% of that, and that gives you the highest target heart rate you should be at while pregnant. It is also really important not to get too hot during exercise.
So... all of my labs looked good. My doctor told me my back could be a major concern upcoming and he is referring me to a gynecologist to make sure I will be able to properly deliver a baby with my back. He said pregnant women's backs curve in as their body changes, and obviously, my back is fused and barred and not going anywhere! So, this could be a potential difficulty. Then, we did the physical exam. I will spare details while still trying to be informative. He said my cervix is blue, which is good, meaning it's full of blood for the baby and obviously pregnant. He then checked my uterus and said it was of proper size for six weeks, about the size of a pear. He then took my hand and showed me externally how to feel my uterus. It was crazy because I could definitely tell something was there, after knowing what to look for!
My doctor then sat down with me and told me there is no reason to believe I cannot have a successful pregnancy resulting in a baby at the end. He said I need to eat eat eat and gain gain gain. He really thinks this time will be it. My doctor is great, he really takes his time with me and talks with me, listens to me, and makes sure that I am good with everything before leaving. He told me to show up for my ultrasound this week and take a VHS tape (old school!) with me for them to record it, as well as a camera. Then, he said to come back in six weeks to see him again. Which works out well because I will be gone that long on my trip.
Water water water! Food food food! Now, this morning I went to IHOP and I had stuffed french toast. Hard for me to eat a lot, I get full really easy! Then lunch I had Dairy Queen chicken strips. And my new thing is Dairy Queen Arctic Rush, basically a slushy. :) Best thing ever! Now if I would stop feeling sick long enough to enjoy it all!
Tonight is dinner with two of my navy wife friends. After being robbed of all my extra blood, I'm thinking a steak will do well!
So far so good!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Prenatal Appointment
Wow! What a day! So, it's pouring outside and I run to my car and drive in the downpour to the hospital for a 'prenatal visit.' I must say, they have definitely upgraded their processing since last year. Last year, my husband took work off to sit in a room with me with a bunch of other pregnant ladies and we listened to a nurse talk about her pregnancy. Yup. That's all. But this time, I met with a nurse one on one and she gave me the Navy Hospital's pregnancy book, what to expect at the hospital. Then, she discussed things like drugs and alcohol, prescriptions and diet. Height, weight and blood pressure were taken. After that, I was sent back to the waiting room to wait for the prenatal 'specialist' to see me to schedule an ultrasound. The prenatal 'specialist' came out of the room after 15 minutes, (By now I have been there for an hour) and she walked right by me and took the people who just walked in! Yup, I was forgotten! So, I went to the front desk and asked if I had missed something or if I really did just get skipped over. Sure enough, yes, she skipped me. So I waited a while longer then finally went in and saw her. I told her about my miscarriage and asked about upcoming tests. I told her I wanted an ultrasound at seven weeks, prior to leaving for my month long trip. She basically told me no way. I told her my doctor had already told me I can get it done, so I made her work on it. She made some phone calls and then told me that there were no appointments available. I then sent a quick text message to a friend about the situation, told her to say a quick prayer, and the minute after the text was sent, the prenatal 'specialist' looked up from the computer and said there was suddenly a cancellation. :) Awesome! So, seven week ultrasound May 4th. Technically, this will be six weeks and six days, but whose counting? ;)
Then, she scheduled me for labs, which I found odd because last week my doctor made me give a TON of blood already. I have inside information and I know for a fact via lab reports, that these blood tests were already done. Oh well, I'll make her happy and get stabbed again! Plus, I asked her if she can request HCG levels and she looked at me like I'm ridiculous. So I explained to her it would assure me if I can just see that the number is doubling. So, she gave in and then I went to labs! Labs took seven vials of blood and a urine sample. After my two hour visit, I left very happy knowing things are actually getting done! Oh! Almost forgot.... so the 'specialist' told me I have to get a Rhogram? shot, or should have gotten it after my miscarriage. I know for a fact I never received a shot. She said it is because I have a negative blood type. My own research and sources confirm that it only matters if the father and your blood type are both negative or one of each or something? Basically, i think last year I was not really cared for as I should have been because there is no information on my miscarriage at all and they did nothing with the gestational sac I carried in last year in a butter dish. Yes. I did. Anyway, this time around I feel like things are getting done. This makes me happy. And this happiness I am beginning to wonder if it is a symptom of pregnancy! :)
Tomorrow I see my doctor for a physical exam. He will probably try to do a Doppler heartbeat on me, as he did last time, but I very much doubt we will hear anything. Usually this shows up best at 12 weeks, even though the baby's heart starts beating at 3.
The worries don't go away but I hold onto the hope that one more day is closer to seeing the baby inside of me thrive.
Then, she scheduled me for labs, which I found odd because last week my doctor made me give a TON of blood already. I have inside information and I know for a fact via lab reports, that these blood tests were already done. Oh well, I'll make her happy and get stabbed again! Plus, I asked her if she can request HCG levels and she looked at me like I'm ridiculous. So I explained to her it would assure me if I can just see that the number is doubling. So, she gave in and then I went to labs! Labs took seven vials of blood and a urine sample. After my two hour visit, I left very happy knowing things are actually getting done! Oh! Almost forgot.... so the 'specialist' told me I have to get a Rhogram? shot, or should have gotten it after my miscarriage. I know for a fact I never received a shot. She said it is because I have a negative blood type. My own research and sources confirm that it only matters if the father and your blood type are both negative or one of each or something? Basically, i think last year I was not really cared for as I should have been because there is no information on my miscarriage at all and they did nothing with the gestational sac I carried in last year in a butter dish. Yes. I did. Anyway, this time around I feel like things are getting done. This makes me happy. And this happiness I am beginning to wonder if it is a symptom of pregnancy! :)
Tomorrow I see my doctor for a physical exam. He will probably try to do a Doppler heartbeat on me, as he did last time, but I very much doubt we will hear anything. Usually this shows up best at 12 weeks, even though the baby's heart starts beating at 3.
The worries don't go away but I hold onto the hope that one more day is closer to seeing the baby inside of me thrive.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Uncertainties
Well, here we are. Three days away from being week six. It will be at least six more weeks before I advertise this blog, in fear of the worst to come. But for the record--I will continue to post as daily as I can, in order to keep an accurate account of this wonderful journey--for all those strangers out there who do not know me and want to find comfort in another person's story, for my best friend who for now I will keep disclosed--so she can follow along, and for my mom--who gave me a journal the last time to detail the day by day accounts. This is for you. And for me. And, for Beaner. And someday, when my husband returns from sea-this is for him as well--the days he missed while away, the complaints and joys, trials and fears, hopes and excitements... it's early, and if the worst comes to play a second time, I won't give up. This blog will stay up until a baby results. Let's hope and pray that will be in approximately 8 months.
Today is a good day. Did you know you have to drink at least two liters of water minimum a day? Well, most people should anyway but when you are pregnat, you ACTUALLY have to drink it! This past week I have woken up in the middle of the night, four am, six am, eight am.... all times I was ravenously hungry. Have you ever been so tired nothing could drag you out of bed but then again, staying in bed made your stomach growl even more? Yeah, that's been me. I had a little cramping the past two days. My knowledgable neighbor and mother of four, wife of a nurse, she told me about round ligament pain. As long as you are not spotting and you have light cramping, don't be too worried early on. Your uterus is just growing faster than you're used too. For those with pain and concerned with miscarriage, always check with your doctor of course, but, if you are not spotting and the pain is light, most likely you are going through normal pregnancy changes.
I don't claim to be an expert, but after one miscarriage and 100% desire to conceive a baby, I do know quite a bit. HCG levels were at 145 April 21st. The range is fairly normal at 50-500. HCG should double every two to three days, and everyone's are different.
Tonight is steak! I might even drive to Dairy Queen this afternoon for the slushie thing. Nervous...but hoping.
Today is a good day. Did you know you have to drink at least two liters of water minimum a day? Well, most people should anyway but when you are pregnat, you ACTUALLY have to drink it! This past week I have woken up in the middle of the night, four am, six am, eight am.... all times I was ravenously hungry. Have you ever been so tired nothing could drag you out of bed but then again, staying in bed made your stomach growl even more? Yeah, that's been me. I had a little cramping the past two days. My knowledgable neighbor and mother of four, wife of a nurse, she told me about round ligament pain. As long as you are not spotting and you have light cramping, don't be too worried early on. Your uterus is just growing faster than you're used too. For those with pain and concerned with miscarriage, always check with your doctor of course, but, if you are not spotting and the pain is light, most likely you are going through normal pregnancy changes.
I don't claim to be an expert, but after one miscarriage and 100% desire to conceive a baby, I do know quite a bit. HCG levels were at 145 April 21st. The range is fairly normal at 50-500. HCG should double every two to three days, and everyone's are different.
Tonight is steak! I might even drive to Dairy Queen this afternoon for the slushie thing. Nervous...but hoping.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)