Who knew losing weight would be so much trouble? I have been dealing with Gestational Diabetes for 3 weeks now. Luckily, the baby is growing healthy and strong. Since I've been on restricted carbs, I've lost more weight. When you're not eating enough calories, your body reaches into your own fat and protein storage to compensate, which then releases ketones into your system and those, like everything, get passed to the baby. I have been doing weekly follow ups for the diabetes because they were trying to get a set pattern on my blood sugar and see the ketones go away. In the beginning, they were 5, 15 or 40... now they are 40-80 every day. This was a red flag to a specialist on the Maternal Fetal Medicine floor and she sent me right away to get IV fluids. Side note: I told them my left vein wasn't good, they tried it anyway and it didn't work... I think they take it as a challenge, I'm never letting them use my left vein again!
Anywho, what do they tell me to do to get rid of the ketones? Eat more! As many of you know, I'm a thrower upper when I'm pregnant - especially in the beginning. With this third pregnancy, I was even more nauseous... so I belive that just changed my appetite completely. I get full WAY faster now, a sandwich or burger is hard to finish and I've thrown up for eating too much before. I've been eating more, trying to avoid another IV fluid visit, and the ketones are still ever present and now my blood sugar is going up. I called the dietician today, as directed, and was told to eat more.
One of the big risk factors for diabetes is being overweight, so naturally, most diabetics are not told to eat more. The weight loss is boggling my Doctor, the specialists and Diabetes management people... they tested my thyroid and other chemical levels and everything's normal. So now it looks like more tests. If you're still awake at this point, I guess I'm saying this because I'm frustrated and I'm sick of hearing the same things. Emotionally, I've been doing great this pregnancy, even dealing with the nausea and stuff... but the stress of the current issue is making it really hard to think about anything else or be happy, period. Just pray that the doctor's will know what to do. Going to the hospital and Dr's office 1-2 times/week is taking a toll on me and the poor kids. I'm ready for the Doctors to have an answer.
I can't find anybody that had this problem before, so if you know anyone who had gestational diabetes and high ketone levels, I would love to talk to them. I can't even find that situation online which is even more frustrating. And, no offense, don't give me any advice or tips related to foods or ketones. I've spent countless hours with my own research and hearing the SAME things from all the doctors and nurses, I'll cry if anyone else asks the same question or gives me the same advice I've heard 20 times. In the mean time, I'll eat more. I love you all and I know everyone has their problems to deal with. This was just my little venting moment. Thank you!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Updates - August 2009
My initial worries about the baby having a heart condition are gone, the little guy is healthy and strong - developing as he should so far! I'm getting used to the new diet. They keep bringing me back into the hospital to check up on it, and I was informed today I'll probably be put on a pill with synthetic insulin starting next week. I hope that works, so I don't need the shots! I keep dreaming of what I'm going to eat or drink first after this baby's born. Right after I deliver, I'm going to drink 3 large cups of apple juice. That's my comfort drink. Maybe 5.
Matthew is enjoying his job... he was surprised by the super casual dress, but adapted quickly and started wearing jeans like everyone else (including managers). He also had lunch delivered a couple times, and must rub it in my face. Today, he had a delicious sandwich, a custard-filled eclaire and strawberries. I almost cried when he told me. I want a custard-filled eclaire!!! Okay, tantrum over. I love Matthew and I'm so happy his new job is going well.
WE MOVED! Our apartment number has changed from 2 to 3 and that's it. Moving EVERYTHING from upstairs to downstairs wasn't what I would call fun, but it was certainly nice to not have to tetris it into a Uhaul. **I had terrible flashbacks of when we began our move to New York, had the stinking trailer full and TOO MUCH STUFF still in the apartment. ugh ** The boys like the change, and I must admit I do too. It must be human nature to enjoy something different. The whole mission in moving was to not live above anybody anymore. Now the boys can jump and run all they want. Mission accomplished. Now we just need shelves.
Love you all!
Matthew is enjoying his job... he was surprised by the super casual dress, but adapted quickly and started wearing jeans like everyone else (including managers). He also had lunch delivered a couple times, and must rub it in my face. Today, he had a delicious sandwich, a custard-filled eclaire and strawberries. I almost cried when he told me. I want a custard-filled eclaire!!! Okay, tantrum over. I love Matthew and I'm so happy his new job is going well.
WE MOVED! Our apartment number has changed from 2 to 3 and that's it. Moving EVERYTHING from upstairs to downstairs wasn't what I would call fun, but it was certainly nice to not have to tetris it into a Uhaul. **I had terrible flashbacks of when we began our move to New York, had the stinking trailer full and TOO MUCH STUFF still in the apartment. ugh ** The boys like the change, and I must admit I do too. It must be human nature to enjoy something different. The whole mission in moving was to not live above anybody anymore. Now the boys can jump and run all they want. Mission accomplished. Now we just need shelves.
Love you all!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Fun Stuff
Amy turned 25!!! I had a good birthday, splashing in our little blow up pool at my mom's, Tucanos for linner, and more splashing and then rockband. It's the simple things and time with family that make these little events hard to let go of. I only got to say "it's my birthday" as an excuse about 20 times, I'll try to do better next year.
Our 6 year Anniversary!!! I can't believe it's been six years, it has been a roller coaster of a journey and I really appreciate the place it has brought us to. I love Matthew, he loves me, we have two great little boys that are still changing by the week!
Stephen's Potty Training!!! He has a good phase with no accidents, then slips up a few times, then gets back on track. He's only 2 and doing super well, I'm way excited he'll have it down like a pro by the time #3 comes - which was my goal!
Patrick's a school boy!!! Patrick got his 4 shots to prepare for school a couple days ago. He's a tough kid and I try not to dramatize things. We talked about his shots a bunch and just put his adventure right after my doctor's visit. After the Doctor was listening for the baby's heartbeat, Patrick kept saying, "mom, I want my shots now!" Dr. Wilde said, "Patrick, I think you're the bravest boy I know!" ... I knew Patrick just wanted to get stickers. He said ow a couple times, but no tears and got over it about 10 seconds later. He missed the deadline by a couple months to go into Kindergarten, but will begin Preschool this August. Our local Elementary school doesn't have any preschool programs, so we're looking elsewhere.
Matthew got a job!!! How GRATEFUL I am to announce that Matthew has a new job starting next Monday, August 10th. He's been looking for 5 months now and this one is pretty darn good to start with. It's not his dream job and it's not permanent. For now, it's a 3-month commitment, full time, and they will then see if they want to sign him on as a regular employee after that. It's with Omniture, and he'll be happy to fill you in on details later.
Amy is half way!!! We're half way in this pregnancy as of this Monday. Man, I'm tearing up just thinking about this, maybe I'm not in a state to talk about it. This has been the hardest pregnancy out of all three. My nausea dwindled and almost vanished over the last month. The latest record was making it 7 days, until yesterday. Yesterday I took an initial screening for gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes some women have during pregnancy), it didn't look too good, so I went in today for an extensive testing of it and the results: still not good. I officially have gestational diabetes. There is a hormone produced by the placenta that makes your body have to work harder at producing insulin to manage the sugar levels. An average pregnant woman's pancreas creates up to 3 times the normal amount of insulin to compensate. Some unlucky women (about 4%) have greater insulin resistance and this is what causes the hypoglycemia, gestational diabetes. Many women eat starchy or carby things to handle nausea. This is what makes me feel most guilty of all... I have depended on pastas, breads and potatoes a LOT to help me keep something down. As I was educating myself on my new condition, I read this is the worst type of food to have other than small quantities because it's broken down into glucose while digesting. Having lost 9 pounds from nausea, and being unaware of this fact, I thought whatever I could eat - the better... not knowing I was making matters worse. It's not the best news to get diagnosed with GD this early in the pregnancy, there's a risk of other problems the baby could have. I really hope and pray we caught it at a good time and it didn't exist when the baby started developing, otherwise, little guy could have heart problems and a risk of having diabetes, himself. Please pray for him. (I keep saying him and guy because we're all 90% sure it's a boy, it'll be official next week.) We'll have an ultrasound set up for purposes of seeing if he's been affected in a negative way in a day or two. I hope he's okay. I hope the doctor and nutritionist will be inspired to know what I need to get this thing back on track - even if it's insulin shots, I just want to get it taken care of quickly.
Sorry to end on the worst note, but our family has SO MUCH to celebrate. Our family is happy and doing well. I can't wait to see what comes next!
Our 6 year Anniversary!!! I can't believe it's been six years, it has been a roller coaster of a journey and I really appreciate the place it has brought us to. I love Matthew, he loves me, we have two great little boys that are still changing by the week!
Stephen's Potty Training!!! He has a good phase with no accidents, then slips up a few times, then gets back on track. He's only 2 and doing super well, I'm way excited he'll have it down like a pro by the time #3 comes - which was my goal!
Patrick's a school boy!!! Patrick got his 4 shots to prepare for school a couple days ago. He's a tough kid and I try not to dramatize things. We talked about his shots a bunch and just put his adventure right after my doctor's visit. After the Doctor was listening for the baby's heartbeat, Patrick kept saying, "mom, I want my shots now!" Dr. Wilde said, "Patrick, I think you're the bravest boy I know!" ... I knew Patrick just wanted to get stickers. He said ow a couple times, but no tears and got over it about 10 seconds later. He missed the deadline by a couple months to go into Kindergarten, but will begin Preschool this August. Our local Elementary school doesn't have any preschool programs, so we're looking elsewhere.
Matthew got a job!!! How GRATEFUL I am to announce that Matthew has a new job starting next Monday, August 10th. He's been looking for 5 months now and this one is pretty darn good to start with. It's not his dream job and it's not permanent. For now, it's a 3-month commitment, full time, and they will then see if they want to sign him on as a regular employee after that. It's with Omniture, and he'll be happy to fill you in on details later.
Amy is half way!!! We're half way in this pregnancy as of this Monday. Man, I'm tearing up just thinking about this, maybe I'm not in a state to talk about it. This has been the hardest pregnancy out of all three. My nausea dwindled and almost vanished over the last month. The latest record was making it 7 days, until yesterday. Yesterday I took an initial screening for gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes some women have during pregnancy), it didn't look too good, so I went in today for an extensive testing of it and the results: still not good. I officially have gestational diabetes. There is a hormone produced by the placenta that makes your body have to work harder at producing insulin to manage the sugar levels. An average pregnant woman's pancreas creates up to 3 times the normal amount of insulin to compensate. Some unlucky women (about 4%) have greater insulin resistance and this is what causes the hypoglycemia, gestational diabetes. Many women eat starchy or carby things to handle nausea. This is what makes me feel most guilty of all... I have depended on pastas, breads and potatoes a LOT to help me keep something down. As I was educating myself on my new condition, I read this is the worst type of food to have other than small quantities because it's broken down into glucose while digesting. Having lost 9 pounds from nausea, and being unaware of this fact, I thought whatever I could eat - the better... not knowing I was making matters worse. It's not the best news to get diagnosed with GD this early in the pregnancy, there's a risk of other problems the baby could have. I really hope and pray we caught it at a good time and it didn't exist when the baby started developing, otherwise, little guy could have heart problems and a risk of having diabetes, himself. Please pray for him. (I keep saying him and guy because we're all 90% sure it's a boy, it'll be official next week.) We'll have an ultrasound set up for purposes of seeing if he's been affected in a negative way in a day or two. I hope he's okay. I hope the doctor and nutritionist will be inspired to know what I need to get this thing back on track - even if it's insulin shots, I just want to get it taken care of quickly.
Sorry to end on the worst note, but our family has SO MUCH to celebrate. Our family is happy and doing well. I can't wait to see what comes next!
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