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Doctor Visits

Sugar Tests…

We had a combined check-up and glucose test last Friday (7/11). To start everything off, CDF had to drink half a bottle of the orange sugary liquid (very sugary). It gave her a headache after a little, but other than that she was fine.

The check-up was routine. CDF has gained 2 pounds since the last visit (up to 19lbs total now) and her belly, while on the small side, is growing like it should. I think we saw Dr. Lewison (thin, short and straight blond hair). As before she was very laid back and appeared to be satisfied with how the pregnancy was going.

CDF did very well when they drew blood — to complete the sugar test — and I think the nurse did a good job too.

Today they called with the results of the test… 🙁 CDF’s blood sugar was elevated (she failed the test) and she has to go back on Wednesday for the long test (3 hours) to determine if she has Gestational Diabetes. That will mean watching her sugar intake and a lot of finger pricks a day (four) to check the sugar level.

Categories
Daughters

Energetic Baby

Last night the baby was moving around again. She (85% 😉 would kick and move when ever CDF laid on her side. I was about asleep when CDF woke me because the kicking tickled. She put my hand under her belly where the baby was kicking the most. Right before I fell asleep again (not intentionally mind you) I felt a bump-bump-bump. CDF burst out laughing again, saying it felt somewhere in between having a cramp and being tickled.

Silly baby. 🙂

Categories
Daughters

She’s Kickin’

Yesterday was the first time I felt our baby kick. I may have felt her before, but there was no mistaking it this time. 🙂 She’s been getting more active every day… and stronger too.

Also, when my wife and I were in bed, we placed a bookmark on her belly and watched as it bounced from the baby moving and kicking. Feisty little girl.

Categories
Wife

Never so Happy To Gain Weight

My wife was quiet tickled at our last doctor appointment. She had gained 7 lbs. since the last visit (three, or so, weeks ago)! Considering that the same amount she’s gained over the past three years, you can see why she was happy. Especially since she had lost a few pounds from morning sickness (she had gained them back by April, but hadn’t made any significant gains since then).

So she’s right on track and staying healthy. She’s even got a small belly showing now. 🙂

Categories
Doctor Visits

It’s a GIRL!

We had another sonogram on Friday (May 9) and it was the day we were going to find out if our baby was a boy or a girl… at least we hoped the tech would be able to see what it was. We did have a question about what would happen if the u-cord was in the wrong place, could it confuse the tech?

Anyway, the exam took a while while the tech took measurements and pictures of the baby’s limbs and head and spine. It was somewhat disconcerting to watch her focus the ultrasound beam on features *inside* the baby’s body… almost like having x-ray vision (well actually it’s probably the same effect).

Finally the tech asked if we were ready to find out. No need to ask that. 🙂 A minute more and then, it’s a girl! It’s still only an 85% chance that she is a girl, but if nothing else it’s better than the 50% chance up until now. 😉

I have no doubt that MD is going to be a beautiful little terror. Just like her mother was (and is).

Categories
Doctor Visits

Back Pains

So the at the latest visit (May 2), the nurse was going through the initial check up and my wife mentioned having lower back pain. Somehow this made them suspect an infection (the kidneys?) and they needed another cup sample, uh, the last one wasn’t full enough. So we ended up sitting around for a while while she drank cups of water(!). Eventually they got their sample and decided she did have a UTI. The doctor proscribed antibiotics that she’ll need to take twice a day.

Categories
Wife

Headaches, Part Two

After my wife had problems with the left side of her vision blacking out, she had gone to the eye doctor near New Bern. They said she checked out okay, but needed to go to her regular doctor to be checked for Multiple Sclerosis (SP?), since the symptoms could indicate a possible case of MS.

So today she went to her doctor here in Wilmington and they said she was fine and not to worry. Unless the symptoms were more severe, the were sure it was only an atypical migraine causing the eye trouble.

Categories
Doctor Visits

The Baby’s Heartbeat

We had another appointment on April 4th. We didn’t know what to expect, it was supposed to be another routine check up.

When we got there we were told it would be a half hour wait since the doctor was still at the hospital. My time was limited so I started to get a little antsy (as much as I ever do ;). But we actually got shown back much sooner that I expected.

After being shuffled between a couple different rooms, we still were waiting for the Dr. to arrive. Finally a nurse came in and said that she was here.

I can’t remember the name of the Dr., but she was short, slim, and had short blonde hair. She was very nice, if a little distant. She answered my wife’s questions, and then said we were going to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. That was a pleasant surprise.

It took the Dr. a few minutes long than she expected to find the heartbeat, and she had about given up, when she finally found it. The baby’s heart was making a quick whooshing sound… about the speed you would expect your heart to be going after a good run (or a scare).

And that was then end of the appointment. We were out of their after only an hour and a half, so I wasn’t late getting back to work after all.

Categories
Wife

Headaches

Yes, real headaches… and she can’t take any of her prescription migraine medicine (not that she ever did ;->) so when she got a bad headache last Friday there wasn’t much we could do. Fortunately she was able to call the doctor and get a prescription for another type of pill that was safe: a cocktail of Butalbital (for tension headaches), Acetaminophen, and Caffiene. Ha! How about take two Tylenol and drink a cup of Coffee? Seriously, it really helped.

But then on Sunday (yesterday), her vision started getting cloudy with dark spots, mainly on the left side. Her migraines have been on the left… so we don’t know if this is a symptom of the headaches or of the pregnancy. She’s going to an eye-doctor this afternoon.

Categories
Doctor Visits

Second Doctor Visit

This past Friday (3/7/03) we went in for the second doctor appointment. We were going to see the nurse-practitioner and then have a follow up ultrasound.

The nurse said CDF looked good and healthy. She gave us a few tips on what to do about nausea (avoid milk), but there’s no need to worry about a little nausea, not unless it lasts for six hours. CDF has been relating that bit of information as three hours, to keep her family from getting nervous — she says they’ll insist she will dehydrate long before that.

The baby has grown visibly. During the ultrasound, we were able to make out the head, body and limb-buds! It was actually a bonus that we got another ultrasound picture. Normally they wait until 20 weeks before taking any more pictures.