Long needed update...

Okay, I'm back. If you couldn't tell from the new decor...we are expecting a baby GIRL!!!! We've decided to name her Brooklynn Marie, and we can't wait to meet her!

So far, it's been a fairly difficult pregnancy, and I've neglecting my blog because I've not really wanted to talk about it. But I now I feel okay to talk about a few of my issues, so here it goes. While certain medical issues have taken a back seat, new and "exciting" ones have taken their place. My RA has all but completely subsided during the pregnancy. There was one electrical storm in July that really had me hurting for about 48 hours, but other than that I have been very blessed to have only 2 joint (L knee and R shoulder) give me any amount of trouble. My Rheumatologist says that it's a good sign, and we will just keep our fingers crossed that the typical 3 month postpartum flare up will be minor.

I had horrible nausea and vomiting, to the point of hyperemesis. Not even Zofran touched it some days. That lasted WELL into the pregnancy, and I only started getting relief after about 20 weeks, with most of it gone by 24. However, once the hyperemesis was out of the picture, heartburn set it. I have never experienced heartburn, and have always prided myself with my ability to eat spicy, cultural foods. Sadly, I can't eat the deliciously fried and spicy foods that I crave. Tums didn't touch it, and I now take Zantac 150. Ahhh...I love that stuff! Hopefully it continues to work throughout the remainder of my pregnancy.

My septum makes me more on the high risk side. I already knew that, but I guess I really didn't know how high risk I actually am. My doctor is more of a "we'll cross that bridge when we get there" kind of guy, and while it makes for a stress free appointment, it drives me kinda crazy because I like to know all the details. Never once has he used the terms "high risk" or "C-section" even though I know he's thinking about it. Never worried me about preterm labor, or gestational diabetes. Nothing. During my 26 week appointment, I made a passing comment to him about spending some time in Utah for my baby shower and a family get together. I got the worst stink eye, EVER. He told me that while he couldn't forbid me to go, I, in no way, had his blessing, because he was afraid that I could go into pre-term labor while in Utah, and be hundreds of miles away from him and his staff who have a birth plan in place for me. Well, that did it. I didn't go to Utah, and canceled my baby shower. Sorry about that by the way.

After my 26 week appointment, I took my 1 hour glucose test. I didn't have a problem getting the sickly sweet orange drink down....it was keeping it down that got to me. I was planning on walking around while I waited for the blood draw, but after 20 minutes, I was about to pass out. After Ben took me home and helped me relax for the remaining time, I was feeling a bit better. As soon as I stood up to go to the clinic, I immediately felt like I was going to pass out again. Ben helped me to the car, and before we could even make it out of our parking lot, I had to jump out of the car and vomit in the bushes. Nice, right? After driving the 60 seconds to the clinic, they took my blood and sent me on my way, but I had a horrible feeling I was going to fail. Sure enough, bright and early the next morning, I got the call. I failed my test. Great. So after talking with the nurse and explaining that I couldn't keep down the 50cc drink for an hour, there was no way I could keep down the 100cc drink for three hours unless they let me lie on a bed and have the tech come to me. Since there really isn't an option for that at my clinic, I am now doing the Jelly Bean test. I have to eat 20 of the Brach's jelly beans in under 2 minutes, then get my blood drawn at the 2 hour mark and pray it's below 120. We'll see how that one goes.

On a positive note, Brooklynn was head down at my last appointment (28 weeks), and all on my right side. So at least she is capable of getting into position at this point. Today, she was back in her favorite spot....feet up one side, head up the other, bum squarely on my cervix. I had to laugh with Ben at my last appointment, because my regular OB was out of town, so I had to see his associate. She is much more...frank...about my condition. Haha. There was a brand new student nurse shadowing, and as soon as I explained my medical history, the doctor turned to the nurse and started rambling off statistics of preemies, c-sections, and all sorts of complications. It's a very good thing I already knew this information, or I would have been totally taken back. (As I said before, my doctor is very go with the flow...)

So now we are just waiting. The goal is to get to October 13th, which is the 34 week mark. After that, I don't care when she comes....I just don't want her before that. I have only gained about 13 pounds so far in the pregnancy, (and as my doctor told me, I have a long torso and wide, baby bearing hips) so I'm really not very big. I don't have any belly pictures since my 20 week one, so I will have to do that soon. I have not been very good about that. I end up feeling too crummy to have my picture taken. I will try to be better about updating the blog, but to be honest, I probably won't be any better until Brooke gets here and I feel like I have something exciting to post about! Love you all!!!