Gearing Up for #2!

Wow, it's been waaaaay too long since I have entered a post. So sorry everyone! So much has been going on over the last year. I need to pick and choose what to write about!

As most of you know we are expecting a baby boy any day now. His name will be Julian Elan. Our due date was actually Aug. 20th but we will be induced Aug. 7th if he does not come on his own before then.

It's been an interesting pregnancy this time around. So different than the pregnancy with Mira. This time I had no swelling and am walking regularly on our treadmill. I have been telling people that my body is still my body except for the basketball I am carrying around with me!

Now in week 38 I am having a hard time getting comfortable and sleeping. But, that is how it goes!

The induction I mentioned earlier is due to multiple factors. At the end of May I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. The least likely candidate for this according to my OBs. It was a shocker indeed. So, for the last 2 months I have been checking my blood glucose 4 times a day and giving myself insulin shots before bed. Fun, fun! Mainly to control my morning pre-meal numbers which were slightly higher than the standard of 95 and below. All other numbers have been right on track throughout.

I now know more about GD than I ever wanted to know as you can imagine! It's actually quite interesting. Basically when you are pregnant the placenta acts as an insulin blocker and your body (pancreas) cannot product enough on its own at times. Thus the insulin. Many women who have GD however do not need insulin. I am one of the lucky ones!

Along with working with the Diabetes Center affiliated with our local hospital to manage my diet and glucose, I have been going for what the OBs call NSTs or Non Stress Tests twice a week. This is when they place 2 monitors on my belly and track the baby's heart rate in conjunction with his movements. They look for 3 spikes in heart rate during a 30 minute time frame for 15 seconds or more. So far Julian is passing these tests with flying colors! Every Thurs. I also have an ultrasound done. These check for fluid levels and every third Thursday for growth. Babies of moms with GD have a higher chance to end up being larger than average if the mom's sugar is not managed well.

Julian is about 7 lbs now. He is trending to be right on track as a normal sized baby thank goodness. GD babies also have a higher morbidity rate in the last few weeks so this is the main reason for the induction. So, the drop dead date is Aug. 6th for induction and most likely the 7th for delivery.

We have hired a Doula this time around to assist us with a calmer, more relaxing birth experience. The C section last time was traumatic and chaotic to say the least so this time we are trying for a VBAC. (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) There are risks to a VBAC such as uterine rupture but there are also risks to a C section as well. Send good thoughts our way!!

In other news, Mira started preschool last week at Acorn Learning Center right here in San Ramon. She is thriving already although has had a couple of rough mornings. A little sad but ends up to have great days. She particularly loves water play days and eating the fun lunches that Daddy packs for her :)

The summer has been pretty mild this year so far and actually a bit chilly at times. (for us!!) We are now officially CA wimps. We have gotten to the zoo a few times and enjoyed several birthday parties and get-togethers with friends.

Mira is excited to welcome baby Julian into our family. We are all excited to meet him in person!

I hope to be able to post to this blog more often while I am home on leave. Sorry it's been so long!

Till next time...

F