Had a doctor's appointment this morning, and everything is going great. At 21 weeks 5 days, this was the first time they measured my fundus -- the length from my pubic bone to the top of my uterus, in centimeters. At this point, it is supposed to approximately equal the number of weeks along I am. The top was a little over an inch above my belly button. The nurse measured 22 cm, the doctor measured 23, and doc said both are fine. My blood pressure was good, too, and the heartbeat sounded good and strong.
I was a little mad at the nurse, though. I asked whether I was back up to my pre-pregnancy weight yet (answer is no, I am still 2 lbs below) and got a lecture about how I shouldn't be trying to gain weight because the baby will do that for me. Like I have ever in my life tried to gain weight. Seeing as how most of the people I talk to had gained anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds by this point in their pregnancy, I think I am doing very, very well, thank you. I am trying so hard to be healthy and not go crazy, and I still get a lecture.
I therefore almost lost it when the doctor started giving me the instructions for the gestational diabetes screen that I have to take in four weeks, and started bracing me for the fact that it is not unlikely that given my weight and family history I could have GD but not to worry, as long as we control it by diet I should be fine. He immediately said he didn't mean to imply that I was not already eating well and just meant that I likely would not have to use insulin (after I got teary and told him I was trying very hard to eat well and stay away from sweets, refined sugars, and empty carbs), so it wasn't that he was being purposefully insensitive, but still. Not my best appointment. (I then proceeded to projectile vomit in the middle of crossing the street on my way back to my office. Darn trucks).
Next appointment in four weeks is auspicious for two reasons: (1) I get to take that dreaded GD screening and (2) I start seeing the other doctors in the practice. I am starting off easy with one of the other docs that was recommended to me by my friend Rachel (who is due herself in February). Also, Rachel tells me that her doc is one of the only ones in the practice who didn't give her a lecture about her weight (she's gained almost 60 pounds). So hopefully I at least won't have to deal with any of that.
Oh baby! Still puking and having a hard time with the docs to boot. Sorry that they are seemingly being on the insensitive side. As you know, GD leads to very large baby and increases the chances of labor and delivery problems. I think that you are doing a good job at watching what you are eating and that they are just doing "their job" by warning you of the dangers. This society we live in makes medical people so overly conscious of lawsuit possibilities that they often forget to keep a human touch in their practice and continually tell everyone the exact same thing so that they can say "I warned you about that". But since I am both a medical person and your mom, I can tell you that you have been doing a wonderful job of not eatting the wrong things. You have been choosing your foods wisely and it shows in the fact that you are still 2 pounds below your start weight. Now the next few months will really be a little tougher as the babybean starts to gain weight at the rate of about 1/4 pound a week! Plus you get more amniotic fluid for about a 1/3 pound a week total weight gain possibility. It will be a challenge to keep it all baby and not add to yourself but I know that with the way you are eating now, that you will be able to do it without a problem. You are doing great and I am very proud of you!!! Love, Momma
Posted by: Momma on January 29, 2003 02:03 PMI'm proud of you too! I gained lots of weight besides baby weight - it amazes me to look back at photos of me. You're doing great! Ya'd think that at least the gyn docs would be a bit more sensitive since they're dealing with women who are overly sensitive to begin with due to all the hormonal changes! My pregnancy was a piece of cake next to yours....you have a great attitude about all the barfing! Like mom, while feeling sorry for you, I also crack up laughing at your humorous portrayal! Hang in there hon!
Posted by: Keri on January 29, 2003 03:19 PMOh, honey! I'm so sorry that you are still feeling pukey. You are doing so well, and I can't tell you how much I admired you as I watched while you were ashen and slightly green, but still up for doing anything, going anywhere, with a smile on your face. I didn't cope nearly as well and kept trying to feed the nausea! Stupid move that gave me an extra 60 pounds. It must be a girl! :)
Keep your doc human. BOLO for Yvette Courette, Katie's friend who is doing her OB Residency at GW.
Your fans are cheering for you.
Love you,
Mom