Just a quick update since my last post. I am so sorry I haven't been updating as often as I should but I have been so preoccupied with the happiness of pregnancy that my blog has been put on the back burner.
I had my Integrated Prenatal Screening at around 13 weeks to check for any abnormalities like spina bifida and trisomy issues. I received word a few weeks later that all looked normal. They did not feel there is any risk of spina bifida and my risk for a trisomy was one in over 1,100 which is small enough for me to relax. I had my 20 week ultrasound scan to check for other anatomical abnormalities and everything was normal once again. I was able to take home a bunch of pictures of the little guy (yes, I also found out at this scan that I am having a boy!) and it was so incredible to see the 3D pics and see his little face in there!
Unfortunately, I did have a higher than normal blood pressure reading during this time and was put on some meds but because they made my BP too low, the dose has been lowered. I purchased a digital monitor to keep up on it and it is still on the low side most times which almost confirms my opinion that I have "White Coat Syndrome". Also, I took my BP while in the car before my appointment and got 109/65 then not 15 minutes later in the doctors office got a reading of 130/80 on both his cuff and my monitor so I am quite certain that this is the case. What was confirmed though, was that I did fail my glucose tolerance test so I have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, although all of my blood readings have been in the normal range so far. I am required to test my blood 7 times a day and report all of my numbers to the nurse twice a week. It doesn't appear from my numbers that I am diabetic, however she did say that as the placenta and baby grow, my body may not make more insulin to compensate and some women do have to go on insulin injections. Hopefully this isn't the case for me and so far, so good. The good thing about this diagnosis is that I will get to see my baby again because they will be doing more ultrasounds to keep track of baby's size (because higher blood sugar levels can cause baby to be bigger and birth may have to be induced at an earlier time).
Aside from all of that, I am feeling great! A little more tired than usual but that is really the only side effect so far that is bothersome (and not really that bothersome at all). The best thing is that I have begun to feel him kick...not the flutters of the last several weeks, but full on kicks!! It is so cool. I can actually see my stomach move when he does this! He loves to tease his Daddy though, as every time I tell him to place his hand on my belly, the little stinker stops all together, only to commence kicking again the very moment he takes his hand away. My belly, by the way, is apparently right on track, even a tad smaller than average (of course I feel huge at this point and keep wondering how I can possible get any bigger!).
That is my update so far folks! I am still paranoid every single day and I suspect that won't go away. I am so happy though and at times I still can't believe I am almost 6 months pregnant. It feels like just yesterday I was surrounded my medications, supplements, ovulation tests and monthly disappointment. I thank God for blessing me with this amazing miracle and I honestly cannot wait to meet him!
Here is a pic of my miracle at just under 20 weeks.
