So I’ve shared this in bits and pieces, but here is the skinny (bad pun) on RM at 32 weeks pregnant:
So at last Monday’s midwife appointment I again had the protein pee. Based on this, and the fact that my 24 hour test from two weeks ago showed protein (though not in alarming amounts), the OB who reviewed my file wanted me to retest just to be sure it stays within levels. Which I did this week, grumbling all the while… toilet paper ponderings notwithstanding. Any amount of protein is a concern; it means the kidneys are not working quite right.
They also referred me to a perinatal specialist, whom I will see tomorrow. Apparently this is to make sure “there isn’t anything else they need to be keeping an eye on.”
Mmm-kay. So this is starting to sound a little more concerning, no? And I spent some time with Dr. Google today which is always a dangerous thing. Note to self: if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy-induced hypertension/preeclampsia, don’t look up “proteinuria,” which is the diagnosis they told me to share with the perinatal doc. You get all these alarming end-stage renal disease articles.
So, after talking to my doula today I realized I was lacking some basic information. So I called my provider today and talked to the nurse.
The first thing I found out is that I have not been spilling protein for the last four appointments. It is in fact the last two appointments. The other two times were at the very beginning of the pregnancy, and that symptom went away. Which made me feel a lot better. Looking back to when this all started, I realize the midwife had said, “This is the third time,” and I assumed they were consecutive occurrences. It didn’t even occur to me to ask. So I have had protein pee for the last 3/4 weeks, not the last two months.
I also confirmed that they have all been trace amounts. There’s a little dipstick test they use, and +2 is getting into bad news, but I’m not even at +1. So that is good. (Remember also that my blood pressure is normal, actually quite low. That’s the other main preeclampsia indicator. The third is swelling, which I have thankfully always avoided.)
Third piece of information: for the 24 hour test, levels of 0-138 mg are within normal range. 300 mg is bad news: preeclampsia. I am at 183, which is why they wanted to retest, but also weren’t raising the alarms.
Fourth piece of news: the re-test I did this week? The doc actually wanted me to do it four weeks after the first one, not two weeks. Which probably means (grumble, whine) that I will have to do it AGAIN because the midwife misunderstood the order.
I will post more after tomorrow’s perinatal appointment. Of course I am grateful for conscientious medical care. And BB’s health and my health are most important. Still, I am of the “this is all nothing more than a ginormous overcautious pain in the ass” school of thought, mainly because
1) the alternative is too stressful to think about (bedrest, kidney damage, induction/c-section, ever escalating interventions)
2) I honestly think it is.
That said, I can’t help but wonder if this is some karmic comeuppance too. I had two basically uneventful pregnancies, ending with two uncomplicated, unmedicated births. This time we have all these looming possibilities, however remote they might still be.
And how very interesting that this is the boy pregnancy, eh? Damn patriarchy. Little man isn’t even born yet and he’s already oppressing me!
20 Responses to “pregnancy update”
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» I’m looking for some new online reading materials–blogs, zines, whatever. Creative yet accessible, inspiring but not schmaltzy, smart but not impenetrable. Recommendations welcome.
» The latest on SBJ: at one year, he weighs 30.5 pounds (99%), is 32 inches tall (97%) and is 100% cute.
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well, poop.
That’s stressful. Even if it is unlikely, it’s stressful.
I’m sure you’re right–it’s nothing but I hope you get that official word soon.
Alas, I think the real official word that everything’s OK won’t come until, “Yes! Here is your son!” when they hand him to me.
Oh…I am sorry that you are having to even “google” that long word that starts with a “p”. May all be well…and soon. No surprise that it is the boy who is challenging the “easy” way. It will so be worth it when you do finally hold that little one.
Thinking about you.
Last line made me laugh out loud…
Hope you are well.
Just to offer an alternative perspective, - it was the pregancy and delivery of my boys which was the most straightforward - and since then the emotional interludes they have produced is in inverse proportion to the balance of the sexes among my children - ie 1 daughter has been stressful twice as much as 2 sons put together…
so don’t fret that this is the shape of things to come…and sending lots of reassuring thoughts and prayers your way generally too.
He is a little stinker already isn’t he?!?!? My mom is really bad about reading those *warning* labels that come with her prescriptions and then worrying about it. Stay away from google!
I am glad you are feeling better about it now that you have the facts straight about what is going on. Still praying on this end.
Today my baby boy turns 15!! I could have sworn that it was just yesterday that I was 32 weeks preg with him!
I’ve also received a wonderfully reassuring e-mail from localMD who comments here, who offered some interpretive thoughts given the facts as stated, and said, “Watch, don’t worry.” We’re not even close to a worry zone, just a keep-an-eye-out.
I am very curious to see what the perinatal visit is like. It would be fun to see the little guy on ultrasound one more time before he arrives.
Thanks Kathryn for the reality check! In terms of personality, I see some similarities between little she-who-is and me (firstborn) and the divine miss M and my sister (second born). So if BB is anything like my brother Matthew (third born) he will be very sweet, very sensitive, go-with-the-flow kinda kid, but who knows?
And as for Lukee (fourth born), you are in a class by yourself.
I think they tend to surprise us, in all sorts of ways. Just hope none of the surprises are medical and that the next 8 or so weeks go as smoothly as possible for you and the little fellow.
Praying for a good doc visit, one that will help you keep this stuff in perspective. Remeber we live in the land of litigators, so docs tend to err on the side of caution and rely very heavily on tests. Don’t let their paranoia get to you.
Pregnant women should not be allowed to google medical terms, or mothers for that matter. Last week I looked up “UTIs in toddlers.” (ahhhh, kidney failure, death, the end of the world!) Turns out my LittleBear is just stressed and peeing on the floor to get attention.
I am thinking of having “Watch, don’t worry” tattoed somewhere on my body. I so want this to be OK for you!
DrGoogle is a mixed blessing, no?
Hope everything goes well with your dr. visit today, and that the next 8 weeks are blessedly uneventful.
“Be not afraid. I go before you, calling, come, follow me, and I will give you rest.”
It’s a psalm response. Say it. Sing it if you know the tune. Hold it in your heart and head.
All will be well.
Yes, they can be oppressive (boys) but loads of fun after learning to maneuver (MAN-euver) the wayward pee during those early diaper changes.
hahahah…is it bad that what you wrote in the last line is what I was thinking the entire time I was reading this post??????
Here’s hoping and praying all is well…
Closing the loop for now…
The perinatal appointment went fine. Doc kept saying she was “underwhelmed” by my protein numbers. Good. One area of my life where I’m happy to be an underachiever. She wasn’t quite “Why did they even send you to me?” but it kind of had that feel to it.
My blood pressure was, once again, low. They called for the results of my second 24 hour test and the numbers had actually gone down, to 153. So she said, “Unless something changes–dramatically–I’m not expecting to see you again.”
She also did a quick ultrasound, took some measurements and checked the placenta, which is obviously working like gangbusters because the baby is estimated at 5 1/2 pounds. I think I read somewhere that babies gain 1/2 pound a week on average during the last few weeks. That would put him between 9 1/2 and 10. The divine miss M was 9 even.
Healthy little guy! Yay.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that the perinatal appointment went well!
Echo Yay. “Watch, don’t worry” is great advice, but easier said than done.
Yeah! Great news on the doctor’s appointment.
What wonderful news! I had gestational diabeties with babygirl and a lot of stress and fears and scary medical terms. Blessings on your last few weeks and on the bbb (bonus baby boy!) BTW that last line was killer!