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What Is Done At Each Doctor's Appointment

This was originally written on Tuesday, April 8, 2008:

Yesterday I talked about my last doctor's appointment, so today I thought I'd write out what each appt. entails.

Week 8 to 12 w/ nurse: This visit will include your complete medical history and you and baby's father's genetic history. Lab work includes:
OB Profile--CBC (complete blood count), Blood Type & RH Factor, Rubella Screen, Hepatitis Screening, Serology, and CCUA (clean catch urine).

Week 8 to 12 w/ doctor: This visit will be a complete female exam and will include a pap smear. You also might have an ultrasound to rule out an eptopic pregnancy.

Week 16: This visit will be to check the baby's heartbeat, which is also done at all of the other appointments as well.

Week 18-20: Routine OB Ultrasound--this will be for size, dates, and anatomy and Lab test--Quad Screen will be discussed and offered.

Week 24-28: Lab work includes:
1 hr Glucose Tolerance--screening for gestational diabetes. You will be asked to drink a glucose drink and then have your blood drawn an hour after. Also, Hemaglobin--screening for iron levels to make sure that you have not become anemic.

Week 32-36: You will go from being seen once a month to every two weeks.

Week 36 to delivery: You will be seen weekly; each visit will include an internal exam to check your cervix. Lab work includes: Group B Vaginal Strep.

At every visit you will provide a urine sample, weight, and blood pressure, and the doctor will check the baby's heartbeat and measure the growth of your uterus.
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Well, I am spending very few minutes at the computer these days since my stomach cramps up harder when I'm sitting, so this blog will be short. My nights have started to get painful from my heavy abdomen sinking into the bed, and when I have to pee I can't just step out of bed so I have to ROLL off and then hobble to the bathroom like I'm 100 years old. I can't wait until my next doctor's appt. on Tuesday to find out if I'm dilated! (My doctor's schedule was full for this Friday already.) Lately, my hands and feet have also been sore when I get up in the morning. It's hard to walk or grasp things for awhile after I get up. (Update: I now know this was de Quervain's disease. I blogged about my experience here--Part One. Part Two.)

While I was in the waiting room at my doctor's office last week, I heard a mother of a newborn talking to another mother about her problem breastfeeding. I forgot to mention in my "breastfeeding blog" that her particular frustation is common--but as with the other breastfeeding problems, this difficulty usually can be helped: Sometimes a baby develops gastrointestinal problems which makes for a fussy and sick baby. Doctors often recommend mothers change their diet--doing things like eliminating spicy foods, dairy or sugar and sometimes wheat. I hope I don't have trouble breastfeeding. . .only four more weeks until I find out!

Getting Close!

This was originally written on Monday, April 07, 2008:

A lot has happened since my blog last Tuesday! I'll just go in order.

On Wednesday I said goodbye to Melissa :-( It didn't seem real. I went over there during the 11 am hour and ran some errands with her until 12:45 when we met her neighbors (Jim & Marcy) and their two friends (Jade & Melinda--who I'd never met) at TGIFridays for lunch. Jade has a 16-month-old and is due with her second daughter the end of this month, so we talked briefly about being pregnant. She said it sounded like I have started having Braxton-Hicks (I'd had the contraction-like-thingies again on Tuesday and Wednesday). It's just weird that mine don't release like most peoples'. My stomach remains tight all day.

After lunch Melissa and I went over to Marcy's office next door for me to get her business card. I've hung out with her a few times through Melissa over the past few years but didn't have her contact info to ever see her again now that Melissa's moving. While I was there, I used the restroom. . .and noticed I was spotting!!!!! It was VERY LIGHT--like, on a regular day I wouldn't have thought twice about it, but because it was the first color (brown) I'd seen since before I got pregnant, I noticed! My reaction was very happy! I was hoping this meant I was going to go into labor. I haven't yet, but I am getting close. (More on that in a minute.)

After we left Marcy's office, Melissa and I ran some more errands together until nearly 5 pm. Then she had an appt. so we hugged and tried not to cry. I did in my car on my way home, though. I don't think before then I'd allowed it to sink in that our friendship as we've known it in Omaha is over, because I've already been through similar stuff with so many other friends throughout my life and I HATE IT! But, I talked to her on the phone on Sunday so I know we'll keep in touch.

Not much happened on Thursday--just more contraction-like-thingies for me. On Friday I had my doctor's appointment. I was worried they would yell at me for missing one, but no one ever mentioned it. It turned out this was a pretty uneventful appointment, so I obviously didn't miss anything!

She said she wouldn't be checking me for dilation and effacement until the following week. She was not concerned about the spotting or the tightening (she also guessed they were Braxton-Hicks--practice labor contractions--because I was having them that day as well and she could tell my stomach was changing shape/size which is a sign). Both things I'd had that week are perfectly normal at this stage of pregnancy (almost thirty-six weeks), so she wasn't concerned. She said that if I was to go into labor now she would not stop it, and L.J. would be able to go home with me when I left the hospital. :-)

She checked his heartbeat as usual and it was lower than it's ever been before--only 130 beats per minute--but she said that was good for this stage. He's been sleeping more and is less active (with less room to move around and more fat on him) so maybe this will be the L.J. that I meet, rather than the hyperactive kid!

Speaking of more weight on him--she said that he was measuring two weeks farther along! (Like a baby that is due the end of April!) My mouth dropped open. "How did that happen?" She laughed and said, "It's nothing you did, you can't control it." But now I'm worried he's going to be huge if he goes full-term! On the other hand, this could mean that he'll be ready to come out by April 18th, which is what I hope because my doctor is going to be gone the following week (what Logan is now measuring to arrive at)! I don't know where she's going since she just got back from a two-week vacation. . .but I've always been afraid of this (having to use a different doctor for my delivery)--I really, really want my doctor!

Part of me wants to ask to be induced if I haven't had him by then, but the other part doesn't want to because of the pitocin. I didn't really go into detail in my HypnoBirthing blog (aside from mentioning the connection it has to pain), but according to childbirth.org:

Pitocin can present hazards. For the mother these include: tumultuous labor and tetanic contractions, which may cause premature separation of the placenta, rupture of the uterus, laceration of the cervix or postbirth hemorrhage. Fetal hazards include: fetal asphyxia and neonatal hypoxia from too frequent and prolonged uterine contractions, physical injury and prematurity if the due date is not accurate.

With pitocin, the induced force of the contraction may decrease uterine blood flow (This is also done during a natural contraction, but not for as long of a period and not as close together.). Therefore, reducing the oxygen to the baby.

With pitocin you will receive continuous electronic fetal monitoring. This is because fetal distress is more common with pitocin use and needs to be detected if it occurs.

Also, pitocin can be the beginning domino in the domino effect. The IV, the infusion pump, and the continuous monitoring will confine most mothers to bed, decreasing her ability to deal with the contractions naturally. With the more painful contractions a mother is more likely to need pain medication, such as an epidural anesthesia.

About 80% of women who have had pitocin say that there is more pain with pitocin than without. Unlike natural contractions, you do not get the slow build up with pitocin induced contractions. Most women surveyed stated that they would rather try alternatives to pitocin with their next labor.
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With that said, most women I know have had to have pitocin even when delivering on their due date. My friend who first introduced me to HypnoBirthing even had to have it with her second baby, although she hadn't wanted it, either. This is probably the least controllable part of my birth plan (although there are natural ways that work for some people: nipple stimulation, walking, sex, castor oil, spicy foods, blue and black cohosh, or stripping the membranes), so I won't make any decisions for two more weeks.

On a brighter note, my weight and blood pressure were still fine--although I am only allowed to gain one or two more pounds (I'm up 32 now) and I could be at risk for developing high blood pressure sometime during these last four weeks so I have to keep an eye on that as well. Good news is that Logan is head down and in a good birthing position (he's not facing front like I was worried about, but rather to the side. . .so hopefully it will be easy to turn him to the back if necessary during labor). At my next appointment they are doing the B strep test. Here is what the internet says about that:

Group B streptococcus, or group B strep, is a bacterium that causes life-threatening infections in newborns. Many people carry group B strep bacteria in their bodies without developing infection or illness. Pregnant women can transmit group B strep to their newborns at birth. Group B strep is the most common cause of blood infections and meningitis in newborns. Most cases of group B strep disease in newborns can be prevented by giving certain pregnant women antibiotics during labor.

Group B strep bacteria are different from many other types of bacteria that can cause disease. People can be "colonized" with group B strep. This means that they carry the bacteria in their bodies but are not infected and do not become sick. Adults can carry the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, genital tract, or urinary tract.

Colonization with group B strep is usually harmless. The bacteria can become deadly, though, if something happens that allows them to invade the bloodstream. Pregnant women who carry the bacteria can unknowingly transmit group B strep to their newborns at birth. Newborns can acquire early-onset group B strep disease either before or during delivery. The cause of late-onset disease in babies is not well understood.

Group B strep infection is fatal in about 20% of infected men and non-pregnant women and about 5% to 15% of infected newborns. Babies who survive can be left with speech, hearing, and vision problems as well as mental retardation.

Group B strep infections in both newborns and adults are usually treated with antibiotics given intravenously (through a vein).

Group B strep causes disease in about 18,000 people in the United States each year. Of these, about 8,000 are newborns. Group B strep is the most common cause of blood infections and meningitis in newborns and is a frequent cause of newborn pneumonia.

Since 1970, group B strep infection has become the leading bacterial infection causing illness and death in newborns in the United States. Cases in adults are also on the rise. The number of adult infections nearly doubled during the 1980s and continues to increase.

Most cases of group B strep infection in newborns can be prevented by giving certain pregnant women antibiotics during labor. Antibiotic treatment before labor does not prevent group B strep infection in newborns.

Any pregnant woman who has already had a baby with group B strep infection or who has a urinary tract infection caused by group B strep should be given antibiotics during labor. Pregnant women who are colonized with group B strep should be offered antibiotics at the time of labor or rupture of the membranes. Colonization with group B strep can be detected late in pregnancy (around 37 weeks) by a special test of secretions from the vagina and rectum.
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So, hopefully my results will come back negative!

After my appointment, Joe and I met for lunch at the China Buffet. That night I went over to Lisa's house with Heather, Sarah, Sara (Lisa's sister), and Courtney (Lisa's friend who is 5 months pregnant). Lisa announced that she is pregnant, too! How exciting--her baby (which will be her second) is due just two weeks after Sarah's in November. It was funny to have two pregnancies in the beginning, one in the middle, and one (me) at the end. (Plus, Heather's going to start trying next month and Sara isn't ready yet--so we had every category, haha.)

We ate yummy snacks and watched the movie Enchanted, which I enjoyed. I didn't fall asleep until 2 am, so Joe & I slept in Sat. morning and didn't make it to the car seat safety check. I really don't think it's going to be a problem, though. Joe is 100% sure it's installed correctly.

Instead, Joe and I went out for lunch at Jimmy John's (we just got one here, I hadn't been since college and I loved it). Guess what? I had TWO subs. These are 8 inchers, people. I bought one and then the guy behind the counter asked if I wanted another one for free. I was like, why not, I'll just put it in the fridge for later. Instead, I gobbled mine down while Joe was still eating and I kept eyeing the extra one. . .and before I knew it I was eating that one, too. Joe had been talking and then suddenly stopped and was like, "You're eating both now?" SHHHHH!

It was a beautiful weekend--upper 60s for the first time since last year. Joe and I took the dogs to the dog park and had a fun time.

The only other thing Joe & I did was go to church. One of Joe's old co-workers was there, so we sat with him and talked a little bit. He has two boys (every guy that Joe used to work with only had sons! Can there be something in the air?!) and said that the last month of pregnancy is the longest. I can buy that--I continued to have the contraction-thingies over the weekend, however they were more tolerable--until last night. I was very uncomfortable, as it felt like L.J. was growing and stretching my abdomen all night long. I was also nauseated this morning and noticed a little pink in my underwear. I'm still pretty uncomfortable right now.

Of course I've been researching non-stop to find out what all of this means but I'm not coming up with definite answers. Basically, last week's spotting and this morning's pink discharge are signaling that I'll probably be losing my mucus plug soon. But "soon" can be an entire month before actually giving birth--or it can happen immediately before or during labor. Some women lose it gradually, some women lose it all at once. Same thing for the Braxon-Hicks--some women have them throughout most of their pregnancy, some women don't get them until the last week (or at all). So, for me, my discomfort could just mean that I'm going to give birth within the next month (which we already know). However, it COULD also mean it will occur any day now, which is what I'm hoping!

When I went to the restroom after church, a lady looked at me excitedly and said, "When are you due?!" I told Joe later that I still think it's crazy that strangers know this so confidently, how do they know I'm not just fat, lol? Joe was like, "You definitely look pregnant, it's very obvious."

A similar situation as to what happened with the woman when we shopped for recliners happened last Wed. when I was at Wal-mart with Melissa. A woman walked by and said, "Ohmygosh are you having a boy?" I said, "Yes, I am!" She said, "You're carrying so well." I don't think that after I'm pregnant I'm going to be able to tell what people are having like strangers can tell with me!

Anyway, the woman at church told me that she has four children and she was happy for me and wished me luck. She said all of hers came 3 weeks before their due date so to keep that in mind. I said that was fine with me. Hopefully I can get on to blogspot that day, as I will need something to do to pass the time while I'm in the early stages of labor!

Five Weeks To Go!

This was originally written on Sunday, March 30, 2008:

I'm in my 35th week of pregnancy, so after next week L.J. can arrive any day! I had a dream the other night that it's going to be soon. . .I hope so. It was weird because there was nothing going on in my dream. I was just with darkness and worried that I was going to be, like, two weeks LATE! A voice said, "No, don't worry, you're going to go before your due date." I suddenly felt very calm and peaceful--confident that the voice was right. I saw myself sleeping in bed with our clock behind/above me that said 4:30. The voice said I'd wake up abruptly in the middle of the night and have no doubt that I was in labor. (Because I've also always worried that I wouldn't know what were real contractions and what were Braxton Hicks, since I haven't had them yet.)

The next day I told Joe about the dream and said I only wish the voice had told me what day this was all taking place, lol. He thinks the 4:30 could mean April 30th (4/30) rather than it happening at 4:30 am. We will see! The good news is that I'm not moping around worried that I still have 5-7 more weeks to go; I know it sounds silly, but the dream really put me at ease.

I also had a dream back in October with my maternal grandfather who died in 2002. He told me that he was real in my dream and I said "I don't believe you--tell me what's going on in my life right now." He said, "You're having a baby!" I said, "When?" He said, "May. . ." and then winked, "or April." His smile was so "knowing" that I really felt that was his way to prove to me that he'd really spoke to me in that dream. Once again, we'll see soon!

Either pregnancy has made me psychic of some sort. . .or it's just made me have creepy dreams! Before being told to name my son Logan back in August, I had never experienced these type of dreams in my life, aside from maybe a de ja vu one every now and then (you know where you're going about your day and something happens and you swear you already dreamed it?).

My body has still been handling this pregnancy much better now than it did from Sept thru Feb. My only problem these days is the strain in my abdomen--which isn't minor. I'm fine (except for the drain it has on my energy) until about 4 pm. Then something happens where it's like my uterus expands and I feel like one of those sumo wrestlers--I'll lay down on the floor and then I can't get up! All I do is roll from side to side. . .lol, I feel like a big Easter egg!

Needless to say, walking around is not something I can do for long, but it's impossible to find a comfortable sitting or laying position because the weight in my abdomen gives in to gravity, so there's a lot of pressure toward whatever direction I'm leaning. So to get bigger would mean even more discomfort there. I'm trying to look at the big picture, though: this is my least miserable of the experiences during pregnancy. But. . .I'd still prefer less than five weeks compared to seven! Fortunately, I don't think my doctor would allow me to go past May 16th. So, if L.J. hasn't come by then, I'll be induced. But that means pitocin, which those of you who read my birth plan know I don't want, so I'm hoping for a labor like a girl I just talked to from my high school who had a baby recently after being asleep, waking up at 12:30 am to her water breaking, going to the hospital, pushing, and having the baby after only four hours of labor. If only we could all be so lucky! But I can try (she didn't get the epidural or medication).

Coincidentally, last night at scrapbooking I went to get a drink of water and one of the employees said, "May I give you some words of advice?" I said, "Please!" She said, "If you want a quicker birth, do it naturally. Childbirth is natural. When you're in labor, relax, take in the experience, don't be scared--your body will do the work. I've had five children and none of them were with an epidural or medication. The key was to breathe and let that oxygen get to that baby. Think about it as a positive experience, making it the best experience possible for your child because this is their only time for being in your womb and entering the world."

I told her that I've been planning to do it that way and hope that I can. She said I definitely can, so it was nice to get another boost in that direction. It's also a boost to know that I have several friends who are interested in giving the HypnoBirthing a try for their future babies and so I'm kind of the guinea pig, lol. I hope that I can come back and let them know that it worked.

Now that I've learned so much, it's amazing to me that this way of childbirth is only offered if you ask. Doctors are like, "well yeah, it usually works out better this way." So then why isn't that what they recommend to everyone and the picture that we all have in our heads? Instead we think there's no other way than pain and suffering. It's like someone out there thinks the majority of women can't handle it, so they don't want women to get their hopes up. It's easier to just offer medication and an epidural to shut them up or prevent them from getting disappointed if things don't go the way they'd wanted. I have more faith in women than that!!! Even if things don't go ideal for me, or I end up having needing an epidural, I'll be glad I knew ALL of my options and that at least tried.

For example, on A Baby Story recently there was an episode where the woman was doing everything against what HypnoBirthing teaches. . .and it looked like an awful experience. Before she got to the hospital she was like, "This baby better not cause me any problems! It's already caused me enough pain!" Aside from blaming her child for everything, I was thinking, that's not a very positive attitude to have. . .but then again I've never been in labor. I doubt I'll be in the best of moods, either! However, then she got to the hospital and was like, "I want this to be over fast--give me the epidural now!" She wasn't even trying to relax. I thought, geeze, no one's telling her that her behavior is actually making things worse and that if she wants it to go fast, she's doing the opposite.

Despite having the epidural, she was grimacing in pain during every contraction and swearing at everyone. It was really an example of how not to be unless you want to make labor worse! By the time she was pushing, she was screaming and force-pushing. I was tense just watching her. Needless to say, I haven't watched A Baby Story since because I don't want others' births to interfere with the HypnoBirthing I've been practicing!

L.J. has continued to be strong and active. If Joe is sitting close to me on the couch, he is able to feel L.J. nudging him! I managed to gain another pound this week, so I'm up 31 now. L.J. is estimated to be 6 lbs and is less than 19 inches long.

On Thursday I spent the day at Jenn's (next door) with two of her other scrapbooking friends, which was a lot of fun. I hope to join them regularly now.

As mentioned earlier, last night I went to the paid scrapbooking with Heather, Sara, and Sarah for the last time before L.J., which was a nice getaway. I'm glad there have been more opportunities for "getaways" lately because I know I will need them when L.J.'s here. Jenn said that once a month she and her friends (all stay-at-home-moms) do a "Ladies Night Out" and that I am welcome to join them. I said that sounds like fun. In the meantime, I'll continue to go to her house for a day, every other week, where we also eat lunch and have "girl talk" while the kids play (or babies sleep and eat).

Otherwise, that's about it for my update this week. An old college friend had a baby girl on Wednesday (exactly one week early) and last night I learned Sarah (who scrapbooked with us for the first time last night) is pregnant. It's the year for babies!

For Moms Who Are Going To Have Boys

This was originally written on Thursday, March 20, 2008:

I read an article that I just HAD to share, lol! It was in Ladies Home Journal, October 2003, titled "The Energizer Boy." The caption caught my eye: A new study proves that boys suck the life out of you even in the womb. I immediately laughed and had to read more!

Sure enough, that year the Harvard School of Health showed that mothers who are pregnant with boys need to eat 10 percent more calories than mothers carrying girls. . .8 percent more protein, 9 percent more carbohydrates, 11 percent more animal fat and 15 percent more vegetable fat!

A mother of two boys said she could have saved Harvard the money and told them that herself, haha. At 21 months old one of her sons "climbed out of his crib, up over the adjacent railing that separates the two floors, then clambered onto a very tall highboy that stands in the dining room below. He somehow managed to lower himself onto the dining room table, then onto a chair, then onto the floor. He did this in the dark." She said, "The mere act of watching him in action is exhausting. So was carrying him."

Hmmm. . .looking at my pregnancy as a whole--from the severe morning sickness September thru November, to the rapid weight gain and horrible back pain in December & January, to the fatigue and everything else all throughout. . .I'm thinking there might not have been any other way for my body to handle all of L.J.'s testosterone! The Harvard study reported that "in utero boys are already more demanding than girls."

And here I always thought boys were easier :p But, according to the author of this article, they are as much slaves to their hormones as females--and their hormones are screaming, "MOVE!" She wrote, "Yesterday, I watched Henry on a play date with his three little friends. After 15 minutes, Susannah--who deftly avoided all the mud puddles Henry and the other two boys were Kowabunga-ing into--was ready to sit down and have a snack. But the boys were just warming up, Henry running around to his own personal 100-decibel soundtrack which goes likes this: Wheeeeeeeee! Susannah, only two months older, can and does have something approaching an actual coversation."

Yes, there are girls out there who are wilder and more demanding for their parents than boys (and boys who may sit quietly). . .but that appears to not be the norm. At one of my scrapbooking nights I overheard a mother of four (two boys and two girls) talking. Her friend asked, "Who's harder, boys or girls?" The woman immediately answered, "The boys! All of that energy!"

I pretended not to hear :p

But, considering that L.J. has been moving in my body more than ever lately, I know I have to hear it. Just as I had to admit this pregnancy wasn't what I had hoped going blindly into it, and so therefore I had to educate myself, I'm now going to have to start focusing on teaching myself about how to handle a boy!

But, the good news about him moving even more than usual lately, is that I think he might have turned on Sunday. This would be ideal (if he doesn't move again) because then I won't have to worry about him being breech. Around week 32, babies will turn head down to prepare for birth. By 37 weeks, all but 3-4% are head down. Well, I'm in my 33rd week right now--and on Sunday I felt movement different than ever before. It was five hours of constant, MAJOR, kicking and sliding. It seriously felt like he was doing sommersalts in my stomach. Through my shirt you could see him sliding around and jabbing me. Joe could only take so much, haha. He watched it with my shirt up and put his hand there for a while. . .but it was really creepy! It looked like my stomach was an ocean of waves!

If L.J. wasn't turning then I have no idea what was going on with him that night. I've continued to have similar movement off & on (but for not as long) so he could just be thinking, "hey, it's gettng cramped in here, make more room for me!" Because my stomach now looks like it's ready to pop. I can't believe it's possible for it to get bigger--I feel like I'm at my maximum!!! I've gained 28 pounds.

Seven pound babies don't seem as small as they always did to me before :p I recently went through all of the pictures I saved over the years that people have sent me of their newborns, and I looked at their babies and then looked at my body and thought, HOW?! There's a real kid in there now! I mean, at this point he doesn't look any different than a nine month old fetus. He has fat on him, hair, etc. I'm so close, I really can't believe it.

I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, but I canceled because my doc is on vacation (good of her to take it before I'm due, haha) and I was scheduled to have it with her PA instead. I decided that since I haven't been having any problems and I don't have any new questions, I could skip a week. (Things have continued to be the best this month.) I should probably move my next appt. up, though--right now it's set for April 4th but that will have been four weeks since my last one which isn't the best thing to do at this stage of pregnancy. They want to start checking me for dilation and effacement now, because they can see things coming that I am oblivious to. From 36 weeks on I'll be going in every week until I give birth!

Two people from my high school who were both due on April 5th had their daughters within three days of each other this past week--both were three weeks early. I told Joe that's be like me going into labor in just three weeks! Good thing we're pretty much prepared.

Otherwise, let's see. . .I have been doing better with my fiction writing after not much creative writing at all during this pregnancy. A doctor recently told me that being pregnant tends to suck up a lot of creative energy for people. Maybe one of the reasons why I've been feeling better this month is because L.J. isn't requiring as much from me now that he has all of his organs, etc. Because during my bad weeks, it was impossible to write. It's been really nice to have passion for writing again and to remember & enjoy why I became a full-time writer! I hope I can write consistantly again soon.

Over the weekend Joe and I bought our rocker :-) On Saturday, we went to look at more gliders, but I found them to be just as uncomfortable as every other rocker I'd sat in over the past several months. I've never thought of myself as Princess and the Pea, but that's how I was starting to feel. (I'm sure it doesn't help that I've generally been uncomfortable anywhere the past seven months.)

It didn't seem worth it to spend $400-$1000 on a glider that I wasn't crazy about. Plus, we learned that every store around here requires you to order the one you want because they only carry floor models since people like to pick their exact color, fabric, etc. We realized we'd be cutting it close since they all said it'd take 6-8 weeks for the chair to be delivered.

We finally decided to return to the glider that we'd considered the previous week--since it was the closest to being comfortable. While sitting in it (and saying hi to the psychic woman from before, haha), we noticed that in the next section were recliners. Many of them rocked, too, so Joe suggested I try them out.

I found pretty much every single one to be SUPER comfortable!

The smaller recliners were in the $300 price range--way cheaper than the gliders. Best of all, it wouldn't have to be ordered. Since their recliners only came in a few colors, they had each chair in stock. So, we chose a tan, comfy chair that should blend well with our nursery. . .and bought it on Sunday (on Saturday we had to go home first to measure to make sure it would look/fit okay).

I am so relieved that the situation turned out better than what we'd expected. I really thought I was going to have to settle. Although neither of us had ever imagined a recliner in L.J.'s room, this seems much more practical. Once we're done with it up there, we can move it downstairs to our living room and have a cozy chair down here! In fact, I'm anxious to pick it up this weekend (my parents are coming with their Blazer so hopefully it'll fit in the back), so that I can use it for the remainder of my pregnancy! I think it'll help my back a lot more next time.

After paying for it on Sunday (the guy who rang us up said, "I see you have a junior due in a couple of months." I'm still amazed that strangers can tell so much about me these days, lol), Joe and I then went to Babies R Us to use the rest of our gift card. Lisa and Sara had said their favorite item from their registries was their monitors. After researching their particular kind online and seeing nothing but the highest ratings and most positive comments, we knew that was what we wanted to buy. It's by Bebe Sounds, called Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor. It picks up if the baby has stopped moving or breathing--and has saved many lives. There's a pad that goes under the mattress, and because it's hooked to a monitor that's placed away from the crib, it's safer than signals from a cell phone or computer. False alarms are rare; overall, the monitor appears very reassuring.

Finally, we met Melissa for ice cream, as she's been trying to sell their house and her realtor was having an open house that day. We had a great time chatting both there and at our house--where she brought her yorkie over to play with Cosmo (they're best buds). I can't believe she only has two more weekends left in Omaha.

Not much to report between Monday (happy belated St. Patrick's Day!) and today. I went over to say hi to Jenn next door and told her I should be able to scrapbook now, so that is the plan for next Thursday. This weekend is Easter (a few weeks ago I put out decorations early since I hadn't decorated for V-Day this year) and, as I said before, my mom & stepdad are visiting. Next weekend is my last time for doing the paid scrapbooking with Heather and Sara (and Sarah is joining us this time, too)--until after L.J.'s born. I figure April's gonna be an unreliable month.

Seven weeks to go!

Birth Plan: HypnoBirthing

This was originally written on Wednesday, March 05, 2008:

Here is my birth plan, finally! For those who aren't familiar with this concept, during your pregnancy it is important to figure out what you want and don't want during childbirth. Studies have shown that childbirth goes better for women (and their babies) who do this, opposed to those who go into it blindly and just let the doctors direct the experience. Hospital staff prefer to have a hard copy of your birth plan, so Joe & I recently wrote out ours.

For my first trimester I was completely clueless as to what I wanted (just the thought of labor made me cringe, so it wasn't something I wanted to ever think about), but as time went on (and I realized that childbirth was going to happen whether I thought about it or not) and the more research I did, the easier it was to figure out my ideal scenerio.

Note that last part--because that's what a birth plan is--your ideal, not necessarily what is going to end up happening. It is important for women to not get caught up in "this is how it has to be"--it is not a success/fail type of situation. You have not failed if you find that life doesn't allow you to follow your birth plan. A person with the opposite birth experience is not more of a success. You're there to deliver a baby, not to stress yourself out with curve balls that might be thrown at you. You can't predict every possible scenerio, nor can you know what you're going to do in every situation. No matter what your story ends up being, it will be special to you and unique. At the end of the day all that matters is that your baby is safe, and once you bring them home you won't think or care about your labor!

Since being pregnant, I've heard a hundred stories, but not one is similar to someone else's. So there's obviously no way of me knowing exactly what my experience will be like. My particular labor is not something I can completely prepare for, but having a birth plan gives me a goal to shoot for, a path to try and follow, and something to focus on while I'm in the moment. For a lot of women, it does end up going as planned, so I hope that things go smoothly and that it can be that way for me. Either way, I've learned some great tips that can work throughout motherhood and life.

It all started when a friend of mine from high school and college had her first child in 2005. I was in awe that she not only had a completely natural vaginal childbirth (no medication, no epidural) but that she said the labor wasn't bad at all. How could that be possible? My entire life all I've heard is how bad the pain is; on TV women are screaming during the birth, etc. But she had nothing negative to say about the experience. I thought she must be a rare exception.

Her next child was born in 2007 the same way--just a day after I found out I was pregnant. When I revealed my news to her a few weeks later, she recommended the book HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method by Marie F. Mongan, M.Ed., M.Hy. She insisted that she wasn't "lucky" or "special," but that this method could work for anyone.I was definitely interested in giving it a shot. My worst fear since I was a little girl is being paralyzed. The thought of having an epidural stuck into my spine and not being able to feel from my waist down is scarier to me than any pain! (And, although very slim, there is a chance of error that could lead to permanent paralysis.)

Plus, it is no secret that epidurals slow down labor (the purpose of contractions are to push the baby out--when a woman can't feel "down there," she misses a lot of cues and her cervix may stop dilating and the baby may stop moving), so labor is often dragged out/longer for women with an epidural, which means more need for pitocin (because epidurals completely cut off the flow of natural oxytocin)--but pitocin causes more pain than the natural oxytocin (what causes contractions). . .thus, a cycle.

There is also an increased likelihood of bladder catheterization, internal monitoring, and operative (i.e. forceps, episiotomy, cesarean) delivery.

According to the internet, other reported side effects include:

Dural puncture
Hypotension (29%)
Nausea, vomiting, shivering (frequent)
Uneven, incomplete or nonexsistent pain relief
Feelings of emotional detachment
Respiratory insufficiency or paralysis
Convulsions
Toxic drug reactions
Slight to severe headache
Septic meningitis
Allergic shock
Cardiac arrest
Maternal death

Long term for the mother:

Neurological complications
Backache (weeks to years)
Postpartum feelings of regret, loss of autonomy
Fecal and urinary incontinence or bladder dysfunction (inability to urinate)
Paresthesia ("pins and needles")
Loss of perineal sensation and sexual function

For the baby:

Direct drug toxicity
Fetal distress, abnormal FHR (can lead to emergency cesarean)
Drownsiness at birth, poor sucking reflex
Maternal fever (impeded thermoregulation from numb skin) leads to fetal hyperthermia and neonatal
NICU workup (spinal tap, etc.)
Poor muscle strength and tone in the first hours
Neonatal jaundice
Decreased maternal-infant bonding, behavioral problems
Hyperactivity up to seven years

Economic:

Increased costs (all epidural patients)

After hearing stories from women I know who did experience plenty of these, it just seemed that in a world where you can't avoid many negative things, I might as well avoid what I can--i.e. the epidural. Especially since another "ideal" for me is to not have a C-section, and as stated above, they've been linked to epidurals.

A Cesarean section, or C-section, is the delivery of a baby through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. It is a major abdominal surgery, so it is riskier than a vaginal delivery. Moms who have C-sections are more likely to have an infection, excessive bleeding, blood clots, more postpartum pain, a longer hospital stay, and a significantly longer recovery. Injuries to the bladder or bowel can occur. Also, a mother is not able to hold her child immediately after birth--she has to wait until she has been returned to her post partum room.

This is what my friend Kendra said after her VBAC (when comparing her cesarean and vaginal birth--she, too, had a natural labor without drugs):

Why I Loved my VBAC: The SMALL Stuff!

1. I ate lunch IMMEDIATELY after I delivered my daughter (Isabelle). I believe I was munching on my rib sandwich while I was being stitched.

2. I am able to pick up my toddler daughter with no restrictions.

3. My husband can never complain about getting hit in the genitals again (not like it happens frequently). I have him beat!

4. I have an ongoing excuse for taking long whirlpool baths 2 or 3 times a day.

5. I was able to quickly leave the hospital and get some REAL sleep.

6. I have no numb areas (I was numb around my abdomen for months after my cesarean)

7. People who know nothing about VBACs look at me like I have achieved some unbelievable feat.

8. I can compare vaginal birthing stories AND cesarean birthing stories with other moms. I love being versatile!

9. NO CATHETER!

10. Did I mention: NO CATHETER!?

As Kendra said, after a Cesarean delivery, you'll be dealing with a sore belly for quite a while. C-section patients typically stay three or four days in the hospital (opposed to one or two) before going home.

You'll either get a shot of pain medication every three to four hours or you'll use a system called "patient-controlled analgesia": You push a button when you're feeling discomfort and medication is delivered through your IV.

You may feel groggy and possibly nauseated right after surgery. Nausea can last up to 48 hours. Many moms also feel itchy all over, particularly those who received narcotics in their epidural or spinal.

You may feel numbness and soreness at the incision site, and the scar will be slightly raised, puffy, and darker than your natural skin tone. Sneezing, coughing, and other actions that exert pressure on the abdominal area can be painful at first.

If everything's okay, your doctor will remove your IV and urinary catheter, usually within 12 hours of surgery, and you'll be able to start eating when you feel like it.

You might have some gas pain and bloating during the first two days. Gas tends to build up because the intestines are sluggish after surgery.

In three to four days, your doctor will probably remove your sutures or staples. After that, if all's well, you'll be sent home.

Expect to need help — and lots of it — once you get home. Don't expect to toss your pain medication as soon as you get home. You may need prescription pain killers for up to a week after surgery, gradually transitioning to over-the-counter pain relievers. (If you're breastfeeding, don't take aspirin or drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid.)

Drink plenty of fluid so you don't become constipated. Your incision will continue to be tender for several weeks.

While it's essential to get plenty of rest once you're home, you also need to get up and walk around regularly. Walking promotes healing and helps prevent complications such as blood clots, but don't overdo it. Start slowly and increase your activity gradually. Since you're recovering from major abdominal surgery, your abs will feel sore for some time. Take it easy and avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby for eight weeks.

In six to eight weeks you'll be able to start exercising moderately — but wait until your caregiver gives you the go-ahead. It may be several months before you're back to your former fit self. You'll be able to resume sexual intercourse in four to six weeks if you're feeling comfortable enough, with your caregiver's okay.

I think by now you can see why I don't want a C-section. (Before Joe knew all about it, he thought that concept sounded better.)

Unfortunately, though, sometimes it's clear that a woman will need a Cesarean even before she goes into labor. Conditions that may require a planned C-section include:

• You've had a previous Cesarean with a "classical" vertical uterine incision or more than one previous C-section. (If you've had only one previous C-section with a horizontal incision, you may be a good candidate for a vaginal birth after Cesarean, or VBAC.)

• You've had some other kind of invasive uterine surgery, such as a myomectomy (the surgical removal of fibroids).

• You're carrying more than one baby. (Some twins can be delivered vaginally, but all higher-order multiples require a C-section.)

• Your baby is expected to be very large (a condition known as macrosomia). This is particularly true if you're diabetic or you had a previous baby of the same size or smaller who suffered serious trauma during a vaginal birth.

• Your baby is in a breech (bottom first) or transverse (sideways) position. (In some cases, such as a twin pregnancy in which the first baby is head down but the second baby is breech, the breech baby may be delivered vaginally.)

• You have placenta previa (when the placenta is so low in the uterus that it covers the cervix).

• The baby has a known illness or abnormality that would make a vaginal birth risky.

Conditions that may cause an unplanned Cesarean delivery:

• Your cervix stops dilating or your baby stops moving down the birth canal, and attempts to stimulate contractions to get things moving again haven't worked.

• Your baby's heart rate gives your practitioner cause for concern, and she decides that your baby can't withstand continued labor or induction.

• The umbilical cord slips through your cervix (a prolapsed cord). If that happens, your baby needs to be delivered immediately because a prolapsed cord can cut off his oxygen supply.

• Your placenta starts to separate from your uterine wall (placental abruption), which means your baby won't get enough oxygen unless he's delivered right away.

According to the September issue of Mothering magazine, in 2005 30.2 percent of the nation's births were by Caesarean. That's the highest rate ever recorded. The World Health Organization says that any time a country's Cesarean-section rate rises above 15 percent, the dangers of C-section surgery outweigh the lifesaving benefits it is supposed to provide. But it doesn't seem to matter that, in the U.S.:

1) A woman is five to seven times more likely to die from a Cesarean delivery than from a vaginal delivery.
2) A woman having a repeat C-section is twice as likely to die during delivery
3) Twice as many women require rehospitalization after a C-section than after a vaginal birth
4) Having a C-section means higher rates of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and potentially severe placental problems in future pregnancies.
5) Babies born after an elective Cesarean delivery (when labor has not yet begun) are four times more likely to develop persistent pulmonary hypertension, a potentially life-threatening condition.
6) Between one and two babies of every hundred delivered by C-section will be accidentally cut during the surgery.

So then why so many Caesareans? Doctors are making the decisions based on fear of malpractice suits rather than medical necessity. But biologically, birth is a normal life process that is more likely to go well on its own, with little or no intervention. Women in comas have given birth undetected! Animals give birth easily, without screaming!

Instead of everyone being scared of birth-related morbidity, why aren't women and their doctors concerned of the chemicals that are dripped into their spines and veins--the same substances that have been shown to lead to more C-sections? Why aren't they worried about the harm those drugs might be doing to the future health of their children, as studies are now beginning to indicate is the case? Why aren't they afraid of picking up drug-resistant Staphylococcus infections in the hospital? And why, aren't women terrified of being cut open?

Because we've put more faith into science and technology than in allowing natural processes to carry on. Nature is to be feared, technology to be trusted.

That didn't logically make sense to me. But I knew from my experience with off-the-chart menstrual cramps that not having an epidural might be easier said than done. On the other hand, I've been told that the type of cramps I personally experience when having my period are similar to labor pains, and therefore I might be so used to them that I have a higher tolerance for pain. But imagine this: what if you don't have to suffer horribly without an epidural and can also reduce the need for a C-section? What if you can be 100% present and actually enjoy the experience as pleasant? That's what HypnoBirthing is all about.

On the East and West coasts this method is becoming more and more popular, which means in several years we should all be hearing about it in the Midwest, haha. In places like New Hampshire, where it originated, there are hospitals designed to help pregnant women throughout their pregnancies to prepare for this type of childbirth. For those who aren't that lucky to be able to deliver in a Hypnobirthing hospital, the book does a good job of teaching us the techniques, and there is a CD that comes with it.

Its main message is that we have programmed ourselves with the wrong message. For centuries we've set ourselves up to fear childbirth like none other. But, according to page three of the book, when fear is not present, pain is not present. Fear causes the arteries leading to the uterus to constrict and become tense, creating pain. In the absence of fear, the muscles relax and become pliable, and the cervix is able to naturally thin and open as the body pulsates rhythmically and expels the baby with ease.

Thousands of couples who have followed HypnoBirthing swear that this is true. After learning to embrace the body's innate knowledge of birthing, relaxing into the birthing process, and working with body and baby, a woman trusts that each knows how to do its job. In doing this, she also eliminates fatigue and shortens her birthing time.

HypnoBirthing is about women reclaiming their right to call upon their natural birthing instincts. It helps you to frame a positive expectation and to prepare for birth by developing a trust and belief in your birthing body and in nature's undeniable orchestration of birthing. By teaching you the basic physiology of birth and explaining the adverse effect that fear has upon the chemical and physiological responses of your body, you learn simple, self-conditioning techniques that will easily bring you into the optimal state of relaxation you will use doing birthing. The four basic HypnoBirthing techniques are: Breathing, Relaxation, Visualization, Deepening. (These are good to use in any stressful situation, throughout the rest of our lives!)

And, no, this doesn't go against the Bible. Scholars have found that there was never an actual curse placed exclusively upon Eve. In Genesis, God uses the very same wording in speaking to Adam as to Eve. The translators, though, influenced by the terrible conditions surrounding birth at the time, chose to translate the dictum delivered to Eve differently. So even church has falesly programmed us to think that childbirth is supposed to be horrible!

According to page 40, with our modern knowledge, we understand more clearly how fear of complication and resulting in death, not fear of birthing, caused women to look upon labor with horror. Extreme fear created extreme tension, and the tension, in turn, resulted in a taut cervix, unable to perform its natural function. Those who lived through the ordeal, as well as those who witnessed it, attested to the agony that was experienced in birthing.

Deaths in hospitals were the result of lack of sanitation and exposure to the contagion of illnesses of other patients, rather than complication or the danger of birthing. Nevertheless, deaths occurred, and the fear of death became even more strongly associated with giving birth.

It wasn't until the mid-nineteen-seventies that it was discovered that a source of natural analgesic lies within the body itself. American researchers discovered that opiate molecules, locking onto special receptor sites of neurons in the central nervous system, slowed down the firing rate of the neurons. They found that if they decreased the firing rate of the neurons, it resulted in a decrease in the sensation of pain. A state of calm was the missing ingredient that made the decrease possible. Endorphins--neuropeptides in the brain and pituitary gland--have an effect 200 times that of morphine. Endorphins produce a tranquil, amnesiac condition.

This was reassuring for me to read because I also didn't like the idea of any other medication during labor, either. It is a myth that the drugs they give don't cross the placenta to the baby. The placenta has no barrier.

The well-respected Physicians' Desk Reference clearly states that at this time there are no adequate and well-controlled studies for the use of these drugs with pregnant women. The PDR also points out that it is still not known whether these drugs can cause fetal harm when administered to laboring women.

Even pills, or any of the injected drugs used to take the edge off, can supress a laboring mom's efforts to work with her body's surges, as HypnoBirthing moms are trained to do. These narcotics can cause reduced muscle tone and prolong labor. Because of the numbing effects of drugs, the laboring woman is less aware of her surges and may not be able to efficiently assist in working with them to facilitate opening.

Fetology experts are now saying that the disorientation that a baby experiences when his mother has accepted drugs can result in disconnection between mother and baby and cause a long-term feeling of abadonment on the part of the baby. Studies have shown that babies whose mothers were medicated lacked the ability to crawl to the breast and were unable to suckle even with assistance. As long as indications point to a healthy, strong baby and you are in no dnger, be willing to protect your baby from the assault of drugs.

There may come a time when all accomodations to your wishes has been extended, but for some reason, your baby is not weathering it well. In such an instance, it may be determined that your birthing needs medical assistance. In this kind of situation, you will find that your relaxed HypnoBirthing attitude and techniques can still help you through whatever turn your birthing may take. Understanding the need for medical intervention and, along with your birth companion, being a part of the decision-making team will help you accede to whatever preparations need to be made. You will remain calm and in control of your circumstances.

So, to sum it up, Joe and I will be requesting that there be no medication administered, no epidural, and hopefully no pitocin or episiotomy.

As my HypnoBirthing book says, The more nature is able to take its course, the less likely you are to need an episiotomy. The thick rim of the perineum needs to gradually thin and unfold through each surge by natural pressure of the baby's head until, at last, it folds open fully to allow the baby's head to pass through. Tears in the skin can be avoided if the mother has practiced perineal massage and there are no rushed, violent pushes.

I would like L.J. placed immediately on my chest for skin-to-skin contact (it has been known to help with bonding, plus it is the most natural thing, as all mothers' body heat adjusts to the needs of her newborn!), some extra time before they put ointment in his eyes (an anti-biotic given to all babies since they are sensitive to germs for the first time), no hepititus B shot (as stated in one of my prior blogs, completely unncessary if the mother isn't sleeping around or using drugs), and Joe doesn't want to cut the umbilical cord--so the doctor can do that when it has stopped pulsating. (When it is prematurely cut, it abruptly cuts off the flow of blood to the baby, depriving him of that source of oxygen and of the many nutrients that will affect his health for a lifetime.) Finally, L.J. will be circumsized, although there is no medical reason to do so nowdays (it's our aesthetic preference).

The best part about all of this, is that I am actually looking forward to labor now, rather than dreading it. I will let you know how it goes!

UPDATE: You can read Logan's birth story here.

The Three Trimesters

This was originally written on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Here is a list of what most pregnant women can expect during the three trimesters.

Your first month:

You may have some "morning sickness" or nausea.

Your second month:

During this month the fetus has arms with tiny hands and fingers. Legs, the beginnings of knees, ankles, and toes are all starting to form. Organs such as the stomach and liver, a simple brain, spine, and central nervous system have also begun to develop. Pits have formed which will become the baby's eyes and ears. You may tire more easily and need to urinate more frequently. You may also, still be experiencing some nausea.

Your third month:

By the end of this trimester, your baby will weigh approximately 1 ounce, and be about 3 inches in length and signs of the baby's sex are beginning to appear. Finger and toe nails are developing. The facial features are becoming well defined, with an obvious chin, nose, and forehead. Eyes are fully formed and eyelids are developing. The baby is now starting to move the hands, legs, and head. At this point you will not feel the baby's movement. You should have gained some weight.

A few symptoms you may experience during the first trimester:
Fatigue
Breast tenderness
Passing water
Morning sickness
Backache

Pregnancy: Second Trimester
Your fourth month:

Your baby, now weighing about 6 ounces, is growing very fast and is about 8 to 10 inches long by the end of this month. The umbilical cord continues to grow and thicken in order to carry enough blood and nourishment. Morning sickness, fatigue, and many other things that might have bothered you during the first 3 months might disappear as your body adapts to the growing baby.

The majority of your weight gain will be during these next three months. The recognized average total gain throughout pregnancy is approximately 30 pounds, although you may gain slightly more or less. Maternity clothes and a maternity bra may now be more comfortable.

You may start to feel the baby's movement now. Don't worry if you can't, but if there is still no movement by the beginning of your fifth month see your doctor.

Your fifth month:

By the end of this month, your baby will weigh about 1 pound and be about 12 inches long. Eyes, eyelids, and ears are now fully developed. A fine hair, known as lanugo covers your baby's body.

Your baby will be able to hear your heart beating. Sounds from outside the uterus will also be audible, although they will be muffled. Your baby will respond to music and speech.

Your sixth month:

You are now carrying a fully formed miniature baby except that the skin is wrinkled and red and there is practically no fat under the skin. The baby still needs to grow, being now only about 14 inches long and weighing only about 1 1/2 pounds. By the end of this trimester, your baby may be sucking his/her thumb and can cry. Subcutaneous fat is building up under his skin, and eyelids have opened, allowing the fetus to develop focus. Brain tissue is also increasing at this time. If your baby has hair on his head, it may be growing as well.

By the end of the fifth month or the beginning of this month, you will have an ultrasound scan also known as a sonogram. This is a test that uses sound waves to draw a picture of your baby inside your uterus. From this test you will be able to see your baby's movement and see his or her heart beating and evaluate the size and development of your baby. Your doctor may also be able to determine your baby's sex at this time.

A few symptoms you may experience during the second trimester:
Swelling of the hands and feet
Backache
Nosebleeds
High blood pressure

Pregnancy: Third Trimester
Your seventh month:

Your baby is now about 15 inches long and weighs about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds. The baby exercises by kicking and stretching, and changing position from side to side. You might even be able to see the movement.

You will continue to put on weight at the rate of around a pound a week until your last month, where your weight gain will be limited to only a pound or two on average. A slight amount of swelling to your feet is normal. You may feel better if you lie down or prop your feet up during the day.

Your eighth month:

Your baby has grown to about 16 inches long and weighs about 4 pounds. Your baby changes position in the uterus and this position is maintained until the baby is born. Continue your daily activities, with rest periods, but stop doing any heavy lifting or work that causes strain.

Your breasts will become significantly larger, as they prepare to produce milk, sometimes becoming rather uncomfortable. A good bra is the key at this time. They may also become tender to touch and feel sore.

By week 32, your baby's face is smooth, and closely resembles that of a newborn. He/she continues to put on fat, and it is becoming a tight fit inside the uterus by now. If your baby were born now, he/she has a good chance of survival.

It might be a good idea to prepare your hospital bag and finish last preparations for your baby's arrival.

Your ninth month:

At 36 weeks your baby is about 19 inches long and weighs about 6 pounds. The baby's weight gain is about 1/2 pound per week. At 40 weeks, the baby is full-term and weighs from 6 to 9 pounds. Your baby settles further down into your pelvis. You may feel more comfortable and your breathing will be easier, although you may need to urinate more frequently. You will be visiting your doctor every week until your baby is born. Your baby is still growing and moving, but now it has less room. You might not feel the kicks and movements as much as you did in the 2nd trimester.

By the end of this trimester, your baby's head will most likely be engaged in the pelvis. His immune system is not yet mature, and he continues to receive antibodies from you through the placenta. His/her body is covered with vernix caseosa, a cheesy substance that protects his/her skin from the amniotic fluid.

During this final stage of your pregnancy, your baby is continuing to grow. About 7 1/2 pounds of your weight should be the baby. Even before your baby is born it will be able to open and close its eyes and might even suck its thumb.

Braxton-Hicks Contractions are a common natural occurrence. Your uterus is simply preparing for the real thing. These contractions are usually very irregular, and do not fall into any set pattern, as do real contractions. If your contractions begin to form a regular pattern of 4 or more an hour, be sure to contact your doctor immediately. You're ready to give birth! :-)

P.S. The website I enjoyed going to the most during each week of my pregnancy (to see REAL pictures of what the baby looked like), was Pregnancy.org

My Pregnancy Timeline

*To read my actual complete posts during my pregnancy, see the 2008 archives for August, September, and October.
-------------------------------
Before I continue copying my pregnancy posts here, I thought I'd share my pregnancy timeline from my journal (I recommend The Pregnancy Journal: A Day-To-Day Guide To A Healthy And Happy Pregnancy)!

August 17-19th, 2007: Conceived L.J.

August 23rd: I believe implantation occured

September 3rd: Took pregnancy test--positive!

September 5th: Had my annual exam; pregnancy was confirmed and hormone tests were taken.

On September 7th (five weeks pregnant): I began progesterone suppositories and felt I started showing (my hips seemed a little wider and my stomach wouldn't suck in). We announced the news to Joe's mom (and sister).

September 8th: Announced the news to my mom, stepdad, dad, and stepmom. (As well as my brother, Joe's other sister, and my grandparents.)

September 13th (six weeks pregnant): my first signs of morning sickness & fatigue (as well as craving chicken). No throwing up, but I spent most of the day in bed. Still no other pregnancy signs.

September 21st (seven weeks): Went to the doctor's office (appt #2) for my first ultrasound with Joe. Announced to everyone that we were pregnant!

September 25th (eight weeks pregnant): Began throwing up every now & then. Nausea was 24/7 by this point.

I scribled: Sometimes I get headaches and just feel really wiped out, but mainly I can't get comfortable because I'm always on the verge of throwing up. Not fun! I'm rethinking my next pregnancy. I'm going to need to wait a few more years and I'm only doing this one more time!

September 28th (eight weeks pregnant) I scribled: This was by far the worst day as far as all-day sickness. I spent four days this week in bed (so a total of 7 now) and was SO miserable today that between tears I prayed and prayed for this part of my pregnancy to PLEASE end! It's impossible to enjoy being pregnant right now. I have never felt worse in my life.

During this time I was craving cottage cheese.

October 1st: My face has really broken out and turned red & blotchy. It also looks rounder, maybe swollen?

October 8th (nine weeks pregnant): Doctor's appt. #3--Met with the nurse for official pre-natal appointment.

October 12th: Mood-Bad, Energy-Bad, Appetite-Major, Morning Sickness-Major, Cravings-Bad. I can't really write because I'm too sick. I spend the majority of my time in bed, unless I'm throwing up. I had no idea morning sickness could be this awful. I have tried everything but get no relief!

By October 18th I'd gained 4 lbs.

October 21st (11 weeks pregnant): I'm still horribly sick in bed 24/7. :-( My doctor said I'm a candidate for medication but a lot of people say this ends with the first trimester which is just one more week. . . All of my clothes are now tight so I went shopping a few days ago and bought my first maternity clothes. I don't need to wear them yet but at least I have them for when I can't fit into any of my clothes.

November 1st (almost 13 weeks): Doctor's appt. #4. I went by myself and heard the heartbeat for the very first time! It was 140 beats per minute. My doctor felt the size of my abdomen and said everything is going well and that a miscarriage at this point is extremely unlikely. No more need for progesterone.

November 2nd: Had gained 6 lbs. This past week I had a few days of being nausea-free! Even though I had a really bad headache on Halloween and threw up the next morning, I was feeling better than I had in two months.

November 9th (14 weeks): Unfortunately my all-day sickness has continued (my doctor said it doesn't usually turn off with a switch but rather gradually goes away) and I've started experiencing other symptoms such as sinus drainage, backaches, and still the acne. I've noticed my abs separating and can often times feel my stomach stretching. I'm looking forward to May when I can meet my little boy or girl and be able to see what's going on with him/her each day. I'm sure I'll miss my sleep, but I'm already getting a taste of sleep deprivation as I seem to wake up around 5 a.m. every morning--ICK. I don't know if insomnia is another symptom of pregnancy or what. Hopefully I'll return to normal sleep patterns soon!

November 23rd (16 weeks) was the last day I threw up during my pregnancy--and the end to any sickness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd gained 8 lbs.

November 29th: Doctor appt. #5! Joe went with me this time to hear the heartbeat. Our baby was really active--my doctor had to chase it around my belly, haha!

December 5th I'd gained 10 lbs.

On December 7th: People can finally tell I'm pregnant. I'm still not in maternity clothes but I am wearing bigger sizes. I seem to be growing rapidly now. The weight gain is uncomfortable but I know it's necessary. I'm craving cheese spread and meatballs. I'm so glad to finally be done with the all-day sickness and to have energy again! Also, I no longer have acne--my skin and hair have never looked better!

December 14th (19 weeks): Felt my baby kick for the first time!

December 18th: Doctor appt. #6. Our second ultrasound (we found out we were having a BOY)! My due date was moved to May 9th. Mood--Excellent! Energy--Excellent! Appetite--Excellent! Morning Sickness--N/A Cravings--N/A.

December 21st (my birthday) I'd gained 12 lbs. I never thought I'd say this, but I need to buy some "D" bras!!!!

January 1st (New Year's Day 2008) I'd gained 14 lbs.

On January 3rd (almost 22 weeks) Doctor appt. #7. We were told our baby is more active than most! I wasn't surprised--he kicked all of the time, every hour! Joe felt L.J. kick for the first time the previous week. I started to feel exhausted again, and never had a good night's sleep the rest of my pregnancy. I also began having pain in different areas of my body for the rest of my pregnancy.

January 9th I'd gained 16 lbs. That day I scribled: I'm experiencing A LOT of back pain and severe fatigue again.

January 14th I'd gained 18 lbs.

February 1st: Doctor appt. #8. My appt. was mischeduled by the receptionist so it took two hours from when I arrived to when I left! Fortunately Joe came with me which kept me company. L.J.'s heartbeat was between 140-150 beats per minute, as it always has. I'm measuring farther along than May 9th. . .more like May 2nd! We started childbirth classes last night; they end March 9th.

February 3rd I'd gained 22 lbs.

During my 27/28th weeks of pregnancy I was sick with the flu; had gained 24 lbs by February 18th.

February 22nd (29 weeks): Doctor appt. #9. My blood glucose test. Came back perfect. Unfortunately, I had been having menstrual-like cramps for 48 hours and so my doctor did a few tests on me to make sure I wasn't going into pre-term labor. Turns out it was a yeast infection! (Common during pregnancy.) I was given a prescription and in 24 hours it was gone and I was back to normal.

March 7th: Doctor appt. #10. She predicted L.J. will be 7 lbs at birth. I'm really glad that despite this being a difficult pregnancy for me, L.J. has always done really well!

March 8th: I've been feeling wonderful lately, better than at any other time in my pregnancy! (March was indeed my best month, December second, and all the rest tied for last place.) Had gained 26 lbs.

March 17th (32 weeks): Happy St. Patrick's Day! I'm pretty sure L.J. turned to head down last night so that is good news. I think that he's facing front, though. Had gained 28 lbs.

March 21st: Was supposed to have a doctor's appt. but I canceled because she was on vacation.

April 2nd (34 weeks): I'd gained 30 lbs. I really hope labor is near. (Once I get to 36 weeks L.J. won't be considered premature and so it's fine for him to come any time.) I experienced a little spotting and I've started having Braxton-Hicks which can be downright painful. I don't feel my stomach can get any bigger--it feels stretched to the max. It's 41 inches (normally I'm a size 6)!

April 4th: Doctor's appt. #11. L.J.'s heartbeat was the lowest it's ever been (130 beats per minute) but apparently that is fine for this stage. She said I am measuring big again--now as if I'm due the end of April! She's going to be on vacation the week of my real due date, so I hope I go into labor before then!

April 9th: Mood--Not good again, Energy--Low again, Appetite--Has decreased a lot because there's no breathing room!

April 13th (36 weeks): I have been depressed this week. I gained 7 lbs in 7 days which now makes me at 40 lbs total gained. I thought I might have high blood pressure because my feet are really swollen and the past few days I haven't been able to feel them and they hurt when I wake up in the morning, but I had it checked and I don't. Clearly I have fluid retention, although I've also been craving ice cream and eating it non-stop because it's the only thing that feels good in my stomach!

April 15th: I had my check-up and my doctor said I am between 3-4 cm dilated!!! She is confident this baby is going to come before my due date. She was concerned about him being big, though, and scheduled an ultrasound which came back with him at 7 lbs (whew--that's average) but w/ some above average amniotic fluid. She also did the strep test which I later found out was negative. The rest of that day I had menstrual-like cramps.

April 16th: I forced myself to go for a long walk just to see if there's any truth to it prompting labor. . .since then I've had more menstrual-like cramps!

April 17th: I think I lost my mucus plug! It happened so fast--I turned around to flush the toilet after going pee and noticed a brown/red clump going down! I wish I could have studied it closer to be sure, haha! No cramps, though, just feeling very fatigued and BLAH. Total weight gain: 42 lbs.

April 18th, 2008 (the day I turned 37 weeks pregnant): My water broke in bed at 1:53 AM! An hour later I arrived to the hospital and my contractions began. I'd chosen to do HypnoBirthing (natural techniques) and within three hours I was fully dilated and began pushing. It took four more hours (due to L.J. being face up), but my son entered the world at 10:30 AM weighing 7 lbs, 13.7 oz, and was 20.5 inches long! My doctor rocked. When do I get to do this again? :-)

Finding Out We Were Having A Baby

I originally wrote this on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at seven weeks pregnant:

I'm PREGNANT!!!!! AHHHHH!!!! I still can't believe it! Each day it sinks in 1% more, but Joe & I are definitely not 100% there yet! Tomorrow we have our first ultrasound, so maybe it will hit me the rest of the way then. If the doctor says all is well then I'll announce the news to everyone tomorrow. :-)

We are so happy and excited! And surprised! We learned the news just five days after moving into our new house--I can't believe how perfect the timing!

We had actually planned to put "trying" on hold from August until January. Our first real try was May, but between Joe's new job, looking for a new house, buying the house, putting our old house up for sale, selling the house, and moving into our new house--we knew the odds were against us. We decided we might as well wait until our lives slowed down.

But then. . .on August 12th I went to a baby shower. :-) I was in total baby mode when I got into my car to leave. I decided I'd make a little stop to the store and buy just one more box of the ovulation predictor kit--and for the first time I didn't tell Joe, he-he! We were busy packing that week and so I kind of forgot about it (I wasn't anywhere near as excited to do it as I'd been the previous months).

I guess some things are just meant to be, because on Friday, August 17th, I had a hair appointment and then went to the grocery store. It seemed that there was a pregnant woman in every aisle--I'm not kidding! I felt like I was on some comedy show or something because everywhere I looked were pregnant women! I wondered if this was some sort of sign, haha. So, I took the test when I got home that day. It was my third time for finding out exactly when I ovulate (because I'm very irregular) and so the other two months I'd gone through two boxes each month. But this time it was positive on my very first test!

I was relieved I wouldn't have to be testing for the rest of the month, but I wouldn't say that I was hopeful of getting pregnant that weekend. Anyone who has tried to get pregnant for a few months knows that the excitement wears off fast. You get tired of getting your hopes up and you start assuming it's never going to happen. Even though I had been checked out by my doctor and assured that everything looked good (I even had surgery two years ago and she'd said I looked healthier inside than most), I was starting to think we'd have to do fertility treatments. We'd even planned on making an appt. for Joe which he was NOT looking forward to, so he's super glad that didn't end up happening (plus we saved $200)!

Yeah, yeah, I know most of you are thinking: OMG-this was your third real try?! Patience, Andrea! But honestly none of us know (until we have children) which group we're going to be in. Since I wasn't getting pregnant on the first try like some people, how could I not wonder if I was in the group that can't get pregnant at all? I had never been able to picture myself pregnant or having a baby and so I wondered if that was because it wasn't meant to be.

So, that weekend wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Joe & I went out to Godfather's Pizza on Friday night. The next day we packed (and Jake & Melissa brought over boxes for us). We also rented the movies Disturbia and Music & Lyrics. On Sunday Jake came over and we worked on touching up the paint on the outside of the house. At some point during the weekend Joe was like, "Wait a second, is this your ovulating time?" Haha, I teased him that I hadn't told him prior to see if it made a difference. . .hmm!

Other than a passing thought, I never believed I had gotten pregnant that week. The only day I considered it was on Thursday, August 23rd. (Now I'm convinced that was the day of implantation, since it occurs 5-10 days after conception.) The day before I had slept for twelve hours (even a lot for me, haha) and felt like I could have kept on sleeping the rest of the day! Melissa & I went out for lunch to Blimpies and I told her "I might be pregnant" because for the past couple of days I hadn't experienced my normal cramps prior to my period.

After lunch, Joe & I had the walk-through of our new house and at one point I started to feel like I was going to faint. Never in my life have I fainted, and so I had the strong sense that something weird (unlike ever before) was going on inside of my body. Joe told me later I kept saying "a-huh" to the guy speaking to us--that's because I had to work really hard to focus on what he was saying!

However, I brushed off all suspicion that evening when I had mild cramps! I thought, yep, I spoke too soon--I'm just having a lucky month (every now and then I will just have mild cramps rather than severe).

So, not for one second did I think again that I was pregnant. In fact, the previous months I'd "taken it easy" after ovulation "just in case." I'd tried to eat healthy, take my vitamins, not drink pop, and get plenty of rest. Joe and I had also analyzed every little sign as a possible pregnancy symptom. This month was the complete opposite! I was so sure I wasn't pregnant that I barely got any sleep over the next two weeks, overworked myself at packing (and unpacking--I even ran constantly with heavy boxes up and down our new steps), replaced meals with junkfood and coke, skipped three days of vitamins, and easily ignored any potential signs.

I guess it goes with that saying, "when you least expect it. . ." Because we couldn't have been more shocked. August was the most hectic month of the entire summer! Even when my period was late, I assumed it was just because of our move. If it hadn't been for the fact that I had my annual exam scheduled for Wednesday, September 5th, I probably wouldn't have even taken a pregnancy test when I did. Once again, it's funny this was the month it happened because the other months Joe & I would get so excited even before my period was scheduled to start that we would take an early pregnancy test. This month you could hardly drag me to do one!

When Monday (Labor Day), September 3rd came, I was just three days late but decided I better know whether I should cancel my doctor's appt. or not. I let the test sit out all day. I went grocery shopping that afternoon while Joe and his friend Nick installed our garage door opener. (And, I was still having cramps. I've since learned those are common during the first couple of months because the uterus isn't used to expanding so rapidly.) I should have picked up on the fact that in every aisle at the grocery store there seemed to be a mother with a baby! I am not exaggerating--never have I felt overwhelemd by pregnant women or babies so the two particular days these incidences happened were freaky!

That evening Joe & I took the dogs on a picnic, and then we ran into our neighbor (Jenn, who I had met on August 29th--the day we moved in--when she brought us to-die-for cookies to welcome us to the neighborhood)! After talking to her a bit we came inside and crashed on the couch. We started watching Dr. 90210 which we don't usually watch, but there was a woman who was going into labor. I told Joe I was glad I wasn't pregnant because it meant I'd get to wait that much longer before I had to experience one of the scariest moments of my life!

Joe asked me if I'd taken the test yet, to which I responded, "No, I know I'm not pregnant." He told me to take it anyway. I sighed and reluctantly went upstairs, assuming I'd be wasting yet another test. Instead, at approximately 9:40 pm, I experienced a life-changing moment which I will never forget!

In all of the months past, Joe & I would stand outside the door for the full two minutes and then look at the test together (but would only see one pink line). This time I was washing my hands and happened to quickly glance over at it, assuming it wouldn't be readable yet. I looked away so fast, unable to believe what I thought I'd seen. I didn't look back. I became stiff as a statue and went downstairs to where Joe was. My voice shook as I yelled, "Joe. . .JOE! You need to get your butt upstairs right now and help me look at this test!"

He gave me a look like, are you implying what I think you're implying?!

By now I was second guessing myself. Maybe I hadn't seen two pink lines. Or maybe I was getting confused and two lines wasn't pregnant. Or (LOL) maybe my body was mistaken--it just thought I was pregnant for some strange reason!

But, sure enough, Joe looked at the test and then raised his eyebrows at me. That was my confirmation. He looked nervous, but proud. :-) We hugged and then I started getting super hyper. I kept saying over and over, "Am I really pregnant?! No way! I can't be pregnant!" I ran all over the house and Joe was like, "You need to rest now, calm down!" Haha. I just couldn't believe it. I've always been one of the non-pregnant people in this world! How could I really ever be a mother?! I remember my own childhood like it was yesterday!

I called my doctor's office the next day to let them know that I had just found out I was pregnant (I thought they'd want me to cancel my appt., but they still wanted me to come in because they do an annual exam when you're pregnant, so they just decided to do mine earlier than most). My awesome doctor for the past four years confirmed I was indeed pregnant and did a couple of tests. One was to see if my hormone levels were where they were supposed to be if everything was progressing correctly at this stage--it was. The other was to see if I had low progesterone because my mom had four or five miscarriages due to that reason. The only reason she was able to have me--and I was over two months early--was because her doctor gave her progesterone supplements.

It turned out that I was a little low; they like the level to be 20 and mine was 16.9, so I was put on progesterone immediately which took away any concern I had of following my mom's pattern. Obviously I can still have a miscarriage, but it won't be for that reason which is apparently the #1 reason for all miscarriages. So I feel it was kind of a miracle that I had that appt. already scheduled (in all of the years past I've gone in May or June) because normally they don't allow you to come in until you're seven or eight weeks along--and most miscarriages happen before then.

Speaking of which, I had no idea the pregnancy calendar starts the first day of your last period, so when they talk about how far along pregnant women are, they are really starting with their last cycle. So even though I had conceived 2.5 weeks prior to my annual exam, they informed me that I was already at 4.5 weeks (done with my first month)! I think that's so weird! There's so much to learn!

My doctor set up my first ultrasound for Friday, September 21st (which means the fetus will be five weeks old, but it will be "week seven" of my pregnancy). I am really excited to see what's been growing inside of me for over the past month! It's insane to think that my body knows what to do on its own. It's been creating a human being!!! WOW!!!! Life is really miraculous, huh?!?!

The baby is due Mother's Day weekend [or on May 13th] 2008, isn't that sweet? :-) I'm happy I won't be pregnant during the summer. Ever since I was a little girl I haven't wanted a summer baby. Originally, it was because most of my friends have always had summer birthdays and they didn't like them because they were either older or younger than their classmates and they didn't get to participate in classroom birthday parties with treats and stuff. Once I became an adult the reason was more for my comfort level. I don't handle heat very well and have heard that pregnancy makes almost any woman severely uncomfortable and sensitive to heat. My ideal months to have children have always been between November and April, but May is fine. I still might be a little uncomfortable in the heat if I have "baby weight" on me, but maybe summer will motivate me to lose it faster because I won't be able to hide beneath winter clothing.

Anyway, we had already scheduled to go back to Iowa that weekend for Joe's mom's birthday (which is actually on September 11th), and so it was the perfect time to tell everyone the news! Sandi's been wanting us to have a baby for a while, so we figured it'd forever be one of her favorite birthday gifts :-) We had taken pictures of the positive pregnancy tests (Joe had wanted me to do another test the next morning even though I told him there were no false positives) and I found a frame for Joe's mom that said "Great Moms Are Promoted to Grandmas" and one for my mom that had Noah's Ark as the border.

We went to Joe's mom's house that Friday night (September 7th) where his sister from California was also visiting, so it was nice she could be involved as well. His mom was thrilled to be the first person to learn of the news. (On Sunday we also called Joe's other sister who lives in Colorado to share with her & her family.)

On Saturday afternoon (September 8th) we drove to my mom & stepdad's house and went out to lunch at an art gallery. It was hilarious--my mom opened the gift and she just kept talking about the frame: "oh how pretty," look at this look and that, etc. This went on for a good couple of minutes and I was thinking, what in the world? This isn't how I thought she'd react! Then all of a sudden she just stopped talking in mid-sentence and stared at the picture! She looked at me with a confused expression and I started laughing, which verified what she was thinking. She was totally surprised--it was priceless!

Apparently she hadn't paid much attention to the picture at first because she assumed it was whatever the frame company had put in as a standard photo. But then she thought that was a strange picture (her first impression was that it was spatulas!) and so when she looked closer she realized it wasn't an automatic photo nor was it of kitchen utensils! My mom and stepdad were happy--it will be their first grandchild since they have no other children besides me.

I told my dad & stepmom a little differently when Joe and I went over to their house that late afternoon/early evening to catch up and ride in their boat on their lake. I had a stack of photos I'd already planned to give to them and so I put the pregnancy tests at the end. I told them to look at the pics together, but my dad went to sit down after seeing just a couple, and told my stepmom to pass them to him when she was done. I was like, "No, Dad, why don't you look at them at the same time." Haha.

He said later that he thought something was up, but he didn't expect it to be pregnancy-related! He went back over to my stepmom and they went through the photos and then at the same time their faces broke into smiles and my stepmom laughed and said to my dad, "You know what this is, right?" So I knew they'd come to that picture! They were happy, too. :-)

At that time it didn't seem at all real to Joe & me. I hadn't had any side effects (in fact, I was feeling excellent) and so I was hoping I would be one of the lucky women who doesn't experience morning sickness and says pregnancy is the best time of their life and they've never felt better.

I've since discovered I'm not one of those women :p

We went back to Joe's mom's house on Sat. night, and on Sun. morning I woke up feeling dizzy. It was like the room was spinning from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. I didn't feel sick, but it was uncomfortable and unlike anything I'd ever experienced for no reason.

I was fine by that afternoon, though, and so I told my brother the news, as well as my grandparents and a couple of friends.

I continued to be GREAT until Thursday, September 13th. At six weeks pregnant, I officially began to experience morning sickness and lack of energy. It's been a week since then and I haven't thrown up yet (so I'm hoping that means I won't), but that day was absolutely horrible. I was in bed all day, feeling incredibly nauseated. I actually woke up at 4:30 am because I was craving chicken (I guess that was my first craving). I'm not talking about being in the mood for chicken--I'm saying this was a life or death situation--I needed chicken! I kept thinking, this is ridiculous, go back to sleep. But I couldn't. Visions of chicken floated in my head. :p

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I got up and went to the kitchen to see if we had any chicken. We did: a box of diced grilled chicken chunks! I also found hashbrowns and so I made myself an early breakfast.

Joe heard me moving around downstairs and thought maybe I was sick or that something was wrong. Instead, he found me standing over the stove cooking. He started laughing and was like, "What are you doing?" I told him I wanted some chicken. He's like, "Yep, you're pregnant."

Yeah. . .never in my life have I gotten up in the middle of the night to eat! But I enjoyed my chicken and hashbrowns and went back to bed about 6:30 am. I woke up for good at 8:30--and that's when I thought I was going to throw up. I tried to take a shower and go about my day, but realized that I simply couldn't. I'm not sure how to explain it, other than I just felt BAD.

Around 12:30 I was hungry again and decided to fix a cheese pasta in tomato sauce mixture over the stove. For those of you who don't already know, I don't have a sense of smell due to head injuries as a child. And yet, as I stirred the food, the spices went up my nose and the most powerful nausea overtook me. I ran to the bathroom, but thankfully it had passed once I left the kitchen. I told Joe it looks like he's going to have to do the cooking for a while.

I've since learned that smells are often worse for pregnant women than actually eating. That appears to be my case as well, since I haven't had any trouble with my stomach or eating (in fact, I've been starving and scared I'm eating too much too soon; I've already gained two pounds because I'm hungry non-stop), but instead it's like my head is making me sick. I'm nauseous because my head is nauseous, if that makes any sense. I tried to sit out on the deck to eat the lunch (by the time the food was ready, my appetite was gone) and get some fresh air, but I ended up just going back to bed until 4:30 pm.

Finally, I got up to get a drink of water and felt I could walk without feeling like I was going to throw up. So I went downstairs to check my e-mail. . .but less than five minutes later I felt sick again. I've since discovered I can't be at the computer for more than a few minutes because it makes everything worse. (I've been writing this blog with many breaks in between.)

Joe arrived home at 5:30 pm and I suggested we go for a walk--maybe that would help me feel better.

I have a new appreciation for women who go through with pregnancies even if they are unmarried and/or the baby is unplanned. I've always admired women who step up to the plate to raise their children even if it's not their ideal time, or go through the pregnancy but give their baby up for adoption, and knowing what I know now as far as how horrible you feel while pregnant it's an even bigger deal! Even I have a hard time being happy (focusing on the end result) when I'm feeling miserable. And here I have a wonderful husband, am able to stay at home in bed all day rather than go to an office, and have been taking my time getting ready for this moment. I'd be lying if I said the thought "is this worth it?" hasn't gone through my head. But then moments when I'm feeling well (such as now) I think about that little boy or girl that's going to be a combination of Joe & me and I get soooo giddy! I am actually glad I didn't get pregnant on my first try because I don't take this pregnancy for granted. I appreciate it even more--it seems so special and miraculous--and I can answer myself with certainty, "yes, it's worth it. I want to meet & know this soul!"

Anyway, at first I started to feel better on the walk last Thursday (we stopped by Jenn's and gave her back the container from her cookies), but on the way home felt bad again. Still, I was hungry for supper and so I had the rest of the chicken and hashbrowns. . .and then felt wonderful! Not just normal, but terrific from 6:30 pm on! I tried to be productive that evening because I was scared when I woke up on Friday that I would have a repeat of Thursday. Fortunately, I didn't but I lost ALL of my energy by 2 pm that day. For the rest of the afternoon/night I felt I'd been run over by a bus. I was sooo exhausted. I wasn't nauseous, but I didn't have energy to do anything.

This feeling remained the entire weekend. Since then I've been going to bed at 9:30 pm every night and sleeping until 8 am. That's when it started to hit me a little that I'm really pregnant. It was as if something else had taken over my body. . .yeah that's right! Everything I was feeling was so unique and unusual to anything I'd ever experienced before.

On Friday night Joe & I rented She's Having a Baby which was the perfect movie for us to watch. (It's an old 80's movie with Kevin Bacon.)

On Saturday ISU beat Iowa so that was a good day.

On Sunday morning my dad came over. . .and the Chicago Bears won--yeay!

Monday I felt lazy all day. . .and then Tuesday was a repeat of last Thursday: another all-day nausea that forced me to be in bed this time all of the way until Wednesday morning. :-( I felt better when I woke up and so I went to the grocery store for the first time since Labor Day--but not long after I came home I had a splitting headache that didn't go away until I went to sleep last night. I'd been taking naps every day for a couple of hours and don't know if it's because I skipped yesterday or what, but what I thought was going to be a better day didn't turn out to be.

Today I felt good, just really tired. I've discovered what's on all of the TV channels during the day. :p Nothing worth mentioning.

I've started reading books, but haven't begun to prepare for the baby yet--that's still too scary right now! When I had my annual exam, my doctor was like, "Now are you thinking, oh no there's no backing out now?" I was like, "Exactly!" It's crazy that this was our goal and yet now that it's here, it's like, OMG! What once seemed a slow process happened plenty fast! She said that's how the majority feels, even her (she has three little girls, the last two are twins)! But what if I'm not ready after all? I really haven't been around that many babies in my life, so I'm pretty clueless! (Same with Joe, although I have no doubt he'll be a wonderful father. That's half of why I'm having a kid, actually. We need more people like him in the world. Our child will be lucky to have him as their dad.)

I'm just taking it one day at a time. Or, really, one hour at a time. Each day is a new surprise. Tomorrow Joe is going to meet me at my doctor's office at 1:30 pm, so I'm praying the baby is healthy and that everything is going well!