24 Week Doctors Appointment

TWO POSTS IN TWO DAYS! I probably should've just waited to write one really long post today, but oh well! As the title suggests, today I had my 24 week doctors appointment. It was pretty standard I suppose. All of the appointments start with a urine sample, weight check, and blood pressure check. After that I go and sit in the waiting room again, and wait for a room to open up. Today I got to bypass the wait, and Colt and I were called right back. My blood pressure was slightly elevated, as it has been creeping up the charts since I've been pregnant. I think I have relatively normal (maybe on the low side of normal) blood pressure when I'm not pregnant. My doctor says I'm still within the normal range at 136/84, but I think they start to worry when it reaches 140/90. Supposedly the diastolic (bottom) number is the most important. I started out with the diastolic somewhere in the 70s. Anyway, my doctor isn't worried, so I'm not worried.

I asked her several questions about the swine flu vaccination, which has been a subject of controversy lately. There are so many differing opinions on whether the vaccine is completely safe, if it causes long term effects, etc. My doctor says I should definitely get it when it comes out. I'm still collecting information, and I'm going to consult a few other physicians before I make any decisions. I have previously been staunchly opposed to getting the shot, but now I've got some thinking to do. There was a news release the other day about doctors who were frustrated with the huge following of people that are not getting the vaccine, and telling their friends that its not safe. They say that it isn't much different than the regular flu shot, and it has been studied, and perfected, and is now ready for use. We'll see. I'll let you know what I decide.

We talked a little bit about the Glucose Tolerance test that I'll get at my 28 week appointment. This will tell me how quickly glucose is cleared from my blood. This should also tell me whether or not I have gestational diabetes. I hear the best part is drinking the super sugary drink before hand. YUM! I keep joking with Colt that I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if I have gestational diabetes, because our baby is ginormous! :)

After the questions, she felt for my uterus, which is supposed to be about 1.5 to 2 inches above my bellybutton. It was higher than that, but the doctor said that's normal as well. In fact, the baby has measured "farther along" at almost every appointment, and at almost every ultrasound. Maybe I'll deliver earlier? She hooked me up to the fetal heart monitor and said all is well with his little heartbeat! Its steadily been around 135 throughout the entire pregnancy!

All in all, it was a good appointment. I always look forward to my doctors appointments, although I leave almost every time thinking how uneventful it was. I guess its better to be uneventful than "eventful". Thanks for reading!!!


P.S. Did anyone see The Office wedding tonight? LOVED IT!