Pregnancy Update

Current Situation:
For those of you who have read my last post, I stated that I was having difficulties in my pregnancy. Jacob and I discussed long and hard whether I should post a blog about this or just keep it private. We recently decided that we would let everyone know what was going on now rather than wait for our next newsletter and ask for your prayers on this issue. Let me start by saying that although this is considered a complication it is NOT a huge deal and should have no long term impact on the baby if we keep it controlled.

About a week ago, Jacob and I found out that I have gestational diabetes. From what we have been told this means that little Alethea could be not so little when she is born. My body is not able to make enough insulin to support my growing placenta which requires me to be on a strict diet and tracking my blood 4 times a day. If uncontrolled the risk is that Alethea could be 10lbs (or larger) and too big to deliver vaginally and also be born with sugar in her body that she can not process herself. Again, there are NO long terms affects of this.

We have prayed about this and are at peace with what we have to do, but it is still difficult. One of the biggest difficulties has been the unknown and quick changes that have occurred. I took the 3 hour glucose test on Thursday (September 1), found out I had diabetes on Friday and was signed up for the diabetes class on Wednesday. After attending the 3.5 hr class at the perinatal center (high risk pregnancy center at the hospital) I was given a new diet (approved by a dietitian) and regulations as to what my sugar numbers should be. After the weekend of testing we found out that I would need to be on medicine to regulate some of my numbers. Again this is not a big deal, but being (almost) 34 weeks pregnant this was all an emotional roller coaster. Although I had made peace with having GD (gestational diabetes) finding out that I couldn't control it and would have to be medicated has been really hard for me to handle. I have been having the typical emotional ups and downs of pregnancy lately and this just made it a little bit worse. Things have been going well for all of us, just a little hard with all the unknowns.

What the Future Holds:
- weekly appointments with my OBGYN (normal for this far along in the pregnancy)
- bi-weekly (or 3 times week) appointments at the perinatal center for fetal monitoring
- more detailed monitoring of Alethea's size and weight
                 -if Alethea becomes too big, too small, or is having trouble then I will be induced early
                -Most likely will NOT go past 39 weeks and will be induced
-Should still be able to have a vaginal delivery but there is an increased chance that I will have a c-section

Wednesday will be my first day of fetal monitoring, which I am starting to get excited about. Of course it will be a pain to drive 20mins each way to the hospital and be monitored for 30+ minutes, but I will get to hear our baby! We meet with the high risks doctors early next week and should know a little bit more then but most likely we will only know things day by day as I attend appointments. We will make sure to keep everyone updated. Jacob and I would ask for your prayers that we are able to control Alethea's weight and carry her as long as I can. I am now considered to be high risk so we ask for prayers for Alethea's and mines health and safety throughout the rest of the pregnancy.  Feel free to ask any questions and we will share with you what we know. Thank you for all your prayers and support.