'Twas My 9th Month of Pregnancy

Yep, it's here! As daylight savings time took place, I began my ninth month of pregnancy.

As this pregnancy comes to a close, I have really been reflecting lately on how amazing it is having this living, kicking little creature inside of me.

I also acknowledge (very willingly, don't get me wrong) that this will probably be the last time in my life I feel this sensation ever again -- the little fists hitting my public bone, the little feet dancing like waves inside my belly. I am 41, and this pregnancy wasn't even planned. There's always a chance I could have more children but I really don't wish to. This was a gift of a third child that I treasure but realistically don't want or need to happen yet again. But it's somehow bittersweet. I always wanted to repeat this experience of prenancy and early motherhood one last time, to savor its magic and its essence. My children are now 6 and 5, and it seems so long ago since they each came into our lives. I am thankful for the chance to repeat the miracle.

I also got inspired to write 'Twas My 9th Month of Pregnancy (loosely modeled on 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore.)

'Twas my 9th month of pregnancy, and all through the house
There was only one creature stirring, and it wasn't my spouse.

Baby items were strewn all around without a care,
In hopes that my older kids' new bedrooms would be painted and ready, no longer bare.

My family was nestled all snug in their beds
While I kept tossing and turning, trying to position my legs and my head.

And my husband in his underwear and me with my emotional crap
Had just settled down for an early spring nap

When deep in my belly there rose such a clatter
I sat up straight to see what was the matter..

Away to the bathroom I flew like a flash
To stay alert in the dark, to avoid any toilet splash

The itching of my belly, the cramps in my legs
Simply meant it was the 9th month of pregnancy, nothing more to dread

When what wandering thoughts in my head did appear
Enthusiasm, excitement, then sleepless nights and fear

Now, Benjamin! Now, Benjamin, Now Juliana my daughter
On, Victoria! On Victoria, will the doctor break my water?

To the top of the world! To be a mother of three!
I'll love my kids equally even if I have no time to pee

As dry leaves that before the hurricane fly,
I wonder when labor will start, & if it'll make me start to cry

But I go back to my maternity pillow, my long early spring nap
And realize thinking negatively is a pointless 'ol trap

I groan and I moan 'til I get the correct position in bed,
Laying down my sleepy little head.

There's only a few weeks of this tumolt, soon my legs will be spread
On a hospital table in front of a man or woman I didn't wed.

Pretty soon this will all be behind me and I'll remember these times well
And look for a way to live normally, despite the baby's frequent kvell.

Sugar, Sugar: Gestational Diabetes (continued)

It's been about 3 weeks since I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and it's been, to say the least, a little bittersweet.


I met with a nutritionist and endocrinologist twice already, and have been checking my blood 6 sugar times daily, keeping meticulous logs of blood sugar levels and writing down everything I eat. So far things are more or less under control through changes I've made in my diet. No need for insulin, thank goodness.

But even so, it's a lot like walking a tightrope, and since I changed my diet, my ideas about food have really been challenged.

The obvious change is adding more proteins and veggies to my diet, and to reduce carbs and eliminate simple sugars. That's definitely part of it. But it's not that simple, especially when pregnant.

Portion size is really important, which means I have to eat 5 or 6 times per day, or every 2-3 hours (including late at night) to keep blood sugar levels on an even keel. What's more, if I wait too long between meals, I end up eating too much at the next meal, feeling full and uncomfortable (especially now in my 8th month of pregnancy!) and levels end up getting elevated because I get the carb craving.

The timing of eating certain foods is also critical. The breakfast meal has to be protein based, with just a touch of carbs. The carbs, of course, have to be whole grains. No cereal is allowed in the morning (now that's the antithesis of the American Special K morning!)and very little, if any fruit. Half a grapefruit seems to work ok, but other fruits just have too high a sugar content. Sometimes I even have some veggies for breakfast as a side dish, like steamed spinach or kale.

My nutritionist told me that fruit is a necessary part of my diet, but that fruit should generally be eaten as part of my snack regiment, not part of meals.


Eating late at night also has thrown me off -- I once went on a diet which restricted food after 6 p.m. Not in this case! Strangely enough, it's important to have a late night snack of carbs shortly before sleeping to keep blood ketone levels low or negative.

Ketones are substances that are made when the body breaks down fat for energy. Normally, your body gets the energy it needs from carbohydrate in your diet. But stored fat is broken down and ketones are made if your diet does not contain enough carbohydrates to supply the body with sugar (glucose) for energy or if your body cannot use blood sugar (glucose) properly. Hence, the need for carbs at night. Usually you'll find me at night munching on a bowl of Trader Joe's Os with milk, and I'll wake up with negative or minimal ketone levels.

The other thing I've found is I need a glass of milk for added proteins during meals. I used to drink almond milk, which is also healthy, and has a lower sugar content than milk. However, it's protein level is significantly lower.

If anything, these dietary changes have challenged me to rethink the quality of my nutrition, and ideas I previously had about what is healthy eating. And that is always a good thing.