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.