I saw my midwife today (1st time since 14 weeks) and all appears to be well. She's not too concerned that I'm not feeling movement regularly. Baby definitely still has a heartbeat. My weight looks good. Size of the uterus is appropriate.
Back to work - I barely have time to think about this now. For the moment I'm just going to trust her and not request an ultrasound.
Another GTT in 2 weeks and hopefully I'll be feeling regular movement by then.
Monday, September 8, 2008
gender differences
For all that I may rant against the pre-natal gender stereotyping of infants, sometimes gender differences jump out so starkly you can't ignore them.
First day back in the library. I always sit at the same table, usually with my 2 guy buddies. They both know about the wonderbaby. Not so much the other graduate students in the room.
I walk into the room after lunch and the 2 female graduate students both look up, smile and whisper congratulations. The other guy at our table? Wants to talk about course selection for this term. I'm pretty sure he didn't even notice the bump. Cracks me up.
First day back in the library. I always sit at the same table, usually with my 2 guy buddies. They both know about the wonderbaby. Not so much the other graduate students in the room.
I walk into the room after lunch and the 2 female graduate students both look up, smile and whisper congratulations. The other guy at our table? Wants to talk about course selection for this term. I'm pretty sure he didn't even notice the bump. Cracks me up.
Bliss
Whoever came up with this whole idea of living with your partner was quite brilliant. It is truly blissful.
Yes, we've lived together every summer since we started dating and done the whole commuting/long-distance thing, but it's different to finally set up an apartment that you both intend to share full-time for at least the following 9 months.
Yesterday night JD rearranged all the furniture in the apartment under my direction (it's all empty because we sublet the place - unpacking the closet is going to be a separate issue).
Then, when I got an awful leg cramp, he fixed it.
And then, at about midnight, disaster struck: I went to the bathroom and discovered that the roaches are still in residence. My long-time readers may remember that I am none too fond of roaches. And we live in a 1st floor apartment in NYC directly about the trash collection room for 3 large buildings.
So what did I do yesterday night? Scream? Call the poor doorman to commiserate? Flee the bathroom and refuse to shower for days (a frequent pattern in the spring). Nope.
I slowly and very calmly backed out of the bathroom and called JD. He took care of the roaches in residence, bleached the bathtub, found a new drain and weight for the bathtub, set out roach traps, and promised to talk to the super today. Brilliant.
Of course, I also left him a to-do list for the day that includes the bank, post office, hardware store, laundry, dry cleaners, supermarket, and of course meeting me at 6 pm for our midwife appointment. I'm definitely going to enjoy living together.
Yes, we've lived together every summer since we started dating and done the whole commuting/long-distance thing, but it's different to finally set up an apartment that you both intend to share full-time for at least the following 9 months.
Yesterday night JD rearranged all the furniture in the apartment under my direction (it's all empty because we sublet the place - unpacking the closet is going to be a separate issue).
Then, when I got an awful leg cramp, he fixed it.
And then, at about midnight, disaster struck: I went to the bathroom and discovered that the roaches are still in residence. My long-time readers may remember that I am none too fond of roaches. And we live in a 1st floor apartment in NYC directly about the trash collection room for 3 large buildings.
So what did I do yesterday night? Scream? Call the poor doorman to commiserate? Flee the bathroom and refuse to shower for days (a frequent pattern in the spring). Nope.
I slowly and very calmly backed out of the bathroom and called JD. He took care of the roaches in residence, bleached the bathtub, found a new drain and weight for the bathtub, set out roach traps, and promised to talk to the super today. Brilliant.
Of course, I also left him a to-do list for the day that includes the bank, post office, hardware store, laundry, dry cleaners, supermarket, and of course meeting me at 6 pm for our midwife appointment. I'm definitely going to enjoy living together.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Home
In my very own apartment. With intentions to stay for more than 2 nights for the first time since 1dpo (end of March).
Also, exhausted.
And I think my initial theory was right. I have simply been running around too much to feel the baby kick. Yesterday night I felt very clear kicks while sitting through a wedding. JD also felt them. Or maybe she's more active when she's hungry because the wedding started at 8:15 pm and they didn't serve salad until 11:10 pm.
Midwife appointment tomorrow. Crazy, stressful week coming up. I probably won't be posting much for a while until everything is straightened out with my work.
Also, exhausted.
And I think my initial theory was right. I have simply been running around too much to feel the baby kick. Yesterday night I felt very clear kicks while sitting through a wedding. JD also felt them. Or maybe she's more active when she's hungry because the wedding started at 8:15 pm and they didn't serve salad until 11:10 pm.
Midwife appointment tomorrow. Crazy, stressful week coming up. I probably won't be posting much for a while until everything is straightened out with my work.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Travel obsession
Well, I thought the really exciting part of our vacation was over. We were done hiking, visiting new places, and today was just supposed to be about a 4 hour drive, returning the rental car and going to sleep early so we can catch a 7:45 am flight in the morning until ... we realized that the Utah State Fair opened today. Both JD and I are tremendous fans of state fairs, and although this one was a bit small, it was thoroughly enjoyable.*
Of course, I do wish I hadn't mentioned this post (from Ahuva at the anguished corn) out-loud because JD basically plied me with drinks from the moment we entered the state fair until we left. There were 6 public restrooms, and I only know because I visited all 6 at least once, and several more than once. Needless to say, I think he might have overreacted to the danger.
I also finally got in touch with the midwife (not mine, her partner). She was mostly reassuring. She basically said that as long as there is still a heartbeat on Monday evening, the delay of 4-5 days for an ultrasound/growth scan will make no difference, and there is very little they can do at this point. She did say she was worried about the lack of movement but it was 'very rare' to develop such serious issues after the anatomy scan. Then she listed again all the reasons I might not feel any movement (#1 - being overweight, I've discussed that one before) while my mind raced and I started thinking of all the meals I've eaten and the potential for bacterial infection at every place ... But most reassuringly she told me you don't need to feel movement everyday until 28-30 weeks and I will only be 25 weeks on Saturday night.
And now, it's off to bed and that 7:45 am flight and then we transition from romantic/outdoorsy couple time to ... wedding season. I have 5 weddings to go to this year, and 3 are in the next month including 3 of JD's roommates from grad school (2 are marrying each other) and my little step-brother. Then we have another good friend's wedding and I'll be a bridesmaid in July (fitting in January, should be fabulous). And of course, just to make the wedding weekend a bit more entertaining, JD and I will be rooming with 2 of his bachelor friends to save money ... Well, we started this honeymoon on a Greyhound bus to Boston so it does seem fitting to end it four-to-a-hotel-room in downtown Chicago.
*I would rank Utah well below Alaska, Minnesota, New Mexico or North Carolina but definitely above all those middling East coast states.
Of course, I do wish I hadn't mentioned this post (from Ahuva at the anguished corn) out-loud because JD basically plied me with drinks from the moment we entered the state fair until we left. There were 6 public restrooms, and I only know because I visited all 6 at least once, and several more than once. Needless to say, I think he might have overreacted to the danger.
I also finally got in touch with the midwife (not mine, her partner). She was mostly reassuring. She basically said that as long as there is still a heartbeat on Monday evening, the delay of 4-5 days for an ultrasound/growth scan will make no difference, and there is very little they can do at this point. She did say she was worried about the lack of movement but it was 'very rare' to develop such serious issues after the anatomy scan. Then she listed again all the reasons I might not feel any movement (#1 - being overweight, I've discussed that one before) while my mind raced and I started thinking of all the meals I've eaten and the potential for bacterial infection at every place ... But most reassuringly she told me you don't need to feel movement everyday until 28-30 weeks and I will only be 25 weeks on Saturday night.
And now, it's off to bed and that 7:45 am flight and then we transition from romantic/outdoorsy couple time to ... wedding season. I have 5 weddings to go to this year, and 3 are in the next month including 3 of JD's roommates from grad school (2 are marrying each other) and my little step-brother. Then we have another good friend's wedding and I'll be a bridesmaid in July (fitting in January, should be fabulous). And of course, just to make the wedding weekend a bit more entertaining, JD and I will be rooming with 2 of his bachelor friends to save money ... Well, we started this honeymoon on a Greyhound bus to Boston so it does seem fitting to end it four-to-a-hotel-room in downtown Chicago.
*I would rank Utah well below Alaska, Minnesota, New Mexico or North Carolina but definitely above all those middling East coast states.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Another short note
I read a brief article yesterday night which was basically a polemic pro-midwifery. And it made me surprisingly pissed. Of course, there's the obvious. Without the incredible talent of my 3 RE's, a battery of tests and much intervention I wouldn't be in this state.
But then, there's the more immediate annoyance. The article basically suggested that midwives are more caring and compassionate and concerned about the individual experience of their patients, which is not my experience at all (and yes, my midwife comes very, very highly recommended). I understand midwives have really tough jobs. And when they work in an office of 2 they obviously can't answer their voicemail every day. But my RE's office always got back to me within a day or two, especially if I called twice. The midwife? Never returned a call as far as I can remember until I've left at least 3 messages. Absurd as it is, I didn't get my GTT results until I was basically through security and within 20 minutes of boarding an international flight (and after 5 calls at that point). I feel bad paging her if she's in a delivery or meeting with another patient, but I need to talk to her tomorrow.
And would it be so much to call me back today when I left a message yesterday basically indicating I was panicked? I know I might be a better candidate for a high-risk ob/gyn, but the fact is that they won't let you 'opt in' to their practice in NYC so until something goes really wrong I don't have that option and no regular ob/gyn has room for me (nor is that what I want for the actual delivery). I return to NYC at 8 pm on Sunday night and I want my u/s, NST or growth scan scheduled for Monday before my 6 pm midwife appointment. And at this point I think that's reasonable. Alternatively of course, we could pop into just about any ER between now and then have it fully covered by my insurance. I'm honestly not sure what my hesitation is at this point, but I have no intention of waiting past next Monday for some reassurance that all is well.
Ok, done ranting.
In other news, let it be public record that I have informed JD that the first accident is all his to cover up and later clean up. Nope, I'm not talking about some theoretical toilet training incident in a few years. I'm talking about the state of my poor bladder while hiking at high altitudes in desert-like conditions (i.e. no way to duck behind the bushes, the visibility is just too good and I have to drink at least 4 liters for even a short hike). And JD still persists on sneaking up on me to kiss me, poking my backside, exclaiming loudly ... I see a mortifying disaster looming shortly.
But then, there's the more immediate annoyance. The article basically suggested that midwives are more caring and compassionate and concerned about the individual experience of their patients, which is not my experience at all (and yes, my midwife comes very, very highly recommended). I understand midwives have really tough jobs. And when they work in an office of 2 they obviously can't answer their voicemail every day. But my RE's office always got back to me within a day or two, especially if I called twice. The midwife? Never returned a call as far as I can remember until I've left at least 3 messages. Absurd as it is, I didn't get my GTT results until I was basically through security and within 20 minutes of boarding an international flight (and after 5 calls at that point). I feel bad paging her if she's in a delivery or meeting with another patient, but I need to talk to her tomorrow.
And would it be so much to call me back today when I left a message yesterday basically indicating I was panicked? I know I might be a better candidate for a high-risk ob/gyn, but the fact is that they won't let you 'opt in' to their practice in NYC so until something goes really wrong I don't have that option and no regular ob/gyn has room for me (nor is that what I want for the actual delivery). I return to NYC at 8 pm on Sunday night and I want my u/s, NST or growth scan scheduled for Monday before my 6 pm midwife appointment. And at this point I think that's reasonable. Alternatively of course, we could pop into just about any ER between now and then have it fully covered by my insurance. I'm honestly not sure what my hesitation is at this point, but I have no intention of waiting past next Monday for some reassurance that all is well.
Ok, done ranting.
In other news, let it be public record that I have informed JD that the first accident is all his to cover up and later clean up. Nope, I'm not talking about some theoretical toilet training incident in a few years. I'm talking about the state of my poor bladder while hiking at high altitudes in desert-like conditions (i.e. no way to duck behind the bushes, the visibility is just too good and I have to drink at least 4 liters for even a short hike). And JD still persists on sneaking up on me to kiss me, poking my backside, exclaiming loudly ... I see a mortifying disaster looming shortly.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Just a quick post
to say I'm feeling much better. I left a voicemail for my midwife that I want to schedule a growth scan for next Monday unless she has serious objections.
I also called my mother, who I had been avoiding worrying, and she sounded utterly unconcerned.
And thanks for all your comments.
Off to watch the sunset at the Grand Canyon. Maybe I'm just obsessing because everything else is going so very well at the moment ...
I also called my mother, who I had been avoiding worrying, and she sounded utterly unconcerned.
And thanks for all your comments.
Off to watch the sunset at the Grand Canyon. Maybe I'm just obsessing because everything else is going so very well at the moment ...
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