26. Swelling and checkup.

Diabetes

I recieved my check up call from the diabetes clinic this week and the new meds seem to be keeping everybody happy. Just need to keep doing what I'm doing. 

She did inform me about the fact that I may need to be admitted for the 2 days I will be having my steroid shots. Apparently they can cause blood sugar to go a bit nuts, so I will need to be closely monitored and possibly be put on an insulin drip. She said she will speak to Justine and see if we can be monitored from home with more regular finger prick tests linked to the app. I will find out at my next appointment next week on which decision has been made. 

Swelling and pain

Over the past 4 days, my feet and ankles have started to swell up a bit. Nothing major, and I've been expecting it.

About 4 days ago I had a really sore patch on my inner thigh which I had put down to a bruise caused by Jack climbing on me. He is all elbows and knees at the moment, and loves to climb on us. It feels like a really bad bruise and is very sore to touch. 

The following day, the pain started in my other thigh, and I noticed that when Jack put his legs across my swollen ankles, that they were tender too. Not like the sensitivity on my thighs, but an unexpected discomfort to the minimal weight. 

My belly has become much more sensitive to the touch, and the lowest bit that I can't see has become sore and swollen too. 

I put all of this down to the standard end of pregnancy water retention swelling, and as a result, causing sensitivity of my skin. 

I decided to post on the twin page to ask if it was normal before calling the hospital. The 4 ladies who responded said it is probably the stress on my body, but call the midwife to see if they think I need a checkup for pre eclampsia. 

I called the doctors this morning and spoke to a few people who all referred me to the next, and eventually I spoke to a lady in the antenatal day clinic who asked me to come in for a check up. During the calls and questions I said yes, I had been getting headaches, but nothing bad. And yes, I've been seeing stars a little. I had headaches all the time with Jack, and I'm prone to them anyway. And the stars I put down to being breathless all the time. Bad headaches and vision changes are possible symptoms of pre eclampsia.

At the hospital I had my BP checked which is usually a key sign of pre eclampsia and it was normal. No current headache and no swelling in my hands or face. Lots looking good. She checked my urine which had a plus for protein so they have sent that off to be checked further. I had this a few weeks ago too but the results came back clear. They decided to take my blood's to do a more detailed check, then they sent us home and they will call with the results.

I spoke to the lady who did all of our checks this afternoon and I'm clear for pre eclampsia. This is a relief because it could mean wanting the babies out sooner. 

She has raised concerns about my platelet levels in my iron and wants further blood's taken at our appointment next week. I'm not sure what the risks are, if any at this stage of the pregnancy. 

I'm determined to make it to our planned date now that we have made it this far! 12 days to go!!