We'll survive. Heck, we may even enjoy it. In the meantime, here's the ever growing belly. First photo is roughly 26 weeks, next is almost 29 weeks!
I've actually been feeling great! This pregnancy has been significantly easier than Max's. No bladder infections and the gestational diabetes debacle is easier to cope with this time around. In short, I refused testing again in leu of just testing myself at home. I've had a few high numbers here and there (sushi, is sadly a no-no) but for the most part I can maintain eating what I'd like (within reason) and do just fine! If I do have GD this time, it seems to be a much less severe case (and it wasn't even that bad with Max, so that's saying something!). The memories of what being labeled with GD entailed for a hospital delivery with Max started us talking about whether or not we wanted to be put in that position again. I almost made it without an epidural last time and would LOVE to experience a natural delivery. In the hospital, if you have GD, you are required to be hooked up to an IV in case you need insulin, the periodically test your blood sugar to make sure you're not too low from not being allowed to eat, and they require more frequent fetal monitoring (meaning you're hooked up to a machine that makes movement difficult to say the least). For anyone who's had or witnessed a natural birth you KNOW that you do not sit there. You move, you rock, you sway, you moan, you're up and down and in the water and out and basically you never sit still. All of the above mentioned methods of monitoring GD in the hospital really limit your ability to move as a way of pain management.
Don't get me wrong. I believe that GD is a very real and very serious condition that absolutely requires extra monitoring IF YOU CANNOT CONTROL IT WITH DIET AND EXERCISE. There is my stipulation. If you need insulin, suffer low blood sugar crashes, have given birth to a very large baby (9.5 pounds +) in the past or a baby with blood sugar problems then YES you absolute need to be monitored more heavily. I have zero problems controlling my GD with diet and exercise, have never had low blood sugar or a need for insulin, and Max was a tiny 7 pounds 7 ounces. All of those securities led us to explore a home birth with a midwife.
The midwife model of care understands that a woman tends to develop more resistance to insulin in pregnancy and therefore can experience higher blood sugar than normal while she's pregnant. They like to monitor this with a glucometer (at home monitor) and help their patients modify their diet and exercise to stay within a healthy range for mom and baby. That's exactly what I already do, without the help of any health professional. When speaking with midwives we both began to feel so excited about giving birth in the comforts of our home and not having to leave Max for an extended period of time. So, we pulled the trigger and hired a midwife. Luckily my fabulous OB Dr. Kendrick (who I really do love) agreed to be a backup should I need to transfer care later in the pregnancy for any reason. I love my midwife so far and the knowledge about nutrition and my own body that I'm gaining is a wonderful lifelong tool.
Anyway, that was the long version - haha! All in all we're very excited about our birth now and cannot wait to meet our son. I'll try to be better about updating with pictures and any new info as we quickly progress towards D day.
