Baby B {20 weeks}

How far along: 20 weeks (half baked)!

Team: Green

Total weight gain/loss: +3lbs

Maternity clothes: lots of maxi dresses, bellyband usage and dresses with tights.

Stretch marks: None so far.

Sleep:  if the need to pee and the tossing and turning and the back pain were gone I would sleep GREAT!

Best moments this week:  MILESTONE - we had out anatomy scan yesterday, the 16th. The baby jumped ahead again by 4 days and is measuring in at 12oz. I was smiling.from.ear.to.ear. baby b does have renal pelvis dilation which is a back up of urine in the kidney's. The normal measurement is 4mm and baby b's left kidney is measuring at 5mm. Our MFM Dr. Rosa said that these things usually work themselves out on their own and it's nothing to worry about, he will take a look again in 4 weeks and that the if it continues to be an issue that at the most baby b will have to have surgery after birth BUT - in the same breath he let us know that he has only seen 2 cases of surgery for RPD during his career.

Belly button in or out?: Innie - sometimes an outtie then back to an innie lol

Craving: none.

What I am looking forward to: a deep sigh of relief

belly pic: one below

Preeclampsia Watch: No signs.

Breastfeeding after a c-section

I do plan to breast feed Baby Bee due to the many benefits. The only concern I have had was "what will the pain meds do?" At first I thought  I would have to pump and dump and supplement with formula until I was off the pain meds, BUT good old Dr. Google lead me to this here article.

Does having a c-section affect your ability to nurse? It might. Here are five things you should know about breastfeeding after a cesarean.

1. You can breastfeed right after birth. It's possible to breastfeed right away if you receive an epidural (regional anesthetic) for the operation, rather than a general anesthetic, and fortunately most hospitals today use epidurals. You'll need assistance, however, from a nurse, doula, midwife, or your husband for that first latch-on -- ask them to prop you up slightly and to help support the baby.

2. Painkillers and antibiotics may have an effect on your milk. You'll receive medicines via IVs and pills in the days after your delivery, and typically they're fine for nursing mothers and their babies. At most, they'll make your baby a bit sleepy. The benefit of the painkillers is that they'll help you relax enough to breastfeed and stimulate milk production.

3. You might have to try certain holds while you heal. The traditional cradle hold will likely be too tough on your tummy. The football hold, where baby is tucked beside you, will be easier for now, or you can try breastfeeding while lying down. Ask a nurse, midwife, or lactation consultant to help you figure out the easiest breastfeeding position for you.

4. Get extra help at home. It's always great to have someone assist with housework and baby care during those first weeks home, but if you've had a c-section, it may be very necessary -- you may have trouble walking, lifting the baby, and caring for older children. Line up help from your spouse (who may be able to take extra time off), your relatives, or friends. Or you can hire a postpartum doula or baby nurse -- the hospital, your doctor or midwife, or your baby's pediatrician may have recommendations.

5. Keep feeding! While having a cesarean can leave you exhausted, it's still vital to nurse every two to three hours to prevent engorgement. Hopefully, it will be a calming and relaxing part of your day.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; La Leche League

Of course I still plan to run this information by not only my OB,MFM but also a Pediatrician.

Baby Bee {13 weeks}

How far along: 13weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Maintaining same weight (no weight gain, no weight loss)

Maternity clothes: Regular clothes – but a little tight.

Stretch marks: None!

Sleep:  Evening out.

Best moments this week:  NT scan and MFM appointment went AWESOME (will be in another post)

Belly button in or out?: Innie

Craving: none.

What I am looking forward to: a positive outcome!

belly pic: Soon to come.

PreEclampsia Watch: No signs.

Your Baby: M Is For Muscles, N Is For Nerves, O Is For Organs

Weighing approximately 0.5 to 0.7 ounces and measuring 3 inches (almost 8 cm) long, the fetus has plenty of room to grow inside your uterus. Initially, the eyes on the fetus are on the sides, but in this week they move to the front and appear closer together (to begin the makings of the face). Likewise in this week, the ears move to the proper position on the sides of the head.

What's up with your baby? Well, besides being as large as a peach now, that big old noggin of hers is now about half the size of her crown-to-rump length (that’s one reason why your little peach looks more like an alien from outer space at this point). By the time you give birth, her body will catch up, measuring three-quarters of her total size. What else is going on in there? Tiny bones are beginning to form in her arms and legs, the intestines are beginning to move from the umbilical cord to the abdomen, and the vocal cords are well under construction (the first step toward saying, "I love you, Mommy!"). And because she can move her arms and legs in a jerky fashion, she may be able to get her thumb into her mouth (a habit that may come in handy for self-soothing when she’s a newborn).

Your Body: Second Trimester Tales

For some women, this week begins what is sometimes referred to as the "golden period," when the risk of miscarriage has decreased -- though not disappeared entirely -- and you can feel comfortable sharing your extraordinary news. With that, the fatigue, nausea, and other first-trimester side effects may disappear, your sleeping should improve, and you might even enjoy a surge of energy. In general, you might feel more like the "old" you.

Around this time, you will also notice a few baby-related changes. Being pregnant will probably feel more real to you. Sometime around week 10 to 12, your doctor may have listened to the baby's heartbeat using Doppler ultrasound, and, in another few weeks, you will probably start feeling little flurries inside. Those butterfly-like sensations are the baby, making its presence felt for the first time!

You may also feel like there is a transition from feeling fat to looking pregnant. Total strangers in the grocery store might wish you well or inquire as to which month you're in. And if you take public transportation, something out of the ordinary may happen -- someone might actually offer you a seat!

Keep in mind that not all women at this point are without symptoms and sensations. There is, in fact, a whole new set of aches and pains, along with potential problems and complications that may set in. You might suffer from back, abdomen, or leg cramps, and you may experience heartburn. Your skin may act strangely (darken, grow more moles, or skin tags), and you might experience bouts of constipation. Look on the upside -- you're 1/3 of the way there!

One Bedroom apartment

Well, we actually live in a loft – BUT with the skylights, the upstairs loft is entirely too hot to make into a nursery. With Evelyn we actually planned it to where we would be moving just before she was born and thus we would be in a two bedroom. When she was born early and sadly passed away – I didn’t care anymore. I didn’t want the two bedroom because of the thoughts and memories of what that 2nd bedroom was supposed to be.

So here we are, looking for a way to turn this one bedroom into a room for 3. Am I moving anything now? Of course not, unfortunately I am completely jaded when it comes to pregnancy and don’t want to “count my chickens before they hatch”. BUT, I would like to have some sort of plan in regards to moving furniture, bedding etc so that we aren’t scrambling last minute to welcome Baby Bee home.
 

Which leads me to my obstacle. There are not many “inspiration” boards for a one bedroom nursery.

The search continues.