Tuesday 13 May 2014

Ember update, et cetera

I have the last set of my Finding Meaning Questions written, and I haven't yet worked up the nerve to press Post. Why? I think because the theme is faith, and I seem to alternate between a confused kind of guilt that I don't have enough faith in this pregnancy and future, and a pessimistic feeling that \I shouldn't dare feel any. And discussing either feeling in detail makes me a bit queasy.

So, well, I'll just kinda put that on the back burner for now.

Also, enjoy 50 Unexplainable Stock Photos. My favourite is the guy using a cake as a pillow.

I saw Dr. Gnomish again yesterday for regular checkup. It's been four weeks since my last appointment.

I am 17 weeks today (timed based on last U/S).

Ember has a strong heartbeat. 143 bpm yesterday.

My fundal placement and measurement (I guess that means location of top of uterus) was all normal.

My blood pressure was a bit higher than the last time, but nothing dangerous. Actually, I suspect the higher blood pressure and Ember's slightly faster heart rate was because I had managed to work myself up into a bit of a snit. My last doctor's appointment was a few days after the 12 week U/S and I was unusually calm, since I had recently seen Ember doing great. Seeing as I hadn't been checked out in the 4 weeks since, I had had ample chance to imagine things that might go wrong.

But everything looks fine!

I am noticeably bulgy in front, at least if you know what to look for. Not so bulgy yet that people can see at a glance that I'm pregnant, at least I don't think so. I may get around to posting a picture if I get around to digging out the camera from the bag where it's resided since San Diego.

The nausea is quite a bit reduced, but not yet to the point where I can go completely without the Diclectin. I tried again this past weekend, but by Sunday was having increasingly severe waves of nausea, so I took one. I'm not taking any more than one a day. I feel fine today, so I might try going without it again. Doctor reassures me it's OK to take it when I need it. I'm eating well, although I can't stand the sight of big slabs of meat (meat mixed with pasta is usually OK) so I worry about enough protein/iron.

The boobs are growing and growing. I still occasionally get the fiery pains inside one or the other, but not too often. Last time it happened was in the car so I pulled one out of my bra and was whimpering, which was amusing and I suppose a little embarrassing for Mr. Turtle. Have I mentioned that pregnancy has caused me to mostly forget whatever modesty I once had.

Still having a lot of vaginal discharge. Still so not fun, if apparently harmless. Occasionally it is brownish. In the past 3 weeks I've had pinkish discharge about 4 times. Most often after a bowel movement (ya know TMI is my favourite). I called my doctor's office freaked out the first time it happened. Doctor was actually off sick at the time, but I talked to the nurse(?) and she reassured me that it sounded harmless, and not to worry unless I saw heavy bleeding. Internet searches also reveal that many people have pinkish discharge after BMs. It still rather ruins my day when I see it, but it's very little and always goes away, so trying not to PANIC PANIC PANIC. Doctor was also reassuring at my last appointment.

Internet tells me cheerfully that round ligament pain is a common symptom of the second trimester, and I think I'm getting that more frequently. At least I'm thinking that's what it is. Sort of an intermittent pulling sensation on one side or the other, sometimes radiating into the middle of the pelvis. It comes and goes depending on how I am sitting or moving. I've had it off and on but it seems like more in the past week or so. My computer chair is apparently not so comfortable. The couch is just fine. Another reason maybe that the blog has not been regularly updated. I deep breathe and tell myself it's muscles stretching. I really hate the idea of feeling any pain though, especially because since the (difficult) beginning of the pregnancy, people have said "as long as there is no pain/heavy bleeding you are probably fine." I know in hindsight I'm not in any severe pain, but still. I've also been warned that my fibroids, while near the top of uterus and not considered a risk to the baby or delivery, may cause pain and bleeding especially later in the pregnancy. Bleah.

Two people in the last week have commented that they see the "glow." It is nice to hear that. I also have a new short haircut which has upped the pretty factor, and made me feel less like I have a dirty mop on my head. My hair has been more oily and I don't like fussing over it, so when it gets long it tends to be neglected. I'm starting to care a little bit more about my appearance, and have bought a few new clothes that flatter/conceal.

I think I might have felt movement occasionally. I can't be sure, because I'm so desperate to feel it I might be imagining things. Dr. Gnomish says if I think I have, I probably have. I could also swear that if I lie or stand very still, I can see tiny ripples across the top of my belly. I think it is the baby because it looks, well, alien. I certainly can't do it on purpose.

What else.

Anatomy ultrasound is 26th of May (at about 19 weeks). I so hope this is a great experience.

First appointment with the ob/gyns (after which I will not see Dr. Gnomish again, till after birth) is on June 3rd.

I want to hire a doula, so I've started making little inquiries. Haven't met with anyone yet, but I really hope we find a woman who can be help before, during and after birth. Especially since I know nothing about babies. How little I know about babies can be a whole other post. My life circumstances have coalesced somehow so that I have never had any extended contact with babies. I'm not exaggerating. None.

Everybody tells me things are fine, great, normal. So I'll continue with my goal to move forward with optimism. Every week is a victory.

8 comments:

  1. awww I am so happy things are going well for you and you have the glow!

    I wanted to have a doula but in the end I didn't want to pay for it! ha! I'm sure you will love having a doula though, I really think they make a big difference.

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    1. I hope so! I think I'll need all the help I can get. I think the glow might have been short lived - I felt nauseous and exhausted a day later - but it was nice to hear the compliment.

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  2. Happy 17 weeks - so sweet to hear you have the glow - just as you should! What an exciting time! Hope the anatomy u/s goes great!!

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    1. Thank you! I'm still anxious as well as excited but overall things seem good, so I should be too. :-)

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  3. Wow, I can't believe you're 17 weeks already! Time is going by so quickly. So happy to hear about your great report!

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  4. Turtle! I'm so happy to read a wonderful update from you. 17 weeks already!!! I'm at 13 weeks. Woah. I have almost zero experience with babies too, being the youngest, never babysitting and living far from friends and family with babies. Most of my experience is from reading books and blogs. I am not going to hesitate to hire a birth doula and a postpartum doula. I went to a talk by a postpartum doula and I am sold that it will ease the transition into parenthood as she had so many good ideas on how to prepare and cope during the postpartum period.

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    1. That's awesome. I'm glad I'm not the only one coming into this relatively clueless. I hope to get a doula who can help both with the birth and afterwards. Good luck with everything!

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