Baby Update :: 28 weeks

This photo was taken a week ago at 27 weeks.

I'm taking advantage of this quiet Gaudete Sunday to give an update on how things are going with the pregnancy. I feel bad that I haven't been posting more frequently or consistently, but we've been pretty full up on busyness and when my plate gets full blogging is usually the first casualty. There have been some physical reasons I've had a harder time keeping up, too. 

About two weeks ago I had my blood glucose screening to check for gestational diabetes. I failed that test and had to go in last week for the 3 hour test, which is actually more like 4 hours when it's all accounted for. I was poked 4 different times at one hour intervals. I failed that one, too, so I get to go in to see the dietician for a consult and pick up my glucometer and testing strips. Blech. I've had to do this before, so I have some understanding of what is expected. The last time I had GD was with my 5th child and I was able to control it with adjusting my diet. I'm hoping to be able to do the same this time, too. Along with the GD stuff they also found out that I am anemic. I had a feeling this might be something I was dealing with since my energy levels have really dropped since Thanksgiving when my energy seemed to be at it's peak. I've started taking a liquid iron supplement and tried to incorporate more iron rich foods into my daily diet. I had pretty low iron levels with the last pregnancy, so I know that if I don't actively work to keep it up it can become severe. I narrowly escaped a transfusion before being released from the hospital after having Little Man. I remember being so weak that I couldn't get into my husbands truck without assistance and couldn't help slurring my words at times. I do not want it to get to that level again. 

On a good note, I have not had any bleeding or spotting yet. Yay!! 

I can't tell you how happy this has made me or what a relief it has been. There are some restrictions to my daily routines, of course, but for the most part I am free to do as I normally would. In the last pregnancy I had my first bleed at the end of my 26th week so this is good, good, good! I do, however, still have a complete placenta previa. At my 24 week ultrasound it was looking like it might move up a bit, but no. It was confirmed at my recent ultrasound last week that it is still completely covering the cervix and at this point, according to my OB, it will not move anymore. This was disappointing, but expected. For this reason alone it is even more surprising that I have not had any bleeding yet. I credit all of the prayers I have received from friends, family and my online buddies. I would like to thank you if you have been praying for me and our little girl. It means so very much to me and my family. May God bless you for your spiritual generosity. 

We have an appointment to meet with the specialist this Thursday to determine whether or not we are dealing with an accreta and/or worse. Honestly, I'm trying not to go there in my mind. So far, I am feeling very good (other than the recent lack of energy) with just occasional contractions. They are just a few a day and sporadic, but when they do come I really feel them. The doctor said that if all continues to go well then they will plan on taking the baby via c-section around 37 weeks (the baby would be considered full term at that point), which would be around mid February. 

I'd like to thank you again for your prayers. They truly are the crutch I lean on when I find myself going down a dark path in my mind.

Wishing you all a blessed and JOYFUL Gaudete Sunday!