Tag Archives: pregnant

Swept Off My Feet, Just Like That

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I woke up excited Wednesday morning because I had a pregnancy massage planned.  11:00am to be exact. Happy, happy, joy, joy!  I was 27 weeks pregnant and my body really needed it. I called my doctor’s office to see when I could come and have my cervix measured.  They didn’t know a time at first, but soon called back and said to come in at 11:00.  Yuck!  I picked up the phone and canceled the massage.  I walked in the office as normal and went into the ultrasound room. They did a transvaginal ultrasound.  As soon as they started, the lady said, “We need to get a doctor.”  Of course I became worried.  My doctor was not in the office but Dr. Link entered.  They were unable to recreate what they saw but they did save a photo of it. I was told to get dressed and the doctor would talk with me in his office.  Not good.  He said my cervix was funneling and that I needed to go home and rest. He said he’d follow up with my regular doctor and to come back in a week for another measurement.

I got dressed and went to my fitness studio to drop something off. As I was headed back down to the car, my phone rang and it was my doctor, Dr. Kuntz.  She asked if I could stop by the office.  Sure, I replied.  I’m thinking I’ll go in and come right back out and continue my errands. I walk back into Baptist East Hospital and got back on the contractions monitor.  They were still better than the day before.  I was given another transvaginal ultrasound. Although they saw some funneling, my cervix measured fine.  I was getting ready to be let go and then my doctor asked if she could go on and do a regular ultrasound so we could check the baby.

This excites me because I get to see Baby Turner again.  This time the mood changed.  They saw what they call “dynamic cervix funneling” and it was something they could only see on the abdominal ultrasound.  I knew something wasn’t right but didn’t exactly know what was going on. Long story short: my doctor called the Advanced Fetal Medical doctor, he said I need to go to the hospital with a Level III NICU, I was moved via ambulance (during a hail storm) to University Hospital and immediately placed into a room.

I tried to be cool, calm and collective until that moment.  I hated having to call Milton to tell him the news and just wanted Baby Turner to be okay. Of course he was very nervous and left work to meet me at the hospital. An IV was placed into my arm and monitors were placed on me to monitor my contractions and Baby Turner’s heart rate.  My newly appointed doctor, Dr. Weeks came in and did another abdominal ultrasound. Milton was there by this time and we were both able to see the funneling. Here’s the best way to describe it. My cervix measures fine in it’s normal state.  However, whenever I have a contraction this big funnel appears (which is my water sack) and it gets very, very, very close to my cervix – which means there’s a great chance my water could break.  This made Dr. Weeks very nervous, especially being only at 27 weeks.  So, I was told that I would be on bedrest – in the hospital – until I’m at least 32 weeks along.

This broke my heart.  I had so many plans for the month of April and now each and every one of them needed to be canceled. I thought about my Zumba studio and the fact that I wouldn’t be able to see that beautiful group of ladies for awhile.  It was overwhelming because I had no time to prepare my life for the drastic change.  Fear, stress, worry (and hunger)  all took over my emotions.  I tried to remain calm, though, because I knew it was all being done for a cute baby boy that needs to “cook” just a little longer before he can join us!

What a Meal!

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Milton and I love to have date nights!  We also love to eat so when we can combine date night with food it’s a win-win situation.  On Saturday, March 24 we went to eat at Smokey Bones.  We had received a $10 gift certificate and decided to go check it out.  The food was actually very good and we both enjoyed the smokey chicken wings.  I saw some of my friends, Tanya and Kellie, there and we had a nice chat.

As we got up to leave the restaurant, I had some lower abdominal cramping.  It was uncomfortable to walk.  Once we got home, I went upstairs to lay down but there was too much pressure to sit up straight.  I don’t remember the rest of the night,  I just know I leaned back and was knocked out.  Milton says I was in a lot of pain.

The next morning I was fine.  I called my friend that is an OB-GYN and told her what happened.  She suggested to follow up with my doctor if I continue to feel pressure.  The rest of the day Sunday was fine.  I went and met with the Derby City Naturals, taught a couple of Zumba songs, went to a Challenge Party and relaxed more with Milton.  Monday was fine too.  The day went as planned including teaching Zumba later that night.

Tuesday ran it’s course… until I started doing Zumba.  During the class, I kept feeling pressure again in my lower abdomen.  It wasn’t to the same extent as Saturday, but I definitely felt pressure.  I assumed it was baby growing and moving while I was dancing.  I also, though, had diarrhea which was uncommon. I came home around 8:00pm, Milton had cooked dinner, we ate, we watched my show “Dance Moms” and I still felt some discomfort.  We decided to call the on-call doctor just to be safe.

I told her my symptoms and she suggested I go on and come into Baptist East Labor and Delivery just to be safe.  This was close to 10:30pm.  Once I came in, they attached me to a contractions monitor.  It showed that I was having contractions every 2-3 minutes. YIKES!!  The odd thing, though, was that I couldn’t feel myself having them.  I was given a shot of terbutaline to stop the contractions.  I hated this medicine because it made me feel real jittery.  After about an hour, they checked the monitors and the contractions had lessened. A nurse checked my cervix and didn’t think I had dialated.  I was sent home around 12:30am and told to call my regular doctor in the morning for a follow up appointment and relax from Zumba until they could check me out.

I would have never guessed what all would have happened next!

Naturally Threatening

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NaturalBeauty
Naturally Threatening

I must come across as someone to be feared.  Or maybe my massive size intimidates people.  Maybe, just maybe, my smile exudes something that makes people want to walk on the other side of the street. I’m not sure what exactly it is, but I was recently viewed as a national threat.

And of all the places it happened – I was in Las Vegas. Yes, the home of crazy people who go to blend in with other crazy people.  Yes, the birthplace of drive-through marriages and unlimited booze and gambling.  Of all the people that look suspicious, little ole me (sober and pregnant) gets picked out.

Now, I didn’t get noticed until we were leaving Vegas. As a matter of fact, we were at the airport getting ready to fly home.  Although every line was packed, Milton and I were in the line that had the state of the art security machine.  Not the one that looks like a bridge and you just walk under it. No, this was the one that is a circular device where you put your feet on the mat, hold you hands high and then the machine moves around your body taking an image to make sure you aren’t concealing anything.

Minus the fact that they probably now knew the sex of our unborn child, I passed with flying colors and was shuffled on through.  Or so I thought!  As soon as I stepped out, the TSA agent standing there said, “M’am I love your natural hair, but I’m going to have to pat it down.”  Now, of course I’m sitting here wondering what in the world could I be hiding in my hair that wasn’t visible on the security image.  My natural hair is not that long and I doubt I could smuggle any drugs in it. So I asked the lady (who was of a non-white decent) why she had to do it.  In a very apologetic voice she said, “I’m so sorry, my sister has hair just like yours and I love her hairstyle.  But I’m required to do this for my job.”

I knew the charge came down from powers much higher than her so I let it go.  All she did was place her gloved hand on top of my hand and press down once.  And I was on my way.  As we arrived at our gate, I reflected on the situation. Was I offended by what happened?  Yes, to an extent. Do I think it’s discriminatory. Yes, to an extent.  Do I blame the woman that did it?  No.  I just find it interesting that the bump on my stomach is way larger than the puff on my head, but not one person stopped to pat down my stomach.  It’s sad that we still live in a culture where certain ethnicities have certain stereotypes attached.  I understand protecting our country….. but when is the last time an African-American woman was on the news for terroristic threats?!

What Happens in Vegas (22 weeks)

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 MYT is Me!  
VegasSign
  What Happens in Vegas….

Milton are are taking full advantage of ‘babymoons’ over the next couple of months before our freedom to get up and go disappears.  This past weekend we headed to Las Vegas (or as the they call it Lost Wages).

Usually it doesn’t take me long to pack, but packing was no longer fun or exciting.  Everything I wanted to take on the trip didn’t fit.  How do I know it didn’t fit? I tried on each article of clothing.  One after another I’d put it on, look in the mirror and hang it back up.  An hour later I finally found a couple of items that would do and boy was I tired from the process.

The trip started bright and early the next morning with a four hour flight.  I assumed flying would go well as usual.  The takeoff was fine,  but once we were in the air and hit some turbulence, the drama started.  I started to feel light headed.  Then I started to feel nauseated.  Then I really felt nauseated.  I reached and looked for the puke bag. There it was.  I held it close.  I started to sweat.  I opened the bag.  I closed my eyes. I brought the bag closer to my mouth and just knew a spew was on it’s way out.  Milton was worried hoping I would be okay. Right when I felt it at the top of my chest, it changed it’s mind and the most refreshing belch came out.  It was the sound and feeling of freedom.  Free at last!

Vegas was still Vegas.  Bright lights, people everywhere.  Casinos and hotels everywhere.  It was Milton’s first time there so we rented a car and went in and out of as many hotels as possible.  Either I’m old, pregnant or both because my feet became SO tired that by the end of the day my toes were no longer speaking to me, especially on the days we got dressed up to eat at nice restaurants.

But it was all worth it for the great food and shows we attended. Of all that we did, though, our highlight of the trip happened in the car.  We were headed to a show at the Bellagio, I was sitting in the passenger’s seat and felt a baby kick in my stomach.  The top right hand side.  I asked Milton for his hand and put it on the spot.  Kick.  It happened again and this time MIlton felt it.  We were both smiling real big while still looking at my stomach and then kick – you could see the kick through my dress. It’s a moment we’ll never forget!

Our trip to Vegas was a success.  We spent $3 at the casino and unfortunately lost it all. However, we came back from Vegas in style – both married and pregnant!

MYT Pregnancy: My Preggo Vegas Experience (22 weeks)
MYT Pregnancy: My Preggo Vegas Experience (22 weeks)

Monkey Business

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If you know anything about me, you know that I am a MONKEY FANATIC!  When I say monkey fanatic, I mean monkey fanatic galore.  I’ve loved monkeys ever since my youth.  I taped photos of chimps from National Geographic all on my walls.  I used to want to travel with Jane Goodall.  For many years while I was single I even made a monkey Christmas tree where every single ornament on the tree was a stuffed monkey! I just love them!

To my surprise, I had a box delivered to my house from my childhood friend Lisa.  It was exciting because 1) I wasn’t expecting to receive it and 2) what was in the box completely made my day.  Inside the box was a plethora of monkey items for Baby Turner.  When I saw it, I became overjoyed.  If you know me, you know that I am usually a very laid back person that doesn’t get excited about much.  All of that changed when I opened Lisa’s box.  I went monkey crazy!  Luckily, Milton has given me full permission to have a monkey themed baby room – HOORAY!  I’m not a materialistic person and could care less about name brand items, but I am big is creativity and meaningful things.  Opening Lisa’s box was such a joy because I saw that she sent a gift from her heart and that she’s excited that I’ll be a mother!

21 weeks down, 19 to go!

Pain, Pain Go Away!

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Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!  I have developed this pain on my back that is sharp, deep and won’t go away. It’s about an inch under my left shoulder blade and it feels like someone has two fingers that they are pressed deep into my back.  I first felt the pain whenever I lay on my left side in bed, but not it also hurts if I lay on my right side.  And, since I’m pregnant I’m not supposed to lay on my back.  So, in essence, I’m screwed!

The pain gets so bad sometimes at night that Milton has had to just hold me and try to rub out or put pressure on the spot.  I’ve tried to goggle the problem, but the pain is both on the wrong side of my body (left) and up to high to be pregnancy related.  I have a doctor’s appointment so we’ll see what happens.  I can’t go through another 20 weeks like this!

I am also starting to realize that there are certain body parts that I am no longer able to see.  This week’s ever so disappearing body part is my vagaina (also known as va-jay-jay).  I know she’s down there, I just can’t see her.  So much for trying to keep it neat and tidy on a regular basis.  Thankfully, God invented mirrors so I’ve been able to at least see it that way!

20 weeks down/20 weeks to go!