Two Very Scary Rounds at the Hospital

Round 1:
At the start of the 4th of July holiday weekend Matt and I both suffered from a case of food poisoning. The following day, I woke up feeling much better but about half way through the day I started to experience a pretty bad pain on my left side. I chalked it up to gas from the food poisoning, however soon came to realize that it might be something else. By 10pm I was in agony (or so I thought). A quick call to the doctor and we decided it was a good idea to get it checked out. We went to OB triage in the hospital that we will deliver at in October and they ran a battery of tests. They came to the conclusion that it was either a case of gastroenteritis or .... kidney stones!
Duh! that's when the lightbulb went off...I have kidney stones. They were found when I had a CT scan 3 years ago for unrelated reasons. I have never passed them. Once I filled them in on my lurking condition they decided that must be what it was and prescribed Percocet and sent me on my way since the baby was doing just fine. It was a long night but by the time we left the hospital at 5:30am, I was feeling better.
Round 2:
The entire week after the first episode of pain, I was feeling great. Went back to my normal routine and even attended yoga, all was good. Then on Saturday I woke up to some odd discomfort that I could not really place. I didn't think much of it as it was not really pain. Then in the afternoon, I laid down to rest and the pain started. It hit me like a ton of bricks in a matter of minutes, this time on the right side radiating down from where my kidney lives. Matt came in and I was writhing in pain. We quickly called the doctor and she told us to head back to OB Triage immediately!
We made it to the car and by the time we left the neighborhood I was in tears. Half way to the hospital and the contractions started. They were incredibly intense and that coupled with the kidney pain, I thought I wouldn't make it. We arrived at the hospital and I was wheeled upstairs and they began working on the tests and trying to get it figured out. I was in so much pain all I could do was try to focus on my breathing. Eventually they got an IV in and delivered some much needed pain medication that stopped the contractions. It had little to no effect on the kidney pain but I could deal a little better. They ran the same battery of tests and came up with same results, couldn't see the stones but are assuming that's what it is. They were very concerned and did find a bit of an infection which required some antibiotics. Luckily, again, even with all of the contracting, the baby is doing just fine. The pain this time was something I could not imagine having to experience again. The doctors and nurses told me that what I experienced was much worse than childbirth pain so I should be good to go when the time comes to deliver.

So I am still recovering from all of that, but I am feeling better and our girl is doing just fine (huge relief). After talking to my mom I learned that gallstones are hereditary in my family (many of the women in my family have had their gallbladder removed). That could explain all of my symptoms as well as why they were unable to see any kidney stones, but who knows! We'll see how it goes, but I'm hopeful that I've seen the last of this. I have enough to worry about with pregnancy...

Pregnancy + Relaxing Vacation = Perfect Combination

We returned this week from the most wonderful trip I have ever taken! Our goal was not to plan to do too much so that we could focus on relaxing in the sun. We definitely accomplished that, but at the same time never found ourselves bored. We spent time by the pool (where I got sunburned like you would not believe...which was not part of the plan) enjoying some fruity drinks, all virgin for me of course. We took an entire day to hang out on the beach, where I hid under a cabana to tend to my horrible burn. Matt enjoyed the ocean though and did a lot of swimming. Speaking of swimming, that is the most wonderful cure for an aching pregnant body...someone should really spread that around. I felt fantastic in the pool!

We also did a day at the spa and had some very romantic meals. I felt so fortunate that we were able to take the time to spend together as I see that being hard to come by next year :) There was a lot of walking, especially on the shopping days which was not easy in the heat and the sun. As a result, I experienced my first contractions. Not exactly what I would call fun, and everything that I've read about Braxton-Hicks that say they are usually painless or cause mild discomfort, is complete crap in my case! I only had two and they were at opposite ends of the day but man did they hurt! I would imagine that they resulted from a lack of hydration (I know, not the brightest on my part) but once I got some fluids, I felt much better and am happy to report I have not felt a single one since. Our little bun has also remained extremely active which is a huge comfort to me (even though she enjoys keeping me awake at all hours with her break-dancing on my bladder).

All in all it was a fantastic trip and I would go again anytime! Matthew and I had a ton of fun though we are so ready to continue our baby prep. I will be starting prenatal yoga in the coming weeks and we have another doctor appointment next week. We will also be signing up for baby-prep classes soon which is all very exciting! Time is flying by!

Our Babymoon

Matthew and I will be headed out on our "babymoon" which will also serve as a second honeymoon for us. We are going to Maui for a week since it will probably be our last chance for a vacation for a VERY long time. I am so looking forward to spending seven days doing nothing but laying on a beach and catching some rays. Neither of us has ever been to Hawaii and it will be an excellent way to spend our 1st wedding anniversary. I honestly could not ask for a better husband!

On the baby front, I am growing bigger everyday, but have continued to carry very low... my mom and I have joked that the baby won't have far to go to come out because she is already sitting on my pelvis. She is moving all the time, particularly at night when I'm trying to sleep, of course. I love every minute of it though. It's also fun to see what makes her more active, ice cream seems to be a favorite...she is definitely taking after me :) I am incredibly entertained watching my belly move with her. Her movements are really packing a punch now, even Matt was surprised at the strength behind her kicks, he's convinced she will be a star kickball player!

Here's hoping we have nothing but a relaxing trip! ~Aloha~