Another Story from Gestational Land
You know, before I got pregnant, I promised myself that I would not become one of those pregnant women.
You know the ones, the ones who can't stop talking about their pregnancies. The ones who seem to think that there is nothing much that extends beyond the radius of their expanding bellies. I was going to remain able to discuss business, life, politics and crafting without having to refer to my "condition". Especially on my knitting blog.
So to those of you who have had enough of the my abdominally focused talk, I'm not going to apologize, but I am going to encourage you to take a pass on the post today. No knitting. All gestational. It's just where my head is at, and writing about what's going on in my life usually proves to be good therapy.
I'm beginning to get a little ambivalent about my pre-natal visits. On one hand, it's good to know that I'm getting good care, and that I'm being watched carefully so that we can all make sure that both Z and I make it to the finish line happy and healthy. On the other hand, being watched carefully often means that more things come to light than you really want to know about. Like glucose levels. Or cervical dilation.
So, this morning I headed off to the doctor figuring I'd more or less gotten past the big stuff to be worried about and I'd dealt with the idea of being confined to Chicago. I got a Bella Band last weekend that seems to be doing good things for me in terms of belly support and relieving some joint pain. It makes a girl feel more or less comfortable with the idea that she's going to have a nice routine visit and then get to head off on her own adventures for the rest of the day.
Queue up the ominous music...
Of course, this morning my blood pressure was high. High when I was sitting up. High when I was laying on my side. Not high enough to be considered high blood pressure if I was not pregnant, but, since pregnant women usually have lower blood pressure than normal, high enough to raise some warning flags. The OB I was seeing did the rest of my checks to make sure everything else seemed good, told me she didn't see any signs of me having pre-eclampsia, but also told me that when it came to things like this, it was better safe than sorry. She walked me down for an immediate ultrasound (the office has it's own) to make sure that the baby looked good and my amniotic fluid levels were right (both were fine -- perhaps the bright spot of the day was seeing the baby on US screen and hearing that she's the perfect weight and size for where she is supposed to be developmentally) and booked me a bed over in the labor and delivery ward of Prentice so that they could run some more tests to see what was going on.
And we all know how much I like hospitals.
But I got settled in there. John came from work to make sure I had company. Testing for pre-eclampsia isn't so bad. Mostly you lay in a bed with a fetal monitor and a contraction monitor and a blood pressure monitor. In my case, you get a very friendly nurse who shares your name and explains everything that is going on, and draws blood more painlessly than anyone who has ever done it before. And you get to have a couple of special urine tests for protein. And your husband feeds you water and juice and takes advantage of the wireless internet at the hospital to get some work done while you work hard at resting.
My OB visit started at 10... I left the hospital around 3:30. Apparently my baby has a beautiful heartbeat and activity level. My blood work is just fine. There's no protein in my urine by either the low or high sensitivity test. My blood pressure has not dropped to where it has been in the past, but its in the "mostly ok" range and it's relatively stable. All signs point to no pre-eclampsia. And that, my friends, is a very good thing. I to talk to my OB (so nice to see her and talk to her) about what could be going on -- and get a realistic discussion of what to worry about with the blood pressure. And I get sent home with instructions to rest and to collect my urine for the next 24 hours so that they can do a more conclusive protein study.
And so here I am at home. Trying to be restful until my return to the OB's office Friday afternoon. I'm not so good at that whole restful thing. And I'm concerned about the fact that my blood pressure is still a bit higher than will likely pass muster (we have one of those little home measuring units), because it implies a good deal of bed rest in my future as part of the management plan. I don't like confinement all that much. So while I'm happy about the lack of eclampsia concerns... I'm feeling a little concerned about what might happen if my blood pressure doesn't fall back into line.
So I'm trying to remember the most important thing... the small person who is growing under my heart. We're so close to the finish line (34 weeks), and in the great scheme of things, this is nothing. Just my own issues with not liking to be out of control of the world around me. So I'm trying to focus on listening to the fetal monitor earlier in the afternoon, hearing her little heart beat, changing ever so slightly when she moves. I've been told that maternal heart sounds are soothing for babies. But right now, it's her heartbeat that's helping me feel better.
I'm not sure if I've commented before but I've been reading for some time now.
Instead of thinking of it as bed rest, think of it as knitting time :-)
as a side note: the purpose of children is to assure you completely and with no doubt that you have absolutely no control what so ever of anything.
Love and Laughter,
Amy
I'm glad to hear that things should be okay. Good luck! And bed rest can be great knitting time, as someone said above.
Find yourself a good independent midwife... They don't freak out at every little bit.
I don't know how high your blood pressure was, but it's kind of common for blood pressure to rise in late pregnancy. There's a lot more pressure from the baby and the blood has a harder time getting around the body so it's only natural for blood pressure to increase somewhat. Of course, if it goes thru the roof (170/100 or something like that) you should be worried, but you say it was "mostly ok".
FWIW: I was in hospital yesterday, too. Because I was dizzy. Not a little bit either, I was "Can not walk in a straight line" dizzy. Every thing's fine though, sugar levels (125, after a bowl of cereal and a glass of juice), blood pressure (130/70), urine sample didn't show anything wrong, we did fetal monitoring for a long while (>30min), she's doing just fine, too. I was sent home with instructions to lay down and rest and sleep if possible, which I did. Today all's well again *knock on wood*
Anyway, there's a lot of things that can trigger higher than usual blood pressure or dizziness, the midwife I saw yesterday put it down to the weather changing so much. And I tend to agree. I'm apparently super sensitive to changes in air pressure right now, so that's the most likely cause.
I'm a lurker too...
I had to have bed rest when I was pregnant. Son now 6! I was off work for 3 months and the little monster was 2 weeks overdue to top it off...
It is an extremely boring time but remember that you will never again have such free time in which to read a book, knit, sew, bake, have a bath all in peace! Make the most of it, relax and look after yourself, John and Baby Z.
Much love
Thinking good thoughts of you from here! I am in my 39th week (being induced today...long story) and last week was instructed to "take it easy" due to swelling in my foot that could lead to or indicate high blood pressure, etc. My job is pretty high activity right now, so that meant hanging out at the house for the last week spending lots of time on the couch. All of this to say, I feel your pain in that respect. It wasn't a lot of fun, but taught me lots and gave me a chance to rest before the sleepless nights kick in. You really are SO close, even when it doesn't feel like it! Sorry for the rambling comment...hope all continues to be well in your gestational land!
Boy, does this bring back memories! My blood pressure was elevated for the last 2 months or so of my pregnancy with Hannah. I was stuck with needles more times than I care to remember! I never developed pre-eclampsia but they watched me very carefully because my mother had it with me. It was a PITA because *I* knew I was fine but no one would believe me. :-)
Hope all turns out to be fine. Keep your feet up as much as possible and lay on your left side. You know the drill.
I got told my BP was worryingly high on an ante-natal visit to my Doctor, at going on two weeks past the due date. She diagnosed pre-eclampsia & had me in hospital quicker than that. Well, after I'd done some shopping to make sure my husband had something in the house to eat, actually.
Our son was induced, & turned up the following evening. He's going on 25 now.
& Amy is quite correct. If motherhood teaches you anything at all it teaches you that a mother's place is, usually, in the wrong, specially with our daughter! But we've all survived, & get on fairly well these days.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of Z when she arrives, specially in some of yr jackets. If you have the time to post them!
I'm sorry Theresa! And, of course, all this stuff just makes you worry a bit more, which can't be good for your blood pressure. I hope you have a restful weekend and everything goes well today.
ahhhh...24 hour urine collection. Welcome to my world. And here I thought that was just for us special lupus patients. *sigh* nothing like collecting your urine yourself for 24 hours to make you realllllly appreciate your local lab person.
You are in the home stretch. Hang in there!
On a side note: I often wonder whatever in the world women did in the days before all this medical technology. I mean what were they thinking having babies without all this technology. Squatting in fields and stuff.
Isn't it amazing how pregnancey takes over everything no matter how hard you try for it not to. I have had problems with my antenatal visits to so completely understand (33 weeks myself).
Hang in there.
Soon this will just be another story to torture your little one while she grows up.
....You scared me a dozen times while pregnant..I had to go to the hospital and have them collect my pee...blah blah. ;)
Seriously, pre-eclampsia is no fun. I had it with both my girls. Listen to your body. You will know if anything really starts to happen. You will feel like poop. :) I'm sure the resting will help keep the BP where it should be and you'll have nothing to worry about.
Just relish the quiet and the closeness of the wee one!
Thinking restful thoughts for you. My BP was elevated near the end too, fortunately didn't mean anything other than I seemed to be a little stressed -- wonder why? Take care!
Unless you have instructions from your OB to check your own BP, lay off the home machine! If you get too mentally attached to "what's my BP now" it will only elevate it more. I would grab the remote control, telephone, laptop with wireless internet, knitting, a HUGE glass of water and put my feet up. Maybe a little calming classical music, too--good for your BP and your baby's developing brain! :) Sending good healthy momma and baby vibes your way...
It's a truism that motherhood changes you -- but it feels different when it's *you* who are changing.
I remember the time I showed up at a pre-natal with elevated blood pressure. The midwife said, "Your BP is up: did something happen?" And I said, "Yes, some jerk ran the red when I had a green left arrow and almost hit me!"
Even if they put you on bed rest, you'll have knitting -- I know I could have used some knitting that day!
Here's another "lurker" coming out of the woodwork - must be the impending full moon! I'm a regular reader (former quilter, too!) and was a first time mother at the age of 36. And there's no doubt about it - becoming parents will change both you and your husband in ways that you never dreamed. Ten years from now (and that time will absolutely fly by) you'll look back on the pre-BabyZ time and wonder at how different life was. I had gestational diabetes. I followed a simple diet and gave myself shots of insulin. My friends all asked how on earth I could actually give myself insulin shots. It was easy. It was required to keep my baby safe and health. No problem. And the shots ceased immediately upon delivery. The biggest thing I learned through pregnancy and early on in being a mother was that I can't control everything. Sometimes you just have to let the cards fall where they may and that's what makes life interesting.
So, hang in there. I think that pregnant women are handed challenges as prepraration for dealing with children. You'll be a great mom! Enjoy the rest time, you're going to need it!
I think every mother makes the promise to not become obsessed and talk about the belly... but honestly how can you not. it is a truely amazing trip, that you have to share with others.
Bed rest can be a crazy thing.. .but just make sure you have everything you need with in arms reach... a few different projects, some books and the remote... you will be fine if you have to do it.
I'm delurking too... today's our day.
I said the same before pregnancy - that I would never be one of those people. Too bad that I didn't know that being pregnant would be one of the most amazing times of my life and that I really would want to talk to everyone about it. I learned to pick and choose who to talk to, though!
I'm glad things are going well. I'm sending peaceful, restful thoughts your way before your follow-up today. From one pregnant knitter to another!
Having had preeclampsia with all four of my children's pregnancies (by technical diagnosis, though two of the four were more severe and required medical intervention) all I can say is relax, or try to :) Stressing over it isn't going to help that BP stay low :) Then again, if it pops up, theres nothing you can really do to prevent it.. just manage it.
The good news is that your at 34 weeks. Another 3 weeks and Z is officially fully cooked and ready to come out either by her own choosing or with a little medically necessary persuasion :)
Hang in there!
wow they are sure being careful huh, sounds like your just fine. I bet its just your body's way of preparing I mean your not that far from the end!
I've been sick for a week and it worries me, I keep wondering when I am going to get better! I'm on antibiotics too and I HATE taking those while pregnant no matter how safe they say they are, plus I wake up with awful stomach aches and have to eat immediatly. I don't blog to much about the pregnancy stuff either but well ya know it sorta takes over our whole life so it's hard not too! Sonds like your doing great, maybe they will just tell you to rest more, that can't be too awful!
*delurks*
Another bed-rest-veteran here... although I had preterm labor and not pre-eclampsia... and I hadn't discovered knitting yet! *weeps* Relax and make the most of it. Bed-rest is wasted on those without children! Where is my bed-rest now???
Side note, both of mine were born at 36 weeks, both over 6 lbs and never needed anything beyond the standard newborn clean-out.
There is nothing like the feeling of the small person growing under your heart... until you hold that person for the very first time. That is love.
I am thinking about you all at this beautiful time.
I had my babies at 35 and 36 weeks, respectively... both popped out perfectly healthy and BIG (each was 10 pounds on their due date). So you're there, you're safe... and I don't recommend pre-e if you can avoid it, it's much less fun than the brochures and colorful ads would have you think.
I know all about this! I had both kids at 38 weeks due to high blood pressure. I think my best number was 155/110. Whoo hoo! That freaked my DR right the hell out. *sigh*
There's not much you can do other than stay hydrated, and all of the stuff you already know about. You will be in my thoughts!
This is when you need your knitting. Sit back, put you feet up and knit, woman! Doctor's order!
(Well, ok, peep's orders, but it is still good advice.)
Blessings be on you AND the not so little package you're carrying! Like Fed Ex, I'm sure you'll deliver on time.
Hey, if you need the therapy then by all means...let it out! Pregnancy is not easy and becoming a mother is tough too.
It wont be long now and before you know it, you'll be holding your little bundle of Z;)
Been there done that and really it isn't so bad to have a little time to yourself before you have the baby and become so busy you are lucky to shower and dress for the day. Enjoy, knit, read or just think about the joy you will experience when the little one is born.
On one of my OB visits I recorded my son's fetal heartbeat and still listen to it today. It still is very relaxing.
it is amazing how fast pregnancy goes when you aren't the pregnant one!
enjoy the rest, and isnt one of the benefits of knitting that it lowers blood pressure? :-)
Hang in there. It will be over before you know it and you'll be holding your sweet baby in your arms. I had to pee in the jug while I was pregnant too. It's not fun, but it too will pass. :)
Take it easy...
1. When the baby arrives you will have little (if any) time to yourself
2. Your temperament now influences your baby’s temperament – calm is the key
3. Let yourself be pampered
4. Remember the docs etc. are only looking out for you and yours
Having been there recently I know where you are.
I had a fall when I was pregnant with my daughter...nothing major, just tripped and scraped a knee, but I had to spend an entire day in the hospital lying on my left side hooked to a monitor, just to make sure everything was OK. It was, she's fine and now 13 (with all the angst that entails),but it wasd MEGA tedious to go through!
Rest, everyone is right, you'll never get this much time to yourself again!
I'm right there with you ... feeling every bit of your pain. I'm off to the perinatologist in about five minutes for a sono because of high protein ...
delurking to say that if you go with your DH to your next appt., and you hold his hand during the blood pressure test, your BP might be lower.
I hope for the best for you with this baby!
Funny, I've read you for years now, and this is first day I've felt moved to comment. I remember everything about the day I had my high bp scare. It was at 32 weeks; I was only there because my baby was huge, and they wanted to see me more often as a result. I was SO SCARED. My day mirrored yours: hours in the hospital, blood tests, a really nice nurse to perform the blood tests, etc. I ended up on partial and then full bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy, and you know what? It was great. It really was. I was better rested than I had been in weeks. I work full-time, and the bed rest meant that I didn't have to feel guilty about being consumed with my pregnancy. I just took a load off and took care of my baby the best way I could.
The thing I've learned since then (my baby girl is almost 4) is that parenting is scary. This is the first of many scares you'll have. I think that's why it's so rewarding. Anything that matters so much should be a little scary from time to time--it keeps you on your toes.
so many good comments, knitting IS relaxing and lowers blood pressure, bed rest IS knitting time etc, but it also will help you practice patience . a much needed virtue when raising children! Seriously these things do worry you, no matter what anyone says . . but worry is paying interest on a debt that is not due. Try to relax, lsiten to your body and breathe with baby Z, read to her, knit to her and treasure these moments , quiet moments that you will wish for later. Many calming prayers are coming your way.
many low blood pressure thoughts coming your way!!! i'm not sure i'm the best person to send them though! i had the exact same thing happen at 34 weeks but they put me on bedrest and i had to do 24 hour urine tests/collections... i went in at 36 weeks 2 days and they said, all done! you are done being pregnant and are on your way to the hospital. i had developed full blown pre-e. it was not fun, i was in rough shape but evie (my daughter) was fine with no issues despite being 4 weeks early. relax relax relax and stay on that left side!
and don't worry about being one of 'those' people. it happens to the best of us. i'm wondering what happened to my 'knitting' blog, all i have is pictures of my daughter! :)
Oog, no fun! 34 weeks is darn close to the finish line though, so hopefully you won't have to be on rest for too long!
Another de-lurker...
I am so happy that everything seems to be in line with her health and that a slightly increased BP is seemingly the only symptom. It is amazing how much our own worry can raise our BP when we are already so sensitive to so much.
I'm 22 1/2 weeks pregnant and I keep hoping for a little reprise towards the end of my pregnancy and get a little bedrest so that I can knit, relax and just enjoy my baby girl before she gets here. Of course I don't want anything to be wrong with her or for her to be in danger, I just want a little lazy time. :)
I wound up with pregnancy-induced hypertension at 34 weeks, and I was put on modified bed rest until my daughter was born, just a few days before her due date. It was boring, but I did get a lot of knitting done! The hardest part, honestly, was that I had this extreme nesting urge for the last two weeks and couldn't act on it.
Good luck! It's no fun being on bed rest, but it's so worth the end result.
Not that I know anything about this, but I think its likely you are going to need to give up your love of control.
;-)
The unexpected always comes up. I'm glad that you and the baby are doing ok and the tests came back negative. Of course, it's better to be safe than sorry. Try to relax and just go with the flow....I know it's hard but there isn't too much of a choice anyway, is there?
Lurker here, Bed rest is scary at first but good for all in due time. I too was on bed rest, 4 months, and had an opportunity to rest and relax and change modes from workaholic to expectant mother. This is such a wonderful time in a womans life, god bless and enjoy! (I spent alot of time knitting while on bed rest, and credit it with calming me down and helping me de-stress.)
Jane
PS. Your creations are lovely, I especially like the quilt.
Theresa, after the first excitement of being pregnant wears off, you're left with a whole lot of physical discomfort for nine months. The good part is that everyone is excited for you, and you get to be totally self-absorbed with your pregnancy. It's absolutely okay to talk about and obsess about. It's all about you and that baby growing inside you. Forget what you vowed, and talk your heart out about what you're experiencing. There are only a few times in our lives that we get to be the queen, and everyone kowtows to us...milk it for all it's worth. And then give birth to your daughter, and meet the real princess.
I spent the last month of both pregnancies on bedrest due to pre-eclampsia. I was feeling so bad with the first baby that it was huge relief to be told to stop and go to bed--I had my 2 stepchildren (5 & 8) to take care of, so I'd been working pretty hard.
I did find it kind of hard to knit while lying down on my left side. But at least you have the internet available--this was over 20 years ago and it was very boring.
My two are just fine and all grown up now.
I've always had the opposite problem with my pregnancies. Instead of the doctor being overly worried about this or that, I couldn't get them to pay attention to me when I had issues (it's particularly difficult when you can't articulate what the problem is, you just know something's NOT RIGHT).
Don't worry! I had pre-eclampsia. Bad. And we both made it through fine. My son just turned 8 the other day. :) Relax and de-stressify. If there's no protein, it's not something to worry about. Really.
All the best to you!
ah, yes, control over our life, I remember that vaguely.... its just a preview of things to come with the kid coming. its not as bad as you think- having faith of any sort helps.
control is sooo overrated...
Another delurker - it sounds like you are getting excellent care, even if it feels like a lot of poking and prodding right now. Pre-eclampsia is getting a lot of attention right now, so they are just being careful. My blood pressure was high, and my feet were swollen horribly. All worked out in the end.
I found myself becoming more inwardly focused, especially towards the last few months. Other people said it too - keep trying to rest and go with the flow. Good luck to your growing family.
i don't mind the gestational talk at all, especially having just been through it all. i was put on first partial, then complete bedrest for the last couple months of my pregnancy and it was really tough at first. i am the type of person you would have to duct tape to a chair to get to sit still and rest so it took alot of emotional adjusting...and reminders from my husband! but it was a great time to relax, read, knit, watch way too much law & order (ha ha) and SLEEP! which i don't get too much of now with a 6 week old :)
anyway, i am glad to hear all the testing came back ok and you are being watched closely...good luck with everything and take advantage of the time while you can, little Z will be here before you know it!
Hmmmm.... Perhaps your blood pressure is high because you have emotional stress from visiting the doctor.
Stay confident in yourself, stay serene. You're doing fine.
If and that's an if they do decide you need bedrest, it's an opportunity to do all the things everyone has already mentioned, plus you can get some real rest before the big day. I swear it's the hardest work you'll ever do, but unbelievably worth it.
Hang in there Theresa. I developed pre-eclampsia with all 3 babies. They induced #1 as he was post-dates when it started to become an issue but #2 and #3 had me on bedrest, monitors, and medications while I waited for the magic 36 weeks. Listen to your body Theresa. Rest. Focus on your child. Try not to let the medical establishment frighten you or push you around. Right now your baby is healthy. As long as that's the case, everything else will be fine. And hey - women with pre-eclampsia have much shorter labours! Women with pre-eclampsia and pre-dilated cervixes can go into labour after breakfast and be ready to eat at lunch. Ask me how I know.
You're only three weeks from being fully cooked, hang in there! As many have said above, it's your last chance for some quiet. I was on bed rest for 17 days (very long) at about 20 weeks and had a 2 year old at home, not relaxing. Also spent the entire time on the internet trying to figure out what was going on! But you're so close. Remember that everything you do now is for the health of the baby and yourself, not a punishment or anything. Try to find the silver lining! Soon you will have your beautiful baby in your arms and all will be well!
Sometimes it is good to have been pregnant in the dark ages... that is, before MD's monitored, viewed, ultra-sounded etc. etc. for EVERYTHING. Odds are that everything is fine. My BP can go up 20 points just thinking about whether my BP is going to be high.
Say what you need to say, and write what you need to write. There's always somebody who cares. Good luck to you. (And I DO like Amy's opinion that this is some unexpected knitting time!)