Kris's Pregnancy Journal
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 (Anne Geddes Baby Clothing web site) |
Kris's Pregnancy Journal
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(Anne Geddes Baby Clothing web site) |
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Tuesday, October 1 (18.8/16.8 weeks) I definitely felt something that time. In the last few weeks, I've thought I felt little baby bumps coming from my internal balloon, but yesterday and today I know they were baby bumps. So bizarre. I keep falling into the forgetting-I'm-pregnant thing, but it seems that is about to come to an end. My stomach is getting bigger, too, although it isn't obvious. Not really. I'm sure that will change soon, too. I'm almost halfway through this! Can you believe?! Monday, October 14 (20.7/18.7 weeks) Wow. Time is flying. I can't believe I'm halfway there. And I can't believe people can look at me and see that I've had sex and now I'm knocked up. I used to laugh at my aunt Candy who said she was embarassed when she was pregnant because people would know she'd had sex. But now I know the feeling. I've had some other feelings lately, too. Saturday we did a craft show (I make candles, if you didn't already know) and my stomach, or the inside balloon in my stomach, felt so tight and heavy all day. It was fine when I woke up yesterday, but started again later in the evening. I'm going to guess that it's just the way I will feel when I'm tired. Maybe it's a sign to just sit down and not move. Wednesday I get to meet my new midwife/midwives and see their office and developing birthing center. I hope I like everything about the place and the people. And I hope they tell me the center will definitely be ready by my due date. The baby has been moving more, but John still can't feel anything. He's getting frustrated with me grabbing his hand and putting it on my stomach, then sitting there and feeling nothing. I almost cried last night when he asked to stop doing it. But this morning I could actually see the baby moving for quite a while and so could John. That was nice. Yesterday I got on the Old Navy web site and ordered some maternity clothes. I've worn the same sweatshirt and sweatpants for the past four days. I also got a wool sweater coat off eBay which I can't wait to see. Old Navy has a winter coat that I want, but I'll see how the sweater coat is first. But I would really love that coat - only $62! We're done buying little baby body suits, I think. We saw some 6 month olds at the craft show and they were wearing little outfits with tops and bottoms, and they looked so big. So I ordered a baby rugby and baby sweat pants off Old Navy, too. They're so cute. Thursday, October 17 (21.1 weeks) So much to talk about. First, we went to Penn State Tuesday. We bought two little Penn State outfits. Then Wednesday was my first appointment with the new midwife group in Pittsburgh. Finding the place was a bit frustrating, on a busy street and not very noticeable. But I warmed up to it. It was immediately apparent that this was not a doctor’s office. No wall-to-wall carpet or overly sterile environment, but everyone was very nice. I was given some paperwork to complete and then shown what to do at each visit. I get to do my own urine test for protein and glucose and weigh myself. One couple came in while we were waiting and we saw another couple leave. At the last place, John was always the only guy there. I was also happy to find a few cards for doulas and pregnancy massage therapists in the waiting room. The midwife we met with was warm and personable. We went through my history and then had a quick exam. She seemed happy with everything and commented a few times on my good health. We heard the baby’s heartbeat and she measured me. Besides having gained 20 pounds in 21 weeks, it seems my fundal height, or size of my uterus, is a little ahead of schedule. She recommended an ultrasound. It could be a few things; twins, big baby, a lot of fluid. I guess it’s better to know. And, yes, I was kinda hoping someone would recommend an ultrasound so that I would have an excuse to find out the sex of the baby. But since leaving there, it’s been freaking me out. I’m sure it’s not twins. I know it’s a big baby. And now I’m afraid of ending up having a ceaserean. I got a bit emotional about it last night and this morning. Well, that and dealing with my sister having a shower for me, John’s general impatience and thinking I had screwed up some credit card payments. So today I treated myself to a movie and a few sales items at Sears, including some maternity jeans. I’m doing better now. I remembered to shave the few dark hairs around my belly button before my appointment this time. Last time I was a little embarassed when the midwife went to listen to the heartbeat and I had forgotten. Only this time, when I shaved the area, I noticed it wasn’t quite in the same spot as it was last time. Well, I guess it’s just facing a different direction now. And my belly button is starting to look a little stressed. I thought that would come much later. Tonight John was finally able to feel the baby move. It’s about time. When I was at the movie earlier today, I got the biggest kick yet. I almost jumped. Man, it was a big wallop right to my belly button. It’s funny that even when no one is with me, I don’t feel like I’m alone. Friday, October 25 (22.3 weeks) Well . . . we went for an ultrasound yesterday. All was revealed and I was relieved. We left two hours early and got there just 15 minutes before the appointment. This was a good thing because there was paperwork to fill out, of course, and water to drink. I thought I was going to be nervous or emotional, on edge. But it was fine. I don’t think I was necessarily excited, but I was looking forward to seeing the baby and finding out if I said be referring to he or she. When we got into the exam room, I pulled up my shirt and pushed down my jeans and got a bunch of warm gel squirt all over my stomach. It felt nice actually. The technician said they had gel warmers, but not all hospitals do. She was amazing. It must take a while to get to know your way around a uterus and fetus. She asked if we wanted to know the sex of the baby if she got a peak. We asked her to write it down for us to take with us and look at later. We got the full tour - the head, the eyes, the spine, the kidneys, the little arms and little legs, hands and feet. I shed a few tears. I couldn’t believe we were looking at something that is inside me. After checking and measuring everything, the computer determined that the baby is 23 weeks and due February 19th. So he’s just a week ahead of schedule. That’s not bad. The technician and doctor both said everything looks good, fluid looks good, baby looks good, the placenta is in the right place. Everything is good. Then we went to breakfast at a little dive diner place in the strip district in Pittsburgh, Colleen’s Corner. After ordering I asked John if I should open the envelope we got from the technician. Inside was a piece of paper with Congratulations! written on it and a single frame sonogram with little shadows circled and the words "BABY BOY" under it. It’s a boy! Tears came to both our eyes. It was the first emotion I’d seen from John throughout the pregnancy so far. I hadn’t expected to have much of a reaction. I had figured it was a boy. So it wasn’t a real surprise. I guess I should write to Dr. Shettles to tell him his method worked for us. The news put us in really good moods for the day. We did a little shopping at Old Navy and Gap, buying some little khakis and jeans and adorable sweaters. Then we checked into the hotel for a nap before out first childbirth class. |
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