31 weeks!

We're in our 8th month of pregnancy already!  Time is moving very quickly now as baby girl can come into the world as soon as 6 weeks if she comes early and we're not ready!  But, ready or not, she's coming!

I've had many appointments this week.  I had two appointments scheduled yesterday...a morning ultrasound appointment and afternoon OB appointment.  Thankfully, I don't need any more ultrasounds since I no longer have low-line placenta due to the growth of the baby!  Praise God!  I will miss seeing her once a month, but feeling more frequent fetal activity is reassuring, and we'll see her in person soon enough!  She's 3 lbs. and 11 oz, within the normal range and her heart beat was 153 bpm.  At the afternoon, OB appt, her heart beat was 152 bpm.  Baby girl is in the exit position and cooperating so far.  I asked the sonographer and my NP (nurse practitioner) if baby girl will stay in the anterior position and it seems promising since she's my first and my uterus isn't stretched out yet so there isn't much room for her to move around.    Praying we can have the delivery we want. Today, I saw my endocrinologist and I forgot to get blood work done...oops!  With all the appointments lately, I can't keep up.  Doctor wrote me another script and will tell me over the phone if my dosage will change or remain the same.  He said I most likely have Hashimoto's disease since my thyroid antibody is positive and he'll know more after the baby is born since the pregnancy is keeping me stable.

IVF conversations:  I had a conversation earlier this week with a friend of a friend who had an IVF consult and wanted to talk.  I must say that I'm eager to share my thoughts and experiences having gone through it and if I can help others, even better!  Another friend emailed this morning and asked if we'd be open to meeting with a couple from his church who have struggled with IF (infertiity) for years and are considering IVF.  Certainly, we aren't alone in this journey, even though we felt isolated during our years of TTC (trying to conceive).  The IF community felt small initially, but thanks to  blogger friends, IF forums, and personal relationships, it no longer feels that way.  Please pray for us as we reach out and meet up with other couples who desire to grow their families.

Sleep:  Getting up a couple times a night.  I'm mostly able to sleep on my left side and roll on my back occasionally.  Some nights insomnia sets in and morning naps help me to function better.    

Movement:  Lots of it!  :)

Cravings/Aversions:  Still putting hot sauce or sriracha sauce on most foods.  Baby girl has J's taste buds.  Craving chocolate...bought dark chocolate peanut m&m's...yum!  Enjoying organic cheese bunny snacks. 

What I miss:  Nothing at all.  Feeling really content.

Symptoms:  Bloated hands and feet mostly.  Round ligament pain and low back pain have lessened for some odd reason.  I assume the low-line placenta was a factor.  The belly band or the tight elastic on my maternity pants also help decrease some of the discomfort.  :)  Feeling numbness on my right fingertips...pointer, middle, and fourth fingers.

What I look forward to:  I'm looking forward to our maternity photo-shoot on Saturday!  J's not as thrilled, but going with the flow. :)  This is our first shoot post wedding and typically don't do this sort of thing, but I found a livingsocial deal online and couldn't pass it up!  Despite the conception and pregnancy challenges, we are very thankful to be able to experience this particular chapter of our lives and I want a couple keepsakes to remember this precious time.    

J made our girl a playlist and love the first song:

 "I Wonder" by Leeland

Praise God, Who is able to do immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine.  Ephesians 3:20

Milestones: According to babycenter.com, our baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She's probably moving a lot and causing sleep to be uncomfortable.  

30 weeks!

30 weeks! 7 more weeks until our baby girl is fully developed and praying she's healthy, strong, and progressing normally.  My friend, N's water broke tonight and she's 37 weeks tomorrow!  It's been a blessing being pregnant together the past few months and supporting each other since it's our first baby experience.  I'm so excited to meet her little guy and am praying for a smooth and uneventful delivery. It's starting to hit me...our lives are going to dramatically change in 7-13+ weeks depending on if she comes early, on time, or late.  We better get moving on the nursery!  I'm officially an LPC (licensed professional counselor) and in the process of cranking out as many CE (continuing education) credits, as well as, ACT 48 credits before she comes.

What a journey this has been as I reflect on 2011-2012.   Last April, we had an ectopic pregnancy.  After 2 weeks of recovery, I finished out the school year and decided it would be my last year since we were going to pursue IVF ICSI when my body was ready.  My colleague and friend encouraged me to sit for the NCE (National Counselor Exam) and spent the summer studying for it.  For me, it was helpful to "do something" in the midst of grief while processing it.  Got the OK to start  IVF in Aug, but preliminary blood work showed that hypo-thyroidism had surfaced and needed to be on Synthroid for a month before starting IVF.  Egg retrieval or implant (can't remember) would be a day or two before my big exam and decided to push IVF back to Jan and start in the new year without any stress or distractions.  Passed the exam in Dec and started shots in Jan.  Confirmed pregnancy in Feb and license came in the mail last week!  What a process...I didn't even go into the heart change stuff and just listed the circumstantial stuff.  God's plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day - Louie Giglio
http://www.scribd.com/doc/78325066/God-s-plans

29 weeks!

Exercise:  Sadly, tonight is my last pre-natal yoga class.  I borrowed a pre and postnatal yoga DVD from the library last week and it's gathering dust.  I've been walking instead and trying not to take a quick nap after I eat.   

Sleep:  I went back to sleeping on my back since my shoulder and numb hands would bother me.  I hold my belly and shift slowly onto my back and it feels so much better.  Switching sides helps, but I love sleeping on my back and hope our little girl is okay.  I don't feel her move as much when I'm sleeping on my back, but she jabs me all the time when I'm on my sides. 

Movement:  OB appointment on Monday went well...good heartbeat and my belly was measured.  I have to count the baby's movements to know if the baby's activity is slowing.  From the time I wake up until 6pm, I should feel her at least 10 times a day.  It's good to know how my baby acts so that I can tell my doctor when something different is happening.  I have to call the doctor if I don't get the 10th movement by 6pm, I don't feel the baby move all day, it takes longer to get the 10th movement each day.  So far, I've felt her 5 times already and I've been up for 2 hours.  Keep on moving baby girl!

Cravings/Aversions:  Craving greens and salmon.  Still craving fresh fruits with cottage cheese.  I want desserts with milk and allow myself a treat every once in a while.  I failed my 1 hr glucose screening last week and didn't listen to my voice mail until Friday.  Turns out my one-hour blood sugar level was 150 milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood plasma (mg/dL).  The cutoff at my OB practice is 130 mg/dL to catch more women who may have gestational diabetes, even though there are likely to be more false positives this way.  Since I had my OB appointment on Monday, I picked up my script and scheduled my 3 hr the next morning at 7am.  I packed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple, and yogurt to eat after the test and I'm so glad I was prepared because the baby and I were starving!  To keep me occupied for 4 hrs, I brought my ipad and headphones to watch a couple episodes of a Korean drama.  Watching my show kept me distracted and helped pass the time.  I called my OB later in the afternoon and I PASSED!  The last prick was abnormal at 158 mg/dL, but the rest were within the normal range so I don't have gestational diabetes :)  Thankfully, my arms didn't bruise up from the 4 pokes since I quickly bend my arm back to prevent bruising and the phlebotomist used small butterfly needles.  I read this helpful article before my appointment: http://www.babycenter.com/0_glucose-screening-and-glucose-tolerance-tests_1483.bc?page=2 

What I miss:  Nothing at all.  Feeling really content.

Symptoms:  Bloated hands and feet, round ligament pain, and low back pain.  My belly band arrived today from Amazon and we'll see if that helps my back.  In the same package, I ordered an oil to help with stretch marks...I don't see any, but it's good to have just in case with the summer coming to an end :( 

What I look forward to:  I'm looking forward to my next ultrasound in 2 weeks and hope I don't have low line placenta anymore.  My OB appointments are scheduled every 2 weeks now instead of monthly...eek!  Reality is setting in and baby girl entering the world is quickly approaching.  Looking forward to hearing her heartbeat again at the end of the month. 

Milestones: According to babycenter.com, our baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, I'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, I'm drinking lots of milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

28 weeks!

Exercise:  I have 1 more pre natal yoga class left and rented a pre & post natal dvd from the library that I can borrow for 4 weeks.  I gave in and bought some slip on sneakers for when J and I go walking since my crocs haven't provided much support with the bloating.  The arches in my feet feel like they're flattening and need to dig up my arch support insoles to see if that helps. 

Sleep:  Sleeping on my back is no longer comfortable and actually causes some lower back pain.  I'm finally forced to sleep on my side.  When I wake up, my left hand feels numb and tingly because I end up sleeping on my hand when side sleeping.  It could be worse and am thankful that I don't have carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Movement:  Baby girl is kicking all the time, especially at night and I'm constantly changing my position.  The butterfly-like movements I felt before have more power and she's become stronger/bigger.  While lying on the couch and watching the Olympics this morning, she was performing numerous acrobatics and I saw my belly make ripples.  It was a weird feeling, but neat all at the same time.  Since there's definitely more fetal activity, I don't worry about her as much like I did in 2nd trimester. 

Cravings/Aversions:  Craving sweets...not good!  I caved and bought a pumpkin pie.  I need to share it.  The daily food log is helping me keep track of what I eat/drink and to also remember my prenatal vitamin and folic acid.  Still enjoying cold fruits with cottage cheese.  Eating more salad and drinking lots of milk!

What I miss:  Nothing at all.  Feeling really content.

Symptoms:  Bloated hands and feet, round ligament pain, and low back pain.  I'm getting up a couple times during the night and fatigue has returned. 

What I look forward to:  My next OB appointment on Monday with Dr. M.  I hope I passed my 1 hour glucose test.  I guess no news is good news since I drank the nasty orange drink last week. 

Milestones: According to babycenter.com, our baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through my womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

27 weeks! Officially in 3rd trimester!

It's been a busy week with friends visiting from out of town and things are winding down again.  We had an ultrasound on Wednesday morning and our little girl was transverse (her legs were over her face).  It was the cute, but also strange to see her in that position.  The sonographer said maybe she's in the Olympic spirit.  The real reason that could have caused her to be transverse was because my  bladder was overly full.  Now I know that I don't have to drink that much for my appointments.  Some babies find the position comfortable, but I hope she doesn't resume that position by 36 weeks or I'm not going to have the delivery I want.  :(  Our little girl is healthy and doing well.  She weighs 2 lbs. & 4 oz, 45th % for weight and good to be average in this case.  My placenta is still considered low-line because I measured 1.4 cm away from my cervix.  Ideally, I need to be 2 cm. away from my cervix to be in the clear.  The sonographer was optimistic that the placenta will rise as the baby gets bigger.  I'll get to see her again in 4 weeks! 

Exercise:  I have 2 more classes of pre-natal yoga left and want to rent some yoga dvds from my local library. 

Sleep:  We made it to 3rd trimester and sleep is starting to feel uncomfortable.  Instead of getting up at 6am to go to the bathroom, I'm getting up at 2 - 3 am, check my phone, and fall back asleep.  I'm glad insomnia hasn't started yet, but sleeping on my left side is causing some lower back pain.  I'm going to sleep on my right side more and see if that helps. 

Movement:  I love feeling our baby girl move around!  I wonder when we'll start seeing my belly make ripples with her movements...that'll be weird!

Cravings/Aversions:  Craving fruit...watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, and cherries.  Still eating peaches with cottage cheese.  Eating more salad and wild salmon.  Yum!

What I miss:  Nothing at all.  Feeling really content.

Symptoms:  Bloated hands and feet, round ligament pain, and low back pain. 


What I look forward to:  Going to the spa on Saturday to celebrate my SIL's birthday!  I'm getting my first ever Mommy-to-be massage.  I hope it's relaxing and helps my low back pain.  If it helps and if my insurance will cover some of it, then maybe I'll visit a chiropractor with prenatal experience. 

Milestones: According to babycenter.com, our baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, our baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now.  I haven't felt this yet, but any tiny rhythmic movements I may be feeling is a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so I can relax and enjoy the tickle.