12 week update

My baby this week: size of a plum

Weight Gain: 1lb. Exercise routine has gotten a bit better. But still room for improvement. I am struggling a bit with this. I lost 12lbs this summer before IVF#1. I put 3 back on with the IVFs and now, I find myself paranoid about gaining too much pregnancy weight. Of course, doing what is best for baby is most important to me, but I do get a bit upset when the scale moves up. I know I need to stop weighing myself almost daily and get over it. I think once I start showing, the weight won't matter to me. 

Baby bump: My stomach is definitely rounding some. I don't need the maternity clothes yet, but probably in a couple of weeks.

Sleep: Light sleeper and waking often to pee. With IJ snoring so much lately, I have actually spent a few nights on the couch this past week. I sleep very well there.

Best moment of the week: Coming out of the pregnancy closet. Our family and friends all know now.

Symptoms: Tired, but not as bad. Hungry often. And I am already having some round ligament pain. It isn't so much painful as it is mild discomfort. A good sign baby is growing!

Food cravings: still french fries and spicy peppers - not good for the heartburn though.

What I miss: nothing really this week. I even ate sushi - one roll was vegetarian and the other was fully cooked shrimp - packaged separately from IJ's raw stuff. I love sushi!

What I am looking forward to: Level 2 US/Gender scan on Feb 14. Happy Valentine's Day!

Milestones: Almost finished with the 1st trimester.

Emotions: Excited. But nervous about the Downs/Trisomy screening next Friday.

11 week update

My baby this week: size of a fig

Weight Gain: 0lbs. Still great but exercise routine has not gotten better. I need to get better with it.

Baby bump: I think it is starting to show a bit. My clothes are definitely tighter but I don't look pregnant, just chubby...lol

Sleep: Restless. If I lay on my right side too much, my left side gets crampy around my uterus. I am trying very hard not to sleep on my stomach. But I still wake up on my back.

Best moment of the week: Buying more maternity clothes. Just basics but it is fun thinking about how the pregnancy will progress.

Symptoms: Fatigue still. I go to bed early. Nausea seems to have subsided again. Indigestion.

Food cravings: still french fries. Problem is, the salt is not good for my blood pressure. This could be an issue since I love salt.

What I miss: not worrying about everything I eat. I also miss being able to have a glass of wine at a Christmas lunch with coworkers.

What I am looking forward to: Looking pregnant.

Milestones: Almost finished with the 1st trimester.

Emotions: I cry at commercials and touching stories on the news.

10 Week update

My Baby This Week: size of a prune

Weight Gain: 0 lbs. Very happy with that but I do need to work exercise into my routine more. I attempted a cardio workout yesterday but I just wasn't feeling well enough.

Baby Bump: Nothing yet really. I feel more fat or bloated than pregnant. My stomach isn't flat to begin with so I am not sure when I will look pregnant.

Sleep: Tired all the time but I wake up a couple times every night. I usually fall back to sleep pretty easily. But falling asleep is getting uncomfortable. I am a stomach sleeper so I have to completely change that habit. It isn't easy!

Best Moment of the Week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat at my appt Monday night. I wasn't expecting it so it was all the more special.

Symptoms: Fatigue! I am constantly tired. I mean, ready to go to bed an hour after I wake up. My nausea was gone for a week but it seems to be back some.

Food Cravings: salty french fries. I haven't given in, but I'd like to!

What I Miss: Sleeping through the night comfortably.

What I'm Looking Forward To: switching to maternity clothes. My clothes still fit, but are starting to feel snug. I am loving my days off when I can wear my sweats.

Weekly Wisdom: Pregnancy is a lot more uncomfortable than I thought it would be this early on. But it is all part of the process and not something to be scared of.

Milestones: Strong heartbeat heard.

Emotions: excitement, disbelief, and all over the page

A pleasant surprise

Last night at my appointment with the midwife, I got to hear the baby's heartbeat. I had no idea she would even try to find it. It was tough to find at first and I admit I got a bit nervous. But then, suddenly, there it was. A strong 168 beats per minute. I felt badly the IJ didn't get to hear it. The midwife grabbed my purse for me so I could try to record it on my phone but I guess the baby moved so we couldn't find it again.

After that, I had to get some basic "girl tests" done. It seems my retroverted uterus is even more retroverted now that baby is on board. I have never had that much pain during a basic pap. Otherwise, the appointment was fine, lots of questions about medical history and talk about my hypertension. I am right on the border of it being too high for pregnancy. I knew as soon as that BFP came in that my medication would be at least doubled. So I need to talk to my own doctor about that today.

I also decided on my Downs Syndrome and Trisomy 18 testing. Since I have no intention of aborting (note: this is our personal choice, I am not soap boxing here) I decided not to do the diagnostic testing (Amniocenthesis or CVS). I felt it would be irresponsible of me to not do any testing (note: again, a personal decision for IJ and I) so I decided to go with the sequential screening. It involves bloodwork and an ultrasound in both the first and second trimesters. This way, if there is an issue, we can take some time to understand the situation and research how to best help our baby once he/she arrives. I feel good about the choice. And I am looking forward to another ultrasound of course!

Nausea has left the building...

But exhaustion has moved right in. Yes, I spent much of the weekend either laying on the couch watching tv or sleeping on said couch. I have never been this tired in my life. Otherwise, I am feeling pretty good. I attempted to do some prenatal yoga today. It was a 30 minute program that wasn't very difficult, but it required a lot of yoga props - blankets, blocks - which I didn't have. So that took a bit of the enjoyment out of it. Wednesday night I think I will try one of the other discs - there is a pilates disk and another called prenatal workouts fit and toned. I am not a huge fan of pilates but I am willing to try it. I am very much wanting to keep my pregnancy weight gain in check. Based on my current weight, most of the books/online sites I have read say I should gain 15-25lbs. At 9 weeks 4 days, I up .8lbs. (Based on my pre IVF cycle weight). So far, so good.

My first prenatal visit with my OB practice is tonight. I am meeting with one of the midwives. I don't intend on midwife care for my pregnancy, but this practice always sets up the first appointment with a midwife, I am interested to hear more about what they do exactly. Who knows, I may end up wanting a midwife birth. I really like my OB though. The thing is, I can't really know for sure who will deliver my baby until I get to the hospital in labor. (Unless they end up scheduling a C-section.) I met 1 other doctor at the practice that I really didn't care much for. Hopefully I won't see her much.

2011 Open House

So tonight is my office open house holiday party. I can't seem to get into it this year. Probably because these parties turn into booze-fests and I can't drink. Now, don't get me wrong, I would rather be pregnant and have a healthy baby than to drink a few glasses of free wine tonight (and we happen to be serving my favorite red - Menage a Trois red). Usually, before our party, there is a margarita party on the 6th floor. Fortunately it isn't happening this year. They are some darn good margaritas! So I am (selfishly) glad that is cancelled.

My concern is, I am just not sure how to keep the secret in this sort of situation. I am driving a coworker home so I have the "I am the designated driver" excuse. But even then I would have a glass of wine earlier in the night. I will stick to club soda with cranberry juice so maybe it will look like a cocktail of some sort. In all reality, if I had to "come out" I would be fine with that but I am trying to wait until 12 weeks. Not sure why that number feels any better to me than 8 weeks 5 days does. No matter when I tell, whatever is meant to be is going to be.

On a side note.... I keep buying maternity clothes. I am definitely not needing them yet, but I see a sale and can't help myself. But I was thinking last night that I won't really start showing until about 20 weeks - which is the end of February. Well, I have been buying mostly sweaters and 3/4 sleeve items so I am concerned I have overdone it and won't need that stuff come spring. Spring in New England is hit or miss. The seasons have been blending more and more each year. Eh, who knows! But from now on, no more long sleeve items. Of course I will need plenty of summery stuff though!

8 Weeks

Today, PB is 8 weeks and is no longer considered to be an embryo. He/she is a fetus.
I haven't really had any nausea today which is great... yet scary at the same time. I have had a bit more cramping than usual today and having just seen PB yesterday, I am not too concerned. But I don't imagine the worry will stop. But isn't that part of being a parent....