Early January

[brittneeskidmore]

How are all those due in early January doing? I'm 16 weeks now, and I'm showing a teeny bit. I have stopped having much sickness (thank God!) and have started having more heartburn. I haven't gained any weight yet, but I'm sure that's to come!
Is everyone doing all right?

[gostomskiart]

Hi brittnee! I'll be 16 weeks on Wed. So far so good. I haven't had morning sickness in awhile. I am showing a little (none of my pants button anymore, thank goodness for dresses - lol). Of course I probably look more like I have a beer gut than actually preggers - haha. I've only gained a few pounds but I expect this trimester to add some more. No heartburn (which is associated with babies born with hair....I wonder if yours will have a head of hair!). Overall, I'm feeling good. I have had a bit of breathlessness, nothing scary just every once in awhile and I think the heat doesn't help at times. Thanks for asking! Glad you are feeling better too (sans the heartburn!).

[jen2221]

Hey there! I just entered my first trimester and although I didnt have morning sickness I was constantly exhausted and my appetite disappeared. But slowly I have a bit more energy and my appetite is coming back. Im not showing yet either I actually lost a little weight which i heard is normal. However I was about 15 lbs overweight before i was preg.

[brittneeskidmore]

When are you due, jen? I'm glad to hear everyone is doing well! I'm excited to feel the baby moving soon!

[brittneeskidmore]

I felt the baby move for the first time last night! It's weird and amazing all at once!
Have any of you tried the Old Wives Tales to determine the sex? Even though they're completely unreliable, we tried some last night... all said boy. We'll see how they fare!

[gostomskiart]

Hi Brittnee! Oh Wow! How exciting!! I can't wait to feel my baby move, it is an exciting time right now, to be so close to that.

I haven't tried any of the wives tales yet but I posted a website under the pregnancy thread that gives you a list of questions to answer (based on wives tales) to determine the sex. Mine was 50/50 (big help - lol) but it was still fun and you may fare better than I did!

[brittneeskidmore]

So now you're 16 weeks and two days. I felt the baby move that one day, but then I haven't felt it since! They say it will be sporatic.
We tried a quiz type thing, too, and it told us 54% boy 46% girl. That's not help, either!

Have you started showing? I'm definitely showing (not huge or anything, but a bump) and am glad! I like people to know I'm pregnant so I don't have to tell them.

[gostomskiart]

I have started showing, I love it, I like have that little bump to rub. Last night I was giving my hubby a hug and and pulled up my shirt to rub my belly. The way I was standing was making my tummy move kind of weird and my bellybutton was popping out a big then going back in, we were cracking up because it just looked so strange! I know when my belly gets bigger I'm going to end up with an "outy" bellybutton (It will probably look like the popper on a turkey that pops up when it's done - lol).

[lena241]

I am 18 weeks and showing like crazy. No denying this pregnancy. I can feel the baby move, but only if I am real still, and usually after I have eaten and lying down. My husband wants to feel, and keeps his hand on my belly. i have told him it is way too early for him to feel, but he still likes to try.

On my last prenatal appointment, I hadnt gained any weight. I am small, so I think that I am just going to be all baby, like my 1st pregnancy. I am a little said that I had to take my belly button ring out last week. It was really starting to hurt. I am hoping it will go right back in, like after my last pregnancy.

I have done the Old Wives tale pregnancy predictors. I get 56% Girl and 44% Boy.
The Chinese Calendar says it is a Girl. We will find out in September.

[brittneeskidmore]

Well, I had to go to the doctor today because of the high blood pressure I've been having. She "recommends" that I quit working. I asked her about going part-time and she said, "Either way, before the baby is born you will have to quit. It would just be better if you did it now."
She said that they can give me medicine, but since I'm only 6 months, she doesn't want me to have to be on the medicine for 4 months. I guess having it for an extended period can be harmful to the baby.
I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to just QUIT and stay home all day (I don't have to be on bed rest, just not working). I also don't want to harm my baby. =(

AND- the doctor is moving, so I had to find a new doctor... I'll start seeing him on Spt 29th.
What are your opinions?

[gostomskiart]

Sorry to hear you have to make this choice. What about working until the 9/29 date then discussion options with the new dr?

[parenting_1981]

hi my name is sherry im 27 and expecting twins in jan i am way excited and scared all at the same time. i just changed my doc to the 1 i had didn't really seem to care and with me having twins i want the doc to be on top of things ya know??

[gostomskiart]

Hi Sherry, welcome and congrats on the twins!! Did you find out what you are having or is it a suprise? I'm also excited and scared. It is still sureal to think that in a few more months this little person will be here. It is hard to imagine but I can't wait either. I'm also in the process of changing dr.s. I'm on military insurance through my hubby so we are changing to a better, more equiped hospital. I go there the end of this month to meet with them, check up and tour the facility. I think it is so important to feel comfortable with your dr. so good luck with your switch!

[brittneeskidmore]

Welcome, Sherry! Twins are exciting! I was sort of hoping that we'd end up having twins, but it's still just One little lady in there.

Well, after talking to the President of the Credit Union, I've decided to just go part time for now. We found out that my husband will be stationed at a different base after the baby is born, so we'll be moving. There's really no sense in them keeping my job here if I won't even be coming back! Right now we're in the process of selling our house and moving on base so that we don't have to worry with selling it right before we move.

AND-ironically, I'm switching doctors, too! My doc is moving and I don't like the other doc in her practice, so I'm switching to a new doctor. My first appt with the new doctor is on the 29th of Spt. Hopefully I like him!! =) I've heard a lot of good things about him, so we'll see.

[gostomskiart]

Hi Brittnee, glad to hear you have more final plans, it helps to keep the stress levels down! My appt with my new dr is on Sept 30th so we'll have to keep our fingers crossed for each other.

Are you feeling lots of movement? I feel her a lot, sometimes it is so strange. Every once in awhile it feels like there is a foot or a head or something pressed right up against my belly so I can actually feel her with my hand. (Does that make any sense - haha - cuz it sounds really weird as I type this).

[brittneeskidmore]

Yeah, it totally makes sense! I feel her a lot, especially in the evening around 5-8
I think she's going to be awake at night a lot, which will stink! =/

I have to do a 24 hour urine test...have you had to do that? Apparently every time I pee, I have to put it in this big jug for them to test it for protein (to make SURE I don't have preeclampsia). You know with the high blood pressure, it's almost a definite that I'll get it.
Have you been having any issues?

[gostomskiart]

No, I don't have to do the urine test. I've been feeling pretty good. The worry we've had was our ultrasound. They found two things, the right kidney is slightly bigger than the other. The dr. didn't seem concerned but said we have to watch it and usually it will even out. The second was the echogenic focus on the heart. It is a spot they see on the heart in the ultrasound, it is a soft marker for down syndrome. I had a blood test which doesn't show me as a carrier so that is good. I think the chances are extremely low, like the 1% range. Still, it is a bit of a concern no matter what. Although I have read that tons of babies have this and nothing ever comes of it. Other than that she has a strong heartbeat and is kicking me all the time (gotta be a good sign right) ;-)

Good luck with your testing. I hope the blood pressure can be kept in check and you don't develope preclampsia. At least you are well aware and they are on top of things looking for it.

[brittneeskidmore]

Wow, those things are pretty particular. Our doctor didn't say a thing about our ultrasound except, "It looks good."
I would definitely say that if you're not a carrier, the baby should be absolutely perfect! And the kidney being slightly smaller isn't a big deal, is it? I mean, we really only need one kidney anyway, so I wouldn't think a larger one would matter.

Thanks. Fingers are crossed! Are you going to get the 3d?

[gostomskiart]

I'm not doing the 3d unless they require it. I'm supposed to have another ultrasound at 33 weeks so I imagine if they need to see more they will make me. It seems so cool though to be able to see your baby so clearly but I've read that you shouldn't get it done unless necessary (I guess exposure to radiation or whatever it is that is being transmitted).

Yeah, the dr. didn't seem too worried by what they found so I'm not going to worry myself with it. As long as she's healthy then I'm fine however she is born (extra chromosome or not), my hubby is the same way so we are actually really calm about it all.

What about you? Are you having a 3D?

[brittneeskidmore]

Well, I had the first appt with the new doctor and he's WAY WAY better. I've never had a doctor that cared as much! He really impressed me.
Blood pressure is still up, so he wants to see me next week, too. He said I could wait until my replacement is trained to go part time.
I'm so stressed out about the whole moving thing with the Air Force. We've been waiting MONTHS now, so I'm just ready to find out where we're going and WHEN!
I think that's the main reason for the high BP.

How was your new doctor?

[gostomskiart]

Oh I'm glad you got a doc you liked, it is so important. My visit went great too, I feel much more confident with my new dr. She really laid to rest the one fear about the kidney being more prominent that the other. She took one look at it and said, "The size difference is so insignifigent I wouldn't have even marked it as being prominent". As for the foci on the heart, she is sending me for a detailed ultrasound (i imagine it is a 3d one or very similar) to check everything. She said most times (especially with a good history like mine) they will find everything is fine. I think she feels pretty confident that there is no problem. She also said she has seen many of these little spots on the heart before so it is not all that uncommon in a healthy baby. Made me feel a lot better.

Gosh, I had no idea you still didn't know where you are going to move! No wonder your bp is high!! My dh and I are house hunting and that is stressful enough! I hope you find out soon!!

Good luck with your BP, hopefully it will help too when you go to part time, less stress. :-)

[brittneeskidmore]

Good to hear! If the doctor is confident, I'd be confident!

Well, my husband retrained, but it didn't work out, so we're waiting to find out IF he'll go back to the OLD job and WHERE we'll be stationed. The good thing is that there is a VERY HIGH chance he'll go back to the old job (instead of retrain AGAIN) and there are only two bases for the old job. We've been waiting since April, though, so I'm almost at my wit's end! Not to mention we're in the middle of selling our house and moving on base so that we won't have to worry about it when the time does come.

[brittneeskidmore]

gostomskiart, have you had an appt recently? They switched me to going every two weeks now. I had an ultrasound yesterday and everything looks good! I was just wondering if you had any new news?
I had the 24 hour urine test and it came back with NO protein, which means no preeclampsia! Yay!! Also, I had the glucose challenge screen and it came back good, too. have you had that yet?

Anyway, I just wanted to see how things are progressing with everyone!

[gostomskiart]

Oh Yay! I'm glad to hear no preeclampsia, that must be a relief!

Well, I have a detailed ultrasound scheduled for Friday morning so hopefully we will know more then. I have to do the glucose test then too. So just waiting to see, I hope we will find out more info on Friday one way or another.

Otherwise I'm feeling good, growing and feeling lots of kicks :-)

[gostomskiart]

Well, I had the ultrasound and it seemed to go well. The spot is still on the heart but the kidneys are normal. The radiologist said the risk of having a baby with down syndrome is 1 in 1300 (which is in the normal range) and she said she was betting that the baby would be perfectly fine. Although it is not a 100% guarentee it definitely made me feel a lot better.

Also had the glucose test but haven't heard anything about it so I'm assuming it is normal. Yuk, had to drink that orange stuff which kinda tasted like flat orange soda (could have been worse though).

How are you feeling?

I'm looking forward to my baby shower now, it's in about three weeks. Fun!!

[brittneeskidmore]

Good to hear that the kidneys are good! Well, being in the normal range isn't half bad. =) We opted not to have any testing for that, because our nurse told us that it gives a lot of false positives and i definitely couldn't handle a positive right now!
The glucose test wasn't too bad, but I felt like I wasted so many calories on that stupid drink. =)
We moved on base last week and will close on our home we're selling next monday. I'm kind of bummed about it, because I LOVED that house, but it's definitely for the best. We still haven't heard when/where we're moving, but I really don't think it will be before the baby is born. We'll see.
My baby shower is this weekend! I'm very excited, too. It's actually in my home state (arkansas), so we'll drive up there on Friday morning and spend the weekend. It's about 6 hours, so it's not TOO bad.

In the night, when I turn or rollover or whatever, I get this sharp pain in my stomach. I'm a teeny bit concerned, but I wondered if you had experienced anything like that? I'm not sure if it's just because I'm in a weird position or because I'm using stomach muscles or what...

[gostomskiart]

I know when I use my stomach muscles it can be really uncomfortable such as rolling over or sitting up. I've have gotten sharp pains from walking (too fast I think). Is this re-occuring? Your best bet is to call the dr. if it happens again and let them know, even if it turns out to be nothing.

Have fun at the baby shower!! Let me know how it goes!

[brittneeskidmore]

Yeah, I think it's the same thing. I have an appt today, so I'm just going to mention it. I think it's nothing. We'll see, though. I will definitely let you know how the shower goes. I'm very excited for it!

[brittneeskidmore]

Hey! How are things going? We're SO CLOSE!!

[gostomskiart]

Hi!! I'm doing pretty good, how about you? So, I think I have "dropped". My mom looked at me the other day and thinks I am carrying lower. Plus I have back pain, pee ALL the time and can breathe better. Still, it has freaked me out a little. I keep thinking "oh my gosh, I need 8 weeks not 4"!!

Do you have everything prepared? My dh and I are in the process of buying a house so we will be here in the apt when I have the baby. It makes it hard to "nest" properly. Still, it is all really exciting isn't it!

[brittneeskidmore]

I'm doing well. I've had a few weird things going on. I had an ultrasound a few weeks ago and the baby was a "little big" at 4 pounds 10 ounces. The doc thought I needed another ultrasound in 2 weeks to make sure I don't have too much fluid. So TWO WEEKS later, I had another US and she weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces!! OH MY STARS! She gained two pounds in two weeks...WAY too much. AND that's very large for 34 weeks. So he said I need to have another US (which is this Monday) and if she is still growing at that pace, he wants to consider incuding. The baby is measuring (and has been) about two weeks further along than we originally thought, so maybe she will come this week on her own... probably not though.
I dropped a week and a half ago, too! It's a bit uncomfortable on the pelvis, huh? Have they checked you for dilating and effacing yet? I'm 1cm (big woop) and 50% effaced.

[gostomskiart]

It is definitely hard on the pelvis, I feel like all I have to do is take a sip of water and I have to pee!

Your little one is growing!! But, I'd rather have a big baby than one underweight. At least if you are induced you can actually plan a little with going into the hospital etc. I have an appt. tomorrow morning, I guess they will check me but I'm not sure. In the meantime, dh and I are planning to close on our house at the end of the month (Dec 29th) so I'm really hoping everything falls into place and goes smoothly between closing and being close to my due date!

[brittneeskidmore]

How did the appt go? I had an ultrasound this morning to see the weight, but we don't see the doctor until Wednesday (which will drive me nuts!). She weighed 8 pounds exactly (which is LARGE) and I measured at 39 weeks, which is a few weeks ahead. I'm thinking he'll want to induce, especially because my fluid is "high, but not quite dangerously high." =)
anyway-- how are things with you? That's awfully close to your due date to close on the house!!!

[gostomskiart]

Well, the appt went well but they didn't check me. They said they should start checking me next week so we'll see. I'm measuring 35 weeks so a little behind, maybe that means I'll go late. Who knows! And yes, we are crazy trying to close on a house that close but I'm crossing my fingers it will work out. My dh says it would be great to close on the house on the 29th then have the baby on the 30th. (He would get two tax wright-offs - haha).

One reason we want to close as soon as possible is because the house needs some work. We probably won't move in until Feb. Oh well!

I imagine your dr will want to induce if she is already 8lbs. But just think how cute she will be, I love it when baby's have some fat to them!

Well, we are almost there, it is hard to believe. If I don't talk to you before hand, have a wonderful holiday (and smooth delivery!!!!)

[brittneeskidmore]

Well, we had the appt yesterday and I'm 1.5 cm and 70% effaced, so the doc said come in first thing monday morning for an ultrasound and we'll go from there. I'm guessing he means inducing. Either way, he said, " I want that baby out of there by next week." So hopefully I go naturally.
We just sold our house two months ago and moved. It will be a lot easier without being pregnant, but good luck! Two tax breaks would be great (esp. the child one, at 3000!)
Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

[gostomskiart]

Hi Brittnee, how are you? Did you have that baby yet?? I went to the Dr.s today (my due date) and I'm 2cm so at least some progress. We scheduled an induction for Jan 12 but maybe she will come earlier. Anyway, just wanted to check in and see how you are doing! :-)

[brittneeskidmore]

well, I went in that Monday (the 22nd) and had developed preeclampsia. They admitted me right away to induce. I was so swollen that it took 2 hours to get an IV, but we finally started the pitocin around 11am. By 6pm, I had only dilated to 2, so life sucked a little. They decided to stop the pitocin and put in something called a Cervadil so that I wouldn't be laboring in the night and could sleep. So they put in the cervadil (it's supposed to help soften the cervix so the pitocin works a little better) and we were set to start the pitocin the next morning at 6am.
All that changed at 11pm when my blood pressure shot up to 186/120. They had to put me on magnesium to prevent me from having a stroke or seizure, took out the cervadil and restarted the pitocin. They said I needed to deliver as soon as possible b/c the preeclampsia was getting "much worse." So my water broke at
4am and I dilated to 5 cm around 2pm on the 23rd. By 3 I was fully dilated and pushed for about 30 minutes before the doctor said they baby was in too much distress because she couldn't fit through the birth canal. He had tried everything including the vacuum thing and there was just no way for her head to fit.
SO after all that, I had a c-section. I was in the hospital for 6 days total because of the preeclampsia. It wouldn't go away after she was born. My blood pressure stayed high, but I recovered from the surgery very well. I couldn't get out of bed until Wednesday evening because of the magnesium (it makes you dizzy and disoriented), so it was a bit more prolonged than a regular csection recovery. I'm perfectly fine now, though. =)

The beautiful little lady was born the 23rd of December at 4pm and was 7 pounds 5 ounces and 21 inches long. =) She's precious and I could never imagine loving someone so much that I just met.


I hope you don't have to induce... I think it's harder because you do ALL the laboring at the hospital. Of course, that's the only way I've experienced it, but I think being able to be home for some of it would be better. Let me know how things go! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!