15 Weeks, 6 Days

Time flies when you're having organs removed!

We were a little unfair to Bit in Hawaii, blaming him/her for how sick I was, when it turns out it was probably all gall bladder issues.

The morning before I went into the hospital, we went in for our first trimester screening ultrasound. No solid conclusions yet, but the doctor said she thought everything looked fine so far. Bit has a little baby chin and a little baby nose and a little baby belly. John thinks s/he was blowing kisses.

Since everyone was a little worried about Bit after my first surgery last week, my obstetrical care has switched to being co-managed by the midwives and the OB. This seems like a good plan to us, though I remain nervous about too many interventions at birth.

As of Friday when we left the hospital, Bit was pretty happy in there, moving around like crazy. The child remains stubborn about not being heard with a doppler, though. It's a struggle every time!

10 Weeks, 6 Days

John and I went in for our second midwife appointment this afternoon. Not much to report. We scheduled before the dating ultrasound, so while we originally thought they'd try to hear a heartbeat, it's still a bit too early for that. My weight looks good (I've actually lost since getting pregnant) and my blood pressure was fine as well.

The midwife answered a number of questions for us, primarily about my nutritional intake while I'm feeling as sick as I am. She reassured us that I should be feeling much better in the next couple of weeks as I cross over into Second Trimester territory, and prescribed an anti-nausea med for the plane trip to Hawaii, just in case. We go back the week after we're home from vacation. They'll try the heartbeat then, and I'll also do my first glucose test. (Early, as I'm at high risk for developing gestational diabetes and we'll want to keep an eye on that.) We'll also assess whether my morning sickness is still bad enough to prevent me from gaining any weight. Hopefully not! I have every intention of enjoying several bushels of pineapple next week.

9 Weeks, 1 Day

Yesterday was a big one for Little Bit. S/he has graduated from embryo to fetus - no more tail! Right now, Bit's probably about the size of a grape. Which makes me think I should get some grapes and see if I can tolerate them. They don't sound half bad!

I'm still pretty nauseated, and it's tough getting in enough food every day but we're trying hard. I've been getting in a pretty good variety, so Bit's at least getting something good. It helps that things like chocolate and candy are so totally repugnant right now. Seriously, who the heck AM I?

8 Weeks, 5 days

Foods which Little Bit likes:

Caesar salad (hold the raw eggs, please)
Teriyaki beef
milk
peanut butter
peaches
nectarines
Grandma Claire's german potato salad
Orange juice (usually)
Eggs (preferably on a plain bagel)
Fresca

Foods which Little Bit does not like:
Cantaloupe
Vanilla milk shakes
Sauces (ironic, as Mama has been known to eat foods just to get the sauce)
Deep fried foods
Pork
Whole wheat bread
Figs/raisins/other dried fruit


Foods which Little Bit cares little for but is kind enough to let Mama eat anyway:
Broccoli
Mashed potatoes
Chicken
Sweet potatoes
Cereal
Bananas
Pineapple
Apples
Pears
Tomatoes
Granola bars

Uh - Make That 7 Weeks, 6 Days

We had our first ultrasound today!

Wee Little Bit is measuring a little behind where we thought, by about 6 days. Our due date has been pushed back accordingly, to May 13th. The tech estimated the embryo is about 14mm long, and the heart rate is around 170bpm.

We came home with a little screen print, such that it is. Not a whole lot to see just yet, but Bit is clearly identifiable, blobby as he/she/it may be. I'll have to get that scanned.

Other than that, all's quiet. I am very very nauseated at this point, which is a surprise to nobody. John's been really wonderful. Yesterday, he went grocery shopping and bought a huge variety of food so I could hopefully find something good to eat every day. He came home and put it all away, and then cleaned up the kitchen until it sparkled. As I've been something close to a useless lump for 2 weeks, it was lovely.

He has also resisted the urge to smack me whenever I tell him how bad things smell. Which is often.

8 Weeks, 1 day

Yesterday, at exactly 8 Weeks, John and I went in for my first prenatal appointment. The midwife says I look very healthy. I will be screened early for gestational diabetes as a precaution since I'm higher risk for that, but I've been very careful about what I eat. So even if I am diagnosed, the treatment shouldn't be much more than tweaking my diet a little.

They don't do routine ultrasounds this early, but have scheduled one for next week to be sure we're dating the pregnancy correctly. The tentative due date is May 8, but I do expect that to be pushed back a bit.

The nausea has been hard this week. I'm functional, but it's a struggle to eat and get the nutrition the baby and I need. I'm working hard at it, though.

I'm planning to tell my bosses today. I've been so green around the gills lately, they've undoubtedly guessed something's up. Easier for them to know when I'm scheduling a bunch of doctor's appointments. And when I need some schedule flexibility on the days when I don't know if I can handle the bus commute!

Baby's First Food Aversions

Last night, I mentioned to John that I was putting together a list of questions for the midwife, and if he had any we should add them. He said "Can I ask her how to tell what you won't want to eat before you order it?"

Oh yes, bring on the food aversions. So far, they have been mild. I cannot stomach the idea of eating raisins, and anything with a thick deep fried coating is right out. I really really wanted that portabello mushroom sandwich last night, though. And as soon as I picked it up and smelled it, I had to put it back down and close up its takeout box tightly. Fortunately I had no issues with the chicken quesadilla we'd also ordered. I think the sandwich was just too...busy.

Yesterday was the first time I generally didn't feel good. The nausea is strong and steady, and I need to force myself to eat. Ironically, it bothers me least in the mornings. Also, my feet have started taking on the dimensions of small watermelons. I had no idea water retention could happen this early, but apparently it's not uncommon. Awesome.

It could definitely be worse, though. And it's completely worth it.