15w: From One Stress to Another

Well, I can say with 110% certainty that Progeny will absolutely be an only child. Not because we don't like kids, but because I absolutely cannot do this again. No freaking way.

Let's start with the good news. My f/u appointment with the High Risk doc went well. He said my bloodwork was all normal and between the scan and the bloodwork we are very low risk of Downs which was a relief. He also agreed with the OB that BP meds are not necessary at this particular moment, but that doesn't mean they won't be. He wants me to keep on my low sodium diet and keep slamming the water to help maintain it. He is recommending what is called co-management to my OB, which is sort of what brings me to the next round of fun.

Starting in 2 weeks I will get to see Progeny every other week via u/s. Why you ask? Well because my cervix is at risk of failing due to all the work I've had done to it. In addition to the cervical length measurements that will be going on, I'll be what's called co-managed by the OB and the High Risk doc. Essentially she will do my monthly care and my cervical u/s's. If shit gets real, she boots me over to him. If everything goes well, then I will begin seeing him when I'm in the 3rd trimester. He's thinking around 32 weeks we will have to start doing non-stress tests to make sure Progeny is doing well, possibly twice a week. Which means I will roughly have anywhere from 2-3 doctor's appointments a WEEK starting with my 3rd trimester.

Don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled to have such wonderful proactive doctors. I've never suffered a second/third trimester loss so the fact that they are even monitoring my cervix is seriously a blessing, but it doesn't really make this all easier to handle. I'm terrified. ALL. THE. TIME. I'm not happy and enjoying this pregnancy. I'm losing my ever loving mind. I never expected to make it past the 8 week mark and oh my god did I think the stress of that was bad. HA! It's nothing on the stress that's coming.

I haven't even bought anything for Progeny yet. We did buy this photo plaques for our parents to reveal the pregnancy, but that's it. I'm even dreading doing that. I'm such a private person who tends to push people away when I'm stressed so having the parents involved will be a whole different ball of fun. I'm sad about it too. I always imagined I'd be so excited to tell our parents, but I'm not. I'm only telling them because my stomach is getting to that "she's pregnant" phase. It just looked like I was fat before, but it's definitely looking like an actual belly now and I can't hide it from them.

I know there will come a time when I'll look back on all this and hopefully be holding our little Progeny in my arms and know it was all worth it....it's just so hard to see the big picture when you're knee deep in stress.

7w: Weekly Update

Well, picked up the Crinone today on my way home. I'm now back into my normal schedule which makes me feel better. I was super stressed about the not taking my supplements and it didn't help that when I woke up I had cramps. They ended up happening off and on all day, but no spotting so I hope that means Offspring is still doing good. This week will be very hard though because this happens to be the week in which our pregnancy went way wrong last time. I'm hoping that in 5 days we are still blissfully pregnant and not reliving the same hell. Offspring, we love you so much sweet baby.

How far along are you: 7 weeks
How big is baby: 1/2 inch
Baby is as big as a: Blueberry
Total weight gain/loss: - 0.8 lb
Are you showing: No, thankfully the bloat has calmed down so I almost look normal again.
Maternity clothes: No
Food aversions: Nothing. The sensitive tummy seems to have calmed down and I'm able to eat more.
Cravings: Strawberry ice cream & chips w/ salsa
Sleep: Awesome
How do you feel: Bloated, but not as bad. The boobs still hurt...A LOT
Movements: Not yet
Gender guess: Boy
Best moment this week: Feeling confident enough to start pinning nursery ideas
What I miss: Coffee that's pretty much it.
What I am looking forward to: Our u/s in December
Weekly wisdom: Enjoy each and every day and be thankful for the days you don't feel sick.

6w: Weekly Update

I have decided to tweak the weekly updates. I realized that all I’m simply doing is input and regurgitation and not really documenting our progress. I went back to compare some of my symptoms to the symptoms I had with Spawn around this time and quickly realized I didn’t document any and on top of that, I don’t remember. I guess somewhere in the back of my head I thought I’d never forget, but I did. So I’ve decided to make these a little more personal. Feel free to read or skip. Once we've had our u/s in December I also intend on adding weekly bump pictures so we can watch Offspring and I grow!

How far along are you: 6 weeks
How big is baby: 1/3 inch
Baby is as big as a: Sweet Pea
Total weight gain/loss: 0
Are you showing: No, I’m at that awkward look like I’m just indulging too much this holiday season bloated stage.
Maternity clothes: No
Food aversions: Nothing specific yet, but I do have a very sensitive tummy.
Cravings: Sugary sweets (not chocolate)
Sleep: Good
How do you feel: Bloated, exhausted and my boobs hurt constantly. Also the occasional nausea is kicking in.
Movements: Too early
Gender guess: Boy
Best moment this week: Getting slight confidence to look at baby things
What I miss: Coffee (I’d kill for a double shot peppermint mocha)
What I am looking forward to: Our u/s in December
Weekly wisdom: Keep saltines and 7-up in your house at all times, you never know when the urge to puke will come.

5w: Weekly Update

How your baby's growing:

Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.

The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.

The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

How your life's changing:

You may notice some pregnancy-related discomforts already. Many women report sore breasts, fatigue, and frequent urination starting in the early weeks. You may also have nausea, though it's more likely to show up in the coming weeks.

The outside world won't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside you — except that you're turning down that glass of wine with dinner, perhaps. It's important to avoid alcohol throughout your pregnancy since no one knows exactly how much — or how little — alcohol can harm a developing baby.

You'll also want to continue or start an exercise routine. Exercise helps you develop the strength and endurance you'll need to manage the extra weight you'll be carrying. It may help prevent some of the aches and pains of pregnancy, and many women find that it's a great stress-reducer. Exercise can also help you get ready for the physical rigors of labor.

Finally, it's easier to bounce back after you give birth if you've continued some form of exercise throughout pregnancy. Choose a safe, moderately vigorous activity you enjoy. Walking and swimming are fine choices for pregnant women

4w: Weekly Update

How your baby's growing:

This week marks the beginning of the embryonic period. From now until 10 weeks, all of your baby's organs will begin to develop and some will even begin to function. As a result, this is the time when she'll be most vulnerable to anything that might interfere with her development.

Right now your baby is an embryo the size of a poppy seed, consisting of two layers: the epiblast and the hypoblast, from which all of her organs and body parts will develop.

The primitive placenta is also made up of two layers at this point. Its cells are tunneling into the lining of your uterus, creating spaces for your blood to flow so that the developed placenta will be able to provide nutrients and oxygen to your growing baby when it starts to function at the end of this week.

Also present now are the amniotic sac, which will house your baby; the amniotic fluid, which will cushion her as she grows; and the yolk sac, which produces your baby's red blood cells and helps deliver nutrients to her until the placenta has developed and is ready to take over this duty.

How your life's changing:

Sometime this week, you may be able to find out whether you're pregnant. For the most accurate results, wait until the end of the week to take a home pregnancy test. (You can try one now if you like, but you're more likely to get a correct result a week past your expected period.)

If the test is positive, call your practitioner's office and schedule your first prenatal appointment. Most practitioners won't see you until you're about eight weeks along, unless you have a medical condition, had problems with a previous pregnancy, or are having symptoms that need to be checked out.

 

If you're taking any medications — prescription or over-the-counter — ask now whether it's safe to keep taking them. And be sure to alert your caregiver to any other issues of concern.

You should already be taking a multivitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid. Once you're pregnant, you'll need a bit more — 600 mcg a day — so switch to a prenatal vitamin if you haven't already.

The next six weeks are critical to your baby's development. The rudimentary versions of the placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already functioning. Through the placenta, your baby is exposed to what you take into your body, so make sure it's good for both of you.