September 24, 2009
Nineteen weeks and still throwing up! Although today was the first day I had a police car pull up behind me when I was parked on the side of the freeway. I didn't have my handy dandy plastic barf bags, but I did have a kitchen towel that I usually place on my lap to catch any spillover. I used that. It was gross. The police officer came up to my window and got to see me in all my splendor. I am not pretty when I vomit. My face gets red and splotchy and tears stream down my cheeks. Not to mention the vomit coming out of my mouth.
He asked if I was ok, and I told him I was pregnant and had to pull over to throw up. He asked if there was anything I needed, and I told him I didn't need anything, but thanks. I'm not sure if he knew what to think of me. I wonder if I'll be a topic of his conversations later.
Anyway, I called in sick yesterday because I just wanted a day off, so I didn't feel right taking a day off today. I went in to work and ended up throwing my no-longer-nice kitchen towel away.
Tomorrow I have an ultrasound appointment. We're not sure if we are going to find out the gender yet. I like the idea of being surprised, but husband really wants to find out. Then I thought about just he and I knowing and keeping it a secret from the rest of the world, but we're not very good with big secrets. Plus, people will have an easier time buying us baby items if they know what we are having. It's hard to find neutral items. I think we'll just go in tomorrow with an open mind. Who knows, they might not even be able to see anything.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Chloasma
September 21, 2009
I threw up last week on the way to work (yet again). This was right before I got on the freeway, so I quickly got over a lane so I could get to the side of the road. There I spent about ten minutes dry heaving and vomiting bile before I felt better. Not fun. All I had for breakfast before that was about five bites of a bagel. Thankfully I had good aim on this one. I think it might have something to do with my prenatal pill. I'm switching to taking it at night (although I've skipped the past few days and I haven't thrown up!). Don't worry, I'll take one tonight.
Another thing I haven't mentioned yet is a condition called chloasma. This is when dark spots appear on the skin. I got a dark spot in the middle of my forehead about the fifth week of my pregnancy. It's still there, and calling some friends to come join it. I have another spot above my eyebrow. My mother came over one day and told me I had some dirt or something on my face. I tried to wipe it off, and realized it was part of my skin. It's supposed to disappear after delivery. Something about overactive hormones, which we all know my body doesn't react to very well.
I'm still not showing to those who don't know me, but sometimes the bump is more visible than at others. Usually I think it is larger at night. Something to do with gravity? Or bloating throughout the day? That would explain why I still have to pee ten times a night.
I have also been feeling a little movement! It feels like something lightly poking me from the inside. It usually happens when I am sitting (such as in the car), and there are loud noises (such as bass). Therefore, I feel the baby most often when I am driving. It seems to make itself known while in the car. Does that mean the baby will like being in the car? Or not? We shall see!
I threw up last week on the way to work (yet again). This was right before I got on the freeway, so I quickly got over a lane so I could get to the side of the road. There I spent about ten minutes dry heaving and vomiting bile before I felt better. Not fun. All I had for breakfast before that was about five bites of a bagel. Thankfully I had good aim on this one. I think it might have something to do with my prenatal pill. I'm switching to taking it at night (although I've skipped the past few days and I haven't thrown up!). Don't worry, I'll take one tonight.
Another thing I haven't mentioned yet is a condition called chloasma. This is when dark spots appear on the skin. I got a dark spot in the middle of my forehead about the fifth week of my pregnancy. It's still there, and calling some friends to come join it. I have another spot above my eyebrow. My mother came over one day and told me I had some dirt or something on my face. I tried to wipe it off, and realized it was part of my skin. It's supposed to disappear after delivery. Something about overactive hormones, which we all know my body doesn't react to very well.
I'm still not showing to those who don't know me, but sometimes the bump is more visible than at others. Usually I think it is larger at night. Something to do with gravity? Or bloating throughout the day? That would explain why I still have to pee ten times a night.
I have also been feeling a little movement! It feels like something lightly poking me from the inside. It usually happens when I am sitting (such as in the car), and there are loud noises (such as bass). Therefore, I feel the baby most often when I am driving. It seems to make itself known while in the car. Does that mean the baby will like being in the car? Or not? We shall see!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Baby's Heartbeat
September 11, 2009
I had my appointment on Wednesday. It was at the new facility, close to my work. Even though I called in sick, I still had to make the drive out to that general area. Husband got off of work early, picked me up, and we headed out.
I got there and checked in. They gave me a cup to pee in, so I did that in the bathroom around the corner, then sat and waited to be called.
About twenty minutes after my scheduled appointment I was called in. I asked if my husband could come with me (he'd been able to every other time), and they said they would call him when we were ready. I got my blood pressure taken (normal), and my heart rate and weight. I've gained three pounds since the last time I was weighed. I guess you are supposed to gain about a pound a month during the first trimester, and then about a pound per week during the last two. I think I am right about where I am supposed to be, despite all the vomiting.
After taking my vitals, they sent me into the little room and said they would summon my husband when the nurse was ready. I did not have to change into a gown at this point, so I sat and waited. (During this time, husband thought they might be asking me questions about my safety and the baby's safety, and whether or not everything is fine at home. There was none of that, I just think they didn't have a lot of room in the weighing area. It was pretty tiny. Husband's guess makes sense though, especially for the area we were in.)
Finally the nurse came in. She looked me up on the computer and asked me if I had taken the class. The class? I had no idea what she was talking about. She explained that it's a four hour ordeal where they go over the paperwork and what to expect. I told her I had already filled out the paperwork at my last facility, and a nurse went over it with me. I wasn't sure if that counted. She seemed confused, as was I with her questions. She asked if I'd had my ultrasound yet. I told her I had ultrasounds at every appointment I had attended. Wasn't I getting one there? She told me that they don't do ultrasounds at the facility, and since I was around twenty weeks, I needed to schedule mine at another facility within the next week or so. Sheesh.
She tried to do it on the computer, but for some reason she couldn't so she told me I would be receiving a phone call soon to schedule. So far no phone call.
She left and the nurse practitioner lady came in. She was very pregnant. Husband was called in soon after. She asked if I had any questions, and I asked about some sensations I had been feeling below my ribs. She told me that wasn't normal and that it might be my gallbladder (but that's only on one side, so I don't think she understood), and to get it checked out by my general practitioner. I think it's just my insides and muscles stretching away from that area. I am certainly growing there.
Then I lay down and she spread the gooey stuff on my tummy. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat on the monitor thingy, which was cool. She said it was about 150, and sounded very steady. I was surprised at the way it sounded. I thought it would sound like a regular heart beat; boom-boom, boom-boom. But it sounded more like woosh woosh woosh woosh very quickly. It was cool to hear, but I was disappointed I didn't get an ultrasound. I was really looking forward to getting more pictures! I guess I had been spoiled at the last facility.
After the appointment we went over to Babies R Us and walked around to price things and see what we liked. We played with the strollers to see how easy they were to fold up. I think we picked out the one we will get. We also picked out the car seat, playpen and bassinet. It's nice that husband and I have similar tastes. The only thing we disagreed upon was the bedding and theme for the room. Looking at the options there, it was hard to find something neutral. Plus, it's all really expensive! We looked in the clearance aisle, but there wasn't anything we liked together. Oh well. We didn't buy anything, but we took pictures of the brands we liked so we can shop around for the best deal on them. Basically, any large baby item (crib, dresser, stroller, playpen, etc.) average somewhere around $200 is what I've found. Craigslist is cheaper, so I'm also going to search on there.
I had my appointment on Wednesday. It was at the new facility, close to my work. Even though I called in sick, I still had to make the drive out to that general area. Husband got off of work early, picked me up, and we headed out.
I got there and checked in. They gave me a cup to pee in, so I did that in the bathroom around the corner, then sat and waited to be called.
About twenty minutes after my scheduled appointment I was called in. I asked if my husband could come with me (he'd been able to every other time), and they said they would call him when we were ready. I got my blood pressure taken (normal), and my heart rate and weight. I've gained three pounds since the last time I was weighed. I guess you are supposed to gain about a pound a month during the first trimester, and then about a pound per week during the last two. I think I am right about where I am supposed to be, despite all the vomiting.
After taking my vitals, they sent me into the little room and said they would summon my husband when the nurse was ready. I did not have to change into a gown at this point, so I sat and waited. (During this time, husband thought they might be asking me questions about my safety and the baby's safety, and whether or not everything is fine at home. There was none of that, I just think they didn't have a lot of room in the weighing area. It was pretty tiny. Husband's guess makes sense though, especially for the area we were in.)
Finally the nurse came in. She looked me up on the computer and asked me if I had taken the class. The class? I had no idea what she was talking about. She explained that it's a four hour ordeal where they go over the paperwork and what to expect. I told her I had already filled out the paperwork at my last facility, and a nurse went over it with me. I wasn't sure if that counted. She seemed confused, as was I with her questions. She asked if I'd had my ultrasound yet. I told her I had ultrasounds at every appointment I had attended. Wasn't I getting one there? She told me that they don't do ultrasounds at the facility, and since I was around twenty weeks, I needed to schedule mine at another facility within the next week or so. Sheesh.
She tried to do it on the computer, but for some reason she couldn't so she told me I would be receiving a phone call soon to schedule. So far no phone call.
She left and the nurse practitioner lady came in. She was very pregnant. Husband was called in soon after. She asked if I had any questions, and I asked about some sensations I had been feeling below my ribs. She told me that wasn't normal and that it might be my gallbladder (but that's only on one side, so I don't think she understood), and to get it checked out by my general practitioner. I think it's just my insides and muscles stretching away from that area. I am certainly growing there.
Then I lay down and she spread the gooey stuff on my tummy. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat on the monitor thingy, which was cool. She said it was about 150, and sounded very steady. I was surprised at the way it sounded. I thought it would sound like a regular heart beat; boom-boom, boom-boom. But it sounded more like woosh woosh woosh woosh very quickly. It was cool to hear, but I was disappointed I didn't get an ultrasound. I was really looking forward to getting more pictures! I guess I had been spoiled at the last facility.
After the appointment we went over to Babies R Us and walked around to price things and see what we liked. We played with the strollers to see how easy they were to fold up. I think we picked out the one we will get. We also picked out the car seat, playpen and bassinet. It's nice that husband and I have similar tastes. The only thing we disagreed upon was the bedding and theme for the room. Looking at the options there, it was hard to find something neutral. Plus, it's all really expensive! We looked in the clearance aisle, but there wasn't anything we liked together. Oh well. We didn't buy anything, but we took pictures of the brands we liked so we can shop around for the best deal on them. Basically, any large baby item (crib, dresser, stroller, playpen, etc.) average somewhere around $200 is what I've found. Craigslist is cheaper, so I'm also going to search on there.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Car Vomit, Yuck!
September 9, 2009
I thought I had won the battle with morning sickness. I thought I had chased it off for good and it had decided never to show its ugly face again. Well, it's a little sneakier than I gave it credit for. It left me alone for a couple of weeks, making me start to feel secure again, and then it snuck up and grabbed me unexpectedly.
I threw up breakfast in the car on the way to work yesterday morning. Breakfast only consisted of a banana and something to drink (water, maybe?). I also took my prenatal pill in the morning. After eating that banana, I felt it coming, so I grabbed my handy dandy barf bag and heaved. Granted, I was in the fast lane on the freeway at the time, so I turned on my hazards and pulled over to the side of the road until I was done. I sealed my breakfast remains, and was quickly back on my way to work. Nice and neat. "This,"I thought, "is how morning sickness is supposed to be. I could have handled this all summer." There was no nausea involved, it was a nice and neat process. I thought at the time that the vomiting could be attributed to the prenatal pill, since those are also supposed to cause queasiness. Plus, my usual heavy breakfast of a bagel and cream cheese (healthy, I know), was unavailable. I thought I might also have some leg cramps later on, since I didn't get my banana dosage in, but I was ok for the day and evening.
This morning I decided to try a different approach. I skipped my pill (don't worry, I'll take it before bed), and made some toast with jelly. This should be similar to my bagels that I've been able to keep down for a while. Well, on my way to work there was no warning. Up it came, spilling out over the hand I had clasped around my lips, onto my seatbelt, my lap, my chair, the passenger seat, and the cupholder. I had a little bit of a break, and I yanked my barf bag out and continued into that. I took the nearest exit home, dangerously swerving the whole time as I continued to bring up breakfast. Why didn't I pull over? I was covered in it! I wanted out as soon as possible!
I got home, threw my bag away, and ran into the house to wash off my hand and face. I left the car door open to let it air out, and threw my clothes into the washer. After I felt a little better, I went back out and cleaned the car. Not fun to scrub off remains of toast and jelly from the interior of a car. I used cleaner, though, so now the car smells sanitary.
I have an appointment scheduled at my new facility this afternoon, so hopefully all is well. I was starting to get a little worried since it's been so long between appointments. Plus, someone told me a story of a friend of a friend losing her baby, and she was about the same time as me. Someone else told me I should be feeling the baby move already, and I'm not sure if I have or not. So those things rather worried me. Plus, I don't really see my stomach growing. I think the baby was talking back to me the past two mornings to let me know it is still in there, and not enjoying the food I was attempting to eat.
I will give an update after the appointment today!
I thought I had won the battle with morning sickness. I thought I had chased it off for good and it had decided never to show its ugly face again. Well, it's a little sneakier than I gave it credit for. It left me alone for a couple of weeks, making me start to feel secure again, and then it snuck up and grabbed me unexpectedly.
I threw up breakfast in the car on the way to work yesterday morning. Breakfast only consisted of a banana and something to drink (water, maybe?). I also took my prenatal pill in the morning. After eating that banana, I felt it coming, so I grabbed my handy dandy barf bag and heaved. Granted, I was in the fast lane on the freeway at the time, so I turned on my hazards and pulled over to the side of the road until I was done. I sealed my breakfast remains, and was quickly back on my way to work. Nice and neat. "This,"I thought, "is how morning sickness is supposed to be. I could have handled this all summer." There was no nausea involved, it was a nice and neat process. I thought at the time that the vomiting could be attributed to the prenatal pill, since those are also supposed to cause queasiness. Plus, my usual heavy breakfast of a bagel and cream cheese (healthy, I know), was unavailable. I thought I might also have some leg cramps later on, since I didn't get my banana dosage in, but I was ok for the day and evening.
This morning I decided to try a different approach. I skipped my pill (don't worry, I'll take it before bed), and made some toast with jelly. This should be similar to my bagels that I've been able to keep down for a while. Well, on my way to work there was no warning. Up it came, spilling out over the hand I had clasped around my lips, onto my seatbelt, my lap, my chair, the passenger seat, and the cupholder. I had a little bit of a break, and I yanked my barf bag out and continued into that. I took the nearest exit home, dangerously swerving the whole time as I continued to bring up breakfast. Why didn't I pull over? I was covered in it! I wanted out as soon as possible!
I got home, threw my bag away, and ran into the house to wash off my hand and face. I left the car door open to let it air out, and threw my clothes into the washer. After I felt a little better, I went back out and cleaned the car. Not fun to scrub off remains of toast and jelly from the interior of a car. I used cleaner, though, so now the car smells sanitary.
I have an appointment scheduled at my new facility this afternoon, so hopefully all is well. I was starting to get a little worried since it's been so long between appointments. Plus, someone told me a story of a friend of a friend losing her baby, and she was about the same time as me. Someone else told me I should be feeling the baby move already, and I'm not sure if I have or not. So those things rather worried me. Plus, I don't really see my stomach growing. I think the baby was talking back to me the past two mornings to let me know it is still in there, and not enjoying the food I was attempting to eat.
I will give an update after the appointment today!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Swelling and Peeing
September 3, 2009
Last night I took preventative measures. Husband graciously massaged my calf muscles, and I stretched them out as best as I could. I also took my prenatal vitamin before going to bed since google had also recommended calcium and magnesium. So did it work? Yes! I did not wake up in the middle of the night writhing in pain (only to pee a bazillion times). I am going to attempt to recreate the situation tonight. Husband was already warned.
Today I also experienced swelling for the first time. My hands and feet swelled. I think it was a combination of being pregnant, the heat, and not enough water. I noticed that my fingers were quite large, and I couldn't take my wedding ring off. Normally I can slide it off pretty easily, but today it was stuck. I looked down at my feet, and they also looked a little wider. After I got off of work I was able to sit and gulped down as many fluids as I could. My fingers and feet returned to normal.
I had another first today as well. I was driving home and I seriously had to pee! Before I got in the car I thought about going, but I had gone about fifteen minutes prior, so I figured I could drive home. Well, I started driving and realized I couldn't wait that long. I contemplated all the places I could stop on the way home. Starbucks? McDonald's? Could I wait to get to my parents' house (they are about halfway home)? Did I have something to pee into in my car? I know that sounds gross, but I was getting pretty desperate at this point. But how would I get out of my pants while driving? Too complicated.
I made it to my parents' house, but couldn't stand up straight to walk. I was seriously bent over on my rush to the bathroom. After I relieved myself I felt much better! I was surprised at how much came out. I mean, I had just gone. It was probably from all the swelling going down. Moral of the story? When a pregnant woman's gotta go, or even thinks she's gotta go, make sure she goes.
Last night I took preventative measures. Husband graciously massaged my calf muscles, and I stretched them out as best as I could. I also took my prenatal vitamin before going to bed since google had also recommended calcium and magnesium. So did it work? Yes! I did not wake up in the middle of the night writhing in pain (only to pee a bazillion times). I am going to attempt to recreate the situation tonight. Husband was already warned.
Today I also experienced swelling for the first time. My hands and feet swelled. I think it was a combination of being pregnant, the heat, and not enough water. I noticed that my fingers were quite large, and I couldn't take my wedding ring off. Normally I can slide it off pretty easily, but today it was stuck. I looked down at my feet, and they also looked a little wider. After I got off of work I was able to sit and gulped down as many fluids as I could. My fingers and feet returned to normal.
I had another first today as well. I was driving home and I seriously had to pee! Before I got in the car I thought about going, but I had gone about fifteen minutes prior, so I figured I could drive home. Well, I started driving and realized I couldn't wait that long. I contemplated all the places I could stop on the way home. Starbucks? McDonald's? Could I wait to get to my parents' house (they are about halfway home)? Did I have something to pee into in my car? I know that sounds gross, but I was getting pretty desperate at this point. But how would I get out of my pants while driving? Too complicated.
I made it to my parents' house, but couldn't stand up straight to walk. I was seriously bent over on my rush to the bathroom. After I relieved myself I felt much better! I was surprised at how much came out. I mean, I had just gone. It was probably from all the swelling going down. Moral of the story? When a pregnant woman's gotta go, or even thinks she's gotta go, make sure she goes.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Leg Cramps
September 2, 2009
Leg cramps, also known as "Charlie Horse," have been plaguing me lately. The past couple of nights I have been awakened by excruciating pain shooting through my calf muscles. Last night was the right leg. The night before was the left leg. Any guesses about tonight?
I googled muscle cramps during pregnancy (because I google everything!), and this is totally normal. Who knew? This symptom was definitely not mentioned in my What to Expect book! I thought it was supposed to cover every symptom. I'm very disappointed. Anyway, the next logical step would be to determine the cause of these cramps and find a solution. Well, google was not very helpful. Apparently the cause is unknown, and solutions are pretty basic (massage the muscles, drink lots of water, relax, etc). Where is my miracle cure? I know, on the same shelf as the no-more-morning-sickness tonic.
This is very frustrating to me. My nights now consist of waking up at least three times to urinate and once more to roll around and attempt to relax my overly tightened leg muscles. Now, getting up to pee was fine. No big deal. I can practically use the toilet in my sleep. Come to think about it, I probably have lately. But with these leg cramps I actually wake myself up completely and get some adrenaline going while I writhe in bed. Anyone wonder why I am tired and cranky and want to go to bed at seven every night?
Leg cramps, also known as "Charlie Horse," have been plaguing me lately. The past couple of nights I have been awakened by excruciating pain shooting through my calf muscles. Last night was the right leg. The night before was the left leg. Any guesses about tonight?
I googled muscle cramps during pregnancy (because I google everything!), and this is totally normal. Who knew? This symptom was definitely not mentioned in my What to Expect book! I thought it was supposed to cover every symptom. I'm very disappointed. Anyway, the next logical step would be to determine the cause of these cramps and find a solution. Well, google was not very helpful. Apparently the cause is unknown, and solutions are pretty basic (massage the muscles, drink lots of water, relax, etc). Where is my miracle cure? I know, on the same shelf as the no-more-morning-sickness tonic.
This is very frustrating to me. My nights now consist of waking up at least three times to urinate and once more to roll around and attempt to relax my overly tightened leg muscles. Now, getting up to pee was fine. No big deal. I can practically use the toilet in my sleep. Come to think about it, I probably have lately. But with these leg cramps I actually wake myself up completely and get some adrenaline going while I writhe in bed. Anyone wonder why I am tired and cranky and want to go to bed at seven every night?
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