A Pregnant Pause

I was quiet last week because I PEELED off the nail and top of my middle finger while peeling an apple for the boy. OUCH!!!

I was quite handicapped since I:
- couldn’t type and could only click, click, click (SMS);
- couldn’t really bathe the right side of my body;
- couldn’t really bathe the boy (who’s now on a strike against anyone else bathing, feeding him or washing his butt)

Really thankful to get back the use of BOTH hands! Anyway, here’s a rundown of what’s been happening to the baby and me:

THE GOOD
a) The baby is growing well because she is now 2.6 kg!!! Yup, Lucas was 3.78 kg at birth and the ob-gyn is prepared for another big baby. REALLY AWKWARD for this short Mummy to be carrying such a big tummy ok…

b) The baby’s head is down I was quite worried because she was still up at Week 35 but the ob-gyn announced the good news: “Okay, her head is down!”

c) Hubby came back for the weekend

d) The baby girl’s new PINK bottles, clothes and shoes are all ready (photos soon!!!). The nappies have been washed (waiting to be folded and stored).

e) The hospital bag is packed!

THE BAD
a) I just found out that I am hypothyroid . According to the American Thyroid Association:

Untreated, or inadequately treated, severe hypothyroidism has been associated with pre-eclampsia, placental abnormalities, low birth weight infants, and postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding).

Untreated severe hypothyroidism in the mother can lead to impaired brain development in the baby. However, recent studies have suggested that subtle brain abnormalities may be present in children born to women who had mild untreated hypothyroidism during pregnancy. While there is no general consensus of opinion regarding screening all women for hypothyroidism during pregnancy, many physician groups suggest obtaining a TSH in women at high risk for thyroid disease, such as those with prior treatment for hyperthyroidism, a positive family history of thyroid disease and those with a goiter.

…prenatal vitamins contain iron that can impair the absorption of levothyroxine from the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, levothyroxine and prenatal vitamins should not be taken at the same time and should be separated by at least 2-3 h. Thyroid function tests should be checked approximately every 6-8 weeks during pregnancy to ensure that the woman has normal thyroid function throughout pregnancy.

NOTES:
- UPDATE - T3 levels are lower (1.38) than normal (1.45). T4 and TSH levels are normal. Phew! No effect on baby. Double phew! Just need some medication to help with my LETHARGY. I do feel more tired than usual…
- My TSH levels were normal during the first trimester but I had not been having any blood tests since I came back i.e. the second trimester.
- I have been having bad constipation and also more depressed than normal. Hope it’s just because we’re away from Hubby and etc and not due to the hypothyroidism.
- My blood pressure and protein in urine levels are normal. No risk of hypertension or pre-eclampsia, right?
- I’ve started experiencing swelling in my feet, which I hope is due to the heavy baby.
- The ob-gyn actually asked me to see him and the endocrinologist yesterday but I couldn’t because the tot was at home with me alone. Think I’ll check if I can go in today if the endocrinologist isn’t on leave!

b) I am carrying BIG and LOW (lower than the lady’s bump above. In fact, my belly droops down!).

Here’s a great article on the second pregnancy as I can relate to these points:

Unfortunately, you will get bigger and you will get bigger faster.

You will never regain that slim belly you once had even if you’re very physically fit. Without that muscle tone your uterus is more mobile — which explains not just why your baby belly is so big but why it feels so low.

There can be more pelvic pressure and even more trips to the bathroom later in the pregnancy.

If you remember how hard it was to sleep with your first pregnancy well it is even harder with your second.

At times you might think that you do not have the energy to go on another day but you find the energy.

This time around your baby will drop into the pelvis and your cervix will start to efface when you are actually in labor and not before – Uh-oh!

My stomach is so HUGE and LOW people keep asking if I’m due tomorrow!

I’ve been slathering on more olive oil and even checking out treatment for wrinkles Aaargh, my stretch marks

What’s even more worrying is that this article mentions “…second and subsequent babies tend to be heavier than firstborns.”

This time, I have to agree with the ob-gyn that it’s better if the baby arrives earlier because I CANNOT IMAGINE delivering a baby bigger than 3.78 kg!!!

Advantages:

• My upper torso doesn’t look pregnant if I sit behind a desk because my stomach extends below the chest
• I don’t have to increase my bra size! (Been wearing the same size since the 6th month)
• I can fit into quite a lot of maternity tops unlike previously
• No heartburn, no breathlessness because the baby isn’t pushing against my ribcage

Disadvantages:

• I have to sit with my legs wide apart because the bump is getting in the way – bleagh!
• I can’t really bend or squat down because yes, the bump is in the way
• The ob-gyn has to push the bump back a bit (ouch!) when he does the ultra-sound scan
• I am worried of an earlier arrival because the baby is heavy and really low. I will not experience the “lightening” that comes when the baby’s head engages.

Sigh, sigh, sigh!!!