February 3, 2004 (18 weeks 3 days) - Just a quick update on my appointment yesterday. I gained 4 pounds in the last 3 weeks, which doesn't surprise me based on the way I've been eating lately. I got the results of my AFP bloodwork from a few weeks ago which were fine. I don't remember the heart rate, but I know it was right in the middle, according to Alyssa, so she was guessing boy I think. I'm expanding a little more each day and I know that maternity wear can't be avoided for too much longer. I am trying to schedule an ultrasound for sometime soon, but with the weather we're having here the office is closed so I'm sure there will be a delay in me getting in for that anytime soon. I'll go back in 4 weeks again.
February 5, 2004 (18 weeks 5 days) - So, we had our ultrasound this morning. It went great! The baby was very active, moving all around, sucking his thumb, moving his arms, opening his mouth, just amazing. Yes, I said HE for sure. I wasn't sure I wanted to know, but it was clear as day to the tech and she showed Frank and I finally said, after holding out for a good 5 SECONDS, "Ok, tell me!". Yes, he's healthy and everything looked just great. She took a lot of time looking at his heart, since she had recently returned from a seminar on the heart and knew how to identify a lot of it. She was getting great views of it and wanted to keep them. That was fine with us, more time to view the little one. So, Noah William it will be and Frank is already talking about painting the nursery! Oh, and I told my boss this morning. She didn't take it very well. She was happy for me, of course, but sad for her because I know this will stress her out more with me not being around for 3 months. The word is finally out at work, as hard as it was for me to tell, but since I fear my days of maternity clothes are right around the corner, it's just better this way.
February 16, 2004 (20 weeks 2 days) - Officially I'm over halfway done with this pregnancy, but it all depends on when this baby decides to arrive and whether or not I schedule an early c-section. Everything is still going well and I am hanging onto the fact that I can still fit into a few non-maternity items of clothing, though I have resorted to wearing some of my maternity stuff already. I'm still dealing with heartburn, though it's not terribly bad yet so I'm not carrying tums around with me all of the time or even taking them very often. I try to make good food choices instead, but that doesn't always happen. My appetite had picked up a lot last week and the week before, but seems to be tapering off again. I'm still not feeling the baby move as regularly as I'd like yet, but I know that will happen in time. I feel small movements about once a day if I'm lucky. I'm looking forward to our last vacation as a family of four which is in just 4 days. We leave for Orlando on February 20th for a week at the Boardwalk Villas of Walt Disney World. I won't be returning to the doctor until March 1st for my next appointment.
March 1, 2004 (22 weeks 2 days) - Hard to believe this pregnancy is so far along, but not really if you take a look at my expanding belly. I feel HUGE now all of the sudden, and my appetite just won't quit some days. I postponed my doctor's appointment until this Friday to give me some extra time to get some bloodwork done that I was supposed to do last time. Of course, I know I'll end up getting a slip this week to have the glucose tolerance test done which is never a fun time. I'm still getting frequent heartburn but still trying to avoid taking anything for it. The baby movements have become very strong in the last few days, so he's obviously keeping busy in there! Our vacation to Orlando was nice and I did end up carrying around the kids a LOT, especially Noelle who wanted nothing to do with anyone but me most of the time. She fell asleep in my arms on several rides, just like she did on our last trip, poor thing! I'll have to try to take some photos soon for this site.
March 8, 2004 (23 weeks 2 days) - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Have I mentioned how HUGE I feel these days? I never like that look of not-quite-pregnant-enough to look cute in maternity clothing, but pregnant enough to not be able to wear anything that isn't spandex or has elastic so I just look huge. I've updated the belly photos, so don't be too frightened. They are scary! My doctor's appointment on Friday was interesting. I'm glad I had Frank pickup both of the kids because I was in the waiting room for an HOUR before being seen. That's very unusual, but they had double-booked my doctor to make up for the fact that she was sick the previous day. I was the last patient of the day for her. I knew the weight gain would be ugly, and I was correct. TEN POUNDS. That puts me up a total of about 17 for the overall pregnancy so far. I gained 9 pounds between my 21 and 25th week with Noelle too. I'm chalking it up to a baby growth spurt and not just my terrible eating habits. Speaking of those, my doctor had a student nurse there with her and she volunteered me for the student to interview, because I'm just so nice and since this will be her third delivery with me. Of course, the student asked questions about my DIET of all things, which was just so terrible for me to admit how bad I'd been, even on that day! Anyway, the student also checked the baby's size and heartrate, which came in around the lower 140s. I have to schedule another ultrasound soon to check on some things they couldn't see last time, and then I'm back in 4 weeks. She asked about my kids, so I told her she might get to see them in the next two visits, since both kids have well child checkups around the time I'm due to return to her office. The heartburn is still pretty bad, baby's movements are getting stronger by the day and not helping that out, so I really haven't had much of an appetite the last two days. I settled for soup and an apple for lunch today, and I feel good about that. Let's hope the good eating habits will continue.
March 23, 2004 (25 weeks 3 days) - Still feeling large and still eating poorly which isn't helping matters. I had an ultrasound on March 18th and it's still a boy and he was looking just fine. She had to check his spine, which she didn't see last time, and he had one hand behind him on his butt most of the time. I have been reading and researching all about c-sections and VBA2C and beyond. Every day I feel a little more determined not to schedule another c-section this time. I've got some recommendations on other doctors who would encourage me to still try to go into labor on my own. I haven't had the nerve to call and make an appointment quite yet. I have contacted the hospital for a copy of my medical records from both of my previous surgeries. I'm very curious to read them. Frank is nervous about me changing to another doctor and another hospital, but he will support me in my decision. I have very good reasons for trying to avoid surgery, and I had two great surgery experiences. I don't regret them, but I do feel more and more that they were both unnecessary now and that's why I'd like to review my records. I go back to the OB office next Friday, April 2nd, but I didn't make an appointment with my OB but with the nurse practitioner. At least perhaps she won't be ready to put me on the schedule, but who knows how that's going to play out. Nicolas will also be going to this appointment with me, since he has his 4-year checkup the same day. That should be interesting. I'm posting new belly photos too.