Head Games

My pregnancy with Doodle was pretty idyllic.  I ate a ton, gained a bunch of weight, (somewhere between big and Jessica Simpson) and pretty much loved being pregnant.  Until the end, that is.  At about 33 weeks, I started having some headaches and swelling.  By 36 weeks I was admitted to the hospital and at 36 wks and 4 days, Doodle joined our family.  My blood pressure was out of control and I was on medicine for about 6 weeks after delivery.  
This go round, I have tried to be healthier.  Although they don't know for sure what causes pre-e, weight gain is a risk factor.  To that end, I have really paid attention to my diet, exercise and weight.  They (doctors) say that once you have pre-e you have somewhere between a 20-40% of a recurrence.  It is also thought that if you have a recurrence, it will follow much the same course it did the first time.  
So pretty much, since I hit the 20 week mark, I have been waiting for signs of pre-e.  The way I figure it, with all the drama surrounding this pregnancy and my life right now, I am sure to have it!  So, at the beginning of May when I had a headache for 36 hours straight, I just knew that was what was going on.  My Favoritest insisted I call the doctor and go in for a check up.  The doctors took it pretty seriously.  My blood pressure was a little elevated in the office, but I was also very nervous and very anxious.  There was no protein in my urine, but they wanted a base line, so I got sent home with a jug and a hat.  Yup, 24 hour collection!  Yippee!  And this is pretty much what the next 24 hours of my life looked like

May 8 (292/365)

May 9 (293/365)

Sorry to share the gory details, but this whole thing started off as a way to document a year of my life, so there you have it!  Anyway, long story short everything was fine.  Blood pressure was great, no protein in my urine and no reason for the headaches.  Got a prescription for Tylonol 3 and an appointment in a week.  
At the appointment the next week, I mentioned that I was still having headaches off and on, but that my blood pressure had been fine.  The doctor looked at me and basically said that on top of all the other stress of my life right now, the thought of having pre-e was probably adding to the stress and wasn't helping the headaches.  I think she is probably right.  It probably is part head game.  So, I have really tried to manage my stress lately, but it isn't working.  Maybe I need to focus on happy things, like bubbles on the post rain grass:)

May 7 (291/365)

P.S. I think it is a testament to how well I have managed my weight that at 30 weeks preggo I could almost lay down (and get up) to get ground level with the bubbles:)