12 Week Appointment

On Monday morning, our whole family went to the CMFC, our OB office.  Daniel came along because we did not have a sitter, and he behaved in the child un-friendly office and waiting room for about 20 minutes during the ultrasound.  

The ultrasound showed us ONE baby (just in case you were wondering!).  We could see a profile, hands by the face, and a big belly. IHis/her heart rate was in the 160s, which is good and healthy.

 The ultrasound professional took several measurements, but I was most concerned about the measurement of the neck.  The thicker the neck skin/fluid, the higher chance of problems with the child's development.  I was so happy to learn that the baby did not show signs of chromosomal problems.  He/she has a very low probability for Trisomy 21.  In fact, my risk for having a child with developmental disabilities because of genetic issues is quite low, according to this test and my age.  

The rest of the appointment was fine, too.  Dan took Daniel to run in the corridor outside the office and they spent a lot of time at the water fountain.  My blood pressure was normal and good, and I got a clean bill of health from the OB.  Dr. Grant was concerned about the lack of vitamins and medications I have been able to take, but he respected my choice to stop taking the Zofran because it caused me to stop eating and feel weaker.  He encouraged me to call my therapist though to talk about weight issues and anxiety.  

Then he said a wonderful statement... "See you in four weeks!"  What great news!  This is the longest distance between visits yet.  Of course, I am allowed to come in if I feel like there is something wrong or if I become very anxious and need to see the baby again.

Week 11

This week was a week of nausea, but LESS THROWING UP.  Hurray! Hurray! PTL!

I spent most of the week as an exhausted single parent as my husband took a business trip.  I went to bed very early most nights, often before 9 PM.   Actually, I am certain I didn't stay up past 9:30 PM any night!

I started wearing (and enjoying) maternity pants this week.  They are still baggy, though I have to tug the waist up when I am 8 months pregnant, not just 3.

No other real news, except I saw a friend who is also pregnant with a tiny fetus, and I thought about how neat it will be to have a friend with a baby who is the same age as this child.

Here's a photo of me this week.

How I Spent Weeks 8, 9, and 10.

Location: the Couch
Time: 6 PM - 9:30 PM daily
Activities: Moaning, watching the family, napping, TV
Mood: Grumpy (even though the photo is smiley, I felt grumpy) and Un-Enthusiastic
Energy Level: Exhausted, Early Bed Time.

Pregnancy Announcement

We told our parents about their new grandchild using Daniel as a personal announcement. He wore this shirt I made for him that said BIG BROTHER on the back and 11 on the front (for 2011). All the grandparents first though it was a MU t-shirt and didn't realize the meaning for a few minutes, but when they did, everyone was so happy!

Telling the Grandparents

For some reason, we really don't announce, "Hey, we're pregnant."

With our first pregnancy, I am not exactly sure how we brought it up, but it wasn't in casual conversation.  It was a bit formal.

For the Daniel's pregnancy, we waited longer to be sure we could have more proof of pregnancy, proof like 11 weeks into it.  It would be difficult to endure another miscarriage after JUST before telling everyone about it.  So we waited until Christmas and wrapped up little Baby H's ultrasound photo for them.  They were really surprised and delighted.

For this baby's pregnancy, I created a shirt for Daniel to wear.  It said BIG BROTHER on the back and had the number 11 on the front (which is the year he is a big brother).  It looked a bit like an MU shirt, which might be why his grandparents didn't catch on at first.  When they finally read the words on the back, they said, "What do you mean, he's a big brother?  Ah!!!! Ooooo!!".  There were a lot of smiles and it was a total surprise to them all.

8 Weeks

This week I got sick a lot.  I managed to figure out an eating schedule, and I am STARVING hungry by 10:30 AM.  I am so un-hungry at other times, like breakfast, supper, and later in the evening when Dan eats his nightly bowl of ice cream.

I also have figured out ways to take the Zofran that works for me.  Sometimes the dissolving pill makes me gag and then triggers throwing up.  So now I swallow it instead and drink it with a slightly flavored beverage, like Gatorade.  It only works to stop the throwing up and reduces nausea by about half.  So I still feel pitiful, have no appetite, and feel cranky.  So I am not always the most friendly teacher at work.

My energy was low, but I took Daniel on a trip to a new park this week and on two stroller walks.  I think I had more energy during his pregnancy!

Week

Lots more puking.

Many nights on the sofa that start immediately after Daniel's bath because I feel to weak and to ill to do anything BUT sit on the sofa and watch some mindless TV.

Told some family members when we visited them for the weekend, and they responded with such enthusiasm that we realized how shocking it was that we hadn't told our parents or siblings yet!  But we wanted to wait it out for the ultrasound.

On Monday we did see Little Baby H2's heart rate.  It was strong and 156 bpm.  This is about the same as Daniel's at this time.  We did not see any classic baby features... just really a blob with a flickering heart.  I couldn't even tell the direction the baby was facing it was so blurry (wiggling) and shapeless.  We had a great appointment with Dr. Grant, who assured us we will have excellent patient care.  We also decided when I will be weighed - 4 times during pregnancy - so as to alleviate most of the anxiety I felt last time about my appointments.  Because of the MTHFR problem, I will still be classified as high risk, meaning there is an elevated chance of miscarriage and also chance for problems with the baby's development.  However, I am allowed to go back at 12 weeks, rather than sooner, which is October 11th.