Sick and Tired

Nothing new today. Just more of the same. Sick and tired.

Sweet Dreams and Deep Breaths

I have been SO tired during these last couple of weeks. This baby making process sure takes a lot out of me. And when I sleep, it a is hard, dead-to-the-world kind of sleep. This morning, I almost slept through my alarm. That is very unusual for me!

I have taken to sneaking off to my car during my lunch break for a cat nap. I tell my coworkers that I am reading. Hopefully that are not on to me!

Even with the mid-day  nap, by mid afternoon, I am struggling to keep my eyes open at  my desk. I have never fallen asleep at work, but I have come close in the last couple of weeks.

And the dreams. I am having all kinds of weird dreams. The night before the second HCG test, I dreamt that the test came back negative. It was a sad, painful dream that went on seemingly forever. I have also had dreams that my belly is huge and I can’t tie my shoes. And even some crazy, seemingly unrelated dreams. I don’t remember them all, but basically, I am dreaming most of the night.

I did go to that yoga class last night. It is the first time I have told anyone that I am pregnant. It was a weird feeling. My doctor wanted me to tell the instructor so that he could give  me some modifications.  I was somewhat uncomfortable being singled out during the class. I mean, I certainly don’t LOOK pregnant (maybe a little more flabby in the tummy pooch area, though), and I don’t really feel the pregnancy in my belly yet. Or at least I didn’t until about halfway through the class.

The instructor kept showing me how to support my belly. This seemed silly because there is no real belly yet, but the doctor tells me that my muscles are all soft now, so they might not support the bundle growing in my uterus. About halfway through the class, as we were practicing our breathing, though, I finally got a really deep breath into my stomach area. And then I felt a sort of resistance to the breath deep down in my lower belly. I am assuming this is some sort of wall of muscles, or else the actual uterus. I am not sure, but I’ve never felt it before, even when doing yoga. This morning, if I really concentrate, I can still feel it. Weird.

Also interesting, I had been dealing with a headache all afternoon, and it got significantly worse during the class. I was really light-headed and dizzy. I am thinking that it has to do with those expanding blood vessels, and all of the breathing. Basically, I think my blood vessels were just expanding too far and too fast.

Some of the things my body is doing are just amazing. I am in awe of its ability to adapt and change. I am just trying to keep up with the changes and to enjoy the ride!

Digestive Woes

Ugh. Who would’ve thought that pregnancy would lead to such drastic digestive issues? I think I’ve experienced them all…

One minute it’s constipation. The next it’s diarrhea. Complete with gas, cramping and pain. Then it’s indigestion, burping, and hiccups. And then there is the on-again-off-again nausea. And to think most of it will probably only get worse from here.

I assume this is associated with my everyday digestive struggles which were most recently diagnosed as “probably a little bit of gastroparesis, a little bit of IBS, and a little bit of constipation.” Really. That was the professional diagnosis from the most respected gastrointestinal specialist in the area. Even more impressive, he said there wasn’t really anything he could do to help.

Nothing seems to help the intestinal issues, but the nausea does get better if I eat snacks every couple of hours.

The struggle, of course, is to find something healthy to eat for that snack that doesn’t make my stomach turn. Most proteins sounds just repulsive right now. And if it’s not covered in salt, it doesn’t exactly sound good. So I am eating a lot of pretzels and crackers. Not exactly the best meal for a diabetic with insulin resistance, right?

Speaking of insulin resistance, my basal needs went through the roof yesterday. It is amazing how fast these things change. I am using a 130% temp basal rate this morning, and still struggling to stay in range.

In other news, I’m hoping to try out a new yoga class tonight. I am not very good a sticking with an exercise routine, but I am going to really try to keep with it during this pregnancy. I have fought insulin resistance and “flab” for the last couple fo years, and I am concerned that the hormones and cravings of pregnancy could put my weight over the edge.