Thursday, January 29, 2009

Aches and Pains

Today was somewhat eventful. I've been having some strange pains in my pelvic area for about 2 days or so. Not to mention the back pain! I haven't thought much of it, knowing that my belly stretching out was bound to cause some aches and pains. This afternoon it became fairly painful, so I called the doctor's office to make sure it was normal. They wanted me to come right in - can we say, terrified?? They did an exam and determined that the cause had nothing to do with the baby - she's just fine. Apparently, I have something called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). When you are pregnant, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which causes your muscles, joints, ligaments, etc. to stretch to allow for the baby to have plenty of growing room. My body has somehow produced a little too much relaxin. In effect, it has caused my hip/pelvic joints to loosen to the point of my pubic bone being stretched apart - VERY painful. There's nothing that can be done as far as treatment goes. She recommended a chiropractor that specializes in pregnant women, which I may look into if it becomes too painful. Basically, I have to take it easy to avoid unnecessary stretching. I guess that means I can't wrestle my little children anymore!

On another note, the doctor recommended that I h
ave my 20 week ultrasound with a perinatologist (fetal specialist) rather than in their office. Because of my history of miscarriage and my hypothyroid, they want to make sure that everything is perfect with Miss Emma. I think it's a good idea - better safe than sorry. I'd rather have the best for Emma than what's more convenient for us. We've also decided to do a 3D ultrasound this weekend. We're planning on having another one done when I'm further along, but really want a sneak peek of the little lady right now. They'll be able to tell us with certainty that SHE is a SHE and even give us some awesome color photos and a disk to keep of them. I'll be sure to post some pictures when we get them!

Here's a sweet picture that I've stolen from Josh and Carolyn Craddock. Their gorgeous daughter Kaitlyn was born on Monday. We went for a quick visit last night and Josh took this picture of Brad and Kaitlyn - doesn't he look like a natural?? Ok, maybe not quite THAT natural YET, but he'll get plenty of practice!



Friday, January 23, 2009

It's a........

GIRL!!! Well, let me mention that the doctor and ultrasound tech said that they are 85% sure she's a girl. There was definitely no penis (which you would be able to easily see by 15 weeks), and it had the 3 characteristic "white lines" that are the vulva (sorry if that was TMI!). Needless to say, I'm thrilled! Brad is still waiting for his 100% certainty, which he may not get until she pops out. I have another ultrasound in 4 weeks and we should get a pretty good idea by then. However, as far as I'm concerned (and I've been comparing the "money shot" picture to others online all afternoon), it's a girl!

Meet Emma Claire... here's her profile shot, followed by a picture taken of her face from the front. Her head is on the right, and her big belly is sticking out. She's already got my nose! The last picture is the "money shot." It's her legs and the arrow is in between them, pointing to the 3 white lines.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

On the mend, co-sleeping, and sex.

I'm praying that the end of this miserable sickness is in sight. I just got back from my doctor's office (General Practitioner) yet again. It seems that the antibiotics that were supposed to rid me of my sinus infection also ridded me of all of the "good bacteria" in my "gut." In other words, it caused a secondary infection which is MUCH more miserable than the first - trust me. They did a good deal of bloodwork and are checking my electrolytes to make sure that I'm not too dehydrated. If I am, I may need IV fluids. The doctor also prescribed a new antibiotic that's specifically designed for this type of infection. Let's hope that this one is to the baby's liking!

In the meantime, she doesn't want me to go back to school until Monday, which means I will have been out all week long. That's just not like me. In fact, it's killing me that I've left my poor para's on their own with my 8 heathen children all week. On the other hand, a part of being pregnant and being a mom is learning to really decide what is the most important, and right now, nothing's more important to me than this baby and keeping him/her healthy.

On a happier note, I bought a co-sleeper off of ebay this week (see picture below - try to ignore the crazy looking people). For those of you not "in the know," a co-sleeper fits right next to the mom's side of the bed and is level with it, attaching to the bed. It's primarily designed so that the baby is right next to mom and within arm's reach for nursing, middle of the night diaper changes, mirror-under-the-nose checks, etc. We decided on this for the first few months rather than a bassinet for several reasons. Believe me, I've done my research! A bassinet only holds the baby until it's 15 lbs and then has no other uses, and this particular co-sleeper is multi-purpose. Not only is it a co-sleeper which attaches to our bed, it's also a stand-alone bassinet, a changing table, and a playpen all-in-one. Once we're done using it overnight, we can use it as a playpen and even take it on trips with us. Can you tell I'm excited?? In fact, I think I may make Brad set it up tonight just to see what it's like. Lord knows I need SOMETHING to lift my spirits!



Oh! Almost forgot. Sex. I may have mentioned this before, but we have an ultrasound tomorrow and we may find out the sex of the baby! And you thought the title referred to sexy good times! Shame on you. It all depends on the position of the little monkey, so pray that he/she cooperates and isn't too shy about showing the goods! We'll also learn more about the progress of my cyst. Yuck. I'll update tomorrow!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Misery

I can't even BEGIN to tell you how miserable the last 4 days have been. I mentioned in my last post that I went to the doctor and was put on a "z-pack" antibiotic for a sinus infection. I've taken the same prescription several times with no complications. Apparently, baby doesn't like antibiotics. Over the last 4 days I've developed a low-grade fever (can be VERY dangerous during pregnancy), a red rash on my face and chest, a slew of digestive issues that I won't even attempt to describe for fear of it being TMI, in addition to the congestion, headaches, and general body pain of the sinus infection.

I was SO excited for a nice, long 3-day weekend. Needless to say, it's been a huge, miserable, mess. I've been in the bed, flat on my back since mid-day Friday. I stayed home today after being up sick all night, unable to keep any food down. I've called both my general practitioner (who prescribed the z-pack), and my OB and both have assured me that I haven't done any damage to myself or the baby with all of the dehydration. I discontinued the pills on Saturday and am just waiting for it to get out of my system so that I can start feeling better. The sinus infection is almost completely gone - now it's just a waiting game for the GI issues to go away!

On the positive side, I was able to feel the baby move again several times this morning after feeling nothing for several days while I was "down and out." I guess he/she was taking the opportunity to rest as well. In fact, I was a little freaked out after feeling so many flutters and kicks for so long and then ...nothing. Brad and I used our rented doppler last night to find the heartbeat and there it was - almost instantly, like music to my ears. I don't know what I would do without it!

Keep us in your prayers this week as I hopefully recover and we try to find out the sex of our little monkey on Friday - I don't think I can wait anymore!

Friday, January 16, 2009

4 Months Today!

I'm at home sick with a NASTY sinus infection, or a "bad sinus infection" as the doctor put it. I've got some antibiotics, a warm, cozy bed, plenty of soap operas, a baby kicking the heck out of me, and a sweet puppy to keep me company in bed. While I'm feeling so cruddy, I thought that I would be brave. Brave enough to post a belly picture. I've had Brad take them weekly for the past few weeks (ever since there was something to see) and thought I'd share the ones he took this morning. I'm 16 weeks (4 months) exactly. I'm going to be huge, and it's OK. At least that's what I'm telling myself now - I may change my mind in a few months! On the plus side, I've lost around 5 lbs so far, though the baby doesn't make it look that way.







Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Kicking Along...

It's hard to believe that I'll be 16 weeks pregnant on Friday. In some ways it feels like it's been so much longer than that, and in other ways it still feels so new. This has been a solid 2 year road that has taken so many twists and turns - I feel like I've been on that same road forever. It's nice to see a light at the end of this very long tunnel. My morning sickness is mostly over with for the time being. I've heard it may come back during my third trimester (I'm in my second now). I still find myself getting sick if I eat too late and lay down, or eat anywhere NEAR a full meal. It sure is nice to be able to brush my teeth again without running for the nearest toilet! That was probably TMI. My last doctor's appointment showed that I've lost around 3lbs. In the last weeks since my appointment, my scale is showing at least another 2lbs lost. The doctor wasn't really happy with that last time, and I'm hoping I don't get the 3rd degree at this appointment. It's just REALLY hard to gain wait when, for the past 12 weeks or so, simply the thought of food has caused me to be sick.

I'm feeling very well for the most part - exhausted, but happy. I was telling Brad the other night that this has GOT to be the happiest time in my life. I've always felt like there was somewhere that the grass was greener. When we were dating, I wanted to be engaged. When we were in separate dorms, I was waiting to be able to move in together. When we were engaged, I wanted to be married. When we were living in Carrollton, I wanted to be HOME. Now I find myself happily married, owning a great house, fairly financially secure (at least until I quit work to be a stay-at-home-mom!), and pregnant. It's the most exciting thing we've ever experienced.

This week I really felt like it started to get "fun." We were at church on Sunday night at the youth mass. The music is really loud and booming and I felt the baby kick 3 times! It was the most awesome sensation! I jumped every time it happened, not expecting it, or even knowing WHAT to expect. Now Brad's waiting for the day that he can feel it from the outside - sometime around 20-22 weeks usually.

We've started the bare bones of a registry at Babies R Us - just the gender neutral things that we knew we wanted. I can't believe how expensive baby items are. It blows me away. We plan to add some boy or girl things to the list online once we find out the sex. We have already purchased a changing table/dresser that I found on Craigslist. It's waiting for Brad to cut the feet off of it so that it's a little shorter, as I'm so vertically challenged. It matches a cherry armoire that belongs to our bedroom set that we plan to move into the baby's room. We're waiting on the rest of the nursery stuff until we find out the sex of the baby and can personalize it a little more.

SPEAKING of finding out....we may be able to know as early as next Friday. I have an ultrasound scheduled to re-check the ever-growing cyst on my ovary. The ultrasound tech said that it's definitely possible to find out at 17 weeks, but it depends on the position of the baby. As much as this baby has been moving around over the last few days, I'm hoping it won't be an issue! I'll be sure to post it as soon as I know.

Hope everyone is doing well. We're just trying to make it through a few more months until Spring Break - living for the extra hours of sleep!