Week 15 Dr. Visit! I wasn't even sure why we were going to the Dr. after a month, but apparently you have to go every month for awhile, and then it becomes every other week or something. I wasn't sure what this visit was for though. Barry and I were thinking maybe we'll find out the gender this time around, but it's still a tad bit too early too tell. So we go. I check in. Pee in a cup. Sat there and waited to get called in. Dr. was running 30 mins late with his appointments so Barry sat on his phone and played car games and I sat next to him making random noises. Don't ask.
30 mins later...we get called in. Nurse weighs me in at 100.8lbs. She says, "Oh! We finally reached the triple digits!" we go into the room and she asks me if I wanted to take the flu shot. I said "yeah" and she mentioned she'd come in after the Dr. was done to poke me. She walks out and we wait again, probably 5-10 mins. Dr. comes in, we start conversing about how I've been feeling, and before I know it he's rubbing a little wand looking thing on my belly. Within seconds we can hear the baby's heartbeat! It was pretty neat. Very loud and fast, almost sounded like alien noises. It made what was already kinda real to us, even more real. Dr. M said everything was normal and that he wanted to see me in a month again and told me to stay put for my shot. He leaves and probably another 10 mins later, a nurse comes in and pokes me and leaves.
Apparently the flu shot that they give pregnant women is a little different from the one they normally give out. This one doesn't seem to cause any side effects of any kind. Which was fine with me! :D
One of the things we talked about was the sleeping situation. I've been sleeping horribly for the passed few months due to reading and hearing that you can only sleep on your left side. By this time my whole left side is sore, and it feels like I've pinched a nerve. I never get a decent nights sleep because I'm constantly shuffling around looking for a comfortable position, which I'm quite limited to begin with. So I asked Dr. M what I could do, and he basically said I could sleep however which way I wanted. ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS!?! THIS WHOLE TIME! He said he could write a book with all the non sense floating around about what you can or cannot do during pregnancy. That was a relief. So that night, I slept amazingly. :)
**Like I said before...DON'T LISTEN TO ANYONE AND DON'T READ FORUMS, this is proof that a lot of info floating around is complete BS!
So that's that! So far our little naval orange sized offspring is growing normal, we've seen roughly what the little one looks like and have even heard the heart beating. Now to book my ultrasound to determine the gender!
Friday, November 21, 2014
Hello 2nd SEMESTER!
14 weeks in! I feel soooo much better than I did a few weeks ago. I don't wake up feeling like I'm going to barf, I'm not exhausted and craving naps multiple times a day, and I'm quite over saltine crackers. I wouldn't care if I never have to eat another saltine again. I feel like I've gained most of my energy back, although I have gotten a little lazy from semester 1 in the yoga and walking department. I was feeling so sluggish and yucky to go most of the time. Now that I feel better, I have to fight through the motivation aspect just to get out and do it! It'll happen. If I wan't to save my figure from getting out of control, I owe it to myself to keep going! Here's a little week 7...week 14 comparison :P
OH! Also, I've developed a tiny little pouch. It's not too noticeable, but to me I look like a cow. I had to buy these pant extender belt things from the maternity store the other day. It was my 1st maternity gear purchase! Anyhoo, they're these little belts that you fasten to the buttons on your jeans. You unfasten your buttons on your jeans, then you button one end to the belt and then button the other end of the belt to the other side of your jeans...if that makes sense. It's so attractive, but luckily I have hoodies and shirts that cover up the beauty. These are quite handy if you don't want to spend money on maternity pants, which I think are super ugly and unnecessary. They come in 4 sizes so when your belly gets bigger you can switch out the belts to accommodate.
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I've also been looking into the Honest Company. It's a little too early to be looking at baby stuff, but it's nice to know what's out there and what they offer. They also have a bunch of stuff for pregnancy, like lotions, vitamins, and whatnot. So for those who have no idea about Honest...Jessica Alba and her husband started it. They wanted a product line that people could trust meaning all natural goods...hence the "Honest" name. They also have a monthly supply of diapers bundle they send you! It's pretty awesome. Wow, look at me. I'm nerding over diapers now...Anyway, you can order free trial kits on their website. They've got a diaper bundle trial, prenatal vitamins, and a lotion and soap pack! I got my pack in the mail this week! I do really enjoy their lotions, but I'm not a fan of he prenatal vitamins, 1 serving is 3 huge capsules. I did buy their belly balm, but from the maternity store...so I didn't have to worry about shipping. Helps keep your tummy toned and eliminates stretchmarks...and helps from getting them. It's just as good, maybe even better than the fancy brands they sell for $40 bucks. It doesn't smell like vanilla or candy or anything, but it smells fine, and it keeps your tummy soft for a really long time! I'm quite happy with it so far.
https://www.honest.com/
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OH! Also, I've developed a tiny little pouch. It's not too noticeable, but to me I look like a cow. I had to buy these pant extender belt things from the maternity store the other day. It was my 1st maternity gear purchase! Anyhoo, they're these little belts that you fasten to the buttons on your jeans. You unfasten your buttons on your jeans, then you button one end to the belt and then button the other end of the belt to the other side of your jeans...if that makes sense. It's so attractive, but luckily I have hoodies and shirts that cover up the beauty. These are quite handy if you don't want to spend money on maternity pants, which I think are super ugly and unnecessary. They come in 4 sizes so when your belly gets bigger you can switch out the belts to accommodate.
https://www.honest.com/
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Little Things I'm LEARNING In the 1st Season...
I'm going to learn a whole lot along the way, but up until now I've learned a few little things that I'd like to share. Oh yeah, I say "season" rather than "trimester" because it's more fun, it's shorter, and it sounds like TV. :D
#1 (most important) - Don't listen to other people's experiences. I've noticed a lot of women tend to share the horror stories more than the good stuff. I don't know why that is. Maybe they want to scare you into thinking that it's going to happen to you, or maybe the horrible stuff is all they can remember...which is too bad. Whatever the reason, that's mostly what I've encountered. At 1st it really made me nervous specially being so new to the wonderous world of baby. I wasn't sure what to expect, so the 1st person who tells me, "you'll never lose the baby lbs. again..."or "your body will NEVER be the same!" My brain jumps to panic mode thinking "omg I can't handle this..I don't know if I want to do this!" Those women are jerks and deserve a kick in the bum! Everybody is different. Their bodies are different than yours, and they don't always have the same pregnancy experiences when it comes to pregnancy #2 or #3. So who's to say what it's actually going to be like for you? Your body will handle it the way it feels like it. As for the pregnancy fat that STAYS FOREVER...if you think about it, fat will stay forever if you let it. Just work out and it'll go away :)
#2 - You aren't eating for 2. My mum always tells me to eat whatever it is I'm craving. Mum, if you're reading this...if I did that, I'd be obese and probably die from a heart attack before I could even give birth to your grandchild. You're only supposed to consume up to 300 calories on top of your normal intake. So...maybe a slice of toast with some peanut butter and bananas. Whatever floats your boat. If you really want to eat for 2 don't complain about why you've gained so much weight and can't get rid of it!
#3 - Morning sickness and feeling crappy through the day. Keep saltine crackers in a zippy next to your bed, and a bottle of water. It'll help with the morning sickness. Before you roll out of bed snack on a cracker or 2 and chug down some water. Another thing that has helped me greatly, thanks to my mum-in-law...lemon drops and preggo pops! Carry some in your purse, your pocket, wherever. They will definitely come in handy when you feel like you're about to get sick. I've also started taking a water bottle around wherever I go. You need to keep hydrated. You'll really feel the dehydration...it's not like what it was before pregnancy. You'll literally feel like you're going to pass out. I've had a few close calls, and it's really not fun.
#4 - Don't read forums. Like I said in #1. It's mostly filled with horror stories. If you really want to figure out whats going on with your body read either What to Expect When You're Expecting or (blah). It's filled with just facts rather than people's personal stories. If you're wondering why your boobs so huge and painful all of a sudden just read it in the book. You don't want to read it in a forum where someone might say "GO TO THE DOCTOR! IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY!" Forums are also filled with weird opinions on things. Avoiding forums will keep things...not so stressful.
#5 - Dr. I'd start looking around week 7, it may take a few weeks to get booked in. Also, if the Dr. you found doesn't make you comfortable in anyway, I'd look for a new one. You don't want to deal with a jerk while you're feeling the way you do. Also, don't just pick some random Dr. just because he's a Dr. I'd ask around your circle of friends who have kids, or even your parents 1st. If not, research a little more and see what has worked for others. If anything when you do pick one and it's not the right fit, you can always look for another, it's not like you're married to the guy...
#1 (most important) - Don't listen to other people's experiences. I've noticed a lot of women tend to share the horror stories more than the good stuff. I don't know why that is. Maybe they want to scare you into thinking that it's going to happen to you, or maybe the horrible stuff is all they can remember...which is too bad. Whatever the reason, that's mostly what I've encountered. At 1st it really made me nervous specially being so new to the wonderous world of baby. I wasn't sure what to expect, so the 1st person who tells me, "you'll never lose the baby lbs. again..."or "your body will NEVER be the same!" My brain jumps to panic mode thinking "omg I can't handle this..I don't know if I want to do this!" Those women are jerks and deserve a kick in the bum! Everybody is different. Their bodies are different than yours, and they don't always have the same pregnancy experiences when it comes to pregnancy #2 or #3. So who's to say what it's actually going to be like for you? Your body will handle it the way it feels like it. As for the pregnancy fat that STAYS FOREVER...if you think about it, fat will stay forever if you let it. Just work out and it'll go away :)
#2 - You aren't eating for 2. My mum always tells me to eat whatever it is I'm craving. Mum, if you're reading this...if I did that, I'd be obese and probably die from a heart attack before I could even give birth to your grandchild. You're only supposed to consume up to 300 calories on top of your normal intake. So...maybe a slice of toast with some peanut butter and bananas. Whatever floats your boat. If you really want to eat for 2 don't complain about why you've gained so much weight and can't get rid of it!
#3 - Morning sickness and feeling crappy through the day. Keep saltine crackers in a zippy next to your bed, and a bottle of water. It'll help with the morning sickness. Before you roll out of bed snack on a cracker or 2 and chug down some water. Another thing that has helped me greatly, thanks to my mum-in-law...lemon drops and preggo pops! Carry some in your purse, your pocket, wherever. They will definitely come in handy when you feel like you're about to get sick. I've also started taking a water bottle around wherever I go. You need to keep hydrated. You'll really feel the dehydration...it's not like what it was before pregnancy. You'll literally feel like you're going to pass out. I've had a few close calls, and it's really not fun.
#4 - Don't read forums. Like I said in #1. It's mostly filled with horror stories. If you really want to figure out whats going on with your body read either What to Expect When You're Expecting or (blah). It's filled with just facts rather than people's personal stories. If you're wondering why your boobs so huge and painful all of a sudden just read it in the book. You don't want to read it in a forum where someone might say "GO TO THE DOCTOR! IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY!" Forums are also filled with weird opinions on things. Avoiding forums will keep things...not so stressful.
#5 - Dr. I'd start looking around week 7, it may take a few weeks to get booked in. Also, if the Dr. you found doesn't make you comfortable in anyway, I'd look for a new one. You don't want to deal with a jerk while you're feeling the way you do. Also, don't just pick some random Dr. just because he's a Dr. I'd ask around your circle of friends who have kids, or even your parents 1st. If not, research a little more and see what has worked for others. If anything when you do pick one and it's not the right fit, you can always look for another, it's not like you're married to the guy...
Saturday, November 1, 2014
1st Dr. Visit: ULTRASOUND!!
Hello week 11! According to my "Bump" app on my phone...our little offspring is about the size of a lime. It's also time for our 1st official Dr.'s visit! Barry and I make our way over to the hospital. I do my duty: sign in, pee in a cup, and wait for our turn. Dr.'s assistant calls us in. She weighs me in at 98lbs. (gained a couple lbs...but I guess you can't really control that department!) and takes my blood pressure. All is good! Then she asks when my last PAP was. OH MY GOD. I HATE THOSE THINGS! I made sure to be clear that I didn't need one until Feb.! I thought I was going to get one anyway until she said "oh okay, then the Dr. will just give you a pelvic exam and an ultrasound." "WHEW!"
Dr. M walks in. I was so worried that he was going to be the very serious type...go in do, the job, and leave...next! This guy was different. He was really warm, made jokes, which definitely made me feel more comfortable with him. He didn't seem like he was rushing to jump to his next patient. ALTHOUGH, I did get a partial PAP, which kind of annoyed me, but I guess he has to do what he needs to do. Anyway, then we jumped into the ultrasound and within seconds we met our little lime for the 1st time, heartbeat and all! It even did a little shuffle jig for us to see. It was probably the most surreal thing I've ever seen/experienced in my entire life. It had arms and legs, and an alien shaped head, it almost looked like a little peanut. Barry and I were both really quiet, but I guess we were just speechless. All I could say was "oh my god." I looked over at Barry and he had a smile on his face. Kinda like the little smile you get when someone does an amazing magic trick in front of you and you have no idea how they did it, but all you can do is get a silly little smile and say "whaaat?! how did you do that!?" Shortly Dr. M passes us a long strip of paper which consisted of several photos of our offspring. I just passed it right along to Barry keeping my eyes on the monitor. It was so mesmerizing.
He confirmed that everything looked normal and gave us another appointment for a month later. He asked me if I had any questions, but for the life of me I couldn't think. I was so blown away by the tiny specimen floating around in my stomach. I just said "non that I could think of right now..." Then we left.
Got outside...CRAP I did have questions!!
Dr. M walks in. I was so worried that he was going to be the very serious type...go in do, the job, and leave...next! This guy was different. He was really warm, made jokes, which definitely made me feel more comfortable with him. He didn't seem like he was rushing to jump to his next patient. ALTHOUGH, I did get a partial PAP, which kind of annoyed me, but I guess he has to do what he needs to do. Anyway, then we jumped into the ultrasound and within seconds we met our little lime for the 1st time, heartbeat and all! It even did a little shuffle jig for us to see. It was probably the most surreal thing I've ever seen/experienced in my entire life. It had arms and legs, and an alien shaped head, it almost looked like a little peanut. Barry and I were both really quiet, but I guess we were just speechless. All I could say was "oh my god." I looked over at Barry and he had a smile on his face. Kinda like the little smile you get when someone does an amazing magic trick in front of you and you have no idea how they did it, but all you can do is get a silly little smile and say "whaaat?! how did you do that!?" Shortly Dr. M passes us a long strip of paper which consisted of several photos of our offspring. I just passed it right along to Barry keeping my eyes on the monitor. It was so mesmerizing.
He confirmed that everything looked normal and gave us another appointment for a month later. He asked me if I had any questions, but for the life of me I couldn't think. I was so blown away by the tiny specimen floating around in my stomach. I just said "non that I could think of right now..." Then we left.
Got outside...CRAP I did have questions!!
Finding a DOCTOR!
Around 9 weeks I called Sutter Hospital to establish myself as a new patient. My sister and mother-in-law both recommended Dr. M (I wont put the full name because maybe he doesn't want me to-hah) based on personal experiences and good reputation. They both work at the hospital so their opinions definitely mattered. I got set up with 2 appointments. One with a nurse as an introductory to the wonderful world of growing a specimen in your body and one with the actual Dr. himself. Both a week apart from each other.
By the time we had our 1st nurse visit I was into my 10th week. She introduced herself and let me know that I was going to be good buddies with the staff from now on being how I was going to be in for lots of visits. I did notice a lot of pregnant women walking in and being on a 1st name basis with the secretaries and such. Anyhoo, she let me know every visit I have, upon signing in I must wander into the back and pee in a tiny little cup. Just so they can keep track of whatever may be going on in there. Or maybe they just want to start a collection of Affy pee :) HAH-gross. So took Barry and I into the room and asked us a couple health questions about ourselves and our family history. Soon she began unloading a mass amount of information on us. From what you can or can't eat to different shots I have to take and to little classes and tours that may benefit new parents. It was A LOT of information, paper, and pan-flits. Towards the end she asked if I had any questions. Guhh! Well I did lady, but all that stuff you just fed into my brain all of a sudden kind of left me speechless and overwhelmed!!
At the end of our visit she unloaded 3 baby bags of formula and bottles, which I made Barry carry. It was kind of a gift/congrats/intro to what our future was going to withhold. Then she took us downstairs to the lab where I had to give blood, which I hate doing! The guy was nice and was trying to make friendly conversation. At the time I really don't care where you've traveled sir, just please concentrate on that needle sticking out of my freaking arm! I'm not sure how many vials of blood he extracted from my little arm, but I know it was more than 2. By the end of it, my arm felt cold.
We went home and as we walked up to the door I turned and looked at Barry carrying all the baby stuff. It was the cutest thing. He looked like such a dad. One bag hanging by his shoulder and one in either hand. Made things a bit more exciting knowing that I was doing all of it with him...would be nice to split the pregnancy, but I guess evolution is going to take a while to get to that point ;)
By the time we had our 1st nurse visit I was into my 10th week. She introduced herself and let me know that I was going to be good buddies with the staff from now on being how I was going to be in for lots of visits. I did notice a lot of pregnant women walking in and being on a 1st name basis with the secretaries and such. Anyhoo, she let me know every visit I have, upon signing in I must wander into the back and pee in a tiny little cup. Just so they can keep track of whatever may be going on in there. Or maybe they just want to start a collection of Affy pee :) HAH-gross. So took Barry and I into the room and asked us a couple health questions about ourselves and our family history. Soon she began unloading a mass amount of information on us. From what you can or can't eat to different shots I have to take and to little classes and tours that may benefit new parents. It was A LOT of information, paper, and pan-flits. Towards the end she asked if I had any questions. Guhh! Well I did lady, but all that stuff you just fed into my brain all of a sudden kind of left me speechless and overwhelmed!!
At the end of our visit she unloaded 3 baby bags of formula and bottles, which I made Barry carry. It was kind of a gift/congrats/intro to what our future was going to withhold. Then she took us downstairs to the lab where I had to give blood, which I hate doing! The guy was nice and was trying to make friendly conversation. At the time I really don't care where you've traveled sir, just please concentrate on that needle sticking out of my freaking arm! I'm not sure how many vials of blood he extracted from my little arm, but I know it was more than 2. By the end of it, my arm felt cold.
We went home and as we walked up to the door I turned and looked at Barry carrying all the baby stuff. It was the cutest thing. He looked like such a dad. One bag hanging by his shoulder and one in either hand. Made things a bit more exciting knowing that I was doing all of it with him...would be nice to split the pregnancy, but I guess evolution is going to take a while to get to that point ;)
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