Monthly Archives: June 2016

Twenty Five Weeks – The 411

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How my baby’s growing

Head to heels, my baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight – 1 1/2 pounds – isn’t much more than an average rutabaga, but she’s beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she’ll start to look more and more like a newborn. She’s also growing more hair – and if you could see it, you’d be able to discern its color and texture. Also, her skin is finally gaining some color. Her hands are fully developed by this week, fingerprints and all! And at 25 weeks, the structure of the spine is beginning to form (33 rings, 150 joints, and 1000 ligaments)!

25 weeks: Your baby is about the size of a rutabaga

 

How mommy’s life’s changing

Your baby’s not the only one with more hair – your locks may look fuller and more lustrous than ever. It’s not that you’re growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you’d normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can – the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.

You may also notice that you can’t move around as gracefully as before. Unless your healthcare provider has advised you otherwise, it’s fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don’t work out when you’re feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don’t lie flat on your back, and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you’re apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.

When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your healthcare provider will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.

BABY STATS:

How Far Along?

25 weeks !

How Big Is The Little One?

My baby is the size of an rutabaga

Total Weight Gain / Loss?

I have gained 4 pounds total, 2 pounds since last weeks weigh in and I lost 27 pounds during the first trimester

Maternity Clothes?

My regular jeans are now a bit snug in the waist.  I am now wearing my exercise clothing around the house and maternity clothing otherwise

Sleep?

The insomnia seems to have slacked off a bit.  I am able to sleep for a few hours at a time.  The baby still moves around in the middle of the night, but I am getting used to it

Best Moment of the Week?

This week has been pretty uneventful.  The highlight of my week was attending the prescreening of Independence Day, The Resurgence.  It was a good movie, just not as good as the first.

Symptoms?

Other than heaviness at times in my pelvis, I have no experienced any new symptoms.

Food Cravings?

I have not had any food cravings.  My appetite is still nonexistent.  My doula has me eating oatmeal once a day and also I baked some awesome lactation oatmeal cookies that I have been nibbling on.  The apple cinnamon oatmeal and the cookies are very soothing to my tummy

Food Aversions?

I still can not tolerate salty foods nor overly sweet foods.

Gender?

Baby girl !

Labor Signs?

None

What I Miss?

My booty ! My butt has gotten wider and my middle is wider too.  I miss NOT having sore boobs.

What I Am Looking Forward To?

14 more weeks when my baby arrives.  I am also starting to get excited about my baby shower.

Bump?

I have a half a soccer ball now !


Navel In/Out?

In and I am noticing that after my showers, I have to dry my navel out with a q-tip now.

Baby / Mommy Purchases?

The only purchase I made this week was the Shea Moisture Baby Wash/Shampoo, Baby Lotion and Oil.  It smells divine !  The Burt’s Bees set I bought, I gave to my little nephew.  He seems to love it, but it doesn’t have enough of a scent for me.

Can Someone Tell My Baby…..

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That starting a kick fest at 12 midnight and wrapping up around 4 am is not the business !!

NOW that I can actually fall asleep without an act of God, my dear baby has changed her movement patterns !  Before, she was active around 7 am, 3pm, and 7-9 pm.  Now, she moves around 11:30 am, 3pm, and then moves nonstop from midnight until she gets tired.  I had fallen asleep and then awoke to a strange sensation.  Her movements now feel like a cross between kicks and a balloon or bubble bursting.  It is so very weird.  She moves so much, it wakes me up.  It does not matter if I lie on my right or left side or sleep sitting upright on pillows on my back.  She also jumps on my bladder so I keep having to get up to urinate.  I hope her schedule goes back to the way it was before.  Babies tend to keep the same schedule they kept in utero.  Pray for me ! lol

Twenty Four Weeks !! – The 411

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How my baby’s growing

Your baby is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at about 1 1/3 pounds. Since she’s almost a foot long (about the length of an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she’ll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing “branches” of the respiratory “tree” as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

How mommy’s life’s changing

In the past few weeks, the top of your uterus has risen above your belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball. Most women have a glucose screening test (also called a glucose challenge test or GCT) between now and 28 weeks. This test checks for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related high-blood-sugar condition.

Untreated diabetes increases your risk of having a difficult vaginal delivery or needing a cesarean section because it causes your baby to grow too large, especially in his upper body. It also raises your baby’s odds for other complications like low blood sugar right after birth. A positive result on your GCT doesn’t mean you have gestational diabetes, but it does mean that you’ll need to take the glucose tolerance test (GTT) to find out for sure.

BABY STATS:

How Far Along?

24 weeks with 15 more to go !

How Big Is The Little One?

My baby is the size of an ear of corn

Total Weight Gain / Loss?

To date, I have only gained 2 pounds.  My weight is now staying stable and not swinging between 2-3 pounds.  I am stuck at a 2 pound gain.  I lost 27 pounds from January to February. I am happy that I have not blown up like Shamu !

Maternity Clothes?

I am still wearing my normal clothing, though my pants now have to go under my bump.

Sleep?

Because I had an allergy attack and have been taking a swig of children’s Benadryl, I have been getting more sleep.  I am amazed at how sleepy the children’s liquid version makes me. If my niece’s baby were not screeching in the middle of the night every 3-4 hours, I could actually get a full night of rest.  For some reason, they sleep in the family room above the basement, where I am staying while visiting and her baby wakes up randomly because he is not and has never been on any type of schedule.  #teenmoms

Best Moment of the Week?

This week has been rather uneventful.  My mom and I went up to the DC Waterfront and sat out and watched the boats go by and planes land at National Airport.  We are going to the movies tonight to see Central Intelligence with Kevin Hart and The Rock.  This weekend is Father’s Day but my father and grandfather are deceased so we no longer celebrate it.  Once my daughter is born, we will celebrate by honoring her godfathers. We have plans to attend worship service for the men’s day celebration and then we are going to the Slip Inn or Haines Point in DC to have a picnic on Sunday.

Well, I did have ONE good thing happen this week…. my donor has four frozen eggs banked at the clinic and I got them !  So October 2017, I will cycle again for baby #2 !

Symptoms?

I still have no symptoms other than round ligament pain, occasional constipation, and a heavy feeling in my pelvic floor.  It is hard to get comfortable at night.

Food Cravings?

I have no appetite.  The only foods I have been craving is fresh fruit.  I wanted plums but can not find any sweet ones.  I will hit up the farmer’s market tomorrow since local grocers fruit suck.  I have also been eating a 1/2 a watermelon a day, which is refreshing !

Food Aversions?

Salty and Sweet foods

Gender?

Baby Girl 🙂

Labor Signs?

None

What I Miss?

Being in the condo at the beach and waking up looking at the ocean.

What I Am Looking Forward To?

Taking long walks on the beach every morning at sunrise and again at sunset.  I look forward to the solitude and also taking my baby outside to chill on the beach.

Bump?

Oh Yeah !  I have 1/2 a soccer ball now !

Navel? In or Out?

In.  I have noticed that I have to dry my navel out with a q-tip now because it remains wet in there after I bathe and the towel is not cutting it. lol

Baby or Mommy Purchases?

This week, my maternity pjs arrived that I ordered from Zulily so I now have everything for my hospital bag.  I bought a Genie Bra, which is comfy but my boobs still hurt regardless.

I ordered the most adorable monkey wall clock for the nursery and it arrived today.  The only two items I have to order now is the bedding from Bratt Decor, which is in raw silk , the same colors as the fabric we chose for the bassinet I ordered from there and also the crib thru my friend at Restoration Hardware.

I have been buying things for the baby shower as well.  I only have a few more items to purchase.  I have to get the three fold napkins, silverware, dinnerware, cups, and the stainless steel beverage containers for sangria and the coffee and hot water for tea.

First Kick ! -The 411

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While lying down watching TV and trying to fall asleep last night, I felt a recognizable kick ! I thought to myself, no way that’s a kick, but it’s not gas or a flutter.  I tapped my tummy on the right side where the baby usually is and she kicked where I tapped!  I tapped on the left and she kicked there too ! 

What a strange but exhilarating experience !!

What an amazing end to a horrific day.  I was so down all day after learning of the murders in Orlando and then reading of a girl on one of the support group pages suffering a loss at 22 weeks out of the blue.  I was completely freaked out and bummed.   My little Queen kicking and responding to my touch was right on time !  I am so in love with this baby ! #gushingwithpride 🙂

Twenty Three Weeks ! – The 411

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Image result for Papaya

How my baby’s growing

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she’s more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about the size of a large papaya), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby’s increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won’t faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

How mommy’s life’s changing

You may notice that your ankles and feet start to swell a bit in the coming weeks or months, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer. Sluggish circulation in your legs — coupled with changes in your blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. Your body will get rid of the extra fluid after you have your baby, which is why you’ll pee frequently and sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, lie on your left side or put your feet up when you can, stretch out your legs when you sit, and avoid sitting — or standing — in one place for long periods. Also, try to exercise regularly to increase circulation, and wear support stockings (put them on first thing in the morning) and roomy, comfortable shoes. You may be tempted to skimp on liquids to combat swelling, but you need to drink plenty of water because staying hydrated actually helps prevent fluid retention. While a certain amount of edema in your lower extremities is normal during pregnancy, excessive swelling may be a sign of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

BABY STATS:

How Far Along?

23 weeks

How Big Is The Little One?

My baby is now the size of a large papaya

Total Weight Gain / Loss?

I have gained 3 pounds total this entire pregnancy after a 27 pound loss during 1st trimester

Maternity Clothes?

I can still wear my regular clothing. I have started to wear a few pair of my maternity jeans, but they are too big.

Sleep?

What sleep?  I have insomnia.  I fall asleep around midnight and wake up at 2 am and am up until 5 am most nights.

Best Moment of the Week?

The best moment this week was at my repeat late anatomy scan.  I got to see that precious little face, hear the fast little heartbeat, and the doctor and sonographer were able to get what they needed finally !

Symptoms?

I am experiencing round ligament pain and also still suffering with sore breasts.

Food Cravings?

I still do not have much of an appetite.

Food Aversions?

Salty or super sweet foods.

Gender?

Baby Girl !

Labor Signs?

None

What I Miss?

Nothing at present except sleep

What I Am Looking Forward To?

Holding my child in my arms and looking into her face

Bump?

Last week, I finally got a little bit of a pop.   I officially have a bump !  I still do not look pregnant but I will take it!

Navel In/Out?

In

Baby / Mommy Purchases?

I ordered four nursing gowns from Zulily and Maternity Shape Wear to wear under body hugging dresses.

Repeat Late Anatomy Scan -The 411

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Today, we had to travel back home to NYC for a repeat late anatomy scan.   Last week, the baby would not cooperate and they could not see her heart nor her head.   Today, she was face down and it took some prodding plus a transvaginal sono, but the MFM doc, Dr. Borenstein at Lenox Hill -Black Hall Maternal Fetal Medicine, was able to get what they needed. The baby is perfect !!

Here are pics:

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We are all good until our next scan for size, weight and placenta check in three weeks.   The placenta is still low lying posterior.

Twenty Two Weeks & Counting ! – The 411

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How my baby’s growing

At 11 inches and almost 1 pound (about the size of a spaghetti squash), your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she’s even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.

If you could see inside your womb, you’d be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she’ll sport until she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside her belly, her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

How your life’s changing

At this point, you may find your belly becoming a hand magnet. It’s perfectly okay to tell folks who touch your tummy that you’d rather they didn’t. And if people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that each woman grows — and shows — at her own rate.

What’s important is that you see your practitioner for regular visits to make sure your baby’s growth is on track. You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby.

At least half of pregnant women develop stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There’s no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but moisturizing your skin will help with itching.

BABY STATS:

How Far Along?

22 weeks !

How Big Is The Little One?

My little angel is the size of a spaghetti squash and weights 14 oz this week per the doctor.

Total Weight Gain / Loss?

Still no weight gain.  I have lost 27 pounds since the beginning of this pregnancy and have held steady for the past two months.

Maternity Clothes?

My regular jeans and clothes still fit and are a bit baggy.  I have a pair of maternity leggings and a few pair of maternity pants that fit, but they slide down 😦  Once my belly is much bigger, they will fit.

Sleep?

I have insomnia, however the past two nights, I slept most of the night.  I think it was due to the traveling to NY and not getting much rest prior to the trip.

Best Moment of the Week?

The best moment of the week was finding my baby’s heartbeat on the fetal doppler monitor and then seeing her and hearing the heartbeat at my late anatomy scan.

Symptoms?

I have had a few bouts of nausea and have more of a gag reflex when brushing my teeth.

Food Cravings?

The only thing I have craved this week are plums.  I am going to Mom’s Organic tomorrow to get a bunch of organic plums.

Food Aversions?

Anything greasy, salty or overly sweet.

Gender?

Female

Labor Signs?

None !

What I Miss?

The occasional glass of wine.

What I Am Looking Forward To?

Meeting my daughter !

Bump?

On Tuesday night, my belly felt weird.  It felt like my organs were shifting around.  While walking around Manhattan on Wednesday, my belly felt like it popped.  I looked down and the baby was sticking out.  My belly has slightly popped ! Now I have a little bump.

Navel In/Out?

In

Baby / Mommy Purchases?

I ordered my breast pump this week.  I ordered the Medela Pump In Style.  They will ship it to me  at the end of this  trimester

Late Anatomy Scan – The 411

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Yesterday, we had a late anatomy scan at Lenox Hill Hospital- Black Hall.  The scan went really well. My little one is very stubborn !  This time, they could not see her heart nor her measure her head because she would not move no matter which way they had me turn.  Her spine, eyes, organs, limbs, etc. are all perfect.  Her heartbeat is strong and steady.  I got to see her little face in 4D.

Next week, we have travel back to New York for a few days because the late anatomy scan has to be repeated to try to get a look at the heart and head.  If she doesn’t cooperate next week, we have to go see a Pediatric Cardiologist for him to to the scan.

After the appointment with at Lenox Hill, I had to rush uptown a few blocks to see Dr. Minor, the high risk faternal fetal medicine doc. It was really a pointless appointment since (1) she did not have my chart because I normally go to the 5th Ave location and (2) she was annoying and asking me questions outside of the scope of what I was there for or frankly that was not her concern.  She also wanted to go toe to toe with me in a discussion about reproductive immunology, something she knows NOTHING about and a subject I, unfortunately, am well versed in at this point.  She seemed pissed that she could not flex her “knowledge” about what research says simply because I am armed with knowledge that will refute the foolishness she was spouting.  Research is flawed and this is NOT an exact science.  This doctor has NO children.  She has not spent the last three to four years going through treatment and consulting with the top RIs in the country and she is not pregnant due to protocols and their work…. I AM !

She sent me to get a Quad test, which I learned today at my appointment with my OB, Dr. Karamitsos, had already been done.  She also tried to tell me that I do not need to take Metformin.   Is she going to deal with the symptoms if I develop GD?  No !  I AM !  I am willing to do whatever preventative measures I have to to ensure that I stay as healthy and complication free as possible.   She tried to tell me that my baby will not grow properly and that she needs some sugar….  I drink a soda every day.  I drink a 32 oz sweet tea every day.  That is enough sugar !  My baby is measuring RIGHT ON TARGET so what is she talking about?

Today, I had an appointment with my OB.  He listened to the baby’s heartbeat and went over the results of the blood work and the scan results.  I got a script for my breast pump and he told me to get the Medela Pump In Style.  I have to get a TDAP vaccine at my next appointment.  He wants my mother to get one as well.  NY is a hotspot for Whooping Cough so it is advisable that anyone who is to be in contact with the baby on a consistent basis to be vaccinated.  He is hoping that the flu vaccine will be ready by the end of September so that I can get that vaccine prior to giving birth. My posterior partial placenta previa is still present so I am still grounded, which is a bummer !  I wanted to go to Italy with my mom and sisters and I can not go now.  I have to wait until wk 26 to see what is going on at that point.  I will be too big to be traveling by the time we get that close and also I feel its too close to my due date to be out of the country. 😦

After my appointment, I took my mother to her favorite boutique which is around the corner from my 1st apartment.  We then ate lunch at Burger Joint.  Now we are back at the hotel relaxing and I am about to order a movie and start searching for a sublet for the time I need to be in NYC.  The one I was hoping to secure is not available since the owner found someone who can stay all summer.  I am not paying rent for time I do not intend to be here.  My landlord is supposed to hold a 1br for me for the three months I need a place, but I would much rather be in midtown or a little further down on the UES.  My apartment building is only 4 yrs old, so that is one of the draws, but I just do not want to be up near Harlem, as there is nothing to do.

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My belly finally is a bump !