Another week is here, another pain is present. I don't know that anyone can explain all of the crazy beautiful things happening to your body, experiencing it is so different.
Sleep is becoming more difficult. I feel like I need the 'wide load' sign because I have to sit up to turn over every time I want to switch positions. I also must drag my body pillow along for the ride, at that point I am more awake and trying to find a comfortable spot.
My newest friend is a pain in the ribs. Hmm, yes in the ribs. It started on my left side and today it is full force on both. I know it must be my belly stretching and making room but ouch! I try to lean back in my office chair as much as possible to alleviate the natural forces of gravity.
It is hard for me to imagine my belly not being there. I so much enjoy feeling her move and kick, it is a constant reminder that she is doing ok. My fears and anxiety has decreased some now that I can feel her. We are 27 weeks as of yesterday, it is shocking to me that we have 13 weeks give or take and less than 100 days. There are so many things running thru my tired brain... daycare, nursery, traveling, cleaning. Its tough to keep it all straight when I feel so drained like I do today.
Maybe I worked it a little too hard this weekend. Maybe baby is just taking what she needs. Who knows.
Showing posts with label movement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movement. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut
I apologize! Once again it has been awhile since my last post. As of today I am 17 weeks along and still feeling overly tired. I had hit a spot there a few weeks back when I thought to myself, "Hey, I finally feel good again!??!??" That time is in the past! It doesn't help that we have had an overly rainy month and I am in a funk being stuck inside most days.
I have had some serious cravings this month! I recently read that I shouldn't be eating many nuts... OOPS! Hopefully this baby doesn't receive a nice, fat peanut allergy thanks to Mommy! That craving has subsided and now we are on to a different kind of nut, the kind that really isn't a nut at all... doughnuts. DH took me to a local bakery over the weekend because I couldn't stop obsessing over how badly I needed a doughnut. We bought a dozen rolls and by Sunday afternoon the rolls were gone! I have an appointment to see my Dr. on Monday the 24th and honestly, I am more excited about the chance to once again visit the bakery then to hear my unborn child's beating heart!
I am starting to show a bit now... I think?! (Maybe it's the 5 pounds that I have gained that are starting to show!) Anyway, I have dug out all the maternity clothes from my past pregnancy and have begun wearing them here and there. I love maternity clothes and wish I could always wear them! I feel so comfortable not trying to hide the bulging belly from anyone.
On Mother's Day my DH, DS and I took a trip to visit my grandma who is very sick. As I was getting ready to go, my DS said to me, "Mommy, I not like that blue shirt!" The truth is, I wasn't wearing a shirt! He was telling me that he didn't like the "belly band" attached to my jeans. I reassured him that I'd be wearing a shirt over the "blue shirt" and w/ that he was relieved!
I am continuing to take it easy. I did mow the other day for the first time in a while again but felt good afterwards. I have been experiencing some quickening and my husband has felt the baby move. I am starting to have trouble sleeping at night, I had the same problem when I was pregnant w/ DS. It's hard to get comfortable and between trips to the bathroom I struggle w/ trying to go back to sleep.
We look forward to finding out the sex in a few weeks. I continue to wish for a girl but would be very happy w/ another boy. DS is 100% sure he is going to have a baby brother. And DH really hopes for a daddy's girl too but like myself would be completely happy w/ another son. All in all I think like anyone else, we are hoping for a healthy baby! And w/ that said, I am off to hunt down the closest thing in my pantry to a doughnut!
I have had some serious cravings this month! I recently read that I shouldn't be eating many nuts... OOPS! Hopefully this baby doesn't receive a nice, fat peanut allergy thanks to Mommy! That craving has subsided and now we are on to a different kind of nut, the kind that really isn't a nut at all... doughnuts. DH took me to a local bakery over the weekend because I couldn't stop obsessing over how badly I needed a doughnut. We bought a dozen rolls and by Sunday afternoon the rolls were gone! I have an appointment to see my Dr. on Monday the 24th and honestly, I am more excited about the chance to once again visit the bakery then to hear my unborn child's beating heart!
I am starting to show a bit now... I think?! (Maybe it's the 5 pounds that I have gained that are starting to show!) Anyway, I have dug out all the maternity clothes from my past pregnancy and have begun wearing them here and there. I love maternity clothes and wish I could always wear them! I feel so comfortable not trying to hide the bulging belly from anyone.
On Mother's Day my DH, DS and I took a trip to visit my grandma who is very sick. As I was getting ready to go, my DS said to me, "Mommy, I not like that blue shirt!" The truth is, I wasn't wearing a shirt! He was telling me that he didn't like the "belly band" attached to my jeans. I reassured him that I'd be wearing a shirt over the "blue shirt" and w/ that he was relieved!
I am continuing to take it easy. I did mow the other day for the first time in a while again but felt good afterwards. I have been experiencing some quickening and my husband has felt the baby move. I am starting to have trouble sleeping at night, I had the same problem when I was pregnant w/ DS. It's hard to get comfortable and between trips to the bathroom I struggle w/ trying to go back to sleep.
We look forward to finding out the sex in a few weeks. I continue to wish for a girl but would be very happy w/ another boy. DS is 100% sure he is going to have a baby brother. And DH really hopes for a daddy's girl too but like myself would be completely happy w/ another son. All in all I think like anyone else, we are hoping for a healthy baby! And w/ that said, I am off to hunt down the closest thing in my pantry to a doughnut!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The good, the bad and the ugly
I'm a regular member of an online forum - a little while ago, we had a discussion about the good and bad parts of pregnancy. That got me thinking: what parts of this pregnancy have been good? What about bad? And how about downright ugly? Let's start with the ugly and work our way up...
The Ugly
Stretch marks from hell. I started getting stretchmarks ages ago...probably around 18 weeks or so? I wasn't really surprised - genetics determine whether or not you get them (which makes all of those magical lotions an expensive waste of time), and since I already had some from puberty I knew that I would probably get them now. Add to that a body expanding at twice the normal rate with twins, and it's Stretch Mark City, population: Me. I have them on my boobs, on my sides, on my hips, and of course on my belly. I can't say how many I have - counting them would be too depressing. (Side note: I never knew that stretch marks go in a circle around your belly button. Of course it makes sense since that's how the muscle goes, but I'd never actually seen it - in person or in photos - until I got them.)
The Bad
Morning sickness. Hardly unique, but it still sucks. For about four months I was nauseated 24/7 and feeling like I was perpetually on the verge of puking - I never actually threw up, but sometimes I think that just feeling like you're constantly about to is worse.
Fatigue. It's hard enough to cope with the sudden inrush of hormones and the morning sickness - add in wanting to collapse from exhaustion all the time and it's just the icing on the cake. I never got the second trimester pick-me-up that people talk about, so this feeling has been around since I was about 5 weeks pregnant. And yes, it's getting old.
Swelling. I've mentioned my water retention cankles before. Enough said.
Heartburn. I've gone through what seems like about 500 pounds of antacid tablets over the course of this pregnancy. The good news is that last week I finally found something that actually works: Zantac. One pill a day and heartburn is no more! It may be my new best friend.
Physical challenges. This isn't so much one thing as a whole host of them lumped together, and I'll be the first to admit that this is probably harder for me than for the average pregnant woman - carrying an extra baby around will do that to you, and right now, at 28 weeks, I'm about the size of a woman with a singleton pregnancy at 35 weeks. It's not just not being able to pick stuff up off the floor or put on socks or even having heave myself with all my might just to turn over in bed. The sheer weight of the babies is difficult these days - the underside of my stomach is perpetually sore, and I'm thinking of buying a maternity support belt to try to relieve some of the pressure off my back. It's physically exhausting in a way I never expected.
Donkey crotch. OK, this one is a little weird. It doesn't seem to happen to all pregnant women - just a few unlucky ones like myself! Basically, it's normal pelvic soreness taken to the next level: it feels like I've been kicked in the crotch by a donkey. All. The. Time. Walking is painful, stairs are suicide (why did we buy a two story house? WHY???), and having to lift my legs - like getting in and out of bed or the car - is the worst; the pain has actually brought tears to my eyes. There's nothing that can be done except to power through it, although I've found that gently rocking on an exercise ball can bring temporary relief.
The Good
For a long time, I wondered why on earth would anyone voluntarily do this. I'm not a baby or child lover...in fact, I actively dislike them. But I already love these babies more than I can even express, and that makes it worth it. Every single day I tell them, "This is getting hard for me. But it's OK, you do what you need to do and keep growing - I'll handle it. We can do this." Because there are these things - the good things.
Quickening. I love feeling the boys shift and move. It's incredible to know that's new life that's moving in me, that I'm charged with carrying and protecting them. Even when it feels like they're playing soccer in the middle of the night and keeping me awake, it's still a joy to feel it.
They're unique. I'm amazed and fascinated that they have such different personalities, although they're not even born yet! Twin A is laid back and easygoing - Twin B is very demanding and if I lay on my right side (where he is), he'll kick me until I roll back over onto my other side because he doesn't like being squashed. It's absolutely incredible to realize that these are two little individuals, and I wonder if what I see as their personality traits right now will be true when they're born as well - if A will be calm and quiet, and if B will be more rambunctious and rowdy.
They're us...and yet more. There is simply nothing more amazing than creating a life, one that is half you and half the man you love. I look at Mr Bibliosaur and I'm humbled and amazed to think that the man whom I love so much will be part of these children. I look at him and wonder if they'll have his eyes, his mouth, his way of laughing. It's incredible to think that these little individuals are somehow more than just the sum of the two of us.
What about you? What are the good and bad points in your pregnancy?
The Ugly
Stretch marks from hell. I started getting stretchmarks ages ago...probably around 18 weeks or so? I wasn't really surprised - genetics determine whether or not you get them (which makes all of those magical lotions an expensive waste of time), and since I already had some from puberty I knew that I would probably get them now. Add to that a body expanding at twice the normal rate with twins, and it's Stretch Mark City, population: Me. I have them on my boobs, on my sides, on my hips, and of course on my belly. I can't say how many I have - counting them would be too depressing. (Side note: I never knew that stretch marks go in a circle around your belly button. Of course it makes sense since that's how the muscle goes, but I'd never actually seen it - in person or in photos - until I got them.)
The Bad
Morning sickness. Hardly unique, but it still sucks. For about four months I was nauseated 24/7 and feeling like I was perpetually on the verge of puking - I never actually threw up, but sometimes I think that just feeling like you're constantly about to is worse.
Fatigue. It's hard enough to cope with the sudden inrush of hormones and the morning sickness - add in wanting to collapse from exhaustion all the time and it's just the icing on the cake. I never got the second trimester pick-me-up that people talk about, so this feeling has been around since I was about 5 weeks pregnant. And yes, it's getting old.
Swelling. I've mentioned my water retention cankles before. Enough said.
Heartburn. I've gone through what seems like about 500 pounds of antacid tablets over the course of this pregnancy. The good news is that last week I finally found something that actually works: Zantac. One pill a day and heartburn is no more! It may be my new best friend.
Physical challenges. This isn't so much one thing as a whole host of them lumped together, and I'll be the first to admit that this is probably harder for me than for the average pregnant woman - carrying an extra baby around will do that to you, and right now, at 28 weeks, I'm about the size of a woman with a singleton pregnancy at 35 weeks. It's not just not being able to pick stuff up off the floor or put on socks or even having heave myself with all my might just to turn over in bed. The sheer weight of the babies is difficult these days - the underside of my stomach is perpetually sore, and I'm thinking of buying a maternity support belt to try to relieve some of the pressure off my back. It's physically exhausting in a way I never expected.
Donkey crotch. OK, this one is a little weird. It doesn't seem to happen to all pregnant women - just a few unlucky ones like myself! Basically, it's normal pelvic soreness taken to the next level: it feels like I've been kicked in the crotch by a donkey. All. The. Time. Walking is painful, stairs are suicide (why did we buy a two story house? WHY???), and having to lift my legs - like getting in and out of bed or the car - is the worst; the pain has actually brought tears to my eyes. There's nothing that can be done except to power through it, although I've found that gently rocking on an exercise ball can bring temporary relief.
The Good
For a long time, I wondered why on earth would anyone voluntarily do this. I'm not a baby or child lover...in fact, I actively dislike them. But I already love these babies more than I can even express, and that makes it worth it. Every single day I tell them, "This is getting hard for me. But it's OK, you do what you need to do and keep growing - I'll handle it. We can do this." Because there are these things - the good things.
Quickening. I love feeling the boys shift and move. It's incredible to know that's new life that's moving in me, that I'm charged with carrying and protecting them. Even when it feels like they're playing soccer in the middle of the night and keeping me awake, it's still a joy to feel it.
They're unique. I'm amazed and fascinated that they have such different personalities, although they're not even born yet! Twin A is laid back and easygoing - Twin B is very demanding and if I lay on my right side (where he is), he'll kick me until I roll back over onto my other side because he doesn't like being squashed. It's absolutely incredible to realize that these are two little individuals, and I wonder if what I see as their personality traits right now will be true when they're born as well - if A will be calm and quiet, and if B will be more rambunctious and rowdy.
They're us...and yet more. There is simply nothing more amazing than creating a life, one that is half you and half the man you love. I look at Mr Bibliosaur and I'm humbled and amazed to think that the man whom I love so much will be part of these children. I look at him and wonder if they'll have his eyes, his mouth, his way of laughing. It's incredible to think that these little individuals are somehow more than just the sum of the two of us.
What about you? What are the good and bad points in your pregnancy?
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Riding the roller coaster
I'd been warned that morning sickness sometimes returns later in a pregnancy, usually around the third trimester. So when I started feeling oddly sick late last week, I initially attributed it to my old friend nausea rearing its ugly head again.
And then it went away.
And then it was back.
Away. Back. Away. Back. Often multiple times a day, and the weird thing was that it didn't feel like morning sickness. Don't get me wrong - I felt nauseated. But it was a different kind of nausea...kind of like motion sickness. Do you know the feeling when you're on a roller coaster and your stomach feels like it's dropping out of your body? You don't exactly feel like you're going to throw up (well, some people do, haha!), but you feel unsettled, like your insides are sloshing around. But of course, I wasn't going on any roller coasters, and most of the time when I felt it, I wasn't even in a car - just sitting peacefully on the couch or lying in bed.
Finally I realized that it wasn't me - it was the babies. I've started feeling them much more over the last week or so, and since there are two of them in there, space is already getting a little cramped. And every time they started vigorously flipping around, I began feeling queasy.
At first I thought I must be crazy. I'd never heard or read of anyone else feeling sick solely from fetal movement! But, lo and behold, a quick google search showed that other women (like these ladies) feel the same thing. The explanation I've read is that the baby is pushing up on your stomach and making it churn, which sounds logical enough. But it's still utterly bizarre to be peacefully reading a book or using my laptop and suddenly feel like I'm charging down a massive drop on a roller coaster! Has anyone else experienced this?
P.S. Good news! After eating like a mofo for the last month, with a big focus on protein and full fat dairy, I've finally managed to claw my way to the midrange of the recommended weight gain for someone with my BMI (as you may recall, I'm hardly an underweight waif, but I was struggling to put on enough pounds). I'm now pretty much exactly on target for my 22 weeks - this is a huge relief and I can finally relax a bit, knowing I'll be able to meet the all important week 28 goal!
And then it went away.
And then it was back.
Away. Back. Away. Back. Often multiple times a day, and the weird thing was that it didn't feel like morning sickness. Don't get me wrong - I felt nauseated. But it was a different kind of nausea...kind of like motion sickness. Do you know the feeling when you're on a roller coaster and your stomach feels like it's dropping out of your body? You don't exactly feel like you're going to throw up (well, some people do, haha!), but you feel unsettled, like your insides are sloshing around. But of course, I wasn't going on any roller coasters, and most of the time when I felt it, I wasn't even in a car - just sitting peacefully on the couch or lying in bed.
Finally I realized that it wasn't me - it was the babies. I've started feeling them much more over the last week or so, and since there are two of them in there, space is already getting a little cramped. And every time they started vigorously flipping around, I began feeling queasy.
At first I thought I must be crazy. I'd never heard or read of anyone else feeling sick solely from fetal movement! But, lo and behold, a quick google search showed that other women (like these ladies) feel the same thing. The explanation I've read is that the baby is pushing up on your stomach and making it churn, which sounds logical enough. But it's still utterly bizarre to be peacefully reading a book or using my laptop and suddenly feel like I'm charging down a massive drop on a roller coaster! Has anyone else experienced this?
P.S. Good news! After eating like a mofo for the last month, with a big focus on protein and full fat dairy, I've finally managed to claw my way to the midrange of the recommended weight gain for someone with my BMI (as you may recall, I'm hardly an underweight waif, but I was struggling to put on enough pounds). I'm now pretty much exactly on target for my 22 weeks - this is a huge relief and I can finally relax a bit, knowing I'll be able to meet the all important week 28 goal!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Butterflies in my stomach
For the last few weeks, I've been waiting impatiently to feel our twins move. I knew that for most women it happens between weeks 16-20, and I thought I had a good chance of feeling it earlier since we're having twins. But week 16 passed uneventfully. Week 17, more of the same. But this week...well, this week is different!
Yesterday was the start of week 18, and yesterday, I felt our babies move for the very first time! At first I wasn't sure that what I was feeling was really movement, but this pregnancy has given me enough gas that I was pretty positive it was something different. And then I felt it again. A flutter, low in my belly.
I've read that for some people it feels like bubbles or a goldfish flitting around. For me, it feels like butterflies - the nervous kind you get in your stomach when you're about to make a speech in front of a large group. A nervous, fluttery feeling, but without the anxiety - just the lightly flipping sensation in my stomach.
After I realized what I was feeling, it now seems like I suddenly feel it a lot more (although I've probably actually been feeling it for longer than I knew, but simply didn't know what to feel for). It's not constant, but sometimes when I'm quiet and still, I feel the gentle fluttering.
And then, earlier today, low on my right side...a soft flick. Flick. Flickflickflick. FLICK. Now THAT was a kick for sure! There is absolutely no way it could be mistaken for anything else.
Feeling them move is the most incredible thing - it's extraordinary to actually feel new lives inside me! Mr Bibliosaur is beyond thrilled with this new development - he keeps eagerly asking me if I'm feeling them move again: "Can you feel them now?" "No, not right now." "Oh. Well how about now?" I can't wait until he can feel them kicking from the outside so he can experience this too!
Yesterday was the start of week 18, and yesterday, I felt our babies move for the very first time! At first I wasn't sure that what I was feeling was really movement, but this pregnancy has given me enough gas that I was pretty positive it was something different. And then I felt it again. A flutter, low in my belly.
I've read that for some people it feels like bubbles or a goldfish flitting around. For me, it feels like butterflies - the nervous kind you get in your stomach when you're about to make a speech in front of a large group. A nervous, fluttery feeling, but without the anxiety - just the lightly flipping sensation in my stomach.
And then, earlier today, low on my right side...a soft flick. Flick. Flickflickflick. FLICK. Now THAT was a kick for sure! There is absolutely no way it could be mistaken for anything else.
Feeling them move is the most incredible thing - it's extraordinary to actually feel new lives inside me! Mr Bibliosaur is beyond thrilled with this new development - he keeps eagerly asking me if I'm feeling them move again: "Can you feel them now?" "No, not right now." "Oh. Well how about now?" I can't wait until he can feel them kicking from the outside so he can experience this too!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Hiccups!
I had heard from several women that aside from feeling the baby kick, you can feel when they have the hiccups too! I had never heard of this until actually getting pregnant, so this was news to me. After I started feeling the baby kick, I started to wonder if I would be able to recognize the hiccups.
I asked another mom how you discern the difference between kicking and hiccups and she said that they are more regular and rhythmic than kicks, and that I would "just know." I really hate it when people say things like that "You'll just know." Because really - what if I don't?!
Well, I hate to admit it but at 24 weeks and 3 days, I felt the baby with the hiccups for the first time and I did - I just knew :) It was the strangest sensation because it was much more subtle and less noticeable than kicks but it was definitely in regular intervals, just a few seconds apart. I wonder what the baby thinks when she is in there, with the hiccups... does it bother her? Does it annoy her? Or confuse her? I guess we'll never know... but feeling baby's hiccups inside your belly is definitely a very strange/cool part of being pregnant!
I asked another mom how you discern the difference between kicking and hiccups and she said that they are more regular and rhythmic than kicks, and that I would "just know." I really hate it when people say things like that "You'll just know." Because really - what if I don't?!
Well, I hate to admit it but at 24 weeks and 3 days, I felt the baby with the hiccups for the first time and I did - I just knew :) It was the strangest sensation because it was much more subtle and less noticeable than kicks but it was definitely in regular intervals, just a few seconds apart. I wonder what the baby thinks when she is in there, with the hiccups... does it bother her? Does it annoy her? Or confuse her? I guess we'll never know... but feeling baby's hiccups inside your belly is definitely a very strange/cool part of being pregnant!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Feeling the Baby Kicking!
The first half of the second trimester was relatively uneventful. The morning sickness and fatigue was gone like it had never happened... you really do get a "second wind" and start to feel like yourself again during the second trimester.
Aside from a very small bump, it was really hard to tell that I was even pregnant. As I approached the 16 week mark, I began to try very hard to sense any fetal movement. You're supposed to be able to feel the baby kick anywhere between 16-22 weeks if it's your first baby, even sooner if it is your second (because you know what it feels like).
I found myself questioning every little bit of gas I had - was that the baby kicking? Surely enough, seconds later, I would feel the gas moving on within my intestinal tract, confirming that it was in fact not the baby, just my imagination! This went on for quite some time, starting around week 14, even though I knew it wouldn't be a while before I would feel the baby. I kept thinking that if mothers pregnant with their second child could feel the baby earlier than 16 weeks, then if I was really keen and observant, I might too.
I would pay particular attention to my belly at night when I went to bed, the time when you're most likely to feel the baby kicking because you're laying still. At 16 weeks and 1 day, I felt something ever so slight. Just once, and then nothing more. I've heard many different descriptions of fetal movement from other mothers - some describe it like a goldfish swimming around inside your belly, others say it feels like popcorn popping, while others describe it as a simple flutter. This honestly did not feel like any of the above descriptions, so I wasn't sure if it really was the baby or not. Coincidentally, my coworkers asked me the next day if I was feeling the baby yet - I told them, "I think I did last night, but I'm not sure." One person responded, "You're feeling the baby move! You just don't realize it yet."
Sure enough, that night as I was laying in bed, I felt the same thing again... but this time I felt it a few more times! I then knew that what I was feeling was the baby kicking! The feeling is so hard to describe, but it really did feel like there was a little being inside me giving me a soft kick. Mr. Chocosaur was really mad at the baby because every time he put his hand on my belly to feel the baby kick, the movements would stop!!! Haha... isn't that how it is with all babies?! He just had to be patient, though, because a week after I first started feeling kicks, he was able to feel it too. It was a really big milestone in my pregnancy and is still my favorite aspect of pregnancy. So if you are pregnant and waiting to feel the baby kick, be patient... it's totally worth it! :)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
We have movement!
Yay! It's weird,it was just a few days ago that I was concerned that I hadn't felt movement, or at least anything that I could, for sure, identify as the baby. Well, today, it's happened.
She's been active all morning. It actually started last night...I felt little taps in my lower abdomen, near my hip left hip bone. According to the last two u/s that's where her feet have been. Then this morning, I felt it again. Then, when I was lying on my back, I swore that I saw my shirt move in a little blip, near my belly button. I lifted my shirt and actually saw the blip! AMAZING! So I am lying around all day trying to feel it again. I cannot describe it. It's almost like catching something amazing out of the corner of your eye. You turn to look and it's gone! I cannot wait to feel more and for Mr. Divasaur to feel it too.
She's been active all morning. It actually started last night...I felt little taps in my lower abdomen, near my hip left hip bone. According to the last two u/s that's where her feet have been. Then this morning, I felt it again. Then, when I was lying on my back, I swore that I saw my shirt move in a little blip, near my belly button. I lifted my shirt and actually saw the blip! AMAZING! So I am lying around all day trying to feel it again. I cannot describe it. It's almost like catching something amazing out of the corner of your eye. You turn to look and it's gone! I cannot wait to feel more and for Mr. Divasaur to feel it too.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
An ultrasound and a bonus...
Last week, I had my "big" ultrasound. I'm not sure why I didn't post about it sooner, but just haven't really felt like it because I've been in a bit of a funk this past week due to my last post.
Anyways, I am back to feeling better about things. Hopeful for the future and all that jazz. The sadness still bubbles up from time to time, but it is not as raw.
So, here's a pic of our lil baby Legalosaur from our big ultrasound, who so obviously has his/her father's profile that it makes me ache.
I mean, DUDE! I am carrying around a miniature of my husband in my ute right now. That just makes me feel weird and yet closer to him, all at once. *lol* The ultrasound tech didn't say much about the baby's anatomy, but mentioned that everything looked normal to her. We didn't find out the gender, we're going for the BIG surprise at delivery.
The bonus I mentioned in the subject line of this blog post? I've started feeling movement. Finally! It started in my 18th week. I was *pretty* sure what I was feeling was movement, but then I kept doubting myself... I mean, I've been convincing myself that what I've been feeling for so long is gas, maybe I'm still feeling gas?
No, it's quite clear to me as I sailed through my 19th week that what I was feeling is definitely little ninja kicks from within. They are not strong enough for Mr. Legalosaur to feel, but there's no mistaking them. Being that my placenta is anterior, I was not really expecting to feel movement until after 20 weeks, probably closer to 23-24 weeks.
And today, I'm at 20 weeks. This is a major milestone for me, like 12 weeks was. There were times I didn't think I'd make it here. I'd talk myself off the ledge by repeating - over and over again - just make it to 20 weeks. Make it to 20 weeks, and everything will be okay.
And here I stand, at 20 weeks. I have arrived. It feels good. I AM HALF-WAY THERE. I can breathe.
My next big milestone date is 27 weeks. Because at 27 weeks, if this baby were to be born early, he or she would have a 90% survival rate. Would there be issues, oh definitely. Likelihood of brain damage and other preemie issues, absolutely. But our baby would be alive. And that gives me comfort.
That's it for me. I'm off to drink some orange juice with my iron pill, and then lie on my side to enjoy some more kicks!
Anyways, I am back to feeling better about things. Hopeful for the future and all that jazz. The sadness still bubbles up from time to time, but it is not as raw.
So, here's a pic of our lil baby Legalosaur from our big ultrasound, who so obviously has his/her father's profile that it makes me ache.
I mean, DUDE! I am carrying around a miniature of my husband in my ute right now. That just makes me feel weird and yet closer to him, all at once. *lol* The ultrasound tech didn't say much about the baby's anatomy, but mentioned that everything looked normal to her. We didn't find out the gender, we're going for the BIG surprise at delivery.
The bonus I mentioned in the subject line of this blog post? I've started feeling movement. Finally! It started in my 18th week. I was *pretty* sure what I was feeling was movement, but then I kept doubting myself... I mean, I've been convincing myself that what I've been feeling for so long is gas, maybe I'm still feeling gas?
No, it's quite clear to me as I sailed through my 19th week that what I was feeling is definitely little ninja kicks from within. They are not strong enough for Mr. Legalosaur to feel, but there's no mistaking them. Being that my placenta is anterior, I was not really expecting to feel movement until after 20 weeks, probably closer to 23-24 weeks.
And today, I'm at 20 weeks. This is a major milestone for me, like 12 weeks was. There were times I didn't think I'd make it here. I'd talk myself off the ledge by repeating - over and over again - just make it to 20 weeks. Make it to 20 weeks, and everything will be okay.
And here I stand, at 20 weeks. I have arrived. It feels good. I AM HALF-WAY THERE. I can breathe.
My next big milestone date is 27 weeks. Because at 27 weeks, if this baby were to be born early, he or she would have a 90% survival rate. Would there be issues, oh definitely. Likelihood of brain damage and other preemie issues, absolutely. But our baby would be alive. And that gives me comfort.
That's it for me. I'm off to drink some orange juice with my iron pill, and then lie on my side to enjoy some more kicks!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Kickin' up a storm
At my NT scan, the tech told me that my placenta was posterior and that it meant I would probably feel movement pretty early. She was right. At about 16 weeks, I started to feel the "bubbles" that I kept reading about. The feeling that you kind of think might be gas, but if you're not bloated, is probably the baby moving. I was lying on my side and it really just felt like bubbles in my belly. At 17 weeks, I was sure it was baby. She was kicking pretty low, sometimes around my cervix, and it was unmistakable. You'll know that one when you feel it!
By about 17w4d I could actually feel kicks from the outside! Since then, every time I feel her kicking hard I put my hand on my tummy to feel her kicking. It's amazing! And I can't get enough. Every night I put my hubby's hand on my belly to make him feel her kicks. I think he's felt her a couple times but he says he's not sure if what he's feeling is really her or just my muscle tensing or my breathing. He often says he felt something but it's not usually the times when I feel her kick really hard inside. So who knows?
You know, as amazing as it all is, this whole pregnancy is still so surreal to me. I still can't believe there's this little person growing inside me and I still don't really feel pregnant. Maybe because I still don't look pregnant? I just really don't feel much different, physically, than I did pre-pregnancy. Everyone has told me to enjoy my pregnancy because it goes by so quickly. And I'm trying to enjoy it. But it's so much different than I ever expected. I've gained between 6 and 8 lbs and I still just look a little chubby in the tummy. No flames, please, but it's just so hard to have to be okay with gaining weight, when, for as long as you can remember, you had to try so hard to lose weight or at least not gain any. I think I'm just in that stage where I still just feel fat because I don't have a real bump yet. And I know that I'll lose the weight once I have the baby, but it's just weird. I really thought I would embrace the belly, and maybe I will once it rounds out and looks like a baby belly. At least, that's what I'm hoping for. I do know that in the end, no matter what my body looks like, it will be worth it. I just can't wait to hold our baby in my arms!
By about 17w4d I could actually feel kicks from the outside! Since then, every time I feel her kicking hard I put my hand on my tummy to feel her kicking. It's amazing! And I can't get enough. Every night I put my hubby's hand on my belly to make him feel her kicks. I think he's felt her a couple times but he says he's not sure if what he's feeling is really her or just my muscle tensing or my breathing. He often says he felt something but it's not usually the times when I feel her kick really hard inside. So who knows?
You know, as amazing as it all is, this whole pregnancy is still so surreal to me. I still can't believe there's this little person growing inside me and I still don't really feel pregnant. Maybe because I still don't look pregnant? I just really don't feel much different, physically, than I did pre-pregnancy. Everyone has told me to enjoy my pregnancy because it goes by so quickly. And I'm trying to enjoy it. But it's so much different than I ever expected. I've gained between 6 and 8 lbs and I still just look a little chubby in the tummy. No flames, please, but it's just so hard to have to be okay with gaining weight, when, for as long as you can remember, you had to try so hard to lose weight or at least not gain any. I think I'm just in that stage where I still just feel fat because I don't have a real bump yet. And I know that I'll lose the weight once I have the baby, but it's just weird. I really thought I would embrace the belly, and maybe I will once it rounds out and looks like a baby belly. At least, that's what I'm hoping for. I do know that in the end, no matter what my body looks like, it will be worth it. I just can't wait to hold our baby in my arms!
