So there has been a serious lack of blogging on my part...and it's because I have been holding in a big secret.. (and I haven't been feeling well) WE ARE PREGNANT!! A little over 2 months after "pulling the goalie" as my hubby refers to it, I tested positive and saw the big blue positive sign on the pee stick that would forever change our lives.
So to back the story up to the beginning of November. I bought my first ever box of home pregnancy tests on Nov 6th and was all set to test after being 4 days late. Super nervous for the result of what could happen, I read the directions and headed into the bathroom after dinner. Well after 5 minutes passed we both headed into the bathroom to see what happened...NOTHING! Only the default line that shows it worked and nothing else. Weird! So I'm a little confused (and slightly relieved) Was it still to soon to tell? Why do I not have symptoms but nothing has arrived? Did it work properly? I read the directions right..didn't I? Maybe I'll check it again in another 5 minutes (and again the next morning!) Little did I know that my hormones were regulating themselves and that I would end up getting a monthly visitor on day 35 a full week late.
So another month passes I'm due December 7th...nothing. Okay, well since I was 35 days last time, I will wait again for the 35 days mark... December 14th, still nothing! Okay..with one test left in the original package..I decided to stock up and get another box.. this time digital. (no mistakes, either it says pregnant or not pregnant) This time if it's not here by the weekend I will be ready to take multiple tests. (or be ready again for next month) Well, Sunday December 18th rolls around and still nothing. We went out to dinner that night and I agreed that once we got home (and I had plenty of liquids to drink) I would test again. So into the bathroom I go! I didn't even have to wait the 5 minutes for the results..by the time I put the cap on and had washed my hands that sucker was as positive as it could be! We were going to check the results together, but I opened the bathroom door and i'm sure the look on my face was enough to explain that it was positive. My husband came in after me to check it out for himself, and he just stood there and stared. I didn't know what he was thinking, he didn't say anything and just stared at the positive readout. He truly was shocked!! I gave him a hug and reassured him that everything would be just fine. (And called him Daddy!)
So the next morning I called my OB and scheduled and appointment to get everything confirmed. They were able to get me in the following day (my day off so it worked out perfect.) I was so relieved to take care of this before we went home for the holidays, otherwise we would of had to wait until after we returned from MN after the new year. (over 2 weeks later) I ran out after work and bought a couple of gifts for the grandparents to be to give to them for Christmas only 5 days later with a little scrapbook paper I turned 2 frames into a "revealing gift"
Tuesday Dec 20th: I went to the doctor and got a confirmed positive pregnancy. I was given a due date of August 15th, 2012. Making me 6 weeks along. That night for dinner I learned my appetite is not what I thought it was. I got through half of a chicken breast and was full and wanted to go to bed. I'm exhausted..can this really be starting already.
Wednesday Dec 21st: Yay...morning sickness! After just being asked the day before how I was feeling and if I had any nausea or vomiting, I get sick. I hope this is only temporary, but after the next few weeks of this...I think it's here to stay :(
Thursday Dec 22nd: We are meeting friends for dinner who are in town for the holidays. It was very hard to "keep the secret" but we both agreed we wanted to tell family first. (and just in case anything did go wrong.) I though everyone would have figured it out when I had water with dinner, instead of an alcoholic beverage, but surprisingly no one said a word! Only to find out my husband got a text on Christmas wishing us a "Merry ughh..Happy Pregnancy" (or something like that) so they had figured it out:) They understood why we didn't tell them, but they are very happy for us. ( He wants us to name the baby Chance or Optimus Prime!)
Friday Dec 23rd- Sunday January 1st: We head home to MN for the holidays.
Saturday Dec 24th: We present our families with this frame for Christmas
I took pink and blue cardstock and double framed a printout with "Photo to Come August 15th, 2012" where the picture would go...Needless to say that when both moms opened it, they were very surprised and started to cry. Best Christmas present ever.
Over the next week we revealed to our closest of friends that we were expecting, but to keep it quiet until I decided I wanted to spread the news after 12 weeks or so. I wanted to know that everything was going to be alright, to hear the heartbeat and get an Ultrasound, and to be in my second trimester to confirm everything was okay. Pat and I knew that if something did go wrong, these friends and family members would completely understand.
I loved seeing everyones reaction. My parents placed their frame in the living room knowing that we had family coming over for Christmas dinner. After dinner, we headed into the family room to open presents. My grandpa did a double take when he saw the frame! He got my grandma situated and then asked her if she saw this..and handed her the frame. They were so excited for us! Great Grandma and Grandpa!! My brothers girlfriend also had a priceless reaction after seeing the frame "Shut Up!!" followed with "Aren't you drinking wine?" (I had bought sparkling juice for the occasion to fill my glass with.)
The Mahoney's had placed there frame in the living room also. Pat's brother and his family were due to arrive late Christmas night so the next day while opening presents they also spotted the frame and were very excited for us. The girls are getting a cousin!
My Aunt and Uncle hosted a Christmas Day brunch where my cousin was trying to hand me a glass for Sangria..I politely declined only for her to ask "Are you Pregnant?" I just smiled!! :)
2 other couples that we had dinner with on separate nights asked when we were going to have kids or start a family..we looked them dead in the eyes and responded "August 15th" Only to see their eyes light up and give us a " Yay!! Congratulations" It was priceless.
January 6th-18th (Weeks 8-10) I got horribly sick. My nieces were sick while in MN and I think I caught something from them. OMG! I think I am going to die. Being sick while pregnant is no fun. You can't sleep well, you're exhausted and you can't take any of the good drugs to help with your symptoms. Nothing sounded or tasted good this week and I lost 8 lbs! I was snoring so bad from my congestion that my husband had to move to the guest bedroom for the night (which I felt awful about) I wake up coughing to death (which leads to me puking) Blowing my nose constantly (which leads to pregnancy induced nose bleeds) and dry itchy eyes from the change in hormones! I haven't been this miserable in a long time...I am so tired, I just want to sleep!
January 19th: Doppler appt... The day I had been waiting for. I am 10w 2d and anxiously awaiting the sound of the baby's heartbeat. I brought Pat along because I thought this was an important visit to attend. After routine tests and an exam the doctor brought out the Doppler. The device was swiped over my belly for what seemed like forever until she found the baby's heartbeat. It was amazing! Such a relief to hear. We schedule an Ultrasound for Tuesday!!
January 24th: (11 weeks) Ultrasound Day!! Finally pictures of Baby M. It is all starting to become really real now after seeing the picture. (that it really is in there.)
How your baby's growing: 11 weeks
Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and
about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.
She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.
January 31st: (12 weeks) We took our first belly picture. Nothing really to see yet. (I have a feeling that is going to change next month though!)
How your baby's growing: Week 12
The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.
Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (
about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.
February 6th: (almost 13 weeks) The day after my birthday I thanked everyone for the birthday love they left on my wall on FB and posted a picture of Baby M..the cat is out of the bag :) Everyone knows and is very excited for us. I'm starting to feel better and my energy level is back. I just wish I could kick this cold that is still lingering only to find out it is Pregnancy Rhinitis!
What is Pregnancy Rhinitis?
This refers to the stuffy, uncomfortable nasal condition that afflicts many pregnant women during pregnancy. It has no environmental causes and generally begins sometime during the first trimester of a pregnancy, but can occur at anytime during pregnancy. This condition can last for the pregnancy’s entire duration or even a few weeks after you have given birth.
It is believed that the increased levels of estrogen and blood during pregnancy result in the swelling of the mucus membrane causing the feeling of stuffiness. Sometimes these conditions also result in the production of excess mucus which helps to trigger pregnancy rhinitis.
What are the Symptoms?
Like most such conditions, the symptoms vary from person to person. However, some of the most common symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis are:
- Stuffy nose (congestion)
- Constant sneezing and coughing
- Itchy nose
- Headache and stuffy feeling in sinus cavities
Treatment
The condition normally clears up fully within two weeks of giving birth. Treatment for pregnancy rhinitis varies and depends on the degree of the condition. Some popular treatments are:
- Decongestants: Before taking any over the counter medication for pregnancy rhinitis talk to your doctor. In the past there were fears that oral decongestants could be harmful during pregnancy. However, recent studies have refuted these claims. Nonetheless, be guided by your OB/GYN and your own feelings on this.
- Antihistamines: Some of these are safe for use during pregnancy, but for the safety of the fetus, discuss any concerns and be guided by your medical practitioner.
- Saline drops: This is the safest and one of the most recommended treatments for pregnancy rhinitis. Saline solutions for nasal congestion are available in pharmacies or can be made at home.
Apart from the above, you can also do quite a bit to control the condition yourself.
- Drinking plenty of fluids helps but avoid caffeinated drinks.
- You will also find that sleeping with your head elevated helps to alleviate some of the symptoms and discomfort associated with pregnancy rhinitis.
- Taking a warm bath is good as steam works to clear the nasal passage.
- Moderate exercise is also useful in controlling the condition, but since you are pregnant stick to the basics such as walking.
- Place a humidifier in your room at nights to help increase and control the moisture levels. Be sure to follow the care instructions for humidifiers to avoid breathing in potentially harmful bacteria.
How your baby's growing: Week 13
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (
the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.
How your life's changing:
This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside.
And now today
February 14th (Week 14) I'm feeling pretty good. I got caught up on my sleep last night, and this was the first morning in awhile I haven't gotten sick! Maybe this second trimester is everything everyone talks it up to be! I bought Maternity work pants last week and finally wore them to work Monday! HUGE difference! I literally went to work last Monday and they fit fine, and by Thursday I had to unbutton after lunch. No use in fighting it.
How your baby's growing: Week 14
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.
In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches —
about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.
How your life's changing:
Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).
The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.
