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November 4, 2001
I’m committed to writing this entry and focusing as much on the pregnancy and “Bajellie” as possible. I have a lot to catch up on.
About a month ago, right when we found out about Ivan, my blood pressure went up. I can’t say that this was all that unexpected. Prior to Ivan’s diagnosis it was fine. So we’re (midwives and I) working on the assumption that it’s stress related. Even a few weeks later, though, it hit the borderline mark – 140/90. Add to that the fact that we found a trace of protein in my urine. We decided that with everything going on, I needed to be off my feet and resting at home more. So I was put on part-time medical leave.
Additionally I had a liver panel done and had to do a 24-hour urine catch. The 24-hour urine catch was seriously one of the worst things I have ever done. I mean, they give you this vat, this JUG in which to collect said specimen. It’s at least 20 inches tall, and has a mouth the size of a small lemon. The first time I see the thing, I’m asking myself “Am I seriously supposed to squat over this thing?”
Much to my chagrin, I was. I figured out a way around the squatting scenario, which involved large, 32-ounce disposable party cups. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Did I mention I had to keep El Jug refrigerated? Yes, the fun never ends at our house.
Well, both the urine sample and the blood work came back perfectly normal. For the next week I took things easy, and tried to get as much rest as possible. I started having bad lower back pain, and constant Braxton-Hicks contractions. But I know from experience that this is all normal, albeit a not fun part of pregnancy.
At my next appointment, there wasn’t any protein to be found in my urine. My midwives think that perhaps I had a very minor yeast infection. But my blood pressure was still a bit high. Not at the 140/90 mark, but still higher than it was pre-Ivan diagnosis (which was 110/68). We decided to give it another week, do another round of blood work, and take it from there.
Then, they measured my uterus. I was in a few days before my 35th week mark. My uterus, however, measured 40 weeks. 40 weeks!!! HELLO?!?! No wonder I’ve felt so crappy!
So, I have an ultrasound scheduled on Monday to determine the reason for the huge jump. I don’t feel like the baby’s that big yet, although I think she’s bigger than both Chloe and Ivan were at this stage. I recall that my OB in California had mentioned that my uterus was very difficult to measure accurately, and that it was “tipped”.
All this has caused great speculation on what the weight of “Bajellie” might end up being. A couple of friends at work are doing a baby pool, and the guesses for the weight have been all over the board. A few of the bachelor guys have made some strange guesses. One in particular put down 14” for the length and 9 lbs, 2 oz for the weight. Hello – does he think I’m going to give birth to a cube? Another unmarried guy put down 7lbs, 12 oz for the weight (respectable) but 27” for the length! Leave it to a man to overestimate the length of something.
John himself has mentioned that it would be “neat” to have a 10-pounder. Yeah, “neat” isn’t one of the words I’d use to describe that. I’m fully confident of my body’s ability to birth a large baby, but I’d rather not have to confirm it. So, I’ll have to wait a few more days until the ultrasound to see what’s up. I know my dates aren’t off – because of the car accident we had two ultrasounds early on that both gave us the date of December 8th (although, mark my words, I think the baby will come on the 4th). I just can’t imagine why my uterus would be so far ahead? Is it the 3 babies in 3 ½ years? Does anyone have any experience with this that was positive (please, I can’t hear negative experiences right now)? I know I don’t have GD, so this seems a puzzle to me.
So, after all of this, AND feeling hugely pregnant, I’ve decided to go on full-time leave next week. My midwives have let me know that whenever I am ready, all I need to do is ask. I have no need to be a martyr, and I think that health wise, leave is the best thing for me.
I’m going to keep this entry short and sweet. I do want to think everyone who has left me a message – and I will try to answer them all, I promise. I’ve just felt so tired lately, that it’s all I can do to answer a few here and there.
I’ll post more on Monday, after the u/s.
heather r
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