The thing that I find myself doing most is google searching what happens as the various weeks and days pass by. It is an obsession and I am sure that I am not the only person who does this during their pregnancy. The only thing is that after a while, you want to feel the baby move or something to reassure yourself that everything is okay. The doctor's visit seems so far away now.
In fact, I think I am beginning to become a bit impatient and I am usually quite patient. I am aware that it is almost 16 weeks (15 weeks, 4 days) and that the time is passing by but I feel as if I am in a bit of a lull and the time is not passing by quickly enough. I think I need to find things to occupy my time. In actuality, there are a lot of things that I can do but I am waiting for the 20 week mark.
I have downloaded a few apps and a pregnancy countdown timer as well and I've read all of the messages for the full 40 weeks so now all I do is reread them. I know what every test is for and I've acquainted myself with quite a few medical terms as well as all of the possible things that can go right and wrong. Basically, in an educated way, I am driving myself nuts!
I am very well aware that this is probably the one of the last totally free weeks that I will have for a long long time...well for the rest of my life because Nan has decided to get remarried and there is a wedding on the very near horizon as well as the temple's camp and the week after, school begins.
If all goes well, I plan to work until the Christmas break begins. Let's see how things turn out. As for the Ph.D. I am working on that slowly....very, very slowly. It may be too late to drop it because I'm half way through but the prospects of landing a public health job in Florida is next to nothing. I do feel a little more accomplished for getting the MPH and I am happy that I decided to pursue a Ph.D. but I am not sure what will happen when the baby comes. Thankfully, I got most of the studies completed before. I really do like the field and with the new rules for health insurance and the swing toward preventive medicine, we may be in demand shortly and hopefully, there will be more job openings in South Florida.
I am a bit upset about the deal that we got with teaching. I called last week to find out about what my insurance covers and found that as teachers, we get a good deal with benefits...for ourselves. To add a child to my insurance is another issue. I also found out that while teachers are allowed 12 weeks and their insurance is covered during that time, they are not paid, not even a fraction of their salary. I wondered about that. What about those teachers who live in single-income homes? While Ami and I are a bit more secure, I wondered how others do it. The life of a public servant is a tough one indeed!
Having a baby in this country is an expensive venture for middle class people who receive no aid from government, state or federal. From what I have seen, and it is not certain, the cheapest newborn insurance runs around $100. Then we have to wonder about someone who will see the baby and that is also another thing that will run up the bill. My mom, who has been wanting a grandchild for quite a long time, has volunteered to do as much babysitting as she can and I am totally on board with her more than anyone else but she cannot quit her job.
Either way, now that I know what's involved, I will save a little extra when the new school year begins just to be ahead. When I told my dad about the whole salary situation, he gave me a look and replied with the same answer that he always gave since we were little, "But anyhow, you're not going to starve!"
Showing posts with label Pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pregnancy. Show all posts
Friday, July 05, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
The whole barrage of tests
Lately, it seems as if all I've been going through is every conceivable prenatal test that exists. And of course it doesn't help to change doctors somewhere in week 10 of the pregnancy. I will speak about that later on or in a later post because it is something that upsets me. So back to the testing.
Combined with my new doctor and the one I had before, I've been to the/a doctor's office 5 times and have had blood drawn on 3 occasions and I'm only 14 weeks!
I am hoping that if I do decide to have another baby after this one, that the records will be there for these genetic markers and all of the extra testing will not be necessary.
So far, the most unnecessary test I had was an ultrasound on the 8 week mark to determine my due date. Unless you have totally irregular cycles or you had some kind of amnesia, this is a totally unnecessary test and at the 11-14 week nuchal translucency screening (a necessary ultrasound) they estimate the due date based on the baby's size, etc. In that way, you and the baby are not exposed to that many ultrasounds and you stay on the safer side of the ultrasound research. Some studies suggest that the high frequency waves may cause some sort of neurological damage and the number of ultrasounds/sonograms should be limited.
Otherwise, at about 8 weeks, I also had a series of blood tests. Well, I went to the LabCorp location and they took 8 vials (seemed endless). Thankfully, I've never been afraid of giving blood or having blood drawn but I can imagine the scene if I were or if Ami came along. Turns out that all of those screens came back okay and I was not a carrier for any genetic condition:) That eliminated another source of worry.
Last week, I had a nuchal translucency ultrasound and I got to watch for more than 30 minutes while my little one kicked up a storm and refused to get into a cooperative position. It was the best summer movie I saw so far and I cannot describe the happiness I felt. Ami hasn't been able to accompany me on any of these visits as he started a new job and he is on probation right now so he relies on me describing everything to him. Come to think of it, I never suggested to him that he needed to go except for the one where we find out the gender. I got four little pictures from this sonogram and today, I saw him pick up the picture and speak to it. The great news about this ultrasound is that the nuchal size came back within range so the risk of down syndrome is much lower. I also had two vials of blood taken at that visit since the new doctor ordered an integrative scan. I am not sure why she ordered the blood works as well but I think this was "new non-invasive research" from what I read.
Finally, I had another necessary test yesterday. There is a strong history of diabetes in my family. I thought that it was a bother having to go through it though but the doctor suggested that I take an early glucose screen. I had to be fasting so I scheduled an 8:30 appointment and sure enough, I was starving when I got there. I had to drink a 10 oz bottle of fruit punch flavored yuckiness with 50 grams of sugar. In the hour I sat in the waiting area, I prayed that this test turned out okay. Otherwise, I would be rescheduled for a 3 hour test that would require a blood draw every hour. Joy joy joy! After the hour, the phlebotomist took three vials (the doctor had also requested a thyroid and vitamin D scan). I drove to my parents house after, part because I was hungry and also because I wanted to test my blood sugar. It was about 15 minutes after I left the place and the reading was 105. Hopefully, it wouldn't be much different from what the LabCorp place reports and I am tolerating glucose well so far or either my baby has quite an appetite:)
It occurred to me while talking/venting to a friend yesterday that the reason why they were doing so many tests was because I have been married for 5 years and this is my first child at 30. Am I an anomaly? Do people have children sooner? At the time Ami and I got married, we did not think of having kids (really at the time we got married, neither of us wanted to have kids until a few years along) and we were still trying to become a little more established in life. I wondered if the doctors thought that I had been trying for a while and never conceived? That will be something for me to ask at my next visit (which is sure to come!). In the mean time, I thank God that I have insurance coverage and at the same time, I wonder if I would be going to the doctor so many times if I didn't.
Combined with my new doctor and the one I had before, I've been to the/a doctor's office 5 times and have had blood drawn on 3 occasions and I'm only 14 weeks!
I am hoping that if I do decide to have another baby after this one, that the records will be there for these genetic markers and all of the extra testing will not be necessary.
So far, the most unnecessary test I had was an ultrasound on the 8 week mark to determine my due date. Unless you have totally irregular cycles or you had some kind of amnesia, this is a totally unnecessary test and at the 11-14 week nuchal translucency screening (a necessary ultrasound) they estimate the due date based on the baby's size, etc. In that way, you and the baby are not exposed to that many ultrasounds and you stay on the safer side of the ultrasound research. Some studies suggest that the high frequency waves may cause some sort of neurological damage and the number of ultrasounds/sonograms should be limited.
Otherwise, at about 8 weeks, I also had a series of blood tests. Well, I went to the LabCorp location and they took 8 vials (seemed endless). Thankfully, I've never been afraid of giving blood or having blood drawn but I can imagine the scene if I were or if Ami came along. Turns out that all of those screens came back okay and I was not a carrier for any genetic condition:) That eliminated another source of worry.
Last week, I had a nuchal translucency ultrasound and I got to watch for more than 30 minutes while my little one kicked up a storm and refused to get into a cooperative position. It was the best summer movie I saw so far and I cannot describe the happiness I felt. Ami hasn't been able to accompany me on any of these visits as he started a new job and he is on probation right now so he relies on me describing everything to him. Come to think of it, I never suggested to him that he needed to go except for the one where we find out the gender. I got four little pictures from this sonogram and today, I saw him pick up the picture and speak to it. The great news about this ultrasound is that the nuchal size came back within range so the risk of down syndrome is much lower. I also had two vials of blood taken at that visit since the new doctor ordered an integrative scan. I am not sure why she ordered the blood works as well but I think this was "new non-invasive research" from what I read.
Finally, I had another necessary test yesterday. There is a strong history of diabetes in my family. I thought that it was a bother having to go through it though but the doctor suggested that I take an early glucose screen. I had to be fasting so I scheduled an 8:30 appointment and sure enough, I was starving when I got there. I had to drink a 10 oz bottle of fruit punch flavored yuckiness with 50 grams of sugar. In the hour I sat in the waiting area, I prayed that this test turned out okay. Otherwise, I would be rescheduled for a 3 hour test that would require a blood draw every hour. Joy joy joy! After the hour, the phlebotomist took three vials (the doctor had also requested a thyroid and vitamin D scan). I drove to my parents house after, part because I was hungry and also because I wanted to test my blood sugar. It was about 15 minutes after I left the place and the reading was 105. Hopefully, it wouldn't be much different from what the LabCorp place reports and I am tolerating glucose well so far or either my baby has quite an appetite:)
It occurred to me while talking/venting to a friend yesterday that the reason why they were doing so many tests was because I have been married for 5 years and this is my first child at 30. Am I an anomaly? Do people have children sooner? At the time Ami and I got married, we did not think of having kids (really at the time we got married, neither of us wanted to have kids until a few years along) and we were still trying to become a little more established in life. I wondered if the doctors thought that I had been trying for a while and never conceived? That will be something for me to ask at my next visit (which is sure to come!). In the mean time, I thank God that I have insurance coverage and at the same time, I wonder if I would be going to the doctor so many times if I didn't.
Monday, June 24, 2013
A small drop of happiness:)
Today, I am happy. Happiness is a fleeting thing in this human world though but I do think that being made human, we were made to feel and experience every emotion and in doing so, we learn. Today, I am 13 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Tomorrow, the second trimester begins and we get a little closer. I love the little one and he/she isn't even born yet!
Everyone speaks about changes that occur during pregnancy. There really haven't been a lot for me but here's some that I've noticed.
Sleeping/Waking: For one, I am typing this blog at 8:39 am! For anyone who knows me, they will agree that if I don't have to work, I will wake up in time to see the last 15-30 minutes of the morning...if I am lucky! I've been waking up before Ami in the mornings (around 6-ish) and he is the one who has to work! In fact, he is getting used to the idea of me waking up and seeing him off to work. The reason is of course having to go to the restroom and then I am ridiculously hungry to the point of feeling nauseous every morning. Ami jokes that the baby is definitely like him because it needs food all the time. Now that I am used to it, it's actually a good thing waking up and seeing the morning go by. Actually, it was something that I was very much afraid of when I thought of having a kid. I wasn't disciplined about going to bed and waking up on time and now it seems as if the problem has fixed itself.
Another thing I've noted about sleeping is I have some very strange dreams. It's like a guaranteed movie every time I go to bed...not that I like all of the dreams I have but I definitely have very real and very strange dreams.
Food Cravings/Aversions: So far, I haven't really felt any strange or bizarre cravings nor do I think my sense of smell is anymore intensified. But then again, I always thought my sense of smell was pretty good so maybe nothing changed. The only thing I crave are sweets but not the junk food kinds so much, just fruits or anything with fruits. Before, the only time of the year I ate fruits was during the times of the year I fasted. I just read that it could be that my body needs vitamin C. In fact, I think I have gotten very sensitive to the taste of intensely sweet. I don't like it. Only the fruits. They seem to have the right amount of sugar.
Another major change was that I started cooking more at home and when I am too lazy to cook, I go over more to my mom's house because she always has something and she's all too willing to have us come over and raid her kitchen. And that is exactly what I do...raid the kitchen. I was really looking for the food I grew up eating: the roti and vegetables in the morning, dAl and rice, and the curries. I totally love this change. Both the food and seeing my parents every day/ every other day.
In the beginning, I lost my love affair with coffee and I haven't yet really regained it. No big loss though. I cannot even think of what it was that I loved so much about coffee. Then again, I was drinking entirely too much of it anyway and what really made me stop was when I heard my little one's heartbeat for the first time and found out that the coffee was teratogenic in nature and it could accelerate the heartbeat. I've also pretty much cut out soda and started drinking fruit juice and water. The orange juice makes the vitamins go down. That's pretty much the only real aversion I've had...the sight of the vitamin bottle. Not the taste or anything (although I never liked the taste of medicine, the nasty, icky, disgusting coating on pills, or swallowing any pill....I'd rather take an injection!) but I could not look at the bottle. It may be something psychological though.
While I had very mild bouts of feeling nauseous, I didn't suffer terrifying bouts of nausea/morning sickness during this trimester and I can only pray that it continues this way. It may be something that runs in families because my mom wasn't really sick when she was having us either. The one downside to this was that I gained weight in the first trimester. Like about 8 lbs. Compared to feeling sick all the time though, I'd rather gain the weight. I can think of a hundred different ways to lose weight but throwing up at the sight of food will make me utterly depressed. I am not too worried though because for the last 2-3 weeks, I haven't gained anything more and I am making an effort to walk at least 3 days/ week. By the way, my clothes still fit but they're getting on the tight, soon-to-be-uncomfortable end. Trying to see how far I can get before going crazy with buying clothes though.
Mood Swings: I am irritable sometimes. Sometimes I get angry. I get teary eyed way too easily and for the most trivial things. Ami definitely didn't like these changes and I didn't really enjoy the irritability part because I'm usually a lot more easy going. I am making a conscious effort to observe and keep my moods in check though. Music helps a whole lot.
Lastly, I never really thought that I would be excited to go to a doctor's office as I am now. I'm not sure of anyone who loves going to the ob/gyn's but for now I love going there. I get happy when I hear that little heartbeat. It's worth every other embarrassment you feel in that office. For now, I have only one wish. I hope this little life, whether boy or girl, is born with love and compassion for humanity and an intense and unshakable faith in God or that I am able to teach this to my little one. With that, everything else will be okay.
Everyone speaks about changes that occur during pregnancy. There really haven't been a lot for me but here's some that I've noticed.
Sleeping/Waking: For one, I am typing this blog at 8:39 am! For anyone who knows me, they will agree that if I don't have to work, I will wake up in time to see the last 15-30 minutes of the morning...if I am lucky! I've been waking up before Ami in the mornings (around 6-ish) and he is the one who has to work! In fact, he is getting used to the idea of me waking up and seeing him off to work. The reason is of course having to go to the restroom and then I am ridiculously hungry to the point of feeling nauseous every morning. Ami jokes that the baby is definitely like him because it needs food all the time. Now that I am used to it, it's actually a good thing waking up and seeing the morning go by. Actually, it was something that I was very much afraid of when I thought of having a kid. I wasn't disciplined about going to bed and waking up on time and now it seems as if the problem has fixed itself.
Another thing I've noted about sleeping is I have some very strange dreams. It's like a guaranteed movie every time I go to bed...not that I like all of the dreams I have but I definitely have very real and very strange dreams.
Food Cravings/Aversions: So far, I haven't really felt any strange or bizarre cravings nor do I think my sense of smell is anymore intensified. But then again, I always thought my sense of smell was pretty good so maybe nothing changed. The only thing I crave are sweets but not the junk food kinds so much, just fruits or anything with fruits. Before, the only time of the year I ate fruits was during the times of the year I fasted. I just read that it could be that my body needs vitamin C. In fact, I think I have gotten very sensitive to the taste of intensely sweet. I don't like it. Only the fruits. They seem to have the right amount of sugar.
Another major change was that I started cooking more at home and when I am too lazy to cook, I go over more to my mom's house because she always has something and she's all too willing to have us come over and raid her kitchen. And that is exactly what I do...raid the kitchen. I was really looking for the food I grew up eating: the roti and vegetables in the morning, dAl and rice, and the curries. I totally love this change. Both the food and seeing my parents every day/ every other day.
In the beginning, I lost my love affair with coffee and I haven't yet really regained it. No big loss though. I cannot even think of what it was that I loved so much about coffee. Then again, I was drinking entirely too much of it anyway and what really made me stop was when I heard my little one's heartbeat for the first time and found out that the coffee was teratogenic in nature and it could accelerate the heartbeat. I've also pretty much cut out soda and started drinking fruit juice and water. The orange juice makes the vitamins go down. That's pretty much the only real aversion I've had...the sight of the vitamin bottle. Not the taste or anything (although I never liked the taste of medicine, the nasty, icky, disgusting coating on pills, or swallowing any pill....I'd rather take an injection!) but I could not look at the bottle. It may be something psychological though.
While I had very mild bouts of feeling nauseous, I didn't suffer terrifying bouts of nausea/morning sickness during this trimester and I can only pray that it continues this way. It may be something that runs in families because my mom wasn't really sick when she was having us either. The one downside to this was that I gained weight in the first trimester. Like about 8 lbs. Compared to feeling sick all the time though, I'd rather gain the weight. I can think of a hundred different ways to lose weight but throwing up at the sight of food will make me utterly depressed. I am not too worried though because for the last 2-3 weeks, I haven't gained anything more and I am making an effort to walk at least 3 days/ week. By the way, my clothes still fit but they're getting on the tight, soon-to-be-uncomfortable end. Trying to see how far I can get before going crazy with buying clothes though.
Mood Swings: I am irritable sometimes. Sometimes I get angry. I get teary eyed way too easily and for the most trivial things. Ami definitely didn't like these changes and I didn't really enjoy the irritability part because I'm usually a lot more easy going. I am making a conscious effort to observe and keep my moods in check though. Music helps a whole lot.
Lastly, I never really thought that I would be excited to go to a doctor's office as I am now. I'm not sure of anyone who loves going to the ob/gyn's but for now I love going there. I get happy when I hear that little heartbeat. It's worth every other embarrassment you feel in that office. For now, I have only one wish. I hope this little life, whether boy or girl, is born with love and compassion for humanity and an intense and unshakable faith in God or that I am able to teach this to my little one. With that, everything else will be okay.
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