bebepanda

I can't believe how long it's been since I updated. I think April has gone by the quickest of any month. I sincerely cannot believe it's April 18th already! Where is the time going?!

I had an appointment last Friday...just a good old check-up. Got to hear Panda's heartbeat again & the nurse measured my belly. I'm still measuring a week ahead. Your tummy measurements is supposed to directly correlate to the amount of weeks preggo you are...I'm measuring 24 inches/weeks when I'm only 23 weeks pregnant. So either big baby or my due date SHOULD be moved up...but they aren't budging & moving it. Regardless, I have a feeling this baby is going to come a tiny bit early, but we'll see.

On Wednesday night Patrick & I went to our first prenatal class. It covered breastfeeding & car seat safety. It was weird sitting in a room full of couples watching a video chock full of breasts & babies nursing, lol. We have a full day [9am-5pm] of prenatal classes on May 10th. We opted to do it all in one shot, rather than an hour or two per week seeing as the hospital is quite a distance away. I also have another appointment on May 5th & they'll be drawing blood that day as well to check my sugars/see if I have gestational diabetes etc. Keep your fingers crossed for me that all is well!

Baby is a little machine lately...always moving & kicking. It's actually slowed a bit in the past few days. I can only assume that with babies increase in size & weight there isn't as much room for sommersaults anymore ;)

We're going to Nova Scotia in 5 1/2 weeks [May 26th] & apparently there's a shower being thrown for us within the following couple of days. I'm really excited to share this time with everyone...but Patrick nor I are into big to-do's where we're the focus. My mother-in-law also asked about guests etc. & she had assumed it was going to be females only, but we told her we'd like a unisex shower. I never quite understood why only women had baby showers, seeing as a baby is such a gift to both soon-to-be-parents.

So I better get the show on the road & post the two weeks worth of developments that I never posted [eep!], seeing as tomorrow I officially become 6 months pregnant!!!

Week 23: Dancing baby alert!

At this point you’ve pretty much adjusted to the fact you’ve got a moving little gymnast inside of you, but now they’re going to kick up the party a notch because they can hear and react to sounds from the outside world. Sounds from your alarm clock, a thunder roll, or that darned car honking at you across the intersection can actually jar their little ears enough to elicit a kick or violent bout of squirming. Of course this also means that their little ears are picking up the sounds of your voice and those near you. So go ahead, sing a lullaby to your little angel—if they start kicking, it’s likely they just want you to stop… or maybe it was a kick of approval? You decide. Your baby's tiny taste buds are still growing and their bones are continuing to ossify (harden), their tiny veins are visible through their translucent yet wrinkly skin. (Think of it this way: they’ve been swimming in the equivalent of a long hot bath for the past 23 weeks, so you can’t blame them for being a little prune-like.)

And how's mom doing? If no one warned you about the joys of the pregnancy-sleep-challenge, you’ve probably already started to discover just how difficult it can be to find adequately comfortable sleeping positions. The good news is: some people actually invented pillows specifically designed to give a pregnant woman a better chance of sleeping through the night. There are a variety of different designs, but inevitably you’ll want some sort of belly support as well as a body pillow between your legs and under your belly to relieve a bit of the discomfort you're sure to be experiencing right now. If you choose to buy the (rather spendy) pregnancy pillows they've got on the market, make sure you keep the receipt as some women still have problems sleeping and fare better with their own unique pillow collection and set-up.

As if there's not enough to keep track of already, are you remembering to drink lots of fluids? Plenty of good ol’ fashioned H20 (water) can help reduce swelling in your poor ankles and feet-- resulting from the pressure your now over-sized uterus is putting on your pelvic veins, thereby slowing fluid circulation to the lower half of your body. Also, if you want to further reduce the dreaded appearance of pregnancy “cankles” (calf-ankles) try to avoid sitting for long periods of time—and for the hundredth time: don’t forget to stay active! Keeping your fluid intake up is also good for your little resident swimmer as dehydration is frequently connected with premature birthing. Yep, it’s a lot of responsibility, but you can do it! You’re almost two-thirds of the way there already! Keep up the good work mom!


Week 24: Breathe baby, breathe! aka the week I'm about to exit!

This is another big week for your magical growing baby! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; 3) (if you have a boy) testicles: taking their 3-4 day trip from the abdominal wall to the scrotum; and 4) lungs walls: secreting “surfactant”. What’s that? Well, surfactant is sort of what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat whose main purpose is to assist the your baby's little lungs during inflation (as in, filling with air, not getting more expensive). Just in case you’re curious, your submerged baby is still breathing in amniotic fluid, preparing and rehearsing the lungs an oxygen-filled life outside the womb. By the end of this week, your child will be weighing around 2 lbs and 14 inches long. Your cutie-patootie may even be a little more plump, but isn't anywhere near their full baby-fatted cute-self. Most of the “filling out” is coming up in that long awaited (and slightly dreaded?) third trimester. Woo-hoo! Get ready!

Your little one is moving (spinning, kicking, pirouetting, shimmying, and maybe even doing a bit of the Can-Can) so much these days that if you invite your friends and/or family to touch your belly there’s a good chance they’ll get a milder sample of what you’ve been experiencing . You’ve may have experienced the oddity that is strangers who feel a protruding pregnant belly is public property and a silent invitation for belly touching. We recommend taking the belly-touching calmly and if it really offends you, just say something like: “I just fell in a large vat of anthrax.” Or perhaps something a little less aggressive, like, “Please, at the very least, ask me before touching my body.” Still, there are many women who enjoy sharing this touching ritual with others. Find your comfort zone and good luck with the rest.

Scary stuff you should be aware of: The danger of getting preeclampsia (a.k.a. Toxemia) during pregnancy is significantly higher and is characterized by significant swelling of the hands and face, excessive weight gain, blurry vision with severe headaches or abdominal pain. Obviously, swelling is common during pregnancy, but should be monitored closely, and sudden ongoing swelling to the hands and face could be a concern. Talk with your physician for more information. Preeclampsia can also be diagnosed by high blood pressure and the presence of certain proteins in your urine. Again, high blood pressure alone does not mean you are affected, but it might be something you and your physician will want to/need to monitor throughout your pregnancy. Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from receiving enough blood, thus depriving your baby of essential nutrients and lower oxygen levels, possibly resulting in low birth weights and other problems. There are several websites dedicated to preeclampsia education such as: http://www.preeclampsia.org/.

Life seems busy with a baby on board. I'm hitting panic mode now...feeling like there is so much to be done, so little time. & then worrying/thinking about all the important decisions I'm going to have to make in my future. I watched The Business of Being Born & it really made me consider having a home birth. Actually, from a very young age I always wanted a home birth & especially, a water birth. But as I've gotten older, I've become a scaredy cat & there is some sort of comfort provided in being in a hospital, where if something goes wrong they have the capacity to fix it. But, the documentary really showed me the cons of having a hospital birth & so I began looking into home birth/using a midwife or doula. Unfortunately, I was met with the information that midwives & doulas are not licensed in New Brunswick & therefore not covered by medicare, meaning we'd have to pay out of pocket...which we just can't afford to do. So hospital birth it is.

Secondly, the documentary really opened my eyes to c-sections [not that they weren't open before. New Brunswick has a very high rate of c-sections & c-sections are on the rise in general in north america]. C-sections are dangerous, there's a much greater risk of infection, complications, death of the mother or baby. They're used as a quick way to get the baby out, save the doctors time, the hospitals money & free up beds. I understand in some situations they are necessary, but it's my #1 goal [after having a healthy baby] to avoid a c-section. This means one thing in particular....no drugs :/ Now...I've never been anti-drugs when it comes to labour. I was all "I'm SO getting an epidural"...but after watching the documentary, it showed the direct correlation with epidurals, pitocin & c-sections. After much thought, I'm going to try to be drug-free. At least for as long as I possibly can.

Another thing the documentary touched on was how unnatural the "normal" birthing position used in hospitals is. Laying on your back, pulling your knees/legs up towards you...most women around the world give birth on all fours or squatting...gravity helps birth the baby.

So yeah...I'm sure the doctors & nurses are just going to love us, lol. We've already talked about being as head strong as we can & stick to our guns. I mean, in the end it's OUR child & OUR decision, right? We're already going to get flack because we're not vaccinating, or circumcising if it's a boy...& I'm sure there are a SLEW of other things we're doing that "most" people don't...so what's another couple of unconventional things thrown into the mix?

Anyway...our apartment is still in shambles, just neater shambles. Our living room seems complete. The bedroom is almost there, at least placement wise. The spare room/nursery is still ground zero, w/ heaps of stuff everywhere. We've gotten so much for the baby already, so that at least takes a load off, but takes up loads of space. We got a travel system [stroller, car seat & base], I got a breast feeding pillow, a breast pump, lots of other small baby knick-knacks...still in need of a playpen, crib, baby furniture...but with 3 months & 3 weeks to go, we have plenty of time...or DO we? hehe.

So....I didn't add this last week, so week 21 & 22 [which I JUST entered today!] are coming at ya...


Week 21: Look mommy, I'm dreaming!

Your beautiful little miracle-gro baby will be putting on a full ounce and a half this week (and weighing up to 16.5 ounces), but that’s just the beginning! Within the next five weeks, they’ll really be packin’ it on! For now, we’re pleased to report the addition of rapid eye movement (REM) a key component to any healthy baby’s sleep schedule. While in the dermatology department: their thin soft skin is very red, rather translucent, and a bit wrinkled. Not to worry, it’s not a premature aging disease. It's just their clever little body setting them up with extra space that will smooth out once your little one starts packing on the baby-fat. That won’t be for a few more weeks, though. So for the time being, your munchkin is still a little lean mean growing machine! The beginnings of what is commonly called “brown fat” is just starting to fill in to help your baby retain some body heat, which is crucial as they’re not yet capable of regulating their own body temperature.

And how's mom doing? We’ve hit trimester two and you're in full-swing pregnancy mode. Most moms are feeling pretty good right about now. Funnily enough, you may already be noticing some mild uterine contractions—don’t panic, this is completely normal. Actually, your uterus contracts throughout your whole life - only now that's there's enough pressure on the uterine muscles you can feel them more distinctly when they contract.

If you’re still deciding whether or not to buy gender-specific clothing, it’s time to bite the bullet and head in for an ultrasound... unless you’re not the planning type. Now that we have the technology, it’s fairly obvious to modern couples that determining the sex early on makes it easier to plan ahead, prepare the nursery, inform the family and purchase the right colored cigars. Of course to some parents, that’s not the point. You're going to love your little one whether they've got a cheeseburger or hot dog. Really though, many couples enjoy the suspense and choose to leave the sex as a final surprise. Talk with your partner and figure out what feels right for you. Just keep in mind that once you know, you can’t turn back!



Week 22: Welcome to raisin country!

The grow must go on! No wonder you’re getting so big, you’re now housing a wonder-baby who weighs nearly a pound and measures nearly a foot in length. Their perfect little pancreas is now further developed and they’ve also started producing their own hormones! Your baby's future in the circus as a world-famous tight-rope-walker is secure: their inner ear is now developed to the point that they have their own sense of balance. Lucky for your little explorer, balance also promotes physical dexterity, which has them actively feeling out their surroundings where skin, body parts, and the resident umbilical cord are the big sensory experiences. Your foot-long baby, is looking a bit like an oversized raisin right now as more and more wrinkles are showing up each week. Not to worry, all that excessive wrinkling is just their skin’s way of planning ahead for the time when they’ll start piling on that irresistible baby chub.

And how's mom doing? Take a moment to think about this: your uterus has now stretched to such unholy proportions that it extends beyond your navel! The not-so-exciting part of this remarkable fact is that growth like this tends to leave stretch marks and can itch like nobody’s business. If it makes you feel any better, stretch marks on the belly are extremely common. Don't get suckered into buying really expensive creams that supposedly make stretch marks ‘magically disappear.'Stretch marks are scars on your skin and won’t disappear with a topical cream . But feel free to apply all the aloe-vera (and other anti-itch lotions) to alleviate the itching. In terms of preventing their appearance, cocoa butter-based creams and creams full of Vitamin E have a reputation for helping-- but there's still no guarantee that those pesky stretch marks won't show up despite your best creaming-up efforts.

Also, your doctor may offer you a glucose screening test sometime in the upcoming weeks. The test checks for a high blood sugar condition that some women are susceptible to during pregnancy. At most, 5 percent of women actually test positive for this problem, but if you do, you will probably have a few more follow up tests to be sure. If you end up with a positive test, make a plan with your physician or nutritionist for treatment. Untreated, the high sugar content in your blood enables the overproduction of baby fat for your little one, and often results in overly high birth weight which can induce premature birth and/or the necessity to deliver via cesarean.

What a weekend!

Friday I had an appointment to speak with a nurse from the hospital. She comes to St. Joe's once a month to talk to patients & get them registered for prenatal classes & get some info from them. Patrick came with me & this was his first appointment, besides the ultrasound. It was nice having him there but I know he won't be coming to every appointment, at least not until I'm going every week, which is in the final month I believe. Our first prenatal class, which covers breast feeding & infant car safety, is April 10th. Our next prenatal [we've opted to take one saturday class, instead of one a week for several weeks, simply due to transportation] is mid-May. I think appointments make the months go by MUCH faster...

After seeing the nurse, I have a prenatal appointment & the nurse listened to the heartbeat [Patrick's first time hearing it] & measured my belly. She said it measured high. Not sure if that meant it's simply big, or that it starts up high. The doctor came in & spoke with us, felt my belly & said everything felt good. She also said she was not going to change my due date, because if the info I gave her about my last period was correct, there's no need to. So it's still August 9th, but the baby is measuring in at 20 weeks 2 days, instead of 19 weeks 2 days. Ah well. My next prenatal is in April.

The rest of the weekend was spent buying new things for the apartment or for baby. We got a bassinet, a high chair/booster seat, a baby monitor, LOTS of little items we'll need like pacifiers & baby washcloths & we picked up the paint we'll be using to paint the nursery!

It's hard to believe that in 4 days I'll be 5 MONTHS PREGNANT!!!!!

Week 20: Congratulations, you now have a mini-baby

This week you're carrying about 10.5 inches and 10.5 ounces of solid baby-miracle-goodness! Their little delicates bones continue to ossify and toughen while their itsy bitsy finger and toe pads are finishing up. Your little monkey now has teeth buds, although they’re hidden beneath the gum line. And finally! Their limbs have reached their relative proportions—no more alien baby! Their cute pink lips are more defined, and might be helping out in a bit of prenatal thumb-sucking. If you have a little boy, then their tiny testes are descending, though they have not yet passed the abdominal wall. What’s more, eyelashes and eyebrows are also visible. At this point, your little one really looks like a miniature baby—and we do mean miniature as your little swimmer currently weighs a mere eighth of their final birth weight. With half the pregnancy behind you, the most significant gains are yet to come!

And how's mom doing? Not that we need to tell you, but your baby may sometimes seem like a kick-boxer in training with no appreciation for your exhausted-pregnant-momma sleep needs. Still, before you start yelling at them to calm it down in there, remind yourself that your busy baby really have no idea if you're rolling out of bed or cozying up to your partner for a good night's rest. Unfortunately for your sleep schedule, your little independent thinker will continue to operate on their own time table throughout the rest of the pregnancy. And you thought rebellious behavior only started around puberty!

Have you enrolled in a Lamaze course yet? The now-renowned courses teach various alternative birthing and breathing techniques, not to mention the oh-so-valuable lessons involved with natural pain management. If you have already enrolled in a Lamaze course, consider coupling it with either a swimming or yoga course (or both!). Both forms of exercise focus on controlling your breathing (a large part of the Lamaze philosophy), while at the same time increasing blood flow, strength and flexibility. What’s more, many yoga studios and swimming pools cater to pregnant women (and couples) offering low impact sessions perfect for you and your partner.

My ultrasound was today & it was fantastic! I mean...can anything describe seeing your baby on the screen?! I think we were just in total awe. Something is REALLY in there ;)

The tech was super nice & chatty which made it a lot easier. She said that although they technically aren't allowed to tell us if something is wrong with baby, that she usually tries to give an indication anyway...but that our bubs looked 100% healthy & normal! A woman even came into the room to tell her that she was leaving for her lunch & our tech said "I'm almost done here...just a OB that's normal so I'll be wrapping up", which was nice to hear.

Panda weighs 10 oz & the heartbeat was 148 bpm! She said that either the baby is really healthy & big for it's age OR my due date should be pushed up to a week earlier, making it August 2nd! She said the doctor would let me know at my next appointment. But...besides that...my due date should already be the 9th...apparently [& I thought this myself] the nurse gave me the right due date at my first appointment & the doc gave me the WRONG DD at my second appointment. So August 9th it is...or August 2nd. We'll see :)

She noted the 4 heart valves [so hopefully no heart probs], the "normal" looking nose [so it appears no downs] & that the spine was normal...so no spina bifida. It was nice to see/hear that Panda appears to be in tip top shape. The baby moved a LOT & we got to see a lot of angles. We saw the baby kneeling & got a cool view of just it's hands & knees. We saw it laying on it's back & even got to see a cool profile of the baby sucking it's thumb! The face shots were amazing...such funny looking creatures in the womb. All skeleton or alien looking. As we were looking at the baby's face it would open & close it's mouth & although you can't really tell, it looked like it was opening it's eyes or at least moving the eyes around under the lids. At one point the baby seemed to pull it's hands up to it's face in one movement, almost burying it's face in it's hands, hehe. The placenta & everything also looked normal, she said.

As for sex...hehe...we're not finding out. Patrick said he thought that while he was there he MIGHT have been tempted to find out, but that it was the opposite...seeing the baby on the screen, healthy, just made him want to keep the sex a surprise even more. But....I have to say, when she was looking down at the nether regions I totally saw something sticking out. But then, it other shots, it would seem to disappear. My GUT instinct all along has been boy...so we'll see if I'm right.

& as for the photos...the moving images were nice & clear, but when she's take a pic or "freeze" the image, it got all blurry & yuck, just like I thought it would. We have a long time to decide if we want to purchase a disc, but chances are we won't. $70 could be so much better spent with a new little one coming into the world. While a picture would be nice, it just doesn't compare to the real thing...a bunch of black & white fuzz in a photo.

The whole experience was something I can't describe, emotionally. It's scary & thrilling & interesting. It reaffirms the baby's existence & I think for Patrick, it was the first real & true sign that this is happening. Dad's usually get left out & it doesn't really hit until something like a ultrasound, or even the birth. Seeing his little one...spine, hands, face & all...really got to him, I think. He sat there in silence at most times, just taking it all in. & when the tech left the room for a second he reached out & took my hand & had this huge grin on his face. I think, more than anything, that's the moment I don't want to forget :)

The other neat thing about the past few days, is that I think I finally felt movement yesterday afternoon! It was this weird thumping, or kicking, low down in one area & lasted on & off for about 5 minutes. The tech today said she wasn't sure if that was the baby, as most women describe "fluttering", but I hadn't felt anything like it before so I'm pretty confident it was Panda letting me know he/she is in there :)

Week 19: The poop factory is now open

our amazing little baby is now around 10 inches in length! If this seems a bit shocking, you’ll be relieved to know they’ve not actually grown over 3 inches, but that their little legs are now straight enough to be measured. This is when doctors begin measuring fetal growth from head to toe, (no longer “crown to rump” or CR). Lanugo (little hairs) covers their whole body now, trapping that charming cheese-like vernix caseosa to the surface to the skin. This week your lil’ fetus will start on an appetizing diet of amniotic fluid which they are now capable of swallowing, digesting, and passing the fluid as far as their tiny “large” intestines. Fortunately for you, this nice little lump of baby-poop won’t be coming out while they’re still in your womb. Some time shortly after they’re born, this fun lump will become the first in a long line of baby poops. (What finally comes out— commonly known as “meconium” to the science world, will be black and sticky, and you’ll be very glad it happens only once!)

Unlike generations of women before you who were taught pregnancy was practically an ailment (10% of women DID die in childbirth back then), we now have scientific evidence that exercise is a good thing when you’re pregnant. In fact, most physicians recommend continuing or starting a pregnancy friendly exercise regime. Walking, running, swimming, weight training and yoga are all good for your heart and overall physical stamina during this physically challenging time. Not to mention proper exercise can do a lot towards increasing your overall flexibility (at a time where your body wants to stiffen up) thereby somewhat reducing the pain and tension during labor. Last but not least, exercise can keep you from gaining unnecessary amounts of weight (which you’ll have to fight off later after birth if you don’t do it now). Obviously, you’re going to want to avoid sports where you are at risk of falling or being hit in the stomach. Basically, stay away from sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer, and skiing. Instead, opt for the pool, weight room, and/or yoga class. We’re not saying you should stress yourself out trying to be a world-class athlete, but if you’re eating right and getting enough sleep, exercise during this health-critical phase of your life, will keep your collective energy levels higher and increase your feeling of well-being, as well as ensuring that you and your baby are in top physical and mental condition.

Week 18: Your cute little greased piglet

We have two more ounces! Your "getting bigger-n-better by the minute baby" is already up to 7 ounces and 6 inches! This is a big week for their baby skin. There are now two distinct layers—the epidermis (or the surface skin) and dermis. Currently, their skin is covered with a greasy, waxy, cheese-like substance, known as vernix caseosa. Sure, it sounds pretty nasty, but this mixture of fatty secretions covering your little swimmer from head to toe is the best way to protect their oh-so-thin skin from bruising and abrasions as well as chapping caused by amniotic fluid exposure (and your little one is swimming in that stuff!). Still don’t like the fact your little darling is currently slathered in fatty cream like a greased pig? Well, you know the birthing process? Where you have to push something the size of a watermelon out a hole the size of a grape? That adorable little greased piglet would have a lot harder time getting through the birth canal without the vernix caseosa. Fun fact for momma’s with baby girls: it’s a uterus within a uterus! Your little girl will have developed a uterus and vagina canal by the end of this week.

And how's mom doing? POP! If you haven’t yet, you will soon be seeing the last of your inn-y belly button—until after you’ve pushed your little monkey out. If it’s getting difficult to breathe, you can thank your not-so-small belly for squishing your lungs—which will be more and more cramped for space as the pregnancy progresses. Not that this is surprising as everything else in your mid-section is getting properly squooshed as well. (What else is new?!!). Keep in mind that as you grow (and grow and grow) in size you produce more blood (for both of you), which lowers your blood pressure. So standing up quickly and/or occasional fast movements may cause slight dizziness or lightheadedness. This is totally normal, but means you shouldn’t be too quick to jump to your feet when your team scores a goal. It's better to just punch the air in excitement or clap gleefully. One more fun pregnancy symptom to add to the list: you are producing more melanin, which can cause dark patches of skin to occur on random parts of your body. Don’t worry—these dark spots (unlike your parent’s age spots) will retreat soon after birth.

I'm so slack with this lately, hehe...

Week 17: Grow Team Grow!!!

Don't be too shocked but... your baby is EVEN bigger than it was last week, not to mention getting cuter, and smarter every day! As you’ve come to expect, there’s no shortage of growth and development this week: your fantastic little bean stalk has added yet another half inch to their overall height-- making them nearly half a foot long! Their little limbs have reached (or are within one week of) their relative proportions, and will continue to grow evenly with the rest of the body after this week. Reactive listening has begun for your baby, even though their ears are not yet structurally complete or fully functional. Meanwhile, different parts of their astonishingly complex brain are developing to process your little one’s hearing and other senses, (you know, sight, smell, taste and touch). Mind boggling factoid of the week: if you’re having going to have a little girl, her ovaries have already produced millions of primordial egg cells, which, within a few weeks, will develop into actual eggs! Phew… just wait till she’s a teenager eh?

And how's mom doing? Even though the second trimester is often characterized as the most enjoyable of the three, you can count on a few ailments. This week, or in the coming weeks, you may be privy to the uncommon joys of “round ligament pain.” These not-so-lovely symptoms can include bellyaches, pain in the lower abdomen and sharp shooting and/or stabbing pains, most often expressed at the end of the day. Your suffering is due to stretched ligaments and muscles that support your ever-growing uterus. This is to be expected and is perfectly normal (especially since your uterus is only getting bigger!). Some doctors advise sleeping on your left side as lying on your back can compress your pelvic veins, decreasing blood return to the lower half of your body. Lying on your left side relieves this pressure thereby allowing normal blood flow. If this doesn’t do the trick, go ahead and consult your health care practitioner, but try not to punch them when they serenely tell you it’s normal to feel stabbing pain during this time. As we all know, violence never solves anything.

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Cannot believe I'm only one week away from the halfway point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a bad week. We've had a boil order for since Valentine's Day...we usually use our Brita or buy jugs/bottled. But I'm not feeling safe even with boiled water transferred to the Brita & bottled water is scarce due to the high demand, so it's been tough. To top it off, not only do I have a sore throat & feel like I may be coming down with the flu, but my foot is strangely bruised & tender & has been for a week with absolutely no explanation. The only thing I remember was stubbing my toe...I guess it could have hit a nerve or I could have hit it so hard it caused major bruising, but anyway...I feel like I'm breaking down & in need of repair ;)

Figured I better get this in here, because in a couple days I'll be entering my 17th week...

Week 16: Time for ye olde ultrasounde

ver the past three weeks your astounding growing baby has managed to stretch yet another 2 full inches (totaling about 4.5 inches) and weighs around 3.5 ounces. Yessireee, that’s some pretty serious growth... and with it comes several physical developments! For starters, their head to body ratio is finally starting to even out a bit as the rest of the body is actually growing faster than the head at this point. Yes, your little light bulb is not so top-heavy. Their adorable little limbs have lengthened, almost reaching their normal proportions which they will have at birth. Their eyes are still closed but moving and if you had an ultrasound, which many doctors recommend you have at about this time, you may even see your little one sucking on a thumb, not to mention the necessary signifiers to let you know whether you’ve got a wee lad or lassie.

And how's mom doing? Along with an ultrasound, many practitioners recommend administering the “Multiple Marker Test (MMT)”, which is also known as the “Triple Screen Test”. This very common procedure checks your blood (not your baby’s) for specific protein and hormone levels as well as informing you about any potential risks of genetic or birth defects. Before you start breathing in that strained fearful way or furrowing your brow in concern, you should know that even if you do get a positive test this hardly means your little trooper is in trouble. Only about 3 to 5 percent of women yield positive results and of those women, only 10 percent actually have any sort of complication to report. Obviously, a positive test from the MMT will mean further testing for you, including amniocentesis and more ultrasounds. Although this test sounds like a bit of a dud with the high percentage of false positives coming back, it's popular because it has and can effectively identify a majority of all neural tube defects as well as babies with Down Syndrome. So despite its obvious drawbacks, you’ll still want to arrange to take the test to better prepare you and your family for the fact that anything is possible.

Just a note: I will not be having my ultrasound until week 18 & we've also decided not to get the NT scan [I think they're calling it the MMT in this info]...whatever will be will be.

I think I've had a pretty easy pregnancy thus far. I know there's still 5 1/2 months to go, but I was expecting to be vomiting every hour or wearing panty liners in case I peed myself. Luckily I didn't really have morning sickness, my nausea wasn't too bad, I had to take a nap most afternoons & I've been constipated for 3 1/2 months...but other than that, I feel pretty lucky. The second trimester is the "honeymoon" phase, but I know the third tri is going to be really hard. Most women tell me that you just want the baby out at that point...this little human that's pushing all your organs up through your throat. You need help with everything, can barely move, feel like a whale. But strangely, I think it's counteracted by KNOWING that it'll soon all be over. Can you imagine if pregnancy went in reverse?! At 1 month pregnant you'd be carrying a basketball sized baby in your belly...

I'm in utter shock that in less than one month I'll be halfway through this pregnancy. I know the next month will fly by & then I'll look back & wonder where 4 1/2 months went. Sometimes it seems to be dragging...but once I reach a milestone, like an appointment or a month marker or hitting the second trimester or hearing the heartbeat...I look back & think "wow, time is flying!". August will be here before I know it.

Week 15: Your little hairy baby

Your nearly four-inch long gymnast is happily mobile inside your womb and if you're really lucky, you’ll notice a point when your sneezing, coughing or laughing results in a little kick here or a poke there. Still, many women don't feel anything until the 17th week or later. Although the poking and kicking isn't very charming during sleeping hours, it’s a good sign as it means your baby is actually reacting to outside events. Yay! You’ve got yourself one active healthy baby! Their little elbows and knees are bending more freely this week and their little legs are finally growing longer than their arms and getting pumped up for prenatal Richard Simmons. Many of their major organ systems are increasing in capacity—particularly that amazing tiny heart and complex circulation system, which is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood per day, and will increase to a very impressive 200 quarts per day by the end of the pregnancy. As far as hair goes, we’ve got some new scalp patterns beginning to develop on the head, although actual head hair is not yet present.

And how's mom doing? Have your cheeks been rosier lately? (No, no, no-- we’re asking about your face.) Are you feeling especially radiant? This famed “glow” is brought to you courtesy of the pregnancy fairy who has waved her magical “rosy tinge wand” over you. Seriously though, your body is experiencing an increase in blood flow and you probably do have flushed skin and cheeks. Just be aware that increased blood flow might cause your blood vessels to expand, resulting in a series of not-so-magical nosebleeds for some women, which although perfectly normal, are a bit gory if you’ve got a day job. If you find the nosebleeds especially irritable, consider purchasing a humidifier to ward off future nose bleeds. Also, do your best to avoid irritants, such as aerosols, smoke, and dust.. Even though the placenta is regulating your babe’s hormones, you are still producing additional estrogen, which often causes swelling of the mucosa membranes, leaving you with a stuffy nose—potentially throughout the duration of the pregnancy. These are just a few of the charming physical experiences you can chalk up to the pregnancy fairy!

I HEARD PANDA'S HEARTBEAT TODAY!!! <3

Seriously, one of the best moments of my life thus far.

My appointment was at 11am, but it was so busy today that I didn't get in to see the doctor until 12:15! I was so bored, sitting in the waiting area. But it was so worth it. The nurse took me in & immediately asked me to get up on the table. She took my blood pressure [man those things hurt!] & said it was perfect. She then got me to lay down & she put the doppler on my belly. I had heard it could take a while to find the hb, so I was not expecting to hear it right away! She found it almost immediately, really low down...& it just sounded magical. Like a little galloping horse! She only help the doppler there for about 30 seconds. I know they were really busy, but I could have laid there listening to it all day! She said it sounded wonderful :)

Then the doc came in, checked my tummy & said it felt good & was starting to firm up. She said my weight loss [2lbs since my last appt] was no big deal & that in no time I'd probably be packing them on, hehe. She also shocked me by telling me that they have an ultrasound scheduled for me for March 10th! I was expecting it to at least be 2 weeks later than that! So in approx. a month we'll be seeing our baby onscreen for the first time :) My next prenatal is a few days after the u/s, on the 14th. The next month 1/2 is going to fly by!

The ONLY thing I'm a little annoyed with is the fact that they no longer give just one or two pics of baby. You have to pay over $69 [!!!] for a disc of pics...& believe me, I've seen lots of these pictures & in the majority of them you can't even make out what's going on. I personally believe it's a total waste of money & I wish we could just buy 2-3 pics we want for a lesser cost. But oh well...not going to get my panties in a knot ;)

13 1/2 week baby bump:



I didn't think my bump was getting bigger at ALL, so I decided to take a pic today & HOLY COW. I guess I was just oblivious to it. In general [& in this picture] I notice a bump forming higher...under my breasts/above my belly button...that wasn't there before. There's that old wives tale, that if you carry high it's a boy, hehe.

I've also noticed that my lower tummy is cold sometimes, while RIGHT around & above my belly button is always warm/hot. In the past couple of weeks my uterus was supposed to move up above my pelvis, so I guess that's the reason for the warmth & the extra filling out :)

YAY!!!! Second trimester!!!! At least I consider it so. Some people wait until 13 weeks 3 days...but come on?! hehe.

A lot of my symptoms have subsided. I think because the good old placenta is doing a lot of the work. I'm not as gassy, haven't had any cramps for quite a while, nowhere near as tired in the middle of the day & my baby acne has cleared up. The things that have lingered are: slightly tender breasts, food aversions [NOTHING looks appetizing. It sucks.] & mild nausea. Plus now I'm starting to get some really mild acid reflux...but from what I've heard that's only going to get worse :/

5 days until I should get to hear Panda's heartbeat. That's the biggest thing keeping me going right now. Once I hear that, which has been described as a galloping horse, I think I can take a deep breath & really start to ENJOY this thrilling ride!

Week 14: Shake it baby!

Isn’t it glorious? You and your little buckaroo have roped your way right into trimester numero dos! Are you ready to rock!? Okay, okay… maybe just a little rolling and poking. Needless to say, your baby will definitely be making themselves known in the upcoming weeks. At about 3.5 inches long, their little body and limber limbs are coordinated enough for loads of complicated motions. In fact, their whole body is moving right now! You're not feeling it because their current size is still a bit too small to make an impact you'd recognize. Still, their movements are recognizable on an ultrasound. Speaking of which, you shoud be scheduling one with your health care provider! Week 16 is the classic date as you can usually determine whether your little one is going to pee standing up or sitting down. Your baby is also starting to develop the ability to move their eyes this week, although the eyelids still remain fused shut. What's more, they can make all sorts of fun facial expressions as they practice squinting, frowning, and grimacing. Cute development of the week: their little hands can grasp at things and they may already be sucking their thumb!

And how's mom doing? What’s in the forecast for your second trimester? We’ve got a heavy concentration of developing fetal movement, which will increase in magnitude in frequency through the duration of the second trimester before subsiding in the third trimester as womb-space becomes limited. If you think you've got gas or some kind of odd bowel obstruction right now, it might actually just be your little one poking you hello! You’ll become more familiar with the sensation as the frequency and intensity increase (and you’ll never quite forget this special feeling!).

On to the less exciting news. In your second trimester, you will most likely experience some if not all of the following symptoms to varying degrees: dizziness, headache and back pain. Just like morning sickness during the first trimester, your chances of experiencing a given set of symptoms increases if you’ve already had them in a previous pregnancy. Unfortunately, if you’re starting to experience back pain, it will most likely increase as you gain more weight towards the end of the trimester. Although unavoidable during your waking hours, you don’t have to suffer so much during the night—there are some wonderful products out there such as the full body pregnancy pillow, which will help you make it through the night without too much undue suffering. Water retention is another fairly classic albeit annoying pregnancy symptom which typically leads to swollen fingers, toes, ankles and/or legs. These are all perfectly normal (and fairly bearable) symptoms that should not be a source of unnecessary stress. Despite these annoyances, the second trimester is typically experienced as the most exciting and enjoyable of the three— the morning sickness is gone, you definitely feel and look pregnant, but you’re not yet an overstuffed-lumbering-mammoth. Go team go!

My goodness! I cannot believe 3 months have passed...I'm now in the safe zone, of sorts, meaning that I'm 98% likely to have a successful, full term pregnancy. It's a huge relief! There's a lot of debate as to when the second trimester starts. Most things I've read say it's after week 13 has come & gone....so I feel that in 1 week I will finally enter the lovely 2nd tri.

Not feeling too bad lately. Needing to pee a lot more, starting to get much more hungry. Still having food aversions & nausea once in a while. I'm not as tired as I once was...but still feel rather exhausted from time to time. My next appointment is in 12 days & I'm really excited as I'm expecting to hear Panda's heartbeat for the first time...& still be saying my prayers that twins are not in my future, lol.

Week 13: Farewell first trimester...

This is your final week in the first trimester and your little weed continues to grow and grow and grow. Of the three trimesters, this one has been the most important for your little one’s development. Assuming you’ve carefully adopted a healthy diet, continue to exercise and get ample rest, your little one is set up perfectly for even more growth and development in tri-two! Way to go! He or she now weighs about 2.5 ounces and is roughly 3.5 inches in length. Little hairs, known as lanugo, will start to cover their body this week, as their sense of taste and smell are further refined. Their cozy little amniotic sac is also increasing in size and mass as it continues to fill with more fluid.

And how's mom doing? Congratulations on a successful first trimester! A lot has happened (and there’s a lot more to come). You should be proud of your hard work and sacrifice. Giving up lattes, soda, and wine is not easy. Even if you snuck in a few of these goodies over the past 13 weeks, don’t dwell on it—there’s a lot to look forward to!

Besides, now is the perfect time to rededicate yourself if you have had a few lapses. Remember, every day and decision is an opportunity to improve your eating and exercise habits—your baby and your body will thank you in the long run. If you’re the planning type, you can celebrate the beginning of your next trimester by purchasing some choice maternity clothing to fit your elegantly evolving new shape. The good news is some fashion designers are realizing that being pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t look sharp, sexy, sporty, or whatever your particular style might be. Cruise the online stores for a preview of the range of fashion out there for pregnant women—even if the local shops are still stuck in the nineties, you can always hit up some chi-chi online store based out of NYC! If you’d rather wait a few more weeks (until you really start to show) before making any purchases, then get ready to dig out your sweat pants, over-sized t-shirts, and any other comfy loose fitting clothes you’ve got at your disposal. At the very least, just unbutton that top button on those pants that still “almost fit”. Come on, you’re pregnant! This is definitely not the time to suffer for fashion.

*Almost* 3 month baby bump [11 1/2 weeks]:



I have never had a flat tummy to begin with, so I'm trying to keep that in mind. I wonder how much of it's bloat & how much is actual baby, hehe. Please don't mind the unflattering track pants & flat ass ;)

Week 12: Your uterus? Yeah, it's a softball now

Even though your little Einstein’s body is still growing quite rapidly, 2 inches long right now, the overall super-speedy growth of their amazing brain continues to leave the head proportionately larger than the body— and is actually slightly more than one third of their total body mass! The head and neck are still straightening at this point as can be seen by their little chin lifting off of the chest. Your baby is also actively rehearsing “breathing” by using amniotic fluid to prepare the lungs for future air respiration.

The big news: your little pooper is now officially going to need diapers! Although a majority of the waste produced is transferred to the mother’s system for discharge (to avoid having it linger in the amniotic sac), some urine is released to the amniotic fluid and your baby will actually breathe it in before it passing it on to your for discharge. Not to worry, urine--in this particular form, is completely harmless to your baby.

And how's mom doing? Logically, as your baby is growing bigger, so must your uterus. By now, your once-flat and relatively small uterus is stretched to the size of a softball (12-14 cm), but that’s nothing: by the time you deliver it will have grown to 15 – 17 inches (37 – 42 cm). Your uterus is slowly increasing at a rate of approximately one centimeter per week. If you've got a burning sensation that extends from your breastbone to your throat, you've got heart burn or acid indigestion. To lessen this unpleasant experience: eat smaller meals and avoid fried, spicy, and fatty foods. Otherwise, there's always TUMS, but check with your healthcare provider first.

As your pregnancy becomes more physically visible, you’ll have to adjust to people asking you when you’re due and giving lots of unsolicited advice from women who’ve “been there.” Additionally, this is probably the right time to share your pregnancy news (if you haven’t already) with close family and friends and anyone you want to have involved in your pregnancy. Allowing your friends and family to have role in your pregnancy encourages participation and support for the future—when you’re really going to need it!

I cannot believe that in a few days I'll be entering my 12th week...& then once that week is over I'll officially be in the second trimester! It's just going by really fast. To say I don't have my moments of worry would be a lie. I def. worry about the risk of miscarriage. I haven't had any spotting or bleeding or any severe cramping, but I still worry about a missed miscarriage. The kind where you have NO sign that you've miscarried, but the baby simply stopped growing & you don't find out until much later at one of your check-ups. There are so many women on a pregnancy forum I visit that were due in August along with me & have suffered a miscarriage. Just the other day a woman found out her baby had stopped growing & it truly broke my heart :/ I try not to think about it, but until I hear the heartbeat & [especially] have a sonogram, I think there will always be a little bit of worry in the back of my head...even after I'm in my 2nd trimester.

Everyone seems to think we're having a boy, hehe. I think everyone that's made a call has said boy. It's very interesting. Even one of the owners at a bakery I frequent said she has a "feeling" it's a boy. I always thought I really wanted a girl...not in the way that if I had a boy I'd be upset, because I'd obviously be happy & love my child no matter the sex...but I just always wanted a girl. But as time has gone on, I would really love to have a boy too. I just imagine the relationship father & son would have & how great it would be have a girl later on & then she'd have a big brother. I think I long equally for both now...just no twins please ;)

Week 11: Just plum cute!

Maybe you’ve noticed… your baby is a super-duper grower! Your lil' fetus will be gaining a substantial amount of weight this week and has already achieved fruit-size-status comparable to a plum. What's more, your little scientist is already starting to explore their body, focusing most intently on touching their head, and especially their face and mouth. Their mouth in particular will provide them with hours of entertainment. This happens not only because your baby is gaining coordination, and is therefore able to move a hand on command, but also because their palms have gained sensation and can actually “feel” what it touches.They're also developing their swallow reflex this week. And lastly, your baby's smelling and other olfactory senses will begin developing this week, which when combined with the maturing taste buds, will provide your baby with their first experiences of taste and smell.

And how's mom doing? If you’re still enduring the joys of morning sickness, it should finally be subsiding to the point of non-existence by the end of this week. The growing placenta combined with your little one’s developing pituitary gland have given you a break on hormone production, so now your can focus on the fact you’re about to enter the second trimester of pregnancy, which can be most aptly characterized by lots of growth for both you and your little uterus-tenant.

At this point you should be making a conscious effort to gradually increase your consumption of healthy, vitamin-rich food, but remember: THIS DOES NOT MEAN LIFE IS NOW AN OPEN BUFFET. Think about it, if it’s not good for you, then it won’t do any good for your developing baby. If you’re finding that you’re still hungry after dinner, don’t simply default to having extra ice cream for dessert. Have a second helping of vegetables and fish, or whole grain bread with jam. Good nutrition is absolutely vital for your baby's brain and body development.

Additionally, make sure you’re taking “me-time” to center yourself and focus on your body’s interactions with your baby: listen to relaxing or inspiring music, read good books, think happy thoughts, you know, all the mentally stimulating stuff that puts you in a good mood and makes your pregnancy feel like a positive experience. In other words, watching international news isn't recommended. The better you treat your body and emotions now, the healthier and happier your child will be once “they’re on the outside.”

I cannot believe 10 weeks have almost passed & that I'll soon enter my 11th week! It just still feels very surreal sometimes. I'm starting to get a belly...well, I already had a pooch [hehe] but it's rounding out & has gotten bigger. I have to take a pic really soon & start documenting my baby bump. I've been really tired this week, but unable to sleep at night OR nap in the day, which is agony :/ I've also been starting to weigh myself because at around this point & I should be starting to gain between 2/3 of a pound & a pound every week. That's what's healthy for the baby. So far I haven't gained anything...I just keep losing two pounds & gaining it back. It's mainly because I have no appetite, really. I've read & heard it's okay not to gain at first...everyone's body is different & reacts differently to pregnancy, but I really hope I start gaining steadily soon. Weird to say I hope I start GAINING weight, hehe.

We're going to Moncton today with friends...I think I might start looking for stuff for the nursery :)

The last two days have been hell on my stomach. I'm not sure what's going on "down there", but it's def. messing with my regularity & making me feel yucky. Plus I had very mild cramping yesterday & today & it's so hard to even figure out what it is...is it my tummy? Is it gas? Is it something to do with Panda? I'm just feeling blah.

So....I always said I wanted to find out the sex of my first child & have the second baby be a surprise. For those that don't know, we plan to have two. Patrick always agreed that he'd like to know, because it'll make things easier with planning etc. For me, it's more that I'm terrible with surprises & for as long as I can remember I've snooped at Christmas gifts or birthday presents. Now, it turns out, Patrick is totally against finding out. I could certainly find out myself & just keep mum about the sex, but this should really be about a partnership, as there are so few parts of pregnancy & birth that the man gets to have a hand/say in....so a surprise it shall be. This throws things into a whole new direction, because as I once thought I would be able to plan & design the perfect nursery for Panda, I'm now daydreaming & brainstorming in a whole different direction. Staying with sex-neutral colors, I'm thinking a creamy yellow or a mellow green. Pink would look great as an accent color with either of those if we have a girl, & the right shade of brown or blue would work for a boy. I'm already trying to think of actual themes or decoration ideas though...like what kind of bedding set or the color of the crib & furniture. I think white for the furniute. I'm not really a wood kinda gal when it comes to baby's room. I think lots of vintage books & toys will line shelves...I can't wait to really start thrift shopping for Panda!

& since I'm technically IN my 10th week...

Week 10: Graduation day has arrived!

Your astonishingly tiny baby has been hard at work growing as fast as possible—almost doubling in size in the past three weeks! Amazingly, you’re in for a repeat size doubling performance within the next three weeks! Your tiny champion still weighs less than a quarter of an ounce but has already completed the most critical stage of their development. Using Doppler technology, your doctor or gynecologist can let you hear their tiny rapid fetal heartbeats this week (145-165 beats per minute!). Chances for miscarriage are greatly reduced when the heartbeat can be detected, so take a sigh of relief if you’ve been needing one—it hasn’t been an easy ten weeks! What’s more, they’re getting ready to make their first baby poop! Your little one’s major organ systems are developing, including a functioning digestive tract capable of moving food all the way through their bowels. The final shiny gold star on their fetal behavior chart for the week: your little scrapper has already developed defense mechanisms to protect them on reflex!

And how's mom doing? More good news for mom: the placenta has grown substantially in size and function and is now beginning to manage some of your child’s hormones, finally taking some of the hormonal burden off of you! Since the placenta has gradually taken over the hormone production for your baby, you should finally start to notice that much awaited decrease in morning sickness symptoms. Like everything else, though, this is just a general guideline... if you have lingering effects for another couple of weeks, don’t fret (or fret, but don't blame us)—pregnancy is not a standardized procedure so much as an individual journey.

Week 9: An inch to grow on

Congratulations! Your amazing growing baby has been accepted into to the fetus-club, a very exclusive and exiting new stage in their prenatal development. Basically, this means the little sweet pea has graduated from swimming embryo creature to a recognizable human being! This week in particular, the irises of their little eyes can function, but (frustratingly for them?) their eyelids remain fused shut for a while yet. Their external ears are formed and their inner ears are now filled with fluid—so your little one is already developing their sense of balance. Your baby's little swimmer legs are still relatively, although other bodily developments are going forward at a nice pace: their kidney is actually functioning now, which means they’ve started urinating (this might seem charming now but wait till you have to start buying diapers!).

And how's mom doing? You’re nearing the end of the first trimester and while there are plenty of dynamic and noticeable changes going on inside of you, not many changes are noticeable to you, with the exception of a mildly bulging midline-- which doesn't look pregnant enough to stop people from wondering if you need to lay off the donuts. Although your body might seem a little boring right now, you can expect the creeping-up-effect of weight gain as you will gain roughly 1-2 lbs gain per week (some more and some less). It’s not a bad idea to chart this to make sure you’re not over or underfeeding both of you. As you’ve entered into the Fetal Period, it might be a good time to evaluate your personal health regimen—that is, if you haven’t already. Are you eating enough protein? Remember, protein can be found in beans, soy products and nuts—it doesn’t have to be a 12 ounce sirloin! Are you sleeping well, exercising right, drinking enough (non-sugary) fluids and getting your vitamin C? Having a baby is the ultimate test for your body—if you take care of your health now you’ll come out of the pregnancy on top of your health and ready to be an energetic mother, if not, well, let’s just say, you’re increasing the chances of suffering from depression, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, and a multitude of little nasty viruses (think colds and flues) that good health could've beat before you even noticed they’d invaded.

My first appointment was today!!!

The doctor was super nice, but unfortunately she won't be my primary doctor :/ I'll have one of five different docs every time I go in & one of those five will ultimately deliver my baby in August. I also think one of them will be the terrible doctor I had at the same clinic in 2006 when I went in for a PAP. I can only hope she isn't on call when I go into labour.

My due date is in fact August 10th! So I'm in my 9th week! The doctor said that everything looked great, internally I seem between 8 & 10 weeks along & everything is progressing nicely. She also that since I'm in my twenties, this is my first pregnancy & I haven't miscarried before & everything is looking good, the chances of having a miscarriage are very very slim. Of course it could still happen, but it was nice to hear. They got me to pee in a cup when I first got there & unfortunately, I had just gone before I left to go to the hospital...so yeah, I did my best which wasn't very good. Plus, TMI, there were these weird floaties in it...I have no clue what...maybe toilet paper....anyway, they got me to go get blood drawn [three vials, ouch!] & when I was waiting down there & nurse came over & said I needed to pee in a cup again because my doctor requested it. Luckily, my bladder had time to recover so I gave them a nice sample...still some odd floaties...but at least I stepped up to the plate ;)

I have some paper work to fill out & I have my next appointment in five weeks on February 8th! I think having appointment dates & something to look forward to is going to make time fly by!

Oh...& they used a handheld to check for a heartbeat but they couldn't find it. They said it was too early to find it with such a small, simple machine.