Special surprise visitor
After my rough week last week my sweet Mama surprised us by deciding to fly down to help me for the remainder of my pregnancy! This means that she will definitely be here when the babies are born and she’ll stay for as long as we need her. For now we get to have some special mother daughter time before the babies come. Talk about getting spoiled!
Being pregnant is the perfect time to get pampered and spoiled by mom
Over this past week my mom has been reminding me to take my vitamins and is preparing little meals for me throughout the the day. She also insists on doing the dishes so I can stay on the couch with my feet propped up. I was so tired after taking a shower the other day, so she offered to blow dry my hair. It was so relaxing- and it reminded me of why I love going to the salon to get my hair done. We’ve decided that we will bring the hair dryer to the hospital when I go into labor- since it is definitely something that calms and relaxes me.
Obstetric Cholestasis update
As far as my OC symptoms go, nothing new- still itchy. I do feel like I’m having better days though where I am only super itchy at certain times rather than all the time. This is progress! I am happy to announce that my blood work showed that one of my bile salt levels has gone down a little bit! I’m now taking the maximum dose possible (2100 mg per day) instead of the 1800 mg I was taking last week. My bile salts are still elevated, but I’m encouraged that the higher dose of Ursodiol must be working to at least partially bring down my levels. Even though the itching is still there, I’m feeling less stressed knowing that hopefully the babies will not be as affected by the bile acid in my blood!
Other 32 week pregnancy symptoms:
Edema (Swelling in my feet): oh my goodness I didn’t know it was possible for my feet and ankles to swell so much! I’ve noticed that my shoes haven’t been fitting very well for a while now, but this week it was almost impossible to find any shoes that would fit. I’ve been resorting to some cheap plastic flats that have no support, but at least I can squish my feet into them. My ankles also have been really swollen- especially on my right leg. The skin gets so tight that it hurts to bend or rotate my ankle and my jeans feel tight around my ankles too. Also if I press on my foot or ankle (and lower leg) the dent remains for a really long time! Elevating my feet helps temporarily. I need to check with the doctor to make sure everything is okay, but I’m guessing this is just part of the last stretch of pregnancy.
What else is going on at 32 weeks pregnant:
-twins are moving like crazy- and hurting their mama (ribs, cervix, bladder etc)
-having to pee immediately at this moment or else I might pop (waddling to the bathroom and holding onto the walls to sit down)
-needing my husband to help push me up off the couch to stand up
-ordering a breast pump through my insurance company- which one to get? Medela vs. Freemie
-moving- starting to move into a new place- these babies better wait to get here until we are all moved in!
-leaking nipples (especially the right side)
-veiny hands and arms. Hands turning red in the shower and pulsing from all the blood pooling- scary but normal for pregnancy.
-crazy puffy feet and ankles (blood pressure was high and the cuff hurt last time the nurse checked it)
I almost wish I took some pictures of my swollen feet to show you, but I’m too embarrassed to share them on my blog because they are so gross! So here is my growing belly instead:
growing peeps 