34 week update

I am now 34 weeks and 1 day pregnant, my due date is 41 days away! However, it doesn't look like I will get that far.

I had my growth scan, diabetic appointment and consultant appointment on Wednesday. At the scan the baby was bigger than expected, it's head and femur measurements are within target, however, it's abdominal circumference is measuring 3 weeks ahead and as the sonographer put it 'baby has a chunky tummy' The measurements were:

Femur Length: 68mm
Head Circumference: 303mm
Abdominal Circumference: 322mm

The estimated fetal weight is 2637g which is 5lb 13oz around 10oz more than it should be. I find it amazing that the baby has gained over 1000g in 5 weeks! The sonographer also checked the blood flow through the cord which was perfect. The baby is now transverse, head on my left side, bum on the right with it's hands and feet pointing downwards, meaning baby is still not where it should be, again like the breech position if it stays that way it will be a c-section.

At my diabetic appointment I had more insulin added in as my evening levels have started to creep up. I am now on 10 units with breakfast, 10 units with dinner, 8 units at tea and 14 units over night. I'm still eating well and am still finding that certain meals that work one day will not work the next day, it's so frustrating and I cannot wait until it goes away!

My consultant appointment was really useful as I went in with a list of questions due to not really having a clue about what would happen at the birth. I was told that I would be induced or c-sectioned at 37-38 weeks. If I am able to have a natural birth and there are no complications I should be out of hospital after one night, with a c-section it will be a 2-3 days stay. So slightly longer than average if there are no complications. I was also assured that my baby wouldn't be taken away to special care just because of my diabetes, I had read that they are automatically taken away for their glucose levels to be monitored but this is not the case. I was also assured that I would have community care once I was out of hospital as it didn't matter that I had refused to see the community midwife, the labour ward would let the local team know to expect me.

My blood pressure has also begun to rise which is concerning me, it was 143/83 and I also had a trace of  protein and leukocytes in my urine as this could mean preeclampsia but could just be an infection, the urine has been sent off for further analysis.

First Gestational Diabetes Appointment

I had my appointment yesterday to discuss my Gestational Diabetes. I only had two days worth of readings to show the diabetic doctor. The hospital send me home with enough test strips and lancets (needles to prick my finger) to last until Monday dinner time, so upon returning from the hospital on Friday after I went to my GP's to request new supplies telling the receptionist that I needed them for Monday. Monday arrives and my prescription hasn't been signed by the GP, in fact it took until Tuesday dinnertime for my prescription to be signed so by the time I got home from work at 6.30pm on Tuesday the only pharmacy that was open didn't have any lancets left.

The doctor was fine about this we discussed the problems that could happen if my blood sugar went uncontrolled like a big baby, birth defects and baby having low blood sugar at birth, he said the problems that could occur with me are that the diabetes may not go away after the birth I will tested after 6 weeks to see if my glucose levels are normal and that if it was a big baby I could have more issues with blood loss. He asked if I wanted to see a dietician, I said I would like a chance to be able to control my sugar levels myself but if I am unable to then I would see a dietician. He said that due to the fact I have PCOS it is not a surprise that I have Gestational Diabetes. I have to call the diabetic nurse with my glucose readings next week and I have an appointment the following week to discuss my options. If I am able to control with diet then I will continue testing and have appointments every 2-4 weeks, if not they will look into prescribing me insulin and will see me more often.

After seeing the diabetic doctor I saw the obstetrician who is the same person who has does my scans. My urine was tested and it contain ketones, I should have asked what these were, in fact I probably should have known but I didn't so I googled it. It means that my body has been using stored fat as energy and it could be caused by not eating enough carbohydrates. I didn't have much to eat or drink before going to the appointment as I had to go to work beforehand then was rushing about trying to get to the hospital on time. I am hoping this is just a one off and I possibly need to make sure I am having some small serving of carbohydrate at each mealtime. My blood pressure was taken and it was 128/60 which is the lowest it has been so at least that isn't another problem I am facing. The obstetrician also scanned me, baby is doing well and was kicking away :-) I couldn't feel that it was moving and I'm still a little weirded out that something that is about a foot long can be moving that much and I don't feel it as often as I should (my placenta is at the front so shields most kicks)

I now have my supplies to test regularly, although I was prescribed 200 lancets and only 50 test strips, this makes no sense to me so I will have to order some more as I have to check 3 times a day and on 2 days a week do a fasting test in the morning. It means I need 23 strips a week and I've already used one yesterday that showed an error on my machine. I cannot wait until I can go back to not having to see medical professionals and more importantly not have to deal with receptionists!