The day my world changed

Ok slightly dramatic I know, but did I get your attention.

This week my world changed, all of a sudden I realised something exciting but scary all at once, my little girl, is no longer little.

It happened suddenly without warning. The day had started like any other school day the mad rush trying to get my two big kids to school, when my oldest nervously came up to me.

Excuse me mum, she sheepishly looked at me. Can you please just cut my sandwiches normally, as I am getting to old for shapes.

With that my world was crushed. 

You see since my kids were in prep I have been cutting there sandwiches in different shapes, we have had butterfly's, mickeys, dinosaurs, letters, trains and my  favourite  elephants. 

I tried hearts but that didn't go well as my son was in prep and refused to eat his own heart. 

So all of a sudden a tradition started so innocently so many years ago now needs to be adapted, Letter Cookie anyone? 

Gestational Diabetes 9 months on.

I can still remember vividly the phone call that late July night.
My OB rang said Don't worry but your results have come back you have GD. Call this number in the morning to set up an appointment. 

As anyone who has had that diagnoses will tell you 'Don't worry' and 'GD' in pregnancy do not go hand in hand.

This was my fourth bub but my first with GD. For the first time in 4 challenging pregnancies I felt broken.

I had been induced for my previous 3 children and suffered with various things through the pregnancies with HG, (severe morning sickness), high Blood pressure, PE, (Pre-eclampsia) burst blood vessels in my stomach, heartburn and reflux, and a nasty case of shingles, but not until that moment did I fell broken.I wondered about my poor baby growing inside and how my bodies inability to function would effect it, would it need SCN, would it thrive, would I be forced to have a Caesar, how would I be able to regulate my sugars whilst still suffering severe morning sickness. 

The interesting thing is I already had a feeling something wasn't right, call it mums intuition, when I had the GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) I almost passed out I spent the 2 hrs laying down on the bed as every time I sat up, my world started spinning. Something I had never experienced in my previous 3 pregnancies. I had said to both my twin sister and my husband that I had a feeling I would 'fail the test'. 

I knew that I wouldn't be able to sleep well that night, but then what pregnant person can :-) I jumped online and googled, I reached out to my DIG (Due in Group) online mums group and asked advice. I talked to my Dad (he has type 2 diabetes), I talked to my mum (a nurse) and I waited. In Hindsight I probably would have been better to wait til seeing the diabetes specialist but the reaching out made me feel better. Made me feel like I was not alone that I could survive this.

The next day came and I met my diabetes educator and we went through tips on what food to eat, exercises, how to test, when to test. We followed that up with an appointment with a midwife at our OBs office, and all of a sudden I knew I could survive this. I knew that it wasn't my fault, it was just something else's to get through.

There are plenty of blogs out there that give you recipe ideas, so I won't go into them to much but as a rough guide I ate a small serve of muesli with yoghurt for breakfast. I would test my levels 2 hrs later and have a small serve of tinned fruit (no juice) and yoghurt.
Lunch was normally grilled chicken and salad. Or I would have soup with 1 1/2 rolls. 1 my levels to low, 2 they would be to high. Afternoon tea would normally be fruit and yoghurt again. Dinner meat and veggies. Supper was normally a hot chocolate.
I found that if I didn't have supper I would wake up with extremely low blood sugar.

I was extremely lucky and was able to keep my blood sugar relatively stable with diet alone, I had a couple of high readings each week but everyone was happy, that's why I was surprised when my beautiful baby was born with a low blood sugar level (more about that later).

GD is interesting as what works for you, may not work for others.

Stay tuned for more posts about GD

What to expect after your baby is born, if you have GD

I will start this by saying ever OB and hospital is different, so you may have a slightly different experience to me, but this was my experience.

As I have previously said, I was diagnosed with GD in my fourth pregnancy, after the initial shock wore off, I composed myself and spent the next eight weeks, watching my levels very carefully. I managed to keep my sugars under control through diet, and was optimistic that my child would be born with normal sugar levels.

I was induced (High BP related) at 38.5 weeks pregnant and after a quick labour my beautiful boy was born, he was tested shortly after birth and his blood sugar were very low, they let me feed him and said if his second test 1 hr later was low then he would need top ups of my colostrum (I had bought in), and if I didn't have enough, formula.

I sat there cuddling my baby boy and waited to her the news, and much to my dismay it came back still very low.

When I was pregnant and starting to express my midwife told me that most people bring in 5-10 mls of colostrum in with them when they have there bub, so I went in extremely happy with my 15mls, imagine my surprise when my bub was prescribed 15ml of top ups ever 3 hrs for 24 hrs. I tried to express but could only get 2-3mls, so he had to go on formula top ups, combined with my measly 2-3 mls each time.

At the time I was heartbroken, I wish that someone had said to me, he may need more, that 15 mls is really the minimum he would need if his levels were low. As then I would have put more of an effort into expressing. I would of got up that little bit earlier each day. I would have gone to bed that little bit later.

I remember vividly, his first feed after the top ups, and the next and the next. Why because he refused to feed. He would not latch on at all. I was scared that after three bubs finding breastfeeding easy, these top ups, the fact he was syringe fed would effect my Breast feeding journey.  I continued to try and feed, I continued to hook myself up to the pump to try and get some colostrum, when that failed I sat there hand expressing, just hoping to get as much as I could to stop him needing formula. I sat there worrying once again if my bodies inability to 'do what it was supposed to do' would have a lasting impact on my new baby boy.

Looking back I realise how silly I was, really he was just so full after all that milk that there was no room to feed. It wasn't that he didn't want it, it was that he couldn't fit it in. I now realise that the formula, the top ups were for his own good and after the first 24 hours he took to feeding no problem, he was still being fed, he was still getting a little bit of colostrum along with the formula. But at the time it was so hard, such a different experience

That coupled with the blood sugar level tests, every 2-3 hours they would come in they would give you the look, the sorry i am about to make your peaceful baby cry look. It was heartbreaking to see. 

I was lucky a good friend of mine gave me some advice before my boy was born, she said invest in some jumpsuits with no feet, and buy baby socks, that way you don't have to undress them everytime they need to test. It will make it so much easier on both of you.

She told me that even if he does need to be in the SCN don't worry it's such a short amount of time in the long run, and the Doctors, the midwives want bub in with you as quickly as possible.

Most importantly she told me it was not my fault, and my baby would be ok.

You Must be Busy

If my eight month old could talk, and people asked him my name I think he would reply, 'You must be busy' 

I don't know how many times a day people look at me walking with the four kids in tow and reply, 'you must be busy'

I answer with a polite smile, and internally I think, yes I am and I wouldn't have it any other way :-)

My last two beautiful munchkins are only 14 months apart and that definitely keeps me on my toes, combine that with 2 in school, and the last eight months have been a combination of sleep deprivation, school runs, 3 am feeds, and a never ending washing pile.

And because of how generous school children are with their coughs and colds our little two have it seems been sick every other week, and yes that will help with their immune system, but it doesn't help with the sleep deprivation and 2am ED visits.

But over the last eight months I have developed a few strategies to stay sane.  (Well I think it's working , some of my childless friends might disagree)

1. Have a Shower, - the world always feels brighter when you don't smell like yesterday's baby vomit.

I understand that is sometimes easier said than done. I get that... Sometimes the very thought of taking off your warm, baby smelling pjs is enough to send you back to the couch, but I put both the kids in high chairs and although sometimes the shower last 1 minute, It is always worth it. So what if while you are in there your 22 month old has found the chocolate. (Just makes it easier to justifying opening it at 9:30am anyway)

2. Buy some steam fresh microwave vegetables for your freezer.

Some nights are tricky, my beautiful youngest might decide to feed just as I am about to start cooking dinner and people may say pre-cook earlier in the day but sometimes that just isn't possible. 

But throw a couple of chicken and veggie pies in the oven, microwave some veggies and you have a nice tasting warm meal.  

Throw some rice in a slow cooker, add the veggies and some soya sauce you have a basic fried rice. 

O'k it will never win master chef but at least your family will be eating food with some nutritional content.

3- Get out of the house

I know everyone says it and sometimes it's hard to do, the dishes aren't done, the house is a mess, but sometimes you just need to throw the kids in the car and get out of the house. You don't even need to get out of the car. If my kids aren't wanting to sleep and are getting stir crazy I pop them in the car drive down to our local maccas and buy a $1 fries, I am sure the kid behind the counter thinks, really is that all. But it gets me out of the house without breaking the bank.

I then drive to our local lake, park the car and sit and check up on my email, facebook etc

4. Learn to embrace your new life.

Until you have a child you do not realise how much your life will change. People say it all the time, and you smile and then all of a sudden it happens, all of a sudden your life is different.

All of a sudden it takes you longer to get into the car, just to go to the shops. Your once clear lounge room has more jumpers, mats, rockers than available floor space .

All of a sudden a sleep in is 7am, a date night is hiring a movie at home, and your conversations revolves around random smells, noises and what developmental milestone your bub is up to.

Dinner gets earlier, your clothes get more practical, and your time (and body) is not your own.

Relax, embrace it. 

This new life will continue to change as your children and your family does.

5. Find out you are not alone.

One of the best things happened to me after I got pregnant with my third child. My oldest was at school and my second heading into 4 yr old kinder, we were living away from family and I had yet to make any real friends in a new town.

On one visit down to my sister (who was also pregnant) she told me about the support she had received from her online mums group and in a moment of weakness I thought why not I will join one.

I figured if I didn't like it, I could always just walk away, I figured that I was safe behind the anonymity of a computer screen, I figured I could post as little or as  much as I wanted. I set my privacy settings high and waded in slowly.

What I didn't figure on was the amazing group of ladies that I would meet online. Ladies that showed me that I was not alone, ladies that answered my questions no matter how silly and trivial they seemed. 

I have been very blessed with four beautiful healthy children however my pregnancies are never easy. I have been induced for all 4, and suffered with various things through the pregnancies with HG, (severe morning sickness) GD, (Gestational Diabetes) high Blood pressure, PE, (Pre eclampsia) burst blood vessels in my stomach and even Shingles. 

Sometimes it's hard when you are pregnant as you want to complain, you want to cry out that it's hard but you don't want to seem like you aren't grateful for this amazing baby growing inside. You understand there are people around you maybe even friends and family that would give everything to experience pregnancy, you understand that but it doesn't make a difficult pregnancy any easier, it doesn't make your fears any less real.  

The amazing thing with my online mums group is that they have helped me through the pregnancies with no judgement, no pity, just sympathy and care. 

If online is not for you, contact your MCHN and join a mums group, join MOPS, (mother of pre schoolers) join a mum and bubs swimming class, the library. Anywhere you can see you are not alone.

6. Embrace your identity.

From the minute your new bub is born, something changes. All of a sudden you become your little beans mum or dad. 

Nothing proves this as much as peppa pig. Does anyone know what Mummy Pig and Daddy's pig name is. 

Think back to your childhood how many of your friends parents names did you know, and how many do you still remember as Kelly's mum? 

This doesn't change who you are, it doesn't make you any less important. Instead you become the most important person to that child in your life.

This identity will live with you until if you are very lucky, your new one begins; Nana.

Travelling overseas with Children

What could be better than travelling overseas with children you ask. 

Try travelling with 4 children. 2 under 2 to a country that decides to go into political turmoil whilst you are there.

Last week my brother got married in a beautiful seaside town 2 1/2 hours from Bangkok called Hua Hin.

It was a beautiful wedding, and an even more beautiful location.

The wedding was a traditional Thai wedding with a little bit of an Aussie flavour. My brother wore a grey tux instead of a traditional barong tagalog. 

Problem was on the day we flew there the military decided to declare martial law. To make matters worse on the day of the wedding there was a military coup with curfews in place, and even worse when travelling with children all TV was shut down. 

It's interesting though as apart from the curfew and the TV it was business as usual in Hua Hin, the locals weren't worried, most of our family that were there for the wedding weren't worried, but something funny happens when you have kids, all of a sudden you worry more. 

If it all turned sour how would we protect our four children? If all turned sour and they shut down the airport like last time, how would we get our children home.

You want to know all the information without causing stress and worry on your children. You want to enjoy your holiday the experiences, but also don't want any extra risk to your children. 

You have the extra pressure of Grandparents at home, calling you daily, scared by the news reports. 

You need to balance reassuring them without getting caught up in the emotions of it all.

The other problem with travelling with children is they respond differently to jet lag than adults.

Thailand is only 3 hrs behind Australia but   3 hrs is a lot on the other side when your 8 month olds bedtime has changed from 10pm til 1am. When your 21 month old won't have a daytime nap but then can't make it through dinner without falling asleep.

It's even harder when you are trying to get your two school age kids back into the routine of things.

But the other funny thing about travelling with kids is they don't see things the same as you.

They see the experiences, they see the new food, they see the excitement, all the other stuff fades into insignificance. 

My children learnt so much about different cultures, they saw animals they had never seen before, had elephant rides, patted a lion cub, learned about different currencies, and got to see there Uncle marry their beautiful, and kind Aunt. These are experiences that I am so grateful for.

That is why their is nothing better than travelling overseas with 4 kids.

Why Peppa Pig has a lot to answer for :-)

As a busy mum of four I have been known to turn the tv on to ABC for my daughter to watch Peppa Pig, to allow me to cook / eat / think about food.

You might even find an episode (or 12) on my iphone and iPad. 

Peppa Pig at times has been my saviour as my 21 month old has an almost obsessive fascination with Peppa Pig.

She went through a stage where she wouldn't sit in the bath until a Peppa Pig non slip bath mat saved the day.

Want her to sit at a table so you can drink your hot chocolate - no drama pull out the Peppa Pig Mini Sketch Book Set and you can drink in peace.

She wouldn't eat lunch - problem solved with a Peppa Pig Table 3 piece set with matching peppa pig cutlery.

So don't get me wrong we love Peppa Pig in this house, but it comes with a price.

Any mum who has let their child watch the Peppa Pig episode Bubbles would agree.

Now we don't drink milkshakes - we watch with fascination as the milk overflows out the cup as we blow bubbles. 

Now a puddle is not something we tread carefully around, it's an opportunity to splash and cover ourselves and any unsuspecting sibling in cold muddy water.

 

 

But her ultimate favorite the raspberry, and whilst Peppa Pig blows a raspberry with her mouth into the air, we must one up Peppa Pig, no our Raspberries are wet, they are cheeky and they are on any exposed skin that she may find.

So my five minutes of peace comes with a price, one I am willing to pay

Check out more of my blogs at 

http://www.bubsandbeans.com.au/blog-home.aspx