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.

We finally decided...

upon a name!!!! Paul and I had brainstormed some names while Meghan was here over the 4th of July. We had narrowed our list down to two after we learned we were having a girl, and I told Paul to make the final decision from there. After a long, and careful weighing of "the pros and cons of each name," our daughter will be known as....





Marie is after my materal Grandma (my mom's mom).

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.

Dear Baby Girl,

You should know that you are one loved little girl. I can't think of any two men that love you more than your Daddy and my Papa.

Every morning when your Daddy gets up, he kisses you good morning and tells you how much he loves you. And every day before I leave to go to work, he kisses you again and tells you to be a good girl for mommy. He loves to rub on my belly and talk to you about the dreams he has for you and the fun we are all going to have. He even talks to you about the guns and ammo he has in mind to purchase to keep the boys away! I think he is a little ahead of himself.

And you should see your Grandpa. He tells everyone he meets about you. He calls to check on me during the day and tells me "to tell Baby Marie that he loves her and to be a good girl!" Before he had to out process for Afghanistan, he had your picture from your seven week ultrasound on his desk, and he would show all of his patients his "grand baby." He is the proudest Grandpa I have ever seen.

You are so loved already, and we can't wait to meet you when you are all done bakin' in my tummy. But stay in there longer cause you're not quite halfway through yet! :o) We love you!!

Love,
Mommy

It's a....

GIRL!!

The technician was super slick when she told us, we didn't even see the picture. She was looking around at the spine and said, "It looks like... you're having... a... lil'...girl." and off went the wand in a different direction. Then she says "Yep, it's a girl." So at the very end, we asked her, "Are you sure it's a girl?" Haha. She went back to the bottom and took this imagine. She pointed everything out to us (yeah, I can't read these things) and sure enough...IT'S A GIRL! Mom, Papa, Paul and I were all smiles!!!

We are still debating on the names. I think we have it narrowed down to two. (Gabriella and Kaitlyn). I told Paulie that he should decide. The middle name will be Marie, however, after my maternal grandma. It has been such a wonderful day. What a blessing the Lord has given us.

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.

Some Q&A, so that I remember...

*How are you feeling?
Of course, this one changes daily. LOL! I almost hate to answer that I feel fine or even good because I did that on the 28th of July and ended up going to the ER.

I was good and can recall "not even feeling pregnant" up until about 5 weeks and 5 days.

Then the spotting started that night when I got off work at midnight.

I woke up with HORRIBLE nausea at 6 weeks, and the 24/7 nausea didn't disappear until about the 11th week.

At week 11, the nausea came and went throughout the day, and I only got sick once a week or so until week 19. No throwing up during week 16.

Started getting daily headaches at week 11 and my blood pressure started to elevate.

Had a migraine during week 13 and week 15. Finally had a Head CT at week 15 and everything is fine. I have Imetrex now for emergencies. ETA: At 19wks, the Imetrex isn't helping because I don't take it in time. I had migraines during weeks 17 and 19.

*What do you want to eat?
Really, I am okay with anything. I will pick around till I get full. I can't eat nearly as much as I used to, and I can tell my stomach is ALREADY compressed by my bowels.

*Any cravings?
Nope, just aversions. Out of nowhere during the 1st trimester, I couldn't eat chicken, but that seems to have resolved.

I eat a LOT of tacos. Small bean and cheese tacos to be exact. With hot sauce. I have a hard time eating hot sauce (and even really lame, tame sauce) for some reason, but in a bean and cheese taco, I can hang. I seem to feel better when I eat these.

And the baby likes Ice Cream, but I haven't eaten a whole ton of it. I am not the pregnant lady on the couch gobbling up her second 1/2 gallon a night. lol. Just a few scoops here and there. It's been a million degrees out there. I need a break.

Okay, maybe I do have cravings. :o)

I can't drink my bottled water anymore. It has to be ICE cold. With ice in the glass. Very odd. But I am drinking a lot of it.

*How is Paul doing?
Well, I don't get this one a lot, but I want to throw it in there. HE IS SO WONDERFUL!!! I could not imagine having anyone else beside me. He is the most amazing, patient, loving, thoughtful, compassionate man. I am truly lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful husband. I could gush all day at how good he is to me, how much he spoils me and how much I love him. Seeing the joy and excitement he has for this baby and our family makes me melt. He is going to be the most amazing father, and I am so glad that he was made for me. :o)

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)

It's creeping up...

My blood pressure that is. I took it yesterday at work because I keep having headaches. I know that headaches can be yet another symptom while pregnant, but one of the girls suggested I check my BP just so see.

139/80!!!!! Holy Snikees! That is way to high.

I have been trying to take it easy and not overdo it at work, but holy cow. I am not sure what I am doing to make it go so high. I don't think I am eating that much salt, and I haven't really changed the way that I eat.

Before I left to go home, I re-checked it again and it was 122/72. I need to think happy thoughts and stay off my feet.

3rd OB appt.

11 weeks, 2 day

Weight: -3.5 lbs total
BP: 134/80
HR: 70's
Baby's HR: 162


I had my third OB appointment this morning. So far, I have been feeling much better. I haven't been throwing up quite so much. This week I have only felt a little bit queasy, and I have been taking my Zofran regularly. However, my weight is down a bit, so I can tell all that nausea/vomiting did a little bit on my overall weight gain.

Meghan was able to come with us to my appointment since she was in town! Yay! When we got back to the roo, the technician attempted to find the baby's heart rate with a hand held doppler. I knew that it was going to be a little challenging since I am only eleven weeks and the fundus (top of my uterus) is below the pubic bone until after 12 weeks. She had a REALLY hard time, and was even listening way up by my belly button (where the fundus is at 20 weeks). Finally, we heard a half a beat and Paul, Meghan and I all perked up our ears. The tech asked us if we heard it, and we said "for just a second." She tried and tried to find it again, but couldn't.

When the doctor came in, she exclaimed, "So, you heard the heartbeat in the 160's?!" We all looked equally puzzled and I told her, "No, we only heard like half a beat." So she got the doppler back out and found it for us. It was soooo quiet that we could barely hear, but it was there.

Dr. A was concerned about my blood pressure and asked me why it was so high. I am not quite sure why because it usually is 117/75 or so. She told me that my blood pressure will drop in the 2nd trimester and spike up in the third. So we will be keeping a close eye on it for sure.

I am supposed to have an appointment at 15 weeks where she will check the triple screen and then around 17-18 weeks for a Level II ultrasound to check anatomy. We are hoping to find out the sex, so come on baby and cooperate! :o)

So yesterday I woke up with a belly. A noticeable one. This nurse that knows I am expecting but hasn't seen me in awhile saw me in the elevator and noticed immediately. "Oh, you have a lil' belly!" she exclaimed as she reached over to rub my tummy. Which is cute and all, but.... I AM ONLY TEN WEEKS. I am gonna be so huge.

I have been feeling better this week. I haven't gotten sick since Monday. I haven't taken as much Zofran, although my bottle of 30 has been depleted, and I am picking up a refill tomorrow.

My clothes are pretty snug and my mom wants to go shopping tomorrow for some cute maternity pants. I am gonna need them at this rate. :o( However, I weighed myself this morning and I am down to 206 lbs from 214....I guess it is all moving to the middle.

10 weeks

"With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will too.) "- thebump.com

Well, I am hoping for a reprieve soon. Something. Anything. I still have nausea and vomiting (it comes and goes all day but it's worst in the evening after 5 or 6 pm). I have missed MORE work, which makes me want to cry because I need the leave for when the munchkin arrives. But on the other hand, it's hard for me to "be there" if I am puking all day long in the bathroom. This week has been manageable enough so that I haven't missed any work, yet, and I have actually felt well enough to smile and joke around.

However, last night was pure misery. I got this horrible migraine that would not go away. As soon as I got home from work I "lost my cookies." I puked so hard I pee'd. How mortifying....

A running list of "symptoms" so far: N/V, constipation, tender breasts, gas, bloating, backaches, headaches, heartburn, FATIGUE...I think that might be all. lol! Can't wait till next Thursday...we get to hear the heartbeat!!!!

Second Ultrasound

7 weeks, 3 days

Weight: -1 lbs
BP: 128/78
HR: 84

Paul and I went to see the doctor today. Everything looks great! She said the baby's heartbeat was in the 160's. Paul got a really good look at the ultrasound. He was grinning ear to ear...I told him seeing his face was absolutely priceless. I was so busy looking at Paulie, I didn't get quite as good a look as he did. I was also lying down and had to twist my head around, but I did manage to see the heart blinking from black to white. Pretty cool!

The baby was measuring 7 weeks and 3 days, as well. We are still on for January 19, 2010.

Still hanging in there

So I am still here. The nausea definitely hits me in the morning. Had a great day on Wednesday though, and only felt queasy for a few hours. Didn't throw up on any of my patients, so that's a bonus, right? Yesterday, I was not so lucky. Well, I guess I was in the not throwing up on patients, but the nausea was in full force in the morning.

Paul has been bringing me crackers and sprite around 0430 in the morning, and I was (smartly) munching on them until I woke up for good at 0600. Well, I wasn't so smart (unfortunately) Wednesday night, and I didn't eat a darn thing. You better believe that wave of NAUSEA hit me full force at 0600 when I went to get up. I frantically stuffed some crackers in my mouth and sucked down some sprite, but really, it was too late. Paul was off and took me into work and I took a half a Zofran on the ride over. It finally gave me some relief during morning rounds.

I am just not so good at keeping food in my stomach. I am tired all the time, not hungry. It's hard to want to chow down on crackers when I can already feel my bowels and stomach being squished. It doesn't take much for me to feel "over full" when I eat either. But I am doing the best I can.

Besides the exhaustion and the "morning" sickness, I have been having some constipation and gas pain. I never appreciated my formerly functioning bowels more than I do right now. What I would give for a nice bowel movement after a good meal. Okay, maybe this is TMI. But it's the glamorous world of being pregnant. :o)

EIGHT MONTHS??

My ticker says "Only 8 more months to go." Today, that is not reassuring. Korinne tells me that it will get better. That some days I will feel like I wanna die but eventually, it gets better. Holy Cow, I am praying for that day to come soon.