Allergies = My Worst Nightmare

Last weekend I started feeling it... the itchy, scratchiness in my throat that signaled oncoming sickness. Normally, I'd take an Airborne and feel 100% better before it got worse... but in pregnancy, taking Airborne is not allowed because of the high volume of Vitamin A that the baby could possibly overdose on. So, I drank lots of tea, hot water and lemon with honey, and soup broth. Didn't matter. By the next day, I was 100% WORSE! I had congestion, my throat full on hurt, and I started coughing. By the next day, it was even worse, unbelievably, and my eyes were flooding fluid. Around that time, I began wondering... was this a cold, or allergies?

I have never had allergies in my life. New York doesn't get a very high pollen count, and even when I moved here to Georgia, I did notice the pollen but it didn't seem to have any affect on me in the four years I have lived here. While others complained about the pollen and it's nasty effects, I just silently thanked God that I didn't have to experience that.

Turns out, pregnant women can develop allergies even if they've never had them before. According to BabyZone, "many women find that pregnancy can worsen their allergies and for some, even trigger allergy-like symptoms they've never experienced before."

Here is the article from BabyZone:


Not only that, but right now in Georgia, the pollen count is at a record all time high. Here is an article from the Augusta Times:


A warm winter is sending pollen counts soaring to record levels in Georgia.

Officials say a record high pollen count of 9,369 particles of pollen per cubic meter was measured today in metro Atlanta. That shattered Monday’s level of 8,164.

This week’s pollen counts are well above the old record of 6,013, which dates to April 12, 1999.

The pollen counts were measured by the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic.

Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist with the clinic, tells The Marietta Daily Journal that doctors have never seen the level this high, and patients are having a lot more difficulties this year. He said health issues facing patients seen at the clinic include nasal congestion, sneezing and itching of the nose and eyes.


So I went down to Columbus to visit my sister at Fort Benning, which we had long planned in advance. I was feeling miserable, but really didn't want to back out on her. It was St. Patty's Day weekend, and we'd signed up for a 5K race (which I agreed to walk, hah!) and we had plans to make green pretzels! I couldn't NOT go. But I was miserable. The way there, I was a zombie driving. When I got there on Friday all I wanted to do was sleep. Luckily, we spent lots of time inside watching Sex and the City re-runs and eating japanese food.

On Saturday, we did the St. Patty's 5K. I was proud of myself for actually doing it, but it was one of the hardest hours of my life because I simply could NOT breathe! When the race began, everyone took off running. We took off... jogging. HAH! I felt like I couldn't just walk while everyone else was sprinting off. So we jogged a little, and then when my lungs and throat were literally so tight that I couldn't get air through, we stopped and walked it. I felt the need to explain that I was 6 months pregnant to all the volunteers directing the race, but I didn't feel ashamed... I felt pretty proud of myself for doing a 5K while preggers. I mean, a 5K is seriously only 3 miles and for me, simple to accomplish. But while preggers AND sick, I felt that was somewhat impressive. We finished the race and got some virgin margaritas at a local pub, and then when we got back to Julia's barracks, I felt worse than I ever have in my life. I was trying to stay cheerful, but I just wanted to sleep.

The next day Julia had a work gig to play at the Columbus Air Show. I actually enjoyed that a lot. Julia is amazingly talented and I am soooo proud of her. I was feeling congested and my eyes were watering, but we weren't outside too long.

During the weekend, I had put a facebook status up about being sick. I literally said, "Coughing, sneezing, congestion, watery/ itchy eyes, pain in the ears... Pretty sure I have hay fever. Misery ensues. How can I cope while preggers?"

I got a lot of responses from people with suggestions, and lots of them said what medications they took during pregnancy. But then my Bradley teacher commented and said, "Just remember... no medication is proven to be 100% safe for your baby." I felt so torn. I wanted to take something to feel better, but I didn't want to birth a baby with three heads! I felt guilty for wanting to take medicine, so I didn't. The next day, I was in bed all day with a horrendous fever. I was out of work and trying to rest, but I couldn't sleep because I wasn't getting oxygen. Literally. I couldn't get air. So I finally called the doctor. They said to take Benadryl for Allergies. I did, and within a few hours I felt 80% better. I also took some nasal spray, which helped open my nasal passages so I could breathe better. I noticed my eyes weren't watering anymore. I still had a lot of phlegm stuck in my throat and chest, though, which I now feel would not have happened had I taken some medication to begin with.

My conclusion to all of this is... if you're sick and pregnant, you might actually NEED to take medication to alleviate some of the stress your body is going through. I would rather take a little Benadryl than be sick with a fever and chills. That can't be good for the baby, either.

It's a week after I got sick and my body is still fighting the symptoms, but I feel like I can function better, at least. Yesterday I was at work and had a horrendous headache and felt nauseous... I threw up EVERYTHING that I ate. I felt somewhat better after throwing up, but man... this pregnancy thing is tough! I feel like my body has gone through so much. But I am strong, and I will get through this. Some women have it a LOT worse.

Kicking Babydolly!

I've been feeling the baby kicking for a while now. It started around week 17, I think… I felt small movements like muscle spasms- a quick flutter- and then nothing. Now, at almost 23 weeks, I feel her move all the time. She was kicking me in the bladder all day. I love feeling her kick and knowing she is doing well in there! I've been hoping that Phil would feel it soon, too…but every time I put his hand on my belly, she would either kick and he wouldn't feel it, or she would stop kicking. But yesterday she was kicking a LOT and hard! So I called Phil to come into our room and that she was kicking… He literally RAN into the room and DOVE on the bed and put his hand on my belly and right then she delivered a perfect little kick right into his palm. His eyes lit up and he said "I felt that!" It was such a precious moment that we shared… Such a simple but beautiful thing to experience together. He immediately updated his facebook status (of course!) with "HOLY FIRE, I JUST FELT MY BABY KICK FOR THE FIRST TIME!" Hehe. I love my man and his enthusiasm for our daughter. :)

Pregnancy Belly

As time goes on, I keep wondering how big my belly will get each month. Found this helpful chart:



Here is what I look like right now, at about 21 weeks (a little over 5 months):

Exhaustion

Exhaustion. That is what I have been dealing with every day. I am so tired I could most likely fall asleep wherever I am. I go to bed at 9:00 or 9:30 pm now, as opposed to 11 or 12. I struggle to get out of bed in the morning as well.

I cannot wait for rest. At the end of the month I will be going to NY for my baby shower there and I will spend a week at home. I will hopefully get some rest while I am there. Then we will hopefully take our vacation in the beginning of May, and get ample rest on the beach just the two of us.

I don't know exactly when I will stop working. I don't think I wanna work until the day I go into labor. I think I want to set a date like July 1 to start working from home. June will be a little more difficult of a month because it will be so hot and I will be so far along. I just cannot wait to rest!

I know everyone keeps saying to rest now because when the baby comes it will be hard to sleep and get rest at night because of the feedings. I think as long as I don't have to get up for work I will be okay... Or maybe not.

I just want to rest and relax!!! Ahhhhh!!! I am so tired of working 50 hours a week and being preggers.

Today someone told me that a pregnant woman's body works harder than a mountain climber's.... I believe it!!

Family Trip vs. Baby Moon…

I've been doing a lot of thinking recently about taking a nice little babymoon. Lots of people are taking them now, it's a nice chance to get away before becoming a parent and starting a new life filled with midnight feedings and diaper changings, no sleep, etc.

Even Wikipedia has an article on babymoons, calling it "a final romantic fling before venturing into parenthood": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babymoon

Originally, we had planned on going to the beach with Phil's family. Before we found out we were expecting, the trip was planned for July. Since I am due in mid July, I wouldn't be able to go. Then the trip was rescheduled for mid-June. After giving it some thought (and lots of people giving me advice about it), I have been thinking that going to the beach with my husband's family at 9 months pregnant may not be the best idea. Here are the reasons why:

1. If I go into early labor (which is common for my family), I will have astronomical bills due to having to go see an out of network provider for the birth.

2. I will be 36 weeks at the time, which is exactly the cut off of when my doctor said I am not allowed to travel anymore. It would be a huge risk.

3. I will be a huge, sweaty, waddling, 9 month preggo beached whale… NOT the best time to be in a bathing suit.

4. I will most likely be exhausted and uncomfortable, wanting to sleep a lot of the time rather than play in the waves.

5. I am dying to take a vacation with just my husband… A romantic getaway for just the two of us to bond as a couple even more before the baby comes.

So we are still making the decision, but the more I think about a babymoon rather than a family vacation, the more excited I get. I have looked into going to Tybee Island, GA as well as Siesta Key, FL. I'd prefer Siesta Key, but we shall see. I'd like to go in early May because I wouldn't be too large yet, and it will most likely be warm enough to actually go in the water and swim. I'd also love to find a hotel with a pool. They say swimming feels great when you're pregnant, and although I love riding the waves of the ocean, a pool would be more subtle and calm.

Here is a map of where Siesta Key is… It is only 8 hours driving distance, and I found great hotel prices online!!!