Status: 22 weeks, 3 days
This didn't really seem to fit in my other post, so I decided to do one just for the topic - contractions.
I was at work on Saturday (22 weeks, 0 days), minding my own business, when along came 30 minutes worth of fairly frequent Braxton Hicks contractions. As a nurse, I know that this means I should rest, drink a butt-load of water, and hope to G-d they go away. Eventually they did, but my lower abdomen remained tight the rest of the evening.
I asked the perinatologist about this today, and she told me next time I need to actually go lay down (and drink water) until they go away, and if they don't go away in an hour, then I need to go home from work (or wherever). She said if I go home, and lay down for an hour and they STILL continue, I need to call my midwife.
I hope this doesn't happen again, but I am hoping that since I took a triage class I am now qualified to be a triage nurse and sit on my butt while I'm working! That would be ideal, because I really don't want to be put on bedrest!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Lookin' Good!
Status: 22 weeks, 3 days
22 Week Pic
Today we went for our "big" ultrasound. Technically, we already had a "big" one at 17 (& 18) weeks because of our sequential screening and subsequent results (which I did not previously elaborate on here, but I can if people want me to). Anyway, it took about an hour to do the whole scan because, as usual, Tobe was being his stubborn self. He has pretty much been facing my back throughout his stay in there, and today was no exception. He was not in the mood to turn, or give the techs (yes, we went through TWO techs AND a doctor) any better view than what they had when they started. I was rolled around, they tried doing the ultrasounds on my sides, they had me get up (still gooped) and walk around, bend over, jump - nothing worked (not to be a pessimist, but I knew it wouldn't). The third person to try, one of the perinatologists, finally got decent views of his heart. She declared him perfect, with the exception of his face. they weren't able to get good views of it because of his position, so we will retry in 4 weeks.
Because of our sequential screening results, we would have to go hack in 4 weeks anyway for a growth scan. However, today he was measuring at 1lb 2 oz already!!! What a big boy! (And yes, they checked, still a boy.)
He must know I am writing about him because he is jumping around like crazy right now, although I just ate dinner so that probably had something to do with it.
22 Week Pic
Because of our sequential screening results, we would have to go hack in 4 weeks anyway for a growth scan. However, today he was measuring at 1lb 2 oz already!!! What a big boy! (And yes, they checked, still a boy.)
He must know I am writing about him because he is jumping around like crazy right now, although I just ate dinner so that probably had something to do with it.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Movin' on Up!
Status: 21 Weeks, 6 days
On a much happier note, I got several wonderful Mother's Day cards from the other moms in my life, and an especially sweet one from my husband. :-D The best gift of all, however, came around 6 PM on Mother's Day - Tobe decided to finally make his presence known and HE MOVED!!!!!
I have felt him in spurts over the last week, and I find it especially hilarious that he seems to know when I am watching or reading something about babies, and he moves. ESPECIALLY when I watch Deliver Me on Discovery Health. Joel has sort of been able to feel him once, but he hasn't been around during the really active times (usually at 1 AM after I have worked, or 6 AM right after Joel gets up for work).
That's all for now! See you next week!
21 week Pic
Of course, I'm really late in posting this, but it's been another crazy week. On May 6, we went for our 20 week midwife appointment. Tobe was doing well, and we heard his little heart beating away at 150 bpm. In addition to the normal stuff, I was sent for blood work to rule out a liver problem causing my itching, and I was also referred to a hematologist to make sure my blood is ok since they can't be sure I don't carry any part of the Von Willebrand disease that my grandmother has. Apparently it can be passed several ways.On a much happier note, I got several wonderful Mother's Day cards from the other moms in my life, and an especially sweet one from my husband. :-D The best gift of all, however, came around 6 PM on Mother's Day - Tobe decided to finally make his presence known and HE MOVED!!!!!
I have felt him in spurts over the last week, and I find it especially hilarious that he seems to know when I am watching or reading something about babies, and he moves. ESPECIALLY when I watch Deliver Me on Discovery Health. Joel has sort of been able to feel him once, but he hasn't been around during the really active times (usually at 1 AM after I have worked, or 6 AM right after Joel gets up for work).
That's all for now! See you next week!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
No, it's not a dog......
Status: 20 weeks, 4 days
I finally got in touch with the dermatologist's office on Monday and found out that my final pathology report said my "findings were consistent with PUPPS". You can look that up, if you wish. There are some lovely pics out there that will give you an idea of what I looked like. Not pretty! I am going to ask my midwife about the meds when I go in later today...the nurse at the dermatology office didn't seem to know whether or not I should continue the whole pregnancy or what......
I finally got in touch with the dermatologist's office on Monday and found out that my final pathology report said my "findings were consistent with PUPPS". You can look that up, if you wish. There are some lovely pics out there that will give you an idea of what I looked like. Not pretty! I am going to ask my midwife about the meds when I go in later today...the nurse at the dermatology office didn't seem to know whether or not I should continue the whole pregnancy or what......
Sunday, May 3, 2009
20 Weeks and Growing!
Status: 20 weeks, 1 day
Taken at 20 weeks, 0 days
Not really much to report right now. I called the dermatologist's office on Friday because I hadn't heard back from them. They returned my call, but said they would be closed for the day if I tried to call them back and to call Monday morning. So, I will update y'all when I find out what the second pathology report said. I will also make sure to ask about sunscreen use - I forgot to ask before we went to Callaway Gardens this weekend, and I am now burnt (although it kinda keeps my scratching down).
We have an appointment with one of the midwives on Wednesday for our 20 week check-up, but that's about all that's going on right now.....check back soon!
Taken at 20 weeks, 0 daysWe have an appointment with one of the midwives on Wednesday for our 20 week check-up, but that's about all that's going on right now.....check back soon!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Just for fun.....
Status: 19 weeks, 4 days
Hooray! We are almost at the 1/2 way point on this journey they call "pregnancy". I have loved it and hated it at various stages, but it has been/is always a blessing to realize the miracle that is unfolding during this time.
We went for our re-do 3D/4D session on April 19 (at 18 weeks, 1 day)...here are the still shots we got:
You're not nuts - this one's upside down!
Kinda looks like he's smiling in this one....
Back to the left....
Full body shot
There goes the hand, again!
Hope you enjoyed that sneak peek...stay tuned for more!
Oh yea, here's the 19 week photo:
Hooray! We are almost at the 1/2 way point on this journey they call "pregnancy". I have loved it and hated it at various stages, but it has been/is always a blessing to realize the miracle that is unfolding during this time.
We went for our re-do 3D/4D session on April 19 (at 18 weeks, 1 day)...here are the still shots we got:
Left arm up to face
Boxing gloves - I'm up for a fight!
More boy parts...
Hand either up to mouth or in mouth - we're not sure!
Crazy scary baby!
Good profile - he face my back most of the day...cuddling with his mommy!
There goes that hand to the mouth again!
You're not nuts - this one's upside down!
Kinda looks like he's smiling in this one....
And now a view from his right side!
Back to the left....
Full body shot
There goes the hand, again!
Hope you enjoyed that sneak peek...stay tuned for more!
Oh yea, here's the 19 week photo:
Saturday, April 18, 2009
17/18 Week Update
Status: 18 weeks, 0 Days
Once again, I am begging for forgiveness from my loyal readers (if there are any - I may just be writing to myself, here). I apologize for the fact that it has been more than a week since I updated, but when you read below, hopefully you will find sympathy with how this week has gone and forgive me for taking so long....
Yea, so I know what you're thinking...are you SURE your pregnant? Is there really a baby in there? You look the same....Trust me, I know.....the only reason I'm convinced there's someone in there is because they keep proving it to me with ultrasounds...and because I feel like I'm laying on a watermelon if I roll on my stomach.
Last Monday (17 weeks, 2 days), we went for the second half of our triple screen (basically, looking for genetic problems). They did a long ultrasound and looked at Tobe's heart, brain, and other body parts to make sure they were all there, and that there weren't any obvious problems. They also took some blood to do more levels on me. This type of testing is completely optional, but since it has no direct effect on the baby we went for it. (Also good to note we did a Jewish genetic panel on me that came back completely negative - whoo hoo!!!) We will still go back for a traditional 20-22 week ultrasound to look for birth defects (non-genetic problems). The pictures we were given from this ultrasound are below:
They always say, the proof is in the picture:
IT'S A BOY!!!!
Joel like this one - our baby cyborg
You can see one of the eyes, and parts of the skull
Does anyone see anything yet????
Once again, I am begging for forgiveness from my loyal readers (if there are any - I may just be writing to myself, here). I apologize for the fact that it has been more than a week since I updated, but when you read below, hopefully you will find sympathy with how this week has gone and forgive me for taking so long....
The Bump - 17 Weeks
Yea, so I know what you're thinking...are you SURE your pregnant? Is there really a baby in there? You look the same....Trust me, I know.....the only reason I'm convinced there's someone in there is because they keep proving it to me with ultrasounds...and because I feel like I'm laying on a watermelon if I roll on my stomach.
Last Monday (17 weeks, 2 days), we went for the second half of our triple screen (basically, looking for genetic problems). They did a long ultrasound and looked at Tobe's heart, brain, and other body parts to make sure they were all there, and that there weren't any obvious problems. They also took some blood to do more levels on me. This type of testing is completely optional, but since it has no direct effect on the baby we went for it. (Also good to note we did a Jewish genetic panel on me that came back completely negative - whoo hoo!!!) We will still go back for a traditional 20-22 week ultrasound to look for birth defects (non-genetic problems). The pictures we were given from this ultrasound are below:
Head to the left...you can see the right arm and hand
Profile shot - you can see the nose and mouth
They always say, the proof is in the picture:
IT'S A BOY!!!!
Joel like this one - our baby cyborg
You can see one of the eyes, and parts of the skull
As usual, Tobe was a bit stubborn. However, because I have an anterior placenta (meaning the placenta implanted towards my belly button instead of my back, like most people) we discovered that if I was on my right side for the scan, we got much better pictures.
So that was the fun, nice part of my pregnant week. Now for the not-so-fun part. Since 15 weeks, 6 days (see earlier post) I have been dealing with an ever-increasingly annoying rash and itchiness. On Tuesday, after giving prescription steroids a try (with no relief), I finally got to see a dermatologist. He had a good idea of what he thought it was, but because it presented abnormally, he decided to do a biopsy (with stitches - my first, ever!) to make sure we were treating the right thing. When I get a final diagnosis, I will be sure to share it with you all. For now, my prescribed daily regimen is:
1. Showers with only white Dove soap
2. Triamcinolone (steroid) ointment to all rash/itchy skin after showers
3. Claritin in the morning and at 1PM
4. Benadryl as needed
5. Atarax (a much more potent anti-histamine) at bedtime
I'm supposed to stop all my lotions until we figure out what works, but because I'm a really bad patient, I have limited myself to once a day when my skin gets unbearable (usually in the evening). It took a couple days, but I finally had a decent day yesterday and an itch-free night last night (a miracle, considering I was up crying many nights because of the irritation). I go back next week, so we shall see what the results are!
And, of course, since we have now entered the 18th week of our journey, a new bump pic for your enjoyment!
So that was the fun, nice part of my pregnant week. Now for the not-so-fun part. Since 15 weeks, 6 days (see earlier post) I have been dealing with an ever-increasingly annoying rash and itchiness. On Tuesday, after giving prescription steroids a try (with no relief), I finally got to see a dermatologist. He had a good idea of what he thought it was, but because it presented abnormally, he decided to do a biopsy (with stitches - my first, ever!) to make sure we were treating the right thing. When I get a final diagnosis, I will be sure to share it with you all. For now, my prescribed daily regimen is:
1. Showers with only white Dove soap
2. Triamcinolone (steroid) ointment to all rash/itchy skin after showers
3. Claritin in the morning and at 1PM
4. Benadryl as needed
5. Atarax (a much more potent anti-histamine) at bedtime
I'm supposed to stop all my lotions until we figure out what works, but because I'm a really bad patient, I have limited myself to once a day when my skin gets unbearable (usually in the evening). It took a couple days, but I finally had a decent day yesterday and an itch-free night last night (a miracle, considering I was up crying many nights because of the irritation). I go back next week, so we shall see what the results are!
And, of course, since we have now entered the 18th week of our journey, a new bump pic for your enjoyment!
Does anyone see anything yet????
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