Week 12

I've been thinking about the test that my doctor mentioned at our last visit that is available to all pregnant women during the 1st trimester. It is called First and is supposed to test for Down Syndrome and other genetic disorders. Apparently, if you take this test, you have to also be willing to have an amniocentesis, which is a more invasive test that carries a risk for miscarriage-- because if the results of the first test are unclear or positive, then they will use the second test to find out more.

Although I was uncertain (because if the doctor is recommending it and modern science has made it available, why not, right?), I think I have decided not to do it.Because even if I find out something is wrong with the baby, what would I do? Knowing would only make me more anxious about the birth. At this point, I'm not really anxious about that-- I've made it almost to the end of the first trimester, and as far as I know, everything is going right on schedule. There has been nothing abnormal to make me feel that my baby is at risk. And frankly, I'm not willing to PUT the baby at risk to find out if something is wrong with him/her. Because termination has NEVER been an option.

On a lighter note, I have to give props to the Life Care Pregnancy Center, where I have been volunteering over a year now on Thursday nights. I have learned so much from the girls who come in there and I know God has truly been using it to prepare me for my own pregnancy and parenting. I'm leading a Pregnancy Information Class right now, which has been fairly informative-- we've been watching a video from National Geographic called "In the Womb" which gives an amazing view of the baby inside the womb at all different stages. We also had a maternity clothes closet available and just recently had to stop that ministry for storage reasons, and I cam eout with about 5 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. Most are too big for now, but will soon fit. Mostly I enjoy the great support I get from my friends at the Center.

We had to sign up and pay for our childbirth class through the hospital this week, although the class won't happen until July. I did my research, though, and discovered my insurance will reimburse up to $90 of the cost. So I splurged and also signed up for a post-natal exercise class to which you're allowed to bring your newborn. Hopefully these classes will also be a great opportunity to meet other new moms.We also got our 1st bill. I'm pretty sure my insurance deductible is only $500 so I know it won't go much higher than that, but I guess I just didn't expect to have to pay this soon. And all for photos of hte preborn child in my womb. Worth it? I think so.

My Baby's Development: Week 11

Nearly all structures and organs are formed and beginning to function.
Fingers and toes have separated - Take a glimpse at how incredibly precious your child's tiny feet are at this point. Hair and nails begin to grow. The genitals begin to take on the proper gender characteristics - It will be just a few more weeks before your ultrasound can show if you are having a boy or a girl! Have you been dreaming of pink or blue?
Amniotic fluid begins to accumulate as the kidneys begin to function - This fluid, consisting primarily of water, helps provide a cushion for your baby while she's nestled within your womb. The muscles in the intestinal walls begin to practice contractions that digest food. Your baby is about 1.61 inches (4.1 cm) long and weighs 0.25 ounce (7gm).

Week 11

I think I'm finally getting over the "all-day" sickness. I feel generally good during the day, just a little more tired by the end of the day. Now I'm getting these strange tastes in my mouth after everything I eat, like my taste buds are magnifying every flavor. Even gum or mints are really really sweet. I feel like we should be doing more to prepare for this baby, seeing as how I'm almost 1/3 of the way done. But I know that there is plenty of time and everything will eventually fall into place and right now I should be focusing on staying healthy. I have bought a few packs of diapers but I'm hoping the baby isn't picky about what diapers he/she likes.I had two different people comment yesterday on how much I am showing already. It was understandable when I was wearing a more form-fitting sweater, but yesterday I was wearing a more loose shirt. Right now I just look fat if you don't know I'm pregnant, but I think I'm growing at exactly the right rate.

Week 9

We had our 2nd dr. appointment on the 31st and the baby (finally resembling something a little more human-like, as opposed to just a dot), and the baby measured at about 8 weeks along. This puts my due date around 9/10/08. We're hoping its before Sept. 11th!

This week it seems the morning sickness is starting to subside slightly. I still feel sick sometimes after I eat, but when I wake up I usually feel pretty decent. No foods really sound good at all, and yet every 2 hrs. I feel so hungry! I have experienced some other symptoms, like heartburn, and weird tastes in my mouth. I did make Brett go & get me some cookies & cream ice cream last night-- he seemed to enjoy being my knight. I am now at the stage where I can't quite bring myself to go buy maternity clothes, but I'm definately feeling the stretch in my pants.

Our next appt. will be with an OB nurse on Feb. 27th. I am anxious to hear the baby's heartbeat, but I'm not sure if we will get to.






My growing belly @ 2 months





8 week ultrasound-- much more baby-like!

Week 7

It seems like the first few weeks of my pregnancy are dragging on. I know everyone says to really enjoy this time of your life because it will pass so quickly, but right now I just don't see it. I think part of it is because I wasn't as far along as I thought I was when I went to the doctor, so it feels like I've been 6 weeks pregnant for 3 weeks now. I really still don't have much of an idea of my exact due date or exactly how far along I am, which is killing me since so many of the books and articles I'm reading are all based on what week you're in. I'm probably reading too much anyway!

I've had a subtle nausea for the past week-- not so bad that I feel like I'm going to throw up, and not so bad that I can't eat anything, but nonetheless annoying. I filled the prescription the dr. gave me for nausea medication and actually took it last night I felt so bad. At some times I'm grateful for the nausea, as its the baby's sign that he/she is still alive & well. Other than that, I've also been pretty tired, but not to where I can't function well. I craved French Fries & starchy foods all last week but today I think that's starting to subside. I don't really have any other symptoms, though. I feel like I'm already starting to show a little and some of my pants are harder to fit into, but I know it's really still a little early for that!

The cat is officially out of the bag. Most people know the news now. I still haven't told a couple of my long-distance friends, but we made the announcement Wed. night at prayer meeting at church, and I told everyone at work. Generally, everyone seems so excited for us. I haven't really had any off-the-wall advice. Actually most people at work are really looking out for me more. A lot ask me how I feel on a regular basis. And since there have been quite a few that have gone through a pregnancy themselves recently, many have offered to let me borrow some books they have. Now that everyone knows, I think the wait is about to feel even longer.

My Baby's Development: Week 6

The arms and legs continue to develop - These limbs are stretching out more and more. Later on you will be feeling those feet and elbows up close and personal right in your bladder! Brain is growing well - Did you know that over the course of the remaining months that your baby's brain will develop over 100 billion neurons? This is just the beginning!

Lenses of the eyes appear - If you could catch a glimpse inside, you would notice your baby's appearance becoming increasing like a newborn's.
Nostrils are formed - The position of the nose seems to shift into its proper place as well. Soon, the nerves running from the nose to the brain appear. Intestines grow - Initially these are actually located outside the baby's body within the umbilical cord.
Pancreas - Your baby is now equipped to deal with digestive enzymes and take on processing the insulin and glucagons the body needs to function.

First Doctor Visit

Finally the day of the long-awaited first doctor visit is here. I have been really anxious-- to see the heartbeat, to know my baby is actually there, living inside me. I was nervous about all they were going to do, but turns out they really didn't do much of anything. I went in at 8am, they did a urine sample (the pregnancy test had a really dark line this time, by the way), took my weight (134) and blood pressure, and then Brett & I got to go back for the ultrasound. The u/s was really quick & painless. Turns out, though, I'm not as far along as I thought. The baby was soo small-- too small to find out its length to determine an actual due date. She figures I'm probably about 5 weeks, but I go back again in 2 weeks. Another 2 weeks of waiting! But we saw the heartbeat. A little tiny blinking dot. Life. I thought I would be more emotional but I still feel sort of detached. I definately feel more certain now; there's no doubt I'm pregnant (especially since morning sickness is finally kicking in), but still so far removed from the future and the thought of actually holding a living human being that was formed inside of me! I decided to tell everyone at work today & we'll probably start telling more people since the doctor said the chance of a miscarriage after seeing a heartbeat greatly decreases.





I shall call this one "blinky."