Six weeks – Sick and dizzy

Lots has happened with my symptoms since my last post.  Last Thursday I had to stay home from work because I was so sick I couldn’t even get off the couch.  I had a terrible headache, extreme fatigue, vomiting.  Yuck.  I couldn’t keep anything down all day Thursday and then Friday I was able to drink 7up and eat some crackers.  I thought I felt better over the weekend but Sunday I tried to run to Walmart and get groceries since our cupboards were almost bare and I almost passed out.  I told J I am never going shopping by myself again.  That was so scary because I felt myself going and my son was in the cart (not wearing his seatbelt, shame on me) and thank God I came back right before I lost it.  I was horribly dizzy and needed to leave as soon as possible but I convinced myself I could get my stuff paid for, which I did, and then I left. I felt much better once I got out into the fresh air. I waited a few while sitting in the van and then felt like I could drive.  Thankfully P was satisfied with eating ‘nilla wafers while mommy got herself together. 

 So I went back to work Monday and have been feeling quite dizzy when I look at my computer.  I talked to the nurse and she felt it was not the flu that I had but was morning sickness/pregnancy symptoms.  I would think that too except that the symptoms came and went and only the actual diziness stayed with me.  Anyway, the nurse just told me to make sure to eat every two hours.

I have my ultrasound Monday morning at 8:15.  I am excited and nervous. I can hardly wait until Monday to see our little bean with it’s beating heart.  I pray to God we see a beating heart.  I’m still pretty scared since the last time I had an ultrasound while pregnant they discovered our baby had died.  But I am thinking positive and while I want to protect my feelings I also want to enjoy every bit of this pregnancy.  I’m still hoping for twins!

6 weeks – Symptoms

Heartburn is still there but not terrible, definate bloating and still gassy.  Fatigue is terrible; I fall alseep by 8:30 or 9 at night and then wake up at 1 or 2 a.m. to use the bathroom and can’t get back to sleep for an hour or so and then I have a hard time getting up the next morning.  For some strange reason it’s hard to sleep on my tummy at night.  I’m not sure why since I know the little bean is not much bigger then… well a little bean! I guess maybe it’s the bloating or maybe it’s psychological, a feeling that I don’t want to squish the baby.   Major dizziness feelings during the day when I use my computer for too long. I also get dizzy, light headed, faint, and shaky when I go too long without eating.  Sometimes I feel like my heart is racing.

6 weeks – development

I found this really cool site – www.visembryo.com and it has really neat pictures and descriptions of the embryo. Click on fetal development and then click on the numbers at the bottom of the timeline.  Here is a little screen shot.

Head and Neck
The brain and head grow rapidly. The mandibular and hyoid arches are noticeable. Ridges demarcate the three sections of the brain (midbrain, forebrain and hindbrain). The spinal cord wall at this stage contains three zones: the ventricular, the mantle and the marginal. The ventricular zone will form neurons, glial cells and ependymal cells, the intermediate mantle will form neuron clusters and the marginal zone will contain processes of neurons. Adenohypophyseal pouch, which will develop into the anterior pituitary, is defined.Lens vesicle opens to the surface and is nestled within the otptic cup. Otic vesicle increases its size by approximately one-fourth and its endolymphatic appendage is more defined. Nasal plate can be detected by thickened ectoderm.
Thorax
Esophagus, the tube through which food is swallowed, forms from a groove of tissue that separates from the trachea, which is also visible.Semilunar valves begin to form in the heart. Four major subdivisions of the heart (the trabeculated left and right ventricles, the conus cords and the truncus arteriosus) are clearly defined. Two sprouts, a ventral one from the aortic sac and a dorsal one from the aorta, form the pulmonary (sixth aortic) arch.Right and left lung sacs lie on either side of the esophagus.
Abdomen and Pelvic Regions
Ureteric bud appear. Metanephros, which will eventually form the permanent kidney, is developing.
Limbs
Upper limbs elongate into cylindrically-shaped buds, tapering at tip to eventually form hand plate. Nerve distribution process, innervation, begins in the upper limbs.  

I found this on pregnancy.baby-gaga.com:

Fetal development in pregnancy week 6:embryo in second month This is going to be a busy week for your amazing little embryo. Their brain is still growing remarkably fast; miniature hand plates are starting to develop and the early formations of what will be their fingers are already visible. Also, the lower limbs do not develop quite as fast, so they’re pretty much still flippers. Up until this point, your baby has been very curled up with the head and tail in close proximity, but this week their trunk and neck are beginning to grow and straighten as their tail recedes into its resting position in the back. Even though your little miracle is only 6 weeks old, they’re already capable of demonstrating reflex responses to touch!

6 weeks – me

Still fine in regular clothes but the bloating makes it somewhat uncomfortable by the end of the day.  I’ve switched to wearing mostly my pants that were a tiny bit too big before I got pregnat.  They are a little loose in the morning but I’m glad I wore them by the end of the day.  I don’t wear jeans very often because I wear dress clothes to work and sweats the minute get home but I did put my jeans on last night and noticed they were a tiny bit tight.  I’m anxious to get into maternity clothes because I have quite a good selection in my closet and they are so comfortable.  Plus I can’t wait to tell the world I’m pregnant!

5 weeks!

Today I hit 5 weeks! I know it’s not that far along but I’m glad to get through another week and still be pregnant.  Less than two weeks until our ultrasound.  I’ve gone without my usual Diet Coke in the afternoon for 2 days now.  I didn’t have that much before, usually only one or two cans a day, but I’m trying to avoid caffeine because my r/e said it could cause uterine problems. I realize these problems are much later in the pregnancy in the form of preterm labor but I want to get out of the habit now while it’s early. Plus I’ve read that caffeine can increase your risk of miscarriage and after our last loss I am not taking any chances.  I also need to dye my roots so badly but I’m not doing that until I get out of the first trimester and all the baby’s organs and parts are formed.  Then I’ll only do highlights with much ventilation.  I’ve been through hell when we lost the last baby and I feel like anything I can do to prevent a problem this time, I will do without question. 

5 weeks - Symptoms

I’ve got some heartburn and I’m definitely starting to feel the fatigue kick in. That could be partially due to the fact that I’m so slow at work the day is just dragging. I’m still not feeling dizzy or sick like I normally do when I’m pregnant. And I’m still wanting to eat lots of potatoes.  Tater Tots rock!!  Then I also really like eating green salsa which could be part of the reason I’ve had heartburn today, lol.

 5 weeks – development

I found this at www.answers.com

The embryo measures 4 mm (1/8 inch) in length and begins to curve into a C shape.
The heart bulges, further develops, and begins to beat in a regular rhythm. Septum primum appear.
Branchial arches, grooves which will form structures of the face and neck, form.
The neural tube closes.
The ears begin to form as otic pits.
Arm buds and a tail are visible.
Pulmonary primordium, the first traits of the lung appear.
Hepatic plate, the first traits of the liver appear.
Buccopharyngeal membrane ruptures. This is the future mouth.
Cystic diverticulum, which will become the gallbladder, and dorsal pancreatic bud, which will become the pancreas appear.
Urorectal septum begins to form. Thus, the rectal and urinary passageways become separated.
Anterior and posterior horns differentiate in the spinal cord
Spleen appears.
Ureteric buds appear.

And I found this at www.revolutionhealth.com

Baby’s heart begins to bea

t
Your baby at week five (three weeks after conception)

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At week five, your baby is 1/17 of an inch long – about the size of the tip of a pen.

This week, your baby’s heart and circulatory system are taking shape. Your baby’s blood vessels will complete a circuit, and his or her heart will begin to beat. Although you won’t be able to hear it yet, the motion of your baby’s beating heart may be detected with an ultrasound exam.

With these changes, blood circulation begins – making the circulatory system the first functioning organ system.

5 weeks – me

I’m still feeling fine in my regular clothes.  I usually go to maternity clothes early but so far so good

Itchy!

Two weeks from today I get my first ultrasound! It’s going to be hard to wait.  I worked a bit more on the maternity shirt I’m making and so far it’s coming out pretty nice except I wish I would have made it longer because I can tell it’s not going to cover my belly for nine months.  It will be fine through the second trimester though.  By that time, hopefully I’ll have made a couple more and I’ll lengthen them.

I see the Duggar family has a new show out.  They’ve had their 17th child now, a baby girl.  Michelle Duggar is my hero, her kids are so polite and well behaved.  I watch her shows over and over again.  Plus the TLC channel has another series called Kids by the Dozen which I watch also.  Oh and I love Jon and Kate Plus 8.

 4 weeks 5 days – symptoms

I’m still very itchy.  I itch in weird spots like the palms of my hands and bottoms of my feet.  But sometimes all over and sometimes in just one spot where I keep itching. I googled it and it has something to do with increased estrogen.  I’m still taking Femtrace twice a day so that must be why.  A tiny bit of hearburn today, more frequent urination, and more hormonal crying.

Quick weekend

I think this pretty often, but geez, where did the weekend go?  I hate it when it goes so fast.  I mean, I’m really anxious to get to certain milestones in my pregnancy so I’m glad in one way but I wish I had more weekend left so I could have more time at home rather than at work.  It’s not that I don’t like my job, I just know I’m better suited to be a stay-at-home mom.  Unfortunately, there is no chance of that happening anytime soon

When I went to the library Friday, I picked up a book by Jenny McCarthy called Belly Laughs.  I had no idea until dh told me that she was a playboy playmate!  I read it this weekend and it definately had some funny parts in there.  Also, I found a book in the sale cart at Barnes and Noble that was a really thick but small paperback that is a day by day pregnancy journal with tidbits of info on each page.  I almost didn’t get it because I like to type when I journal but I will enjoy flipping a page and reading little something each night before I go to bed even if I don’t use the journal part.

The other thing I did this weekend was pick up a few maternity patterns at JoAnn’s along with some interlock fabric.  I got started on one top today and spent quite a bit of time  adjusting the pattern so it would fit me right and finally got it cut out tonight and got barely got started sewing it.  I know it’s early for maternity clothes but at the rate I sew I need to start early   Plus I’m really hoping to get the pattern perfected for me so that I sew a few of the same top in different fabrics and colors.  The one I’m working on is view D of McCalls 4880.

4 weeks 4 days – symptoms
More heartburn today but nothing too terribly bad, just enough to be noticable.  Craving for starchy foods – rice and potatoes.  I had this when I was pregnant with my son too, I couldn’t get enough instant mashed potatoes. I almost fell asleep a couple of times in the middle of the afternoon today but was fine once I got up and moved around.

It’s Friday

Well, I’ve now told more than a couple people at work. I hope I didn’t make a mistake but I’m just so excited I really can’t keep my mouth shut.  As soon as I am done with this post, I’m heading over to the library to pick up a book called Watch Me Grow as recommended by John and Ruth on their podcast, Just Relax it Will Happen.  It is supposed to have some pretty neat 3d ultrasound images of babies in the womb. 

4 weeks 2 days – Symptoms
Today I had my first case of hormonal crying.  I got upset with J over something totally stupid and realized it after the fact.  I was crying about it and it certainly wasn’t worth crying over.  I’ve got some period-like cramping in my lower back which I know is pretty normal, I had it with my last two pregnancies.  I have been yawning all afternoon but don’t feel like I’m going to fall asleep at my desk or anything. Still no nausea, but I’ve had a touch of heartburn today.

Second beta in

My second beta is finally back.  I was supposed to get the answer yesterday afternoon but there was some problem at the lab and they never got back to me.  So I spent a night wondering if my number was bad and they were trying to get the doctor to call me instead of the nurse so they could tell me the bad news.  Thankfully, I worried for nothing and everything was just fine.  My beta more than doubled! It went from 68.5 up to 199.2 so that’s a doubling time of about 31 hours!  We will have our first ultrasound on the Monday 22nd and the nurse said they should be able to see the heartbeat by then.  I think I’ll be 6 weeks, 5 days by then if I calculated it right.  I believe the heart actually starts beating earlier but they can’t see it on ultrasound until 6 weeks I think. 

Last time I had an ultrasound and was pregnant, we found out that our little baby no longer had a beating heart (this was after seeing it beating and seeing the baby moving around on ultrasound) so I’m definately going to be anxious about it but I’m trying very hard to stay positive and completely enjoy the pregnancy. 

4 weeks 1 day – Symptoms
So far I don’t have too many symptoms.  I’m just starting to feel the tinyest bit of nausea.  In past pregnancies I got quite sick when driving or reading – sort of like motion sickness which I used to have pretty bad when I was little.  I am starting to pee a lot and even waking up at night to pee.  And I’m gassy and a little bloated.  Yuck, what a terrible feeling.  But it’s totally worth it, and I’m glad to have a few symptoms so I can start to feel pregnant. 

Beta results

I just got the call I have been anxiously waiting for all day.  My beta is 68.5, I am definately pregnant!! I’m so excited but now I’ll find everything to worry about that I can.  First thing is that at 12 or 13 dpo (more likely 13 dpo) I’m sitting at the low end of “ok betas”.  I go back Wednesday for a second beta to make sure the number is doubling.  If that goes well then I’ll go at 7 weeks for an ultrasound.  We should be able to see a heartbeat by then.  Omg – can this really be happening??

Test results

I am in shock – I got a positive!!! Two beautiful pink lines this morning.  The test line was very light but I’ve done enough tests to know that this is definately positive.  I can’t believe it.  I’m going to the doctor this morning for my regular monthly blood test so they will confirm and I’m sure I’ll be on pins and needles all day but I know it’s positive. 

I woke J up to tell him.  He said that was the easy part, now comes the hard part.  After losing our last baby at 13 weeks along, we know that just because you get a bfp it doesn’t mean you get a baby.  So I told him, no, what we just went through was the hard part, now is the easy part.  Now, it’s about a half hour after that conversation and I just realized I’m very nervous.  Miscarriage rates for people my age (39 in two months) are pretty high.  I guess there isn’t anything I can do about it though except take care of myself and do what the doctor says. 

Omg – I just want to scream I’m so excited.  I have my test right here and can’t stop staring at it!

Inconclusive

I took a test but I’m not sure.  The good thing is that it wasn’t stark white.  I did see a line. The bad thing is that the line was not glaringly pink.  It was a wide enough line where I have a little hope that it might actually be a real line rather than an evap line.  Plus the line looks more pink than grey which is what my other evaps have looked like.  I am totally not getting my hopes up (ok, I sort of am) because I just don’t want to be crushed if it turns out to be nothing.  I’m going to do another Dollar Tree test in the morning before I go to the doctor to get my blood test. 

I guess I’m obsessed.  I keep looking at the test over and over to be sure it was more pink looking then grey.  Then I wonder if maybe I want this so badly that I’m imagining that it’s pink.  Hell, maybe I’m even imagining that there is some sort of a line. Nope, I just looked again there really is a line.  But I just don’t know if it’s real.  I guess I’ll know either way tomorrow. 

Strangly calm

I’m 9 dpo today.  Most months I would have started testing a couple days ago.  I don’t know why I test so early but I usually just can’t seem to wait.  I have no tests in the house so I can’t test.  I had an opportunity today at lunch to run to the Dollar Store and grab some tests so I could test tomorrow but I didn’t go.  I am getting excited about testing (as I do every month) but I’m strangly calm.  Maybe that’s a good sign.  Probably though, it’s because we’ve had so much going on lately, we just got the dog (who is still nameless by the way) last week, we’ve been going over to my mother’s house to help her clean out because she needs to sell her house and buy a condo.  Plus I’ve been sewing every chance I get.  So I’ve been keepying myself very busy and I guess it’s helping. 

I go in Monday for my blood test so I’ll definately do a pee test before then.  When I go get my blood test each month, they do the test in the morning and call mid afternoon around 3pm with the results.  There is no way I want to find out good or bad news like that while I’m at work.  So I’ll prepare myself mentally with a pee test in the privacy of my own home so if I want to cry, or maybe someday scream with joy about the results, I can do that. 

I’ll post my results sometime in the next couple of days when I finally get out and buy a test and take it. Please say a prayer for me if you are into praying or think positive thoughts if you don’t pray. Thanks