Timing Questions

[teartaye]

1. My doctor wants me to test for GD in a couple of weeks. At the same time I'll be getting the full bloodwork done again (minus the thyroid since it's already being monitored). I will be 26-27w. However, I've been utterly exhausted the last, oh, month, and I really feel like something is wrong. Should it not be physically-caused I think I need to

Comments

[thesparklegirl]

#2. I kind of think that when I went for follow up placenta previa ultrasound, that it was at 32 weeks, not before. So I'd think they would be okay with pushing it off until then!

#3. Well, everything down there tends to be more sensitive, and can swell up/be sore afterward. And that's normal. Also, your joints are loosening up, so those can be sore afterwards too.

[ever_my_own]

#2 - we're not doing the 'standard' ultrasounds, but my midwife wants me to do a quick one for placental position... she has said about week 32 is best, as before that point the care would not be any different & it would need to be rescanned at that point anyway.

[sandokai]

Usually they'll wait until closer to 28 weeks to test for GD because they can get "false negatives" at 24 (at least according to the medical model of it).

I don't know that GD would necessarily cause tiredness, but it's possible. Hopefully they'll also give you an iron test. Are you drinking lots of water?

[teartaye]

They're giving me an iron test... unfortunately the GD and the bloodwork are on the same form so they're gonna be together or I'd go in for the iron test now.

And yes, I'm drinking tons of water :) TMI: I have Diabetes Insipidus ("water" diabetes... I hate the name though, since it has nothing to do with "sugar"/mellitus diabetes) and my thirst mechanism never, ever turns off... so I'm constantly sipping water. lol

[kort_ni]

#3 I'm just jealous that you are still allowed to have sex even though you have previa. My cervix wasn't even covered by the placenta, my placenta was just "low-lying" and they put me on pelvic rest until they confirmed it was resolved via ultrasound (at 24w). It could be that the sex is irritating your cervix and that is leading to some soreness (though it really depends what kind of soreness you are having).

As for #2, I would definitely ask (especially since you aren't on pelvic rest until you find out if you still have previa) because worst case scenario is your doctor says she'd really rather you have the ultrasound at 28weeks and then you are in the same position you started in.

[teartaye]

My doctor hasn't said anything regarding sex since she told me it was fine ages and ages ago *ponders* I'll bring it up when I call her.

It doesn't feel like cervixy owies. It feels more like vaginal wall owies... lol

[sandi1743]

#1. you can get it done at any point of pregnancy - however GD is not usually exhaustion. I would ask for a full blood work up - CBC (with a full iron break down) and basic metabolic panel (BMP) are you take any vitamins?
#2 - sure you can delay the u/s waiting until later gives everyone a better of idea where it is later on which is when we NEED to know. did they say how far over it was on the cervix?
3. congrats! there is much more blood flow to the area in pregnancy which can mean increased soreness afterwards

[teartaye]

I am getting the CBC. Should I ask for the BMP (especially if nothing else comes up)?
As for vitamins, I'm just taking a B6, B12, folic acid supplement. I think I'll stop being lazy and get an actual prenatal on Monday or Tuesday (nothing's open the weekends here).
They didn't say exactly where my placenta was. For all I know it might have been just "low lying." My doctor was running super behind and we kinda rushed through everything (in her defense, this is the first appointment I've felt rushed).

[sandi1743]

just ask for CBC with an anemia work up - the BMP can be pulled at the same time as the CBC - that way you don;t have to worry about a second blood draw.
some iron in your diet may help - i personally like liquid iron - i would start by taking 1/4 the rec'ed dose for a few days, and then increase it by 1/4 every few days unless you experience GI backup, if you do then back it down to the lower dose wait a few days and try to up it again. Taking vit C with your iron will help boost your absorption.
e.g. rec'ed 2 tablespoons daily - start with 1/2 tablespoon for a few days, all okay move on to 1 tablespoon etc.
FYI 2 tablespoons = 6 teaspoons.
i understand the rushed factor - even the best medics have days where the rush is on even tho it should not be. :(