Let's take a minute to talk about our friend's protein shake.
I am referring to the woman who inspired me to write this blog, and my friend in my head Brittany Susan.
This shake is a direct steal from her blog.
Her recipe reads as follows
" 3 scoops soy protein powder from Trader Joe's, plus a splash of juice, greek yogurt & some fruit & spinach"
Like any good groupie I ran out and bought the protein powder and tried to make the smoothie. Here is what I have come up with that works for me
1. 1 cup partially thawed frozen fruit (no sugar added)
2. 1 banana
3. 1 cup total greek yogurt 2-0%
4. 1 tbsp of steamed pureed kale
5. 2 scoops of trader joe's soy protein powder dissolved in 4 oz 1% milk
I could not get 3 scoops of that protein powder to liquify with a "splash" of anything, I wanted to stay away from juice since it's basically liquid sugar which is why I went with milk. This is a good breakfast and holds me for about 4 hours.
This is when I have a handful of nuts to get me that last hour to lunch.
Cheers!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Second Pre-natal Visit
Stats Weight +2.5 lbs
Fetal Heart tones 155-161 bpm
Crown Rump Length Measured by Ultrasound 5.79 cm
Gestational age estimated to be 12 weeks today, so due date is now officially July 10th.
So far so good. Although the holiday eating combined with a lack of exercise has contributed to a bump in my weight.
It is hard to exercise with back pain. Lately however my pain has been much improved and I am back on the wagon doing my treadmill. This weekend I am going to buy a pre-natal workout DVD and try it at home. I can't find a way to rent one, and I guess I can risk the $15-20 it will cost to buy one.
My midwife's advice to me today - eat 6 small meals a day with protein and vegetable
Avoid caffeine and drink water
She also said that I need to do some processing to release some of the trauma surrounding my previous birth. It was nice to hear her say that because sometimes I feel like such a winer complaining about my beautiful, vaginal, optimized birth experience. It's nice to have someone empathize with you.
Such a good provider (cascading hearts).
nuchal translucency was all normal - my risk of a down syndrome baby is now 1 in 8041, and of trisomy 18/13 1 in >10,000
I'm not at all sure what we would have done with a negative result, and it is nice not to have to really figure that out. And it was nice to see that little person swimming around.
Fetal Heart tones 155-161 bpm
Crown Rump Length Measured by Ultrasound 5.79 cm
Gestational age estimated to be 12 weeks today, so due date is now officially July 10th.
So far so good. Although the holiday eating combined with a lack of exercise has contributed to a bump in my weight.
It is hard to exercise with back pain. Lately however my pain has been much improved and I am back on the wagon doing my treadmill. This weekend I am going to buy a pre-natal workout DVD and try it at home. I can't find a way to rent one, and I guess I can risk the $15-20 it will cost to buy one.
My midwife's advice to me today - eat 6 small meals a day with protein and vegetable
Avoid caffeine and drink water
She also said that I need to do some processing to release some of the trauma surrounding my previous birth. It was nice to hear her say that because sometimes I feel like such a winer complaining about my beautiful, vaginal, optimized birth experience. It's nice to have someone empathize with you.
Such a good provider (cascading hearts).
nuchal translucency was all normal - my risk of a down syndrome baby is now 1 in 8041, and of trisomy 18/13 1 in >10,000
I'm not at all sure what we would have done with a negative result, and it is nice not to have to really figure that out. And it was nice to see that little person swimming around.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Prenatal vitamins and supplements part 2
Now we get to the crazy stuff.
The stuff that may or may not have a lot of science behind it. Things that probably can't hurt and might help, and I'm grasping at any straws I can when it comes to preventing preeclampsia.
There have been no conclusive research studies showing any concrete evidence that any thing prevents preeclampsia.
Be advised the craziness increases as you go down the page
1. Aspirin 81 mg per day - As my midwife will tell you this is not a vitamin or supplement it is a drug. More specifically an anti-platelet drug which may increase your risk for bleeding. So DO NOT take it without talking to your medical provider. I began this only after I found out I was pregnant because I didn't want to bleed a ton during my periods.
There is mixed evidence - in my opinion - on aspirin for lowering the risk of pre-eclampsia, some small studies showed a good benefit, while other larger studies which included more lower risk women did not. In the end it did not show any harm, and I feel the possibility of a benefit is worth it if the risk is low. *
2. Selenium 100 mcg per day - why am I taking this? Because my mentor pregnancy blogger took it. She posted about a tiny tiny itsy bitsy study that only contained 166 patients. Three of the women who did not take the selenium developed preeclampsia, and none of the women taking selenium did. Is it a scientific conclusion that taking selenium will help - no. Will it hurt, no. Am I taking it - yes I am. *
3. Vitamin B12 - I actually found out from my doctor that my vitamin B12 level was about 200 ng/dL. While this is not considered deficiency, I believe I was having symptoms of inadequate vitamin B12 (tingling in my fingers which has disappeared since I started on B12). Most studies have not shown a correlation between B12 levels and preeclampsia. There is some evidence that deficiency may relate to development of HELLP syndrome which is related to preeclampsia.*
Recommended daily intake during pregnancy is 2.6 mcg per day.*
4. Turmeric - More specifically I take Meriva which is made by Thorne. I work with some naturopathic doctors who are renowned in the twin cities and I talked with them about ways to reduce the inflammatory response. This is my own thinking that since preeclampsia is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that I can therefore lessen or prevent it by lowering my own inflammatory response. Turmeric contains curcumin which is an antioxidant that lowers the presence of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation. At the very least it has helped with my back pain. *
5. Raw cocoa powder - okay yuck, just yuck. If it tastes bad it must be good for you right? I disguise this by mixing it with my morning coffee. And no this is not a caffeine free pregnancy - I work full time in family practice and I have a 2 year old okay. Raw (non-dutched) cocoa powder is high in flavanoids which are a kind of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory. There have not been many well done studies on the use of cocoa, however there does seem to be a great deal of evidence that it promotes cardiovascular health. When your blood volume is increasing by 50% and you are at risk for a disease which is mediated by endothelial factors what could be better- and once again it certainly can't hurt. *
Besides this I also take Cranberry extract 400 mg per day because I had some trouble with urinary tract infections in my previous pregnancy. I am also taking Zinc to reduce the frequency and severity of viral infections. I work in primary care and sick people cough in my face at least twice a day. I read a study in clinician reviews earlier this year that showed an effect of zinc on lowering frequency and severity of colds, and I can tell you from my n of one, that it works.
One of my co-workers asked me if all these pills and supplements make me feel full, and the answer is maybe? I am a great taker of pills, I have no problems swallowing them although the omega 3's give me the fishy burps. It's not forever it's just until July, and really I can do this for as long as that.
The stuff that may or may not have a lot of science behind it. Things that probably can't hurt and might help, and I'm grasping at any straws I can when it comes to preventing preeclampsia.
There have been no conclusive research studies showing any concrete evidence that any thing prevents preeclampsia.
Be advised the craziness increases as you go down the page
1. Aspirin 81 mg per day - As my midwife will tell you this is not a vitamin or supplement it is a drug. More specifically an anti-platelet drug which may increase your risk for bleeding. So DO NOT take it without talking to your medical provider. I began this only after I found out I was pregnant because I didn't want to bleed a ton during my periods.
There is mixed evidence - in my opinion - on aspirin for lowering the risk of pre-eclampsia, some small studies showed a good benefit, while other larger studies which included more lower risk women did not. In the end it did not show any harm, and I feel the possibility of a benefit is worth it if the risk is low. *
2. Selenium 100 mcg per day - why am I taking this? Because my mentor pregnancy blogger took it. She posted about a tiny tiny itsy bitsy study that only contained 166 patients. Three of the women who did not take the selenium developed preeclampsia, and none of the women taking selenium did. Is it a scientific conclusion that taking selenium will help - no. Will it hurt, no. Am I taking it - yes I am. *
3. Vitamin B12 - I actually found out from my doctor that my vitamin B12 level was about 200 ng/dL. While this is not considered deficiency, I believe I was having symptoms of inadequate vitamin B12 (tingling in my fingers which has disappeared since I started on B12). Most studies have not shown a correlation between B12 levels and preeclampsia. There is some evidence that deficiency may relate to development of HELLP syndrome which is related to preeclampsia.*
Recommended daily intake during pregnancy is 2.6 mcg per day.*
4. Turmeric - More specifically I take Meriva which is made by Thorne. I work with some naturopathic doctors who are renowned in the twin cities and I talked with them about ways to reduce the inflammatory response. This is my own thinking that since preeclampsia is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that I can therefore lessen or prevent it by lowering my own inflammatory response. Turmeric contains curcumin which is an antioxidant that lowers the presence of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation. At the very least it has helped with my back pain. *
5. Raw cocoa powder - okay yuck, just yuck. If it tastes bad it must be good for you right? I disguise this by mixing it with my morning coffee. And no this is not a caffeine free pregnancy - I work full time in family practice and I have a 2 year old okay. Raw (non-dutched) cocoa powder is high in flavanoids which are a kind of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory. There have not been many well done studies on the use of cocoa, however there does seem to be a great deal of evidence that it promotes cardiovascular health. When your blood volume is increasing by 50% and you are at risk for a disease which is mediated by endothelial factors what could be better- and once again it certainly can't hurt. *
Besides this I also take Cranberry extract 400 mg per day because I had some trouble with urinary tract infections in my previous pregnancy. I am also taking Zinc to reduce the frequency and severity of viral infections. I work in primary care and sick people cough in my face at least twice a day. I read a study in clinician reviews earlier this year that showed an effect of zinc on lowering frequency and severity of colds, and I can tell you from my n of one, that it works.
One of my co-workers asked me if all these pills and supplements make me feel full, and the answer is maybe? I am a great taker of pills, I have no problems swallowing them although the omega 3's give me the fishy burps. It's not forever it's just until July, and really I can do this for as long as that.
Prenatal Vitamins and Supplements part 1
What a mis-nomer, since you not only take it before you become pregnant but all through your pregnancy and breast feeding!
Before I became pregnant I only took 1 mg of Folic acid per day.
Folic acid is necessary to prevent neural tube defects, and the fetus' neural tube forms in the first four weeks after conception - which is before most people know they are pregnant, thus the reason to start before.
I have a beef with combination pre-natal vitamins, they have way to much of things you don't need like vitamin A (which can cause birth defects if taken in excess) and not enough of other things like calcium and vitamin D.
Since I found out I was pregnant I began to take the following
1. DHA-EPA 1 gram per day: These are the omega-3 essential fatty acids in fish oil—are crucial throughout life, but especially during pregnancy, when a woman's demand for DHA in particular increases substantially. DHA comprises approximately 20% of the fatty acid in the brain's cerebral cortex. That's why DHA is among the most important nutrients for pregnant and lactating women. The DHA consumed by expectant moms sets the foundation for her baby's developing brain, eyes, and nervous system.*
2. Calcium 500 mg twice daily - Calcium is a nutrient needed in the body to build strong teeth and bones. Calcium also allows blood to clot normally, muscles and nerves to function properly, and the heart to beat normally. Most of the calcium in your body is found inside your bones.
A growing baby needs a considerable amount of calcium to develop. If you do not consume enough calcium to sustain the needs of your developing baby, your body will take calcium from your bones, decreasing your bone mass and putting you at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis initiates dramatic thinning of the bone, resulting in weak, brittle bones that can easily be broken.
3. Magnesium 400 mg daily - This is a vitamin that works in conjunction with calcium. It reduces the likelihood of preterm labor, and is important for baby's bone and teeth development. There is also some indication that magnesium may reduce nausea in the first trimester. I started taking magnesium years ago to reduce the frequency and severity of my tension headaches. It also works to calm leg cramps and round ligament pains in pregnancy
Recommended daily allowance in Pregnant women, 19 to 30 years of age: 350 milligrams (mg) of magnesium per day *
4. Vitamin D 5000 Units daily - I live in Minnesota where six months out of the year you would have to stand outside naked for three hours at high noon to make enough vitamin D, so I was already taking this before pregnancy. It is more important though during pregnancy and lactation. Vitamin D supports immune function and is needed to absorb and store calcium for bone growth and nerve function. The previous recommended daily allowance of vitamin d was 400 Units a day, but you should get your vitamin d level checked by a medical provider and discuss appropriate supplementation based on your blood level.*
I defy you to find a pre natal vitamin that contains all of these items at their recommended allowance and less than 4000 units of Vitamin A.
If you have an interest in taking your vitamins and supplements to the next level of craziness please see part 2 of this post.
Before I became pregnant I only took 1 mg of Folic acid per day.
Folic acid is necessary to prevent neural tube defects, and the fetus' neural tube forms in the first four weeks after conception - which is before most people know they are pregnant, thus the reason to start before.
I have a beef with combination pre-natal vitamins, they have way to much of things you don't need like vitamin A (which can cause birth defects if taken in excess) and not enough of other things like calcium and vitamin D.
Since I found out I was pregnant I began to take the following
1. DHA-EPA 1 gram per day: These are the omega-3 essential fatty acids in fish oil—are crucial throughout life, but especially during pregnancy, when a woman's demand for DHA in particular increases substantially. DHA comprises approximately 20% of the fatty acid in the brain's cerebral cortex. That's why DHA is among the most important nutrients for pregnant and lactating women. The DHA consumed by expectant moms sets the foundation for her baby's developing brain, eyes, and nervous system.*
A growing baby needs a considerable amount of calcium to develop. If you do not consume enough calcium to sustain the needs of your developing baby, your body will take calcium from your bones, decreasing your bone mass and putting you at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis initiates dramatic thinning of the bone, resulting in weak, brittle bones that can easily be broken.
- The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) for calcium is 1200 milligrams (mg) per day for pregnant and lactating (breastfeeding) women over age 24. The USRDA for women under age 24 is 1200 to 1500 mg. of calcium per day.
Pregnancy is a critical time for a woman to consume more calcium. Even if no problems develop during pregnancy, an inadequate supply of calcium at this time can diminish bone strength and increase your risk for osteoporosis later in life.*
3. Magnesium 400 mg daily - This is a vitamin that works in conjunction with calcium. It reduces the likelihood of preterm labor, and is important for baby's bone and teeth development. There is also some indication that magnesium may reduce nausea in the first trimester. I started taking magnesium years ago to reduce the frequency and severity of my tension headaches. It also works to calm leg cramps and round ligament pains in pregnancy
Recommended daily allowance in Pregnant women, 19 to 30 years of age: 350 milligrams (mg) of magnesium per day *
4. Vitamin D 5000 Units daily - I live in Minnesota where six months out of the year you would have to stand outside naked for three hours at high noon to make enough vitamin D, so I was already taking this before pregnancy. It is more important though during pregnancy and lactation. Vitamin D supports immune function and is needed to absorb and store calcium for bone growth and nerve function. The previous recommended daily allowance of vitamin d was 400 Units a day, but you should get your vitamin d level checked by a medical provider and discuss appropriate supplementation based on your blood level.*
I defy you to find a pre natal vitamin that contains all of these items at their recommended allowance and less than 4000 units of Vitamin A.
If you have an interest in taking your vitamins and supplements to the next level of craziness please see part 2 of this post.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Preventing Pre-eclampsia First trimester
This is the second post regarding my quest for pre-eclampsia prevention
Back story can be found in an earlier post from this date.
The first trimester is over! Woot!
So far I have met my goal of not gaining any weight in the first trimester and actually lost two pounds.
I have had two visits with my Midwife so far. We are now planning to deliver at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital. The reason for this is that is where my midwife Aszani Stoddard now works. Wherever she goes so follows my uterus, I wouldn't dream of going to anyone else.
Apart from that I miss Health Foundations. They had such a nice warm welcoming atmosphere, and a much more kid friendly waiting room and exam room, that my son had he been there ex-utero would have loved. That said Aszani is now at Park Nicollet, and it will be nice to bill our care to our insurance instead of paying out of pocket. I have zero complaints about the staff, the scheduling, the parking, anything about the park nicollet clinic. It's just not my cushy ritzy birth center.
We also had our nuchal translucency scan. As it happens the baby was 1 mm too short to do the test but I got to see the kiddo. Really neat since I can't feel the baby move to see confirmation that there is a little person cooking in there.
First trimester symptoms have included mostly fatigue, and in the past three weeks upper back pain. I have not had any nausea really (don't hate).
I had some aches in my arms with my last pregnancy while trying to paint the entire interior of my home, nesting anyone (?). This was speedily fixed with chiropractic care. I had never been to a chiropractor before and grudgingly went after begging my midwife to let me take ibuprofen. She flicked my wrist and the pain was gone. Just like that. I went to her for my entire pregnancy and had very little in the way of aches and pains as a result.
This time it took me about two weeks or so to realize that it was pregnancy related and not just your run of the mill back-ache. I do have a 33 lb toddler who always wants his mommy to carry him everywhere. I finally got it together and went to the chiropractor. She was able to fix my shoulder right away, but my mid back has persisted in being a problem. two more visits to the chiropractor and to the acupuncturist and it seems to be getting better. What a relief! I have new found sympathy for those who suffer with chronic back pain.
A word about chiropractors and acupuncturists in pregnancy. Don't go to just anybody, go to a provider who specializes in women's health and pre-natal care. Just like you wouldn't ask your orthopedist to treat your stomach pain, not every practitioner knows everything about everything.
I see Amber Moraveck for chiropractic
and Stefanie Beniek for acupuncture
both are highly recommended
For exercise I have been doing the treadmill desk (see treadmill desk post), I went to one pre-natal yoga class but felt silly for being only eight weeks at the time. I am currently considering whether to get a yoga or work-out DVD to save money. The fear being that I will lose the money spent on the DVD and never use it. I have NEVER done a work-out at home.
I think I'm going to create another post about supplements this is getting long.
Cheers.
Back story can be found in an earlier post from this date.
The first trimester is over! Woot!
So far I have met my goal of not gaining any weight in the first trimester and actually lost two pounds.
I have had two visits with my Midwife so far. We are now planning to deliver at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital. The reason for this is that is where my midwife Aszani Stoddard now works. Wherever she goes so follows my uterus, I wouldn't dream of going to anyone else.
Apart from that I miss Health Foundations. They had such a nice warm welcoming atmosphere, and a much more kid friendly waiting room and exam room, that my son had he been there ex-utero would have loved. That said Aszani is now at Park Nicollet, and it will be nice to bill our care to our insurance instead of paying out of pocket. I have zero complaints about the staff, the scheduling, the parking, anything about the park nicollet clinic. It's just not my cushy ritzy birth center.
We also had our nuchal translucency scan. As it happens the baby was 1 mm too short to do the test but I got to see the kiddo. Really neat since I can't feel the baby move to see confirmation that there is a little person cooking in there.
First trimester symptoms have included mostly fatigue, and in the past three weeks upper back pain. I have not had any nausea really (don't hate).
I had some aches in my arms with my last pregnancy while trying to paint the entire interior of my home, nesting anyone (?). This was speedily fixed with chiropractic care. I had never been to a chiropractor before and grudgingly went after begging my midwife to let me take ibuprofen. She flicked my wrist and the pain was gone. Just like that. I went to her for my entire pregnancy and had very little in the way of aches and pains as a result.
This time it took me about two weeks or so to realize that it was pregnancy related and not just your run of the mill back-ache. I do have a 33 lb toddler who always wants his mommy to carry him everywhere. I finally got it together and went to the chiropractor. She was able to fix my shoulder right away, but my mid back has persisted in being a problem. two more visits to the chiropractor and to the acupuncturist and it seems to be getting better. What a relief! I have new found sympathy for those who suffer with chronic back pain.
A word about chiropractors and acupuncturists in pregnancy. Don't go to just anybody, go to a provider who specializes in women's health and pre-natal care. Just like you wouldn't ask your orthopedist to treat your stomach pain, not every practitioner knows everything about everything.
I see Amber Moraveck for chiropractic
and Stefanie Beniek for acupuncture
both are highly recommended
For exercise I have been doing the treadmill desk (see treadmill desk post), I went to one pre-natal yoga class but felt silly for being only eight weeks at the time. I am currently considering whether to get a yoga or work-out DVD to save money. The fear being that I will lose the money spent on the DVD and never use it. I have NEVER done a work-out at home.
I think I'm going to create another post about supplements this is getting long.
Cheers.
Pregnancy Blogging - Preeclampsia History
Rather than just blog about places to eat and things to do with your kids I have decided also to blog about my current pregnancy. I have been inspired by a blog that was recommended to me by a friend.
It is all about a mom who had pre-eclampsia with her first two pregnancies and how she prevented it in her third pregnancy.
http://pregnantafterapreemie.
Her blog inspired me and made me realize that it is time to get serious.
This post will be about the history of my first pregnancy:
After this I intend to talk about what I'm doing for prevention, symptoms that arise and how I manage them.
Here is my story in brief. With my first pregnancy I had an easy time of it. I had hardly any nausea, and some fatigue that all evaporated after the first trimester. I went to pre-natal yoga at blooma (thanks to a chinook coupon) at least once if not twice a week, and starting in about week 20-25 I began following the Brewer diet. It was during a pre-natal yoga session that I noticed that my ankles were swelling. I rushed to my midwife's office, they checked my blood pressure and reassured me that everything was ok.
Disclaimer: I am a family nurse practitioner and can tend toward over-self-diagnosis sometimes
The swelling in my legs increased and I began to wear compression stockings from morning till evening which was easy to do considering it was the fall-winter. Next I noticed my hand was swollen, and I had to go to a Jeweler to remove my ring. I proceeded to wear this lord of the rings style for the next four months or so. I also began to measure large for dates by about an inch or so.
After 10 hours of active labor I managed to give birth vaginally to my son who weighed 7 lbs 7 oz, and was spot on 37 weeks gestation that day.
So far so good, except then I had a retained placenta which had to be manually removed - ouch.
Following this I lost about 2 liters of blood.
Ok now, I'm good with my supportive husband and newborn baby right? Except that by day four post partum my milk has not come in and my little boy has lost almost a pound - not to mention he looks like an oopa loompa because of neonatal jaundice.
And I am swollen up like the michellin man from all the IV fluids I received in the hospital. Nothing like cankles to make a new mom feel sexy.
As it turns out being intravascularly dehydrated with a hemoglobin of 6.2 (low normal is 12) makes it hard to produce breast milk.
So it's back to the hospital for 2 Units of packed red blood cells, that is after they stick me 12 times (last three with ulrasound and a PIC nurse - not only is it hard to make breast milk it is also hard to find your veins) and mull over the fact that I have a positive antibody screen (because I just received rhogam duh).
While this is going on we've started giving our son supplemental feedings with an S&S tube. We are using donor breast milk because I just cannot give him formula. If you asked me now if I thought a little formula was the end of the world I would say no, but at that time in my life when I felt so out of control and so lost I just could not bear it. With nursing 10 minutes on a side, and pumping for 10 minutes, and feeding with S&S tube, and changing diaper etc each feeding takes 90 minutes - that's every two hours.
Also I still have high blood pressure so I have to go on bed rest and continue taking Labetalol for an additional two weeks. Minor deal considering this is my first baby and I don't have other duties to perform.
Six weeks later thanks to a lot of Lactation support and donor breast milk and a post-partum doula, and domperidone I have established a healthy breastfeeding relationship with my son.
I also gained about 25 pounds that would not go away - it's hard to know how much I gained during the pregnancy since after I began retaining water I stopped paying attention. Also my midwives' scale would blank out after 200 lbs (ouch!).
On the whole although I had a very wonderful birth experience almost everything that happened afterwards was deeply traumatic for me and I would like to prevent it if at all possible this second time around.
It's a double edged sword that pre-eclampsia is a disease of first timers, but also the number one risk for pre-eclampsia in a subsequent pregnancy is a previous history of pre-eclampsia. It is still a poorly understood phenomenon but is thought to be caused an autoimmune reaction to the placenta (read allergic to your husband). I'm still married to the same guy, and I'm older now (another risk factor). So here we go. If I get it so be it, I just want to feel I did what I could to prevent it.
for More information on preeclampsia go to http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/1215/p2317.html
It is all about a mom who had pre-eclampsia with her first two pregnancies and how she prevented it in her third pregnancy.
http://pregnantafterapreemie.
Her blog inspired me and made me realize that it is time to get serious.
This post will be about the history of my first pregnancy:
After this I intend to talk about what I'm doing for prevention, symptoms that arise and how I manage them.
Here is my story in brief. With my first pregnancy I had an easy time of it. I had hardly any nausea, and some fatigue that all evaporated after the first trimester. I went to pre-natal yoga at blooma (thanks to a chinook coupon) at least once if not twice a week, and starting in about week 20-25 I began following the Brewer diet. It was during a pre-natal yoga session that I noticed that my ankles were swelling. I rushed to my midwife's office, they checked my blood pressure and reassured me that everything was ok.
Disclaimer: I am a family nurse practitioner and can tend toward over-self-diagnosis sometimes
The swelling in my legs increased and I began to wear compression stockings from morning till evening which was easy to do considering it was the fall-winter. Next I noticed my hand was swollen, and I had to go to a Jeweler to remove my ring. I proceeded to wear this lord of the rings style for the next four months or so. I also began to measure large for dates by about an inch or so.
Still everything seemed fine and normal until my check up at 35 weeks - suddenly my blood pressure was 135-140/90. My midwife told me to go home, rest, and not worry (Ha!), come back the next day for a blood pressure re-check. At that point my blood pressure was 140-145/95. The inevitable 24 hour urine protein collection was a sad affair with less than 1000 cc's of urine and greater than 900 of protein.
I transferred out of Health Foundations birth center and to Dr. Hartung at Hudson Hospital in Wisconsin. He works with the birth center midwives and is renowned for being the most midwife friendly doctor in the area.
I had a foley bulb induction with pitocin and the requisite magnesium, as well as large doses of labetalol and hydralazine to keep my blood pressure to 160 systolic.
So far so good, except then I had a retained placenta which had to be manually removed - ouch.
Ok now, I'm good with my supportive husband and newborn baby right? Except that by day four post partum my milk has not come in and my little boy has lost almost a pound - not to mention he looks like an oopa loompa because of neonatal jaundice.
As it turns out being intravascularly dehydrated with a hemoglobin of 6.2 (low normal is 12) makes it hard to produce breast milk.
So it's back to the hospital for 2 Units of packed red blood cells, that is after they stick me 12 times (last three with ulrasound and a PIC nurse - not only is it hard to make breast milk it is also hard to find your veins) and mull over the fact that I have a positive antibody screen (because I just received rhogam duh).
While this is going on we've started giving our son supplemental feedings with an S&S tube. We are using donor breast milk because I just cannot give him formula. If you asked me now if I thought a little formula was the end of the world I would say no, but at that time in my life when I felt so out of control and so lost I just could not bear it. With nursing 10 minutes on a side, and pumping for 10 minutes, and feeding with S&S tube, and changing diaper etc each feeding takes 90 minutes - that's every two hours.
Also I still have high blood pressure so I have to go on bed rest and continue taking Labetalol for an additional two weeks. Minor deal considering this is my first baby and I don't have other duties to perform.
Six weeks later thanks to a lot of Lactation support and donor breast milk and a post-partum doula, and domperidone I have established a healthy breastfeeding relationship with my son.
I also gained about 25 pounds that would not go away - it's hard to know how much I gained during the pregnancy since after I began retaining water I stopped paying attention. Also my midwives' scale would blank out after 200 lbs (ouch!).
On the whole although I had a very wonderful birth experience almost everything that happened afterwards was deeply traumatic for me and I would like to prevent it if at all possible this second time around.
It's a double edged sword that pre-eclampsia is a disease of first timers, but also the number one risk for pre-eclampsia in a subsequent pregnancy is a previous history of pre-eclampsia. It is still a poorly understood phenomenon but is thought to be caused an autoimmune reaction to the placenta (read allergic to your husband). I'm still married to the same guy, and I'm older now (another risk factor). So here we go. If I get it so be it, I just want to feel I did what I could to prevent it.
for More information on preeclampsia go to http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/1215/p2317.html
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Longfellow Grill and Associates
Longfellow Grill
Rating 4 1/2 stars
Prices: $5-18 per plate
The Longfellow grill and similar Highland grill, and Edina grill are awesome places to eat out with your kids.
They almost always have tables available and will bring you a high chair, they offer outdoor seating in season. Their bathrooms are clean and offer changing tables in both men's and women's bathrooms. They offer a nice selection of healthy meals for adults. But here's why they really get 4 1/2 stars - they offer healthy meals for kids too! It's not all chicken fingers with french fries, spaghetti, and pizza. They will serve your little one grilled chicken, vegetables, and fruit. These come on a kid-friendly plastic tray nicely divided for your military style eaters. They also will bring a kid sized drink in a plastic cup with lid and straw.
The wait for food is fairly standard of blue plate dinners, not too long, but it isn't a fast food restaurant. They will do take out orders.
Why 4 1/2 stars? They frequently offer what I find to be some very weird and unappetizing food combinations on their menu, like pancakes stuffed with pretzels.
Favorite dishes include - black bean salmon with asparagus and faro, taco salad with beef, and turkey cobb salad
Rating 4 1/2 stars
Address: 2990 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Phone:(612) 721-2711
Hours:
| 7:00 am – 10:00 pm | |
The Longfellow grill and similar Highland grill, and Edina grill are awesome places to eat out with your kids.
They almost always have tables available and will bring you a high chair, they offer outdoor seating in season. Their bathrooms are clean and offer changing tables in both men's and women's bathrooms. They offer a nice selection of healthy meals for adults. But here's why they really get 4 1/2 stars - they offer healthy meals for kids too! It's not all chicken fingers with french fries, spaghetti, and pizza. They will serve your little one grilled chicken, vegetables, and fruit. These come on a kid-friendly plastic tray nicely divided for your military style eaters. They also will bring a kid sized drink in a plastic cup with lid and straw.
The wait for food is fairly standard of blue plate dinners, not too long, but it isn't a fast food restaurant. They will do take out orders.
Why 4 1/2 stars? They frequently offer what I find to be some very weird and unappetizing food combinations on their menu, like pancakes stuffed with pretzels.
Favorite dishes include - black bean salmon with asparagus and faro, taco salad with beef, and turkey cobb salad
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
No Coast Craft-o-Rama 2012
The No Coast Craft-o-Rama is coming around again!
This will be my third year going and I am psyched.
This event takes place at the midtown global market next friday and Saturday 12/7-12/8.
Check their website for details.
http://nocoastcraft.com/
I would say in past years I have been able to get 75-80% of my holiday shopping done at this thing.
They feature local artists and craftspersons selling their wares. Items are mostly things like t-shirts, scarves, mittens, baby clothes, small toys, jewelry, tchatchkes, and the like. Last year a guy was selling guitars he made out of boxes that were fully electric. You never know what you might find.
The best thing is it's all local, and they do not play christmas music!!! Which for those of you who don't know is awesome for those of us who like to give but don't celebrate christmas, and/or can't stand christmas music.
I can't tell you enough how great this is.
Very kid friendly, they may have a band playing, there are big bathrooms with changing tables and a comfortable place to nurse in private.
Also the excellent cuisine of the global market is at your disposal.
See you there?
This will be my third year going and I am psyched.
This event takes place at the midtown global market next friday and Saturday 12/7-12/8.
Check their website for details.
http://nocoastcraft.com/
I would say in past years I have been able to get 75-80% of my holiday shopping done at this thing.
They feature local artists and craftspersons selling their wares. Items are mostly things like t-shirts, scarves, mittens, baby clothes, small toys, jewelry, tchatchkes, and the like. Last year a guy was selling guitars he made out of boxes that were fully electric. You never know what you might find.
The best thing is it's all local, and they do not play christmas music!!! Which for those of you who don't know is awesome for those of us who like to give but don't celebrate christmas, and/or can't stand christmas music.
I can't tell you enough how great this is.
Very kid friendly, they may have a band playing, there are big bathrooms with changing tables and a comfortable place to nurse in private.
Also the excellent cuisine of the global market is at your disposal.
See you there?
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