Ups & Downs

I'm well overdue for an update, so I thought I'd share one in the form of a few ups and downs.

First, some downs:

• I've had off and on struggles with increased intensity of Braxton Hicks contractions. They are definitely more noticable this go around, and with my diastasis recti again, the more intense contractions only aggravate those tearing muscles...
• We probably won't have Zyler's new room ready in time to move him before his little sister arrives... but not a big deal. It will all work out. The baby will start in our room anyway.
• After two appeals, our health insurance carrier continues to deny coverage of the home birth and prenatal care. The home birth I can somewhat understand, but I am still fighting for the prenatal care. I'm not hopeful for a "win" on this battle, but at least I can say that I tried. Anyone out there happen to have any experience with civil action under ERISA?
• Still undecided on "Peanut's" legal name. It was a very difficult decision for us for Zyler, too. He was a day old before we committed.

And, the ups:

• My checkups have all been great. No reason for concerns... Peanut moves a lot and is in excellent position. My midwives are confident I will have a much quicker labor this time. We recently had my home visit where they delivered the birth pool (on loan), went over some other supplies, and walked us through a mock birth "just in case" Peanut decides to appear before they arrive!
• A HUGE thanks to Mom & Dad Kite for all their decorating help (again!). They have ripped up the carpeting and painted beautiful blue in the spare bedroom (Z's new room). You guys rock!!
• My friend at church insisted on throwing us another baby shower. (She hosted one for Zyler, as well.) So, we have a very adorable start on girl's clothing. I had bought some cute things on Craigslist, as well, and Zyler's infant clothing is in really good shape. Thank you again, Corey!

... 'til next time!

36w 2d – Ups & Downs

I haven’t used this topic in a while so I will use it as the outline for a pretty sizeable update.

Downs

• Last week I tested positive for the Group B Strep test. A pretty thorough explanation of it is provided by americanpregnancy.org. An otherwise healthy mom can pass GBS to her baby during delivery. It is upsetting to me as the treatment recommended by the CDC is IV antibiotics (Penicillin), and therein lies a risk of later developing thrush, and, even worse yet, the baby being exposed to any bacteria that are antibiotic resistant and become “super bacteria.” I plan to ask more questions to Pason’s doctor whom we have selected to see us at the hospital. (We will then transfer the baby’s care to our local area.)
• Our crib arrived with considerable shipping damage, but we’ve already received the beautiful replacement. (This is definitely also an “up!”)
• Bad (icy) weather is possible this Saturday when we are supposed to have another baby shower.
• I’m starting to not sleep as well. I’m definitely in month 9!

Ups

• I've hired a labor/birth doula! We met with her the first time a couple of weeks back.
  
• On the 8th I was honored to attend our second baby shower in Shenandoah. Tremendous thanks go to Andrea & Kathryn for all their hard work, beautiful cake, and other yummy food, and to all the wonderful ladies who attended and who have sent plentiful baby gifts!
• The nursery is close to completion. We haven’t felt rushed or pressured since we plan to keep Pason in our bedroom at first. I welcome feedback on the Arm’s Reach Co-Sleeper that we plan to use!
• Last CNM (certified nurse-midwife) appointment yesterday was excellent. Pason’s heart rate approximately 143. My BP 110/72. My weight gain good—I think around 25 lb, not sure exactly where I started. Fundal height 37 cm. Provided my birth plan to the midwife. We discussed the GBS+ result and how it may affect my labor experience. I got her talking pretty well, and J got to ask a few questions such as what defines fetal distress? We probably spent 45 minutes with her. :) I love the midwifery care model!
• We finally decided about a week ago to stay with the plan to birth at the hospital instead of the new natural birthing center. A lot of factors went into our decision, but overall we are glad we did our research (regarding hospital and birth center births) and feel confident we have made an informed decision. Perhaps, if we have a “next time,” the birth center will be better established and we will feel more comfortable and know better what to expect.

31w 0d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• Fatigue
• Diastasis Recti (see previous post (10/26/07), ow!
• Only 6 weeks until "full term," yikes!

Ups

• Baby hiccups. Began feeling them on Sunday!
• 2 months left (hopefully)!
• Our Arm's Reach co-sleeper arrived yesterday (thanks "Grandma!")
• Nursery almost complete (cosmetically at least)
• My supportive hubby

29w 3d - Latest "Down"

I discoverd this week that I am suffering from a condition called diastasis recti. I had pretty bad pain in my upper abdominal muscle area under my sternum for 2 days. That is mostly gone, but a numb feeling on my skin still remains. Yet another fun pregnancy "benefit" (hehe) that everyone neglects to tell you!

28w 2d - Ups & Downs

I had my 28-week appointment today. I'll try to interweave the details below!

Downs

• "Failed" the hemoglobin (iron) blood draw today. They like to see it at 11 in pregnancy and mine is currently 10.6. I am not surprised as I know I have been feeling more tired. According to the midwife, Donna, it takes 120 days for your consumption to reflect results in a blood test! So what I change now will affect my post-birth recovery, ability to breastfeed, emotional well being, energy level, etc. at that time period. A friend has the same problem and finds natural remedies whenever possible. She has told me about a product called Floradix that is also pumped with great mommy herbs and is not constipating! I think I will give it a go.
  

Ups

• Passed the GTT - glucose tolerance test today. YAY! My number was a 134, and their threshold is 135.
• "Pason's" heartbeat was around 134.
• My belly measured 28 cm--"right on" for 28 weeks.
  
• 3 generous friends and family have offered to host baby showers! So far they are all scheduled in December!! I am so humbled and grateful.
  

24w 4d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• still a lot on that pre-baby "to-do" list
• only 108 days left (+/-)
  
• lower self body image :-/
  
• sooo many pediatricians and family doctors - just 1 baby!
• increased appetite; can't get enough to eat at work
• to vaccinate... delay... or not to vaccinate?
  

Ups

• good midwife appointment Wednesday
• BP 118/70
• belly measurement/fundal height right on target (24 cm)
• FHT (fetal heart tone) 144 bpm
• received hospital pre-registration info. discussed necessary hospital fetal monitoring
• received glucose drink for consumption prior to 28-wk appointment and glucose blood test
• more frequent baby kicks
• HypnoBirthing classes start in 1 week (hopefully - we've had scheduling conflicts)
• reading HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method - very inspirational!
  

19w 0d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• It is still a little tough to dress for work since I'm too frugal to go out and buy more pants!
• I still don't look "totally" pregnant yet. (I think I have some people guessing!)
• Headaches are still around about every week or so...
  

Ups

• I finally felt the baby moving--twice this past week!!
• We're expecting to begin our hypnobirthing classes on or around September 9. We'll have 5, 2.5-hour classes in Harrisonburg, probably with 1 other couple. I'm so excited!
  

16w 1d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• I've been a little more tired lately.
• Headaches have been a pain for me lately! Luckily I haven't had a very noticeable one for about a week.
• I started getting a cold last Thursday. I'm hoping I'll have it licked within a few days.
• I'm still not really showing.
• Jason wants to find out the gender at the 20-week ultrasound but I'm still trying to convince him that we should keep it a surprise.
• Today marks the anniversary of my D&C / missed abortion when we lost our first baby. I truly cannot believe it's been a year, and that our baby would be 5 months old already if it were born around the due date of 2/11/07!

Ups

• My hubby bought me a really cute shirt last night at Steve & Barry's. It's a size L for when I get LARGE! and it has a cartoon picture of a chick in a iron skillet. The words read "Hot Chick." Yeah! :)
• I'm still sleeping great--just not getting enough of it!
• We were away for the weekend at a lakehouse with 2 other couples who had small kids (5 and 24 months). It was fun watching them and imagining what life might be like for us next summer at the same location!
• My next regular checkup appointment is tomorrow. :)

14w 0d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• I've had pretty bad headaches off and on for a few days now. I'll be asking my chiropractor next week about them to see if it's related to any changes in my back.
• I also had occassional, minor, sciatic pain in my right leg, so I figure things are already starting to shift around in preparation! I haven't noticed it in probably a week though.

Ups

• I'm "looking" more pregnant every day and I can't wait until my belly bump has really "popped" out.
• No headaches today so far! Other than those, I've felt great.

13w 2d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• It is still strange for me to be 100% joyful and excited about this pregnancy. I believe that innocent joy of a new pregnancy is never regained after a loss or serious complication. Therefore, I am still not open about the pregnancy. I figure people will just hear "through the grapevine" or eventually see the growing belly!
• I tried ordering curtain valances for the little bedroom (even though it still feels too early) in hopes to match paint swatches with it. Home Depot has the Behr sale through this Saturday, and I'm afraid I'll miss the sale for this room.

Ups

• Jason's aunt has already offered to host a baby shower. How sweet!! I'd like to have a co-ed style shower, but I'm not sure how well that would go... Please let me know if you have suggestions on how best to make this work and how to attract the men!
• First trimester symptoms are pretty much gone. I suppose I can call myself now in the second trimester yippee! (Some sources say it's not until the end of 13 weeks. Oh well, I'm calling it!) I've been exercising regularly and I feel great. Headaches still crop up occassionally, but I'm still pregnant, so all is well!
• I loved the midwife I met at my first "real" appointment and can't wait for my next one to meet another midwife!

12w 3d - Ups & Downs

OK so I'm overdue for these... my Ups list grows! Yay!

Downs

• That emotional wall that most women build around them after a loss is still around me. I'm excited but can't help but be cautious and guarded.
• Most of my regular pants no longer fit, but none of my maternity pants fit. Aargh!
  

Ups

• My in-laws already stripped wallpaper and tore up carpeting in the "little bedroom" aka "soon-to-be-nursery." (It's still the little bedroom to me.) They accomplished this all in 1 day!! Thanks again Mom & Dad!
• I got tons of used maternity clothes from friends and new ones for my birthday.
• I've told "the world" now, so it's "out." It's kind of a relief. Makes it feel more real. My boss(es) have known for a little while and have remained supportive.
  
• We heard our baby's heartbeat on Wednesday! (See Wednesday's post.) It was so amazing and reassuring.
• I've started a new exercise regimen -- walking and Yoga. I found a great DVD Yoga series that takes me through each trimester. It is so relaxing, spirit healing, and even challenging at the same time.
  

10w 0d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• I'm feeling more tired lately.
• My pants are getting tighter.

Ups

• Jason comes home Friday night.
• "Just" two weeks to hear the heartbeat.

9w 2d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• I got pretty queasy on Friday. I was really busy at work and had forgotten to eat between 12:30 and 5! I finally got something around 6 and was fine.
• Still pretty moody. No crying fits or anything but I just don't feel like "myself."
  Jason left today for Mexico for work for 2 weeks.

Ups

• I heard another raving review about the practice I chose with the OBs and CNMs. I spoke to a woman at church who mentioned that they were even wonderful and caring through her miscarriage a couple of years back. Hmph! Go figure that a woman would need that level of care!
• My first appointment with them is tomorrow... already!

8w 5d - Ups & Downs & Decisions

Downs

• I thought I was getting sick yesterday (slightly sore throat). I didn't set my alarm this morning and planned to come in late but I was feeling better this morning. Hopefully it is just allergies.

Ups

• Time is starting to move faster for me. I feel a little better and I'm not as worried about losing the baby. I know we're not "out of the woods" yet though.

Decision, decisions...

• I've 99% decided to use a hypnobirthing practitioner in the Harrisonburg area who teaches the classes and provides the book/CDs. I asked her for references and I spoke/emailed with 2 of her hypnobirthing moms. I'm sold! I see no drawbacks to using this technique and I see how the relaxation and meditation techniques can be used in every day life. If you'd like to learn more, check the hypnobirthing link on the right, or go here.
• I've also chosen a new practice. I believe it has 2 OBs and 3 midwives. I've heard tons of positive feedback about the practice and midwives, including from a mom of 2 boys who uses that practice. She is also a nurse at the hospital where I plan to deliver and is accustomed to working with most of the area practitioners. I'm really looking forward to the experience of working with the certified nurse midwives. I'm staying open minded though and keeping my options open in case I am not comfortable there. My first appointment there is Tuesday with the nurse educator to go over medical history and such.

6w 0d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• I'm feeling "ickier." (Is that a word?) Slightly queasy, but nothing too extreme. And pretty constipated... headaches... dry skin... dizzy... (It has gotten tricky trying to walk in a straight line at work! haha) At least the hot flashes went away for now. ;-) They only lasted a few days last week.
• Will my ultrasound day ever get here? :-)

Ups

• I'm looking more forward toward the ultrasound (Friday!) now rather than being as anxious about it last week as I was.
• We told our parents and my brother/sister-in-law (so far immediately family only) on Mother's Day. They are very happy for us. It was good to get the news out to them and not have to hide it!

5w 1d - Ups & Downs

To parallel my favorite podcast, Pregtastic, I will try to report at least 2 "ups and downs" for the week or particular day I am writing. I will model what the podcasters do by ending on a positive spin with my "ups." So here we go!

Downs

• I'm having a really hard time trying to choose an OB or certified nurse-midwife. I think I will be setting up interviews with practitioners once my RE kicks me out of their office and sends me on. (I'm so hoping they will hold me under their wing through week 12.)
• I'm still pretty anxious about the ultrasound and seeing a heartbeat. I'm starting to feel better about it, but it's a constant emotional mind game.

Ups

• I'm pregnant!
• Still feelin' pretty good symptom-wise