Sleepless nights have crept into my schedule and I am beginning to come to the realization that this is going to be my life for a while. Sad, but true. Although the air conditioning unit in our bedroom is helping tremendously, I’m having a hard time getting comfortable and my hands (and sometimes arms) are experiencing some numbness. Sunday night I discovered that edema (swelling) can contribute to pregnancy induced carpal tunnel, so I started making an effort to sleep with my hands and arms extended, and I believe that has helped. Fortunately, I am able to squeeze in the occasional nap to get me through the day.
I’m also stepping it up a notch with my pelvic rocking in the hopes to help minimize heartburn. I’ve begun to get a handle on food…smaller portions and snacks intermingled throughout the day are helping. I find it surprising that no matter what I eat, heartburn can strike in the afternoon. Because new research is showing that Tums can “age” the placenta, and Papaya Enzyme/Extract is still somewhat controversial, I want to avoid medication if at all possible.
Yesterday we met with the third midwife at the new practice and we continue to be extremely grateful to have made the switch. My mom came with us to the appointment and was able to hear the heartbeat for the first time, which she recorded on her cell phone to play back to friends and family. My weight actually stayed steady from the last visit, my blood pressure continues to look good and the fundal height is on target at 34 cm. Unfortunately, with a positive Group B Strep urine test, I will automatically be treated with IV antibiotics, preferably two doses four hours before delivery. The midwife helped teach Matt how to feel my belly to figure out the positioning of the baby, something that was extremely neat. Jostling the baby around caused the baby’s heartbeat to rise (a good thing) and we listened to the heartbeat as it returned to a normal resting pace. We would have never been able to have such an opportunity at our previous practice. I truly feel like this is the standard of care we were looking for.