PUPPP Pictures

Here are some pics of the awful PUPPP (Pruritic Uticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy) rash that I have. I like how this one lady puts it on this webpage she had regarding her PUPPP rash: "uncomfortable is the understatement of the year. THIS THING SUCKS. Bites. Blows." Exactly - you can't even describe it. Anyways - let's all pray that baby girl gets here soon so this rash can go away! Since that is the only thing that will cure it!

38 Weeks Appointment

Went for my appointment yesterday afternoon. They did say my rash looked bad -not that it's harmful to the baby or me, but that it really looked like it would be giving me a fit! Which, of course, it is! She talked with one of the physicians and they prescribed me 2 medicines that should take care of the itching until I am ready to have the baby. They said it should help within 24 hours and if it doesn't, to call them. So that was good news!! She said it can continue to spread - down your arms and legs -so I'm hoping it doesn't get to that. But she said NO scratching - that makes it worse. And not to rub lotion on it cause that will make it worse too. The two prescriptions are for Atarax and Pepcid AC. They apparently are both some form of antihistamine blocker. The Atarax should really help the itching but it can make you drowsy. They are also running one other blood test to make sure the rash isn't from something else. I can't remember what the other thing is called but I think she said it's kind of like having jaundice inside. But they are 99% sure it's the PUPPP. I weighed 138.6 - 24 pound weight gain. Guess we'll see whether I hit that 140 mark or not. Everything else is going great. I think next week at my appointment they might do a vaginal exam for dilation, effacement, etc.

On a follow up note as of this morning... I took the two medicines last night at about 4:30PM, Matt and I went to dinner, and then after I came back I took another baking soda bath. Well, after that I was feeling SOO drowsy. I laid down on the couch at about 6:30PM and was out until this morning. So there is no way that I would be able to take that during the day or I would not be able to function. It also didn't relieve the itching unfortunately. When I would rouse, I still felt it. So I have put in a call to the office this morning to let them know and see if there's any other recommendations for me.

Only 11 days now until my due date though. So that is VERY exciting!!

PUPPP and an Ultrasound

Let me start off by saying that PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy) is the most awful itching you will ever experience in your life! It is a hive-type reaction that usually begins in you third trimester and first is noticeable on your abdomen. It can also spread though to your legs and butt. It isn’t dangerous, thankfully, but it will drive you crazy. The only cure for the rash is to have the baby too.

Last week I talked to the midwife about solutions for the itching and she suggested several things (Aveeno lotion, hydrocortisone cream, and Benadryl). Well since then, the itching has really set in HARD. I’ve tried all 3 of those, nothing helps the itching. I’ve also tried cold, heat, blowing air on it, etc. Everything I could think of! The benadryl has helped me to fall asleep at night. I got to my breaking point though last night and ended up calling the midwife to see if there was ANY other things I could try. The only other thing she suggested besides those was taking a baking soda bath. Besides that, having the baby is the only thing that’s really going to help. She said that if the itching is still really bad by next week (39 weeks), that we could talk about medically inducing me. The hospital won’t let them induce before then though unless there is a true need. They are also going to have one of the doctor’s take a look at it this afternoon at my appointment. So that has been my life – itch, itch, itch. You’re also not supposed to scratch it because that makes it worse and can spread it even more.

We went for an ultrasound on Friday. Everything looked great – amniotic fluid levels were good, baby was in good position and low down in my pelvis. They estimated her weight at 6 pounds 3 ounces and said that if I went full term (40 weeks), I would probably have about a 7.5 pound baby. So right on target.

Besides that, time is just dragging by. We are both very ready for her to get here, especially me! I can hardly believe that I am 38 weeks now. It really is very close even though it doesn’t seem like it! Matt can’t believe how big my belly is now – it’s weird seeing this huge belly hanging off my little body!

Dropping

I think I definitely have “dropped.” My belly feels like it weighs A LOT more and so much heavier lower down. I’ve had two times this week where I felt like a menstrual cramp – which is a good sign I guess that my body is getting ready. And my belly tightens up at times which I *think* are Braxton hicks – I have a hard time telling whether it’s just the position she’s in or not.

Sleeping is SO miserable – just trying to turn over is like the hugest chore. You wouldn't think that something that simple would be such a huge task! I think I wake up whenever I have to turn over and then of course to go pee at night!

On another fun note. My friend Alicia (who was due after me!) had her baby on Tuesday. Matt and I got to go and visit with them at the hospital yesterday. They named her Andi Grace and she weighed only 4 pounds 13 ounces - SO small and SO adorable. She had a planned c-section due to some other complications she was having. It was so great to get to hold a little brand new baby. Definitely made me want to hold ours! We're so excited! Only 16 more days until my due date!

I go tomorrow for an ultrasound so I will post again to let everyone know how things go with that! Keep praying for all of us!

Belly Pics at 37 Weeks