Thursday, May 28, 2009

3.5 is much better than 7

I have tried to report on each visit to the doctor so that I will be able to actually remember what went on, but I've failed to do so for awhile. Two months ago I went to see Jed and he so kindly informed me that I had gained too much weight (at this point in my pregnancy I was up an entire 4 lbs from my prepregnancy weight and I was 25 weeks along.) I felt terrible when I left, especially because his advice for how to 'do better' was to eat less dairy (I don't have much dairy in my diet as it is), exercise more (I was having asthma attacks really bad every time I walked up the stairs), and cut back on salt (I hate, hate, hate salt). I left the office feeling really down about myself because I didn't know how to do these things and still survive. Not only did I not know what to do, but now I felt FAT and not just pregnant.

** At this appointment, they estimated Ezra weighed about 1 lb 9 oz.

So for the next four weeks, I added 4-6 hours of brisk walking to what I was already doing, I consumed less dairy than I think I ever had in that amount of time (and that is saying a lot because before this 8 oz of milk was my limit for a month), and I tried to watch how much salt was in the things I was eating. I also started weighing myself twice a week trying to make sure that I wasn't gaining too much, and I had Jarom watch to make sure I was reporting accurately. Well 3 weeks passed and I had gained a total of 2 lbs (doing great!) so I was not feeling as sad about being too fat. I had only 2 days until my doctor appointment and so I figured I could wait until then to be weighed again. But I got to the doctor and stepped on the scale and.. I cried. I had gained 7 lbs. Where the 5 lbs came from in 2 days I have no idea, but I was so sad.

* The day before I saw Jed this time, I had to see my pulmonologist about my lungs and asthma. I'll save you all of the details, but they thought I might have had a pulmonary embolism or something wrong with my heart. After a few not so fun tests, they were able to rule both out and only learned that my stomach is pushed into something else (I can't remember what it is called, but it was something like upper gastric hemorrhage?! Really I can't remember, but it isn't harmful and will probably get better after this baby stops squishing my stomach so high up).

** At this appointment they estimated Ezra weighed about 4 lbs. Holy cow right? An average baby at 29 weeks is between 2.5 and 3 lbs. This kid is growing like a weed!

So for the last 4 weeks I have worked so much harder, and because I have had to return to physical therapy for my ankle for the last part of my pregnancy (apparently Relaxin doesn't know the difference between my pelvis and my ankle) I have been working out much more intensely and more often, and I have basically lost my appetite. I went to see Jed today and I am happy to report that I have only gained 3.5 lbs. Jed was very impressed and for the first time I do not feel super awful and fat and instead I just feel like a growing pregnant lady who can't wait to be done!!

The estimate for Ezra's weight today was 5 lbs 13 oz. This kid is growing like crazy! I am 33 weeks (according to my due date) and he is already about 6 lbs! I know that the closer you get to the end, the more likely it is that the estimate is off, but even if it is, the estimate went up almost 2 lbs in 4 weeks! I still technically have 7 left.. if he keeps growing about a pound a week I'm going to be pushing an 11 or 12 lb baby. I don't think I could handle that.. Hopefully he stays on the same track he has been on since appointment #3 and he'll come at the end of June rather than waiting until mid to late July to come. I wouldn't mind a June baby at all! (As long as he is healthy, but even Jed thinks he'll be ready to come much earlier than July 19.)

Cross your fingers for me please!

5 comments:

  1. You are doing great! Hunter was 6 lbs 3 oz and 5 weeks early ---- he would have been huge!!! Don't fret so much over the weight, you are young and it comes off then, not so much after 30, arghhh. I can't wait to see the little guy.

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  3. Anonymous,

    I know I'm pregnant and not fat, I don't think I'm fat. I was simply stating that when I went to the doctor and was told I had gained 'too much' weight, I felt like I was doing something wrong and THAT made me feel bad about myself and yes I did feel a little 'FAT' because the way it came across to me was that I was gaining more than even a pregnant lady should. I know that it is normal to gain weight, and my sweet husband was good enough to remind me that 14 lbs in 8 weeks was probably better for me than for most women considering I lost so much weight during the first 6 months. I don't mind gaining the weight, I know it is normal and healthy and that it does not make me fat. But I do also know that there still are guidelines to how much you should gain and how quickly during pregnancy. My doctor was just warning me just in case.. and my panicky self was so worried that I was gaining weight so quickly that maybe I was doing something wrong for my health and the health of my baby. It was stupid to be so worried about it, but my reasoning for being so worried was not stupid. I want the best for my baby and if that means gaining more weight, or cutting out my favorite treats, I will do it.

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  4. Okay, that anonymous comment was just rude. It's hard to believe some people troll around and do things like that--how classy. Get a life.

    You'll be okay, Amber. I'm glad to hear you're doing so well! I can't wait for him to get here--I'm so excited for you guys :)

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