We made it! My daughter has reached her 1 year mark and we all survived. Good god, it was a world wind of emotions!
She is the best thing that has happened to us! yes, we are sleep deprived but we are all healthy, thriving, and happy.
When people tell you having a child is the best experience ever, it truly is. I remember the transition of when we were at the pre- pregnancy stage. We were excited to start the journey but also scared. I knew that there were precautions to take and had to see a team of doctors. I was able to write down the process, so that I could potentially help other moms.
Below, i pasted my ramblings of my pre pregnancy journey into motherhood.
[My first experience of being educated about the complications and medical expectations of pregnancy left me feeling overwhelmed and unjust. I realized that it was practical to be aware of what is to come, but at the same time, it was just too much to comprehend. I ended up shedding a few tears but was determined to take the positives out of knowing the information in advance. The information about my health was and is important for anyone trying to conceive when having an autoimmune illness, such as diabetes. I unfortunately, had two conditions, diabetes and hypothyroidism.
I was told by the diabetes clinic nurse and dietitian that prior to conception; I would need to have optimal blood sugars to avoid any complications. Once pregnant, they would expect I count my carbohydrate intake and would be strict about measuring my belly circumference. The complications of having high blood sugars may lead to miscarriage and difficulty of conceiving. Once pregnant, if the blood sugars are not under control (Morning/ lunch/ dinner/ snack > 5.3 and after 2 hours of eating your sugars should not exceed >7.3) this may lead to a stillbirth, developmental delays, and preeclampsia. Your belly circumference will tell your doctor whether you are gaining weight other than baby weight. They also measure the baby’s belly to ensure it is not enlarged. If so, they would want to ensure that you make some changes with your diet. The worry is that your baby would be larger than average due to uncontrolled diabetes.
I was advised to take a higher dose of folic acid when taking pre-natal vitamins. My Doctor prescribed Preg-Vit Folic 5. You take two pills a day, one in the morning and the other in the evening. If you are taking another medication like I was you have to make sure you take the vitamins 4 hours after your other medications. I was extremely overwhelmed with having to time when I take my thyroid medication and when I can take the pre-natal vitamin. After my minor tantrum and feeling sorry for myself, I was able to make it work.
I thought, Magda, this is only the beginning!!]
Reflecting back on my initial journey, I am thankful. Thankful because I needed to be diligent and dedicated not only for me but for my child. I believe I am better at outsmarting this disease then it outsmarting me. Well, we all know it is a journey but I am feeling good about it thus far.