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. 

 

Sick!

It seems morning sickness simply moved out of the way for a sinus infection to move in.  I have a headache, stuffy ears and nose, a scratchy, sore throat, a cough, colorful mucus, fever, and no voice.  My face feels like Violet looked after she chewed the gum in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.  I did get physically sick once last night and once this morning, so I'm not sure I'm in the clear from that, either.

On Friday I went to Minute Clinic, a quick, nurse-run office that some CVS stores in the area have.  The nurse there told me the infection was viral and to go home, rest and take Tylenol.  The thing is, I have a long, chronic history of sinus infections, and none of them have ever been viral.  I have always needed an antibiotic to clear it.  But, she wouldn't write me a prescription, and sent me on my way with her advice, and minus $35 from my pocket.

So, after suffering horrendously all weekend and not being able to sleep at night, I am taking the morning off from work and going to my regular doctor, who has much more sense than the nurses at Minute Clinic!  Looking forward to getting an antibiotic and feeling better!