August 31, 2009,
Happy Birthday to me! It's weird to think that next year I will have my own six-month old child. I went to the beach this past weekend and purposefully wore a bikini so I could show off my tiny baby bump. People said I didn't even look pregnant, just like I had eaten a big lunch or something.
My stomach is growing, but it's growing up, not out. That's what the doctor said would happen, though. It helps if I want to hide it, but not if I want people to notice. Husband says I don't make any sense. But at work, I don't want people to notice. It's everyone else I want the attention from. Is that too much to ask? The best part about being pregnant is the attention you get from everyone, and it's an instant conversation piece. There are a million questions people can ask and discuss. The attention helps counteract the negatives (nausea, vomiting, body aches, irritability, fatigue, etc.).
Yes, I've been irritable lately. I remember when one of my best girlfriends was pregnant and she was easily annoyed. I didn't understand at the time, but I totally get it now. I don't quite understand it, but little things can make me angry or upset. Usually I'm a pretty mild person, so now with being pregnant I think I am turning into a normal "girl." Although I haven't burst into random tears, sometimes I can almost feel them. It will happen any day now, don't worry.
I can't wait to feel the baby move! Since I haven't had any appointments lately, I'm feeling kind of worried. I want to make sure that something is still alive and kicking in there! I heard a story about a friend of a friend whose baby's heart just stopped beating at about fourteen weeks. That scared me. She was taking some type of thyroid medicine, though, and they think that may have affected it. I will feel better after my ultrasound next week. Being pregnant really plays with my emotions! How will I ever be with a real child that's no longer attached to me?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Hip Pain
August 26, 2009
The hospital has restored my faith in its services. A nurse called me yesterday to set up my next two appointments. September ninth and October nineteenth have my name on them.
The latest development in my pregnancy is growing pains. Yup, how old am I? At least, I think they are growing pains. I'll find out when I ask at my next appointment. Anyway, I've been having the pains in my hips. Not really the hip bone part, but more in the back. It's hard to describe. But it will hurt when I walk, or move my legs. Usually it is after I have been working, so I will just come home and try not to move. I think it is my pelvic cavity expanding and making room for the baby. I hope it is, anyway. My mother has had some hip/joint problems that she had to seek medical attention for, so I hope this is not something related or genetic.
I'm also having some weird sensations right under my ribs. At the beginning of the week it was right under my left ribs. The past two days it has been right under my right ribs. Like I'm being poked or stretched or something. But it seems too high to be my uterus expanding. Maybe the ligaments are all attached there? Another question for the doctor. I need to write this stuff down!
Other than that, just the occasional bout of nausea. I haven't thrown up in over a week now, though. I think that's a pretty big accomplishment! My stomach is starting to swell more. It seems to be larger in the evening. From gravity?? Who knows.
My newsletter this week also told me how I am supposed to be sleeping. On the side is best. Laying on the left side increases circulation. Laying on the back is a big no-no. I guess it blocks some major blood flow and I am warned against laying on my back for more than three minutes after sixteen weeks. This is a problem for me since I have been most comfortable falling asleep on my back. I need to convince Husband to buy me a body pillow
now.
The hospital has restored my faith in its services. A nurse called me yesterday to set up my next two appointments. September ninth and October nineteenth have my name on them.
The latest development in my pregnancy is growing pains. Yup, how old am I? At least, I think they are growing pains. I'll find out when I ask at my next appointment. Anyway, I've been having the pains in my hips. Not really the hip bone part, but more in the back. It's hard to describe. But it will hurt when I walk, or move my legs. Usually it is after I have been working, so I will just come home and try not to move. I think it is my pelvic cavity expanding and making room for the baby. I hope it is, anyway. My mother has had some hip/joint problems that she had to seek medical attention for, so I hope this is not something related or genetic.
I'm also having some weird sensations right under my ribs. At the beginning of the week it was right under my left ribs. The past two days it has been right under my right ribs. Like I'm being poked or stretched or something. But it seems too high to be my uterus expanding. Maybe the ligaments are all attached there? Another question for the doctor. I need to write this stuff down!
Other than that, just the occasional bout of nausea. I haven't thrown up in over a week now, though. I think that's a pretty big accomplishment! My stomach is starting to swell more. It seems to be larger in the evening. From gravity?? Who knows.
My newsletter this week also told me how I am supposed to be sleeping. On the side is best. Laying on the left side increases circulation. Laying on the back is a big no-no. I guess it blocks some major blood flow and I am warned against laying on my back for more than three minutes after sixteen weeks. This is a problem for me since I have been most comfortable falling asleep on my back. I need to convince Husband to buy me a body pillow
now.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Appointment Confusion
August 20, 2009
Sometimes all this automated hospital stuff is nice. I'm one of those people who dislikes calling places, scheduling appointments, and talking to random strangers. If I can do something online, I'm on it!
I attempted to transfer my medical appointments to closer to my work for transportation reasons. My last doctor told me I needed to schedule an appointment with them, and that I could do it online. I filled out all the information and set up an account. After spending who knows how long navigating the webpage, I could not figure out how to transfer facilities, so I broke down and called. I was connected to quite a few people who were not able to do what I wanted, until finally one told me to go online and do it. I asked for explicit directions on how, since I was unable to do so previously, and she kindly gave them to me. It turns out that I had to request a new doctor at a new facility, and then I would be able to switch. So I did.
The next step was to schedule an appointment. I had received a generic welcome letter in the mail and there was a number to call. It said it was available twenty-four hours a day. I called, since Husband has been bugging me to schedule as soon as possible. Well, that was confusing! I decided to go online instead. That was a little better. I randomly scheduled an appointment for late September. Then I noticed I could look up the notes from my old appointments. I did so, and the note from my last appointment said to schedule my next one for early September. Oops. I tried to go back to reschedule, but it said it was unable to do so at the time. Hmm... I'll have to attempt to figure this one out. Should I schedule another appointment for earlier in the month? Or try to reschedule later? Or call the advice nurse? I think I'll sleep on it.
Sometimes all this automated hospital stuff is nice. I'm one of those people who dislikes calling places, scheduling appointments, and talking to random strangers. If I can do something online, I'm on it!
I attempted to transfer my medical appointments to closer to my work for transportation reasons. My last doctor told me I needed to schedule an appointment with them, and that I could do it online. I filled out all the information and set up an account. After spending who knows how long navigating the webpage, I could not figure out how to transfer facilities, so I broke down and called. I was connected to quite a few people who were not able to do what I wanted, until finally one told me to go online and do it. I asked for explicit directions on how, since I was unable to do so previously, and she kindly gave them to me. It turns out that I had to request a new doctor at a new facility, and then I would be able to switch. So I did.
The next step was to schedule an appointment. I had received a generic welcome letter in the mail and there was a number to call. It said it was available twenty-four hours a day. I called, since Husband has been bugging me to schedule as soon as possible. Well, that was confusing! I decided to go online instead. That was a little better. I randomly scheduled an appointment for late September. Then I noticed I could look up the notes from my old appointments. I did so, and the note from my last appointment said to schedule my next one for early September. Oops. I tried to go back to reschedule, but it said it was unable to do so at the time. Hmm... I'll have to attempt to figure this one out. Should I schedule another appointment for earlier in the month? Or try to reschedule later? Or call the advice nurse? I think I'll sleep on it.
Second Trimester
August 20, 2010
Fourteen weeks! How in the world did that happen? Time is really starting to fly by, especially since I started working again and am counting down the weeks of work. My next appointment isn't until about twenty weeks, so I get some time to just hang out with the baby in my belly before he or she gets prodded again.
I am now officially in the second trimester. Everything I've read said that this is the best trimester. Morning sickness is supposed to ease up, frequency of bathroom trips is expected to lessen, and the baby is said to make itself known through the protruding belly and little movements it will eventually make.
I have to say that I am feeling so much better, and the nausea seems to be a thing of the past. The memory of it is even starting the fade (Don't worry, I can always reread my blog to remember!). My tummy is growing, and I've started to feel a little pain like my insides are being stretched. I've heard that it is called ligament pain, from the ligaments stretching to accommodate the baby. It comes and goes, and I feel it mostly in my side and by my belly button. My belly button, by the way, has also become a little larger. I can see a little bit more of the inside of it. I have a mole in there!
Now that I'm in the second trimester, it's time to start looking for baby items. A friend of mine loaned me a book on baby bargains. It's comparable to the consumer reports, only purely baby items. It's a little overwhelming, actually. Who knew there were so many baby companies out there, and so many names that are really the same people, or owned by other people who go by the same name? I do think some of the things I read are helpful. For instance, who knew that there were different types of cribs? There are some with sides that drop down, and some with sides that have a hinge, and some you can drop down by a knee push, and others you can drop down by a foot press, and others that don't drop down at all. Then there are the unique round ones, or those that are modeled after sleigh beds (apparently fashionable, but not practical as the crib bumper doesn't fit). All these things to keep in mind! I read the first section on cribs, then set the book aside. Too much information to take in at once. I need a break.
Fourteen weeks! How in the world did that happen? Time is really starting to fly by, especially since I started working again and am counting down the weeks of work. My next appointment isn't until about twenty weeks, so I get some time to just hang out with the baby in my belly before he or she gets prodded again.
I am now officially in the second trimester. Everything I've read said that this is the best trimester. Morning sickness is supposed to ease up, frequency of bathroom trips is expected to lessen, and the baby is said to make itself known through the protruding belly and little movements it will eventually make.
I have to say that I am feeling so much better, and the nausea seems to be a thing of the past. The memory of it is even starting the fade (Don't worry, I can always reread my blog to remember!). My tummy is growing, and I've started to feel a little pain like my insides are being stretched. I've heard that it is called ligament pain, from the ligaments stretching to accommodate the baby. It comes and goes, and I feel it mostly in my side and by my belly button. My belly button, by the way, has also become a little larger. I can see a little bit more of the inside of it. I have a mole in there!
Now that I'm in the second trimester, it's time to start looking for baby items. A friend of mine loaned me a book on baby bargains. It's comparable to the consumer reports, only purely baby items. It's a little overwhelming, actually. Who knew there were so many baby companies out there, and so many names that are really the same people, or owned by other people who go by the same name? I do think some of the things I read are helpful. For instance, who knew that there were different types of cribs? There are some with sides that drop down, and some with sides that have a hinge, and some you can drop down by a knee push, and others you can drop down by a foot press, and others that don't drop down at all. Then there are the unique round ones, or those that are modeled after sleigh beds (apparently fashionable, but not practical as the crib bumper doesn't fit). All these things to keep in mind! I read the first section on cribs, then set the book aside. Too much information to take in at once. I need a break.
Pounding Headache
August 17, 2009
I had a headache when I woke up this morning. A pounding one. So bad that I decided to take a Tylenol. This was a big step for me. I have tried very, very hard to be completely natural and not take any drugs or medications of any sort. But this morning I couldn't handle going to work with this bad of a headache, so I took the Tylenol, then felt guilty (even though it is supposed to be the ONLY thing a person can safely take while pregnant). Well, it was effective and I made it through my day at work.
Started feeling nauseous on the drive home from work, though. Thought it would help if I munched on a snack. I have many snacks lying around my car: boxes of raisins, the little hundred calories snack packs, donuts (they were on sale!), etc. I opened a box of raisins and started to munch. Then, I got the feeling. Lately I've been able to control it, and maybe I will just gag a little and nothing will come up. Not this time. I gagged, and then felt more coming up. I was in the middle lane on the freeway so I grabbed a cup from my cupholder (leftover from my breakfast, which had included a cup of milk and a bagel while driving to work). I consider myself to be pretty talented, able to heave into a plastic cup while still navigating the freeway. Anyway, I was feeling miserable and I was close to my parent's house so I stopped there to lay on the couch and attempt to feel better before driving home. I curled up with the dog and took a nap. A few hours later I drove home to crawl into bed.
I had a headache when I woke up this morning. A pounding one. So bad that I decided to take a Tylenol. This was a big step for me. I have tried very, very hard to be completely natural and not take any drugs or medications of any sort. But this morning I couldn't handle going to work with this bad of a headache, so I took the Tylenol, then felt guilty (even though it is supposed to be the ONLY thing a person can safely take while pregnant). Well, it was effective and I made it through my day at work.
Started feeling nauseous on the drive home from work, though. Thought it would help if I munched on a snack. I have many snacks lying around my car: boxes of raisins, the little hundred calories snack packs, donuts (they were on sale!), etc. I opened a box of raisins and started to munch. Then, I got the feeling. Lately I've been able to control it, and maybe I will just gag a little and nothing will come up. Not this time. I gagged, and then felt more coming up. I was in the middle lane on the freeway so I grabbed a cup from my cupholder (leftover from my breakfast, which had included a cup of milk and a bagel while driving to work). I consider myself to be pretty talented, able to heave into a plastic cup while still navigating the freeway. Anyway, I was feeling miserable and I was close to my parent's house so I stopped there to lay on the couch and attempt to feel better before driving home. I curled up with the dog and took a nap. A few hours later I drove home to crawl into bed.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
I Wear a Milk Mustache Proudly
August 11, 2009
Have I had any cravings lately? Milk! I love milk! I ran out one night and ended up dreaming about drinking gallons and gallons of milk. The next day Husband stopped by the store and picked me up some more. I think I average two to three tall glasses a day.
On another note, I am starting to show more. Most of my pants aren't fitting as well, and I have to wear loose fitting tops. However, I still look like your average American girl who eats too much fast food, as opposed to my formerly skinny self. My brother in law came over the other day with a friend. He asked his friend, "Does she look pregnant to you?" His friend stated that I did not, and brother in law said, "Well, I can tell. She used to be a twig!" Ahh, brother in law. That statement totally made my day.
I'm also starting to have small pains in my stomach. I read that it is most likely my ligaments stretching to accommodate Baby. It's rather painful, though. Most of the time I feel it at night. This could be because I am distracted by work during the day, but I have been stopped in my tracks by a sharp pain at work.
Indigestion is another side effect I have. I didn't realize this until I visited with my mother and she pointed it out. I thought I was just burping a lot. A lot a lot. Apparently that is known as indigestion. Heartburn usually accompanies indigestion, but I haven't had that. Let's hope I don't!
Have I had any cravings lately? Milk! I love milk! I ran out one night and ended up dreaming about drinking gallons and gallons of milk. The next day Husband stopped by the store and picked me up some more. I think I average two to three tall glasses a day.
On another note, I am starting to show more. Most of my pants aren't fitting as well, and I have to wear loose fitting tops. However, I still look like your average American girl who eats too much fast food, as opposed to my formerly skinny self. My brother in law came over the other day with a friend. He asked his friend, "Does she look pregnant to you?" His friend stated that I did not, and brother in law said, "Well, I can tell. She used to be a twig!" Ahh, brother in law. That statement totally made my day.
I'm also starting to have small pains in my stomach. I read that it is most likely my ligaments stretching to accommodate Baby. It's rather painful, though. Most of the time I feel it at night. This could be because I am distracted by work during the day, but I have been stopped in my tracks by a sharp pain at work.
Indigestion is another side effect I have. I didn't realize this until I visited with my mother and she pointed it out. I thought I was just burping a lot. A lot a lot. Apparently that is known as indigestion. Heartburn usually accompanies indigestion, but I haven't had that. Let's hope I don't!
No Chinese
August 7, 2009
Ah, vomit. My old friend is back. Husband really wanted to order Chinese, which is really one of our favorite foods of all time. Baby, however, does not care for Chinese food. At first sniff, I had to hide out in the bedroom. Eventually I was able to eat some, but halfway through it all came back up again. No more Chinese food for me and Baby!
Ah, vomit. My old friend is back. Husband really wanted to order Chinese, which is really one of our favorite foods of all time. Baby, however, does not care for Chinese food. At first sniff, I had to hide out in the bedroom. Eventually I was able to eat some, but halfway through it all came back up again. No more Chinese food for me and Baby!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tissues and Growing Belly
August 5, 2009
Boogers. Lots of boogers all over the place. I guess when you are pregnant your body produces more mucous. I keep blowing my nose and try to make sure I have tissues around. They say nosebleeds are also common, but thankfully I haven't had to experience that.
Morning sickness has become so so so so so so so much better! I no longer feel sick all day long. If anything, I might throw up a little in the morning and be done. I do still wake up in the middle of the night feeling nauseous, but my days are starting to become more bearable. I have occasional moments of feeling really weak and disjointed, but those pass quickly. Maybe this part of pregnancy will be more enjoyable!
I've been trying to work out bathroom breaks, especially during the day. Two weeks ago I had to go practically every hour, but this week it has lessened and I am able to last two to three hours. At work I try to stop by the restroom every time I pass it (which isn't very often since my classroom is three minutes away!). My night breaks have lessened, and now I only get up two to three times, instead of every two hours.
My back has started aching, probably because I am standing all day. It's looked down upon in my occupation if you are found sitting. I do a lot of walking, though, and prop my feet up during my lunch break.
I am a little more tired. I think I've been getting about nine hours of sleep lately. It's nice. My stomach has also started growing. If I pull my shirt tight, and to those of you who know me, it's easy to tell that I have a bump. My pants won't button anymore, so I bought a BellaBand
thing at Target to hold them up. I decided I don't really like it. It keeps riding up when I move around (and I move around a lot with sitting and bending and twisting), and it just feels constricting. So instead, when I can, I use a hair band to wrap around the button of my pants to keep them closed. I'm only off by about an inch or inch and a half.
Overall, things are looking up. I am able to function again and have a life, although it was really tough there for a while. Husband and I actually went out for dinner last night, and I didn't have to throw up! He has been wonderful, and I'm glad to see him so excited about our family.
Boogers. Lots of boogers all over the place. I guess when you are pregnant your body produces more mucous. I keep blowing my nose and try to make sure I have tissues around. They say nosebleeds are also common, but thankfully I haven't had to experience that.
Morning sickness has become so so so so so so so much better! I no longer feel sick all day long. If anything, I might throw up a little in the morning and be done. I do still wake up in the middle of the night feeling nauseous, but my days are starting to become more bearable. I have occasional moments of feeling really weak and disjointed, but those pass quickly. Maybe this part of pregnancy will be more enjoyable!
I've been trying to work out bathroom breaks, especially during the day. Two weeks ago I had to go practically every hour, but this week it has lessened and I am able to last two to three hours. At work I try to stop by the restroom every time I pass it (which isn't very often since my classroom is three minutes away!). My night breaks have lessened, and now I only get up two to three times, instead of every two hours.
My back has started aching, probably because I am standing all day. It's looked down upon in my occupation if you are found sitting. I do a lot of walking, though, and prop my feet up during my lunch break.
I am a little more tired. I think I've been getting about nine hours of sleep lately. It's nice. My stomach has also started growing. If I pull my shirt tight, and to those of you who know me, it's easy to tell that I have a bump. My pants won't button anymore, so I bought a BellaBand
thing at Target to hold them up. I decided I don't really like it. It keeps riding up when I move around (and I move around a lot with sitting and bending and twisting), and it just feels constricting. So instead, when I can, I use a hair band to wrap around the button of my pants to keep them closed. I'm only off by about an inch or inch and a half. Overall, things are looking up. I am able to function again and have a life, although it was really tough there for a while. Husband and I actually went out for dinner last night, and I didn't have to throw up! He has been wonderful, and I'm glad to see him so excited about our family.
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