February Appointments

pirateduck

So my doctor reviewed my labs from my recent appointment and said my white cell count is elevated and it could be sign of infection of some sort.  Ugh.  I don't want to be getting sick.  I felt rough last week overall, but I assumed it was all just due to pregnancy and actually feel better today than I did most of last week.  

ruby696

@pirateduck My white blood cells are elevated with every pregnancy.  My understanding is that it's a normal reaction to the stress your body is under. I'm not sure what the range is, you can probably look that up, but I wouldn't be too worried if you're feeling fine.

pirateduck

@ruby696 the doctor said it could just be because of pregnancy and wasn't overly alarmed.  I did feel pretty crappy last week overall and did skip a day of work, but nothing that made me think I was sick and not just defeated by pregnancy.  I had high white cell counts at another appointment too now that I think about it.  

m6agua

+1 for having higher white blood cell counts in pregnancy

drkoyya

Dr. appointment today, all is well. We reviewed my blood work and everything looks good. Apparently I've only gained 6 pounds so far but this is right on track given my starting BMI. We scheduled the rest of my Dr. visits and I only have FOUR MORE LEFT. My Dr.'s office does an appointment every 2-3 weeks after 28 weeks and then 1-2 weeks after 36 weeks. Since my pregnancy has been going smoothly, they spaced out my appointments. We'll probably add another appointment before my EDD but my FOUR scheduled appointments take me through 38 1/2 weeks. Crazy to think there isn't much time left. 

I'm at 28 weeks but my fundal height is at 29.5 cm. Logically, I know that the fundal should equal the gestational age +/- 2 cm. However, my irrational pregnancy brain now believes the baby will come a little early since my uterus is measuring a little bigger. Let's see how baby is measuring at my growth US at 31 weeks. 

pourmeanothermocktail

I especially get higher wbc counts whenever I'm fighting off even a cold during pregnancy, and I have a preschooler, lol, so I'm always fighting something. 

mamaj1220

@drkoyya now you have me all freaked out! I just made the switch today to being bi-weekly (well next is 3 weeks but then it will be bi-weekly) and already was. like wait a second this is going too fast now! Lol
Appointment went well, midwife student had a hard time getting little man to let her hear his heartbeat and she kept apologizing meanwhile I was laughing because he kept kicking the doppler every time she set it down. Measurements are right on track and his heart rate is still in the 120's. Also here is a little fun fact from my midwife, I am drinking the gross drink, I am drinking Welch's grape juice. She said it is the same amount of glucose so not to tell the lab but she is fine with me doing that esp because she doesn't think there is any reason to worry about GD for me. I also got the binder of insanity for the hospital it makes it all feel so real, I started filling out the paperwork for his birth certificate and signing off that they can do the tests they want too. Also to my OB I want to say even the binder calls it the golden hour and it clearly states that any tests they might want like Apgars can be done while in skin to skin and they want to wait at least the hour before they weigh and measure him so there!

pourmeanothermocktail

Had a midwife appointment yesterday, going to try a supplement to attempt to help my pelvic pain and how it keeps me up at night. Otherwise looking good, and baby moved into a weird spot and for the only time ever my belly measured two weeks behind. Not worried, expecting it to be back to normal next time. Put in my notes that we're sterilizing in the case of a surgical delivery.

rox7777

I had my 28 weeks appointment today. Measuring two weeks behind and only up 2lbs in the last month, but baby’s measurements are on track, so no worries. And I passed my one hour! 

lajoliedreamer

@mamaj1220 - when I was pregnant with DD and asked my midwife about an alternative to the glucose test drink she told that though there are some things that can have a similar affect, nothing is as effective as the nasty drink and she wouldn't feel comfortable with anything else to ensure the best results. I don't like it, but can tolerate it as long as it isn't the orange one. I had the "fruit punch" last time and this time the office I'm at only stocks the clear kind. Lucky you that you were able to make a switch!

pirateduck

My office definitely didn't offer a choice, they only stock a clear lemon/lime that they said people seem to tolerate the best so that's what they go with.

m6agua

My office usually gives you the orange one, but you can ask for a different one. With DD I didn't know that so I had the orange one for my 1 and 3 hour. This time I asked for the clear one, without dyes (lemon lime I think) when I did the 1 hour at 9 weeks. I tolerated it so much better, although it is a different pregnancy so I don't know if that was the reason or not. I am asking for the clear one again next week.

I did do research on alternatives and there are other options out there, different juices, some food options, also doing the finger pricks and tracking meals for a week. I asked about it early on, when I was seeing midwives, and it seems like my office really doesn't do the alternatives. I'm sure if I pushed and advocated more I could have, but I figured I would try the other "flavor" first.

ruby696

I just got the call from my OB that I passed my glucose test! I'm so relieved! I do have to take iron supplements, so i guess I'll never poop again. Should be fun.

Oh, and I had to drink the orange drink. And it was warm. 🤢

mamaj1220

Yeah the midwife is laid back for the most part and she told me that since I puked up orange last time and they don't offer any other flavors at the office or lab anymore, she felt like I should do grape juice. I was like oh okay I can do that! 

@ruby696 what about adding a probiotic or something with iron supplement? 

ruby696

@mamaj1220 I'm going to have to add something. I'm also thinking about asking my doctor for a stool softener, but I had a male colleague in my office when I got the call. So that will be a conversation for another time. On the plus side, I'm hoping the iron supplements help with my fatigue.

mamaj1220

@ruby696 that would make for an awkward after call exchange if you had asked right then  though sometimes I do find it fun to mess with male coworkers about things like that though pooping not as fun.

pirateduck

@ruby696 are you taking any extra fiber at all?  (as in a supplement, not just though the foods you eat)  You can start with something like Metamucil and see if that does the trick.

ruby696

@pirateduck I take Metamucil, but not as regularly as I should. I should also probably up the dose.

pirateduck

@ruby696 I have only taken it on occasion as needed, I've been pretty fortunate that I don't need it daily, but I think you can take it a few times a day, it's just fiber.

jkr2019

@ruby696 I’ve been on two colace per day since like the first visit. Totally helps with the iron supplement and I prefer that it’s a pill not something I have to drink.

ruby696

@jkr2019 I picked up some colace when I got my iron pills. I'm glad to hear that you've been able to take two a day with no problems. Question - does the iron make you nauseous? I've been taking everything in the morning and I think maybe it's too much for me. Prenatal, prescription folate, baby aspirin, DHA, iron, vitamin C, and colace. I was feeling fine until I added the iron, vitamin C and colace.

TattoosandLace

I feel like I remember my doctor recommending taking iron in the pm because of nausea. 

ruby696

Thanks @TattoosandLace. I know it's not the vitamin C.... I'll try taking it tomorrow night before bed. 

TattoosandLace

@ruby696 hope it helps!

shamrocandroll

I had my growth scan and 28w OB appointment today, and I'm still not gaining weight, but baby is in the 90%s.  Hahaha whaaaaat the heck guys!?  So I guess I'm not in trouble for not gaining weight anymore, and I'm super glad not to have GD because that would have made the already difficult and unappealing task of eating even more difficult.  I guess we just make big babies who make me not like food all that much?  Also, lil babe is currently sitting in a V-shape with his butt down in my cervix, and his arms and feet up by his face.  Made getting a shot of his face impossible, but she got an adorable one of his nose and lips poking out between his arms, and another cute one of his feet.  I'll post them in the ultrasound thread.  

splashmountain

@shamrocandroll I'm glad little man is doing good in there! I only gained 9 lbs during my pregnancy with DS and he was 7lbs 12oz at birth. Sometimes you just don't gain much. 

shamrocandroll

@splashmountain Yeah, I only gained 11 with DS1 and he was nearly 9 lbs at birth.  So this is all fairly "normal" for me and my body, but I was pretty thrown off by not passing the 1 hour glucose screening this time!  So glad I passed the 3 hour, because I can't imagine being told I'm not gaining enough, AND I have GD!  

mamaqdubu

@shamrocandroll sounds like your babes are just super efficient at stealing ALL of your energy. Surprising how that doesn’t end when they are on the outside either 😆

pirateduck

Hmm...  I just noticed that they changed the name of the doctor on my appointment this week to someone I haven't heard of or met.  I wonder if they hired someone new to replace my midwife that recently left...

allie456

@ruby696 were you diagnosed as anemic or is the iron precautionary? just wondering because I haven't been tested for it (afaik). taking all the pills I was taking was rough on my system too so I shifted my prenatal to the evening and that seemed to help a bit.

@shamrocandroll makes sense to me that if Baby is taking up all the space inside you, you wouldn't be particularly hungry! and clearly he's getting what he needs.

I had my 26 week appointment/scan today and both babies apparently are exactly the same weight (???) -- 2lbs 3 oz, right in the middle of average -- so either Girlbaby caught up or Bobybaby slowed down. Amniotic fluid levels looked good; cervix is long and closed still. The doctor I saw discouraged inversions for taking blood away from the placentas and seemed ready to schedule the C section (due to breech/transverse lie) pretty much immediately, which super bummed me out. I might try out the inversions anyway, or acupuncture.

ruby696

@allie456 I had bloodwork done last Wednesday which showed my iron levels were down from the last time I had blood drawn and I was slightly anemic. Prior to the test, I didn't have to take them.

pirateduck

@allie456 my OB did blood work including iron and a CBC at the same time as my 1 hour glucose test.

allie456

@pirateduck oh ok, that makes sense. I'm scheduled for my GTT in 2 weeks. 

m6agua

Just got done with my 28 week appointment, still waiting on the glucose results. Overall the appointment went well. I got my dTAP shot, talked to the nurse about delivery, hospital tours, breastfeeding, and more. Then met with the doctor, everything is measuring on track and baby boy is laying transverse. His head is on my right, butt on my left and feet down low. I will see what I can do to encourage him to move head down. When I did my lab for the glucose they also drew for the CBC and I requested a Vitamin D lab too and I had thyroid labs to be drawn for the Endo. So 5 vials taken today!

pirateduck

oooo.... I should ask to have my thyroid checked again.  I hadn't thought of that recently, I have enough other stuff on my mind.  

@m6agua I have been taking vitamin D my whole pregnancy.  The doctor is always telling me I don't have to because it tested in normal range, but it only ever tests in normal range when I'm taking the supplement, all the other tests I've had done while not taking vitamin D were low, which is why I started taking it like 2 years ago.  Anways, hopefully all your tests come back normal!

m6agua

@pirateduck I found out that my Vitamin D was seriously low (20) at 18 months postpartum last time once I went to a Functional Medicine practitioner along with low thyroid and other stuff. Regular doctors would not listen to me that something was off. It took me 6 months taking 10,000 IU over the summer to get up to 40, then another 6 months over the winter taking 7,000 IU to get up to 60. I've kept up a maintenance dose of 5,000 IU since, so I asked to get the test. At first she said that everyone in WI is low in the winter, then I told her how much I was taking and my history and she agreed to the test. I want to make sure it is in good range (not too low or too high) since I think the low D played a factor in my lack of milk production. I've had the thyroid labs every 4-6 weeks since I've been seeing and Endo all pregnancy. I was on meds when pregnancy started, had just transferred my thyroid care to the Endo from the FM practitioner when I found out I was pregnant. We decided to go off the meds right away and they have just been monitoring it since. I think the thyroid stuff played a factor in my milk not coming in too. Basically I'm trying to be really proactive to rule out all the hormonal issues prior to breastfeeding so I only have to deal with the glandular tissue issues.

From my research basically anyone north of Atlanta area should be taking a Vitamin D supplement all year, but more during the winter since we are so far north of the equator.

pirateduck

@m6agua this is good info.  I hadn't thought of it in relation to BF at all.  While TTC and working with an RE trying to figure out why we couldn't seem to have kids, my blood was tested for a million things a million times.  I find it a little odd that now that I'm pregnant they don't seem concerned with re-checking any of that stuff periodically.  I know my vitamin D was low multiple times before being pregnant (so continuing a low dose of supplements, I also had the 10,000 IU prescription ones at one point), and I know I have thyroid issues (not currently medicated).  I'm going to ask about this at my appointment this week.  I like to think they can be persuaded to draw a vial of blood to at least recheck my thyroid.  It also makes me wonder if my insomnia is related to that at all.  Hmm...

ruby696

Well, I had my follow up US with my MFM re: growth discordance and amniotic fluid. Last time, growth discordance was at 15% and baby girl's amniotic fluid was excessive so they were worried about GD or hydramnios. This time, baby boy weighed 2lbs 8oz and baby girl weighed 2lbs 6oz - discordance was at 4%. And amniotic fluid, while slightly elevated was not abnormal. So. Much. Relief.

Today's MFM basically rolled her eyes at my last results and said between 20-26 weeks, the computer has a really hard time giving accurate numbers on discordance and that discordance was unlikely to have ever been at 15%. Also, I don't have GD and she wasn't even slightly concerned about fluid levels. I celebrated with Taco Bell. 😬

m6agua

That is great news @ruby696

shamrocandroll

@ruby696 Yaaaaaay!  That's great news!  You must feel so relieved!

ETA fixed typo