30wks today

Too much going on. Too many thoughts on my mind. Where to start.

First, Gestational Diabetes and VBAC. It seems I have been talking about GD since 11 wks pregnancy. I was tested for GD early on, at 11 wks and failed the 1 hour test because of the stupid gum I ate. Passed the 3 hour GTT with flying colors. After 20 weeks I switched OB practices because of previous practice's policies on GD and VBAC. They informed me if I get diabetes that has to be controlled by medication, I will not be allowed to go beyond 39 wks. If I don't have it or don't need medication, I may go up to 40 wks but no further because I'm VBAC. I switched to Dr. A. who was quite sympathetic and proclaimed a different viewpoint. He, you see, is mother friendly. He doesn't like to section and is not like other doctors. He has the lowest c-section rate in the area. He would let me go beyond 40wks and take a wait and watch approach. It was better than what I had so I switched. I wasn't entirely sure about him so I kept looking for a more supportive doctor. I found him through ICAN website, Dr. T. I met with Dr. T who agreed to be my backup doctor in case Dr. A pulls a fast one on me at the last minute. I also hired a midwife to be with me during labor.
Things were fine until last week, when I failed my 1 hour glycola again and had to take the 3 hour GTT. The numbers -
Fasting - 82 (less than 95)
1 Hour - 190 (less than 180) - Failed
2 Hour - 153 (less than 155)
3 Hour - 131 (less than 140)

I failed ONE part of the test. Dr A says my numbers are high and I have failed the test. From everything I've read and the literature I have from the lab, to fail, I have to either have the fasting bloodsugar higher than 95 (it isn't) or, 2 readings high (only one is). I feel an uphill battle coming up. He wants to meet with me this week and I said fine. I am going tomorrow with DH to hear what he wants to say. I feel he is too intent on diagnosing me with GD because it gives him more reasons to induce me early. From whatever I've read, inducing VBACs is bad. The chance of uterine rupture increases at least 2 fold. I made clear to him early on, I do not want to be induced. He promised me more than 40wks and I am keen on making him keep his promise. If I get diagnosed, that is one strike against me and one point in his favor. Ironically, I am still in the same situation as I was before switching.

The only reason why I don't want to switch too soon to Dr. T is that he is far from home (but closer from my work than current practice). The hospital he goes to is also far from home and going there during rush hour can take up to 1 hour. We have an alternate route which we can take in a emergency and that should take about 20 minutes. I really love this doctor and like this option but DH is saying it's too soon to make this decision. He is our backup plan and it is not time for that yet.

Nursery - I have been planning the nursery most of the pregnancy. At first, I was going to do a robin egg blue with a black&white theme. This was before we found the baby was a girl. I've never wanted a pink nursery. Then, I got attached to a sunshine yellow nursery. I was going to make the bedding out of Michael Miller fabric. I have the fabric but didn't start it yet. I was going to paint a song bird and a swirly tree branch on one wall.
Now, however, I have completely changed my mind and am going with a nice deep teal color. The nursery will be in the sitting room adjoining the master bedroom and it works with the color scheme. I have ordered some butterfly decals from etsy. I just can not wait for it all to be done. The bedding now will not be Michael Miller fabric as it no longer works with the new color scheme. Now I want a white, fancy, frilly bedding. Haven't started looking yet. Better do that now!

16wk: In maternity pants

Today is the first day in maternity pants. They're really loose in the middle but are holding up. I am comfortable. That is the good thing. I've been wearing my regular pants with the bella band but it wasn't comfortable and I always had to adjust it. I'll still use the band since the regular pants fit me fine except in the waist.

Another noteworthy thing today is that I'm finally above my pre-pregnancy weight. Yay! I have quite a belly already but hadn't gained any weight, rather lost some. So the weight gain starts at 16wks. I think I'll gain around 15lb this time around. Now I can start keeping track of how much I'm gaining weekly (or monthly).

The nausea has almost disappeared by now. I'll get it once a day, around dinner time but that is vast improvement over the all day event that was going on a few weeks ago. This may be the reason for finally seeing some movement in the scale.

Baby movements - Some days he's really active, like yesterday. I felt him move at least 10 times while eating lunch. Other days are like today - barely any movement since morning. I think he's sleeping. I'll eat lunch in a few minutes and hope he starts moving then. Grow baby grow.

I think I haven't mentioned that I passed the 3hr Gestational Diabetes test. I was tested early this pregnancy because of having had GD in previous pregnancy. I passed! Numbers -
Fasting - 75
1 hour - 163
2 hour - 129
3 hour - 110

14wk1day: GTT tomorrow

Fasting starts now. I had rice(1/4 cup) and schezuan beans for dinner. Hope the bloodsugar isn't too high tomorrow. I have not been consistent with eating dinners because I usually don't have any appetite at night. I just have something snacky instead. Thought I should eat dinner tonight because I won't get to eat breakfast tomorrow. Test is at 8:45AM and goes on until 11:45AM.

I think I'll do a belly shot this weekend. There is definitely enough to see. My weight has dropped a bit from pre-pregnancy weight but the doctor doesn't seem concerned so I won't either. With DS, I remember I had gained 3-4 lb by the end of first tri. Overall weight gain with him was about 12-14 lb. This time it might be going the same way. I had the weight progress sheet from the doctor but it seems to have been lost :-o I has been more than 5 yrs and 2 moves so I'm not surprised just disappointed.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.

13wk6d: Feeling movements?

I have been feeling flutters at random times - usually once or twice a day. They're not gas, nor any other sensation. They do seem like baby movements and are in the right area. Not a 100% sure, but they do feel like it. With DS, I didn't feel movements until like 22 wks. Maybe it was the position of the placenta that time?
This is really early for feeling movements but not unheard of.

I'm going to schedule my 3hr GTT today. I've been avoiding it but it has to be done unfortunately. I'm not worried about being put on a diet. My biggest concern is having to take insulin like I did with DS. This time I'm going to try my best to avoid it. Certainly it is way to early for insulin. I have talked to the potential doctor if I do end up with GD again (which I'm sure I will, hoping not this early!) and told him my concerns. Fingers crossed!

Results for the Quad screening came back great! Down Syndrome risk was reduced from 1/400 to 1/8000 and Trisomy risk from 1/300 to 1/7000. The initial odds are calculated solely on your age and then the blood test and u/s results combined give the actual risk ratio. This is just a screening so they use this to filter out candidates for more testing - CVS and Amnio.