23 week Appointment

Photo from August 18th (24 weeks, 0 days)

Weight Gain: +6 lbs by MD, +4.6 lbs by my scale
B/P: 114/72
FHR: 150
Fundus: 23cm

Today's appointment was quick and boring; which is how they should go! :) It is extremely difficult not to compare my two pregnancies each appointment, so with that said...I have better blood pressure and lower weight this time than last! My appointment with Katie was at 23w2 days, and I am 23w1d today. I was 1.8 lbs heavier with Katie, although my overall "gain" was only +3.8 lbs since I started heavier with Katie. My blood pressure was already 130/90 at this appointment last time, and as you can see, it is much better than that with this pregnancy. I think "size wise" I am looking about the same this time as last time, but I will take a picture for comparison when I get back to my camera. Both of the babies had heart rates in the 150's so I guess I don't fit in the "old wives tales" that boys have slower heart rates. :)

Growth Scan

21 weeks, 5 days

Weight: +5.8lbs per MD, +3.8 lbs per my scale
B/P: 102/62
FHR: 147

Grandma and I went to a follow up ultrasound for Nathan on August 2nd (21w5d). This was the first ultrasound my grandma has seen, so I was really excited for her to come. Unfortunately, Nathan didn't want to turn and look at the U/S wand, but he is doing wonderfully, which is what really matters. He is laying with his back pressed up along my stomach and his feet low near my bladder and cervix...fun times when he kicks! Lol! His head is up near my ribcage.

He is continuing to grow well, and by the measurements at the perinatologist, he is 21w5d, which was exactly where I was according to my LMP. Dr. R estimates that he is roughly 1 lb and that he falls in the 40% for growth. We have another follow-up in a month with Dr. R and if I haven't seen a cardiologist by then, he will have his office set up a referral instead of my OB.

19 weeks Appointment

Weight Gain: +4 lbs by MD, +2 lbs by my house scale
B/P: 120/74
FHR: 150's
Fundal Height: Umbilicus

I saw my normal OB today for a pretty uneventful appointment. She said that everything was looking great and wanted to touch base about my palpitations. She is referring me to a different cardiologist (I could tell she didn't like the one that saw me in the ER), thus increasing my provider count to THREE! Oh goodness. I wish my body would realize women have babies everyday! Oh well. I am so glad that my little boy is doing well, and gaining weight.

We have started getting ready for his arrival. Paul and his dad painted the nursery green last weekend, and I am looking at ordering Katie Bug's new toddler bed so that he can take over her crib. I can't believe our son will be here in five short months!

Level II Ultrasound and Gender Reveal

Weight Gain: Something completely ridiculous by their scale....+3.8 lbs at home
Blood Pressure: 98/62
Fetal Heart Rate: 150's

We had the Level II U/S on July 5th (17w5d) with the Perinatologist. While Dr. A didn't think that anything was concerning with the pregnancy, she thought it would be "safe" to have Dr. R check me out again. (At this point in my pregnancy with Katie, my blood pressure was already creeping up.)  Our little baby cooperated very well for the technician and we got all of the pictures they were looking for. 

Our baby BOY was measuring in at 8 oz and was moving all around. He had his hands up by his face just like his big sister, and we got to see him opening and closing his mouth and even all of his fingers and toes. He is currently transverse, with his head on the left side of my abdomen and his bottom on the right. I know it is still plenty early, so he has lots of time to flip to a new position, but I can definitely tell he isn't sitting like Kaitlyn was because it feels so much different.

We talked more about my heart palpitations and my ER visit. Dr. R said that he expects me to continue to have palpitations, which unfortunately has happened, and in fact increase as I get further along. He suspects it is the baby that is causing the arrhythmia as I had never had this problem before and there was not a mechanical/structural abnormality within my heart.  So, I am now up to TWO doctors for this pregnancy as Dr. R will be following us monthly...

Hospital Visits....

Yes, unfortunately, that is a pleural "vistis" for me...this early in my pregnancy, too. Ugh.

On June 1st, I caught the stomach bug that was creeping it's way through our family. I got so sick I was unable to keep down water and was having trouble urinating. I knew that meant I was seriously dehydrated and off to the ER Paul and I went. Five hours, two bags of Normal Saline, and a $2000 bill later I was nice and hydrated. Oh goodness.

I was hoping that would be the end of the excitement for us, but unfortunately it wasn't. On June 21st, I was getting ready to go to bed and I started having fast palpitations that wouldn't go away. I have gotten these before, but they usually only last 3-4 beats and then go away. My mom gets them, and so does Grandma apparently, but they have never been bothersome. I even had an ECHO done when I first got pregnant with Kaitlyn to make sure everything was okay for the pregnancy.

This time, however, they didn't go away. They were still there in the morning when I woke up but were WORSE. I was having a lot of trouble breathing and was very diaphoretic ...I knew this wasn't good. So off to the ER I went again. When they checked me with a 12-lead EKG, my heart rate was 220!! They immediately moved me from triage to Trauma Room 8. I was either in SVT or A fib with RVR....the treatment of which is drugs or shocking. Fortunately for me, the arrhythmia went away on it's own, but I had a lot of PVC's and PAC's for several hours. They kept me overnight, placed me on telemetry, drew serial troponins and performed another ECHO. All of my lab work came back normal, and they discharged me on the 22nd. What a scare! The cardiologist told me that I likely was experiencing Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and there really isn't anything for me to do other than return if the palpitations and chest pain return.

Really, really hoping this is the last I see of the hospital until this baby is ready to deliver...after November 17th, of course....


**I know I used a lot of medical jargon. Please follow the word link for more info.

15 Week Appointment: Uneventful

Weight Gain: +1.5 lbs by MD, +0.4 lbs at home
B/P: 120/76
FHR: 150s

 I am 14 weeks, 5 days along today. I am at the part where I feel "fat" and not really pregnant. My stomach is starting to stick out more, but I can still fit in my regular shirts and some of my regular "fat" pants. I like the extra room in my maternity pants, but they fall down more. Oh well...

My appointment was super fast and uneventful. I went by myself while Noemi watched the Doodle Bug. The tech found the baby's heart rate really easily and higher than I was expecting. I still feel like the baby is near my pubic bone, but at 4 inches and 2.5 oz, the baby is roughly the size of an apple and moving on up! My stomach is getting "harder" and my stretch marks from last time are starting to look "angry." (nice and red...)

I go in Monday for a "Triple Screen," which checks for chromosomal abnormalities. Then I see my OB next month. Not much else to report, thankfully! :)

Random Update

Well, I am growing and getting bigger, as is Lil' Miss Katie. I really need to take a picture to update our progress, hopefully tomorrow or Saturday. We get to dress up on Saturday and go to a fancy dinner with Paul's company to celebrate the store selling $500,000 in one month - a feat that Paul has accomplished 3-4 times before, but it was a first in this particular stores 20+ year history. He brought in more than 20% of their sales that month!!! We are soo proud of Paul. He is such a good husband, father, and provider.

The nursery furniture started coming in on Tuesday. Paul supervised the delivery and assembly of the crib and dresser. My mom and dad gave Katie the most beautiful crib! I will post some pictures when I get home. Paul put some of the bedding in the crib and sent me updates at work so I wouldn't miss out on the fun. :) The room is coming together, but definitely looks smaller with the furniture in place. The only thing left is adding the bookcase (Paul is picking it up tonight) and a little decor! I am super duper excited. I love just going in her room and sitting in the glider.

I have been feeling so/so. During weeks 25 and 26 I got a migraine so bad that I threw up. That was definitely not pleasant, and I hope we can keep those at bay. I believe my allergies are acting up this week, too, as I have been sneezing, coughing and achy, but no fever (thankfully). I got my flu vaccine awhile ago and the H1N1 vaccine at work on Tuesday. Paul went in for a few fillings on Tuesday, also, and he ended up with an unexpected wisdom tooth removal. So it has been an eventful week at our house. We are both trying to stay healthy and strong.

Two of my best friends are hosting a shower for me on the 14th of November and I am so excited!!! I can't believe that we are inching closer and closer to January. Next Tuesday is "officially" the beginning of the third trimester!!

99 Days

Until I am due!!! I can't belive how fast days 200-100 went by. The second trimester has been SO MUCH better than the first, even if I was throwing up and sick during a lot of it.

Kaitlyn got to celebrate today by talking with her Grandpa overseas. He even got to see how big she was getting in my tummy because I got a new web-cam!!

January is going to be here before we know it...

Swine Flu....

I found out today, after I had been there for 6 hours, that one of my patients was positive for Swine Flu. Good times. I'm sure it will be fine. I am very careful about washing my hands ALL THE TIME, but still....

23 week Check-Up

23 weeks, 2 days
This shirt looks much different than 8 wks ago...

B/P: 130/90, repeat of 128/86
HR: 80
Fundal Height: I don't know, she didn't say
Fetal Heart Tones: 150
Weight: +7.8 lbs since last visit, +3.8 lbs pre-pregnancy.

This appointment was pretty much routine. My blood pressure is up...but that isn't really new. I am looking at my B/P at week 7 and it was 128/76, so it has kinda been on the border the whole time. She was concerned about it and had the girls re-check it. Not much improvement in my book, but she proclaimed "that is much better!" at the reception desk. I have to go October 5th to have them re-check my blood pressure, and my next appointment is actually in 5 weeks on October 29th.

I weighed myself before I went in at home and my scale said I was 214.6 lbs, however their scale said 217.8 and she rounded to 218. My doctor didn't seem concerned, but I think 8 lbs is a lot in 4 weeks! Although my scale said 4 lbs in 4 wks. That's much better. I will just continue to keep an eye on it. I am not supposed to go over 230 lbs for my overall gain, so I am trying to keep a slow and steady pace.

Kaitlyn kept kicking the Doppler when they were checking her heart rate. It was actually pretty cute. You could hear the "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" of her heart and then "bllleepp" where she would kick. She is moving around more this morning than usual. She is typically awake in the evenings.

The last four weeks have been nice. I didn't get sick during week 20. I threw up during 21/22 weeks but only once, and I felt better that day. So far week 23 has been uneventful. I had a migraine Monday (week 22) but that was the only thing dramatic for the past four weeks. It has been nice to have somewhat of a reprieve. I don't feel 100%, but I have felt the best I have in a long, long time.

19 week and 2 day checkup

I am kinda late in posting about our last appointment. I have been soooo busy with work. Today I am off for one day and back for two. Then one off and back for two again. I just haven't gotten a lot of sleep. :( Anywho, the appointment went really well.

**STATS**
Weight: -4 lbs pre-pregnancy
BP: 122/70
Fetal Heart Tones: 152
Fundal Height: umbilicus

Paul had to work, so this was the first appointment he missed. Denisse went with me and said that she was really excited to hear the baby's heartbeat on the monitor. My headaches were really bad the Tuesday and Wednesday before my appointment; I threw up at work Tues and stayed home sick on Wed. She told me to make sure I take the Imetrex as prescribed to try to keep them manageable. She also told me if I needed a note to work all days for 8 hour shifts, she would write one for me. I really, really like my 12 hour shifts, even if they are long, because I have more days off to rest, get the nursery ready and make my appointments. 8 hour days just go by too quickly and I am still exhausted when I get home.

Speaking of the nursery, I have not done one darn thing. LOL! I did put the bedding that I like on our Pottery Barn Kids registry, however, because there is a Labor Day sale. I really want to rush out and buy it, but I have been restraining myself. Mom bought the baby a whole bunch of cute clothes and the most adorable pink flip flops the other day. And last weekend, Paul took me to Eden's Baby to purchase some cloth diapers. They didn't have a whole lot in the store since they had a big sale for tax free weekend, but we found some we liked and registered with them for more. I know I have plenty of time left, but I feel like I should get busy putting everything together.

Perinatologist Appointment and Level II Ultrasound

17 weeks, 6 days

Weight: -3 lbs
BP: 120/60
Fetal Heart Rate: 148

We had our appointment with the Perinatologist this morning. We were scheduled at 10am, so we got there a few minutes early to fill out the paperwork. They had a sign by the window that said to pay $5 if you wanted your ultrasound on a disc, so of course we had to do that. What a pleasant surprise!

I did the standard: pee in a cup, weight and blood pressure before being seen. My blood pressure was actually good this time - YAY! The technician that did the U/S was very nice. She took lots of measurements of the baby, starting with the head. She got the spine, abdomen, kidneys and legs. The femur and the head are measuring 18weeks and 2 days. All the other measurements were right on track or a day within the due date. She was having a difficult time getting a few shots of the heart, the tailbone and the lips. The baby was being stubborn....wonder where that comes from? lol.

When the doctor came in, she was able to collect the other measurements, and we got a good profile picture. She said the baby looked great, she was happy with my blood pressure and she said that she didn't see any markers for chromosomal defects or abnormalities. We haven't gotten the results from the triple screen back, but based on what she said/saw, I am assuming that it will be just fine. Also, the doctor said that pending no further complications, she won't have to see me again unless my OB wants more ultrasounds.

We did find out the sex, but Paulie is waiting to tell his momma in person tonight, so I will post a separate post with the sex after 5 pm. We are both over the moon excited!!! Here is a profile shot of the baby for now.

Movement?

When we were at the OB Friday, I was waiting out front with Paul when I had a sharp "poking" sensation in my right lower pelvic region. It was a bit different from the sharp "stabbing" sensations that I feel when I stand up quickly or whatnot. I didn't really know what it was, and before I could think about it too long, the tech came to get us and take us back to the room.

She tried on the Left to find the baby, the middle...no luck. I just knew that she would find the heartbeat on the right, and sure enough! She found it right where I felt that poking sensation!! I told Paul as soon as she left that I thought maybe I felt the baby.

Today at work, I felt something odd again. I was sitting still in the medication room. This time it was more in the middle, but still low pelvic area. It felt like "pop, pop" and then "pop" a few seconds later.

I have no idea what I will "feel" when I feel the baby move. Does this even sound like I am feeling the baby or is it something totally off base??? Who knows. I am excited to finally feel something cool!

15 Week Appointment

15 weeks, 3 days

Weight: -4 lbs
B/P: 132/80
HR: 80's
Baby's HR: 145

We went to the OB again this morning. My blood pressure is still high, unfortunately. We had some labs taken for the triple screen. This will help us determine the baby's risk for down syndrome and trisomy 18. While reading up about this test, it looks like there is roughly an 80% detection rate and there are lots of false positives. Meaning, some babies pass this test and have problems and some don't pass and end up fine upon further testing. So we shall see. I am taking it with a grain of salt.

My doctor is referring me to a perinatologist for my blood pressure issues. This doctor is a high-risk OB, to put it simply. I will see this doctor and my normal OB for the time being. She said he will take measurements via ultrasound of the baby to make sure the baby is growing well and will monitor my labs. At some point, I may have to take medication for my blood pressure. I am completely expecting it to get higher as I progress to the 3rd trimester...and I have roughly 25 weeks to go! We will see the specialist in about 2 weeks. We see Dr. A again in 4wks, so a minor change in plan from before.

I am still planning to take it easy and relax as much as possible. Hopefully we can sneak a peak at the baby's gender at the appointment with the specialist.

ER Trip

So yesterday, I developed a bit of a migraine while at work. It was so intense that I ended up throwing up, had to leave work early, and couldn't shake it with Tylenol/ice packs/sleep.

I had Paul and my mom take me to the new hospital down the street around 8pm so that I could be seen. When I got to the ER, my blood pressure was already 145/85. (When I left work at 2 it was only 127/78 or so. Not good!!) They did a CT scan of my head and double wrapped my belly/back in lead shields for the baby. The doctor on call said that everything looked great. They gave me a cocktail of IV Reglan/Benadryl to get rid of the headache, and I got a half a liter of saline to rehydrate me.

Today, I had an appointment with my Opthamologist to make sure that I didn't have any vision problems as my headaches have been increasing in frequency and strength. She didn't find anything, either. So it remains a mystery at this point. know that headaches/migraines can also be from stress/hormones, so I am trying to ride it out the best I can. I have an OB appt. on Friday, so hopefully we will know more then.

On the plus side, I did get to see an ultrasound of the baby while at the ER. S/he had the head towards the screen. It looks like the baby was lying on its back with its feet in the air. We could see the baby kicking its feet back and forth and when the Dr. moved the wand over the baby's head, the baby shot its arms/legs out like "WHEE" as mom says. LOL! I am glad mom got to see the baby finally.

Bad Connection

In the fax, that is. The baby clearly didn't get the memo. I felt like poo all day yesterday at work and ended up with 5 patients on primary (by myself, and damn that sucked). As soon as I got home (YAY! I made it to 8pm) I took a hot bath, dried off and lost all my dinner. :o( It was an early bedtime for me with an ice pack in tow for my headache. ugh....

In other news, my friend Tamara's Dr. Appt went well yesterday. She is at 10 wks. HR is in the 150's. And I am so glad that Wendi's appointment went well today! I am so excited the munchkin will have some playmates!

Rough Week

So this week has been a really tough one. I had an amazingly fun day with Elizabeth on Monday and even got to go swimming and enjoy some chocolate covered strawberries from Godiva. Around midnight, I threw up everything. :o(

It just came out of no where, too! I wasn't very nauseated or gagging; I just stood up and had to run to the bathroom. Tuesday morning I woke up with a pounding headache and continued to gag (since I didn't have anything to toss). I couldn't even get dressed for work and ended up staying home.

I developed a really bad headache at work on Wednesday and couldn't get it to go away. I took Tylenol, used ice packs, took it easy, and nothing worked. My blood pressure was only 120/70. Finally, I left work because I couldn't even function. On the way home, I ended up pulling over on the side of the road to puke, which is very embarrassing, lemme tell you. Not that I noticed mid-barf, but when I was walking back to my oddly stopped car, I noticed several cars slowing down and looking. :o( I told Paul the people in the houses must have been shaking their heads and thinking "These damn youngsters! No respect nowadays; just puking in people's yards because they are drunk at 6pm." LOL! Not even the case over here.

Thursday was a little better, but I stayed queasy all day. I finally had a reprieve when I woke up this morning, and I have been able to get some stuff done.

Paulie told me on Tuesday, "You're not supposed to be getting sick anymore; you are in the second trimester." I am assuming the munchkin didn't get that memo, but I did my best to fax it through, so I am hoping s/he cooperates from here on out. :o)