Since my last post, I had to get blood drawn a second time just to clarify the level of sugar in my body. The nurse of my OB's office called and said everything looked normal this time. It must have just been a fluke that my sugar was off the chart last time, which I don't know why because I didn't have dessert that day. I'm happy to say that I am not diabetic!
To add to that good news, the Anesthesiologist finally called today. She wanted to know my situation with Ankylosing Spondylitis and being pregnant, then asked me a million and one questions about my health. She asked if I'd ever had surgery before, which I had about two years ago when a dermatologist discovered a severe abnormal mole that they thought was melanoma. Thankfully, it was not melanoma, but it was an outpatient surgery where they had to put me to sleep. I did not have any problems with the anesthesia then, so I should be fine.
She told me that overall, other than my disease I really am a healthy person. They should be able to do an epidural on me like any other "normal" person. But she also warned me that "normal" people can also have issues with epidurals because every person is different.
She explained that with my disease being in my SI joint/hips that they shouldn't have any problems because they will be going through my lower back. I expressed my concern with my back changing over the years since I have gotten diagnosed. She said it is possible and if I had any fusing that most likely I would know. Since I am young she doesn't think I have fused yet, that fusing usually occurs in older people as the disease progresses. She doesn't see a need in me getting an X-ray especially since it could harm the baby.
As we continued to talk, I learned a lot I didn't know about epidurals. She explained to me that it is never too early or too late to get an epidural unless the woman is literally already in the process of delivery. Some women get an epidural as soon as they are in a lot of pain and some wait as long as they can. She also explained that epidurals do not wear off unless they purposely make it wear off by turning it down or off. Once they do the epidural they hook it up like an IV. If at any point the pain changes or intensifies there's a button to push to make the dosage stronger.
I am definitely starting to feel a lot better about my delivery knowing that I can have an epidural. I'm still concerned with the idea of possibly having a flare after delivery. With my last flare I could barely walk or take care of myself so I don't know how I'd be able to take care of a baby. (I know, I know. I have plenty of supportive people around me to help, but just the thought of being as useless as I was before bothers me. And just thinking about the amount of pain I was in makes me cringe!) But I guess we'll just have to deal with that when the time comes. Maybe I'll be lucky and I won't have a flare. (Fingers crossed!) I guess the good thing about being in the hospital is that I have a lot of people to take care of me and my options are not as limited once the baby is born! :)
Here's to hoping things continue to stay positive like this! Let the countdown begin: 29 days until my expected due date!
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