38.5 Week Appointment and Delivery Date

On Wednesday, July 15 we arrived at the Center for Maternal-Fetal Care for what we thought was the last visit.

I assumed it was our last time settling in to this peaceful waiting room.

I assumed it would be our last black and white peek at our son via ultrasound before we saw him in color, three dimensionally.

The last time for a Non-Stress Test to monitor the fetal heart rate and maternal uterine contractions. Though the recliner is super comfy, its a really boring 25 minutes.

I thought I was having my final blood pressure check done by my favorite staff member, Nurse Mary.

I thought it was my last pee in the cup to test for ketones, white blood cells, dehydration, proteins, etc.

I was even a little cheerful about being examined to see how far the labor was progressing. Only a little, because its not the most pleasant vacation experience!

However, after Nurse Mary and Dr. Kimberly came in to discuss the baby's development and my progression into labor I realized this is not the last time. I'll be here next Wednesday, too. Perhaps once again this week or twice again next week. I had felt so certain that the pains I was experiencing were progressing the labor process. Perhaps they are, but they weren't progressing to the point of BABY TIME.

During our appointments in the last few weeks, the doctors and I have been discussing the risks of continuing pregnancy past 38.5 weeks, the possibility of preterm labor (obviously, this didn't happen, hurray!), the possibility of spontaneous labor beginning before the due date of July 26, the threat of placental unhealthiness after 39 weeks, and induction of labor at 39 weeks.

I have done research about labor and delivery processes and have formulated ideas of how I'd like to experience the birth of our son. I realize that there are two VERY different ways it could happen - a natural progression that happens before 40 weeks or a scheduled, medical induction at 40 weeks.

The benefit of letting it occur naturally would be that I would be more in control of my pain management and could stay in the comfort of my own home, doing whatever I pleased, up until the bag of waters breaks or the pains are 5 minutes apart. I could avoid hours of wearing hospital clothes, hearing hospital sounds, and looking at hospital decor (all are not especially relaxing). The risk of letting it occur naturally is that with each progressing day, the placental health quality is reduced. This occurs in all pregnancies, but for my high-risk condition, it is more likely that the cell death occurs at a quicker rate. Therefore, I cannot go past the 40 week mark as many other mothers and babies do.

The benefit of scheduling an induction is that I will not have to worry about the baby's health anymore. He will be before my eyes and in my arms. A lot less anxiety! High risk doctors follow this line of thinking, too. They have worked so hard to give the baby a good fetal life and feel confident letting a baby be born ahead of nature's schedule because of the advanced medical care he can receive after birth. The risks include a more painful experience, due to the use of synthetic hormones. The prostaglandin and oxytocin my body would release naturally are less of a shock to my system than Cytotec and Pitocin. I would also have to have an IV of fluids and constant fetal monitoring. I would be pretty confined to my bed, and I would probably opt for the pain medication immediately. There are risks with epidurals, but perhaps the benefit would be that I would be more relaxed and peaceful during the experience.

It was a very tough decision to make at 5 pm, 38.5 weeks pregnant. Ultimately, the nurse, doctors, and we decided to allow labor to progress naturally up until July 26, 2009, the original due date. If there is not a baby by then, I will be admitted to our birth center for the Cytotec intervention on Sunday evening, and then I begin the Pitocin drip the next morning. Baby H will be here by Monday night.

Because I had felt so certain that "things were happening", disappointment was a big cloud over me. I imagined us having the baby by the weekend and having company visiting him. I pictured being NOT pregnant next week. I thought his birth date would be mid July. I was reminded by a friend that God already knew the plans for this baby's arrival, and He wasn't surprised and isn't disappointed by them. That was a comforting thought! Today, I feel more at peace with the idea of having 11 more days of being the only person in the world to hold Baby H.

Oh! His 38.5 Week Stats!

Weight: 7 lbs, 6oz, in the 77 percentile (could be a margin of error of +/- one pound)

Head diameter: 9.25 centimeters, 80 percentile

Update, Week 38. Moans and Groans.

Up until a few days ago, I had been enjoying this pregnancy. Well, perhaps the enjoyment began around June 20 or so, and ended near July 4... those were the easiest weeks for me. During those days, I experienced very little daytime nausea, few anxieties about birth or newborn baby, lots and lots of rest time, and the weather was fairly cool in Mid-Mo. My skin, hair, and mood were radiant. I felt happy and calm most of the time. I had a great trip to visit my family and friends in my hometown and a pleasant Independence Day trip. I felt pretty good about life, and totally loved getting a pedicure and my hair colored. I attended my water aerobics class regularly and was able to survive the day with only the briefest of naps.

So, in the last week things have changed. I visited the chiropractor for the first time in months in an attempt to assuage my weary back and neck. I've slept very little at night. I've been only able to attend a few aqua fitness classes, and when I am there, I cannot do very much, though its all low-impact. The temperature causes me to be sweaty, and I hate being sweaty on my scalp, back, and feet. My script for Nexium has run out, and is facing the insurance company for review, so I've got a grand-old case of the GERD again. Boo!

I've been quite forgetful this week, including tiny things like switching the laundry from the washer to the dryer, calling a friend to reschedule our appointment, where my keys are (that's not a new thing, though!!). and others.

I've also been feeling super heavy. Like I've got a solid lump of cement in my belly. A big, sometimes squirmy, lump that crushes my internal organs and makes it difficult to roll over. Frequently, the baby has spasms of energy that transform my abdomen into a shaking, jumping, shape-shifting weird thing. If he's active, he's super active! And now that his parts have all formed, I feel hard bits of skeleton like knees, spine, ankles prominently protruding like little lumps under the cover of my skin. SO odd.

To top it off, some of my "gee that maternity shirt is so huge it will never fit properly" apparel is now fitting snugly. I had to go buy a new shirt to have another one long and large enough to go into the rotation! Its a vibrant grape color, and while its cute and matches a pair of fuchsia shorts I also bought, I feel like a gigantic grape in it. Or perhaps like Violet B. from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

My pace is slower, and yesterday I asked Dan if the skin on the top of my feet was cracking or peeling because my feet hurt when I flexed them while walking. They weren't cracked, just swollen! Physically, my body is slower because of my achy joints and feet. I think the energy level I am feeling has reached an all time low... I have about as much energy as when I had mono. Seriously, I have to take a rest after I do a chore like walking to the mail box or folding clothes.

And speaking of swollen... its not just my feet! I've also had puffy fingers for about a month now, but in the last two weeks, my hands have gone to tingly to numb to frozen in weird positions when I sleep. I have to use one hand to physically straighten my fingers when I wake up. Its the weirdest thing, but would be a great Halloween trick! I can't remember ever feeling pain and pressure when I flex my fingers or curl them into a fist. Its SO odd.

The labor pains are still mild, irregular, and frequent. They haven't progressed into longer, stronger, closer together contractions, so its still not time for Baby H to emerge into the daylight.

Wednesday afternoon will be another baby doctor appointment, and this time the plans are well determined by which doctor I see. If I see Dr. G, the cautious, verbose scientist one, I'll definitely have a scheduled date and time to show up for inducement. If I see Dr. Kimberly, the peaceful, nature-will-take-her-course Canadian, she'll probably do a more natural procedure to move things along and urge me to wait another week before scheduling the inducement.

So... this means a baby within a week... or a baby in a week and a few days... but a baby before the "official due date" of July 26!

Baby H Update: 35 weeks gestation

When he is most active:
Active times start from about 3pm until 6 or so, and then begin again a few hours later and last until at least midnight. Most of the time, the baby's moves are like gymnastics. I feel various body parts rolling around, getting into different pressure points on my abdomen, and wiggling. I wouldn't describe these as kicks, exactly... more like shoves, jumps, bending and flexing of muscles, and wriggling into more comfortable positions.

When he is sleeping:
I generally don't feel Baby move in the mornings or in the middle of the night. Any movements are just twitches or small, subtle moves.

Other things I notice about him:
He responds to conversations much more than music or noises. The more rhythmic the conversation, the more I notice he is awake and ready to move.

I often push on one area of my stomach to encourage him into a different place, and he doesn't usually push back, just adjusts to find a place with more space. That's cooperation!

I am noticing far less hiccups this week, probably once every day or every other day for less than ten minutes a time. During the last month, the hiccuping really picked up, so much so that it drove me crazy! I felt as if I were being tickled from the inside! I think his lungs must be getting stronger, or he's getting better at coordinating the lungs and diaphragm muscle. Phew!

He's really growing...

Baby H has hair! We saw it today during the ultrasound today. Its on the nape of his neck, and might be less noticeable at birth if he's got fair hair.

Baby H has feet that are nearly 3 inches long! This makes total sense to me, since I feel them prodding me from late afternoon until late at night.

Last week, he weighed 4 pounds, 11 oz. I bet he's up to five by now!

This baby is growing and growing every day. I have to remind myself that when I don't feel like drinking more water or eating healthy foods or taking naps. He needs me to be as healthy as I can be!

Letter: Jumping, Painting, Waiting

Dear Son,

Tonight we are watching the Dancing with the Stars season finale. Its been an exciting season, and I know your sense of hearing has really improved. When the band starts playing (or I start yelling scores), you really start to move.

I wouldn't really call it kicking. It feels more like a full body quiver or jump. Sometimes there is so much force behind whatever move you are doing that my entire abdomen experiences an earthquake. It is a very brief, very enormous movement. Too bad you really haven't jumped during an ultrasound so I could figure it out! Currently, you weigh less than 4 pounds and my belly is the size of a pumpkin. A large Halloween pumpkin.

This week we've started to get your nursh underway. It is my last week of teaching school and your father has only been playing sports two nights a week, so there is more time to get prepared. Here is a photo of him painting:

And here is a photo of some cute socks I bought for you that COMPLETELY match the decor. I'll have to dress you in them and take photos. Get used to it... you are going to have some ultra-great wardrobing until you are old enough to form your own fashion personality!

We'll see you again in three days for our weekly Fetal NST, ultrasound, and visit with Dr. G. Maybe this time he'll have more information about when you will see us!

:o)

Your mother

29.5 Week Appointment and description of a typical doctor visit

On Wednesday, I had my regular weekly appointment at the Center for Maternal and Fetal Care.


When we arrive, I have the exact same conversation with the friendly receptionist about co-pays - CMFC charges $25 fee, I don't pay it, they call the insurance company which says they won't pay it, then I call the insurance company and they tell me not to pay it because it is covered. What a run around!



After that somewhat awkward conversation, we are escorted into the main waiting room. It is filled with the most relaxing and comfortable chairs EVER. Enya is playing in the background to soothe nerves. There are very few, if any, other patients in the room because we arrive for the first 7:30 am appointment or the very last 4 pm appointment. No crying toddlers. No coughing, grumpy people. Nothing stressful AT ALL.



Within five minutes, the ultrasound professional calls for me. We walk through the maze of tan colored walls filled with more spa-theme decor, until we come to the bathroom with the pass-through-urine-cup window. Each time, the sonographer asks the same questions, "Do you need to leave your sample now or after you drink a bottle of water? Do you remember how to put your sample in the pass-through door?". Yes, yes.



Dan is taken back into room 7 or 8, which is a small ultrasound room. He is usually waiting for me in a chair nearby the large exam table I sit on. The sonographer always comments about the temperature of the room and politely asks me to lift my shirt above my belly. Then she tucks a beige towel into the top of my pants and squirts warmed ultrasound gel onto my belly. Each week the amount of gel increases as my surface area increases.



As she begins to rub the ultrasound wand device on my abdomen, a black and white image of my uterus appears on the large, HD television mounted just in front of my exam table. The baby's image is fairly large on this large screen TV - probably the size of a toddler! I always have to ask where the baby is in relation to my abdomen, because it seems like the angle she is pointing the ultrasound wand and the position the baby is in on the screen don't mesh. The sonographer not-so-patiently explains that I am looking at a 2D image, and that she is only able to get a small slice of the baby's total appearance. I say, "Yeah, but where is the baby at in me?" I always feel dumb when she has to physically point. The little moves and pokes I feel don't feel as if they are coming from feet or elbows ... I can't tell a difference between the baby's backside pushing on me and his skull. The sonographer apparently thinks this is uncommon.



Usually she begins the scan locating the baby's face. This is a nice pleasant way to start the ultrasound! During the first trimester, they skipped over the baby entirely and began measuring my ovaries and position of other internal organs. In the second trimester, the fetal sac was much smaller, and so I could usually see the entire baby, placenta, and fluid in one screen shot. They would quickly located the heart, listen to the heart sounds and take measurements of the baby's body size. Now, the baby doesn't fit into the entire picture area. She begins locating the baby's front side, then switches to a top down view of the head. Every time she says, "I'm measuring his hat size". Then she begins to find the abdomen and says, "I'm measuring his belt size." Usually they measure his femur, too.



During this ultrasound, the baby's foot was prominent. I asked her to measure his foot so I could have some sort of scale to reference how big he is now. His foot is 6 cm long! The doctor has told me that the Internet sites that compare baby's size to vegetables or offer approximate lengths or weights are totally off most of the time. (ex- My baby weights 3 pounds, 9 oz right now, but the websites have said he should be just under 3 pounds. The baby is in the 80th percentile for weight, so if I listened to the website, I'd feel freaked that I have a huge baby.)



During this week's ultrasound, the baby was lying head down, facing to my left hip bone and forward at an angle. He had his elbows above his head, just like how Dan was reclining with elbows behind head while watching the exam! I think that is neat.



Here is his profile. I've seen a few pictures of Dan when he was very young, and I think that the forehead and nose look more similar from the side than my physical features. He is very cute here!


The black area around the baby's face is amniotic fluid. There is a nice, comfortable amount to cushion him and give him liquid to drink. Yes, babies DRINK the amniotic fluid and then urinate it out! How odd is that??


We spent some time looking at the baby's face. I asked the sonographer if all fetuses look the same, or if they are distinct. She told me that this baby is unique, and that I may recognize him after he is born since we can see so many physical features.



Then she started to comment on how he was SMILING. We could see his chubby cheeks lifting at the edges of the mouth and the lips curling up! His eyes were open for most of the time, and we could see the eyelids closing occasionally.








Can you see the smile? The image on the live TV was much clearer than this still that is scanned. I still can see the lips and cheek bones!



I hope he has Dan's thicker lips and my higher cheek bones. He could model.

And here is another profile.

He kicked up one leg and propped it on his knee. This was an ultra cute pose! I like seeing all the bones in his foot. He also had his hand in a fist near his chin. The bottom of my uterus is up at the top of the photo where the lighter band where the word FOOT is located. You can see he is in cramped quarters!

And here is another VERY sweet picture. He has his fist near his mouth and was putting it in or on his mouth, too.

This is very similar to Rodin's famous statue, The Thinker.

The ultrasound time always ends abruptly. Usually too quickly, too! I appreciate time to look at him and get to know him. We usually get four to ten "memento" photographs printed out while we are still in the ultrasound room. I wipe off the water-based gel, which I swear does stain my clothes, and try to feel clean.

Then I go across the hall to an exam room, where my blood pressure is taken each time. The Nurse usually has to take my blood pressure manually, instead of in the auto-cuff because it is low and the cuff doesn't get very accurate results. She goes over recent blood work I've had, such as the glucose test I had last week (passed with flying colors!) and discusses fetal-kick counts I've done as well as other symptoms. Usually my report on the frequency and predictability of contractions gets her attention, and I have to promise to sit down, drink more water, and stop being stressed out. I assure her that the contractions are long and not the quick, rapidly progressing type and that I have no other signs of preterm labor. She gives me the same information card and demands that I call or go to OB Triage if I have more than 4 contractions per hour for three hours in a row. I agree.

Then comes the worst part of the entire experience - the scale. I have an arrangement that I am never told my weight and that it is not commented on in detail, EVER. This is to help my mental health. However, I've been more stressed about my body lately and have started to panic at this point in the exam. I asked if I could refuse weight, and she told me it is my right. But of course, this lead to a question about my eating habits, mental state, and mood. Which was merited. I am not doing well. I am stressed and my coping mechanisms aren't healthy. Instead of getting a lecture, I get support. Nurse Mary arranges for medications, therapy appointments with a pregnancy ED specialist, and asks kind questions.

I typically spend the next ten minutes asking my own questions... here are the sample ones from this week: My top three right ribs really hurt. Is it possible they are popped out? Can I see a chiropractor? Is it safe for me to take a Calcium BiCarbonate heart burn medicine such as Alkaseltzer, rather than a Calcium Carbonate such as Tums? Can I get a refill on the Nexium medication? Will my acid reflux get to a more normal place after pregnancy, or does the relaxin hormone have lasting effects on the esophageal sphincter? How much bigger will the baby get this week? How much longer do you think I have? Do you think I should try to meet some of the doctors who work at the facility I will go for delivery? Is there any reason why I might need a c-section at this point? Does drinking a lot of water lead to fluid retention?

Yes, I have lots of questions! And I'd rather ask them and be informed, thanks.

Then I go across the way to another testing area, which is also decorated in beige and white and reminiscent of a spa. This is the Fetal Non-Stress Test monitoring area. There are four different curtained areas, each with a leather Lazy Boy recliner and an uncomfortable looking chair for the dad to sit in. I sit down and the technician reclines me back and puts two elastic bands around my waist, like a belly belt. One of the bands holds a fetal heart rate monitor, which is about as big as a stethoscope. The other band holds a similar looking monitor, which is used to measure contractions of the uterus. I am given a small "clicker" to click when I notice the baby moving. All three pieces of equipment are used to monitor the health of the pregnancy and will be used every week until I deliver him. The monitors are connected to a small machine that I can see. Its interesting to see the fetal heart rate change so quickly - from 135 to 160 to 140 - in a matter of seconds as he moves and gets exercise. Usually the "clicks" I make noting movement coincide with the increase in heart rate. The doctors are looking for at least two accelerations in 20 minutes.

When 20 minutes has passed, Dr. G comes in to see the test results. He always has my file - which is a white binder - and has seen the other notes from my previous care providers. He always shakes our hand to welcome, and then says:

"Your baby's size is perfect. Baby's weight gain is perfect. Amniotic fluid is perfect. Muscle tone and reactions are perfect. Heart rate is perfect. The contractions we measured are very small. Your pregnancy is progressing perfectly."

We have a five to ten minute discussion of follow up questions from the previous week and from Nurse Mary's patient notes. By this time, it is nearly 5:30 pm and I am tired, starving, and ready to bolt out of the office! I bet Dr. G is ready to be home, too. I try to wrap up the appointment as quickly as possible.

As we walk out, I note that the cleaning staff has already arrived and we are just about the last patients in the building!

Dan clutches the ultrasound pictures, I make conversation with a different receptionist about next week's appointment and our bill (unpaid, pending insurance figuring out!) and we ride the elevator three floors down to the parking lot.

Every week I think about how long it seems its been since I was there last, but how quickly the time passes when we are in there for an appointment.

Our next appointment is next Friday, May 24, which is my LAST day of work for the school district! I hope we have a very pleasant experience that morning!

Its time for the Third Trimester!

Baby H is becoming a big time squirmer. To be fair, he isn't really kicking. I think he is having leg spasms or rolling out his shoulders or something. Lots of very unusual movements! Occasionally these movements are visible externally, especially if I am lying down.

Today, Baby Daddy and I went to Home Depot to buy materials to build a chair rail in the nursh. I hemmed and hawed over paint colors. Should it be a purplish-grey-blue or more aqua tones? How much of a color differential should there be between the bottom level of blue and the top level of blue? We decided to put off decision for now.

Wednesday, May 6 is a busy day for us. Before school, the teachers are hosting a baby shower for the little man. It was originally supposed to be a "diaper drop", but because I am not a fan of disposable diapers, I politely asked if we could change the theme to "baby library". I am excited to see the board books and stories he will get for gifts! And I think it fits a bit better, too. An educational institution providing reading material for a new learner.

At exactly 2:45 pm, I must drink all 12 oz of Glucola. Then I have to rush to get to the lab for my diabetes test blood draw at 3:50, allowing for 10 minutes of needle and vein prep time. After that, I will have another routine ultrasound and visit with my physician and nurse, Dr. Grant and Nurse Mary. They will probably remark about how Baby H is measuring over a week ahead of their (incorrect) due date of July 26 and discuss prenatal labor classes, fetal kick counting, avoidance of pre-term labor, and the CRMC's Birth Center tour.

Friday is a day off of work for both me and Baby Daddy, so hopefully we'll embark on the adventure of finally choosing a changer/dresser for his nursh, selecting the paint colors, and finishing up the baby's registries.

26 weeks, 3 days ( 27 weeks, 1 day) photos

We had a "baby viewing appointment" on Wednesday, April 22. We arrived earlier in the afternoon because I had told my nurse about the 4 contractions per hour I noticed during the week of teaching, and she recommended I have a non-stress test to monitor uterine contraction activity.

The non-stress test was pretty non-stressful. I sat back in an enormous leather recliner. And I waited for the monitoring machine to register a contraction... but it didn't. I guess that was a little stressful... not being able to "prove" my symptoms! However, I only experience contractions now during stressful events, like standing up in the front of the classroom to begin a lesson, yelling at kids who are being off-task or disrespectful, exercising, walking fast to keep up with my long-legged husband... so I guess it makes sense that if I were in non-stressful conditions, I wouldn't be experiencing as frequent or predictable contractions.

The ultra sound technician also took a measurement of my cervix, and its in a great length for this time at gestation.

Bottom line: Doctor G told me to avoid stressful conditions, sit down more, and drink more water. And to stop worrying.

Here are a few pictures we received from this week's appointment. We were disappointed in the quality and quantity of them, but really... we were going for a check up, not a photo shoot! I think our expectations were a little high!

This week, the baby weighed approximately 2 pounds, 11 oz. His heart rate was 154 bpm. He has plenty of fluid to cushion him, and the stomach and urinary bladder were full. I noticed his little lips moving and "drinking" in the fluid, which is preparing his lungs for breathing. During the scan, he was facing forward with his head down and feet up, but as much as this little guy moves, I bet he didn't stay that way for long! I think he will have long legs and is just trying to get comfortable in cramped quarters!

The medical staff always tells me that the baby is measuring "big for his age", about 40% bigger than average, and I keep insisting that its because they have the due date incorrect. I think they are just looking one week earlier data when they make comparisons. Let's just say that he is an average sized kid who will be full term a week before the standardized due date calculation arrives!

Baby Loves....

Dancing with the Stars!




All night long he was moving and shaking. Maybe that big about his ears being fully developed is right, and those Lindy Hop dance tunes kept him pumped up!


Or, alternately, he was leaping and giggling at the judges' silly comments. I think Baby H really likes that Bruno!


I'm glad that baby and I share more than just a uterus at this point. We share a common fun spot in the week!

23 Weeks - What's going on in there?

A few months ago, I signed up for a weekly pregnancy email from BabyCenter.com, a website that has information about pregnancy and childhood. Its been interesting to keep track of what is happening with him on a weekly basis. I learned when he was developing ears and finger nails. Each week, the website compares the baby to an everyday object. I've noticed that these objects are all FOOD!

For example, last week he was as long as a normal size carrot. And at 7 weeks, he was the size of a blueberry. Today I learned that Baby H weights over a pound, about as much as a large mango.

The email also told me the baby's length. He is 11 inches long, from head to toe.

That was a milestone the baby reached this month - being measured from head to toe, rather than from crown to rump. I must say, crown to rump is a more fun sounding measurement!

Eleven inches long.

For some reason, I keep picturing a miniature baby lined up next to a ruler.That sort of freaks me out a little bit.

That means our baby is coming close the size of his father's foot. Its like I have a man-foot-sized baby inside of me, wiggling around. That is another creepy mental image! Ha ha!

In other news, the baby's sense of movement is fully developed. He is aware of my movements and can respond with his movements. I've noticed this the most when I change from a reclined position to sitting on a short chair to laying flat on my back. That really seems to stir him up! I know that I can expect quite a few movements around 3 or 3:30 pm each day, usually around the time I am coming home from work. If I am exercising, laying on the couch watching Jeopardy!, or am standing cooking dinner, I feel him move about the same amount, no matter the activity. The movements continue until I go to bed at night. I haven't felt anything much in the morning or early afternoon, which makes me wonder if the child is sleeping in there, or if my muscles are more relaxed, so he has more space to stretch around.

I have an appointment on Wednesday to see the little guy and get my vitals checked out. This will be the final monthly visit to the doctor. We've actually only had 3 "normal" every 4 weeks checks, the rest being weekly or every other week since late November. Four weeks from now I will begin weekly appointments for the duration of the pregnancy. That's right... starting at 28 weeks, I go in for weekly appointments! This is only a precaution, since the pregnancy is classified as "high-risk". Nurse Mary assured me that Baby H's progress is normal, that his development is normal, and that my part of the pregnancy is normal.

Baby's First Plane Ride

Baby's first plane ride... in utero... was on Friday. I know he was alert and active. I have to wonder if the changes in pressure or G Forces are enough for the baby to feel... I could definitely feel more movement than normal in the mornings. (Usually the baby is moving most from 3 pm to 10 pm). It was almost unpleasant feeling... so I am glad that I don't have to fly every day or even very often!

Half Way There, Little Dude!

Dear Baby,

You're more than half way done being formed. Right now, you are a bit longer than a banana, but you still weigh less than a pound. I think that your weight is probably increasing rapidly now, because I've been able to eat like a normal person lately, and have even had seconds at dinner!

Another reason I think you are growing more and more is because your movements have been stronger. Usually, I could just feel you wiggling around and getting more comfortable. On Wednesday, I felt you move forcefully. I think you were trying to stretch out those long legs or perhaps you were looking for more elbow room! Either way, I feel your strong movements now. Your dad has been trying to feel you for a month now, and last night he felt your knee jerk twice in a row.

Last week at your doctor's appointment, we saw your lips, heart, toes, spine, and your boy parts. I found it especially cool to see all four chambers of your heart pumping blood, and your dad enjoyed watching your mouth move as you slurped in amniotic fluid. Judging by how active you were, I think your mouth muscles will be ready to eat or ready to talk! Your nurse, Mary, told me that we might schedule your birth a little early, so we might have the chance to meet you before the end of July. Won't that be nice?

I have decided to paint your room blue. We aren't even close to being prepared for having you in our house, but our hearts and heads are getting more ready. Keep on keeping on, and when you arrive, we'll have our game face on and be totally supplied!

Love,
Your mom

Half Way There!

Hurray! This pregnancy is half way through, and in as much time as I've spent being sick, I'll get to have a baby! I am glad that medical professionals can estimate the date of birth and of conception... it helps me feel like I am making progress towards the goal and that the end is in sight. I can't imagine not knowing when I will be finally un-pregnant and holding our son. Countdowns are so comforting for those of us who aren't basking in the joy of being pregnant.

I have finally started to gain weight, and I think it is due to the fact that I've had a full two weeks of being able to eat supper! In the past three days I've actually been hungry. I know... sounds strange, but having an appetite is something I'm not yet used to.

All of the balanced nutrition has paid off in terms of development for my baby. He is measuring ahead of schedule, according to length and circumference measurements. I feel relieved that the daily ritual of dry-heaving and losing my lunch hasn't negatively impacted his development.

Which leads me to discuss my wardrobe... I am living exclusively in maternity pants (dress, cords, jeans - I've got them all now), yoga pants, Bella bands, long tank tops, and "normal" shirts. I do have three or four maternity tops that are making their first appearances, but I want to hold out on those as long as possible. I feel more "normal" wearing my "real" shirts, and for some reason, the maternity tops make me look more pregnant than the normal fitting shirts.

I am feeling the baby move quite frequently. The movement has changed over the last few weeks to go from a sudden twinge, to constant bubbling/boiling feeling to the occasional large movement. I haven't felt anything painful - no sharp jabs or kicks - but when I am laying down flat (like in the dentist chair or on the ultrasound table) big movements are more pronounced.

Significant Date in Pregnancy

Today is a significant date in pregnancy for me. Today is the first day anyone said, "You look pregnant".

And I do.

I am wearing a Liz Lange beige sweater, solid color. So the solid color doesn't allow for any camouflage of the mid section!

The noticeable change occurred today at 2 pm. Earlier in the day, when I got dressed and looked at myself in the mirror, I didn't see a pregnant figure. This afternoon when I took a bathroom break I did see a larger midsection.

I think its the shape of things to come!

Movement

For about a week and a half now, I've been able to sense baby h moving. Sometimes the sensations are like a small cramp. I have compared it to an eye twitch - its not uncomfortable, you can't control it, and its like a spasm.

Lately, though, I've felt something a little different.

When I am driving our small car, my torso must put the baby at an unusual angle. The seat belt is pressed under my belly. I can feel the baby shift, move, maybe even roll around. Its hard to describe exactly, and I don't know exactly, since there is no internal camera or no clear viewing panel for me to see what is going on (both are cool ideas, though). My best guess is that the gestational sac is being forced down and up at the same time, and squeezing the baby a little tighter than normal.

It feels weird - like a water balloon being squeezed and adjusted, but I am not actually the one doing the adjusting of the water balloon.

I tried to explain this to my husband today, and he said, "Oh, great. He's already inheriting your sense of comfort and pickiness!".

Pregnancy Update, 4 months.

I am well into the fourth month. In fact, if we were in an Asian country, rather than in the US, the fourth month would be over and I'd be starting the fifth month... half way there! I still feel confused about the Asian way of counting 40 weeks as 10 months, and then after that 40 weeks your baby is born and becomes 1 year old. This compared to the American style of 40 weeks is equal to 9 months, and when the baby is born, time starts over again at 0 months.

At this point, I am feeling some movement. Its hard to explain, sort of like twitching or digestion. I usually can't notice it unless I am very still and very calm and very patient. These moods and behaviors don't coincide very often!

I've still experienced all day weakness, nausea, and frequent vomiting. I took the day off of work on Monday, 2/9 to get a refill of the Zofran and to rest. I have times when I fear I am dehydrated and can't stand the thought of ANY foods, and then other times when I am as hungry as a bear!

As for my physical appearance, I most assuredly think I look pregnant. I feel pregnant. I wear pregnant lady pants. I move slightly different, and my center of balance has shifted.

In next time's post: Baby Gender Update.

15 Week Appointment

Eye sockets, 2 hemispheres of the brain, and a neck!

The placenta is healthy and has taken over the role of producting hormones and nutrition for the yolk sac.

Arms and hands up by the eyes. We counted the fingers. They are all there!

Baby H is drinking in fluid here. We were able to see a lot of very noticeable slurps!

Breech position, facing upwards.

These two are blurry because the baby was SO active. The ultrasound technician was really surprised at how alert and active this little one was before 8 am. She told us to expect an early riser! Or, a show-off!


The baby didn't have a Crown/Rump measurement, since its just been 2 weeks since the last appointment. However, the baby is as large as an apple now and approximately the same 8 oz. The heart rate is at a slower (but still high-average) 168 bpm. The scans today were to check the bladder, stomach, heart, and brain. All are right on schedule, working well.

I think I was most surprised by how much the baby is moving now compared to how little I feel it. I suppose I have nothing to compare it to except for digestion or my own pulse. I think that part of the reason I feel so uncomfortable is the baby's movement and how it affects other organs and muscle tissue in my body. I can't say for certain if I am feeling the "quickening" movements described in What to Expect... but its clear that there are no painful jabs, just sloshing.

I didn't gain any weight during the first trimester, and not since my last second trimester appointment. This is due to my intense nausea and daily vomiting. Dr. Kimberly said 90 percent of all women experience diminished or completely eradicated morning sickness by this the 15th week. Either I'm in the 10 percent or I will be feeling better soon! I've tried as many remedies as I've found to feel better: lemonade, ginger root/tea/ale/cookies, Zofran, Phenergen, Unisom and Vitamin B6, chewing non-mint gum, using non-mint toothpaste, frequent snacking, constant hydration, and acupressure bands. Fortunately, I am only on the cusp of needing IV fluids, and if I continue to make urine 3 times a day, I won't need hospitalization. I am supposed to check up with Nurse Mary in 2 weeks to make any notes in my health decline/improvement.

My blood pressure is still low, and besides the fatigue of teaching in a high school, and the nausea, I am pretty healthy! My energy level is twice what it was two weeks ago, but is definitely running at 60 percent of normal. Maybe one day I'll have the stamina to finish cleaning projects, reading late at night, or do a work out. But not now! I am most frequently found sleeping on the couch or relaxing in bed. I suppose it is really taxing on my body as it creates a new creature!

13 Week Pictures

Here are the aforementioned pictures! I have had a bit of a hectic week, and I just got to scanning them tonight, though they were taken on Tuesday afternoon.

In the first picture, I am taken by the crossed ankles. That's how I sit! Okay, maybe all babies do that. But, I've done that ever since I was in the Grape and Fall Festival Queen Pageant and was coached in the interviewing process. Crossing legs at the ankles is classy and will never give you varicose vein issues, like crossing legs at the knees, she said. (I think that advice was echoed in Princess Diaries, when Mia is first learning of her royalty.)

I also notice that the abdomen looks like a belly. A real, normal looking human belly!



This next image is taken as the baby lays in profile. Its easy to see the spine down along the bottom of the image. There is also clear evidence of a nose, lips, and chin! The large object near the mouth is the hand. The baby kept that hand near or above the head the entire time. The blurry area just right of the neck and left of the huge belly is the heart. During the ultrasound, the heart is similarly blurry, but with rapid pulsations that indicate a heart beat!


Speaking of heart rate, the baby's heart rate was a quick *though normal* 168 bpm. That's twice the rate of mine.

Here's a conversation from shortly after the photos were taken:

Dr. Kimberly: Things are going beautifully! Do you have any questions?

Me: Um, can you be specific about things are going well? Can you tell me what you can see from the image and information about the wellness of the baby?

Dr. K: Okay, I see a dark area surrounding the baby which suggests that he or she is making urine and that his or her kidneys are functioning. The level of fluid appears to be normal and healthy. I can tell that the baby's heart is in the upper abdomen and doesn't appear to be outside the body. That's good. I can see two halves of the brain, so I know that the baby's brain is forming correctly. There are two arms and two legs, and all are moving. Good signs that the extremities are developing properly. I don't have information about the baby's bowels, spinal development, or exact measurements, but those things will become more apparent and will be measured individually at the next appointment for 16 weeks and again at 20 weeks. So we're ruling out a lot of major deformities now, as well as conditions like anencephaly and intestines forming outside the body.

Me: Okay, thanks.

So all in all, a great appointment!

11 week photo

Eleven weeks, one day.

The baby was laying facing the "camera" at first, so we could see a top down view, with the heart in fluttering at 186 bpm in the center.

Later, the baby turned so the nurse could take some profile measurements, including measuring the fluid on the back of the neck. The thickness indicates a tendency for chromosomal abnormalities. Baby H had only a thin layer of fluid, which is good.

While laying in profile, we could see the facial features. Tiny nose, chin tucked to chest. The baby's arms and legs were flailing around and were captured as blurs on the photos.

The doctor reiterated that all is perfect and that everything is going perfectly. I think he says this to chill me out. As proof, I don't have to return for four more weeks. This is the longest time I've gone without an appointment, excluding the time from conception to the first appointment.

Clearer Week 9.5 Picture

Strong heart beat.

Wiggling arms.

Healthy, normal development.

Resembles a teddy bear.

Next appointment: January 5