5.3 A1C

Today at the endo appointment my A1C came up as 5.3!!  I cannot tell you how excited I am to share that with everyone - with people that GET IT!  Sure Hubby is very excited too but other than that who else would understand the "hugeness" of this!

This will ensure that No. 2 is safe, especially during this last leg of the pregnancy when he could be packing on the chub if my sugars are high.  Also this reduces the chance that No. 2 will have low blood sugars when he is born.  So that is great!

This week has been very productive.  The nursery is done.  The furniture is moved in.  Hubby and our pastor's family and father-in-law are all down stairs mudding and sanding the basement.  We will be painting tomorrow and maybe carpeting by the end of the week.  So excited.

My parents are arriving back in the country tomorrow at noon and they will be in our house by evening.  I can't wait to see them!

I just wanted to quickly share my small victory.  My OB scheduled an induction for Sept 8th if I don't go into labour on my own by then.  So that may just be No. 2's birth day.

The Drill

So, we had an interesting Tuesday.  Hubby and I took a nap around 2pm and we got a little busy... well, word to the wise: don't get busy if you're not ready.  Sure enough, contractions started strong and every 3 to 4 minutes by 5pm.  I pulled out my iPhone and started timing them... they weren't textbook, but if they are that close together it's best to get check out, right?

So we canceled our plans for the evening (we were having a small group Bible study - at our house too!) and started zipping up my hospital bag.  Our friends (whom we had to call to cancel the small group) were super excited for us and said they'd be praying for us and to call them with updates... this got me really excited too!  I called my doula and gave her the scoop.  She said she'd meet up at the hospital in about 45 minutes.  Here in Canada we don't have to call the OB or anything, we just head in.

Hubby gathered up the digital camera and the camcorder - neither of which were charged so we also grabbed chargers... I grabbed the diaper bag (the only bag that fully WAS ready) and shoved some toiletries in a Ziploc and in my purse.  We headed out the door excited but not sure if this was "it" or what...

Hubby kept saying, "If this isn't "it", at least it's a great drill for the real thing - we know, we are not prepared yet."

We drove to the hospital and I must admit I was nervous.  The contractions kept coming pretty steady but not perfectly consistent (3:15, 4:10, 2:47, 3:23, 5:30).  I was scared that this wasn't "it" and that they'd sent me home and I'd look stupid.  I'm not sure why that was my primary concern.  Hubby was super supportive and kept telling me that I would not look stupid even if this isn't "it".

At the hospital, we went up to Maternal Triage and Hubby held my hand the whole way.  I was waddling back and forth and back and forth, all the way.  The first nurse I saw greeted me with, "Oh, no.  Not you too.  We have no beds... Grab a seat in the waiting room.  If no one comes to get you in 10-15 min come back and see us."

Nice.  So I sat down and my doula showed up a few minutes later.  Then I realized I haven't had supper yet.  I quickly sent Hubby out for some drive-thru - if this was the real thing I wouldn't be eating for some time... better stock up now while I am "benched".

So we chowed on some Tim Hortons sandwiches and I downed an orange juice.  This diabetic needs her  carbs if they won't be giving any for a while.  My sugars were at 5.6 and that was GREAT!

I mostly paced the waiting room experiencing contractions just the same.  They finally called me in about 20 min later and they hooked me up to the machine to check my contractions.  They were coming on every 4 minutes or so and lasting about a minute.  The nurse I had now was SUPER nice.  She was sweet and kind and exclaimed, "That NST strip is so perfect you could teach a class on it."  and  "Holy Toledo, those contractions are lasting quite a while, you alright sweetheart?"  I liked her.

She then checked me and I was only 1 cm dilated and my cervix was still "thick".  She said I could walk the halls for an hour or so and then she can recheck me or I could go home and try to sleep (it was almost 9pm by then) and if contractions come on stronger during the night to head back to the hospital.  "I'll be here all night," she said with a wink.

So this is the part where I was supposed to feel stupid - but I didn't.  My doula was not upset she came out to meet us.  She reassured me and said, "That's what I'm here for."  Hubby agreed that it would be best to head home.

And so we did.  I took a shower and relaxed with a movie for a bit.  Then went to bed around midnight.  Every time I woke up in the night, to pee or turn over, I was having a contraction.  So they must have carried on through-out the night.

I woke up in the morning and I was tired.  I lasted about an hour or two and then I needed a nap.

Hopefully I won't have many more of those episodes...  It's not fun.  You think "this is is!" but it isn't.  It's a real bummer.

Hubby is glad we had the drill.  "At least now we know what to expect and we know what we have to have ready."

Our cameras are all charging, and my hospital bag is re-packed and in the foyer ready to go.

The nursery is being painted today and I think tomorrow we can move in the furniture.  :)  So excited about it.  It really brings this preggo lots of relief to know that No. 2 will have a nursery where I can nurse him in privacy and change his little bum.

Come on No.2!  You can do it!

Fifteen Days, Really?!

one of my fave. shirts :)

Does that counter really say 15 days?  So amazing.  So close.  I cannot believe it.  We are so excited.  I am so huge and it's getting harder and harder to get comfortable even when laying down.

We are working away.  The Basement Project is surprisingly coming along great.  Saturday was  a whole day affair.  We worked and worked and worked.  Even I was down there with a drywall gun screwing in drywall.  No heavy lifting at all - the boys would put up the sheet and they'd hold it while I screwed in a few screws then they'd leave me to it.  It was great.  I really felt like I helped.  I looked pretty funny - 9 months pregnant using power tools - but that's nesting my friends.

I am looking forward to my parents returning from Europe in one week.  I can't wait.

I pulled out all the baby clothes and cleaned out this massive armoir that will be in the nursery.  I folded all the baby clothes and put up all the sleepers on hangers.  I feel somewhat prepared for No. 2.  I still hope he gives us these last two weeks.  I really think we can pull it together.

I also packed the diaper bag for the hospital and my bag is partly ready - with the last minute items to be "chucked in" on our way out the door.

All we have to do now is throw on a coat of paint in Hubby's office and the upstairs room will be cleared to make way for the crib and the change table and the armoir and the glidder... so excited to hold this little guy.

AND we have a name.  It's great.  First and middle name.  We are content.  Baby can come now.   Well maybe in two weeks he can come.  Besides, my endo is on vacation in Africa somewhere and my OB is on vacation in Florida.  Really bad week to come.  Monday.  No. 2 is allowed to come after Monday.  Both docs are back in the country and my parents too.

Sugars have been good.  Only when I don't behave and have cereal or chinese food do they go wonky... but even then I can usually get it in range within an hour or so.

Shoot I just remembered I missed an appointment this morning.  Pregnancy brain... not gonna miss that.

Rebeca's Birth Plan

Type 1 Diabetic

I am on an insulin pump with Constant Glucose Monitoring

-       I have great control of my diabetes with A1Cs at 5.9%

-       my pump and glucose sensors will remain on during the labour and I would like to stay hydrated and on top of my diabetes on my own as opposed to IV

Friends and Family

We plan on having these people present during the labour and delivery:

-       The Hubby

-       The doula

Prefer a natural birth.

Please do not offer the epidural as we would prefer to cope with the pain by walking, using the shower, the tub, a birthing ball etc. before pain medication.

-       We would like to utilize the tub for as long as possible and even multiple times through out labour (if available)

Mobility

We would like any required fetal monitoring to be done while standing, as dealing with a contraction while lying down is very difficult (as experienced during labour with our first son).

Hospital Personnel

We would prefer that all unnecessary staff be turned away from “watching” the delivery.  Also, we ask that no student/resident teaching be done during the labour/delivery. 

Episiotomy

We would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless determined to be medically necessary.

Umbilical Cord

Hubby would like to assist in cutting our baby’s umbilical cord.

Breast Feeding

I would like to nurse the baby right after birth.  

C-section

If a C-section becomes necessary, I would like to have my husband present.  In this situation also, I would like to nurse my baby right away.

Baby’s BG levels after Birth

If the baby will have low blood glucose, I would like to nurse the baby to elevate his blood sugars. 

We thank you for taking the time to help us achieve a natural birth for our son.

So there it is.  My birth plan.  I'm sure it won't all go according to this but these are my wishes and I hope they will be somewhat honoured.  It's so hard to not come across as demanding or  "I know more than all you trained and experienced doctors and nurses".  I used a lot of "we would like"/"we prefer".  I hope they won't roll their eyes at these and talk behind my back at the nurses' station while I'm in labour.  LOL, typical me.  Even during labour I'm concerned if people like me.  Wow... I'm a hard-core people pleaser I guess.

P.S. My bag is packed and I am ready... the house isn't but it seems baby won't wait much longer.  Just a hunch I have.  I hope I'm wrong.

PPS Today we purchased the rest of the drywall necessary for The Basement Project, as well as all the doors and the paint.  We even looked at couches for the new family room and toddler beds for Noah - since his current toddler bed will be once again transformed into a crib.  We didn't find everything we needed, furniture-wise... so we'll have to go on another shopping trip soon.  Today we hit Lowes, IKEA and CostCo.  It just about put me in labour.  

So we almost had a baby

Last night was wild.  I was up until about 4 am with what felt like Braxton Hicks contractions - but they were consistently 6 min apart.  I wasn't sure if I should head over to the hospital or what.  I didn't want to at all because I feel so unprepared.  I don't just feel unprepared, I am unprepared.  I don't have a bag packed - no outfit picked out for No. 2 and to be honest I haven't even had "the talk" with my OB about when to go in. I was searching Google for answers at 2 or 3 a.m. reading blogs and Yahoo! Answers.

Then finally they started spacing out to 8 min apart then 10... so I went to sleep.  But it was wild.  We were almost sure it was time.  Which is crazy.

It all started with me getting ready for a wedding that we have today.  I was doing my nails during Devil Wears Prada, when half-way through the movie I noticed the contractions kept coming in waves.  They weren't painful at all (except that No. 2 was super active and would try to move around even during contraction which hurt).  Then as the movie ended they kept coming.  So I started timing them and that's when I noticed they were consistently every 6 min... and it stayed that way for at least 2 hours or more... then they spaced out and I was able to fall asleep.

I pulled out "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and starting cramming like for an exam.  I motored through the Ninth Month chapter and the Labour & Delivery chapter in record time, all the while experiencing mild contractions still 6 min apart.

When the book wasn't clear enough for me I turned to online help.  Almost all the bogs and Answers online said "Go to the hospital" but I was ready to wait it out a bit to make sure it was real.  They only want to admit you when you're 5 min or 4 min apart consistently.  And I think there is pain by that point right?  I mean, I understand that every woman labours differently and every pregnancy can be different too.  I remember with Noah I was in pain.  At least menstrual crap style pain.  And last night all I had was a very active No. 2 and almost no pain during any of the contractions...

I woke up this morning and was glad and relived it isn't time yet.  I quickly made up a list of what I need for the hospital and plan on packing that bag and picking out No. 2's outfit tomorrow or Monday.  And we are still stuck on a middle name.  I have to pick that out pronto too!  We have beautiful first name (sorry, I don't wanna spoil it) but Hubby vito-ed my middle name selection.  We are on the hunt for something that will go with the first name...

Well last night's close call really put things in perspective for me.  I need to get my butt into gear and get the stuff ready for baby whether renos are done or not.

I'm happy to announce Hubby's office in the basement is nearing completion.  First coat of primer is already on!  Yay!  Now just two coats of paint and carpet and we are moving the office out of the spare room and after two coats of paint in there too, I can start moving in the baby furniture :)

I can't wait!

We are now in between our friend's wedding ceremony and reception.  A quick stop by home to freshen up and such... so I thought I'd share.

Well there you have it folks.  I got a little taste of "spontaneous" labour and it was everything it sounds like - spontaneous and a wee bit exciting.

Me, today, on pee break just before the start of the ceremony

Orders are sent in

I saw No. 2 this morning.  He is cute!  He's got a slightly different profile than Noah did.  I think his nose is different.  He may have my Romanian nose rather than Hubby's Slovak one.  We'll see - but it does look different to me.  Anyways, went up to visit the high risk OB after the ultrasound (as I do every week) and there was nothing to report, nothing to change, everything has been great.  He says No. 2 is measuring around 7 lbs, 15 oz which is fine since, again, Noah was 9 lbs 9 oz and my BGs and A1Cs have been fabulous (last one was 5.9%)  Yay!

Then off I went to see my endocrinologist as well.  Other than low BGs when I am waking up (due to really agressive wake up basals) everything is all good.  We dialed back the basals a bit and then we started talking about "So once the baby is delivered..." I sat there in the chair in his office and it hit me - No. 2 is almost here.  I am less than three weeks away from holding the little stinker.  He explained that he'd like me to keep my pump on for labour and for the delivery and then as soon as I deliver to turn the pump off.  He was telling me that he's had some ladies that went into a "honeymoon" state where they did not need a drop of insulin for up to 5 days!  What?!  I've heard swimming to cure diabetes but delivery too?  I guess he was explaining that once that placenta ( her and I didn't really get along all that well ) is out my insulin requirements will be much much less.

Now in week 37, I am using about 36 units of insulin and we just set up the Pattern A to pre-pregnancy basals (I'll be flipping to this basal pattern as soon as No. 2 is out) to be down to 11.5 units per day.  That is crazy, eh?   But at first to run Pattern B which is set up to 0.0 right across the board.  To watch the before meals.  He said for the first meal to not bolus and then to test and see where I am at.  For example if before the meal I am at BG of 4 (70s) then 2 hrs after I am at 14 (mid 200s) to correct and then only bolus for meals.  If it's good, then to just keep watching it.  If I find that my before meals are high to go ahead and flip back to Pattern A which is the before pregnancy basals.

He said he's sending in the orders to the OB.  That means it's really soon!

He also said they will be running a sugar IV for the first 3 or 4 hours after delivery... I'm not sure how I feel about that.  I would like to be able to nurse the baby and be free from tubes and all that jazz.

I haven't really talked about my plans on the blog for the delivery... mainly because I haven't formulated my "birth plan" yet.  But just off the top of my head - I would like to have a natural delivery with no epidural and no episiotomy and no forceps/vacuum ...  That's how it went for Noah and it was great.  I mean, the delivery went smoothly - it was not great!  But we made it through safely and with no complications.  I figure I am already high risk why add all these other drugs and such that raise the likelyhood of other things going wonky?  God created us to deliver children.  I'm not trying to be a martyr and I am not a crazy extremist home-homebirther (not that there is anything wrong with women who choose to go that route - close friends of mine have had all their kids at home) - I know that is not an option for me and I wouldn't choose it even if it was.  I am more comfortable at the hospital in case that something does go wrong.  But I do understand that delivering a child is not a sickness - I am not at the hospital because I am sick - I am there to have a baby and these wonderful people will assist me in doing just that.

Anyways, I was much more assertive and I knew the whys and hows with Noah... I just know I want it to go off without a hitch like with Noah.  I didn't refresh my research this time around.  I think I will do that in the coming days.  I praise God that I even have the option to have options... you know what I mean?  My OB is totally flexible and is fine with whatever I choose - I told him that I trust his medical judgement and that I will be telling him only what my wishes are.  If for whatever reason there is a need to intervene that is fine.  Do it.  But let me know.  We'll discuss it and Hubby and I will let you know what decision we've come to.  The OB is the expert; we are concerned and well-meaning parents.  We want only the very best for mommy and baby.

Ek, as I talk about all of this I realize how unprepared I am right about now.  I am so excited and I can't wait to hold No. 2 and nurse him and all of that!  But at the same time I am a tad bit scared.  I have a lot of wonderful friends and family praying for me - they all understand the risks involved.  And I do too.

But I also understand that my God is in charge.  He already knows how this will all go down and I trust in Him.  I believe God.  When he says he wants only good things for his children, I believe it.  And when things don't go according to my plans I thank him that he knows better than me and that he still has my best interest at heart.  Even with Diabetes.  I know there is a reason why I have this invisible awful but manageable disease... even if I don't know what that reason is.

Stay tunned for "The Birth Plan".

Pharmacy Grocery Bags

I stopped by the pharmacy today to pick up my supplies and I was quite embarrassed when I walked out with what seemed like "grocery bags".  Everyone else was picking up their dainty little paper bags with their one or two prescriptions and there's me carrying out two or three full size plastic grocery bags filled with supplies.  I'm not sure why that struck me as weird/embarrassing/concerning... Is it a testament to how much stuff I need to stay alive?  And if it's true that I spend over 14 hours a week on life sustaining therapy, WHAT IS THIS DISEASE?  Is it really that awful?  How come it's just become part of me and I don't really recognize it as such most days?  Some days I don't know what to make of it.  Is it okay to be embarrassed or should I be proud of it or maybe just accepting?  I'm not sure some times.
  

Last night after Noah went to sleep,  I asked Hubby to watch a movie with me - I was craving The Island.  I was surprised when he agreed.  I wanted to go to the kitchen and get some snacks ready for us and pull out the blankets - make it a true "Movie Night".  But suddenly, I nearly passed out.  I couldn't will myself to go to the kitchen, couldn't think where the blankets were and couldn't even get to the family room to sit down. A quick glance down at my CGM on my pump showed 6.8 with an arrow down.  What the monkey?  He helped me over to the couch and retrieved a glass of OJ for me and my tester.  My meter read 5.4 and I knew I must be on my way down fast.  I drank the OJ and waited for it to kick in.  Nothing.  Five minutes later I still feel like crap and my head was hanging back against the back of the couch as if my neck was too weak to hold it up.  I couldn't even think about the movie or starting it or where it was or anything - just how awful I felt.  Hubby got me another glass of OJ and I downed that too.  It was so strange.  Finally ten or fifteen minutes later I felt myself return to normal.  The 3hr sensor graph on my pump showed a quick drop in blood sugar from 7ish to mid 4.  Was it just the sudden drop that did that?!  We poped in the movie and Hubby served up the snacks - brownies with my homemade strawberry jam on top and a big glass of milk - what a sweetheart!  He had two honking brownies while I had one 2x2 square.  It was so good.

I do not like how diabetes has an effect on me as a whole.  My mood changes, my personality is altered, and I am rendered completely useless.  All plans are halted until diabetes decides it's going to ease up a bit and let me breathe again. Then down goes some sugar and SHE'S BACK!  I don't like it.  I don't think it's fair.  It completely takes over.  I have no control.  It's like those dreams where you are running away from something but you can not move your legs - it feels like you are going in slow motion.  And no matter how hard you try to speed up, you can't and it's so frustrating and scary (since most of the time you are either running away from something or towards something).  With diabetes I am not running away, I'm trying to just function.  I'm not asking for the extraordinary.  I'd like to just function normally.  It's weird.  You think you're okay with it - you think you've accepted it and an episode like the one last night really kicks my butt.

We are down to the last month before the baby.  I have 29 days left before No. 2 is due.  I am slowly starting to feel the "let's get this over with" feeling.  I am much more tired these days and the backpack in the front is getting quite heavy.  Sometimes I feel like I just have to sit down that instant.  My little one is still kicking the living daylights out of me.  I can't get over how much more active No. 2 is than Noah.  I am peeing like an undiagnosed diabetic and turning over to the other side in the middle of the night (my two sleeping options - on the left or on the right - FUN!) requires that I actually wake up and use the headboard or Hubby to roll over.  It's ridiculous I say.

Both my endo. and my OB leave on vacation next week and so I hope No. 2 is not early.  At this week's appointments I'll have to make sure all their orders are in place.  I have to finish my birth plan (my wishes and wants for No. 2's delivery) and also maybe I should pack a bag (?!) Is it too soon?  I'm over 36 weeks already.  It could happen any day right?

I am slightly scared of the whole "spontaneous" labour bit.  I liked knowing when I have to go in.  It gave me a chance to shower, shave, get ready, take pictures in the nursery the morning of...  I have no clue what to do if I go into spontaneous labour.  What if my water breaks while I'm out running around, maybe carrying the "groceries" out of the pharmacy or at the bank or at my in-laws... What if it's the middle of the night and I am not yet rested enough to embark on the delivery journey?  Ek, I better get going on getting myself ready for delivery.  It seems I keep putting it off, hoping that the renovations will be all finalized first.  Than I can lay out all the baby clothes and put them all away, find my breast pump and make sure it's sanitized again, set up the base in the car and buy the newborn diapers... There really is so much to do and I think it's time I make a to do list and start checking it off.


On a totally different note, there is a dead bird on my back patio right at the sliding glass doors.  So random.  I walked in with my "pharmacy grocery bags" and as I passed by the sliding doors I thought, "I think I just saw a dead bird.  Nah."  But when I walked back and yup, there it is.  I'll wait for Hubby to come home to dispose of it... before the little monkey comes back from his Apko's house.  I'm not sure if he'd notice it... but I'm not really in the mood to explain that the birdie is "sleeping".  I wonder if it hit the glass and died... or maybe it had diabetes and there was no one there to bring it a glass of OJ... no that's an awful thing to say.  What a weird day...

I am typically very optimistic and glass-half-full type of gal, but today I have a glass of OJ half-way empty and I am realizing I am slowly starting to hate OJ.