Vanessa Garza's blog

The 3-hour GTT

Goodness!

Pregnancy is filled with highs and lows but the 3-hour Glucose Tolerance Test sure is a 'test'.  I 'failed' the glucose screen.  Your number is not supposed to be higher than 140 and mine was 143.  I even delayed that one because I had a Mc D's biscuit sandwich and sugar-free iced coffee that morning.  To no avail, I still failed with a fasting.

Now, I sit and wait for this test to finish. I think I will start repeating the serenity prayer to myself.

I arrived at 8:20

My blood was drawn at 9:00, I drank the 100g glucola and now wait for 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00.

Yes, I have not eaten since 8pm last night.  I couldn't fathom doing this test during the week while working, I would probably pass out.

Today, is Grandparents' Day and the first plac I am driving to out of here, is my mom's to meet my DH and DD so that we can have a BIG yummy lunch together.

I pray that I don't have gestational diabetes.  This is the last thing I need, then again, it could be the impetus to get me going on a very healthy diet.  Diabetes runs in the family on both sides and don't want it develop it as I age.

85% of the pregnany women who fail the scree, pass this 3-hr GTT, I sure hope I am in that group.  Either way, I am committed to a diabetic diet.  I have no intentions of delivering an 8lb+ baby.  Particularly, since I intend on natural childbirth.  My first was natural and I would like to continue the trend.

On the Horizon...Julian update

Julian had his monthly ultrasound on Wednesday afternoon.  As confirmed before he has a cleft lip, it seems to only be on the right-side.  Thankfully it isn’t bilateral (spanning across both sides).

It was also clear that the palate is involved, the roof of the mouth.  I don’t know how far back though but you could easily see the split.  This part was the most heartbreaking as it is now certain he will have 2 surgeries in his 1st year.   He will also need what’s called a NAM device.  Pablo found a really great video that tells the journey of a family with a little boy who had a cleft lip and palate.  Will post on the next update.

Despite what awaits him, he’s growing healthy and strong.  He’s 2 lbs already!  All his measurements are on target.  He no longer has the brain cysts and clearly the single umbilical artery hasn’t stopped him from developing into a healthy boy.

I am on the horizon of the third trimester, 27 weeks is the marker.  When I hit 30 weeks (10/6/2010), I will no longer answer the question, ‘how far along are you?’  Instead, I will respond with, “I have less than 10 weeks to go!  Vida was born at 38 weeks, so we’ll see if Julian holds to that too.  I sure hope so.  I would like his birthday to fall between December 1-5th: post Thanksgiving and far enough away from the Christmas commotion.

I took the 1-hour glucose screening test this morning.  I hope I don’t have gestational diabetes, I was all good with Vida.  My weight gain accelerates in the third trimester.  I either need to hold steady for the remaining 12-ish weeks or lose some weight in the next 8 weeks if I don’t want to tip the scales at 200!  Believe me I am closer than I appear.  I don’t look it though, right?    J

My research for the best cranio-facial team continues.  We have an appointment with St. John’s on Friday.   I still need to schedule UCLA and Children’s Hospital.  I’ve consulted with an awesome doctor up in Davis.  I’ve spoken to 3 moms (one in Alabama and 2 in CA) since learning about Julian’s cleft.  I want to ensure that I have gathered sufficient information both medical and anecdotal before selecting the team for his 1st surgery.  There are so many nuances to consider and particular questions to ask these teams.  I don’t know if all the information gathering I am doing is focused enough.

Emotionally, it’s been a roller coaster, I have mixed feelings about how to handle it all.  Pablo has been a rock and looks beyond the cleft issues and imagines our life with a little boy.  I haven’t given myself much space to simply celebrate and relish the joy that we’ll have one of each.  I am too consumed by what will happen after he’s born in terms of the intervention he will need and the prep that needs to be done before his arrival.

From 7/14/10, when we first learned about Julian's Cleft

We were in suspense to find out the gender! A student tech started on us first and wasn’t allowed to tell us until the real tech came in. We had seen his parts flash on the screen and I had already leaned toward boy before it was confirmed. We’ve asked Vida 4 times and she always answered ‘baby boy’. My pregnancy symptoms and my shape has been vastly different than what I experienced with Vida so I was convinced it was a boy.

1. Name:
Julian was selected long ago to honor my dad and his dad. Joseph was selected as a middle name to honor my dad’s lil brother who died as an infant. We’re still open to middle name suggestions. We just want a nice ring to it, like JJ or JD. Daniel is another name that we’re thinking about. Send your recommendations.

2. Cleft lip/palate:
I was born with one and after the genetic counseling it was chalked up to just a familial abnormality. My poor kids, they inherit my cosmetic deficiencies. Vida has a small pit on her upper ear, I had one too, until it became infected. In college, it was closed up surgically. The cleft isn’t something that inhibits the labor or delivery. A small operation will resolve it. Please pray that it’s only the lip that is affected and not the palate-that’s more invasive.


3. Other abnormal things found
a. Single artery umbilical cord:
This one is worrisome. Normal cords have 2 arteries and a vein. Julian has 1 artery and 1 vein which occurs in 2-4% of normal pregnancies. Over time, all babies use only 1 of the arteries. I will have serial ultra sounds done to ensure that the baby is growing properly. All other anatomy appears fine structurally and is on target. Baby Julian will have an echocardiogram done in 2 weeks to rule out any concerns. The heart already looked awesome on today’s ultrasound.
b. Brain cysts:
Another thing that usually resolves itself by 24 weeks. Again, has been seen in normal pregnancies but is a red flag for some serious chromosomal defects if the baby cannot open their hands. Julian was flexing his agile fingers, so no concern. Also, I’ve already had the chromosomal defect screenings done and they came out negative.

Over 50% Loaded

Coming up on 23 weeks this Wednesday and there's much to report about the pregnancy.

It's a BOY! 
We'll have our boy and girl, really excited about having the pair.  We've inherited some newborn boy clothes already which is fabulous.  Vida has a strong connection to him already.  She kisses my belly and hugs it and makes comments and observations about what it will be like when he's here. 

The Name
His name will be Julian James ("JJ" if he prefers).  Julian is a legacy name from my Dad's side of the family.  Julian and James are both names of sweet, well-mannered boys that my DH and I know from our teaching days.  When you're a teacher, student interactions can make a BIG impact on choosing a name for your baby.

Julian's Development
At 18 weeks, we had the anatomy scan and learned of 3 abnormalities:
SUA: Single Umbilical Arrtery-this can inhibit baby's growth
CPC: Cysts in the brain that typically resolve themselves by 30-32 wees and don't pose a concern
Cleft lip and possible the palate is involved: It's this one that concerns me the most.

The SUA has been fine, his measurements have been on target and I am booked for monthly ultrasounds.  I already locked in the dates for September, October and November.  Yup, I love to plan ahead and get the best times.  Only 1% of normal pregnancies have SUA, it's more typical with twins or often linked to other issues but none of the other things that he has...I should really take this baby to Vegas.  :-)

The Cleft issue is overwhelming.  I had a mild cleft when I was born and it's hardly noticeable today.  Still, I was wrought with guilt, any of my babies have a 4% chance of getting a cleft.  I've done tons of research online and began the outreach too.  DH and I will interview cranio-facial teams in the L.A. area.  So far, I am most impressed by St. John's in Santa Monica.  Julian will be born at UCLA with the same CNM team that Vida had.  I have their full support to do a low intervention, natural birth.  Also, if Julian is doing well, we will not have the neonatalogist team present.  We'll call them in after an hour or so of bonding.  I already met with the chief of the NICU and was grateful that my friend Rosie was able to accompany me for the added support.

We've also already met with a geneticist to rule out other issues and the amnio was not recommended.  My mom told me that the geneticist we saw was the SAME one that did the amino on my mom when she was pregnant with me.  How crazy is that?!?!  The Dr. was much older than I expected, she must have been a pioneer in the field.  She has to be at least 70.  She was really wonderful.

The Nesting Syndrome:
First there's Craigslist: I got an amazing deal on the baby swing from the Fisher-Price Zen Collection, hardly used.
Etsy: I bought Santa Wool Longies and 2 swaddling blankets
Instead of a baby shower, I am going to have an ongoing Nesting Party...the idea is that I have a massive TO DO List in order to prep our 2-bedroom apartment for this new addition.

That's all for now...Vida has developed a new bedtime routine and we're still trying to work it out.  It's been an experience and a post is in order.

16 going on 17...

17 weeks on Wednesday!

Vida has awoken from a late afternoon nap so this post will be short:

* I purchased the Angelsounds fetal heart monitor.  I love the peace of mind.  It's the best $26 ever spent.  I don't use it for more than 90 seconds at a time.  The shipping was lightening fast, 48 hours and FREE!

* We find out if it's a boy or girl very soon, less than 2 weeks away!  This will be only my 3rd appointment.  I was spacing them out 6 weeks to make the visits worthwhile.  Appointments take a long time between visiting the nurses' station and actually getting into your own exam room.  Parking is also expensive.  So each time that I've gone there's been a test, screen, or lab that's needed.  I get my money's worth.  The insurance company should be thanking me!

Vida has consistently answered that there's a baby boy in mommy's tummy when she's asked.  We'll see...

*I've battled a sinus infection and nasal non-sense since the 4th week of pregnancy.  I finally broke down and took myself to urgent care for some antibiotics-Augmentin.  I feel 1000% better.  I was holding out because I had already done a course of antibiotics for Group B strep.  Trace amounts were found in a urine sample at my 12 week visit.

*My next post will be the gender announcement, Yeee!