Monster migraine from hell

So, I had my first trip to the ER during pregnancy on Wednesday.

It all started on Monday, when I could feel a dull pain starting in my head. If you suffer from migraines, you'll know that you can usually feel them coming on slowly. It got to the point where I couldn't focus anymore, and had to leave work a couple of hours early.

Tuesday I didn't even go to work. My head was hurting pretty bad and I felt very nauseous. Staying at home helped though, and I was able to sleep most of the day.

Wednesday I got up to go to work. My head felt like it was going to explode. Usually when I get a migraine, by the third day I've taken some kind of medicine to get rid of it. But the OB told me not to take medicine during the first trimester. So I thought I could tough it out at work, but by 11am I was worried I wouldn't be able to drive myself home if I stayed any longer.

I was able to get myself home and sleep for a couple of hours. But by 2pm I was wide awake and absolutely desperate. I had tried to eat some lunch, but ended up throwing everything up. My head hurt so bad, I was sick to my stomach, and I was all alone. So I did what any normal pregnant woman would do: started bawling. That does wonders for a migraine. Not.

Finally, I texted my sister and she was able to come over and take care of me. She calmed me down and I was feeling a little better. We called the OBGYN's office to see what they recommended, and they told me to go to the ER to get an IV because I was probably dehydrated.

By that time, Diego had gotten home, and so we all headed over to the hospital.

Now, I am very good with needles. I have had my blood drawn frequently for the great majority of my life, and therefore have no qualms when being stuck by a needle.

BUT, I've never had an IV. Which you would think wouldn't be that big of a deal. But it was. They put some medicine in it for my head, and I had a horrible reaction to it. I couldn't breath and I felt like my lungs had frozen up. After that passed, they put tubes up my nose to give me oxygen. It smelled awful. I think I may have had a panic attack, because all I could say was, "I don't like this. Make them take it out. Please make them take it out."

I finally convinced the nurse to take the IV out and let me go home. By then my migraine was virtually gone, and all I wanted to do was sleep. The nurse gave me a kind of "tsk tsk" look and said, "You know, when you have your baby, you are going to have an IV."

Great. About 7 more months to mentally prep myself for that.

Spilling the Beans

Well, we've final gone public. Diego and I are expecting our first child in May 2013. We are REALLY excited to be parents and to welcome this new little one into our family.

Last week I had my first ultrasound. We were able to see the baby move its arms and to hear its heartbeat. I still have a hard time believing that a little person is inside of me.

I haven't been too sick. I feel nauseous nearly all the time and I am absolutely EXHAUSTED, but besides that, I haven't been too bad.

Our little bean

 

 

As for our plans, future situation, well, we are really just playing it by ear for now. We finally were able to send off Diego's papers for his green card over a week ago. I've heard it takes about 4 months, and then Diego can start working.

 

I'm still working at the Church Office Building everyday, hoping they don't fire me for missing so much work due to morning sickness. ("Morning" sickness--that lasts all day!!) Once I found out I was pregnant, I made the decision to not take my deferral to Teach For America next year. The baby is due about 2 weeks before I'm supposed to start. It was a sad decision, but in my mind, there was absolutely no question. My family will always come first.

 

My internship with the Church ends in April of next year, and if I'm not hired on full-time, I'm out of a job. I would really like to stay home with my baby as much as I can, so I'm thinking I may try to revamp our Spanish classes and put more effort into getting (and retaining) students. That way I will be able to stay home and make an income.

 

Diego just started another 8 weeks of English classes here in Salt Lake. He's getting very good. He's finished all the levels of ESL and has now moved on to high school History of the US, World Civ, and English lit. Today is his first day; I hope everything goes well.

 

Thank you to everyone for all of the support and love we've felt since announcing our little Cabrera!!