Pregnancy: October 2008

Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Tomorrow I go in for the Glucose Tolerance Test. I don't know why I would be running high on the glucose screen, because I have no other signs of problems, really. I've gained just under 10 pounds so far, and the doctor says I'm doing just fine-- the baby is growing well, and we both seem to be as healthy and happy as can be. I've had some discomfort lately with the ribs-- that kid must be pushing up with all his might against my rib cage!-- and with hip pain after walking around a lot, but other than I feel pretty good. I hope all goes smoothly tomorrow and that I can report back that all is well. :)

Thursday, October 02, 2008
I got through the Glucose Tolerance Test just fine... but came back home exhausted. I found it odd that I wasn't hungry at all, considering that I hadn't eaten since 7:00 the previous night, and it was just before noon when I got home from the hospital. I rested for awhile, and then Joel took me to the store to get one more pair of my favorite maternity pants EVER-- the Secret Fit Belly pants from Motherhood Maternity in the mall. Time for a clothing rave/rant!

I am officially in love with those pants. I have one pair of shorts with the Secret Fit Belly, and I wore them almost daily all summer. I also have a skirt, but that'll come in more handy during fall when I can wear it with hose/tights; it's too hot right now to wear it. This afternoon, I bought my one other pair of pants that can be worn either at work or casually-- and I'm so happy about it. Yes, they are more expensive than I like, but it's soooo worth it. I just cannot stand those other maternity pants with the band that is supposed to go directly across your belly; ouch! uncomfortable! yucky! I also try to avoid the ones that hang out just under your belly, because they tend to slide down and sag in a very unattractive manner; yuck. So far, though, I've been the luckiest woman ever, because my generous and lovely cousin Amy has loaned me her maternity wardrobe, thus saving me HUNDREDS of dollars and many nights of wondering how much longer I can stretch out my pre-pregnancy clothes. I'm so lucky to have such helpful family & friends! :)

Back to the Glucose testing: The hospital called me back in the late afternoon, and it's official-- I'm in the clear! No Gestational Diabetes for me! WOO-HOO!!!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008
So far, this has been an amazing pregnancy. No real, serious problems to deal with, no morning sickness, no severe pains or anything like that. Just the little things like being tired and dizzy for the entire 1st trimester, and the rapid heart rate when I walk certain distances or go up the stairs, and then of course the hip pain. I am so tired of sleeping on my left side I could cry. My hips are getting progressively more and more stiff, achy, and uncomfortable-- if not downright painful-- and now they're being joined by my shoulders, probably because of the sleeping position again. I just got a "Yoga Mama" DVD, and hopefully that will help me with stretching those areas out a bit, and maybe relieve the discomfort as well.

I've also realized that I am ready to leave work. I would leave this month if I could, and be off for November through March. If only!! I just want to be home right now; resting when I need to, enjoying the moments that are passing by so quickly, treating myself nicely (because who else will, right?) and taking extra care of myself... Is it so much to ask? I guess so. This is kind of why I want to get out of California. I really don't want to have to go back to work right away and leave the baby in day care as an infant; if it is at all possible to avoid it, I will. But where could we go? How would we get there? (sigh) So many questions, so little time to get answers.


Thursday, October 16, 2008
Things are still going great. I am still in love with feeling the baby move... even when he does these weird rolls and I feel almost-seasick, and even when he wakes up in the middle of the night or at 4 a.m. and decides to start exercising. :) I'm up to about 12-13 pounds so far, of which the baby only accounts for 2.5 pounds or so. It's hardly the amount of weight I was expecting to gain by 7 months, but then I'm new at this, so who knows?

The only thing that has been semi-problematic lately is the hip discomfort & hip/lower-back pain. I know that it is one of those gifts that comes along with pregnancy, but it feels so similar to the pain from the car accident that I can't help but wonder if they are related. I mean, come on; you can't tell me that a history of fractured pelvis, even when it was five years ago, won't have any impact on my pregnant body-- especially when that same pelvis is supposed to widen, separate a bit, flex, etc. for the baby. Hmm... yeah, I think there might be a connection.

Anyway-- I just try to stretch as often as possible, and rest when it starts to hurt or feel "tight" in my hip area, especially on the right side. Unfortunately, it has pushed me into a few sick days that I don't really have left, so I'll be taking a hit in the paycheck this month. Ugh. On the bright side, I have no qualms about taking care of myself, my body, and my pregnancy, even when it means losing some money, so we've got *that* going for us! /:)

Friday, October 17, 2008
Just enough time for a brief insurance rant--
The school district I work for has what may be the WORST possible health benefits/health plans I've ever seen. For example, I currently pay approx. $250/month for my own health coverage plus $100 for dental for me & Joel. Next year, the health plans are changing... if I kept the same set-up next year, it would cost me $450/month. However, I am also going to have a child to cover-- and that, just one more person on my health plan, would cost $845/month, plus $100 for dental. And that's not even covering Joel! If I had all three of us on there, it would be $1142 for health + $100 for dental. PER MONTH!!! Unbelievable! More on this later.