I have had a relatively symptom-free pregnancy so far, and I really hate to complain because I know so many have it so much worse. But once in a while a girl just needs to vent!
The past couple of weeks some annoying symptoms have popped up making life a little more challenging. Pregnancy heartburn has begun in full force. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat or when I eat, it just happens. Eating smaller meals and taking tums and Zantac has helped. It seems to get worse at night and makes sleeping more difficult.
Speaking of sleep....what's that??? I know it's common for pregnant women to feel exhausted, but it would be great if I could get one full night of sleep! Between not being able to get comfortable, getting up constantly to pee, heartburn, and now my hands going numb when I lay down, it's almost impossible to sleep. Living with multiple chronic pain conditions has made me used to feeling fatigued, but I am usually able to get through the day anyway. This baby is sucking the life out of me, and the fatigue I feel is beyond the point where I can fight through it. I feel like I'm constantly in a fog, I am forgetting everything, and losing all concept of time, and my anxiety has been awful. I can't make it through the day without having to lay down and rest my body and if I'm lucky I can get an hour of sleep in during the day. I think this is just the baby preparing me for the sleep deprivation I will have once he enters the world. 😉
So far the most annoying and unexpected symptom is developing pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand. Some days it's just an annoying tingle with numbness, and some days I can't make a fist or grip anything and my fingers are swollen and throb. I am doing stretches, wearing a wrist brace, and getting treatment from my Chiropractor and it has been manageable. I have been slacking on keeping up with this blog because some days I can't even type on the laptop. I promise not to leave you all hanging too long and I will update at least weekly!
It will be interesting to see what the next 19 weeks have in store. Either way, at least there are only a few more months to get through, then I will have a whole new list of problems while caring for a newborn, haha. It's all part of the process. 💙
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Anatomy Ultrasound
We had our 20 week anatomy ultrasound on February 13, 2018. Cubby was super active and wiggly and it was amazing to see all the movement on screen. I have only felt the baby move a few times here and there and the Ultrasound Technologist said that I have an anterior placenta, which means that the placenta is acting as a pillow or buffer between the baby and me, so that's why I am not feeling consistent movements yet, but I'm sure that will change as baby grows.
Since Cubby was moving so much, it was hard for the Ultrasound Tech to get all of the images clearly, so I will have to go back in a couple weeks for them to re-check a few things. This will give us another chance to see our little wiggle worm on the big screen and be assured that everything is developing as it should be. So far everything looks good and baby is growing on target!
We did decide to find out the sex of the baby, and the baby was not shy about showing us the goods!
We didn't have a preference either way, but it is super exciting to learn something else about our little baby that will be in our arms in just a few short months.
And last but not least, the big reveal!
💙💙💙💙💙💙IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
Let the nursery planning and baby name picking begin!
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Baby Bump Pics
Baby Bump Pictures
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| 34 Weeks |
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| 34 Weeks |
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| 33 Weeks- Baby is the size of celery |
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| 32 Weeks- Baby is the size of a summer squash |
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| 31 Weeks- Baby is the size of a bunch of asparagus |
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| 30 Weeks- Baby is the size of a zucchini |
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| 29 Weeks- Baby is the size of an acorn squash |
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| 28 Weeks- Baby is the size of a coconut |
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| 27 Weeks- Baby is the size of a bunch of bananas |
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| 26 Weeks- Baby is the size of a butternut squash |
25 Weeks- Baby is the size of a head of cauliflower
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| 24 Weeks- Baby is the size of a cantaloupe |
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| 23 Weeks- Baby is the size of a grapefruit |
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| 22 Weeks- Baby is the size of an ear of corn |
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| 21 Weeks- Baby is the size of a large carrot |
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| 20 Weeks- Baby is the size of a banana |
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| 19 Weeks- Baby is this size of a mango |
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| 17 Weeks- Baby is the size of pomegranate |
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| 16 Weeks- Baby is the size of an avocado |
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| 14 Weeks- Baby is the size of a peach |
Sunday, February 11, 2018
12 Week Ultrasound
We had our 12 week ultrasound on December 26th! This was the first time that Steve got to see the baby, so it was super exciting. The baby actually looked like a baby compared to how it looked on the 8 week ultrasound. It was very surreal to see the baby moving all over the place on the screen. I felt like I must be watching someone else's baby. I have been extremely lucky and haven't had any morning sickness or adverse pregnancy symptoms, which is great, but it also is strange not feeling any different and still not looking pregnant and not being able to feel the baby move yet. I was assured by the Ultrasound Technician that I am pregnant and that was MY baby doing back flips on the screen, and that everything looked normal, healthy, and on track. Such a relief!
We started referring to the baby as "Cubby". Steve is trying to convince me that it's the perfect name for this child, and though it's cute, I don't think I need to torture my child with a name like that, but we can call it that for now. 😀
We started referring to the baby as "Cubby". Steve is trying to convince me that it's the perfect name for this child, and though it's cute, I don't think I need to torture my child with a name like that, but we can call it that for now. 😀
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| Profile view of baby Cubby |
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| Profile of the face where you can see the forehead, nose, lips, and chin |
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| Looking straight at the baby's face...a little alien-like |
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| 3D profile view showing the side of the head and face, arm, and body |
Bump's First Christmas
We had a low key Christmas Day this year because we realized that this is probably one of the last years that we will be able to get away with it. It was nice not to have to run around and just get to enjoy each other for the day. Next year will bring a whole new adventure with new traditions to start!
Extra Thanksgiving Blessings
We decided to announce the pregnancy to the family on Thanksgiving Day. We had already told our parents, but wanted to surprise the rest of the family. We wore shirts that we had covered up for dinner, then had them exposed after while Grandma Rosie said a blessing. It was a very exciting day!
I also started having my first cravings: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and cranberry ginger ale
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| Steve learned early that whatever Mommy wants, Mommy gets! |
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| It's only seasonal, so we had to stock up! |
Friday, February 9, 2018
To Be or Not to Be
We had some scares early on in the pregnancy. The first one was at 6 weeks. I started cramping and bleeding out of nowhere. I immediately called my OB office and because it was later in the afternoon they sent me to the ER to get examined to see what was going on. I was fairly convinced that I was having a miscarriage. I had all of the classic signs, and from doing years of ultrasounds I know that they are pretty common early on in the first trimester. Steve tried to stay as calm as he could and to keep me calm. He kept telling me not to worry until we knew what was going on for sure. Eventually I got into a room and then was sent for an ultrasound. They would not let Steve come to the ultrasound room with me, so that was hard, but having worked in a hospital I understand the rules. I was a bit calmer by then, just figuring that whatever was happening was going to happen. It seemed like the ultrasound technologist was taking a long time with my scan, which made me worry. She didn't tell me anything and didn't let me see the screen. This is just protocol for ultrasounds done through the ER, and I know that, but it's very hard to sit there and wonder what they are seeing. Such a stressful situation.
I went back to the room to wait for results. After what seemed like forever, finally the doctor came in to say that the blood work was normal, the hCG levels were normal, and the ultrasound showed a 6 week fetus with a heart rate of 175 bpm. Steve and I were shocked. We both fully expected the worst, but were thrilled to hear that somehow this little baby was still in there and was doing just fine. I was ordered to take it easy and a the bleeding stopped on its own after a couple of days. What a relief!
Then the bleeding started again a couple of weeks later when I was at 8 weeks. It wasn't at heavy as before and there was no cramping this time, so I wasn't as worried as the first time. My OB doctor sent me to the ER again to get checked out. Here we go again with waiting forever, then blood work, then ultrasound, then watching Law and Order until 1AM while we waited some more.
The blood work results came back normal. Then finally the ultrasound results came back, apparently the Radiologists leave for the night at 9pm and are supposed to read all the tests done before that before they leave, but somehow mine got missed, so they had to send it to the outside Radiology company that reads the exams overnight.
I didn't mind waiting, I just wanted to be allowed to eat!!!!
My little 8 week gummy bear baby was alive and well! This little one is a fighter! (taking after it's Mommy)
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| Always gotta keep your sense of humor. |
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| Is it over yet??? |
I went back to the room to wait for results. After what seemed like forever, finally the doctor came in to say that the blood work was normal, the hCG levels were normal, and the ultrasound showed a 6 week fetus with a heart rate of 175 bpm. Steve and I were shocked. We both fully expected the worst, but were thrilled to hear that somehow this little baby was still in there and was doing just fine. I was ordered to take it easy and a the bleeding stopped on its own after a couple of days. What a relief!
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| That little grain of rice is the baby measuring 6weeks 1day |
Then the bleeding started again a couple of weeks later when I was at 8 weeks. It wasn't at heavy as before and there was no cramping this time, so I wasn't as worried as the first time. My OB doctor sent me to the ER again to get checked out. Here we go again with waiting forever, then blood work, then ultrasound, then watching Law and Order until 1AM while we waited some more.
The blood work results came back normal. Then finally the ultrasound results came back, apparently the Radiologists leave for the night at 9pm and are supposed to read all the tests done before that before they leave, but somehow mine got missed, so they had to send it to the outside Radiology company that reads the exams overnight.
I didn't mind waiting, I just wanted to be allowed to eat!!!!
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| Can't a girl get a milkshake up in here?!?! 😆 |
My little 8 week gummy bear baby was alive and well! This little one is a fighter! (taking after it's Mommy)
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| Measurement of the baby 8weeks 3 days |
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| Baby's heart rate is 157 bpm |
The doctor explained that I had a subchorionic hemorrhage, which is very common in the first trimester and they almost always resolve on their own without any issues. I know all of this information from having to learn it all in school for OB ultrasound, but its just so different when it's actually happening to you. I know that this is very common and nothing to worry about, but when you start bleeding you can't help but be scared and think the worst.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, I didn't die of hunger like I thought I might and we grabbed some Taco Bell on the way home at 2AM, because the baby wanted it..😂🌮😋
Luckily this was the last episode of bleeding, and because we were assured by the doctor and the ultrasound that everything was fine and progressing normally, it was time to think about announcing it to our families!
I'm Pregnant
October 22, 2017
I had wicked insomnia the past few nights for no known reason. I felt fine and wasn't overly stressed, but my body just would not let me sleep. I was feeling bloated and crampy and my boobs were sore, so I figured that it was just hormones and that my period would be coming soon. I ran some errands and after walking around a store for a little while I was feeling a little off. I was extremely hungry and tired and irritable all at once. I thought it was strange that it hit me so fast, but like before, I figured it was PMS related. Later that day I was figuring out when I was supposed to get my period and knew it was soon, but still not for another week or so and I don't usually have these symptoms so early so I thought it was strange and it occured to me that it was possible, though in my mind very unlikely, that I could be pregnant. After another night of insomnia and wanting some peace of mind, thinking it would finally allow me to sleep, I decided to take a pregnancy test.
I took the test on the morning of Sunday October 22, 2017. I was expecting it to be negative for several reasons. So I dipped the stick then got dressed and ready for the day, and went back into the bathroom to check it. I looked at it. Then read the instructions again. Then stared at it. Yup, that's definitely a plus sign. Ok then...so its positive...So I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant??? I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant! So much for the sleep I was hoping to get!
Of course Steve was gone on a boys camping trip that weekend and he wasn't home for me to tell. I had a bit of a freak out/holy shit moment and had to call my cousin Kayla and tell her because I wasn't sure what else to do. She assured me that the holy shit moment was normal and I would be fine and that this was very exciting! So once I had assurance that this was real and OK, I had to figure out how I was going to tell Steve the news.
He came home from his camping trip the next day, and just to be sure that I didn't dream it or didn't somehow get a false positive, I took another test that morning. It was still positive, so I figured it was safe to tell him the news.
I got him a card, I wrapped up the positive pregnancy tests, and I got him a big bottle of beer called Lovechild. I wasn't sure how he would take the news and I was anxious about telling him. He was so happy and excited and didn't have a freak out moment at all! Thank goodness one of us didn't!
The baby's official due date is July 5, 2018!
I had wicked insomnia the past few nights for no known reason. I felt fine and wasn't overly stressed, but my body just would not let me sleep. I was feeling bloated and crampy and my boobs were sore, so I figured that it was just hormones and that my period would be coming soon. I ran some errands and after walking around a store for a little while I was feeling a little off. I was extremely hungry and tired and irritable all at once. I thought it was strange that it hit me so fast, but like before, I figured it was PMS related. Later that day I was figuring out when I was supposed to get my period and knew it was soon, but still not for another week or so and I don't usually have these symptoms so early so I thought it was strange and it occured to me that it was possible, though in my mind very unlikely, that I could be pregnant. After another night of insomnia and wanting some peace of mind, thinking it would finally allow me to sleep, I decided to take a pregnancy test.
I took the test on the morning of Sunday October 22, 2017. I was expecting it to be negative for several reasons. So I dipped the stick then got dressed and ready for the day, and went back into the bathroom to check it. I looked at it. Then read the instructions again. Then stared at it. Yup, that's definitely a plus sign. Ok then...so its positive...So I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant??? I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant! So much for the sleep I was hoping to get!
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| Yep, that's a positive test! |
Of course Steve was gone on a boys camping trip that weekend and he wasn't home for me to tell. I had a bit of a freak out/holy shit moment and had to call my cousin Kayla and tell her because I wasn't sure what else to do. She assured me that the holy shit moment was normal and I would be fine and that this was very exciting! So once I had assurance that this was real and OK, I had to figure out how I was going to tell Steve the news.
He came home from his camping trip the next day, and just to be sure that I didn't dream it or didn't somehow get a false positive, I took another test that morning. It was still positive, so I figured it was safe to tell him the news.
I got him a card, I wrapped up the positive pregnancy tests, and I got him a big bottle of beer called Lovechild. I wasn't sure how he would take the news and I was anxious about telling him. He was so happy and excited and didn't have a freak out moment at all! Thank goodness one of us didn't!
The baby's official due date is July 5, 2018!
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