Tuesday, January 17, 2012

24 weeks... Viability!

After my 22 week post I was thinking... what am I going to write about at 24 weeks?  I have nothing interesting planned so it is going to be a short and boring post.  Well, I wish I never thought that because I'm eating my words right now.  Apparently I'm not allowed to have an uneventful pregnancy.

Last week on Monday I could see a little of my colitis flaring up but I've had little bouts here and there so I tried to not think about it and just move on because I've been able to do that in the past.  On Tuesday it got worse to where there was a tiny bit of blood (sorry if this is TMI for some).  My OB isn't in the office on Tuesdays so I said if this continues I'll call tomorrow morning.  Wednesday it was even worse: more blood, mucus, itchy, etc.  The typical signs I had before coming back... yuck!  So once his office opened I called him and asked what he would advise.  He told me to get in contact with my gastroenterologist from last time and talk to them about pregnancy safe medication because he doesn't want me to suffer through this.  I immediately called the gastro office and had a message related to the Dr that my colitis was flaring, what my symptoms were, and that I was 23 weeks along in my pregnancy.  I got a call a few hours later to go over the symptoms again and they confirmed they would make sure I would be going on pregnancy safe medication so it wouldn't get worse.  I didn't have a prescription on Wed but by Thursday morning it was ready for me to pick up.  Thank goodness because Wed night was awful.  The medication is very similar to what I took when first diagnosed.  Lets just say its not an oral medication-- it goes right to the affected area.  It is a little uncomfortable at first but I am grateful that it won't affect the baby.  I noticed a difference within 3 days of taking the medication.  I still have to finish off the medication so by Feb 10th I should be done and all cleared up.  Just in time for my first baby shower in Hollister!

I tried to take my mind off the symptoms by working on my baby registries.  I think I'm about finished.  Thank you all so much for your input!  There are things I left on the registry to have as an option but for the most part you should be able to see some sort of input.  I look everyday on ksl and craigslist for cribs and dressers that we like.  So far nothing has sparked my interest but there is still time.  If you would like to check out my registries and tell me if I am missing anything they are below.  Note that we are receiving important things like the bouncer, swing, boppy, stroller, infant car seat, baby bath, and a few other things from David's uncle who just had a baby boy a year ago.
Target
Babies R Us

Now I really do hope the next two weeks are boring.  I don't have another ultrasound for the brain until Feb 7th then I have my glucose tolerance test on Feb 8th (cue sarcastic "woohoo" here).

And for everyone's enjoyment... my bump photo.  It was actually somewhat cute today even though this picture doesn't do me justice because I had just gotten home from swimming at the gym and wanted that taken before I took a shower and got into pajamas.  I look huge but you can't see the little curve in my back.  No stretch marks yet and my belly button is flattening out.

How is baby?  He is kicking like crazy!!  I love watching him move around my belly at night before we go to bed.  We just reached viability day today so if for some reason he or my body decide its time to end the pregnancy early there is a decent chance he will survive.  Stay in there big guy... at least another 15 weeks!

How is mom?  With the medication I am doing much better.  I still get nasty heartburn at night sometimes but I'm usually able to eat something for it to go away long enough to fall asleep.  I am still sleeping well even though I wish I could sleep forever because I love my bed and cuddling with David.  I don't have any cravings which is good I guess since David still can't drive.  I love swimming and its such a weird feeling to be so buoyant in the water but it feels great.  I'm finally getting people to notice that I am pregnant without rubbing my belly.  Mostly its just those that are used to me being thin and now I'm not.  I actually had a friend of mine that I haven't seen in awhile point out at the grocery store that I was either pregnant or getting fat.  Of course he was joking about it because he could tell it was just pregnancy.  We'll see if the next 3 months make me even more chubby or not!

Please keep me in your prayers that this colitis will be gone for awhile after this cycle of medication.  I don't want it getting any worse for my sake and for my future children's sake.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

22 weeks (4 months left!)

I guess its time for the next update.  I had my follow-up ultrasound yesterday to get better measurements since baby boy was being a little stinker last time.  They were able to get better views of the heart and spine this time.  He's still not letting them look super clearly at his brain though.

They said the heart and spine look exactly how they should and they are normal without anything to worry about.  They are still worried about the ventricles in his brain.  They would like the width to be about 1cm or just under.  Right now his are at 1.06cm.  You'd think that is such a small amount but for such a little guy right now that is more than they'd like.  At the previous appointment it was 1.07cm so at least they were hopeful in the fact that it hasn't gotten bigger.  They now have me going in every 4-6 weeks to measure the ventricles to make sure they continue to stay the same or get smaller.

This has taught me a lot about mother's intuition.  I could be totally off base and we won't know until he comes but I honestly feel like there is nothing to be worried about.  David and I had a heart to heart about it and he was very sweet about saying if we have a child with special needs it will be hard but we will have an angel on earth because that is what they are.  While I don't think there will be anything wrong since the ventricles are the only marker, its nice to know that we're both somewhat prepared if our baby has Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or something of that sort.  Maybe my work with children with disabilities in the past has lead me to this point where I can be okay.  I could be crying everyday in fear that something is wrong with him but I'm not.  I'm trying to be strong for him and for David.  Plus I honestly don't feel like there is much to worry about at all.

The ultrasound tech and the OB at the ultrasound office were so great.  I don't like bothering this little guy with ultrasounds so they made it real fast.  I can only imagine how fast it will go when all they have to measure is the brain in the following months.  They kept telling me how easy it was for them to find the right places for measurements because I was thin.  I don't know about you, but when I look at these pictures "thin" isn't really the first word that comes to mind:


David took these right before bed last night so pardon the shaggy look please.  I'm always biggest right before bed so I figured we'd try to show you a good bump.  Its still an awkward looking bump, sort of a double bump at this point.
In the time between the ultrasound tech and the OB I was watching my belly and you could see my little man moving around.  It was so foreign looking.  Like that scene in Space Balls where the alien comes out of the man's stomach at a restaurant and starts dancing on the counter.  Of course my baby will be MUCH better looking though :)

How big is baby?
According to WebMD he should be about 8 inches and 12 ounces.  He's measuring a week ahead in weight and almost 2 in length right now so I'm trying not to guess what that would mean for our measurements at this point.

How is mom feeling?
I'm doing much better these last couple weeks.  I was able to have a very restful and low-key Christmas vacation which was exactly what I needed.  When I got back I jumped right back into the pool and its been feeling so good.  I still get heartburn pretty bad some nights but usually I'm so tired I can fall asleep without letting it keep me awake.

Also I would like to hear from you!  I would love suggestions on the following products if you have experience and any other things you would like to suggest:
bottle system (I'm hoping I don't have any hang ups in breastfeeding)
breast pump
monitor
crib (we're trying to keep this at a manageable price please)
pacifiers
Gliders/Rocking Chair
anything else you might think I need to know about or would like to relate your horror/success stories

Happy New Year!!