Wednesday, June 27, 2012

General Update

I just cannot seem to wake myself up this morning. Sleep has always been an issue for me, but I am used to it.

First, I thought I'd post Madeline's nursery photos. I absolutely love to decorate, so this was a very fun project. And, it doesn't hurt that I can can go over-the-top in pink!






Oh, let me revert back to yesterday's post regarding vehicles parking in front of our home...well, I believe it's my other neighbor's truck. Sigh. So far, no vehicles are parked in front of our home today, and hopefully it will stay that way!

I know the other day I gave a brief "Madeline" update, but today, I thought I'd give more of a pregnancy update.

Current Cravings: Bananas, Pineapples, Apples

Current Symptoms: Back pain, Heartburn, Exhaustion, Insomnia

Weight Gain: 11 lbs since preconception

Movement: Madeline is extremely active! 


Testing: All of my testing and Madeline's testing has passed with flying colors. Well, except I have anemia - I've been anemic before, so this wasn't really a surprise and such an easy fix.

Workouts: Nonexistent since 26 weeks - I can't workout any longer due to Braxton Hicks contractions. I get them even when I'm grocery shopping, doing light cleaning, etc. about every 10 minutes or so. I don't get any while I'm lounging.

Advice I hate: "Sleep when the baby sleeps." I absolutely loathe when people say this to a person who has a case of severe insomnia. I've never been able to even nap. I have gone DAYS without sleep, including trying to nap, etc. I have come to the realization that I'm going to be a complete zombie the first 6 weeks of Madeline's arrival, and probably not the most fun to be around! (A warning for all).

I feel like all I've done lately is eat, sleep, lounge, and pee. I can wake up in the morning, and 2 hours later I crash and need a nap. (A nap for me does not entail actually sleeping, more so, laying down and attempting to sleep until I give up). It's crazy. It's also been hard on me not to be active. I feel like a lazy slob, but I can only do so much. Honestly, I don't know how I would have gotten through our move if I was working full time. We had workers in our home 5 days per week, multiple times per day, multiple types of workers, etc. Plus, Tommy and I had our own household projects. I'm so glad that's over!

Things every woman trying to conceive needs to know:

Be prepared to be an emotional basket case during your 1st trimester. You think PMS is bad? Times that by 1,000. You will have episodes of craziness, and your spouse is the lucky person who gets to deal with it. For me, the worst was during the 1st trimester, better in the 2nd, and rarely now happens in the 3rd trimester. But, I'm still sensitive about certain things and certainly have my moments. And guess what? That craziness in the 1st trimester comes back. Yep, that's right. Post partum is going to be so much fun!


Just because you get a positive ovulation test (aka OPK), does not mean that you actually ovulated. It only shows your surge, and body gearing up for ovulation. I highly recommend CD21 bloodwork if you've been trying for 4-6 months and still have wonky cycles.


You will be peeing frequently. Literally, I can pee 3 times within 5 minutes. I don't understand how this happens, but it does.


Okay, here's a TMI one, but poop, will be painful at times. Very painful. Go ahead and stock up on Miralax and Colace.


Brace yourself for this one: Cellulite. Yep, be prepared for it. 

You're going to have a  healthy  diet and workout during your entire pregnancy? Yeah, I said that, too. I started out great, but the cravings, need/love for carbs, and Braxton Hicks got in the way. 


Of course, pregnancy isn't all negative. It's really cool to feel your baby kicking, seeing ultrasounds, etc. It's still all a little surreal that there is actually a baby in my belly. Would I say pregnancy is fun? Absolutely not. I am definitely not one of those who "loves" being pregnant.  Also, I thought due to the heat, pregnancy would be absolutely awful in the summer. In reality, I think it's better because you wear less clothing. I can see how uncomfortable it would be if I had to pile on layers of clothing in the winter. The one big bummer about being pregnant in the summer: No alcohol. I'm really missing out on margaritas, vodka and cranberry, mimosas, and pina coladas. But, it's all worth it in the end.

As far as Madeline is concerned, I'm sure she's doing well. Of course, we'll find out more information next Monday. They wanted to wait to do the ultrasound in order to give me more time to grow, and it will be easier to track moving forward. Basically, if I do have IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), they really can't do anything about it until she runs out of space in my belly. At that time, I'd have a c-section. However, if she's low birth weight, they'll debate on whether she needs to come early or late. I have a feeling she's just going to be a small baby. I only weighed 4 lbs, 11 oz and I was 2 weeks late! My brother was also 4 lbs, 7 oz and 2 weeks early. And, my grandmother's daughters were also around 5.5 lbs, and she only gained 15 lbs during both pregnancies. If you look at my family history, it seems like that's the most likely issue. But, there might not be anything wrong at all.

The annoying thing is that ultrasounds can be off by 2 lbs in either direction (high or low). So, we won't really know exactly what she weighs, but more of an estimate. Coming this Sunday, she should be weighing around 4lbs at 32 weeks.

Honestly, I'm really not stressing about it. There's nothing I can do. I've been eating appropriately, and following all the "pregnancy rules." Plus, it's a positive that I've been gaining 1 lb per week for the past 7 weeks. We'll worry once we have official news. We might not get a firm answer on Monday, either. I haven't had an ultrasound in nearly 2.5 months (since all of my testing has been normal), and I have a feeling they'll want me to come back in another 2 weeks and do another growth measurement ultrasound in order to have a definite answer. But, we shall see.

However, I'm not opposed to good vibes, thoughts, and/or prayers that our little one is doing okay! :)

Okay, I think I've rambled enough for this morning! I'm heading out to get a prenatal massage!!! (Thank you, Leia)!













3 comments:

  1. "Sleep when the baby sleeps" doesn't work even if you don't have insomnia, or at least it never worked for me! I think better advice is to not let yourself become her "sleep crutch" - i.e. only sleeping when you are rocking her, or her only being able to sleep in your bed or on your chest. But again, that's just me and you know that I am a schedule extremist and swaddle advocate :) - everyone finds what works best for them and you never know what that will be until you are living it! I totally agree that it sounds like Madeline will just be small due to family history, but still sending up lots of good thoughts and prayers!

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  2. Thanks, Shellie! Yeah, I agree with you on the schedules and "sleep crutch." I'm going to try my best to not let that happen and be a schedule extremist and swaddler just like you! On a side note, we need to get together soon!

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    1. Wait, that might not have been written accurately...I *want* to be a schedule extremist and swaddler just like you!

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