Baby Darcy is coming!

May 30, 2008: It's a girl!!!

June 27: I'm growing quite quickly now. The last week - 10 days I have been feeling very blue. I think this is normal due to hormones and facing the huge change coming to my life. However, I am also on thyroid pills (synthroid) for the duration of the pregnancy and if the dosage is wrong depression can be a symptom. I'm going for a blood test next week and a consult with the specialist the following week.

I'm also extremely TIRED for about 3 weeks. I blamed it on too much overtime about a month ago, but I've cut back on the OT and still having a very hard time getting out of bed and feeling drowzy in the p.m. This, too, is probably normal, but can also be a symptom of the thyroid issue.

Aug 27: I am now 33 1/2 weeks pregnant...about 6 weeks to go before we meet our little Darcy. I was recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes, a fairly common complication of pregnancy. Yesterday was a big day at the Royal Victoria hospital being tested, scanned and questioned and also being taught how to manage the diabetes. Darcy passed her non-stress test yesterday with flying colors! She had 3 accelerations of movements/heart rate in a 1 hour period, as expected. As per the ultrasound, she scored an 8/8 for fetal well being (good girl!) and she is estimated to weigh 4 lbs 11 oz - right on target.

So far my own health is otherwise good. My blood pressure remains normal. I have gained very little weight (~5 lbs), despite retaining water in my feet and hands. My right hand is numb virtually 24 hours/day...this is apparently normal. The tax on my body has started to take an effect in the last 2-3 weeks and I am feeling very tired and starting to feel pains in my back, legs, ribs, etc.

I am now peeing on a stick and pricking my finger 4 times/day each and recording all the results. I also have to monitor the fetal movements twice a day for the rest of the pregnancy. However, I still feel good and I am still working for another 2 weeks.

Sept 8: photo shoot by Erin Emily Robinson. Here is a small sampling of the beautiful photos she took.

 
Sept 14: Hi everyone, Please excuse me if I repeat myself from my last email, I truly have baby brain right now! My gestational diabetes is under control with diet and exercise, so I do not need any insulin.  As at the last ultrasound last Tuesday Darcy's estimated weight is 6lbs, 1 oz, which is apparently average. There is still 4 weeks to go...so she'll likely be around 8 lbs!!! A little scary if you ask me.
(She weighed in at 6.5 pounds!)

Due to water retention, my right hand is numb virtually all the time now.
(Update: I have carpel tunnel syndrome - will most likely be operated summer 2015)
I have lost some weight in the last 2-3 weeks, so I'm likely getting rid of some of that water, which is good. However, the diabetes team doesn't like it. I can't believe I'm being chastised for loosing weight!

I had a bad spell for about 36 hours the last week of August (just before the baby shower) and I was bed ridden the whole time. I had a slight fever and extreme sciatic pain in the right leg. The pain only went away with pressure in just the right place. Kevin did his best to do this for me so I could sleep a bit when I got some relief, but then he didn't get sleep either! Luckily it has not come back so far.

On August 30 I was given a lovely surprise baby shower at Sunset Lake. I (well Darcy) was totally spoiled!!! Yesterday we got news that our mortgage was approved to buy Walker's cottage on Lake Barron, right next door to my mom's house. My (my dad's) cottage is now up for sale. Life is wonderful right now and we are very excited to meet our little Darcy!

Sept 17: For the most part the pregnancy has been good We are right in the midst of our preparations. Cameron is getting a new room and Darcy will get his first room. We are stripping the floor in the new room - about half way there. The door is ready for sanding. There is painting and varnishing to do...oh and of course some furniture for Cam.

Sept 27: Angie & Cameron

Oct 5: Hi everyone, Today marks 39 weeks of pregnancy. A few developments since my last update: Sugars and blood pressure remain good. I have lost a bit of weight, I weigh about the same as pre-pregnancy. I have developed a rash on my chest which caused some concern at RVH. My liver enzymes came back normal, so not a concern, but it is VERY itchy and annoying.

After going to the diabetes clinic and my doctor, we have come up with a plan. Since I have gestational diabetes I will not be allowed to be 'late', however since we have had 2 due dates (Oct 19 and Oct 12), I could be 1 week less. If nature does not take it's course before then, I will be induced on Oct 15 by my own doctor :-). I don't think we'll need the induction!!! Thursday night, the very day we made the plan, the baby must have dropped and I had strong (painful!) contractions every 15-30 minutes for about 3 hours. I have had only mild sporadic contractions since, but my belly seems lower.

Cam's room is ready thanks to Kevin and his hardworking parents.

Kevin and his dad sanded the floor, which had about 12 coats of paint on it. Then Kevin stained it a walnut brown.

Kevin's parents washed, plastered, sanded and painted the walls, closet and window. Cam spent his first night in his new room on October 7th...boy that was close, the next night we were at the hospital!!

We are all getting very excited and nervous as the big day fast approaches. The bags are packed and the car seat is ready, even though the nursery isn't.

Oct 7: One way or the other this was my last trip to the diabetes clinic at RVH. Kevin went with me today, as I was not confident enough to drive alone, plus we had to go to the notary this afternoon to officially become owners of our new cottage! It was a bit stressful though...they decided to do an ultrasound, just because it had been a month since my last one, and for whatever reason Darcy wasn't moving...I guess she was sleeping, as she had been quite active in the morning. So they poked and pushed and made me cough until she finally moved her hands. By then it was almost 1:00 and we had to be at the notary at 2:30...an easy hour away!!!! We made it just on time.

Oct 4: Angie, Marjorie and Lynne (previous owner).