OB appointment update (possibly long)

shelly2314

2nd attempt at typing this as my lovely wife just erased everything I typed for the last twenty minutes.

I am currently 31 weeks today. We had our first WEEKLY appointment with our OB (yes I said weekly), which is just awesome. It was for our GD check up. While we were there I filled him in on our relatively busy/symptomatic last few days. I had to let him know: I was dizzy with a headache on Sunday, Monday I just felt blah, Tuesday we had contractions all day and off and on headaches, Wednesday was headaches and high BP. Well, they took my bp when we got there and it was high so they had me lie down so they could check again in a bit and if it didn't come down we would be in the OBER. (luckily it went down sufficiently).  The OB then put me on insulin medication once a day to help with management (my numbers weren't TOO bad so we started low). He then reviewed our new plan, which entails: Weekly visits to the OB, Twice a week to the hospital for a NST/AFI (non-stress test/amniotic fluid _____ something rather), and a monthly appointment with our perinatologist (and we find out if that changes tomorrow). Did I mention that all of these appointments are a 45 minute drive from our house???  We chose them b/c the hospital has a NICU and, with twins, I was scared we would need it and I would be separated from our girls! After he went over all of this, he let me know that more than likely I would end up on bed rest shortly. This whole thing really stresses me out and really trying not to freak out.

ATXmommas

All that sounds overwhelming and stressful. I hope you can just take it one appt at a time, trust that you are in good hands, and focus on meeting your little ones soon. Big hugs!

KH826

I am so sorry to hear that you are dealing with all of this, but the good news is that it sounds like you and your babies are getting really good care. I hope that you can avoid bed rest as long as is safely possible. I will be thinking of you. Please keep us updated!

2MamazInSeattle

I'm so sorry! I get it - the GD diagnosis adds a lot of appointments BUT there are risks and being more highly monitored is a good thing, though totally inconvenient. I had to start weekly at 32w (with a singleton!) and then they wanted 2x/week NSTs at 34w but I talked them into 36w for that.

Let me tell you, imho, insulin is the bomb. I was so frustrated 'failing' every day when diet didn't cut it. Though I was well-educated, one thing they did NOT tell me is that btw 27-35w, your placenta is afire. Therefore, it's fighting your liver, pancreas and the insulin you're putting in. It is *expected* that you will need more insulin. I called in all upset and my doc said "oh, if we don't have to increase your insulin, we worry your placenta isn't working." (Great, more to worry about). But, I just want to tell you this because no one told me! I started with 10 units of NPH (slow acting insulin) at night - same as you, low dose, no big deal. I ended up at 40 units at night, and 14 in the morning to help with lunch. And, we even added a 'fast acting" (eat within 1 hour) insulin for dinner - just 4-6 units - but this one is great because if I do cheat a little, you just take 1 click more for every 15 carbs. It's  a PITA to manage but the insulin (for me) made it so much better, I stopped feeling like a failure every day!

Pregnancy is an awesome thing but it is hard. I cannot imagine having 2 in there - you are doing great, just stay the course and do your best. Having complexities like GD and high BP sucks, but you can handle it!

JGY

@2mamazinseattle is so wise.

I'm sorry you are having to deal with so much.  Taking it one day/appointment at a time is good advice.  I can't recall what you do for work, or if you are at home.  Is that adding to your stress level?

We're here to listen and send hugs!

 

shelly2314

2MamazInSeattle said:

I'm so sorry! I get it - the GD diagnosis adds a lot of appointments BUT there are risks and being more highly monitored is a good thing, though totally inconvenient. I had to start weekly at 32w (with a singleton!) and then they wanted 2x/week NSTs at 34w but I talked them into 36w for that.

Let me tell you, imho, insulin is the bomb. I was so frustrated 'failing' every day when diet didn't cut it. Though I was well-educated, one thing they did NOT tell me is that btw 27-35w, your placenta is afire. Therefore, it's fighting your liver, pancreas and the insulin you're putting in. It is *expected* that you will need more insulin. I called in all upset and my doc said "oh, if we don't have to increase your insulin, we worry your placenta isn't working." (Great, more to worry about). But, I just want to tell you this because no one told me! I started with 10 units of NPH (slow acting insulin) at night - same as you, low dose, no big deal. I ended up at 40 units at night, and 14 in the morning to help with lunch. And, we even added a 'fast acting" (eat within 1 hour) insulin for dinner - just 4-6 units - but this one is great because if I do cheat a little, you just take 1 click more for every 15 carbs. It's  a PITA to manage but the insulin (for me) made it so much better, I stopped feeling like a failure every day!

Pregnancy is an awesome thing but it is hard. I cannot imagine having 2 in there - you are doing great, just stay the course and do your best. Having complexities like GD and high BP sucks, but you can handle it!

They are trying me on Glyberide (sp?) oral tablets twice daily. I think it is actually working b/c my numbers are doing pretty well as of right now. Hopefully it will maintain that way!

shelly2314

And thank you everyone for all of your positive thoughts and well wishes