Thursday, April 29, 2010

Bun in the Oven

Yes, my oven.

There are some things we are doing differently. I want IV nutrition this time. There was a internist in California who did it for me while I was pregnant and terribly sick with Sam. I think it may have been the difference between Sam and all the others. I'm the first to admit it may not be the magic bullet, but I think it's worth a try. My OB said he would go along with it if I could get the perinatologist to recommend it. We went to a perinatologist before I was pregnant, and we pleaded our case. She wouldn't recommend an IV or a pic line, but she will put a feeding tube in my nose, through my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines when I get really sick. I'm nervous about this because it will be dangling at the back of my throat for 10-14 days and, as we well know, my gag reflex has a hair-line trigger.
She has three criteria for this to be a viable option. First, I need to be at least 8 weeks because they will need to do an x-ray to be sure the tube is positioned properly. She doesn't want to do an x-ray before 8 weeks. Second, I need to have lost weight from the throwing up. And last, there has to be ketones in my urine. This is a toxin released by the body when it's breaking itself down and burning itself for fuel.
In the mean time she has me eating every three hours. Even in the night. We're trying to trick my body into feeling busy, rather than sick. So far, it seems to be working. I usually get sick between 6 and 8 weeks, being full blown sick by 8 weeks. I'm 7 weeks now and I have felt a little nauseous a few times, but as soon as I eat I feel better. I think it's the eating in the night that's making the big difference. So every night before we go to sleep, Matt says, "When was the last time you ate." I tell him and then we count on our fingers three hours ahead and he sets the alarm. Then he walks over to the desk and counts ahead three hours from the alarm clock, and sets another alarm clock. Then he goes to his alarm clock and sets it. When he wakes up he resets his alarm clock to three hours after my second one, so I'm sure to wake up in time to eat again. So in short, we have three alarm clocks in our room going off four times in the night. It's so fun.
I also went on a short little road trip to Idaho with some friends. We had a visit with a muscle therapist. He taught me how to stimulate my kidneys into flushing fluid more efficiently. My legs had been swelling since the fifth and sixth weeks. It's different and not something I'm familiar with or used to, but it's working. It has kept the fluid out of my legs all week.
My poor body does not like to be pregnant. But I'm hoping 7th times a charm and things all work out. Whether we have a baby in December or not, I know I won't regret trying. So, please, keep us in your prayers.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

We love you guys and are so happy for you! Prayers are definitely being said for you in Idaho!

Sandy said...

We are going to try your techniques on your dad to keep the swelling out of his legs, but I hope WE don't end up having a baby in December.

Lilianne said...

I'm crying just a little! Wow! I'm so excited for you guys...

We'll be praying and praying! Go baby J!!! Hang in there. We love you.

Kathy said...

You know what - I prayed for you last night - not knowing the bun was already in the oven. I had a very hard time sleeping last night - maybe your alarms are waking me up too. Next time that happens, I'm getting up and having a snack in honor of you!

Michelle said...

Love you, thinking about you, praying for you. You're a champ!

KordelandHeather said...

Wow Julie! I sure hope and pray this works for you guys! Would you teach me what you do to keep the swelling down in your legs? I have a similar problem when I'm pregnant...I love you and will definitely be praying for this little baby!

Gregg said...

THE BEST NEWS I'VE HEARD....SO SO EXCITED FOR YOU..sending good vibes and lots of prayers your way. Love you, Aunt Jan

Meg said...

So happy for you and definitely keeping you in our prayers.

Jeanna said...

I can picture matty setting the alarms and I'm thinking about how much you guys love each other.

It really is a tender time for the both of you.

Of course I need a new nephew niece that someone will let me hold whenever the heck I want to....so I'm praying and hoping. Love you!!

L said...

I will definitely be thinking about and praying for you! You deserve all the good that can come your way :)

Katie and Josh Fairbanks said...

I am SOOO excited for you guys! I know a little of your worries b/c I have had two miscarriages. I will put your name in the temple and keep you in our prayers. Good luck Julie, love ya :)

Becky said...

You better hope that feeding tube up your nose doesn't smell funny, on account of your super sensitive olfactory system. That's not going to help your super sensitive gag reflex either.

I love you and I will miss you terribly next week when you are not here. But, I KNOW that no matter what happens you will be at peace knowing that you have done everything in your power to welcome a new baby into this world. And I'm praying that peace is bundle warm and cuddly in your arms come December. I think you should name her Peace. Yes, I just predicted your are having a girl and I named her for you...you're welcome!

~I love you!~

Meesa said...

I am so happy for you. Even more happy that frequent eating is helping. I think Peace is a sweet name. I sure hope that you don't have to keep waking up to eat the whole time. You are both troopers!

Sandy said...

Yes, Peace and Pooty go well together.

Brittany said...

happy day! i am so excited for you and praying hard you'll have a baby come december!

i guess the free samples don't lie! (remember, the baby samples you received?)

Holley said...

Lots and lots of prayers coming your way! Good luck!

Heather said...

What a good husband you have . . . setting all those alarms! Way to go, Matt. And you are definitely in my prayers. PLEASE let me know if you need anything!

Kitten Caboodal said...

Having endured 3 pregnancies with beginning to end nausea, vomiting, and weight-loss, I am so happy to learn that now there are options to a steady soda diet. And what is this kidney exercise for edema you mentioned?
Katherine

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