2 Month Well Visit

Kathryn, you are 9 weeks today, but you were officially 2 months old yesterday.  We visited Dr. Ennis this afternoon, and she's very happy with your progress!  You are 23.5 inches long (90th percentile), your head circumference is 15.5 inches (70th percentile), and you weigh 10lb 12oz (50% percentile).  It seems you may be a tall girl!

You got five shots in your legs today, and also got the oral vaccine.  You were straining for more of the oral vaccine, because it tastes sweet.  The shots weren't fun--you screamed, but you were calm again within two minutes.

Dr. Ennis said you seemed developmentally on track in every way.  Daddy and I are glad to hear that!

One Month Old

Amazingly, 33 days have passed since Kathryn was born--she's 4.5 weeks old now!  She had her one month doctor check-up today.  Here are the highlights:

She weighs 8lbs 12oz --50th percentile.
She's 22.5 inches long--75th percentile.
Her head circumference is 14.75 inches--50th percentile.

She has a mild case of cradle cap that Jared and I will take care of with a special shampoo.

Her reddened eyelids are actually a common birthmark that will fade with time--they are usually termed "angel kisses".  The redness will be more noticeable when she is excited or upset, for up to two years of age.

She is meeting developmental milestones a little ahead of schedule--she coos, grunts, tracks objects side to side and up and down, and is just starting to smile intentionally.  When on her stomach, she can hold her head up for a few seconds, and today she batted at a toy hanging above her.

She got one shot today, and she is a VERY sensitive soul when it comes to those!  The needle went in, and you could see the shock register in her face as she arched her back and took in the deepest breath she could before screaming.  She hasn't had tears up to this point (newborns' tear ducts are immature), but when she cried from getting her shot, the tears came rolling.  Bless her heart--at her two month appointment, she'll be getting five shots.

All in all, she's doing great!

Friday Appointments

Today, Jared and I first went to UNC for an ultrasound.  It showed that my amniotic fluid is low, and the doctor who supervised informed me that, if I were her patient, she would induce me.  We shrugged it off and went to the Birth Center for our non stress test.  When the midwives read on our UNC report, which doctor had seen us, they rolled their eyes.  The midwives told us they have spoken to her supervisor many times, because she is an alarmist who has scared the Birth Center patients on numerous occasions.  The midwives told me that they are not concerned with my fluid levels at all--they are fine.

The non stress test went very well.  It showed that Kathryn has great reserves of strength and energy for getting through labor, and we should have nothing to worry about.

We were sent home and have spent the afternoon getting rest and taking short walks.  No other news to report right now!

Appointment and Fun Facts

Good news at our appointment today!  Kathryn's head is in the right place now.  Her back is now laying in my left hip, instead of her head.  Maybe she's just sliding down there a little at a time?  There was finally someone available to do the ultrasound and confirm it, so I feel much more at ease now.

My iron level was good, Kathryn's heart rate was good, and I should hear back about some blood work and the GBS test by the end of the week.  I have gained 27 lbs here at week 36--average weight gain is 25-30 pounds right now, so I have finally caught up with everyone.  It was nice while it lasted!

Some fun facts:
If Kathryn's born in June, her birthstone will be the pearl and birth flowers are the rose and honeysuckle.
If she's born in July, her birthstone will be the ruby and birth flowers are the larkspur and water lily.
Regardless of month, she will most likely be a Cancer in the zodiac, and her Chinese zodiac animal is the Black Water Snake.
She'll be old enough to drive a car in 2029, finish high school in 2031, and graduate college in 2035.

On her due date, in history:
Helen Keller was born in 1880
Bell Laboratories announced the successful transmission of television signals in 1929
Moscow opened the world's first atomic power station in 1954
The first seat belt legislation was passed in Illinois in 1955

Starting week 35!

This is the last week of Month Eight....time has gone so slowly lately!  Kathryn, at the end of this week you will probably be 19-20 inches long and 5.5 pounds--about the weight of a honeydew melon.  You may have topped out on your height by now, but you'll continue to gain about a half a pound every week from now on.  Your brain and lungs continue to develop at a quick pace.  We love you very much.

We had an appointment today and I was so disappointed to find out that the baby is in an oblique breech position.  This is when the baby's head is pointing toward mom's hip, instead of down toward the cervix: 

I was advised to sit on our birthing ball (an exercise ball) as much as possible from here on out, to get her to turn.  One of my biggest fears at this point is that Kathryn remains breech and I'm forced to get a C-section.  My uterus is measuring fine and I've gained 22 pounds--the average women have gained 24-29 by now. 

We did run up against some opposition to our birth plan today.  In it, we share that we don't want to receive Pitocin to help deliver the placenta after the birth.  The midwife I saw today is the one our Bradley Method birth instructor called out specifically as a strong advocate to this "active management of the third stage of labor".  She read that part of our birth plan, and immediately wanted to argue with us about it, saying she hoped that we would abandon that idea and trust her and her experience of being at 3,000 births thus far.  There was a little fear-mongering, too--I was surprised but very glad that our birth instructor had already taught us about this and warned us about this exact situation!

As for me: I tire easily, and I have a lot of achiness and painful pressure in my pelvis.  Sometimes when I get up, it feels like my pelvic bones will break.  I still have occasional acid reflux, and I don't sleep well.  Honestly, not very much to complain about, considering all the symptoms considered normal!

Jared's co-workers threw us a shower this past week--I'm glad that Jared is thought of so highly that they wanted to do that for us!  It was very special.  We have another shower--our fourth and last--this coming Sunday with our church's connect group and other church friends.  Looking forward to spending time with everyone together!    

Start of Week 32 and Month Eight

This week, Kathryn will grow to weigh 3.75 to 4 pounds and be 18 to 18.9 inches long.  She'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks!  She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair.  Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth, and is no longer transparent in any way.  She fills almost all the space in my uterus now, but may still have enough room to do somersaults.  Kathryn is practicing opening her eyes, swallowing, breathing, kicking and sucking.  We love her very much.

  

                 

                                                       A 32-week-old baby in the womb

I had my latest appointment today at the Birth Center, and everything's still looking good.  Her heartbeat is about 150, which is a little high, but anything below 160 is still considered normal.  I was told my weight gain and blood pressure look fine.  I brought up some concerns--I had some bruising on my upper left thigh that wouldn't go away, a big lump on the left side of my groin, and low, pelvic pressure.  It was determined that they're all related: the bruising is actually spider veins, the lump is a clump of varicose veins way under my skin, and the pressure is, well, pressure.  They tell me I have "vulvar varicosity", basically, that my left side is enduring a lot of pressure from the baby and uterus, and it's breaking down a little bit on that side.  So now, I get to wear a special support band and apply vitamin E and C oils to my skin daily.  

My blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since I got pregnant.  My acid reflux is back, and I occasionally get Braxton Hicks contractions, although they have been nearly absent the last two weeks.  Kathryn moves a lot--it seems she does more jumping or shuddering than kicking or punching.  I have pelvic pressure and achiness, mild swelling, a little bit of varicose veins/spider veins/stretch marks, and a little bit of difficulty sleeping.  All in all, I really don't feel I have much to complain about.  I still really enjoy pregnancy and feel blessed that things have gone so well, and that Kathryn is healthy and growing.  I try to remember to thank God for these things every day.    

Jared will be adding me to his insurance next week, and they have agreed to include the Birth Center in their network!  This is a big answer to prayer and saves us about $2400 of prenatal/maternity/newborn costs.  It is a week and 2 days until our next baby shower, and three weeks until the next appointment, where they will do an ultrasound to make sure that Kathryn is head-down.  Time seems to be passing slowly, but I try to keep on top of things to make sure that the last few weeks don't sneak up on us!

Starting Week 27!

Peanut, this is the last week of the second trimester!  You weigh around two pounds and you are 14.5 or 15 inches long from head to heel.  You recognize my voice and sleep and wake at regular intervals.  Brain tissue is developing very actively.  Your lungs are immature but would be capable of functioning if you were born now.  You can now cry, and you probably are sucking your thumb, which calms you and strengthens your cheek and jaw muscles.  We love you very much.

Most women have gained 16 to 22 pounds by now--I have gained 12-13.  I'm proud of myself!  The acid reflux has been giving me a break for a couple of days, and I'm thankful.  However, I am dealing with a lot of soreness, occasional foot cramps, and exhaustion.  I still sleep okay, I can still get around fine, I don't have any swelling or discoloration, and my innie is still an innie.  

I am just about ready to quit my job.  It is a toxic environment where I get no support.  Every few days, someone "above" me wants me to add another thing to my list of duties.  I can't get it all done or even remember it all during the day, so then it doesn't get done, and people get mad at me.  Whenever I might try to complain about how heavy the load is, how incompetent/clueless/unhelpful the new administration is, how challenging my class is, etc, I get a reprimand to "be more positive".  

The main reason I still go to work is guilt.  I would feel incredibly guilty leaving the other TAs with an added load.  I would feel guilty about jumping ship just as a new teacher was coming aboard.  I would feel guilty about leaving parents/students in the lurch as everything they knew about their first year in school changed.  I would feel guilty that the school just threw me a baby shower, and I thank them by saying, "see ya".  

But is that guilt warranted?  Or is it a throw-back to my years of poor self-esteem?  Is it worth it to not have the guilt, and instead have the stress, unhappiness, demoralization, despair even?  Is it worth it, knowing that continuous stress causes premature birth and low birth weight?  As a side note, yes, there is the matter of no more second paycheck and having to start paying for healthcare about three months early...but we were expecting that anyway, and what I'm paid is a disgustingly low amount anyway.  

We had a regular appointment this week and everything looked great.  Peanut's heart rate was good, growth was good, and I took my gestational diabetes test and haven't heard anything yet, which is good news.  

Life goes on, but change may be on the horizon. 

Ultrasound

We had our ultrasound today to check on the area of blood that was seen at the anatomy scan six weeks ago.  The tech said he could still spot it, but it was as good as gone.  This is good news--nothing to worry about at the moment.  Peanut was in a breech position, but she has plenty of time to turn.  Her heartbeat was 143, which is good and solid without being high.  She measured 1 pound and 11 ounces, give or take 4 ounces.  This would put her currently in the 54th percentile for length and weight.  No causes for concern and no further ultrasounds, unless a need arises.  We are grateful for a good report! 

22 full weeks

Peanut, today starts week 23 and month six!  Your skin is fairly saggy, since it grows faster than the fat underneath.  But your fat deposits should start catching up, starting this week.  By the end of this month, you should be filled out pretty nicely.  And your skin is still translucent, which will start to change this month, too.  You're anywhere from 8.5-11.5 inches long and a little over 1 pound.  You can feel varying types of movement and loud noises that become familiar to you now probably won't faze you when you hear them outside the womb.  We love you very much. 

I was diagnosed by my family practitioner this week with bronchitis and a sinus infection.  It had been just one month since I went in for a sinus infection, and just five weeks before that I had another.  I was given a double dose of antibiotics and I pray that this will finally get me better.  I did have morning sickness again this past week, and the acid reflux has been terrible.  Tums, Rolaids, and regular Pepcid doesn't work.  My monthly appointment was today, and I asked for something more.  The midwives said I could try Zantac, a higher strength of Pepcid, and drinking rootbeer/eating peanut butter after each meal.  I'm not holding out hope that these things will work.  Little girl's heartbeat is in the 140s and I'm measuring just right.   

A couple of people at the grocery store have asked if I need extra help with things, I suppose from noticing my belly.  Unless I wear a billowing, large shirt, it's getting hard to miss.  The average pregnant woman should've gained 12-15 pounds by now--I have gained 8, which is on target for me.  I need to work on drinking more water each day, and starting to get exercise 4-5 days out of the week.

My next ultrasound is in 2.5 weeks, and I'll have my glucose screening at my next birth center appointment in one month. 

 

Eighteen!

A full 18 weeks and starting week 19, Peanut!  This week you will grow to a half-pound, and six inches long--about the size of a large mango.  You are growing a white, greasy covering called vernix that will protect you from the amniotic fluid you're living in.  If you're a girl, your uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in the right place.  If you're a boy, your genitals are now noticeable.  I really hope you make it clear what you are at our next ultrasound!  We love you very much.

I got sick twice this morning--I got sick last Thursday, too.  It's still happening once every 7-10 days, and I'm still tired of it!  I have some aches in my abdomen and I get headaches.  It takes more effort to get out of a low car or to walk quickly.  My balance is off, too. 

We had a monthly appointment this week, and Peanut's heartbeat was between 120 and 130 beats a minute.  The midwife said Peanut was "bouncing around", which is also good.

Jared and I started asking for guesses on Peanut's gender today.  About 80% of people seem to think they are a girl.  Most of the little "old wives' tales" and "predictor tests" would claim I'm having a boy.  I hope we'll find out at the ultrasound and not have to continue waiting.  

Monthly Appointment

I went to the Birth Center today for a monthly check-up.  The midwife I was supposed to see was on call and helping someone deliver their baby, so I had a long wait and eventually saw someone else.  A few questions from me, a few questions from her, the dopplar reading, and out the door again!  The midwife had Peanut's heartbeat as soon as she put the wand on my belly.  She said it was somewhere between 120 and 130 a minute, and that they were "bouncing around".  That's a relief, as I was nervous for this appointment.

Recently I've been finding that June and July are popular months this year to give birth.  There are so many people who've been announcing their expectancy.  But I know Peanut won't get lost in it all--they are very precious already.

Start of Week Fifteen, and Another Appointment

Merry Christmas, a few days ago!  Jared and I had a nice holiday, staying in town.  All our family is here, too.  We received many gifts and were able to spend time with the people we care about.

Yesterday, I had another appointment at the Birth Center.  They want me to come once a month.  They checked vitals, we had question and answer time, and we listened to Peanut's heartbeat.  The heartbeat was a consistent 160 bpm, and it was obvious that Peanut was moving, because the sound kept getting fainter and then louder.  I was surprised to find out that I had lost 4.5 lbs in the last month or so.  I am now 1.8 lbs below my PRE-pregnancy weight.  It's weird, because I am wearing a bigger size of pants now, and more "flowy" tops (my regular ones are starting to stretch), so I don't know where I am losing the weight from.  The midwives/nurses didn't seem concerned, for now.  They did tell me to start a walking regimen, starting with 10 minutes a day and moving up slowly to 30 minutes, 5 days a week.  They also advised me to take papaya enzyme to combat my nightly sickness, and extra vitamin D for my deficiency.

Well, today is the start of week fifteen for you, Peanut!  You are comfortably into the second trimester.  This week you will weigh around 2-3 ounces and grow to 4.5 inches--maybe the size of a naval orange, or a regular sized apple.  You can kick, flex, and move your arms and legs all around.  You have enough strength, smarts and coordination to wiggle your fingers and toes and suck your thumb.  Your brain impulses allow you to squint, frown, smile, and form other expressions, as well as "breathe", suck and swallow.  Your ears are now in their proper place--and your eyes are moving from the sides of your head to the front.  We love you very much.

As for me....I'm still throwing up the last thing every night.  I felt okay for a few days straight, and now I'm back to being nauseous for most of the day and getting sick right before bed.  I am more than a little annoyed with it.  My belly is visibly poking out, and I still go to the bathroom an awful lot.  I am also lethargic.  I really hope to have more energy and less nausea in the coming week!

Our next regular appointment at the Birth Center will be towards the end of January, and Jared and I have made the decision not to announce when our anatomy ultrasound will be.  That way, we may have less pestering on what Peanut actually is.  I think we will probably share the news within a couple of weeks after we know, but we would like to have the time to revel and bond in the knowledge as a couple, and to share when we're ready for the world to know.  

NT Ultrasound, and Week 14

Today marks 13 full weeks and the start of week 14!  Peanut, you might start to sprout hair on your head and eyebrows this week.  You are also straightening out--your neck getting longer, your head more erect.  You are three inches long and weigh about an ounce.  We love you very much.

Two days ago, Jared and I went to Rex for the nuchal translucency ultrasound, which is an end of first trimester screening tool to check for the probability of things like Downs Syndrome.  Again, we went to the same place, sat in the same room, had the same ultrasound tech as when we had this down with Angel and found she was gone.  I was nervous up to the point where Peanut came on screen and immediately pushed out his/her little legs--like they were a frog's.  It was amazing to see Peanut moving so much.  He/She turned over constantly; a "roller", like mom. :)  Also, he/she got the hiccups towards the end of the ultrasound.  Peanut measured exactly three inches long and was estimated to be 3 -4 days of growth ahead of schedule.  The ultrasound showed great numbers and no concern for any defects.  I am still waiting on blood test results for further numbers, but I'm not worried.  With how much movement Peanut made (and none of it exactly in the right angle), there's no way to even guess what the gender might be.  We'll have to wait!

I am still throwing up--the last thing at night, almost every night.  I am more than tired of it.  Also, I've been exhausted this last week at work.  Partially due to the Christmas crazies infecting everyone at school, but also due to pregnancy.  I've told people that I know I'm just not myself, and it bothers me.  This past week I found a discernible "baby belly" on me, and Jared could tell the difference too...that was kind of exciting. :)  

In the remainder of this developmental week, some of Jared's family is coming in from out of state to visit for Christmas.  We're trying to finish buying a few last gifts, say hello to family, celebrate Christmas with my family, celebrate it with Jared's family, and hopefully have a few days to breathe before I go back to work for another six weeks.       

Start of Week 12

Peanut, you are 11 full weeks today!  You are still growing a lot.  You are about the size of a large plum, or a fig.  Your digestive system is practicing contractions so you can eat, your pituitary gland is producing hormines, and your bone marrow is making white blood cells to fight off germs.  This week you will grow to a 1/2 ounce, and 2 inches long.  We love you very much.

I caught a stomach virus my first day back at work, and was knocked on my back on Tuesday.  I had horrible vertigo and dizziness, and severe vomiting.  It lasted about 24 hours and left me weak, but it's over.  "F" stands for frightening, freakish, and also my bra size.  It is terrifying and I need them to stop growing now!  If I press into my abdomen, I can feel the top of my uterus now.  And morning sickness, with help from the stomach virus, seemed to peak on Tuesday and has settled slightly the last two days.  We'll see if that trend continues.

Today, I finally got my first trimester screening ultrasound scheduled.  Instead of being within the week, it is another 11 days away.  The last (first) time we had this test, we found out Angel had passed away.  So, I am very nervous for this test and feel like I could truly breathe easier if everything goes well.

A baby in the womb at 12 weeks

10 Week Appointment

I am so happy to say that everything went well at my appointment today.  The midwife I met with went over everything again with me, just in case I'd forgotten anything since May.  She examined me and said I was measuring "exactly right" for 10 weeks.  She told me it was a little early to definitely hear a heartbeat, which I knew.  I also know that I am chunky and my fat would get in the way of the Doppler.  But Peanut's heartbeat came through nice and clear, anyway!  I laughed with relief and thanked God for being good.

They took urine and blood samples and gave me a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.  All adults should get a booster if you come into contact with kids.  The shot you got as a child wears off over time.

So, Jared and I will go for an ultrasound in about two weeks, and my next appointment with the Birth Center will be in four weeks.  I am so relieved that things are going well so far!

Start of Week Eleven

Peanut, you are 10 full weeks old!  I am a little anxious this week.  This past May, Angel passed away when she was 10.5 weeks old.  I am worried about possibly having to relive this trauma.  Also, Angel's due date was to be this Saturday.  As happy as I am to have you in my life, Peanut, I still miss Angel.

Well, this coming week, you will grow to be 2 inches long and will weigh a third of an ounce.  You really look like a little person, with hands and feet at the front of your body, open nasal passages on the tip of your nose, a tongue and palate in your mouth, and ears nearly in their final shape.  Hair follicles will form and fingernail and toenail beds will, too.  Your fingers and toes are all individual and separately formed, not webbed anymore.  If you are a girl, your ovaries are developing!  We love you very much.

More smells seem to bother me lately, just random things, but especially Josie, our bulldog.  It feels like the house doesn't even smell like a place for people anymore.  I am also still a bit nauseous, but not as bad as the last two weeks.  I'm also moody and irritable, which I feel bad about.  I track back in to school on Monday for three weeks, before Christmas break starts.  Hopefully it will be a decent transition.  I did decide to stay with my job as long as I have Peanut, instead of going to look for something else.  It's not a good time for a career change, and I need the good health insurance that I get for working for the state.

I have my first appointment with the midwives at the Birth Center in an hour and a half!  I am really hoping everything looks great and that I will be able to hear Peanut's heartbeat.  If I'm not, I want to ask for another ultrasound on Friday.  I can't wait another two weeks without knowing if Peanut is okay or not.