So because I had IVF and/or ICSI, there is (apparently) a two- to four-fold increase in the probability that I will have a baby with heart defects. Because of that, I was scheduled for a fetal echocardiogram at 26-27 weeks. This 1.5 hour appointment is coming up on Thursday, and is the same as a regular ultrasound except they focus on the four chambers of the heart (blood flow, heart rate, structures, etc). M couldn’t make it to this appointment, so I am bringing my mom. I’m not sure if this is a mistake to bring “Mimi” (her new grandmother name!) or not. I just worry that if something is wrong, the woman will never sleep again. She’s a worrier x1000. I mean, I shouldn’t throw stones because God knows I’m already a worrier and I don’t even have the baby yet…but she takes it to another level. I am excited for her to see the baby real- time though, and to see how today’s technology works. We all know that our parents’ generation didn’t have the benefit (or not?) of ultrasound so I thought she would appreciate tagging along. I guess more on that next week. Let’s just hope there is nothing wrong.
Along with being knee deep in financial matters (i.e. life insurance, the refi of the house, etc), house fix ups (ceilings painted, new front storm door, spring yard clean up) we also are anticipating our first birthing class this Friday night from 6-9pm. It’s located at the Birth Center near our home (not attached to a hospital) and is called “Childbirth Education for the Planned Hospital Birth”. I think the purpose is to review natural childbirth options when it seems like the odds are stacked against you- lol. I’m anticipating topics such as “Yelling at nurses that try to force medication on you” and “Reacting to ignorant doctors when they doubt your God given ability to give birth”. Wow, those are long titles. Anyway, I am really looking forward hearing what they have to say as well as practicing labor positions and techniques. I’m hopeful that this will correspond well to what I’ve been reading in my natural birthing books.
I was supposed to have lunch with my friend Jenna yesterday (who I haven’t seen in a year!) but unfortunately she was sick and had to cancel. I hope to see her, and others I haven’t seen in a long time, at my shower at the end of April. My mom keeps showing me all the cute things she’s gathered so far, as the shower is at her house. My mom and mother in law are having separate showers for me, probably no more than 25 people at each. The stuff my mom has collected so far is adorable, and she ran the menu by me as well. It sounds delicious. My mother in law showed me a proof of the invitations to her shower, and they are ADORABLE. They have a giraffe at the top and blue giraffe print all over. I will have to frame it and put it in the baby book I love it so much! I’m starting to gravitate towards the boy baby clothes every time I go shopping, and they really do have some cute stuff out…I love everything with trains, camouflage, crabs, lambs, and giraffes. I thought I wouldn’t like any of it but it’s just so cuddly I can’t help it!!
No new symptoms this week, other than my continued on again off again sleep patterns. I had a doctor’s appointment last Thursday, and I gained about 1.5 lbs since last month, for a net weight gain so far of 22 lbs with one more week to go until my third trimester. I expect to gain at least another 10, putting my total at 32 lbs. I read that 25-35 lbs is considered “normal” for someone who started out with an average BMI, which I did. Blood pressure was still normal (100/60) which made me feel good considering all of my heart palpitations and the fact that I can feel my blood pulsing through my veins. Overall, I’m pretty happy and don’t have any complaints. I scheduled my glucose tolerance test in two weeks at a lab near me. I’m going to go this week to pick up the yucky sugary drink that I’m supposed to have an hour beforehand so hopefully that appointment won’t take too long. At that time they will also re-test my vitamin D levels (which were low last time) and my antibody screen (which was positive last time and we have fingers crossed that it is negative this time).
I feel my little buddy move around all day long now. He kicks and squirms and everyone can feel him from the outside now. Sometimes I see him moving underneath my clothes. I’m glad he’s tumbling around in there because I’m sure sometime soon he’s going to start to run out of space. I can’t wait to meet you, buddy!
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