Too bad it's not week by week

Right now I'm in-between a cherry and a peach.

Baby Bee: 11 weeks

How far along: 11wks, 1st Trimester :Current EED: 8/4/2010 (Baby still expected to be born in July)

Total weight gain/loss: +2 (at last appointment)

Maternity clothes: Regular clothes :)

Stretch marks: None!

Sleep:  Still very tired.

Best moments this week:  Finding out my Zofran was finally refilled! (my new prescription company sucks) AND they have me 30 pills instead of 12! Oh happy Day!

Belly button in or out?: Innie

Craving: I think I finally understand this baby. Veggies, fish and fruit (sans apples) and this LO seems to be happy.

What I am looking forward to: 1/26 – we get to look at the cord and make sure everything formed properly.

belly pic: Nada

PreEclampsia Watch: All Clear! BP is reading 111/70

Your Baby: Transition Time

At about nine weeks after conception, your embryo has developed enough to be called a fetus, and the most important part of its development is over. The baby will grow a great deal at this time -- from about 1 inch long at the beginning of the week, to about 2 inches by the end (with its head measuring about half its length). The eyelids will fuse shut, and the irises will begin to form. At some point this week or next, blood will circulate between the baby and uterus through the umbilical cord, and the placenta will begin to function, providing oxygen and nutrients.

Your Body: Weight Watching Guidelines

Most women wonder what the ideal amount of weight gain is during pregnancy. The recommended weight gain during pregnancy is generally somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds, but it will depend on your weight before pregnancy and other factors that your health care provider will discuss with you. Wherever your starting weight stands, you should not go on a diet, nor should you eat for two or more during your pregnancy. Too little and too much weight gain can lead to problems for both you and the baby in the months ahead.

Most physicians will recommend that you gain anywhere from 3-5 pounds in the first three months of your pregnancy. For the remainder of your pregnancy, most recommend gaining 1-2 pounds per week. Women who start out overweight should gain less, and women who start out underweight should gain more.

Keep in mind that most of the weight that you gain during pregnancy is baby-related (not fat) between the baby, the placenta, amniotic fluid, and the fluid that accumulates in your body tissues. About half of that weight will melt away in the first 6 weeks after your baby is born. You'll lose the rest by about 6 months after you deliver.

(healthy pregnancy)

NT scan scheduled

One of the nurses called me today and I damn near had a heart attack.

Me: Hello?! *panic in my voice*
Nurse: Hi Amanda, it's _____
Me: Hey ___ is everything ok?!
Nurse: yea! I just wanted to let you know we scheduled your intergrated screening for the 26th at 10am
Me: OH! ok, thanks goodness.

I LOVE the nurses at my OB's office.

So our NT screening will be held on the 26th, and I get to reach a milestone. With Evelyn, we found out she wasn't growing very well. Here's hoping that our Baby Bee is growing strong!

Nuchal Translucency (NT) Test
A special assessment called a nuchal translucency (NT) test is done for some women who are at risk of having a baby with a chromosomal disorder, such as Down Syndrome. For example, women 35 years of age and older are at greater risk. The test is usually done between Weeks 10 and 14, to estimate the chance that the baby will have Down syndrome. The test consists of an ultrasound, which measures the amount of fluid at the back of the fetus’s neck. If the fetus has a chromosomal disorder, there is usually more fluid at the back of the neck. If the test shows an increased risk, followup tests, including an amniocentesis, can be done.

(http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/centres/pregnancy/pregnancy/screening.html)

Baby Bee: 10 weeks

How far along: 10+4, 1st Trimester :Current EED: 8/4/2010 (Baby still expected to be born in July)

Total weight gain/loss: +2 (at last appointment)

Maternity clothes: Regular clothes :)

Stretch marks: None!

Sleep:  Still very tired.

Best moments this week:  Finding out my Zofran was finally refilled! (my new prescription company sucks)

Belly button in or out?: Innie

Craving: I think I finally understand this baby. Veggies, fish and fruit (sans apples) and this LO seems to be happy.

What I am looking forward to: 1/26 – we get to look at the cord and make sure everything formed properly.

belly pic: Nada

PreEclampsia Watch: Headaches 3 days in a row, however It looks like those were regular pregnancy headaches.

Your Baby: Measuring Up

It's getting increasingly difficult to measure the embryo's total length, legs included, because of the way it's curled up in your uterus. An easier and more common measurement is from crown to rump -- the distance from the top of the head to the buttocks - which is about 1.57 inches. The embryo's estimated weight is about 1/5 ounce. All the major body organs have begun to form, as have the bones of the skeleton. Its eyelids are growing and the outer ears are forming. Usually, after 10 weeks, fetal dopplers can find the baby's heartbeats, and ultrasound can show the baby's body movements (wiggling).

Baby Bee: 9 weeks

How far along: 9+4, 1st Trimester – our due date has moved again.

Total weight gain/loss: +2

Maternity clothes: Regular clothes :)

Stretch marks: None!

Sleep:  I.am.so.tired.please.help!

Best moments this week:  Saw baby bee this morning, HPM:171 and everything looked fabulous!, next appointment in 2 weeks

Belly button in or out?: Innie

Craving: I can’t crave food lol, my stomach is too busy trying to get rid of everything I put in it :(

What I am looking forward to: my next appointment and my MFM appointment to check the cord

belly pic: none, I was in bed all weekend and didn’t take one :(

PreEclampsia Watch: No signs or symptoms, but, my OB is watching my weight gain.

Your Baby: Gender Differences

The growing embryo is about 1 inch long (25.4 mm). As its embryonic tail disappears and the face rounds out, the embryo is looking more human in shape. On the outside, hands and feet that looked like paddles just a week ago are now forming fingers and toes. On the inside, the pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder have formed, and the reproductive organs are starting to develop as male or female.

Your Body: Worries, Concerns, And Fears

Most pregnant women - regardless if it's baby number 1 or baby number 9 - are anxious about the child growing inside. Will he be healthy? Will she have 10 fingers and 10 toes? It's perfectly normal and understandable to be concerned. After all, life takes on a new meaning when you're pregnant.

Statistics are on your side! According to the Centers for Disease Control, the infant mortality is down to about 7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1997 (from 9.2 deaths per 1,000 births in 1990).

Every mother-to-be worries to a certain extent. But if you're so worried that it interferes with work, sleeping, or eating, you should take action. Try talking with your spouse, confiding in friends, consulting your doctor, or reading up on pregnancy and parenting. If none of these provide the comfort you need, you should consider seeking professional help.

Baby Bee at 8 weeks

 

Your Baby: In A Heartbeat

It's been six weeks since conception and the embryo is just over 3/4 of an inch long or 20 - 24 millimeters. Its head is quite large compared with the rest of the body, but the body will catch up in another couple of months. Its ears and eyelids are beginning to develop, as are its fingers and toes. Its arms are growing and wrists and elbows are visible. Its heartbeat is fast -- about 150 a minute -- twice that of an adult's.

Your Body: Think Twice

Now that you're pregnant, it's important to pay extra attention to your daily activities. Much of what you do - good or bad - affects your growing baby. For most women, that means reconsidering some simple pleasures - drinking a glass of wine at dinner, downing more than one or two espressos, or dunking in a hot tub. Like most expectant mothers, you probably wonder which of these activities, among others, may or may not harm the new life inside you.

Without a doubt, you should give up alcohol, smoking, and using recreational drugs. For everything else, your best bet is to check in with your health care provider and read up on the do's and don'ts during pregnancy. Caffeine, for instance, probably won't harm your growing fetus if you keep your intake moderate. However, a recent study has implicated excessive caffeine intake during the first trimester as a potential cause for miscarriages. One or two cups of coffee a day is probably fine, but more than that could increase your risk of problems.

(from healthy-pregnancy)

Baby Bee: 8 weeks

technically we were 8 weeks on Christmas BUT we were celebrating with Barry's family so I couldn't post.

 Today, we are 8+1.

How far along: 8 weeks 1st Trimester

Total weight gain/loss: None so far.

Maternity clothes: Regular clothes :)

Stretch marks: None!

Sleep:  So tired I am.

Best moments this week:  Today, my first day with no actual m/s... still nauseous though :(

Belly button in or out?: Innie

Craving: no "real" cravings, just hungry. Anything that settles my tummy.

What I am looking forward to: January 3rd, when we do the 2nd u/s.

belly pic: I am taking weekly belly pictures, but there's nothing to see yet!

PreEclampsia Watch: NO signs! Thank goodness.

Out of the closet

but nowhere near on purpose.

I printed an "Appointment Remind for Dad's" from the United Health Care Healthy Pregnancy website and jumped up to go get it before someone saw it. Only to find it missing and my co-worker standing by my bosses desk saying "Maybe's it's Amanda".

I was so flabber-gasted I didn't know how to respond lol. They were excited for me, my boss cried and I was happy to know I wasn't met with judging eyes, but rather LOTS of support. I shared some information with them and then promised them to secrecy.

Here is a print screen from the Health Pregnancy Website:

It's a cute website, I didn't get far into it but plan to explore it more when time permits.

Happy Tuesday!

Baby Bee: 7 weeks

How far along: 7 weeks 1st Trimester

Total weight gain/loss: None so far.

Maternity clothes: Regular clothes :)

Stretch marks: None!

Sleep:  Sleepy yes, getting lots of sleep, no.

Best moments this week:  Seeing Baby Bee's heartbeat on the u/s. Baby's due date was bumped back 3 days, no biggie because I will still be delivering in July.

Belly button in or out?: Innie

Craving: no "real" cravings, just hungry. Anything that settles my tummy.

What I am looking forward to: January 3rd, when we do the 2nd u/s.

belly pic: I am taking weekly belly pictures, but there's nothing to see yet!

Houston We have a heartbeat!

at 133bpm.

One milestone down 1million left to go.

Our appointment on Monday went well, baby bee is measuring 3 days behind what I thought I was so our due date was bumped back from the 3rd to the 6th. Not a real big difference. So instead of Wednesday updates I will be updating on Saturdays.

My OB said right now we are shooting for 29 weeks so every day past 24weeks will be a blessing.

I start seeing my MFM at 12 weeks at which point we may be able to check the cord for flow.

Currently scheduled for an ultrasound every 3 weeks (which is to both ease my mind and keep an eye on everything). My pill regime is staying the same which I don’t mind as long as I can keep them down!

in other news, someone needs to take this cold back from South Florida. 30 degrees, are.you.crazy?? In no way was I prepared for these temps! lol

ps - Where are the pictures you ask? Proud papa has them locked up with his greedy self lol.

Going Green

In more ways than one!

Since 5 weeks I have been dealing with nausea and trying at every angle to battle it. Mint didn't work, Zofran which did wonders with Evelyn didn't even phase me this time around. Just when I'd given up and was going to try and go with the flow I remembered Ginger Ale.

Oh how I love thee Ginger Ale. I drank one can over an hour and a half time frame and it worked ALL night and into the morning. I'm hoping this is my secret weapon. Love, love, love it.

Barry and I have also decided to join team green and not find out the sex of the baby. It's going to be hard to resist the temptation. ESPECIALLY when the anatomy scan comes around, BUT, I think we can do it! Besides, as long as we can get baby bee home it doesn't matter if baby bee is a boy or a girl.

However, my fears are still there and I found myself picking up some free baby girl preemie clothes just in case.

The Power of Reading

Knowledge is power.

And in the days of Baby brain I’m needing all the knowledge I can get (and some memory booster).  With Evelyn I read What to Expect when you’re expecting. It was a good book – lots of information including some scary stuff. With this pregnancy I went in another direction. Less scary stuff because to be honest living it is COMPLETELY different than reading it.

I LOVE Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy. It’s hilarious and a short read, definitely worth the time. I’m also reading The Hot Mom to be Handbook by Jessica Denay.

It’s full of stories and experience from other moms, along with websites and idea’s on “bumping on a budget” and “Going green”. There are 9 Chapters, very suitable for 9 months of pregnancy and so far it’s a really cute book.

Baby Bee: 6 weeks

How far along: 6 weeks 1st Trimester

Total weight gain/loss: None so far.

Maternity clothes: Regular clothes :)

Stretch marks: None!

Sleep:  So tired I am! unfortunately, I cannot take FMLA to hibernate lol.

Best moments this week:  Nausea kicked in. While I would prefer NOT to have nausea OR morning sickness, I welcome the symptoms as long as it brings this LO home. 

Belly button in or out?: Innie

Craving: Salad and Carbs, although I think the carbs is because I was on a LOW LOW carb diet before I got the 2 pink lines.

What I am looking forward to: Seeing the heartbeat on Monday the 13th. Baby Bee's first picture.

belly pic: I am taking weekly belly pictures, but theres nothing to see yet!


I told myself that the next time I got pregnant I would document and take advantage of every moment!

Starting with this: The Belly Book

It actually starts at week one of the first trimester. BUT seriously, who knows they're pregnant at week 1? lol. It was a little depressing when entering personal information because it asks about other children so I entered Evelyn's information which lead me to go over everything in my head again.

I'm looking forward to adding the information week by week. Trimester by Trimester. Should be good times and a great reference book for when Baby Bee gets older and has lots of questions.

The Pink Line

"Making the Decision to have a child - it's monumentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside of your body" - Elizabeth Stone

After the loss of a child deciding to try again is a wayword decision. One day its yes, definitely. The next it's no, lets wait awhile. When the emergency c-section was complete, the emotional healing was in place and we were forced to face reality - we were informed we needed to wait 6 months before trying again. The waiting was not a problem as I was an emotional basket case and needed the time (still need) to come to terms with Evelyn's death.

Barry and I were cleared in 5 months rather than six, and on my second cycle we tested on November 23rd we got this:

Not believing that it was real we did it one more time and got this:

Now, I should state this. my first cycle off birth control was wonky so dating from my last LMP my first betas would be respectively at 13dpo: 212 and 19dpo 2173 which is a doubleing time of 1.7 days! Also making me 5weeks and 3 days pregnant.

We are expecting a little boy OR girl on August 3, 2011.

Fingers are double and triple crossed for a health pregnancy and child this time.

High Risk Pregnancy

Straight from the mouth of Heidi.

Take a deep breath. Even though “high risk” sounds ominous, there’s no reason to panic. The term high-risk pregnancy does not in any way mean that you’re destined to have problems with your pregnancy. In fact, the majority of women who have so-called high-risk pregnancies go on to have problem-free pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies. Having a high-risk pregnancy simply means that due to a preexisting health condition — or due to a condition you develop during pregnancy — you may have a greater chance of pregnancy complications. Because of this, you’ll need extra monitoring and perhaps extra treatment to make sure everything goes smoothly with your health and your baby’s health while you’re expecting. So rest easy because extra precautions will be taken to ensure your healthy pregnancy.

Your practitioner can tell you why you qualify for the high-risk designation, but it’s likely due to one of these preexisting factors or the pregnancy factors listed below.

Preexisting factors for a high-risk pregnancy include:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Kidney problems
• STDs including HIV
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Autoimmune diseases (such as lupus)
• Blood disorders
• Being overweight or underweight
• Problematic past pregnancies
• Having had fertility problems
• Being under 18 or over 35

Factors that can develop during pregnancy include:

• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy that can affect the mom-to-be’s liver, kidneys, and brain)
• Gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy)
• Preterm labor (labor that starts before week 37)
• Placenta previa (a placenta that’s lying unusually low in the uterus so that it may be covering the cervix, which can cause bleeding and early delivery)
• Being pregnant with multiples

Since your doctor has characterized your pregnancy as high risk, ask him or her to explain to you what specific factors have put you in that category and whether or not you should see a specialist in those areas. For instance, if you had diabetes before pregnancy, you may benefit from seeing an ob-gyn who specializes in endocrinology and pregnancy. Or if you have a heart condition, it would be a good idea to have a cardiologist on your medical team — someone you can check in with regularly as your pregnancy progresses. The more knowledgeable your practitioners are about your specific condition, the better chance you have of reducing any risks. Whether you end up going to a practitioner who specializes in high-risk pregnancies or you seek out a specialist who can consult with your current prenatal practitioner, your doctors should also be able to determine if you need any medication, and if so, which drugs you can safely take during these nine months.

Once you’ve nailed down the best doctor (or doctors) for you, and you’ve worked together to figure out your course of action, do your best to stay on top of your health. This is time to get serious about staying in the best shape you possibly can. Go to all necessary screenings, eat well, take your prenatal vitamin, exercise if the doctor gives you the “all clear” on physical activity, and get enough rest. Your pregnancy requires extra-special care (after all, you are carrying an extra-special bundle in that belly!), so follow your doctor’s orders and try to relax. Thanks to advances in medical technologies and good prenatal care, you are more likely than ever to have a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and baby.

Wishing you a problem-free pregnancy,


link here