31wks, 5dys
9:57 p.m. on March 09, 2006
I finally got to see the perinatologist that specializes in gestational diabetes yesterday. And the word “see” is a very appropriate word for the visit. I talked more to his nurse practitioner, his nutritionists, and u/s tech than I did with him. He literally talked to us for about 10min and said “see you next week.” I guess the more money you make in the office the less time you spend with the patients.
Anyway, the visit was an educational one. I learned so much about gestational diabetes in general as well as how GD is affecting me and the baby. But the best part of all was that we got yet another extensive u/s and with a tech that was very knowledgeable and that was willing to share everything and anything with us...we asked questions and she answered them! And we got MORE pictures of *Naima* from every different angle...t was great!
The nurse practitioner was nice. She started off easing our fears saying that my GD wasn’t as bad as they’re used to seeing. She even wondered why I was even being referred to them because I was such a mild case. But we all agreed it was best to be safe than sorry. She did a thorough physical and my belly measured a little over 31wks and *Naima’s* heartbeat was nice and strong.
The nutritionist was also nice making it hard to hate her when she brought out the finger-pricker thingy. She talked to us all about the foods we eat and how to eat better. She gave me a meal plan that best fits diabetics. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be but I do feel like I’m eating to many times a day. I usually just eat breakfast and lunch and sometimes dinner. I know that isn’t good but sometimes I’d rather just avoid the whole barfing up dinner episode and just not eat.
The u/s tech was the best we’ve had yet! *Naima* has had so many u/s visits I’ve already lost count. They’ve all been very secretive, very “hush-hush don’t say too much” but this one by far was the BEST. She quickly told us all about GD and how it affects the baby and what she was going to be looking for. Basically, she was going to measure the baby to see if she wasn’t getting too big. Since GD can make the baby grow too big they watch that in case I need to be induced early or have a c-section. So far *Naima* is measuring a little over 1wk ahead. The tech said she didn’t think it was due to the GD but more due to genetics...she’s just a big baby! The Doc was a bit more skeptical and leaned towards the GD and ordered me to stop giving her fuel to grow any bigger. In my opinion, I think we just make big babies. Mia was a big baby too. Mia weighed in at 7lbs and she was born a month early at 35.5wks. If we would’ve gone full term she would’ve been an 8-9lb baby for sure! So, I predict *Naima* will be around an 8lb baby girl! If she gets to 9lbs the Doc said he might not recommend a vaginal delivery. Maybe he thinks I don’t have big birthing hips for a big baby?
Anyway, the tech read our chart all about Mia and her CDH condition and made it a point to look at *Naima’s* diaphragm and the placement of all of her organs. She showed us the fully in tact diaphragm, the heart in the correct place and pumping beautifully, the liver in the correct place, the stomach in the correct place and the practicing breathing motions she was doing. She even printed out pics for us to have and that’s the most we’ve gotten from an u/s in this whole pregnancy. We don’t get another u/s with this office for about another 4wks. She told us to bring a VHS tape so that we could record *Naima* on video...way cool!
All in all, it was a good visit. Aside from the finger pricking 4 times a day I’m actually glad we’re being monitored so closely. I get to hear and see the baby every week, twice a week, with an NST and an u/s. And I get to visit with a high risk pregnancy perinatologist that knows their stuff. All of that calms my nerves a whole hell of a lot!
BTW, my sugar levels so far since I’ve started pricking mysefl have been well under the necessary...WOOHOO!
and here's my chunky-cheeked baby girl...
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