Savor each Moment and Sleep the rest

As I get ready for bed tonight I can't help but think, "is this the last hot shower I will be able to enjoy", "is this the last time I will be able to brush my teeth with toothpaste without vomiting"? I had a really nice day today. We added new soil and fertilizer to our little garden. DH took down a lot of dead branches with a rope tied to a log. We spent an hour at the park after L took off from out yard into our neighbors yard and high tailing it to the park. I guess he wanted us to take a break from yard work. I even made cookies today. The good home made chocolate chip cookie kind and they turned out perfect. Every bite made me think how in only a few short days I may not be able to eat a cookie for months.

I didn't keep up well on the water today. I'm trying now to make up for it. I pray desperately that it doesn't trigger nausea tomorrow. I'm thinking of preemptively taking a zantac before bed. I just have a gut feeling that Doom is on the horizon. I hope that I am wrong.

Tomorrow I have to leave early with DH and L to go to work. DH has a conference on the other side of DC and I need to get him to a metro early. L's daycare doesn't start until 6:30 but that's the time I also need to be on the beltway or traffic becomes a nightmare. And it's daylight savings. *sigh. Horrible day to have to get up early. We had all these grand plans of switching L to DS today. That didn't work out so well. Good luck to his teachers tomorrow. I anticipate a very long day for them. Although we will be waking L up early so who knows.

I did not get all my crafts done this weekend. There were just too many of them and too much loafing I wanted to enjoy. I will post some pics of crafts later.

Doctor Office Frustration

 

So on Monday I saw my awesome Ob Dr. T and had an exam and blood drawn for confirmation of pregnancy. The next day the office called to schedule my first sonogram at 8 weeks. Luckily for me this comes right before spring break and at my best estimate, about a week after nausea sets in. I thought the appointment was for a follow up of the sonogram so when they scheduled me with Dr. R I didn't much care. So today I got a call back saying that Dr. R couldn't see me so we would either have to reschedule to a different day or see a different doctor. I explained to the women on the phone (who sounded about 12) that it didn't really matter if they switched my doctor because that wasn't my OB anyway. But flags started to go off for me at this point. I asked her what the appointment was for and she told me it was for my first OB appointment. I said ok, and what do they do at this appointment (because I have already realized that this is completely different then how my last pregnancy care went). She explained this was the big one where they do all the blood work. No other explanation. Like I know what it is suppose to entail in detail without some sort of assistance. I did ask her if I had to undergo ANOTHER naked examination and she said no but I am wondering why they didn't schedule me with MY OB for my first official OB appointment. After calling a friend I learned that the front staff doesn't care who you see. You are a cow and part of the heard. They schedule you with whomever is convenient for them. I am so livid (hence the long drawn out paragraph ranting). So, I did ask the lady on the phone why I couldn't see my doctor. She responded that all patients are expected to see all the doctors before they give birth. I told her my situation and that I preferred to see my OB through at least the first trimester before I get passed around and she literally said : "Oh, I'm sorry... so do you want to see Dr. S on the 30th?" NO WTF! I WANT TO SEE DR T! only Dr. T is somehow not ever available again because the women would not work with me to figure out when I could get in to see her. Grrrr. For the record, I could care less who delivers my baby. I want my OB so they can get me through the first 2 trimesters alive and whole and I trust Dr. T with my situation. Not Joe Shmo.

deep breath

Now I am craving mushroom soup. I've been very irritable lately. Partly because my kids at school are hitting the spring crazies and have worn my rope to a nubbin. I want to spend all weekend in jammies in bed. Eating mushroom soup. I have also been drinking water like a fish and still so thirsty! I did not have this with the last one. I am literally drinking 10-12 cups of water a day and still feel so dry. And I have been a little constipated too which just seems too early. Where is all this water going? I don't feel like I am peeing as much as I am drinking. I went to bed last night feeling so bloated with water that I was uncomfortable. And my poor DH is feeling neglected. I just want alone time when I am home now. I think I will blame all of the above on the hormones.

I have 6 blankets half way in the process of being completed. Hopefully tomorrow I can send out another shipment to my fertile friends with bigger bellies then mine.

Unisom Fail

Today was my first day on unisom. By on unisom I mean I wanted to try to do what was requested on the regimen I posted yesterday, but all I did was take half of a pill before bed and that's all it took to make today one miserable day. I was a zombie until about 4 oclock. My patients was zero. I know my kids are thinking I am bipolar at this point but all I wanted to do was crawl up into a ball behind my desk and sleep. NOOOO, unfortunately I had to a review for an exam that seemed worthless to do anyway as all my kids wanted to do was talk. Because I felt bad for the handful of good kids in the class I put on my mean teacher face and tried to get everyone quieted as much as possible. Oh well.I ended up breaking down and crying after my last class and told the paraeducator that period what is happening. She was wonderful and very understanding. I suck at keeping secrets.

How to Avoid the Nausea

Today I went in for my first appointment with Dr. T. She is so awesome. I am so happy I found a great doc right away when we moved here. She is happy to partner with me in this challenge. Things went well. I had the general dreaded exam that somehow doesn't seem to get better even after child birth. She had some blood drawn as well. I should find the results of that tomorrow. If we are over 2000 hCG then we will schedule our first sonogram at 7 weeks to see the heart beat! DH was so excited to hear that we can go so soon.

I also showed Dr. T my list of things to do I found on babycenter yesterday to avoid the nausea. I am going to post it word for word in case it helps anyone else. With that being said Dr. T prescribed me the zofran and recommended the B6 unisom combo. She said to hold off on the others unless I need them. I bought all of it today after the appointment:)


How to avoid the debilitating Nausea:


Nausea/Vomiting helpline... Their site is www.motherisk.org!You can call 1-800-436-8477 and ask for CAroline Maltepe.  You can tell her Jen from the US sent you.  She is BEYOND amazing and will be an excellent resource!!! She has 15 years experience with extreme nausea and vomiting and has written much of the research!

"Here are my recommendations: =)  Hope some of these bring relief to at least some of you.  If you are unable to keep ANYTHING down for more than 24 hours please demand medical care.  There is NO reason why YOU have to suffer.
1.) You should be eating from the moment you wake up until you go to bed.  Eating should be occurring no more than 1.5 hours between each snack and meal.  All snacks/meals HAVE to be protein based.  Even if you do not have current nausea and vomiting now it is a good idea to start this pre-emptive treatment now if you know you have a history. ( I sleep with a low carb protein bar by the bed)
2.) Pre natal vitamins often have a lot of minerals with can contribute to the severity of nausea and vomiting.  I am on the flinstones chewable vitamins 2-3 times a day.  The added minerals are not needed until the 2nd trimester. (Obv. always consult with your OB.) *Mine said just take the folic acid*
3.) Fluids - It is important to maintain an intake of at least 64 oz of water daily...Most of us who have severe nausea/vomiting also have low blood pressure.  You need to have 8oz of electrolytes/day to help maintain a normal blood pressure.  I use the pedialiyte packets.  They have the highest amounts of e-lytes.  I also have the pedialyte frozen pops in case things get really bad.  These are excellent if you are unable to keep anything down.
4.) Sea Bands/ Ginger gum - these can both be found in your local pharmacy.  The ginger gum will be found where the sea bands are.  Ask your pharmacist.  This remedy will help take the edge off if your symptoms are not severe.
5.) Zantac 150 mg - 2x's a day...One before bed and one before breakfast.  The research has found that there is a huge correlation between acid build up in the stomach and nausea/vomiting in pregnancy.  If this does not help you will need to get a prescription of prilosec/prevacid from your OB.
6.) ORal disolvable Zofran - This is one of the most popular anti-emtics.  It comes in 4mg and 8mg.  The ODT tablet disolves under your tongue. It is important to take this med. with colace, as it often causes constipation which can contribute to severe nausea/vomiting in pregnancy.  This medication works best when fully hydrated.  If you are not you may beed iv hydration.
7.) Reglan - Used as an anti-emetic as well to keep things moving along in your digestive track.  It is important to take this medication on an empty stomach in the morning and you have to eat within 30 minutes of taking it or it will not work. *This can have some extreme side effects, use caution*
8.) Vitamin b-6/unisom combo (benedictib/diclectin in Canada)
50 mg b/6 and half tablet unisom in the morning
50 mg b/6 and half tablet unisom at around 1-2
50- 100mg b/6 and full tablet of unisom at night
*This combo has been found to be very effective, however it does take 3-4 days to get into your system.  It is super important not to miss a dose and you will note a progression.  Again speak with OB before implementing any of these interventions/treatment plans.
9.) Pytalism - or extreme salivation: Keep a big plastic cup with you at all times.  Fill the bottom with listerine to avoid the smell triggering nausea/vomiting symptoms
10.) Stress/Exhaustion: Do not push yourself beyond your means.  Stress and exhaustion can be a huge contributor to the severity of symptoms.  If you are not sleeping at all consult with your OB.  You need at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
11.) IV hydration - If you are spilling ketones (urine test trips), you need to visit er for IV hydration.  If you have frequent visits and symptoms are worsening, you may need your OB to prescribe home IV's, be admitted to the hospital or possibley get a PICC line put in.
12.) Benadryl 25 mg-50 mg : Not the gel caps - This medication can usually eliminate the severity of symptoms.
***Phenergan - is another anti-emetic that you can get in both pill, liquid, and suppository form and can provide great relief.
****Steroids are used in ETREMELY severe cases.
 I hope this serves a resource for some of you who are currently struggling.  Please remember to speak with your OB before altering your pregnancy care in anyway. 

Toddler Quilt

It's Saturday and I am in full blown crafting and cleaning mode. I made a nice list of every craft project I need to get done before the illness kicks in. I figure I am 4 weeks along which means I have 3 weeks until DOOM. That's probably when I will tell everyone we are pregnant. It might also be the same time I share this blog:)  Here is my craft for the day:

Toddler blanket:

about 11 small swaddle blankets (matching)
About 2 1/2 yards minky... I think
 1 1/2 packs big Satin Binding (cheapest at Walmart)
rotary cutter and mat

This project is for another mama friend who also had HG with her first and more recently with her second! This quilt is for her first little girl out of her old swaddle blankets.

Directions:
1. Cut all of your blankets into 8 inch squares

2. Lay your squares out on a bed so you can gauge the size you want it to be and the pattern of the material. I like to make the blanket fit the top of a full size bed.
3. I recommend taking a picture at this point in case  someone in the family jump on the bed mid project and mess up your pattern.
4. Stitch all the squares together first 1 row at a time: stitch with right sides facing each other with a strait stitch.
5. Stitch the rows together by first pinning the seems together. I would pin only the top flap of the seem (the one that will be on top while you are sewing) to the left and then the bottom flap would naturally go to the right when being stitched to keep things flat.

6. Next, pin you blanket to the minky. This can be tricky because minky is stretchy. I would iron out your squares first, lay it on the floor flat (good side down) and then lay the minky on top.
7. Stitch wrong sides together by stitching "in the ditch" over your seems you have already made. (I find stitching all the rows one way before stitching the other way works the best)
8. Finally pin your binding in place and stitch on with a zigzag stitch. You can make your own, but you will save about 2 hours of your time by just buying big satin binding at a store. I needed 1 1/2 packs to fit this quilt.

Here is the finished product on a full sized bed - I had a little leftover for a pillow

Here is the finished product on a toddler bed - a little big but still very cute.

Happy Crafting!