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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

I think bed rest is turning me into a hypochondriac.

Happy Tuesday, friends!  It has been yet another eventful day in the Baum household.  Before I begin my tale, might I preface you with some photos of my first day working from the couch?  Pictures make blog posts more fun, after all:

I think it is safe to say that Layla loves bed rest.  Can't you tell?  I took the top photo this morning, and the bottom photo this afternoon after I had to switch sides of the couch so that I'd be closer to an outlet - no dead battery here.  Anyway, she did not move from that position all day.  Even when I had to get up 123987298347 times to go to the restroom, she'd watch me, sigh heavily a few times, wait for me to get settled once I got back to the couch, and then snuggle into my leg for more naps.  This dog is rotten, I tell you.

Anyway, so you may remember from yesterday's post that I have been having these pesky headaches for 4-ish days that I can't get rid of.  Before last week I wouldn't have ever thought anything about them, but lately every little thing has me worried and I'm trying to balance being crazy vs. not when it comes to the doctor.  I don't want to be "that girl" who calls every five seconds about every little thing and has to be seen all of the time over nothing.  I also don't want to be "that girl" who has crazy complications because she refused to call the doctor.

With that said, at every one of my recent doctor visits, they've asked lots of questions about blurry vision and headaches.  I didn't have anything to report before, so they told me to make sure to call if there were any changes.  So, when I started getting these headaches, I kept putting off calling - again, I didn't want to freak everyone out over nothing.  Additionally, I couldn't figure out if the doctor only meant for me to call if I had headaches and blurry vision.  In the end, the headaches have been frequent - and strong - enough that we decided we'd rather be safe than sorry. 

I called the nurse this afternoon and told her what was going on.  I explained that the headaches have not been debilitating like a migraine, but they have been to the point where I had to close my eyes because the light hurt.  No blurry vision.  No upper abdominal pain (but tons of lower due to this child shoving some body part down what I'm pretty sure is the birth canal OFTEN).  Just headaches.  I reminded her that I have an appointment on Friday, that I'm sure it's nothing and can wait, but that I thought I'd rather be safe than sorry.  She told me that I was right to call, had every reason to be concerned, and that the doctor wanted me to come in as soon as I could get there.  enter into panic mode.  I'd been keeping Dan up to date on the day's events, and he'd asked me to let him know if they wanted me to come in so that he could come get me and take me.  Sweet, sweet man.  So he came home and we left around 3:15.

I went in and performed the usual drill.  No protein in my urine, which was good (speaking of, results of last week's urine test were normal - there was some protein in there, and it was on the "high" side of normal, but still considered normal). Four pounds gained since Friday, which means I am retaining some fluid (swelling is still there, but not as bad since I'm doing nothing but laying/sitting around).  And just like I predicted - blood pressure had skyrocketed since the last appointment: 150/86.  The doctor came in to talk to me, we talked about what was going on, and he again assured me that I was right to come in.  He said they couldn't tell over the phone if it was something that needed to be addressed, and what with all of the preeclampsia symptoms anyway, he felt better having me come in.  We talked about my symptoms and they took my blood pressure again.  Within a 30 minute period it had gone back down to normal - 110/76.  My headache was also fading.  He checked the baby out with the doppler and also put me on the FHM again just to be sure.  Baby girl was stubborn today and did not want to perform for the nice nurse and doctor, even after drinking juice, but she wiggled enough after he moved my stomach around some that he felt comfortable that she's fine.  They took my blood pressure again for good measure and it was still fine - 118/76.

So, the moral of the story is:  everything is fine.  I'm to keep monitoring the headaches, and they're going to keep monitoring me very closely.  He still wants me to come in on Friday so that they can keep an eye on me, and he said he will determine whether I need to come in twice/week based on the outcome of Friday's appointment.  He said that the headaches could possibly be related to the spiking of my blood pressure.  He also said that if I do, in fact, have preeclampsia, which is what they're worried about, the preeclampsia could be causing the headaches all on its own.  The bottom line is this: baby girl is fine.  I am fine for now, but they are going to continuously monitor me just to be safe.  I asked today what the chances are of me making it to 40 weeks.  He basically said that they are going to do everything in their power to make sure I make it to 37 weeks, when Geronimina will be full-term.  He said they'd love for me to make it to 39, but that after 37, given everything that is going on with me, it wouldn't take much for them to decide to go ahead and deliver me if my body is still acting up.  So, I guess that means that this baby could come in 3 weeks, unless my body calms down.  We seriously need a car seat.  And some diapers.  And probably I should wash the few clothes I've bought for her.  And get some nursing bras?  Lord, the list goes on and on.

I'm sure these "update" posts are getting old, but I am trying to make sure I get everything documented so I don't forget it.  Tomorrow, I shall tell you all about the breast feeding class.  :-)  In the meantime, Dan and I are going to watch The Happiest Baby On The Block in anticipation of a possibly early baby.  EEEK!

Hump day tomorrow already?  Yes please!

Sarah

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