2016 May Miracles

[NZKiwi]

Congrats on those who passed the glucose test, mine is tomorrow, I'm nervous about the results, probably because it would really change my birth plan if I tested positive.

Yay for third trimester! It is starting to feel faster now, and I only have 8 weeks of work left. Woohoo!

My mw appointments also go fortnightly from next week.

 

[ja14]

How is everyone been feeling?

Around 25ish weeks I started feeling more tired and achy, which made me though "Oh goodness, the third trimester is already hitting me, how am I going to feel once I'm further along?!" Surprisingly though, the past two weeks or so I've been feeling great! Nesting has also kicked in full swing, so it's good to be able to feel great while getting things done.

 

[drjo718]

Yay for everyone passing their glucose tests!

Afm...I've had an eventful few days, unfortunately. Friday afternoon I started having a lot of pain in the right side of my face around my eye, into my ear, and down my neck. Saturday I started wondering if this was due to an ear infection, so I went to an urgent care clinic. Good news is my ear looked fine, bad news is I was diagnosed with TMJ. Since ibuprofen is off limits, I was taking tylenol, alternating heat and cold packs for the pain, and was told to take a couple days off work bc talking puts strain on the muscles involved. I'm a nurse so I talk all day at work. At night the pain gets so bad I'm almost in tears, and the very little sleep I usually get has turned into even less.

Anyway, this morning (Monday) I woke up and noticed my face felt weird when I wrinkled my nose. Then I realized that I had no control of the right side of my face. Can't smile, can't raise my eyebrow, can't purse my lips...water falls out when drinking or brushing my teeth. So I suspected Bell's palsy and went back to urgent care where they confirmed. Then I called my midwives who had me come in for an appointment, and they consulted the perinatologist who I have to see tomorrow. I was prescribed vicodin to help with pain and sleep, but I'm not sure what the plan will be after tomorrow. The urgent care doc wanted to give me an antiviral and said he wouldn't give me steroids bc of pregnancy, and the midwife said steroids are usually used. So I obviously don't want to take anything risky, but I also need to regain feeling in my face.

I'm concerned bc I believe bell's palsy is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, but then again steroids can be as well..and I definitely don't want that to happen. I also don't know if I'll be allowed to keep working 12 hour shifts or not, which really affects finances and my time off for maternity leave if I'm required to take time off sooner.

I'll update after I know more tomorrow. At this point all I've been able to do is laugh at myself today, bc my face honestly looks kind of hilarious. Nothing else to be done, right?

 

[busytulip]

Have you ever had an episode before drjo? That's so weird. Sorry you've been uncomfortable and hope you get answers and proper treatment at your appt.

 

[pinkpassion]

Oh no drjo. My friend got bells palsy in school and after a few years she regained control of everything but it still has an affect on her, I guess she doesn't have full control still because if she smiles really big you can still tell one side slacks. I hope they get a quick plan in action! Please keep us posted!!!

 

[Em260]

I'm sorry to hear this drjo. This happened to a friend of Dh's. In her case she regained function pretty quickly. I think it was much better after a few weeks and within months she was pretty much back to normal. I hope they can figure out a treatment that is safe for you and the baby right now

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Drjo, I'm so sorry you're dealing with that. I knew a girl who had it, and for her, it only lasted about a month, and then she had enough control over her face that no one could tell there was anything wrong. I hope it gets better as soon as possible for you.

Ja, I'm feeling okay, although the hip pain has started to affect me during the day now (it's been bothering me at night for over a month now), so that's a little tricky with three young kids, two of which still have to be picked up and carried occasionally. Oh, and the acid reflux! It's gotten really awful. Those are the worst of my complaints, though. Otherwise I'm doing alright.

 

[bakerh518]

So sorry to hear of that drjo! I hope the doctors are able to come with a plan quickly so you can feel back to your self and enjoy the end of your pregnancy!

afm: not too much going on, definitely feeling the 3rd trimester tiredness! The baby feels huge and is SO active all the time! Thankfully the weather is starting to warm up and getting outside feels SO wonderful! My shower is in a month (hosted by my lovely sister) so that will be fun! Then the real count down begins!!

Cannot believe we are all getting so close to meeting our little ones!

just got a call from the midwife office! Glucose (and everything else) looked great!

 

[drjo718]

Had my appointment with the perinatologist earlier. She's putting me on steroids for about 2.5 weeks and we'll see how it goes. Also going to monitor me closely for preeclampsia and I may have to cut back to 8 hours shifts. But, I had a complete ultrasound and baby is measuring right on at about 4lbs, everything looks good with her.

 

[bakerh518]

so glad to hear your ultra sound showed no cause for concern! I hope it all gets sorted quickly!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Drjo, I'm glad you have a plan in place and that everything looks great with baby! Hopefully the steroids help and you won't develop preeclampsia.

Just got back from my appointment and everything is looking good. I also scheduled my 32 week growth scan for the 21st. Looking forward to seeing bub again!

 

[drjo718]

Mini rant post...sorry in advance.

I've slept one broken up hour since noon yesterday (following a nap bc i only slept 3 hours the night before). The prednisone is giving me wicked heartburn that alka seltzer chews aren't helping at all. I'm so tired and just can't sleep, as the heart burn is so severe at night. Laying on my left side makes it slightly better, but I have to lay on my right to keep my right eye fully closed bc of the bells palsy. My sweet DH is picking me up some zantac before he goes to work bc I'm so miserable. So this means I'm taking the following pills now:
Prenatal vitamin, 2 vitamin d (I'm deficient), calcium, 2 magnesium (for restless legs syndrome), folic acid, iron (I'm anemic), 3 prednisone, and zantac twice a day. Plus the heartburn chews for breakthrough reflux and vicodin (I've only taken 3) or tylenol as needed for pain from the palsy.

This is ridiculous. I'm not a medication person either, I try not to take meds unless I really need something. I keep telling myself that as long as the baby's healthy and safe, I can deal with some facial paralysis, heartburn, etc...looking at the bright side.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Drjo, I'm so sorry. You sound miserable. Remember, though that 6 of those pills are vitamins which are only helping you and the baby.

 

[bakerh518]

oh goodness drjo I'm so sorry to hear of all you are going through! do you think a sleeping mask would help so you can sleep on your left side? Poor thing! I wish i could offer more suggestions! at least you only 59ish days to go...

 

[ja14]

So my last midwife appt where I had my blood drawn was two weeks ago (minus one day), and I just got an email today saying my iron levels were low and I needed to start taking supplements. It's really frustrating that they are just now getting around to telling me, especially since last Thursday I messaged them about my glucose test & blood work, and responded almost immediately saying I passed my glucose test. Shouldn't they have noticed the iron then?!

 

[NZKiwi]

Sorry you are having such a hard time drjo, I would feel frustrated and upset too.

 

[bakerh518]

Oh that IS so frustrating! Sorry they left that bit out! Time for some big steaks!

 

[NZKiwi]

How's everyone doing? I'm happy to be in the third trimester finally! I get my iron and gtt results back today. Is anyone getting tested for group strep b? It's optional here in NZ, I think I will get tested just to be safe

 

[bakerh518]

They automatically test you here in Nh! Although I'm not positive when....
Crazy how close we are getting!!!

 

[drjo718]

Everyone here gets tested for GBS at 36 weeks. I had more appointments today for the bells palsy and regular visit. Blood pressure was high at the midwife office but normal at the perinatologist, and my urine was negative for protein, so no preeclampsia so far. Have to go back next week for blood pressure monitoring. They also put me on 8 hour work restrictions so I can't work my usual 12s. Next week we're also having a private 4d ultrasound done so we can hopefully get some good sneak peaks at this little lady! She likes to hide behind her hands and arms and down in my pelvis so I'm hoping she cooperates. We can also invite family to share the experience. I'm looking forward to it.