33 weeks

I haven't posted in awhile but everything is good, just been crazy busy.

Our girl is doing well. We had a growth scan last Wednesday at 32+2 and she was measuring at 5lbs! that is 59th percentile for weight!! She's on track to be a big baby! I have another scan at 36 weeks to check again. Look at those chubby cheeks!!!

As for me, well the back pain gets bad some days and I still don't sleep well, its really hard to get comfortable.  I'm looking very pregnant these days and I think I'm starting to waddle.  I can't stand up for more than about an hour at a time otherwise I start getting braxton-hicks pretty bad.

I've also reached another milestone and that is reaching my pre-pregnancy weight.  Here is me at 4 weeks (just got positive test a few days before) and me at 33 weeks, I weigh the same in both of these photos.

Here is another belly comparison (sorry/not sorry for all the naked belly pics). Since I was overweight before becoming pregnancy my belly hangs down a bit at the bottom (one of the reasons my back hurts I think). Here is a comparison of my belly with no support and me with my hand pulling it up a bit from the top which is basically how my support band keeps it positioned. 

We started our childbirth classes last week, its a 6 week series that includes newborn care and breastfeeding.  It was pretty interesting but makes for a long day.  I'm supposed to have my labor support bag packed by next week, ack!!!

What else...

We've made a lot of progress on the nursery finally! Still got a lot to do but most of its organization at this point. 

I had to start taking magnesium because of horrible leg cramps that won't go away, it  helps a lot!

Baby shower is this coming weekend, my brother is coming down for that and we'll video conference in the family birthday party going on in Minnesota.   I'm excited for that. 

Crazy dreams still abound, I give birth just about every night as I sleep now. 

Appointments, appointments and more appointments

Wednesday I went and had the blood draw for the Panorama blood test which will tell us the baby's risk for the trisomies and also the gender, that takes 7-10 days to come back.

Then I went for another ultrasound at the Maternal Fetal Medicine center. I really liked the sonographer, she was super nice. Even though an NT scan had not been ordered she was able to get the  measurement and did it anyway (measurement was 1.8 and anything under 2.5 is good) and made a gender guess of girl! Baby is growing on schedule with the revised due date and looks good so far.  Heart Rate was 167.

After that I went up to see the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist who is consulting due to my age and the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. He asked me a bunch of questions and seemed happy with how I was progressing. He ordered an echocardiogram to rule out any problems with my heart and I have to go back for ultrasounds once a month to check my cervical length (yay, more pictures).

So I have 4 appointments coming up in the next month, its a good thing my boss is understanding!

We did our facebook announcement while we were on vacation. 

 As of this week I've lost 14 pounds so far. My nausea is starting to get better, I've cut back on the unisom, that has increased my fatigue though which is weird because I didn't know it was helping with that. 

Oh, and I cry over anything now, hormones are crazy! I'm not a cryer but I cry at least once a day, so weird for me!

Skip-to-ma-loo my darling

Went in for my ultrasound and doctors appointment yesterday and not only is little bit doing well she is measuring almost a week ahead so my due date got adjusted to 11/16.  Heart Rate was 165 and length (rump to crown) was 4.1cm (around 2 inches). To put that in perspective the baby is about the size of a donut hole.  Doctor said we're doing well, she wrote me an Rx for nausea meds since I'm still struggling with that, although the unisom helps so much that I won't take the Rx unless it gets really bad, I mostly wanted it for a safety net while we are on vacation.

We will be doing the Panorama cell free dna testing for trisomys in a couple weeks. They take blood from me and a cheek swab from hubs and check the fetal dna present in my blood to see if there is a high risk of any of the trisomies and a few other things. As a bonus they tell you the gender!

I am being sent to see a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist on 5/13 because of my connective tissue disorder (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). They will do another ultrasound that day too. I'll post more about that then.

For now, still dealing with fatigue and nausea though that seems to be tapering off a bit.

Here is one of the ultrasound pics, it is SO crazy to see her jumping around on the screen. She looks like she has a horn because she kept putting her hands in front of her face.

Yes, today I am saying she, yesterday I said He all day, we'll see soon but until then I just mix it up. :)

9 week update

Sorry I haven't been posting much have been stupid busy at work and by the time I get home I am just done and can't really function.  So here is a breakdown of what's going on with me and baby

Weight: still losing a bit, not as fast though

Nausea: its been pretty bad most days, I've been dry heaving quite a bit, brushing my teeth is an exercise in self-control. I found that taking Unisom before bed helps with nausea the next day but I don't want to take that every night.

Boob soreness: this is starting to dissipate some, my nipples are still extremely tender and sensitive though.

Mood: still irritable as all get out, some of that could just be work stress though

Food Cravings/Aversions: Still off dairy it just does not appeal to me at all, not big on sweets for the most part. Salty carbs are what I eat the most of but I try to get some protein in when I can. I had two days where I craved buffalo chicken.

Fatigue: still present and accounted for, I'm in bed by 9pm most night but I'm not falling asleep at my desk during the day anymore, mostly because I've been too busy.

Digestion: I mostly still have the same digestion as before, 2-3 days of diarrhea followed by a day or two of not going at all.

Had my first migraine while pregnant the other day, was able to head it off by slamming down an extra cup of coffee.

My clothes are starting to fit differently even though I'm losing weight, my boobs are overflowing my bra and my lower stomach is pooching out a bit, especially at the end of the day.  I still worry about being one of those women that so fat no one can tell they are pregnant.

and for dessert... Regret

I've been totally OFF food for over a week, nothing is appealing. With constant nausea its hard to just stay hydrated, much less eat. I've been losing weight pretty rapidly, which is fine, I have plenty to spare. Anyway, this morning I felt bad again but went out and ran some errands, when we got home I crashed for a couple hours, woke up still feeling bad but ate a few frozen strawberries which for some reason made me feel MUCH better!  Ran a few more errands and then came home and made tacos for dinner which is the only thing I've been craving. I ate FOUR tacos!!! THEN I ate some starburst jelly beans for dessert, aka regret.  I had an upset stomach but it was just from being overfull, I actually feel better than I have in days.

Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!

I feel like this rather irritable guy from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  EVERYTHING annoys me right now.  Work has been very busy and it seems like everyone has decided to turn on the stupid. I know its just be me that does not help bring my irritation levels down any, in fact it probably makes them go up.  I am trying really hard not to be a bitch but I am pretty sure it is not working.  My poor husband probably catches the brunt of it, which is horrible since he is being SO nice!

The morning sickness (misnomer for me) is kicking into a higher gear which adds to the irritation. It's very hard to concentrate when you are sick to your stomach all of the time.  I've lost 3 pounds in the past week, I just don't feel like eating. Ironically though one of the only things that helps control the nausea is eating small amounts of food frequently.  I often have a meal of regret though, usually lunch.  I'll get SUPER hungry and eat a meal (normal amount, nothing crazy) and in 15 minutes am feeling SO bad. I haven't actually thrown up yet at all, I'm just constantly nauseated.  I say morning sickness is a misnomer because I actually feel pretty okay in the mornings, tired but not sick. It usually hits mid morning and gets progressively worse all day.  This morning I got to sleep in an extra hour because I worked at home and it didn't hit until about an hour later than normal, hrm.... I dug out the Sea Band I bought when we first got the boat and put that on, we'll see if it helps, you are supposed to wear two but I can only find one right now.

So yeah, the fatigue is still very much present and accounted for nothing much new to report there.

Been alternating between diarrhea and constipation, and have had a lot of gas the past few days.

I'm going to go tomorrow for my blood work and 1 hour glucose test. Going to do that first thing before my stomach gets upset.  Wish me luck.

Bloat

So even though I've lost a few pounds my pants were uncomfortably tight this morning so I improvised.

My stomach has been very upset all day, I got hungry once and got a salad after a meeting but then after a few bites I had a stomach ache and had to stop eating. Then I had to do some research because the salad had gorgonzola cheese on it, apparently though the vast majority of cheeses, including soft cheese, in the US are pasteurized, its only high end cheese that is not, this was not high end.

I got my hair cut after work, and had to run pick up some prints,  I'm exhausted, can barely keep my eyes open, its going to be an even earlier night than usual I think

Doctor and Ultrasound

First and foremost; there is a baby in there! and it has a heartbeat, 123 to be exact!   The ultrasound went really well.  The setup at my doctor's office is nice, they have a screen on the wall right in front of the exam table that shows the image from the ultrasound so you don't have to try to twist around to see the tech's screen while she is working and has a probe up your hoo-ha.  So here she is, she is measuring at 6 weeks 1 day and apparently I ovulated from my left ovary, good to know(?).  

Then had to wait an hour to see the doctor, that went about as expected except because I am old and fat I have to take the test for gestational diabetes right away, even though I've never had blood sugar issues.  Blah. Anyway, got lectures on not gaining much weight, don't eat candy or much fruit (wtf?) and making sure I exercise. Oh and don't eat much processed food. I told hubby and doctor both that by the time I make it home from work I'm too tired to cook!

Lot's of blood work ordered, I don't have the list in front of me right now.  We also talked about getting the blood test that looks at the fetal dna to look for downs and other trisomys. Received a whole packet of brochures and information, got the OK for the trip to Mexico next month was just told to bring snacks for the plane, get up and move around and don't get overheated. 

I'll call tomorrow to schedule my tests. 

Oh and that dating means I got my bfp at 9dpo, so super early! 

oh, and no more hcg or progesterone test, Doc said that pregnancy is established now and there is no need, kind of a bummer was looking forward to seeing my hcg number. 

I'm so dizzy, my head is spinning...

yeah, I tend to think in songs. Woke up feeling pretty good, I caught up on some sleep; came home from work and slept 2 hours, got up and ate (more on that later) and watched some TV, went back to bed around 11 and slept until 7:30.   Mid morning while hanging around the house I started getting light headed, we went out to run errands and get lunch and it got worse.  Just been resting since I got home.

I haven't really been hungry, well that's not exactly true, I'll get VERY hungry but eat a few bites and be done. The only thing I've been wanting to eat is protein.  On the way home from work I decided I wanted sloppy joes of all things, I haven't had those in years! I stopped and got the stuff and after I woke up from my nap I made them, it was good.

Weight has been staying about the same, I've been struggling to say well hydrated since my stomach has felt off. I'll take a new pic in the morning.

Fatigue and boob soreness has fluctuated.  I've had a few more bouts of nausea but nothing crazy. Worst one was at Costco today, the whole place smelled like fish, I had to get out of there quickly.

Worry...why do I let myself worry

Any Patsy Cline fans out there?  Her song Crazy is running through my head because that's how I feel.  So many things to worry about.
My uterus feels sore and crampy, is that normal?
*frantic Googling*
Okay, that is normal.
Next day, its not sore and crampy TODAY is  THAT normal?
*frantic Googling*.
Rinse and repeat for boob soreness, fatigue, nausea, heartburn, discharge, the list goes on and on

My 3rd beta is tomorrow and I'm hoping after that they will agree to an early ultrasound (after 6 weeks so I have a chance of seeing the heartbeat but before 8 weeks because I'll go nuts).

I took my last First Response (FRER) test today, the test line was darker than the control line but not blaring, figuring that is because I had to get up at 1:30 to pee and then woke up at 5:30 having to pee again so it was really only a 4 hour hold and not really FMU (first morning urine).

I'm still doing my BBT (basal body temperature), no lectures, it makes me feel better! Temp is maintaining which makes me feel better about my progesterone. Still debating on whether or not I want to ask to have my progesterone checked again when I get my blood drawn tomorrow.

Speaking of temperature, my body is not used to a temp this high (I run low normally) and I get overheated very easily these days, I was freezing all day yesterday though.

So, actual symptoms (trying to be objective)

Nausea/appetite- Some waves of nausea, a couple pretty strong. For the most part I have not been at all hungry but sometimes I get ravenous then I'll eat and after a few bites I'm done.  Weight has maintained, I think some of it is bloat though as my pants feel tighter.  My nausea  gets worse as the day progresses and is worse in the evenings, nothing out of hand yet. I did have some serious heartburn, I had to get up at 1:30 and take Tums.

Fatigue- I've done pretty well throughout the days, a little tireder than normal but not horrible like the first few days, but by 8pm I am done and need to go to bed.  I was out at a club meeting until 9:30 last night and driving home I thought I was going to fall asleep behind the wheel.  I have to do the same tonight and am seriously considering taking a nap in my office during lunch.

Boob soreness- Sunday it was bad, almost cried when I took my bra off before bed, that could have been because I went to the zoo that morning and had my heavy camera bag slung across my body for several hours.  The soreness fluctuates from day to day gets worse towards evening.

Discharge- guess this falls into the TMI category but had a LOT of cervical mucus for several days, still some but not as much, its fluctuating throughout the day and day by day.

Guess that's about it for now, will update tomorrow after I hear from my beta.

progression is good

For someone who has gone through a loss, getting a BFP only to see it start fading the next day, this progression is beautiful and reassuring.  I've stopped testing every day, only doing every other day now. I have my 3rd beta hcg on Thursday (4 days from now).

So symptoms: Freaked out yesterday because I thought my boobs were slightly less sore and I was not as fatigued, was afraid my progesterone was dropping. Well by the time I went to bed those fears had been put to bed as well. Boobs were SO sore and I couldn't keep my eyes open. I think it was just that I had been able to get some rest.  Woke up with super sore boobs, tired and a little bit of nausea.  I headed out to the zoo for a bit and accidentally walked though the ape house and about threw up, had to get out of there.  Finished there and went to the grocery store, home now, waiting on the fish sticks I wanted for lunch to cook, I'm STARVING! We'll see how much of it I actually eat.

That's about it, a few random pains in my lower abdomen, not really cramps, just kind of sore like pains. Hard to describe.

Tired, so, so, tired

 I'm 4 weeks pregnant today.

The fatigue is.... overwhelming. By 3pm at work I am barely able to function.  I came home from work today at 3:30 and immediately went to sleep and slept until 6. It's 8:30 now and I'm ready to go back to sleep.  I'm comforted by the fatigue though because it means I'm still pregnant, yay!

The other comfort is my sore boobs. So new fact about me, I have large boobs, quite large actually and this is not because I'm fat, they stay around no matter how much weight I lose.  Sore boobs means my progesterone is staying up, progesterone worries me so the sore boobs make me happy.  I'll confess, I'll poke them periodically just to make sure they are still sore.  I had my progesterone tested the day I had my first beta, it was fine at 15.7, I have my 3rd beta schedule for next Thursday, I think I'll ask for another progesterone check then too just for my peace of mind.  In the meantime I poke my boobs and every time I go to the bathroom I look for blood.

I haven't really been nauseated yet, just a couple waves of queasiness.  I have however had some instances of diarrhea but that is not surprising as I have IBS-D.

I have begun having increased cervical mucus and I've been peeing a lot.  Oh and the crying at commercials has started.