Sooner each time

When I was pregnant with Nadia, I didn't have contractions that concerned me until I was 34 weeks, and I had her at 36 weeks. With Ian I had them sporadically starting at 23 weeks, and they were happening quite regularly by 32 weeks, and I had him at 34 weeks. I admit I'm concerned that they started at 18 weeks this time around. They might have started sooner than 34 weeks with Nadia, but since I wasn't nervous about having a preemie that first time around, I didn't take them seriously until 34 weeks. They're definitely starting even earlier this time. The good news is that I'm going to start having weekly P17 shots on Wednesday, which are supposed to calm the uterus. Also, I'm going to be far more cautious this time and try to avoid doing things that seem to trigger the cramps and contractions. I had hoped to be able to keep getting some exercise for at least 10 more weeks, in part because of my desire to keep my weight in check, but unless things go differently the next time I walk the kids to the park, my exercise will be coming to an end at 19 weeks. I'm going to try it one more time, and I'm going to drink lots of water that morning as I know dehydration can also cause contractions. I want to make sure that wasn't the problem before I declare exercise as taboo for the rest of the pregnancy.

Ironically, getting more exercise this  past week and not eating any desserts at home didn't help me with my weight. I was not a happy camper when I weighed myself this morning and discovered I gained another 2 lbs in the past 7 days. I didn't gain any weight during the first almost 13 weeks, but now in the past 6 weeks I've gained 10 pounds (8 of those in the past 4 weeks). I definitely was eating more at the RMH and getting less exercise. As I reflected though I did probably eat too much for dinner on our date on Saturday night, and I did get ice cream treats when we were out and about two other days. The only thing I think I ate more of than usual at home were some chips. Gaining 10 pounds total by 19 weeks isn't so bad. What concerns me is that I don't want to continue gaining 2 pounds a week. I really, really want to average 1 pound a week from here on out. Hopefully I'll have more success this week with gaining at most one pound. Of course preventing preterm labor is FAR more important than how much weight I gain. I'd much rather gain some extra weight than have my third NICU experience.

On Saturday we got a bill in the mail for $1,077 from the bloodwork I had done on March 12. The EOB showed the total was a little over $1,500, and the insurance paid $400. They said the rest were for things not included in our maternity benefits. I called the insurance today as one of the things they wouldn't pay for was the glucose test because they only pay for it in the 2nd or 3rd trimester (and I had it done in the 1st trimester). The woman I spoke with said the doctor can send an appeal explaining why it was medically necessary (since I had GD in my last pregnancy). I have an appointment on Wednesday. I hope the office is cooperative with helping us appeal this bill. I'm not sure if she'll be able to justify all the tests (ex. they won't pay for the CBC either), but any that they can appeal would be appreciated. I had assumed that we'd owe some toward the RE appointments earlier in the pregnancy because those were at a hospital that doesn't work with our current insurance, but I had thought everything would be covered at the clinic I'm going to now since it's "in the network". They did completely pay for my first OB appt, my bloodwork on March 20, and Paul's bloodwork in April. We shall see what they pay toward the MFM appointment I had last week. Hopefully they'll pay for that as well. I can't wait for July 1 (when we're back on Blue Shield). It's nerve wracking to receive unexpected bills in the mail that exceed $1,000. I keep reminding myself that the baby is worth it, and as long as the bills stay under $3K, we still made the right choice. Last summer we received a $4K bill and after an appeal they paid the whole thing. I'd love for that to happen again, but I'm less hopeful since they are restrictive with the maternity benefits. I also have to say I can't believe bloodwork could cost $1,500! Paul's bloodwork last month cost the insurance $44 total. That sounds more like what it should cost to have bloodwork done.