Low Platelets and High Glucose

I am starting to wonder what it would be like if I were not being so closely monitored by medical professionals. This is what my daily monitoring includes:
2x/day blood pressure checked
2x/day temperature taken
2x/day babies heartbeats listened to
2x/week NST
at least 3x/week blood drawn
daily meetings with the OB (usually the resident) and the family doctor
2x/day blood glucose monitoring
and multiple checkups on my bowel movements, cramping, contractions, or bleeding.

I don't know what I will do if I do get discharged early. However will my local OB keep up on all of this?!?

Today's discoveries included finding glucose spilled in my urine and a low platelet count. Hooray (NOT)! The glucose does not seem to be such a big deal so far. My blood glucose levels have all been in range, and the nurse thinks it was probably the Fruitlax jam I had with breakfast (my attempt to keep things "regular" without taking medication). The platelets is more of a big deal. I have had a history of low platelets, but so far mine have been in the range of 120 million, I believe. Today they dropped to 80 million, which puts me in the zone of concern. It is not the "critical" zone (I believe that is below 50), but is a concern if they keep dropping. The doctor described that some people develop what is called gestational thrombocytopenia, which is just low platelets due to pregnancy. Low platelets could also be due to a general condition (not pregnancy specific) called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). They are not sure which condition I might have. For now, they are just monitoring my blood closely to see if the levels keep dropping (which is why I had a total of 3 blood draws today). I think the main risk is too much bleeding during/after labour or surgery, and most likely needing a c-section.

I started reading up more about ITP, but got scared, so I'm taking my husband's advice and remaining "ignorant" until the doctors become worried. I know that my mom and my sister both had low platelets in pregnancy too. My sister was fine. My mom lost a lot of blood during my brother's birth and needed a blood transfusion. That concerns me a bit, but at the end of the day, I want to trust these doctors and that they know what is best to take care of me. I just can't imagine if I were at home and these things were not caught... Again I feel like I am in the right place (as tough as is it at times).

For a picture for today, here is how DH and I spent most of the afternoon (with a nap halfway through the game...and p.s. I won). It is so nice to have someone around to keep me company!

Glucose test and Perinatology Referral

I just had my OB appointment, following my testing and.... I PASSED!  No gestational diabetes for me. 

Also, my hemoglobin is apparently pretty great (132).  I didn't ask my ferritin level, which has traditionally been low, but I figure she would have mentioned if something was off.  Blood pressure and babies heartbeats were fine, as usual.  And, I am measuring (drum roll please)...  34 weeks large!  That's almost full-term!  I had mentioned a bit about the aches and pains I was feeling this past week, and she said that was the reason why.  She also said that I have tight muscles and skin on my belly, which is why I might feel the pressure of expanding babies more than others. 

From now on, I will see her every 2 weeks until the last two months, when visits will be weekly.  I will also have growth scans every 3-4 weeks.  Which brings me to my next point... I have been referred to the perinatologist for my next growth scan.  My OB said that the technicians in our small town are good, but she would feel more comfortable having an expert look at Baby A's placenta and the hematoma to find out what is really going on.  She said she felt uncomfortable at this point in the game not knowing, and they will be able to help us decide whether c-section is necessary, and help assess the risk of pre-term labour or hemmoraging.  If there is risk, she talked about admitting me to a full-care facility for tertiary care until the babies arrive.  Wow!  I have been aware that is a possibility, but I'm not going to worry about it until we do have more information.  So, hopefully within the next week or two, I will make the 3-hour trek to the next big city for an ultrasound and a consultation immediately following. 

I feel grateful that I am in good hands, and that my doctor is ensuring I receive the proper care.  Meanwhile, I have completed my hours for maternity leave, and applied for funding today.  I have another week or two filling in at our church office till the receptionist is back from holidays, and then I'll be fully on medical maternity leave.  Holy moley!  I don't know what else I'll do to keep myself busy once September hits, but I'm open to suggestions...