Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Our Latest Updates

Not too much has gone on here at the Salsgiver household. I'm still on bedrest. I went to the doctor yesterday, as I am going weekly now. I am 34 weeks, and really starting the countdown!!

Last week at my doctor's appointment, I informed him that I had some really hard contractions the night before and that morning I was having a lot of pain and pressure. Well, I always have contractions, but these hard ones were actually doing something. I found out I was dilated to 1.5. My cervix length was 2.1 and the baby weighed 4 lbs 8oz. This was smaller than I expected, as she was something similar to that weight 2 weeks before. I also addressed that I wasn't gaining any weight. Dr. Baker was not concerned, as the baby was gaining weight, so that was all he cared about. Soooo....because of the dilation, my questions about getting off bedrest early were all null and void. He sent me over to the triage for another dose of terbutaline to stop the irritability/contractions that caused the dilation. I went home that night.

This week, I didn't have an ultrasound, just a doctor's visit. I haven't had the hard contractions which is good. Since last Thursday though, I have had lots of burning. I was pretty convinced that it was a bladder infection. Dr. Baker didn't think so, but went ahead and gave me medicine for a UTI and for a yeast infection....really hoping it kicks in soon! Dr. Baker did say that my cervix hasn't changed any since last week, so that was good news. He did do another FFN test to make sure the baby wasn't coming anytime soon. I'm awaiting those results.

In other news, we went to Brittany Simmons' wedding reception this weekend. I know, you are thinking, "What? She got off bedrest?" Actually, no. We took a lawnchair and I had it all set up there at the reception so I could still recline. Very silly, I know...I felt stupid at first, then realized I knew most of the people at the reception who were all very entertained with the idea! Addison was the dancing fool!! This was her first real wedding, as last year she went to Leslie's, but she had just learned to walk. Addison danced with Daddy, Grandma, Aunt Kristen, Aunt Donna, but especially her friend, Jace. They were the hottest couple on the dance floor!! Pictures are to follow! Needless to say, she had a great time. I think she was asleep before we left the parking lot!

Oh!! One other big piece of news!!! Our little one finally has a name!! Her name will be Aubrey Elaine. The Elaine part comes from my sister, Kristen Elaine. She was very honored that Aubrey will be named after her! We went through many names, but Paul wasn't sure about any of them. He totally shocked me on Monday when he texted and said that he liked the name and that we should pick it. Woohoo!! So, we'll have Addison and Aubrey. I got my two "A" names like I wanted.

I've decided that this will definitely be our last pregnancy! I know, I am at the end of my pregnancy, and everyone thinks this way....well....I'm for real! I'm done with bedrest, gestational diabetes, and all of the other "fun" stuff that comes with pregnancy. It still breaks my heart that I am not able to play with/help Addison as much as I want to. Can't wait to lift her again!!



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Pregnancy Issues

Well, I started to feel faint again, just like I did when I was pregnant with Addison. I even had to leave a workshop for work at the start of it, as I didn't think I was going to be able to hold my head up. Luckily, I had a doctor's appointment the next day. Ends up that my cervix is funneling. At first, I wasn't really sure what this all meant, but have come to the conclusion that my bag of water is pressing on my cervix, making it funnel. Well, I was also starting to have contractions, so Dr. Baker sent me over to the hospital to the triage. I was hooked up to an IV of fluids (to stop the contractions) and had to wait FOREVER before I was sent home. Before I left though, I was given the first of two steroid shots to develop the baby's lungs. My doctor put me on bedrest because of my cervix...yuck. I was 28 weeks. With Addison, I went on bedrest at 31 weeks, but that was for contractions. Dr. Baker told me previously that if I was having contractions, but they were not effecting my cervix, he would not put me on bedrest. Figures, I have something different!!
The next day, I went back to Dr. Baker's office to get my second shot. They hooked me up to the monitors to find I was having lots of contractions....back to the hospital I went!! Luckily, my mom went with me this time! I got the shots of terbutaline like last time, but learned that the FDA does not allow women to be on the terbutaline pills or pump at home anymore, like last time. Of course, this freaked me out, as I knew I was going to continue to have contractions. Luckily, they were not affecting my cervix, as it was still closed.
We were scheduled to leave for New Braunfels again on Friday, though we had to cancel our trip because I wasn't able to go!! Talk about another disappointment!
Sooo....back to bedrest. Addison didn't do too well with me on bedrest the first couple of days. At first, I think she was scared of me laying on the couch all day, and wasn't understanding why I couldn't get off the couch to play with her, or put on a movie, or whatever. She began hurting me! (Both mentally and physically!) She would come up to kiss me, but would bite me instead. Or, she was head-butting me in the face. On top of the physical pain, it really hurt me to not be able to pick her up or do things with her. Luckily, she has improved now...we are movie buddies! We have watched Toy Story 3 about a trillion times! Paul has been great so far through this experience...doing the household chores and cooking dinner, along with taking care of Addison. We are very blessed that his work let him change his schedule to 7am-4pm, so that he can be home to help take care of me.
I've been on bedrest since July 20th...it's August 16th today. I'm 32 weeks along. I'm sure I have at least 4 more weeks of bedrest. I'm trying to stay as positive as I can during the days, though I am very bored. I had to let work know that I wouldn't be back until the week after Thanksgiving. Talk about a weird feeling today when all of my teacher friends went back to work!
Oh! On top of everything else, I've been diagnosed with Gestational diabetes. Luckily my numbers aren't too high, and my sugars can be controlled with a diet. I don't have to be on insulin. I hate the diet though!! I've never been one who has had to eat certain foods at certain times...I eat all of the time! Now, I have to count how many starches, fat, fruits, meats, etc that I eat in a meal to make sure that it's appropriate. I also take my blood sugar counts 4 times daily. I think this has been the roughest part for me about bedrest!!
We still haven't picked a name for this little girl! I had to see a specialist, Dr. Kirshon, the other day. He said she is very healthy and is predicted to be another 8 pounder!! He said everything looked good though, and feels that I'll make it another two months.
Thanks to everyone for all of the prayers!! Keep them coming!

Our Annual New Braunfels Trip






We left for New Braunfels on July 8th, Kristen's birthday, and were there to Wednesday. As always, this is my favorite trip to make each summer!! This year, with the drought, the Guadalupe was very slow, so the Comal was really crowded on the weekend. This didn't bother me though, as Dr. Baker said I could not get in the water because of all of the bacteria. Addison really enjoyed going to the little baby pool though, so that was good. We were able to take her to Schlitterbahn and have her play in the kiddie area. She loved it!! I was able to get in that water since it was chlorine. It was so nice to be able to get in with it being so hot outside! The parking lot was really crowded though, so we walked from the cabin. That was a LONG walk for me!! Never again, when you're pregnant!! Paul brought the car to come pick me up when it was time to leave. Thank goodness! Some days, I started to not feel good, as I was worried I was starting to have contractions, just like with Addison. My family was very helpful so that I didn't have to chase Addison around all day long. Thank goodness for that!!