Our bags are packed...

 

and we’re ready to go. Last night was only the third time that I’ve un-packed and packed our hospital bags, changing my mind about what to take and how much to take each time. I think I’m finally settled and know that anything I need along the way the hubs could always run home to get. When deciding what to pack I consulted other mommy friends, mommy blogs that I follow and of course the plethora of parenting emails you receive the minute you conceive. Below is what I’m taking:

Mommy & Daddy’s bag

(for mommy)

Flip flops- who am I kidding, my feet will fit in nothing else

1 pair of socks

Mini apple juice boxes and hard candy (blood sugar control)

2 nursing tanks, purchased from Target in a heinously large size! I’ve heard that Glamour Mom tanks are the hotness but plan to see what disaster size I’m working with post-delivery.

2 pairs of comfy pajama pants

1 nicer lounge outfit including a robe (thank you Nana)

Hair tie and clips

Make up (I know, I know, we’ll see if I actually use it)

Glasses

Other toiletries including a hair dryer and straightener (I have grand delusions)

My pillow

Comfy underwear (I’m told these are a must)

Nursing pads and absorbent maxi pads (I cried when I purchased these)

All current medicine that I’m on (insulin, etc.) and a list of these

 

(for Daddy)

Long sleeve shirt

T-shirts

Gym shorts

Toiletries

Singles and coins for the vending machines

Being a man is so easy!!

 

(for Distraction)

IPhones

IPad

Camera

Trashy Hollywood magazines

Flip Camera

 

Finley’s bag

2 Aden and Anias receiving blankets (Will these live up to the hype?!)

2 pairs of scratch mittens

Hand sanitizer

2 pairs of socks

Brush and hair bows

Nail clippers and file

Fleece blanket

The cutest going home outfit ever- photos forthcoming!

The "skinny" on Drs.

The “skinny” on what? The only thing skinny on me these days is perhaps my pinky, on a good day. J

As promised, this blog is intended to present a very honest portrayal of pregnancy with type 1 diabetes, which has involved many Doctors, many finger sticks, many sonograms, many increases/ deceases in insulin and many growth and learning opportunities.

A brief background: mothers with type-1 diabetes often have pregnancies characterized by abnormally large babies with prematurely developed lungs and most often deliver between 37-39 weeks. Ironically, and thankfully, the risk of Finley getting diabetes from me is only 4%- you can tell how lucky I was to inherit this disease from my father. I kid, but I really think my parents should have played the lottery the day they discovered this.

So here goes, a brief summary of my pregnancy (to date) with type-1 diabetes:

1^st trimester

During the 1^st trimester the baby is growing tremendously and the mommy is not often feeling up to optimal eating in quantity or quality. That being said, this trimester is characterized by decreasing insulin needs and very LOW blood sugars. Like so many lows that you wonder why you’re even bothered to take insulin. During this trimester every calorie I was putting into my body was being sucked away by Finley so I lived a lot off of juice and frequent snacking to keep my blood sugar levels constant. Prior to this I was more of a breakfast, morning snack, lunch, dinner and bedtime snack person and learning to break these meals into smaller more frequent sittings was a bit challenging and a shift in the way that I knew eating.

At this point in my pregnancy I was seeing a perinatologist for monthly 3 and 4D bio-physical sonograms where they would check the heart beat and heart development. I was also seeing the OB monthly to measure my growing belly, weight and double check for the heartbeat. Finally, I was seeing an endocrinologist every 3 weeks to monitor my glucose control, adjust my insulin levels and discuss how things were going.

2^nd trimester

Once I hit the 20-week point of my 2^nd trimester the insulin demands of my body shifted drastically. As the baby continued to grow in size and in functional need, Finley demanded more insulin (a growth hormone in fetuses) from me to develop as she needed. Whereas I was mostly insulin sensitive during the 1^st tri, I became more insulin resistant as fat stores accumulated in my body. This resulted in a huge shift of insulin (an increase of about 30 units/ day) to continue to maintain my blood glucose levels while eating small, frequent meals to keep my glucose levels more stabilized.

At this point in my pregnancy I continued to see the perinatologist monthly for sonograms, bio-physical profiles, a 20-week fetal EKG and the usual OB things. Because babies do not begin to differentiate in size until the 25^th week, much focus remained on the development of Finley’s vital organs and heart.

 

3^rd trimester

About midway through the final trimester my body once again shifted from insulin resistance back to sensitivity- I’ve been lowering my insulin in 2 unit increments/ week ever since. As I understand, the baby is done growing and no longer demanding as much insulin from me. This has once again brought many low blood sugars, leaving me some days to struggle to get above 75 (post-meal.) As I’ve just hit 37 weeks (full term- woo hoo!), much of the focus has shifted on making sure that Finley continues to grow at a stable rate and that her lungs are maturing.

Throughout the 3^rd tri I’ve been seeing the perinatologist and OB bi-weekly for bio-physical sonograms and having a growth scan every month. At 34 weeks I began seeing both specialists weekly. The endocrinologist and I met weekly at the top of the 3^rd tri then tapered off to bi-weekly as insulin levels began to stabilize.

Finley had her final growth scan last week at 36.5 weeks and weighed 6lb. 15oz. (+/- 1lb.), measuring on time= great control of my diabetes! In her bio-physicals she’s been showing good practice breaths and my medical team feels that she will have mature enough lungs at birth to avoid the NICU on this basis.

The birth plan:

There are a lot of mixed reviews about type-1 mothers carrying their infants to full term so Finley will be greeting us at 38.5 weeks via a scheduled induction (date to be released in a later blog entry). I have chosen (against my wishes) to not argue with the Drs. and try for a vaginal delivery because her size appears on track. For those that haven’t gathered, I’m a huge control freak and I’m trying to be “zen” about the entire labor and delivery experience. More details on our birth plan will be coming in a future post. For now know that life with Finley is right around the corner, and to get her as a prize at the end of the journey has been worth every finger prick (avg. 15/ day), needle stick (avg. 4/ day) and Drs. appointments (avg. 1/ week) in the world!

The latter half of pregnancy

Well, its official between “baby brain,” loads of Drs. appointments (more on that later) and the challenges of summer always being busy- I’ve been an absentee blogger. That being said, I’m going to try better, to get caught up before the big day.

Starting with…. a recap of the latter 1/3 of my pregnancy in a photo review of the 37lbs. that have snuck up on me! Disclaimer: I’m sticking with 37, even though there’s likely 5 additional pounds in there from IVF ovary stimulation I feel as if I didn’t have time to get rid of that prior to pregnancy, so well, it doesn’t count.

Week # 21

 

Week #22

 

Week #23

 

Week #24

 

Week #25

 

Week #26

 

Week #27

 

Week #28

 

Week #29

 

 

Week #30

Week #31

 

Week #32

Week #33

Week #34

 

Week #35

That brings us to the ninth month:

Week #36

* Looking back this is an outfit of desperation, when you're so sick of wearing the same things, yet you dont' want to purchase new things for a few weeks....... it's really not a flattering nor pretty outfit, so to my fashion-minded followers, please forgive me.

Weird food cravings:

These really don’t exist any longer. I love food of all kinds at the moment and have even been exploring a few new foods i.e. the hubs cooked kale for the first time last evening.

*Throughout the past 12 weeks, my new pregnancy low point was an obnoxious craving for apple pie ice cream, right around week #30. I’m not sure if this even exists, I know that I could not find it. In lieu of making the hubs traverse the state of MD for this, I chose to bake an apple pie, purchase vanilla bean ice cream, and mush said products together. I know, shameful, but delicious nonetheless!

Food aversions:

None

Things that I miss the most:

-          Beer, and I’m not even kidding. Fall beer is my absolute favorite and I cannot wait to enjoy a Sam Adams Oktoberfest, provided I figure out a nursing schedule that allows me to do so, before you call CPS.

-          Shoes, currently my pregnancy “cankles” allow me to wear 2 pairs of flip flops only. I cannot wait to put my feet in new shoes again.

-          Breathing, Finley is still sitting quite high and I’m waiting for her to drop a little out of my ribs so that I can breathe. It’s both a painful and glorious feeling to be reminded of these little feet inside of me every day.

-          The ability to go more than 30 minutes without going to the restroom, enough said.

-          My clothing, as a new season approaches, of which I have no clothing for, I am missing variety. This is great motivation for getting back into shape post-baby as I keep reminding myself that nothing in the kitchen tastes as good as the clothing in my closet look!

Following up on my to-do list:

Is it just me or does summer always seem so far from relaxing?! After spending much of the winter in hormone hibernation (avoiding people and social situations so that no one knew how crazy they made me) summer has taken our life by storm. With vacations, weddings, social obligations and trying to squeeze in mini-trips to places that will be hard with a newborn next summer… time is flying and my to-do list is being severely neglected!

My fear is that the third trimester is going to sneak up on me and that I’ll be left with a ton to do and little physical motivation to do it! For my readers who have been pregnant during the summer, what was the best time in your pregnancy to get stuff done?

Month #5

My apologies for the lack of following up on my blog. Pregnancy has made me both distracted and lazy. I thought perhaps the nesting phase had kicked in last week when I felt the need to steam clean the interior of my car on a random Wednesday night but that surge of urgency (for cleaning and all other things productive) quickly disappeared by the weekend. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to nesting!

I’m now 22 weeks pregnant (a little delayed on the month #5 post) and still waiting on this little lady to let me feel her move. I sometimes wonder if I feel her and don’t know that’s what I’m feeling. I thought I might have felt hiccups last week but haven’t felt them since. I had an ultrasound and she had a fetal EKG 1.5 weeks ago (routine for high risk) and was kickin’ up a storm during this time. She also smiled at me! J My Doctor has assured me not to wish movement too soon because she’s quite the active bean and once I feel it, she won’t stop. I’m trying to be patient, which is very challenging for me, and not rush this last ½ of pregnancy along.

Here’s a picture timeline of me and my growing belly:

Week #17

Week #18

Week #19*Taken in Caesar’s Palace Forum shopping mall in Las Vegas, NV- baby girl’s first trip across country. 

Week #20

Weird food cravings:

-tomatoes

-avocados

- ice cream

*I also have momentary cravings that make no sense to me. My low point thus far in pregnancy has been eating chili cheese French fries at 9am (PST) in Vegas. To my credit it was lunchtime on the east and the restaurant said that’s what they were famous for.

Food aversions:

-Fish, I think that it’s a texture thing.

Things that I miss the most:

-          The ability to fit into normal sized clothing and/or my inability to walk into a store in the mall and not pine over the cute summer collections that don’t fit me.

-          Sleeping on my back.

To-Do...

Do you ever feel like life is getting away from you? I’ll be 20 weeks this weekend and can hardly believe that I’m halfway done the pregnancy. Physically I see myself expanding and know that Finley is growing; however, the thought of how our lives have changed so drastically in the last 5 months leaves me awe struck. I’m so excited to see what the next 20 weeks bring and can hardly wait to meet Finley.

What I can wait for is this never-ending to-do list of things to get done before Finley’s arrival. These include things like: the baby registry, finish (or start) the nursery, sign up and take breastfeeding 101 classes, sign up and attend the “how not to kill your baby during the first week class,” which I believe has a much more eloquent name in the course catalog at our hospital….. I know, I know, I have plenty of time; however, if these last 20 weeks go as quickly as the first, time is of the essence!

So, in addition to the mounting to-do list above, I’ve come up with my own to-do list of things to make sure that we’re doing things that matter instead of sweating the small stuff prior to our big, fall life change. Here goes….

1.       Plan a date night (or dinner out night) each week for the hubs and I

2.       Travel to see our families as frequently as we can

3.       Go to the movies at least 2x’s

4.       Spend quality time with our fur baby and take her on a walk (on her favorite trail) at least 1x/ month

5.       Take an afternoon nap 1x per weekend

6.       On Saturday mornings, do not set the alarm

Let’s see how I do in achieving these perhaps less productive but by far more fun tasks over the next 20 weeks!

The art of ..... in a cup!

As promised, this blog remains an “unrated” and comical full disclosure of pregnancy with diabetes. That’s your warning, read on if you dare…..

This weekend I had the pleasure of practicing the art of peeing in a cup. You heard me correctly! Beginning early Sunday morning until early this morning I collected and stored (in the refrigerator) every ounce of urine coming out of me. For those of you who have been pregnant before, you know that this is quite the collection! Additionally, I had to keep the urine collection cool while traveling to my in laws for Easter. Oh what fun to tote around a cooler of your goodies!

This morning I dropped off the specimen at my OB’s office and had corresponding blood work. Instead of toting the large, orange urine container in the office, I stored it in a Wegmen’s recyclable shopping bag. The receptionist asked where my specimen was and thanked me for disguising it; she said that it often makes others in the waiting room uncomfortable to tote it around in your arms…. I thought, no $hit!

The above test/ collection is to measure the amount of protein being spilled into my urine. All diabetics have a small amount spilled into their urine and this is also how they test for pre-eclampsia in the later stages of pregnancy. My medical team wanted a baseline to work from so that they did not unnecessarily freak out if in month #8 when they saw protein in the urine. I for one got some practice in aiming this weekend which is helpful for the urine collection that occurs each time I’m at the OB and endured embarrassment (in my home, on the road, at my in laws, in my OBs office) all in the name of the bean. The things you’ll do for love! Hehe….

And I'm back....

Nearly two weeks ago my Doctor (finally) gave me the all clear to exercise again. For those of you that know me, you know that sitting on my rump for the past 3 months has been quite a challenge! So, upon gaining clearance I resumed my exercise routine with moderate-to-light activity of walking and spinning. Prior to getting pregnant I was in the process of getting my BodyPump certification and training for a 42-mile bike ride, so in total I was working out 6-8x per week. It’s quite a change to go from 100% to nothing and it’s been quite the change to go from nothing to something…. I honestly do not think that I was prepared for the reaction my body would have while exercising with the bean on board.

Here are a few lessons I’ve learned:

-          My body now demands a lot more water while exercising!

-          I can no longer bank on my exercise HR as an indicator of my intensity and must convert to using the RPE (rate of perceived exertion index.)

-          I have a fear of BodyPump (I know it’s possible to complete) and I really see no need for intense weight lifting while pregnant. Additionally, I’ve been discouraged to lift any kind of weight that would recruit my abs… so then what’s the point. I never have and never will be a girl that trains with 2.5lb. Dumbbell = waste of time!

-          What used to be my warm up is now my workout. It’s amazing how fatigued I get, quickly!

-          I have a crazy amount of flexibility, which I knew would happen, but now I understand the need to be cautious while stretching. I cannot imagine how this will intensify as my pelvic floor limbers to prepare for birthing.

-          I have a new found appreciation for the women that do magnificent things while pregnant (i.e. run a marathon, etc.) You go girl! That’s not me.

Today, I presented two workshops at a regional fitness conference as a continuing education provider. This has been a goal of mine since I began (professionally) in the fitness industry, nearly 10 years ago. I was a bit nervous that this old girl couldn’t get her groove back, but I did and I’m so excited to be feeling a bit more like myself at week #11 and a bit less like an alien has taken over my body. Of course moving forward I will continue to follow my Doctor’s orders of moderate-to-low intensity activity and have no grand delusions of returning to my prior workout status, but it feels great to be doing something good (aside from sleeping all of the time and eating well) for me!

The first trimester (part #1)

I’m happily 10 weeks pregnant today and eager to finish the first trimester. I’m writing this post for two reasons: 1) to chronicle my experiences so that I will not forget and 2) to let you in on what life has been like these past 6 weeks. I had a clear shift in the way that I was feeling at week #5 and again at week #7; however, other than being extremely hungry, tired and moody I’ve had a pleasant journey thus far.

We found out the good news at week #4, and as you can see I’m glowing and trying to stick out my gut in the photo below. I felt great throughout week #4 riding on the excitment and anticipation of being a momma-to-be!

Week #5 was the beginning of “pregnancy” for me. I began to feel nauseous in the morning (upon waking up) and in the evening. I spent a few days living on SeaBands and Saltine Crackers but willed myself not to get sick. I then started to correlate my upset stomach with being hungry. Pregnancy has created a ravenous hunger in me that I’ve never felt before and when I’m hungry, you must feed me!

Week #6 continued with nausea and fatigue; however, I shifted my eating from 3 square meals per day to eating 6-7 times per day in smaller portions at 2-hour intervals. This helped to stave off the ravenous hunger and prevent the onset of nausea.

In this picture I had only gained 1lb. although the size of my stomach would change drastically throughout the day depending upon digestion and the amount of water I had drank. In post #2 I’ll talk a bit more about weight gain and the eating marathon that was our weekend-jaunt to Mexico. Stay tuned and stay hungry!

Weird food cravings:

-          Ice Cream, which I gave up for lent because during week #4 I ate it every night and for the health of my butt size and baby I thought it best!

-          Pineapple

-          Arby’s Roastbeef Sandwich (no kidding!)

Food aversions:

-          Chicken (a texture thing)

-          Salmon (again a texture thing)

-          Bacon, the smell of it cooking in our house sent me into quite a sickness one evening during week #5

Things I miss the most:

-          Working out

-          An Italian Sub (yummo deli meat)

-          Caffeine free Diet Coke (trying my best to limit NutraSweet)

Blessings!

Spring has sprung early on the East Coast and so have the many blessings of babies in our little world! Just three short weeks after finding out that the” little bean” had officially entered our world, we also found out that my brother and his wife have a little one on the way as well. These babies will be a first for our family and I think that Nana and Pap’s brains’ are going to explode with baby joy! Slated to be born just 1 month a part from one another, we’re so excited to see the special relationship and bond that these cousins will share. Both my SIL and I have been trying for quite some time and my heart is so filled with love at this moment at our many blessings.

I’m also thrilled to share the news that during the month of November, two of my cousin in-laws are expecting as well. In total, both sides of our family will expand by 4 this fall! It's crazy the amount of baby fever going on in our world!

I would also be remiss not to share the abundance of joyful baby news I’ve received from friends (both old and new). This spring carries with it so much joy and hope.

An old friend recently sent me a message that “those of us that have experienced infertility feel the blessing of pregnancy x10.” I have had the pleasure of having this feeling and it’s indescribable! For those of you reading, still waiting, I’m sending my “sticky pregnancy vibes” and prayers in full concentration toward you!

Transition.....

First, I want to apologize for the nearly month long hiatus I took from posting to this blog. Blogging was a New Year’s resolution, and I refuse to let myself fail at this. Unfortunately, I’m bad with transition, and I’ve come to a turning point in my blog that transition is a must.

I would like to joyfully introduce you to our “bean in the oven” as we like to lovingly refer to it or my dog Lola’s “birthday baby,” who is due 10/21/12, 1 week after her birthday.

This is a photo of the bean at 8.5 weeks; the head is to the left and the rump to the right. It was a quite the active little baby that morning and we’re fortunate to have a follow up ultrasound tomorrow and to get to see the bean again.

I’m not out of the “woods” in terms of being done with the first trimester, but I have graduated from my fertility practice back to my OBGYN practice. At this point in time, we’re so connected with this little person that there’s no denying he/she exists and is ours. And with that, I wanted to share our news with you!

For this child I prayed and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of him.”- 1 Samuel 1:27

So, I face a blog turning point. For those of you who have followed me "one step at a time" throughout my journey with infertility, I thank you for taking each step with me and ask that you continue to follow our journey in pregnancy and parenthood. I will continue to write with truth, faith and hope.

For those of you following my blog still struggling with infertility, I continue to pray for you each and every day. Stay strong and maintain faith that in all things God does, he does with great purpose, as our sovereign God. He does have a plan for you and he will provide all things in his time.