Friday, March 25, 2011

12 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 12 Weeks

Doctor: Yes FINALLY! It was so good to finally have this appointment. It is great to have a doctor who I already have a relationship with. She asked about Sam and Sophia and was very open and honest with me about risks, her plan etc. I told her that I wanted to VBAC (vaginal birth after ceasarean) and she was totally on board with that! She actually said in pre-eclampsia situations it is better to do vaginal delivery than c-section. So prayerfully that will be the way we go. We talked about steroids, and this was a little bit disappointing to me. I had hoped that they would just give me steroids around 28 or 29 weeks as I have now had two preemies now, one without and one with steroids, and the one with steroids did phenomenally well. But she said that that wouldn't be the plan unless something happens (I actually start to contract, pre-e or HELLP)

Size of baby: Baby now weighs almost half an ounce, is just about two and a half inches long, and has double in size in the last two weeks. Such an amazing miracle that God has created


Development: The eyes and ears are now in their proper position. The baby is now able to practice swallowing all of the amniotic fluid it is in. The intestines are forming well but aren't all within the baby, there are some parts in the umbical cord!

Sleep: I continue to be exhausted, but I am starting to sleep better, although am waking up to be sick at night now:-( I have even gotten in a nap or two this week:-)

What I miss: A good night's sleep kind of:-)

Cravings: NOTHING, I have been so nauseous these past two weeks.

Weight: I have now lost 13pounds. The doctor was kind of concerned about this, but didn't want to prescribe any anti-nausea medication. She recommended an over the counter one, that is actually marketed for people who have insomnia, so it would make me even more tired. So I will probably try that, but on the weekend when Matt is home and we don't have anywhere to go in case it makes me too tired.

Symptoms: Nausea is still very prevalent, and the vomiting has gotten worse again this week. I am waking up in the night now to vomit. Strangely I am tolerating the morning better, and am more likely to keep breakfast down then lunch or dinner.

Best Moment this week: Having the doctors appointment, and realizing that she has high hopes for this pregnancy too, that we can definitely work towards a VBAC, and also knowing that she will "special me", which essentially means that even if she is off she will come in to deliver me, as long as she can.

Friday, March 18, 2011

11 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 11 Weeks
Doctor: None this past week but will have one with the OB doctor next week,
I am looking forward to talking with her about risks, VBAC etc
Size of baby: Baby now weighs a third of an ounce, about the same as two small, Starbucks-sized packets of sugar, is about 2 inches long, the length of one of those sugar packets. Getting bigger! In the the next nine weeks,
the baby will increase 30 times in weight and almost triple in length! The
miracle of God's creation!!!


Development: All of the baby's organs are formed and fully functioning by the end of this week. Isn't that amazing? And truly
a miracle from God:-)

Sleep: Has totally been lacking this week, between working and not feeling
well and just being crazy busy it just has been an exhausting week.

What I miss: A good night's sleep kind of:-)

Cravings: Fruit: especially blueberries and strawberries

Weight: I forgot to check this week

Symptoms: Nausea is still very prevalent, and the vomiting has gotten worse again this week.

Best Moment this week: Telling my best friend Chantal. All I said was "I have something to tell you" and her response was "your pregnant!" She is super happy for us. It was fun to tell her, and now be able to talk to her about it.

Friday, March 11, 2011

10 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 10 Weeks
Doctor: I had a visit with the nurse this week. We went over my past two
pregnancies and all the complications. We discussed risks/concerns,
and when to notify them. We did blood work 8 vials worth! And also
the dreaded 50gram glucola test! YUCK!!!
Size of baby: Baby weighs only 4 grams and measures 1½ inches, about the
size of a mondo Brazil nut.
Development: This week the baby is no longer an embryo and now becomes a
fetus. The "tail" has now started to fuse into a spinal column
and the skeleton is starting to form and harden, and actually
already has fingers and toes! Isn't that amazing? And truly
a miracle from God:-)

Sleep: I feel like the exhaustion is getting worse, but maybe it is just
because things are just so busy right now

What I miss: A good night's sleep kind of:-)

Cravings: Not really any cravings this week, the nausea has kind of reared
its ugly head again this week.

Weight: I have lost seven pounds. I thought I was doing really well with
eating and haven't been vomiting as much as I have in the past.
But the scale tells a different story....

Symptoms: Nausea is still very prevalent, but the vomiting has improved. I
seem to be hypersensitive to smells, but not in a bad way.

Best Moment this week: An ultrasound!!! I was completely terrified and so
fearful that there would be no heartbeat. I actually had turned
my head away from the screen intermittently because I couldn't
face the thought. But then the technician said "The heart rate
is 166" Oh the joy I felt was indescribable. I am so so thankful
that Meg came with me, and is enjoying this right along side me.
Names: I have been toying around with the baby name books just for fun in
the last few days. I came across one that I am totally drawn to:
Elianna (which means God has answered my prayer) How perfect is
that? Not sure if it will be "the name" but today it is certainly
my favorite:-)

Friday, March 4, 2011

9 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 9 Weeks
Doctor: No appointment yet, but I have the first one on monday! Also talked
with Dr D this week and she will gladly take me on as a pt, and
UMass is agreable as long as I do a couple of visits with them so
they have all my info
Size of baby: about the size of a grape, and weighs about 2 grams

Development: the valves of the heart are starting to form this week, as are
the babies teeth. The eyes are fully formed, but the eyelids
are fused shut at this point

Sleep: I am exhausted still, but this week it is because of a crazy schedule
more than the sleep being interrupted.

What I miss: A good night's sleep kind of:-)

Cravings: Sandwiches with mayo,mustard, cheese, dill pickles and meat. It
was so funny I was in the store and could physically taste and
a sandwich, so of course I HAD to buy the specific things I
tasted:-)

Weight: I have lost five pounds. I thought I was doing really well with
eating and haven't been vomiting as much as I have in the past.
But the scale tells a different story....

Symptoms: The vomiting is certainly improving now. I am blessed as this time
around doesn't seem nearly as severe as with Sam and SOphia. I
am still very tired but doing well. Was diagnosed with Plantar
Fasciitis this week, which I guess can be common in pregnant women


Best Moment this week: I was so excited that I physically hugged Dr. D
when she said she would take me on as a patient

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

I am a mess

Wow between the back injury last july that has kept me out of work FOREVER:-( and the nausea/vomiting with the pregnancy and the latest symptom: Planta Fasciitis, I am a mess!!! The back thing was getting better and now the foot is acting up which exacerbates the back. :-(
On a more positive side, the vomiting is much less frequent with this little pumpkin than with Sam and Sophia. I still feel quite nauseous and have almost no appetite but the actual physical vomiting isn't nearly as bad. I also was able to determine that I can be followed at Heywood primarily, but will need to have a couple of ultrasounds at UMass, and then follow ups from the ultrasounds there. And then obviously if complications occur then I will be taken care of down there. But I am believing and praying that this pregnancy is complication free, and full term.:-)
Have a fantastic day! Sammy and I are off to Boston Children's tonight for a sleep study.