From the Beginning

I had a pretty easy pregnancy with Audrey.  The only problem that I had was I was diagnosed with PUPPS which is a rash that only 1% of women get when their pregnant, and I just happened to be that 1%. The only way to get rid of the rash is to have the baby.  I thought at first we had fleas or something in our house because I kept getting these little red bumps all over my legs.

It then turned into this really bad rash, so at my next appointment I showed the doc and he told me to put caladryl on it.  So I went home and did that.  Let me tell you being 8 months pregnant in September with this horrible rash is no fun at all.

Well the rash continued to get worse and worse. One day I tried calling my doc because I was at my wits end. I just couldn't take it any more.  For some reason I couldn't get through to the office.  So I got in my car (which did not have AC)  and drove there.  I walked in crying (and if you know me I don't cry especially in front of strangers).  I told the nurse that I hated to come in like this but I was miserable and needed some help. She was so so so nice and I was back in a room in 10 minutes.  I guess there must be something to being big and pregnant and crying that people are willing to do whatever :)

My OB made me an appointment with a dermatologist for the next week.  He said that I had PUPPS  and then he informed me... are you ready for this.... that I was allergic to the caladryl!!!  So, just FYI  most people are allergic to benadryl cream, it is okay to take by mouth, but the cream can cause an allergic reaction. Yes, I was making this rash worse. I must have looked horrible because the sweet man took my hand and said that I would have had no idea and that this wasn't my fault.  He then gave me a steroid cream ( best thing ever). Here is a few shots of my horrible rash....

The last 6 weeks I kept cold packs on my arms and legs 24/7 and stayed in this constant state of drowsiness cause of all the benadryl that I was taking. I would get up at 2am to change out my cold packs. I told myself this was preparing me for 2am feedings.  Also, I actually enjoyed taking cold showers.  How crazy is that.

The best part about all of this deals with Jonathan. He was so nice to me and tried so hard to be understanding, but he just didn't know what to do.  One afternoon he came up to me and showed me these red bumps on his stomach and asked me if he had PUPPS too! I laughed so hard and said no that it was poison ivy.  He was so miserable ( I have to say that I was so glad that he had it) but he was able to get a steroid shot and it took it away really fast.  Lets just say after that he was even more nice!!  After suffering with his rash for a couple of days he had a whole new respect for me and my rash. 

Since I had this my doc said that if everything was going well that I could induce 2 weeks early. We scheduled it for October 21st. Let me tell you that day could not come fast enough!!!  I didn't want to rush a delivery, just because I was miserable because I wanted Audrey to be healthy, but it was really starting to get bad. 

Stay tuned for the next update on the delivery!!