27 weeks

As of tomorrow I will be 27 weeks pregnant. I certainly don’t FEEL like I’m this far along. Depending on who you ask, 27 or 28 weeks is the mark of the third trimester. When I was pregnant with my daughter, time moved like molasses. Now, being pregnant while simultaneously caring for my daughter, time moves like quicksand. I still haven’t gained much weight, partially because of the Gestational Diabetes diet, and partially because I just haven’t had time to sit on the couch and snack like I so often did during my first pregnancy. Having a toddler running around and using you as a jungle gym sure changes things!

                So far in this pregnancy, I have experienced the following:

-Blood sugar issues

Unable to control my fasting blood sugar, my doctor prescribed the lowest dose available (1.25 mg) of Glyburide, which is the only non-insulin blood sugar medication known to be safe during pregnancy. This worked for about two weeks. I then moved to the next dose (2.5 mg), which again worked for about two weeks. I then moved up another notch (3.75 mg), which has been successful for about a month now. I have been able to eat bigger breakfasts thanks to the leftover medication in my body in the morning, and through experimenting I have discovered that I can safely eat a much more “normal” diet than I did in my first pregnancy—it’s just a matter of trial and error, and being willing to have some imperfect blood sugar readings from time to time. It makes for a much easier pregnancy when you permit yourself more freedom with your diet!

 

-Occasional headaches

I have experienced mild headaches from time to time. This is a great improvement over my daily headaches during my first pregnancy. Less Tylenol= less stress on my liver= a good thing!

 

-Epigastric pain

Twice during this pregnancy (at 11 weeks and again at 24 weeks) I experienced very severe Upper Right Quadrant pain. As a HELLP Syndrome survivor, I was absolutely crippled with fear and anxiety at the pain’s proximity to my liver. At 11 weeks pregnant, I went to the Emergency Room. At 24 weeks, I simply waited a day and went to my regular appointment with the OB at the department of Maternal Fetal Medicine. Each time, a blood test was ordered and my liver function was found to be completely normal. The diagnosis: gas, constipation, and anxiety. The solution: Colace, Miralax, a good probiotic, and lots of prayer. “I cast all my cares upon you!”

 

                Between working each day, cooking, cleaning, having a toddler and a husband, I haven’t had much time to really even process that there’s another baby coming. But according to my calendar, there isn’t that much time left! During the next few months I will probably experience much more anxiety along with whatever else this pregnancy has up its sleeve. I hope and pray that I can control my worries enough so that they don’t have too much of an effect on my family! And I hope and pray that any pain I experience for the rest of this pregnancy will continue to be attributed to gas J