Uncategorized

Sugar Sugar, aw, honey honey…

1 Comment
It took almost a week of fiddling with carb ratios but I finally managed to get my breakfast levels under 140! The real test will be using the same ratio tomorrow and seeing if I can repeat levels under 140. If not, it’s back to the drawing board. Right now it looks like my ratio will be 4 units to every 15 carbs. I’ll still only be counting for breakfast, since my lunch and dinner levels seem to do just fine on their own. 
Now, as I get bigger and further along my carb ratio is bound to increase. By the time I’m full term, I might even be bolusing for lunch and dinner. For now, I’m just happy that I finally managed to get one breakfast in the target range. 
I’ve also seem to gain back the pound I lost over vacation. Although my morning weight and my night weight vary vastly. (I always go by the heaviest, even though its the most unscientific.) 
In other news, one of my neighbors gave me a box of her old maternity clothes so I’ve been enjoying having, quite literally, an expanding wardrobe. She passed on about 4 or 5 sweaters, a couple of shirts/tanks, a few skirts a couple of dresses and about 6 pairs of pants. The pants are about a size or two too big, but they’ll do if I’m in a pinch. All the tops fit great and they’re all in really nice condition. I also found the most comfortable pair of maternity jeans at the thrift store! They fit fantastically, and they might even look better than most of my regular jeans. Right now, they’re my go-to pair since they’re the most flattering & comfy!

When I wear my regular clothes I look much more pregnant. When I wear my maternity things, I look like I ate too much chipotle. Comfort usually wins out so I’m rockin’ the chipotle belly look. I know in a few weeks I’ll probably surpass the ‘is that a beer belly?’ stage and start entering the ‘lets-pray-for-the-teen-mom’ phase. Let the awkwardness begin! Then again, this is Baltimore, people might not even think twice. =) 

Weekly picture and survey will be up tomorrow. I have my 17 week appointment today so I won’t get any time to take pictures and upload them. Unless I decide to look cute today, and then I might have to put forth some extra effort. 
Continue Reading

Uncategorized

All this BS… Blood Sugar of course!

No Comments
I’ve dealt with borderline CFRD {cystic fibrosis related diabetes} for a few years now, so it was no real surprise when I failed my 1 hour glucose test a few weeks ago. After tracking my blood sugar levels for two and a half weeks it was apparent I needed to start some sort of insulin, at least for the first meal of the day, where my levels had been consistently high. 
After seeing the nutritionist, who happens to share an office with my CF nutritionist, a plan has been set in motion. We are starting with my old carb to insulin ratio of 1 unit of short acting insulin to every 30 carbs. The goal is to have my 1 hour level under 140. For breakfast I’ve been hitting in the low 200’s. 
Since I’ve handled insulin before I’m allowed to tweak my ratio as dictated by my blood sugar level feedback. I did my first dose today, and while my fasting number was great, and I ate an exact 60 carbs, my low 1:30 ratio didn’t cut it and I was still in the 200’s at the one hour mark. Looks like tomorrow I’ll be upping my ratio to their standard gestational diabetes ratio of 1:15. If I’m still a little higher than normal, I’ll up the ratio again to 1:10. 
For now, breakfast is the only meal of the day where I’ll be taking insulin. My levels after lunch and dinner are usually under the 140 mark. 
I’m hoping by starting insulin gaining weight will be a little easier, and I may even start to feel a little better. Right now my mornings are tough. I wake up feeling particularly chesty but with no real productivity when coughing. This is usually accompanied by just general feeling of ickiness and thanks to a much more sensitive gag reflex these days, some coughing induced puking. 
I usually start to feel loads different after lunch (when my sugar levels tend to even out!) and I continue to feel good until I go to bed. Wake up, and repeat. Hopefully by controlling my sugars from the start, my lungs might feel slightly different, and I may feel less “icky” overall. 
I’m not sure why blood sugar plays such an influencing role in lung function, but I am grateful that it’s recognized by the team of doctors who treat my CF. 
My next general OB appointment is Tuesday. 
Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Rumor has it…

2 Comments
With the holidays past us, it’s no longer a secret that the husband and I are expecting! Little nugget will be making his/her appearance in mid-late June of this year.

How far along? 16 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: Total gain of about 4.5 lbs. Hopefully it will continue to creep up once we figure out what’s going on with my blood sugars.
Maternity clothes? Maternity jeans all the way! Some maternity shirts, some of Kyle’s shirts, some of my regular shirts.
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Oh sleep, how I miss thee! I’ve been having some trouble being comfy while sleeping. Lower back pain has me alternating sleeping in bed to sleeping on the couch.
Best moment this week: Finally being home from all our planned traveling! Lower back pain and the Prius don’t mix well.
Miss Anything? I really miss my weekly gymnastic class. I also miss warm weather, but I suppose that’s not really pregnancy related…
Movement: I think I felt a little flip-flopping action late at night!
Food Cravings:I’m still really digging apple cider vinegar, ham, and orgain protein drinks.
Anything making you queasy or sick? I made myself a very time consuming lunch yesterday only to have it make me feel queasy. Boo. (Chicken and orzo with broccoli, cherry tomatoes, onions in a lemon sauce)
Gender: The ultrasound tech.’s guess at 13 weeks was girl. Have to wait until Feb. 4th to find out for sure!
Labor signs: nope, although I did have a dream about going into labor only to wake up with excruciating lower back pain. Fun.
Belly button in or out? It’s in for the most part. Still lookin’ a bit wonky though.
Happy or moody most of the time? I’ve been pretty moody the last week due to 1. the freezing and snowy weather 2. Having some high blood sugars 3. Feeling really junky lung wise
Looking forward to: My appointment with the OB nutritionist so we can make a plan about how to tackle my blood sugars. I think once a plan is set I will feel less overwhelmed. Hopefully getting my BS under control will in turn help me feel better lung wise – since the two are directly related.

Continue Reading