Well, here we are in our seventh month. In less than three weeks I will be at the same gestation that I was when Gavin was born premature. Doctors are definitely keeping a close eye on things.
My cervix is still intact and at the length it should be. I am having contractions and mild cramping despite the progesterone therapy, though not as much as when I was pregnant with Gavin. I've been prescribed to am informal evening/weekend bed rest.
I am experiencing other complications that I did not experience with G. I was recently diagnosed with anemia, varicosities, and gestational diabetes. I have a higher risk of the latter two due to the hormone therapy. Not sure how in the world I became anemic, but here I am. Iron supplements and compression tights have been ordered.
I am concerned about the diabetes, but so far both doctors and several nurses assure me that the risk of preterm delivery is more critical than the diabetes, which is supposedly easily managed with diet and exercise.
However, due to my contractions my activity is limited. I am searching for just the right balance between enough exercise to manage blood sugar and contractions. It's difficult for me. Additionally I've had to make adjustments toy diet and forgo the comfort of the occasional Starbucks hot chocolate with a morning bun and eating waffles with Gavin in the morning.
Soon I will receive my blood sugar monitoring equipment and will have to check my levels every few hours and log the data, which I'll have to send to my doctors on a weekly basis.
The good news is that I finally mety insurance deductible and all these fun little extras are slightly less expensive.
The diabetes diagnosis was disapointing considering how close we are to the holidays. I was really looking forward to pumpkin pie and bread pudding and turkey and dumplings and cranberry sauce and chocolate pie, homemade pie...
I should stop torturing myself now.
The holidays also mean a lot of time at home, in our new recliner. Especially during Christmas, which will be a critical time. The 33rd/34th week. Ladies that share my circumstances typically give birth between 35-37 weeks, which is my doctors' goal (if not longer).
I've fallen terribly behind on my blog, which is disappointing, but also temporary. Photos are at least saved and slowly being edited and uploaded to Shutterfly for future family and baby photo albums. I've made progress on other side projects and been trying to work as much as possible to make up for time lost at weekly doctor appointments.
Gavin still kisses and hugs baby almost every day and patiently rests his hands on my belly waiting for movement. He also speaks to my belly. "Hi baby, I'm your brother," he says. "Be good and have a nice day with mommy."
