Okay, diabetes wise. I've had a lot of resistance, and finally have seen increases in my basal rates. Not as much as most people get, but my total daily basals have gone from about 23U pre preg to 27U. Pretty minimal, as I know many people have to double their basals during pregnancy, but it's an increase! I've needed to increase my bolus rates/ correction factors more. My old I:C ratio (insulin to carb) was 1:9, meaning I would take 1 unit of insulin for 9 grams of carbs and I'm down to 1:5 at this point. I'm pretty lucky though, I know of many woman who have gone to 1:1!! That would mean for a slice of whole wheat bread, I would be taking 14 units of insulin. I'm really hoping I don't get much more resistant than my 1:5! I had to change my pump settings too, my 'maximum total daily dose' was set at 100, and I've officially exceeded that amount a few times now. My correction factor has also changed dramatically. I used to take 1 unit of insulin to lower my blood sugar 2.7 points, now I am 1:1 for that. So if my blood is 11, I would need 6 units of insulin to lower me to my target of 5. I'm feeling on top of things though! I've been testing like CRAZY, and my overactive bladder at night is really actually nice, because I'm not going through long stretches overnight without checking my blood. I've been running a little high until 4AM overnight, so I'm thinking I might need to make an adjustment again in the next day or so... hmmm :) But overall, things have been okay! Last A1C was 6.0, which is still below the target of 6.2. I meet with the high risk doctor every 2 weeks and so far there are NO signs of issues with the babies caused by my diabetes. Great to hear that.
Babies - I've been having growth scans every 2 weeks. Everything was looking great until 26 weeks where Baby B was measuring a little small and there was a 'slight fold' in his inter-twin membrane which could be an early sign of TTTS. The Doctor didn't seem too concerned though, because their fluid levels were equal, and just mentioned that it was a 'very early sign' and that we'd monitor it. At 28 weeks, things were a little different. Baby B was still small, but growing along his curve (he's just a little baby), whereas Baby A, who had always been measuring a few days ahead was all of the sudden slightly smaller than little Baby B. The Dr described it as 4 days worth of growth in 14 days. We always had our 'big baby' and our 'little baby' and now we just had two little babies. I was warned that I would be admitted for further monitoring if the 30 week scan didn't go well, so it was a nerveracking time! I went home and upped my calories, and took it even easier. I haven't exactly been pushing myself, but I really made a point to take extra naps, and Jamie started bringing me home iced capps for a nice treat. 30 week scan was last week and it went much better. Both babies are still on the smaller end of normal, but both of them grew in the two week period. I think I just make small babies! I was small at birth, so it makes sense that the boys might be too. Plus, they're twins and that makes a difference too of course! Fluid levels are still looking great, heart rates are looking great, things are going okay! I have a good feeling about them, and really feel like they have been going through a growth spurt the past week or so, my stomach is getting BIG. Next ultrasound is next Wednesday, goal is to actually update after that one, when it's all fresh in my memory.
We're now doing twice-weekly non-stress-tests. A NST is basically where they hook me up to a doppler for each baby, and it also monitors my uterus 'tone' to detect if I'm contracting at all (so far so good). They're looking for accelerations when the babies move, and just like an adult their heart rates should rise and fall with activity. I started doing them at 29 weeks and was warned that sometimes babies of that gestational age don't have really strong accelerations, but they've been superstars! We had one day where Baby B was hiding and we were unable to pick up his HR, but we found him quickly with an ultrasound and got a great read on him after that. I love going in twice weekly and hearing their little heart beats, it's so reassuring. I have a little 'jeopardy' clicker that I press every time I feel movement too, so they can track things easily. Today was kind of funny. Baby A was moving a little bit at first, and then both babies were sound asleep for a good 20 minutes. They gave me a glass of ice water to try to wake them up, and Baby B went crazy! We then had to wait for a while for him to calm back down, haha. Okay, I'm getting sleepy, so survey time. Here's my goal of posts over the next few days: Baby gear (strollers etc) because I've finally made decisions, Babies room because we're finally getting somewhere, and a post about my baby shower, because it was amazing!!! I am determined to get those done!!!
How far along? 31 weeks, 2 days
Total weight gain: Wow, last time I did this I was up 14 lbs. Now I'm up 27 lbs.
Maternity Clothes? For shirts, I can only wear maternity or mens tees. I went through Jamie's give away clothes and pulled out a bunch of old Abercrombie shirts he doesn't wear anymore, and I'm officially the person who wears them out in public now. Meh - it happens. For pants, I can still wear my underarmour yoga/sweat pants, but for jeans they would have to be maternity. It's sad with shirts though, my maternity shirts are now becoming belly shirts! I'm getting pretty big.
Stretch Marks? Yep! I have about 5 of them on either side, going up and down. I find that bio-oiling them really well makes them appear less red, so I've been keeping super oiled up and that helps a little. I'm accepting of them, I didn't really expect to NOT get stretch marks. Hoping they fade quickly after the babies are here.
Sleep: Ahhh, not great. I've been really uncomfortable lately. I'm still up to pee often, and I am having some extreme groin pain in the past couple of days, which makes rolling over in bed very very painful. I'm taking it as good prep for when the babies are here.
Miss anything? I wasn't in great shape before, but I've been looking at 'pre-preg' pics and I look SO SKINNY. I have to say I miss my non-pregnant body. I miss being able to walk at a normal pace (and for more than 10 minutes at a time) and not have to sit down during a trip to Home Depot. I know as soon as the babies come out though, I will miss my pregnant body so much though - I really do love it. I just wish I could have back my old body for a weekend every now and then.
Movement: Oh yeah. Lots of pushing and rolling, and because both babies are head down, there is a whole mess of legs around my bellybutton. They like to take turns pushing out their butts too, right now B is a giant lump underneath the right side of my ribs.
Food cravings: Hmmm, apples with PB, raspberries and blueberries, iced capps, iced green teas, and anything BBQ'ed!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope.
Best moment this week: My baby shower was an amazing day, it was so much fun. The boys and I are so lucky!
Labour signs: I actually called L&D the other day. I got caught in a torrential downpour and half-ran about 45 feet to cover, I haven't done any form of running in a long time. I had a lot of pelvic pain when walking but felt fine when lying or sitting so I figured I just pulled something. Jamie was out at hockey and then even lying down I felt SO much pressure constantly. My stomach was pretty hard too, so I called just in case. They said I could come in to get checked, but I probably just over did it and to wait it out. I decided to stay home, and since then walking has been very very painful, but doesn't seem like anything labour related, phew!
Symptoms: A giant belly, two little humans kicking me from the inside, and I think I'm waddling.
Bellybutton in or out? Flat, and starting to pop at the top!
Wedding rings on or off? Still on! They were really tight on a muggy day, so I went and got my extra band sized up just in case I can't wear my e-ring/ wedding band. But so far, so good still. I know it's tighter if you're wearing 3 rings, so if need be, I'll just wear my extra band, and not all 3 at once.
Happy or moody most of the time? I'd say pretty happy. I love being pregnant, and hate complaining, but I feel like I'm starting to complain more than usual just because it is really uncomfortable and painful. I don't know how I'm going to last much longer, but bring it on! My OB said last Monday that 'hopefully I'll make it to 38 weeks' - AHHH! I'm still hoping for 36!
Looking forward to: Jamie painting the babies room tomorrow! And I have a ton of stuff ordered that I'm waiting for which should be in within the next couple of weeks. And my MIL is working on the babies bedding, and I see the high risk Dr for another ultrasound next Wednesday... Lots of stuff going on!
Photo time!
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| 25 weeks, pre stretch marks! |
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| 26 weeks, 4 days |
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| Hello stretchies! |
