Appointment Update

Here is a quick update before I go to bed (or just fall asleep on the couch) :).  I went in for my 15 week appointment this afternoon and it was very short and sweet.  I'm always nervous about my blood pressure and even more so now that I want to have a VBAC, so I said a quick prayer on my drive over.  When I got there, they weighed me (every pregnant woman's favorite part) and I have gained 3 lbs in the past 4 weeks.  However, I lost 4 lbs in the 1st trimester so I'm still down 1 lb from my starting weight, yay.  I'm really trying to be good :).  Then the nurse took my blood pressure and it was 110/70, woot!  After that, the doctor came in and went over the results from my ultrasound at the perinatal center a couple weeks ago.  He told me (again) that the perinatal doctors were concerned about the baby having Down Syndrome, even though the Harmony test (which looks at the baby's DNA in my blood) came back with a 1/10,000 chance.  He asked what Jason and I had decided to do about further testing, etc. and I told him we're waiting to see how next week's ultrasound and the 20 week ultrasound goes.  He seemed slightly concerned and asked if we would want to terminate if there was something "wrong" and I said, "no... the baby is coming home with us regardless.  Termination is not an option" so he said that was great and he will support whatever Jason and I choose.  It disturbs me how easily some people come to the decision to abort their own babies... I just don't get it.  Anyway, that's a post for another day :).  They scheduled my next appointment for July 16th and they will schedule the 20 week ultrasound following that appointment.  I thought the doctor said something about doing it around 18 weeks, but that's ok.  We want them to get the best pictures possible and the baby needs to be a certain size, so I'm fine with waiting a couple more weeks *sigh*.  So we should find out what peanut is around the end of July. 

I added a little poll in the top right corner if you would like to choose what gender you think Peanut is :).  I still don't really have any idea so your guess is as good as mine.  You have a 50/50 chance of choosing correctly ;).

15 Weeks

I will be 15 weeks on Wednesday but since so much has happened the past couple of weeks, I thought I would group it all together, even if it's a little early.

Things with me have been interesting, to say the least.  Two weeks ago from tomorrow I had to go to the ER.  I was changing Logan's diaper on the couch and felt a warm gush and knew something was wrong.  I ran to the bathroom and there was blood.  I tried to stay calm, so I called my doctor and since it was after hours, they told me to go to the ER.  As I stood up to get my purse, I felt another gush and there was even more blood and terrible cramping that time.  I couldn't stand up straight because the cramping was so bad.  I changed my clothes really fast and told Jason we had to go (while crying uncontrollably)... I couldn't stop crying because I was assuming the worst had happened.  We got to the ER and they admitted me to a room.  I gave a urine sample and they sent me to get an ultrasound.  I was so scared until the ultrasound tech turned the volume on and we heard the baby's heartbeat... whew!  We were so relieved :).  They said baby is fine but the placenta detached from the uterus slightly, so no exercise/activities other than walking, at least for 3 weeks.  They also said the chance of it happening again (the bleeding & cramping) is about 50/50.  Thankfully, I haven't had anymore issues and I'm praying it will stay that way.

I go in tomorrow for my normal 15 week checkup and I have to go back to a perinatal specialist next Wednesday to get another ultrasound to check the placenta. 

Also, at the 11 week scan, they told me that there was a high amount of fluid on the back of the baby's neck, which can be a marker for Down Syndrome.  I opted to have a couple of blood tests done (non-invasive) and they came out negative for Downs but the doctors are still worried about other genetic disorders.  They recommended an amniocentesis but I think we're going to wait and see how things go after the big anatomical scan in 3 or 4 weeks.  So needless to say, with working full-time, being a mommy, taking a graduate class, and all the baby stuff, I've been very exhausted :(.  Please join with us in praying that the baby will be perfectly healthy... I love how our friend Vanessa prayed over the baby... for "perfect form and perfect function".  That's what I've been praying for the past couple of weeks.  We're praying that the fluid will go away on its own and there won't be any health concerns at all.

I won't lie... it has been difficult at times to wrap my mind around everything that's going on, but we trust in a very big God and we know He loves us and will take care of us.  There have been times when I've had to ask myself if I have what I like to call "mustard seed faith" and I've always been able to answer with "yes".  If God's word is true (which I believe it is) then He will move mountains with that little amount of faith.

Anyway, on to the basic baby stuff:

Skin
My skin has been going absolutely crazy since I found out I'm pregnant.  I usually have oily skin (but pretty clear) so I was hoping it would dry out a little from the hormones, but no... it has gotten even more oily.  It has also gotten really bumpy.  I don't have huge zits, but there are a lot of little bumps all over my face.  I'm not really sure what to do with it other than keep it clean and try to manage it as best as I can.

Movement
I keep thinking that I'm feeling the baby move, but I really can't be sure.  Ever since I had my hernia repair surgery last year, I can feel food digesting/moving around my belly button area.  I'm getting the same feelings except lower (in the uterus area).  I don't know if it's baby, digestion, or gas.  I'm just going to say it's the baby to make me feel better about myself ;).

Exhaustion
See above ;).  I'm sleeping ok at night except I have to get up about 3 times on average each night to go to the bathroom.  I only have 3 weeks left of my current grad school class (Business Law) and when it's over, I plan on taking a bit of an extended break.

Swelling
When I was in the ER, the doctor was a little concerned about some swelling around my ankles.  I doubt I told him that it's kind-of normal for me.  I've been drinking a lot of water (and maybe some Sprite here and there) so hopefully there aren't any concerns about my blood pressure.  I'm sure they'll check it thoroughly tomorrow.

Well, I think that's probably enough information to cram into one blog post.  Please keep baby in your prayers.  If anything noteworthy happens at my appointment tomorrow, I will try to update with details.  If not, I will update after my perinatal appointment next week. 

15 Weeks!

I'm doing much better this week than I was when I wrote last week's entry.  I've been applying for jobs, but I'm enjoying my time at home and trying to use it to relax.  Sometimes Jason drives me crazy when he doesn't get stressed about anything, but it has been very refreshing with this situation.  He keeps telling me not to worry and that everything will be ok and we're trusting God to take care of us :).  Oh, and I'm strongly considering applying for a part-time job at Motherhood (maternity store), so please be praying that I'll make the right decision.

Anyway, this has been a pretty good week.  Like I said above, I've been relaxing a lot and sleeping in past 5:45 in the mornings has been great.  I've been getting up when Jason leaves at about 7:00 and I love it.  I haven't been having too many symptoms this week, but the 2 main ones that come to mind are a stuffy nose and hip pain.  My nose feels like it's stuffed up most of the time, but apparently that's due to hormones so there's not much I can do about it.  The hip pain is mainly at night or when I sit in one position for too long.  I've been having trouble sleeping because the pain wakes me up multiple times at night and changing my position doesn't seem to do much.  I'm still hoping I'll get a body pillow for my birthday (in 10 days, yay!).

My next appointment is this Thursday and I can't wait to hear the heartbeat again :).  I can't believe it's been a month since my last appointment.  I'll be 4 months along in just a few days!!!  Craziness.

Here are the growth & development updates.  My emails have described the baby both as a small apple and a naval orange.  Either way you look at it, the bean is growing fast! :)

• Your little one is now roughly the size of an apple. She is about 4 inches long and weighs about 2 ½ ounces. Her legs are now longer than her arms and her bones are getting harder and stronger!
• At 15 weeks, her skin is still thin and transparent, but she has developed a thin layer of hair to help protect her body. This layer of hair is called lanugo and it is present on every part of your baby's body, even her finger nails!
• She is also moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract. This action helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. And even though her eyes will remain fused shut until approximately 26 weeks, she can actually sense light in your womb!

 I can't wait until our ultrasound!  Only a month and 4 days to go :).  I really want to see the baby looking like a baby instead of a cute little bean.  Well, that's all for now.  I'll post the next update this Friday.