31 Week Update

We've hit 31 weeks! We had a follow up appointment last week about my weight gain. At the time of my appointment I was only up 11 pounds. I have another appointment next week with an ultrasound to check baby's growth. The dr didn't seem too alarmed. He said if I gain a pound a week until delivery I'll hit about 20 which would still be good. But a week later, as of this morning I've only gained 0.2 pounds. So things aren't looking up in that department.
I feel like when I talk about this with other people they brush it off, or act like I'm lucky or won the lottery. Because what girl WANTS to gain weight, right? With all we've been through for this baby I am trying to do the best I possibly can to give them the best start in life. That's my job as mom/baby grower. Not gaining enough weight is just as bad as gaining too much weight, but it seems like most people don't see it like that and it's upsetting. I'm so afraid I'm doing something wrong and hurting this poor little one.
The good thing is that my stomach is definitely growing. Each day I feel like I have to sit further and further away from my desk at work. And Baby is very active! Moving around like a ping pong ball. They really like to stick little body parts under my rib cage and to kick my left ovary.

Pregnancy Week: 31 weeks, third trimester.
Cravings: None
Aversions: Same as always.
Symptoms: Extra tired. Heartburn has really started kicking in. Also still a very small appetite (i had half a dunkin donut this morning and was full. I used to want two at a time!). I've started drinking smoothies to help gain weight. Plain greek yogurt, avocado, whole milk, some fruit juice, frozen berries, fresh banana, spinach.
Weight Gain: 11.2 pounds.
Emotional Breakdowns:Two. The past few days I've felt overly emotional. I cried in the shower thinking about Baby and my weight and if I'm hurting them :( I also cried in an Old Navy dressing room because the jean jacket I tried on looked terrible and my hairstylist fucked up and I think my haircut looks like The Rachael from Friends.
Achievements:We have all the large pieces of the nursery set up! Glider, crib, dresser, rug. Next on my to-do list is to tackle the closet and get the decorative pieces hung.
I also got my T-Dap and Flu vaccines!

So much grunting. When I sit, when I stand, when I bend over. Basically always.

Third Trimester!

I am 28 weeks today and it's the first day of the third trimester!! How did I get here!?! I'm so excited, but d-day still seems so far away (84 days to be exact).

We had our 28 week appointment and glucose test on Monday. I lost weight between the 24 week and 28 week appointment so I have to go back in 2 weeks instead of 4 to monitor. My fundal height is finally measuring on track at 28 cm instead of being 3 weeks ahead like at my last two appointments.
The glucose test wasn't bad at all. My doctor recommended fasting (not required) saying they tend to see more people pass who have fasted beforehand. That was the worst part of the whole test. It seems like the whole of the internet thinks the drink is the most terrible thing to pass their lips. I thought it just tasted like orange soda. Our dr was very on time that day so we waited for about 45 minutes in the waiting room before my blood draw. They took 5 tubes of blood and sent us on our way. I was starving by this point so I mobile ordered a bagel from Dunkin Donuts and of course they lost my order receipt and I had to wait 10 minutes for them to figure out what was going on and get my my food. Note to Dunkin: Don't make the fasting pregnant lady wait. She's hungry :)

I got my results on Thursday and passed with a 127 with a cutoff of 135. Woo!! Milkshakes here I come!

Baby has been kicking me in my left ovary lately which is really pleasant, let me tell you. These ovaries have taken enough torture the last few years Baby! Try kicking something else for a little while please!

We are still working on getting the baby's room together. I might take a trip to Ikea this weekend, but I hate crowds so much so I'm trying to find the best time to go, which would of course be weeknights but then I just really love sitting on my sofa after work. I feel like we have so much to do and no time to do it. My always lengthening list of things to do:

• Put together the crib
• Select and purchase a chair for the nursery (rocker or glider??)
• Keep stocking up on diapers and wipes (I put a box of 900 wipes on our registry. I then looked up how long it should last. One month says internet moms. ONE month. Holy cow.)
• Organize the dresser
• Organize the closet
• Continue packing the hospital bags. I can check toiletries off the list. I saw people saying they didn't pack those until they were actually in labor because it was things they used everyday, but I just bought travel-sized items. I just want to be packed and not have to worry.
• Buy a chest freezer for breast milk and frozen meals
• Make frozen meals
• Figure out how breast pumping works

Pregnancy Week: 28 weeks
Cravings: None
Aversions: Chicken. Like always.
Symptoms: Still have a small appetite. Maybe I need to start drinking Boost.
Weight Gain: 12 lbs.Currently at 10 total.
Emotional Breakdowns:One, but it was because I hate my haircut. The stylist cut off 2.5 inches more than I asked.
Achievements: Reached the 3rd Trimester!

3 months Until Baby's Due Date

Today marks 3 months until Baby's due date! I can't believe it's that close, but still so far. I still don't really have much to complain about, pregnancy-wise. I did have my first swelling episode over the past weekend: My toes looked like sausages and I couldn't see the bones and tendons in my feet like I normally can. But we were sitting outside for a few hours in 90 degree heat and (what felt like) 100% humidity. The next morning they looked much better, so I'm hoping it's just a rare occurrence.

I bought a Snoogle pregnancy pillow and it's been really great. I debated for a while and looked at a lot of different types before ending up with the Snoogle. I did test it out on a bed at Bed Bath and Beyond before buying it (+20% off coup!). I use it both ways, with the long part against my back and my front and so far so good! (I DO regret not paying the $10 more for the zipper cover though! That thing was a bitch to get off to wash and back on! Upgrade to the zipper cover, people!) I do get up a few nights a week to pee, but have no trouble going back to sleep quickly. I try not to drink anything an hour before bedtime to help mitigate the pee problem. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.

I also started going back to the gym, which I have been paying for but haven't been too since before our transfer in February. I've walking outside, but this mid summer heat has been brutal and I'm afraid it will make me swell! So back to the gym! It is nice to switch it up and do something besides walking. Yesterday I used the elipical! Woo! I also got to test drive my new support belt. I don't really know if it seemed to make a difference, but maybe as I get bigger I will? I need to buy new work out clothes. Every time I think I have enough clothing to get me through the rest of this pregnancy I'm proven wrong. All of my pre-pregnancy workout gear is getting too tight and uncomfortable. I hate spending money on something I'm only going to wear for a few months; it seems like such a waste. I'm hoping just going the next size up will be fine and that I won't have to get actual maternity gear, because just like weddings, slap the word baby on something and the price skyrockets.

Last exciting bit: My breast pump came in the mail this week! I went with the Spectra S2 and thanks to the Affordable Care Act it was free! #ilovefree Now I'm trying to figure out how many bottles a pumping/working mom needs and how many extra parts I need, etc. Luckily I have a few months to figure that out. Breast pumps: The things I get excited about now.


Other than that we're just cruising along at this point. My 1-hour glucose test is next week and I'm REALLY hoping I pass. I'm not dreading the drink or the blood draw, just the results!

Just substitute beer with wine.

99 Days!

Today is 99 days until Little Babe's due date!!! I can't believe we are down to double digits (though, let's be real, 99 is still a LOT of days!)!

We never heard from our regular OB after our fetal echo-cardiogram so I'm assuming that means everything is ok.

We got the rug down and the dresser put together in the baby's room. And then we promptly filled up the room with a ton of baby things from our first baby shower! I do have to say I feel so lucky and fortunate that every single person who attended actually bought something from our registry. We've all been to those showers (wedding and baby) where people go totally off the reservation and buy something weird and random and you have no idea what to do with. And you say thank you this is amazing! And secretly are trying to figure out where it is so you can return it for something you will use.... (This isn't just me right?)

Anyways, I'm slightly panicked because this first shower was a third of the size of my second shower later this summer and I have NO idea where things are going to go! We need to reorganize and declutter the house asap!

My latest obsession is baby schedules, feeding/pumping schedules, going back to work schedules, etc. I've been reading every article and blog trying to figure out how the heck women go back to work. I don't want to leave the little one! (I also don't want to have to wake up earlier than I already do lolol)

Pregnancy Week: 25 (26 weeks tomorrow!)
Cravings: None
Aversions: Chicken. Like always.
Symptoms: Very small appetite, lost a pound.
Weight Gain: 12 lbs.
Emotional Breakdowns: Half of one.
Achievements: Cluttered Baby's room.

23+5 - Fetal Echocardiogram

Today I am 23 weeks + 5 days and it's been a busy week for appointments!
Today we had a fetal echocardiogram. Our OB had us schedule this because there is some evidence that IVF babies have a higher risk of heart defects. Our appointment was for 8am and it took about 45 minutes. The tech went through every little detail of the heart so we go t a nice long look at Little Babe. Baby was mostly cooperative, though it's arm was in the way for a little bit, casting a shadow on the heart, so she kept trying to get Baby to move.

I also almost passed out from being on my back! I've passed out before (though not while pregnant) so I'm very aware of what it feels like setting in. I started to get uncomfortable, and breathing weird, and sweaty. When I spoke my voice was muffled. She had me move on my side and I felt much better pretty fast, but then she needed me to move again to my back for a few minutes to get another view and the feelings set in again. I was just telling a friend on Monday, 2 days ago, that laying on my back hasn't been a problem. So much for that! I will definitely have to be careful moving forward!

The tech said everything looked great with the heart and we also had her check for the subchorionic hematoma they found during the anatomy scan. She said it looked like it had all cleared up which is great (and really great that we were able to cancel our additional ultrasound for tomorrow. Save those dollars).

We had our regular 24 week OB appointment on Monday (23+3) this week as well. Baby's heart beat was good, but the doctor said I was measuring 27 with fundal height. It's the 2nd appointment in a row I've measured 3+ weeks ahead. If Baby measures ahead again like this we will have to have another ultrasound at the MFM. I certainly don't feel big and when I look at pictures of people in the same week of pregnancy I don't think I look bigger at all! I have read that fundal height is really screwy and not a great predictor but of course I'm stressed about it. Hopefully next appointment we measure right on track.

Pregnancy Week 23:
Cravings: Still none.
Aversions:Chicken.
Symptoms: Heartburn, almost passing out if on my back.
Weight Gain: 10 lbs.
Emotional Breakdowns: One.
Achievements: Painted Little Babe's room!

20 week update

So I'm not actually 20 weeks yet; I'm 19+5, but close enough!
Yesterday was out 20 week appointment and anatomy scan which means we got to see Little Babe again! The ultrasound tech switched to 3D/4D mode a few times for us, and basically Little Babe is the cutest baby there every was, not that I'm biased or anything. So cute. I used to think those 3D/4D pictures were creepy, but now that it's mine I can't get enough. I could stare at that little picture all day #hearteyes. And I have been. Just don't tell my work that.

A few notes from my appointment:

I apparently have a subchorionic hematoma."Subchorionic bleeding (also known as a subchorionic hematoma) is the accumulation of blood within the folds of the chorion (the outer fetal membrane, next to the placenta) or between the uterus and the placenta itself. It can cause light to heavy spotting, but it may not. Most subchorionic bleeds resolve on their own, and women go on to have perfectly healthy pregnancies." - Thanks whattoexpect.com

The tech, nurse, and dr. all asked multiple times if I had any bleeding or cramping so far and I reported no every time. Not one drop since my last period.  The dr said because of the hematoma I may have some bleeding at some point. I'm glad I know ahead of time so I'm not so alarmed if I do bleed! If I didn't know about the SCH and started bleeding I'd be at the ER in an instant, totally freaked out.

We got a referral to the MFM for an ultrasound to check on the SCH, but the dr. said to just go in 4 weeks when we have our echocardiogram scheduled. He didn't seem to concerned about the whole thing.  

The dr. also said my fundal height is measuring big at 22cm. The internet says anything + or - 2 cm of your weeks of pregnancy is normal, so at almost 20 weeks I think 22cm should be fine. I never would have thought I was big though! I started this pregnancy around 123/125 lbs (with doing fertility treatments I have not real clue what my weight was. It was all over the place) and I was at 130.25 yesterday. Maybe baby is just growing so well in my super comfy uterus that I won't go over my due date :)

I started feeling their movements about a week ago at 18+4. The first day I thought "oh weird, I'm gassy again" but then the next day I felt the same feelings in the same spot, which had me thinking maybe it's something else! The dr. told me yesterday I have an anterior placenta, a little off to the right and the movements I've felt have been towards the lower left so that makes sense why I haven't felt anything elsewhere yet! Having an anterior placenta can make it harder to feel movement until baby is larger and stronger since there is more fluff in the way. It also makes sense why I only hear the heart beat on the left side and not the right when I use our home doppler.

As for Baby: Their heart is beating about 156 beats per minute and has all it's important pieces and parts.

Pregnancy Week 20:
Cravings: None. Is that normal?
Aversions: baked/grilled chicken. Still makes me gaggy.
Weight Gain: 5-7ish lbs.
Emotional Breakdowns: A few.
Boy Name: First name chose, middle name TBD.
Girl Name: First name TBD, middle name chosen.
 

I still feel like this.

15 week Update

Today marks 15 weeks! My app says Little Babe is the size of an eclair yuummmm.

I had been dealing with bad headaches for about 3 weeks. I would get maybe a day of relief, 2 if I was lucky, and then it would be back full force. I tried taking tylenol, drinking something with caffeine (both coke and coffee), peppermint oil on temples/back of neck, had husband massage my neck and head, ice, heat, darkness, sunshine, exercise, etc. basically anything I could think of.
I was at my wits end so I asked my dr if there was ANYthing else I could do. She prescribed me fioricet. There are mixed feelings amongst pregnant women about the medication. It contains Acetaminophen, Butalbital (a barbituate), and Caffeine and is considered a class C, meaning risk isn't ruled out. My OB prescribed it as a last resort and last resort is exactly where I was with the headaches. I would have sold my left kidney to make them go away. Normally when you have a headache for a day you can just deal with it and it goes away soon (like if you have a stomach ache or something else. You know the pain will lessen, you know what I mean?). Having a headache for so long is so draining physically and emotionally. I was nauseous from the pain and the nausea made me not have an appetite. I was crying at my desk, crying in my car, crying at home, I was so miserable. The medication worked within about 40 minutes. I actually felt hungry for the first time in a few days. I took another dose before bed because I could tell the 1st was wearing off, but when I woke up this morning without a headache I felt like a brand new person. I felt so much relief. I am SO glad I took the medication and I'm glad to know I have it in case I really truly need it again. A lot of people steer clear of all meds if possible during pregnancy and say they should just 'tough it out', but if you are truly in pain and miserable at least ask your dr about options.
etc. basically anything I could think of or read on the internet. Nothing worked. Then I had about 4 days of really really bad headaches and I gave in. I asked my dr if there was

I still am not really showing. I was hoping to have a cute little bump for vacation next week but I think I'll just look like a blob. Oh well, vacation is vacation, right?