yoga motifications for pregnancy

One of the first concerns I had when getting pregnant was being as careful as I could to safeguard a pregnancy. I wanted to be sure nothing I did would compromise that little life growing inside me. But I also didn't want to give up the yoga studios I love to find a prenatal class (which neither of my two studios currently offer). I worried that prenatal would feel way too slow to me, since I was used to faster, intermediate flow classes. I also love inverting, and didn't want to give that up.

I did a lot of searching because I wanted to find the best modifications for an experienced yogi to be able to continue her practice while expecting. I wanted to be active and keep up my level of fitness throughout my pregnancy. Most of the information I was finding seemed geared towards brand new or beginner practitioners, but I managed to find two great articles that I trusted, and who's information rang true for me. Plus I made sure to talk with a few of my yoga teachers. I thought I would share the advice here, in case others find themselves in the same position.

Here are the main points:

1st Tri: Not too many adjustments needed at this point. Avoid taking your twists and back bends too deep, and avoid jump backs or jump switches (unless you have already mastered "floating" down) which could be too jarring. It is also recommended that you avoid inversions from 9 - 13 weeks, when the placenta is attaching, as inverting could promote placenta previa.

2nd Tri: As your uterus gets bigger, you will have to modify floor work. At first you might be able to lay down blankets for extra padding, or use bolsters to keep the weight off your uterus. Certain poses, like dhanurasana (bow), can be done on your side; others, like locust are better avoided (maybe switching to balancing tabletop instead). You'll also need to adjust your stance a little wider for certain poses like forward folds to accommodate your growing belly, and the changes in balance. Inversions may need to be moved to a wall. Towards the end savasana will probably need to be done on the side, adding bolsters under top knee as needed.

3rd Tri: The same as 2nd tri, but a step further as your balance changes even more. Stop inverting in the last few weeks, since the baby moving down at that point is encouraged. And really be careful not to push too far, as ligaments really start loosening up and injury becomes more likely.

Most important... listen to your body! Trust your gut. If something doesn't seem accessible or safe, trust that instinct and let go of that pose for the time being. As your body changes, things that were easy will get hard, things that felt good no longer will. Listen to your body, accept your limitations, don't let your ego end up causing you pain. 



Sources:
Yoga Modifications for Pregnant Mamas with a Strong Vinyasa Flow Practice
Pregnancy Modifications for Experienced Students
And my yoga teachers!  :-)

A Different Kind of Pregnancy Journey (Part III)

Part One here, and Two here. 

After the disappointment of the negative test, it was nice to take a little mental break (not to mention a break from shots). Christmas and New Years were great days to "have off" too! I knew whatever the couple decided that I would be trying again. I really wanted to try with them, I wanted it to work for them! We had developed a bond at that point, and I wanted to continue on this path with them. If they had decided not to continue, I would have been rematched, but I'm so glad I didn't have to do that!

Things started moving again when I got my period in mid-February. I went in for my day 3 blood work, then started on birth control pills. The egg donor would be cycling in March, but this way I was 100% ready to go.

At the end of February I got a real treat when the parent's flew in for a few days and we got to meet over dinner! We all had a wonderful time, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to help these beautiful people.

I started Lupron again at the beginning of April and went for my first blood draw on the 11th. Everything looked good so we were really off and running. Transfer was slated for May 2nd, and we used the same protocol as the first time.

Lupron bruises.

Things were pretty similar to the first time around, except smoother. I had a little fluid, but it remedied itself by the next ultrasound, so no push back of transfer needed. I never got sick of the Lupron shots the way I did the first time, and never had the welts. In fact, it didn't hit me until after it was already done that the night of my last Lupron shot was the last one! I still got a few headaches while I was on the Lupron and birth control pills together, but less then before, and that again resolved as soon as I started the estrogen patches.

The progesterone shots were fine too. Not anyone's favorite part, but easy and quick enough. Oh, and I managed to rotate my arms for blood draws well enough that I didn't end up having a tech roll my vein and have to dig through my arm to get blood like I did (twice!) the first time around either... hallelujah!

Even transfer day was easier. I felt very positive the whole time. I didn't overfill my bladder so badly, like I did the first time, which cut out the bruised bladder feeling afterwards. And I did nothing but lay around, watch TV, and read my way through a whole stack of magazines for the rest of the day. I did a ton of laying around the next day too. 

After that was the waiting, which is always hard. But we kept ourselves distracted, which helped.

I had more symptoms this time... though symptoms mean nothing since the hormone that causes them is the same one I'm injecting myself with, so. Still I alternated between super tired and wanting to eat a small country, with a bit of weepiness and anger thrown in for good measure.

On Saturday the 10th, 8dp5dt (8 days post 5 day transfer... or about 13 days post ovulation), I took a home test. I just couldn't wait anymore. And thanks to jury duty, I also dreaded the idea of finding out either way, the results while sitting in a court house full of strangers. I was so glad I did:

I was so happy, though Trav and I agreed to wait to tell the parents until after the blood work on Monday. We wanted to see really good numbers before telling the parents. Well, good numbers we got! My Beta HCG was 583, Progesterone-20 Estradiol level -226. I sent them a picture of the positive test, and a recount of my numbers. The parents were over the moon. I was too!! 

I had follow up blood work on Wednesday, and numbers continued to look great: Beta 1159, Progesterone - 27, Estradiol - 211. With such numbers, I started to wonder about twins.

Around this time I noticed that my poor butt muscles were sore all the time from the shots. I ended up getting a vicious bruise at one point and had to do all my shots on one side for a few days to give the bruised side a bit of time to heal. Ouch. Thankfully a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of things!! 

We scheduled more blood work and an ultrasound for the 22nd (5 weeks, 4 days). At that point we would be able to see what was growing in there!

I'll tell the truth. I was so nervous that morning. The anticipation of seeing that everything looked good was so hard to bear. Plus, I was of two minds... knowing that twins would be an amazing blessing for the parents, but knowing that it would be a harder pregnancy, and that it would mean that I couldn't birth at the Birth Center like I wanted to. Part of me was hoping for one, but more so, I was just hoping for spot on growth and a happy ultrasound. Well, I got that. The 22nd brought us the sight of one appropriately growing blob.  :-)

My next appt was set for Monday, June 2nd (7w, 1d). During the wait a few things happened.... I got a few more "butt bumps" from oil and bruising, and I started up with the morning sickness (at 6w, 3d). It was mostly just nausea with food aversions in the morning, and for the most part would even out by the evenings. But sometimes it would be off and on nausea all day. It was always accompanied though, by the most amazing hunger when the nausea did subside! Like, mug someone for their cookie levels of hunger. Lots of extra snacks in my purse became a necessity! Crackers next to my bedside, consumed before even sitting up, helped immensely!

The appointment itself went great. I got to see the heartbeat, and my blood work looked good. I  dropped down to 1 vivelle patch every other day at that point. After that I definitely noticed an increase in my awareness of smells. Sitting next to a guy on the train who smelled like bologna almost did me in.

My next appointment, a week later (June 9 - 8w, 1d) went great too. Baby was measuring spot on and had a good heart beat. At the end of that week I broke out the maternity jeans. Not because of baby bump, but because I was so damn bloated, I was tired of having to unbutton my pants every time I sat down! (I've basically been living in maxi dresses since.)

At my next appointment (June 16 - 9w, 1d) everything looked great, and my blood work came back looking great. I was able to completely stop the Vivelle patches.

At 10w, 1d I went in for my last blood work with the RE. Everything looked great, so I was able to stop the PIO injections, and I was released to my own doctor! A great day!

After that I was able to tell my boss, and with him in the know, able to really let the cat out of the bag!

I had my first regular OB appt at the Birth Center at the beginning of July (got to hear the heartbeat, which I recorded for the parents), and this morning I have the 12w NT scan/ultrasound. 

And that brings us up to the present. I'm pregnant and taking it a day at a time, really trying to enjoy (or at least experience) every moment as my last pregnancy. This has been such a hard secret to keep, as it has been such a big, all consuming thing in my life for quite a while now! I'm so glad I can finally share it with the world. It has already been such an amazing experience, I can't wait to see what the next 7 months brings!

I will be sharing more freely now, but feel free to ask any questions you have! 

A Different Kind of Pregnancy Journey (Part II)

Part One is Here.

Once all the legal stuff was figured out, and the final paperwork was submitted, we could really get down to it. I scheduled my doctors appointment for 10/11 and we were off and running. The following week I went in for a mock transfer and hysteroscopy, then started the meds the next day. We did a medicated cycle, so for those interested, I took: Lupron (10 units) with birth control overlapping the first 6 days, then Vivelle patches from days 15 on (changing every other day; 2 patches 2 times, 3 for 2, 4 until I started the PIO, then back down to 2), and finally Progesterone (1cc) from 5 days before transfer. I also took Medrol for 7 days total, starting the same day as the PIO. Transfer was on the 27th of November.

Have meds, will travel.

The hysteroscopy was... well, I would rather not have to do it again, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! It was crampy and uncomfortable, but not horribly painful.

As for the needles. I didn't think about it too much before the actual day. There was a little bit of trepidation, but it was very surreal at that point. The day of: I got everything sorted out and set up. I got the needle out and dose pulled, then sat down on the floor to do the actual injection. In that moment, I was so scared. I had asked some advice from friends beforehand (who had gone through fertility treatments), and they gave me great info: "[H]old the needle about 1/4" away from my skin while I was pinching it. I'd hold it for a second and take in a deep breath to make sure my hand was steady, and then as I exhaled slowly I would steadily push it in. I don't know how else to describe it other than steadily, not too quickly but not too slowly."

It was the perfect advice and I repeated it through in my head a few times before following it to a T. In the end, the Lupron shots weren't bad at all. A little blip of pain when the needle went in, and that was about it. But that first time. Oh boy!

The only side effects I seemed to notice with the Lupron were some occasional nausea at the beginning, and an occasional headache, but they were very mild. I did notice that my skin was not a fan of being wiped down with the alcohol pads, and I would get a little read and itchy for about 15 minutes afterwards. Also, starting about halfway through I would often get a welt around the injection site, but it was always gone quickly, so my nurse wasn't worried. Oh, and I was bruised a bit from poking a vein during injections sometimes. 

The estrogen patches were fine. They were patches, so the use was easy enough.

The most annoying part of those was the sticky residue they would leave behind. They actually also seemed to help with the Lupron headaches, and nausea. Go figure.

Originally my transfer was set for the 20th, but when I went in for my ultrasound and blood work on the 15th, I had some fluid in my ute. Normal, not a worry, but they don't want it there when they do the transfer, so they had me stay on the Lupron/patches until we did another ultrasound on the 20th to see that the fluid had cleared. Then we were able to reset the transfer date, and I was able to move on to the Progesterone in oil.

Lupron bottom, PIO top (source)

Things were different with the PIO injections. Instead of doing it myself, in my thigh, with a tiny needle, it was Trav doing it in my butt muscle with a much thicker/longer needle. Eep. But like the Lupron, the anticipation of the first injection (so bad I thought I was going to throw up) was so so so much worse then the injection itself. Trav and I were both nervous, but again, taking advice from friends I iced the spot beforehand, and warmed the PIO before drawing it, and honestly hardly even felt it at all. The worst part was that my butt muscle would feel sore afterwards, like someone had punched me there. Totally doable though.

The upper part of this area.

A hard part I wasn't anticipating beforehand was having to rotate the injections sites and trying to figure out where to do the next shot, that was within the small upper-outter quadrant injection area, but wasn't too close to the last injection. With the lupron shots, I had the whole thigh to work with, and the puncture from the needle was so so small, that it was easy to find new places to inject. With the PIO, the area allowed to be an injection site is much much smaller, and the puncture mark is much bigger. Plus, you generally don't want to be within an inch of a preview injection site for a week, so you don't end up with pockets of oil which don't want to absorb. So it involved some careful rotating of injection sites.


The Medrol was just a pill, easy to take but heinously bitter tasting! It was better if I took it with something strongly flavored, like OJ, and immediately chased it with some food (I normally ate a handful of nuts).

When transfer day rolled around, I was so excited. The parents and I were so hopeful and knew that the doc was taking every step to ensure the best outcome. Despite my faith that it was going to work, I did have a moment that morning when it really hit me that it might not work.

Transfer itself was easy, other then a sore bladder from having it so full for so long. After that we kept up with the PIO and patches, and waited for beta day.

Emotionally I thought I knew how to handle a two week wait for testing, but it was different this time. When Trav and I were trying, if it didn't work we were sad/disappointed, but we tried again the following month. If this didn't work, it was so different. The couple was pretty sure they would be done. I was their last shot and that was a little scary.

On the 6th I headed in for my blood draw.

I thought I knew how I would handle a negative, I was wrong again. We found out that afternoon that it had not worked. To say I was heartbroken would be an understatement.

Obviously it was worse for the couple. So they decided to take some time to think about their options. 

After a little break, some number crunching, and some soul searching by the couple, they decided to move ahead with another attempt.

Part Three tomorrow! 

A Different Kind of Pregnancy Journey (Part 1)

Today I'm 12 1/2 weeks pregnant. It's not Trav's baby. And he's thrilled.
It's not my baby either. And I'm also thrilled.

Trav and I are helping a really wonderful couple become parents through surrogacy.

Let me start at the beginning (sorry, this will be long). A year after Gwen was born, after Trav and I had decided that we were content and fulfilled with one child, I brought up the idea that one day I would really like to be a surrogate. I wanted to help another couple become parents, and get to experience that joy, while having the chance to do pregnancy again, but without adding to our own family. Travis was supportive from the get-go. At that point though, it was still a much in the future thing.

Fast forward to last year, right around Gwen's birthday (Feb 2013), and I brought up the idea again, but as a soon thing. Travis was still supportive, and we starting talking about some more of the specifics. He blew me away by saying that his only caveat, was that he still wanted Gwen to be able to self-wean! :-)  Done!

Come mid-April and I finally knew in my heart that it was a NOW thing, and (with Trav's blessing) I filled out the form to get me started on my surrogacy journey. Only two days later I had my first phone conversation with the head of the surrogacy organization. We discussed some of my form answers, talked about procedures and next steps. Within a few days I had a couples profile in my email.

We were quickly matched. For the sake of their privacy, I will refer to the couple as the parents only, but whatever I call them, they are wonderful, sweet people, that we are so happy to help! The following week I got a copy of my prenatal records, a letter from my doctor certifying my physical readiness for pregnancy, and a pap. The parents and I started emailing.

By the end of May, the agency agreement was signed, by mid-June I had my IUD removed, we had our psych eval., and our initial consult with the RE.

I ended up getting my period that night, so I was back 3 days later for my 3-day ultrasound and blood work. Unfortunately due to just having my IUD out, my progesterone was a little high, so we had to wait a month.

In the meantime we got the rest of the paperwork squared away, and continued to email with the parents to get to know them better. After my next period, and good numbers on my blood work I went on the pill while we signed some legal papers, and then waited for the final pieces to fall into place, which happened in the first week of October. Happy Fall indeed!

I will take a moment to say, if this is something you are considering, I highly encourage it. Its not for everyone, and there are lots of things to consider, but it is so fulfilling. I will warn you though, that is is also frustrating at times, and something you need lots of patience for! Obviously every situation is different, but I found the first part of the process to be very fast, slow, fast, slow, fast, slow... super busy getting things done, just to hurry up and wait! Totally worth it in the end, but sometimes frustrating. Patience is key.

This is getting long, so...
Part 2 coming tomorrow: getting into the medical stuff!

meegs has a doodle in her Etch-A-Sketch that can't be un-did, homeskillet.

aka. I'm pregnant, y'all!

I've been waiting about 8 months to say this (ever since we got pregnant the first time), but I would like you to meet our baby:



(Click to make bigger and see the labels I added:)


Everything looks great... the baby was jumping and moving all over the place, and had a beautiful strong heart rate of 162.

I can't even begin to explain how happy and excited and relieved we are! And come February 23rd, we will be more than ready to welcome this little one into the outside world.



I'll leave it there for now... because I don't even know what else to say at the moment. I can't believe I finally get to tell the world our news. But feel free to check out my posts under baby #2, all of which have now been published.

day in the life - first tri edition

6:00 a.m. - wake up and wish I had taken my shower last night so I could sleep for 50 more minutes. head into the bathroom to pee and blow my nose 20 times.
head downstairs and pour myself some milk, try to decide what I feel like eating. get hit with a wave of nausea and dash back upstairs. deep breathe my way through this wave and blow my nose again. head back downstairs to microwave some chicken noodle soup.
watch the weather channels "local on the 8s" and slowly eat some soup. head back upstairs to get into the shower. shower as quickly as possible, pausing occasionally to lean against the shower wall until a wave of nausea or dizziness passes. get out and towel off, use the toilet again and deep breathe some more.
get dressed making sure that my tank top covers the top of my maternity jeans... the only pair of jeans that don't cut painfully into my bloated tummy, or press too hard and make me feel more nauseous.
hit the bathroom one last time to pee again, and do a quick teeth brushing. not too bad this morning... only gagged once!
Trav is home today on one of his furlough days, so I don't have to worry about the pup. grab my stuff and head out to the train.

8:14 - on the train heading into center city. alternate between reading and relaxing, so I don't get motion sick. head to the bathroom as soon as i get into my station in the city... don't think i could make it into work.
its really nice out this morning, cool and the humidity has broken... makes for a nice walk. stop into rite.aid for a can of chicken noodle soup, and into star.bucks for a grande 6 pump peppermint, nonfat, with whip hot chocolate.

9:00 - start my day by checking my work email. the boss is out, but the three emails of instructions he sent show me this is not going to be a throw away day.
pause for a few to check my own email and some blogs. eat some baked potato chips.
start on today's tasks.

9:30 - feel full... eat rest of potato chips anyway.
continue working.

9:45 - regret potato chips.

10:00 - Trav calls, he's running errands today and knows I needed conditioner. spend 10 minutes trying to describe which conditioner I need... mission successful.
back to work.

11:45 - stomach getting empty and growl-ie. impressed I made it so far before eating before remembering "the chips". oh well.

noon - heat some soup. coworker comments that I'm going to "turn into soup."
follow that up with a chocolate square from max brenner... chocolate ganache with mint leaves. amazing.

EDITED TO ADD: Come back to post the next day because baby brain made you forget what you were doing half-way through your day!

we're really having a baby!

I had a rather eventful afternoon yesterday! I had some spotting (my third time), so the midwife wanted me to come in for a mini dose of RoGham. I got that and she did a quick internal, which looked normal. My ute felt the appropriate size and since I was 11 weeks she pulled out the doppler. She couldn't find the heartbeat... which honestly, at 11 weeks, doesn't mean anything. That's kind of the line for when you can definitely hear it. Of course, that doesn't mean my heart didn't jump into my throat.

She wanted to offer me some reassurance, so she pulled out this portable ultrasound machine... which they don't normally do, but she really wanted to check things out. So she put the probe on, and there was our baby. Looking like a real baby! Not just a blob! We could see the heartbeat flickering away... but the baby was just laying there. We must have sat there for almost 10 minutes waiting for that baby to move, her poking and prodding a bit with the ultrasound wand, when the baby JUMPED and started squirming all over the place! Our little gummy baby must have been sleeping and was pretty pissed off to be woken up!

It was thee coolest thing, and I'm so sorry that Trav missed it. But I'm also even more excited for our ultrasound on Monday now! Which will be on a better machine, with the sound up, and an actual ultrasound tech who can point things out. But hey, we're really having a baby!!

rough morning

I made myself a fruit smoothie for breakfast the other morning and it went down so nicely, and I felt really good that whole morning... so I thought I had found the ticket!

Not. So. Much.

This morning I had another smoothie. It went down well, and stayed down until after my shower (leaving time for most of it to leave my stomach, thankfully)... but post-shower was spent "praying to the porcelain gods." Ugh. I felt like crap for the rest of the morning, but was finally able to have some hot tea and soup around 11, which helped a lot.

I'm almost 11 weeks... I was hoping things would start to get better by now. I'm crossing my fingers for some improvement soon.

10w, 6d

10 weeks, yay double digits!

Weekly Review

How far along? 10 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: According to a friend's scale, I'm breaking even.

Maternity clothes? Just bought two pairs of work pants, and think I'll start wearing them soon, since the bloat and nausea just make everything else uncomfortable.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Ugh, still disturbed by pee breaks... and have been having some crazy ass dreams. But loving as much of it as I can get!

Best moment this week: Hitting the double digit weeks!

Movement: Not yet.

Food cravings: Ham is so so good to me right now.

Gender guess/Actual Gender: No idea.

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Innie!

What I miss: Feeling well. Feeling not nauseous... this morning was the worst morning yet.

What I am looking forward to: Second tri... telling everyone and hopefully losing the nausea!

Milestones: The embro stage is ending and the fetus stage is here! Woot!

9 weeks

Weekly Review

How far along? 9 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: None that I know of... but with all the eating I've been doing, I would not be surprised by a gain!

Maternity clothes? Not yet, but I'm already looking forward to breaking out the maternity jeans.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Broken up by pee breaks. Two a night at the moment... grrr.

Best moment this week: Hmm... probably just hitting 9 weeks. I can't believe I'm here already!

Movement: Our baby is doing it! Though I won't be able to feel it for many weeks yet.

Food cravings: Creamy, cheesy, carbs. Aka pretty much what I wanted pre-pregnancy!

Gender guess/Actual Gender: For the first time I'm feeling distictly warm and fuzzy specificially at the thought of a girl! We'll see.

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Innie!

What I miss: Waking up and not feeling sick. And hard cider.

What I am looking forward to: 3 weeks until our next ultrasound, next appointment, and 4 until I'm in the second trimester!!

Weekly Wisdom: Do I have any? I'm just trying to relax and take this all day-by-day. The morning sickness will end eventually, and I'm sure this pregnancy will pass quicker then I can imagine, so I'm going to try to enjoy it!

Milestones: Our baby is actually starting to resemble a baby now! :-)

weekly review - vacation addition

Weekly Review - from Cape Cod!

How far along? 8 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: None, so far as I know.

Maternity clothes? Nope... though jeans are a lot less comfortable now then they used to be.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Better this week then in a long time. Can't get enough of it.

Best moment this week: Telling Trav's parents, brother, and sister-in-law.

Movement: Not yet.

Food cravings: Varies greatly... each meal it seems like there is only one thing in the entire world that I want, but the next meal I'll want something completely different.

Gender guess/Actual Gender: Guessing Boy

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Innie!

What I miss: Frozen, fruity drinks.

What I am looking forward to: Our next ultrasound already... 4 weeks to go.

Weekly Wisdom: Apparently the cure to my morning sickness is sleeping about 10 - 11 hours a night and eating all the time. When we get back from vacation I'm going to have to bring a full shopping bag full of stuff into work.

Milestones: Though I can't feel it yet, our baby is starting to move this week!!

update on symptoms

The thursday before we left was the absolute worst. I don't know if it was a combination of not enough sleep plus normal morning sickness, or maybe I ate something that really didn't agree with me, or just let my normal morning sickness get away with me by not eating enough in a proper time... but whatever it was, I felt horrible! I ended up puking around 2ish... after which I decided to head home. I lay down for a bit when I got home and worked on getting something into my stomach, even if it was just water and milk. But I did have to get up to drive over to Willy's and pick up Travis. I got some french fries while we were over there, since it was just about the only thing that sounded remotely appealing.

Fast forward to later that night, when I was still feeling horrible. I decided to go to bed at 9... but no sooner then I got upstairs did I feel the need to throw up again. Yuck. I went from not getting pukey sick even once, to twice in one day. After that I did go to bed, where I slept like I was dead. The next day I didn't feel perfect, but I did feel much better then Thursday. We drove up to the Cape that night, so it was a long day of trying to keep my stomach full enough, but without over filling it.

But since our arrival at the Cape?! A complete 180! I've felt great. A few moments of nausea here or there... a bit when I first wake up (before I have food in my tummy)... but otherwise, I've felt great. Apparently sleeping all I want and eating whatever I want, whenever I want is the solution to my morning sickness! :-) Not that I'm surprised or complaining.

So that's where we stand. Haven't told his parents yet, though there is plenty of time for that and I don't think that he's in a rush. We're just loving our time here.

Okay, off I go!

labeled ultrasound pic

For those of you who haven't seen a 7w ultrasound before, it can be hard to read one... so here are some labels:
Yay for our gummi baby!!!

houston, we have a heartbeat!!

Weekly Review

How far along? 7 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: nothing so far, i think

Maternity clothes? nope

Stretch marks? nope

Sleep: getting up once a night to pee, sometimes twice... but otherwise, still sleeping well

Best moment this week: our ultrasound!! seeing our little baby and its perfect little heartbeat (140 bpm)

Movement: not yet

Food cravings: no... but still having plenty of aversions. not a lot that makes me happy to eat at the moment.

Gender guess/Actual Gender: still guessing Boy...

Labor Signs: lol, no!

Belly Button in or out? Innie!

What I miss: being able to eat normally, not feeling nauseous all morning

What I am looking forward to: telling the in-laws this coming week!!

Weekly Wisdom: Let go and let God... there is so much about pregnancy that you can't control, so you just have to let go or you'll drive yourself crazy.

Milestones: First ultrasound with this babe! And the first time we ever got to see a heartbeat on one!

wednesday

Ultrasound tonight. I'm nervous, I won't lie... but feeling better then I did just a few days ago.

My fingers are crossed and my friends are praying. Hopefully I'll have a pretty picture for you tomorrow!

7w, 1d

::blurgh::

I feel so yucky all the time right now. This "morning" sickness is kicking my ass. I really need to get some more in my belly, but the act of eating is so hard for me at the moment.

It will all be worth it though come Wednesday... our first ultrasound. All I want to see is an appropriately sized baby with a strong heartbeat. Please God, let this be our baby that we get to take home!

seriously?!

Had some spotting this morning. Not a lot, it was just when I wiped, but it was there... very real. My first appointment is today anyway, so the midwife told me to hang tight and they'll see me then. Intellectually I know that brownish spotting is much less to worry about then red (and mine was brownish). I know that there are plenty of reasons that women spot in the first trimester, and that most of them go on to have healthy babies. I know that I'm not having any of the other warning signs (back pains, cramps, etc) and that I didn't even bleed during my first pregnancy, so its not like I'm having flashbacks to that.
I know all these things...

But I am still scared.

I'm also pissed. After what we went through the first time, why can't I just have a relaxing pregnancy?!

Please Lord, please protect this baby.


6 w, 2 d

week 6

Weekly Review

How far along? 6 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: no change as far as i know

Maternity clothes? nope

Stretch marks? nope

Sleep: can't get enough of it, though I'm now getting up to pee once in the middle of the night

Best moment this week: hmm, this might sound weird, but morning sickness showing up was actually something of a relief!

Movement: not yet

Food cravings: no cravings, but some aversions... since the m/s I'm finding it easier to stick with soups, noodles, and other simple things

Gender guess/Actual Gender: still Guessing Boy

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button in or out? Innie!

What I miss: sushi... and not gagging when i brush my teeth

What I am looking forward to: doctors appointment on Thursday!!

Weekly Wisdom: to help with m/s don't let your stomach get empty... even if the thought of eating anything is completely unappealing. drink lots of water and snack on easy to digest things.

Milestones: our babies heart is now beating!!!!

right on time

5 weeks, 6 days today and morning sickness has arrived (one day later then last pregnancy). So far its not too too bad but I'm definitely feeling nauseous, and things that I couldn't get enough of yesterday (chicken salad) make me feel pukey today. I'm trying to get lots of liquids and eat small meals frequently, which helps.

The smell of the food cart this morning almost made me barf, and I actually had to have one had on my stomach and the other over my mouth due to the coffee smell in the Starbucks.

I also have woken up to pee in the middle of the night for two nights now.

I'm so happy to be pregnant!!!! :-)

words to live by

--Today I am pregnant and I love my baby.


--I am pregnant until someone tells me otherwise.


--My past does not dictate my future. A previous m/c does not mean I will have another m/c.


--Just because something sad is happening to another person, does not mean it will happen to you. We all know m/c and complications are not contagious!


-- Hope does not make bad things happen. Aka: You cannot ‘jinx’ your pregnancy by creating a ticker, getting excited, or telling someone. Live in the positive!


--And this is the hardest one: There is nothing I can do to prevent a m/c from happening. Worrying yourself sick doesn't prevent a m/c. And if (gods forbid) it were to happen again, I know I will survive.

First appointment on Thursday and after that I can make my first ultrasound appointment. I'm still feeling good, feeling positive, but I have my moments and I'm getting a little nervous. I just want to see that little heartbeat.