Good morning, Sarah! How are you feeling today? Have you been experiencing any new symptoms since our last appointment?
Good morning, Dr. Johnson! I've been feeling pretty good overall. The back pain has improved with the stretches you recommended. I've been noticing some mild swelling in my ankles by the end of the day, though.
Dr. Emily Johnson
I'm glad the back pain is improving! Some mild swelling in the ankles is normal at 24 weeks, especially at the end of the day. Try to elevate your feet when sitting and avoid standing for long periods.
Dr. Emily Johnson
Here's an infographic on managing ankle swelling during pregnancy. These simple exercises can help improve circulation.
Thank you! I'll try these exercises. Also, I've been tracking my blood pressure at home as you suggested. Here are the readings from the past week.
BP_Readings_Week24.pdf
PDF • 1.2 MB
My readings have been between 118/76 and 124/82.
Dr. Emily Johnson
These readings look good, Sarah. Your blood pressure is within the normal range. Keep monitoring it twice a week and let me know if you see any readings above 140/90.
Dr. Emily Johnson
2:45
I've recorded a short video explaining how to properly measure your blood pressure at home. Make sure to follow these guidelines for accurate readings.
Dr. Emily Johnson
How are you feeling about your upcoming glucose test next week? Do you have any questions about the preparation?
0:000:42
Voice message
Dr. Emily Johnson
Yes, that's correct. You'll need to fast for 8 hours before the test. You can drink water, but no food, juice, coffee, or tea. The test will take about 2 hours total. We'll take a baseline blood sample, then you'll drink the glucose solution, and we'll take additional samples at 1 and 2 hours.
Dr. Emily Johnson
Glucose_Test_Instructions.docx
Document • 850 KB
I've sent you a detailed instruction sheet for the glucose tolerance test. You can find it in your Documents section as well.
Thank you for explaining. I'll check the instructions and prepare accordingly. One more question - is it normal to feel the baby kicking more at night than during the day?
Dr. Emily Johnson
Absolutely! Many women notice more movement at night. When you're active during the day, the motion can rock the baby to sleep. When you're still, especially when lying down, the baby tends to be more active. It's also common to feel more movements after eating, as the sugar in your blood gives the baby energy.
Here's my latest bump photo from yesterday! I feel like I've grown a lot in the past week.
Dr. Emily Johnson
You look great! Your bump size looks perfect for 24 weeks. The second trimester is when many women notice the most dramatic growth. Your fundal height (the measurement from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus) should be approximately 24 cm at 24 weeks, which matches your gestational age.
MomCare Assistant suggests
Would you like me to help you track your baby bump growth with weekly photos? I can create a timeline to share with Dr. Johnson.
That's reassuring! I've been gaining about a pound a week, which I think is on track. I'll see you at my appointment tomorrow at 10:30 AM, right?
Dr. Emily Johnson
Yes, your weight gain sounds perfect! And that's correct - your appointment is tomorrow at 10:30 AM via video call. I'll check your blood pressure, discuss any concerns, and we can talk more about preparing for your glucose test. Is there anything specific you'd like to discuss during the appointment?
I'd like to discuss my birth plan options and maybe talk about what to expect in the third trimester. Also, I've been having some mild heartburn lately.
