week of October 26 - November 1

[Think +]

Almost into November ladies ... we have come a long way! Congrats to everyone. Looking forward to hearing updates.

[lyrical_secret]

Ohhhh Brother !
This Gestational Diabetes thing is kickin my butt . I was told my morning fasting should be under 100 . After eating meals / snacks under 155 . And to call my OB or Hospital OB dept if my numbers was ever over 200 . I am to test blood sugars 1 hour after meals . So generally 4x a day .

My fasting numbers are ok . But after meals .... FORGET IT ! I try so hard to do what they are telling me to . Eating everything they said to eat . It don't matter , My numbers are still high .

Twice now , I've been over 200 !!!!

To top it off , Last appt Doctor asked what type of birth I would like to have . I said natural . She explained that might NOT be a good idea and to concider a c-section . I'm suposed to let her know at this weeks appt on Thursday . I don't know what to think ....

Any thoughts would help alot .
Michele

[PFF]

Michele-

My two cents - for the blood sugar, to help lower it:
-eat cinnamon - at least 1/4 teaspoon with your meals (where it makes sense) - sprinkle in cereal, or in yogurt, or... in any event, it lowers blood sugar a bit
- take a walk - maybe a half hour or so after you've eaten ideally, but any time you can before you test. Physical activity also lowers blood sugar if you do it for at least a half hour - 20 minutes
- drink a good amount of water with your meal AND after - also helps

My two cents for the c-section:
I'd ask why? There are good reasons for planned c-sections: multiples, cervix or uterual issues, low or high amniotic fluid, baby not thriving, baby or mother in distress. But, large baby is not supposed to be one of them (which I'm guessing is what your doctor is thinking) - at least that's what the World Health Organization says. I'd want a really good, life or health -threatening reason for having a c-section because it is major abdominal surgery with a longer recovery time so it should be considered very seriously. I'd want as much info as possible so I could go into the birth very confident I made the right choice for me. You should still have time to decide - so if after this next appointment you still don't know, tell her that you need more time. The fact that she's asking what you want makes me think that it's still very much a viable option.

[Think +]

Michele -
I feel your pain. I am also testing 4x. My morning #s are all below 100 and after meals the highest has been 144. Still today OB said that he doesnt like the high 90s for fasting. Not much I can do about that except watch it. AFM my c-section is already scheduled due to previous abdominal surgery. So natural birth was never an option. I am okay with it though I understand that natural seems to be the preferred option. PFF is right, take your time to decide and make sure you make an informed choice you are comfortable with. I was talking this morning with a friend who has had both natural and c-section and she was telling me how much more she enjoyed the latter. Dont know if she was trying to make me feel good but from what I hear a planned c-section also does have its pluses. Good luck.
AFM - starting next week I have non stress tests 2x a week. Anyone else with GD having do this yet? Also have an u/s on the 9th. Looks like they are monitoring me pretty closely and I am not complaining except that I am struggling to squeeze everything into my already hectic work schedule.

[whitley]

Originally Posted by Think +

Michele -
AFM my c-section is already scheduled due to previous abdominal surgery. So natural birth was never an option. I am okay with it though I understand that natural seems to be the preferred option. PFF is right, take your time to decide and make sure you make an informed choice you are comfortable with. I was talking this morning with a friend who has had both natural and c-section and she was telling me how much more she enjoyed the latter. Dont know if she was trying to make me feel good but from what I hear a planned c-section also does have its pluses.

Ditto...from someone who has had vaginal and now will have a scheduled C-section (but has already experienced it via my mymomectomy which is pretty much a C-section just WITHOUT the baby in the end) I think both have their perks but I am looking forward to my C-section since I already know what to expect. I will regret the scar but that's about it. I like all the perks...so I'm fine with it. But again, we're only going this route because of my previous myomectomy dictating that I never have another vaginal birth.

[daettc]

Hi ladies. I am sorry about all of the gd problems. It has to be frustrating to have another worry on top of everything else--trust me--I know with my cervical issues.

I am having the same issues with the moving as other ladies. We have our room and TV room done and kitchen works. I WANT THE BABY's ROOM DONE!
And I can't do what needs to be done--build two dressers/bookshelves and paint closets/trim. Which means I can't organize all of the shower stuff that is cluttering up our extra living room. UGH!

On the bright side, I have dr. tomorrow and I think "bedrest" will be done as I am 34 weeks today. I have been doing the whit thing--lol--since she didn't measure cervix last time I have been doing some shopping and putting things away at house. Nothing major--but not stuck in bed like at the start. I wonder what she will do tomorrow.

Well, I am hoping dh brings this computer to our new house soon--then I can be on here more. Hope all is well this week!

[lyrical_secret]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and input .
Alot to think about here . I've been doing my homework the last few days and checking into c-section , called my OB and asked questions .

I know for sure one of her main reasons for c-sec is all the surgeries I've had on my belly . I had major surgery with an ectopic , later a laporscopic , I've also had a c-sec cut done already w/out the baby in the end . That was a ovarian cancer surgery , where my right ovary was removed , an " open procedure " was done on the left ovary , biopsies taken , polyps removed . and a few d&c's done as well . I've had surgery , that's for sure . ( excuse the spelling in all that ) .

I asked her if one of the reasons for a c-sec was baby size . I was told she wouldn't even think of a c-sec for me if she didn't believe I was already at risk for possibly hurting the baby with him getting stuck in the birth canal , even worse broken bones for the baby . She really believe he is too big for me to deliver vaginally . I guess I look heafty , but my pelvic bone inside is NOT that wide . Worse case , I could crack / break my pelvic bone as well .

She explained she would much rather I be able to do this naturally . But she is uneasy with me doing so as this pregnancy goes on . There is always a chance of everything being just fine . This is my first actual birth , who knows what my body is really capable of doing on its own . But do I really want to take the chance ??? After 13 years of infertility , if it comes down to vaginal or a c-sec to insure everyones safety , then why not ?

We went into more detail , I could be induced also to try and have the baby naturally before he gets even bigger , But again there are risk of labor stalling and him getting stuck , and a c-sec being done anyway . Why should I labor for hours and suffer the pain , just to be told oooops sorry , this wont work ?

I've had a c-sec cut done before . I know the recovery . I remember the whole thing . I'm not scared . They can use the same cut as before . It's low lying , right on the hair line . Plus DH will be off work the first month and will be with me . My parents are coming to . So I will have help . Bottom line .... I didn't try for 13 years to get this baby here just to get him stuck or hurt him ! I want a healthy baby and if a c-sec can provide this , Ok with me .

Also , my blood sugars just keep climbing . I'm doing everything I can , by the book ! They wrote a script out for meds for me today . Hopefully that will help . If not to the insulin club I go . That is scarey . Because of all the risk for baby . Low blood sugars after birth , messed up red blood cells , breathing problems . Just freak me out .

Is it ok to say , I can't wait for this to be over and our baby be home and healthy ! I'm over this !!! We made a list of other questions to ask the Doc on Thursday . So I will know more then .

So , I know some people dont agree with c-sec and some do . I thank everyone for thier thoughts . But I really do feel it might be the right way to go for me at this point .

Thanks everyone
Michele

[PFF]

Hey Michele-

It sounds like you got all your questions answered and that your doctor is great. Definitely more complicated than just the 'big baby' thing. I'm glad you're happy with the decision.

AFM - went to the diabetes center today. My numbers look fantastic. Baby is healthy, but baby is big - like going to be over 9 pounds. So now we're on baby watch. The baby needs to keep growing - but not too much. And really there's not much I can do about it since it's clearly not because of my glucose. So, while they are not talking c-section, they are saying that by week 38 they might discuss induction if the baby is getting too big. And they won't know until then whether I can do birth center or not. Sooo frustrating. I'm starting to really hope the baby comes sooner rather than later so I don't even have to deal with all these complications and I can stop worrying.

On top of everything - sleep is getting harder and harder to come by. Add to that when I get up to go to the bathroom my hips and pelvis are KILLING me at night. Anyone sleeping? Anyone got tips to make sleeping easier? Hip and lower back tips?

[Think +]

Michele - I am glad you have made a decision - a well informed one at that. I too have had abdominal surgery, like a c-sec without the baby, for fibroids. I know exactly what to expect and dont really care that much about the scar which is why I am very comfortable with my scheduled c-sec. People look at me like I am crazy but DH and I are at peace with the decision and that's all that counts.

PFF - great job with the glucose. Mine is mostly below the required levels with the exception of a few. I had not gained a single pound in the past few weeks and am measuring exactly where I am supposed to. I guess the u/s on the 9th will reveal more about the est birth weight of the LO.
Sorry I have no tips for a better sleep. I am getting about 6 hours of sleep right now but am very sore when I turn at night or wake up.

Hope everyone else is well. Hang in there. We are on the home stretch

[lyrical_secret]

PFF ,
I am having a terrible time with my hips / lower back . I wake up in pain knowing I need to roll over and move , but I hurt so bad . Rolling over hurts , staying still hurts and it's impossible to fall back to sleep until I move . Which usually wakes me up enough I realize , I'm in huge pain , need to go potty and I'm thirsty . I gotta get up .... sighs . When I get up , walking helps a little ( not at first though ) It takes a few steps to get going . But I'll potty , get a drink and make a couple laps inside my house walking slow and steady . Most times if I go back to bed , laying on the other side will get me through the rest of the night . If not the recliner is heaven sent !!! It helps the most . I take my body pillow to the recliner get settled in , kinda on my side , recline back til im comfy , with my pillow between my knees , cover up , watch tv til Im out like a light ! It also helped my breathing , being elevated somewhat . Warm baths / showers in the middle of the night help me too . Also , Congrats on your numbers ! That is great news .

Again , I wanna thank everyone for your thoughts and help . I hope everyone is doing well and is having a great week !

Michele