WEEK 10

10 Weeks

Friday, December 30^th we started 10 weeks. This week has been the most horrible week ever. I went from throwing up maybe once a day, to two-three times a day. I can’t eat anything without getting sick. The only way I do feel okay is when I am laying down. Everything hurts, my head, my throat, my stomach. I just know that I don’t feel good.

I didn’t go into work on Tuesday. I stayed home and slept all day.  Wednesday I went into work, thinking I could make it all day. Everything was so difficult to deal with.

Thursday I came into work, and again, I hoped I could make it all day. Finally around noon after throwing up for the third time, I just had to see a doctor.

I went into a local dr here in town, mine was 60 miles away so I didn’t have a choice really. He tried to give me some pill that he thought would help. But not once did he touch me physically. Even though over and over I told him how miserable I was, how bad my throat was hurting. But whatever, I went home and went to sleep again.

Later that night, I knew that something was not right. I still was throwing up, my throat was on fire and my blood pressure was skyrocketing.  So I asked my husband to take me to the ER so we could get something figured out.

After being in there for a few minutes, they got an IV in me as they knew I was dehydrated. My blood pressure was at dangerous levels, and so they started IV meds to get that to come down. And then the kicker…they tested me for strep. And sure enough, that is what was making my throat so sore! 

They determined that I could not be handled in the local hospital because of the high risk pregnancy with the high blood pressure. So they contacted my doctor up in Sioux City and she wanted me up there. So for the first time in my life, I got to ride in an ambulance just like you see on TV. They wrapped me all up, put me on the stretcher and away we went. Lights, sirens, the whole works!  

When they got me up to Sioux City, they took me straight to the OB ward. They did a stress test on the babies.  My blood pressure was starting to come down, but I still wasn’t feeling well. After an hour, they decided that the babies were not in danger, and moved me to a non-labor floor. I had a beautiful room, and tried to get some sleep. I forgot how difficult it was to be limited in positions to sleep.  At least I knew what was going on. And I finally had stopped throwing up. So hopefully we can start week 11 off much better than we left week 10!

Your Pregnancy: Week 10
The roller coaster of nausea may almost be over, but the roller coaster of emotions (happy, sad, crying, mad; and that's all in the last 30 seconds) is just revving up. No one will understand why Friends reruns are making you cry, so don't bother trying to explain it.

Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking:

"Only 30 more weeks until I can eat raw fish and drink sake again."

Your Body
The hormones raging through your body can wreak havoc on your emotional sanity, so be prepared to spend the next few months swinging from one end of the emotional pendulum to the other. If you're feeling especially sad or depressed, talk to your doctor because prenatal depression is actually quite common.

Simple changes in exercise and diet have been proven to help women control depressive feelings. But if little things like sad songs and sappy commercials make you cry, don't worry, you're not alone. Wacky emotions can be chalked up to pregnancy hormones. So go ahead and blubber your way through Celine's greatest hits. It's OK.

Your Baby
By the end of Week 10, your baby graduates from embryo to fetus, which literally means "little one." It also translates to "I'm just going to keep getting bigger and bigger and so are you!" Other highlights this week:

Your baby has finally morphed from a little tadpole into, well, a baby. Not only is the face more human-like, but that unflattering "tail" (really just the developing spinal cord) has disappeared, fusing into the spinal column.

Your baby now has discernible fingers and toes, which will explain the steady stream of kicks and punches you'll feel down the line.

Junior's skeleton is starting to grow and harden. The ears are beginning to take shape and the eyelids are no longer transparent. Tooth buds are forming, although your baby won't get any teeth until six or seven (or eight or nine or 10) months after birth.

Baby's brain will make an incredible 25,000 new neurons every minute this week. While you may feel like you're losing as many as he's gaining, we can assure you it's not permanent. "Pregnancy brain," like nausea and bloating, is a temporary symptom that soon shall pass. (And then you'll get "Mommy brain," but we won't go there now.)

If you're baby is a boy, he's started producing that macho hormone testosterone. And whether your baby is a boy or a girl, the kidneys are creating copious amounts of urine. Lucky for you, you won't have to change a diaper for another 30 weeks.

Baby weighs only 4 grams and measures 1½ inches, about the size of a mondo Brazil nut.

Your Life
Ok, blah blah blah about the health stuff, let's talk about decorating the nursery! Thirty more weeks may seem like eons, but it might take that long to clean out the soon-to-be baby's room.

Start by painting—you'll want enough time pre-baby for the fumes to have dissipated. If you can afford it, try using low-volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints, which are much safer for pregnant women and children.

Also make sure to check for the presence of any existing toxic lead paint in your home, since safe removal methods are essential for you and your baby's health.

Don't want to spend time painting or wallpapering the joint or worried that you'll be sick of those little yellow duckies you painted on the wall in about two months? Try Blik's awesome wall decals. Totally easy to apply and remove.

Start a search for the most comfortable chair you can find for the nursery. And make sure you love it ... you'll be spending almost as much time there as you do in your bed once the baby comes.

9 weeks

9 weeks

Friday, December 23^rd we are exactly 9 weeks today! I had a doctor’s appointment. First was the initial meeting with the Maternal Fetal Specialist.  They did a full ultrasound and we got to listen to the heartbeats and watch the little ones moving on the screen.  Then I headed to my normal OB appointment. She thought my blood pressure was a little elevated, so she prescribed some medication to help keep that under control.

Today was my son’s 8^th birthday. I had to push myself to get through the party at the bowling alley. I was beyond tired.  I still wasn’t feeling well either. The nausea has gone from not feeling well, to throwing up at least once a day.  I hate throwing up. But, it has to mean that the babies are growing and the hormones are increasing. So I deal with it. I eat crackers and sip on water or koolaide. I eat popsicles like they are going out of style.

Hopefully it calms down soon. I know I am losing weight and I know that isn’t good for pregnancy. But it is so hard to keep the food down. I miss my food!!!!

Watch out, here they come! At 9 weeks pregnant, hormones are raging through your body, creating a lot of changes.

Your body is going through a multitude of changes. From morning sickness, to breakouts reminiscent of your teenage years, to overwhelming fatigue. The cause? Hormones!

Pregnancy Week 9: All About You

Morning sickness grabs all the attention, but fatigue is the real first sign of pregnancy. Your body undergoes rapid changes to accommodate your growing baby-to-be. These changes take a toll on your energy level. You may experience exhaustion with your body—and your mind.

First Signs of Fatigue
Women often have unexplained tiredness before they discover their missed periods, explains Dr. Timothy R.B. Johnson, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Hospital and research facility. "It's important to know that fatigue is normal," says Dr. Johnson.

Get the Rest You Need
Take time to relax your body. Tone down strenuous workouts and seek out more soothing activities. Prenatal yoga or swimming classes will keep you toned, with the added benefit of relieving stress.

Add more sleeping time to your day. Extra sleep reenergizes your body and will leave your mind clearer to contemplate all the questions of impending motherhood. You may also want to invest in a good pregnancy sleep pillow.

Fatigue and Stress
Thinking about your new baby can bring happiness, but it may also add to your stress level. You may wonder about whether to keep your job once the baby is born and how you'll handle the added financial burden of a child. Even everyday concerns like caring for your tiny baby can keep you tossing and turning instead of sleeping or relaxing.

To maximize your relaxation time, find a strategy for dealing with your concerns. Some women find solace in breathing exercises, while others turn to friends or spouses for extra support. Taking warm baths may also soothe your senses (just avoid hot tubs because the high temperatures can pose serious health risks to your developing baby).

If you're not a bather, use warm (not hot) compresses for any sore areas on your body, such as your back or abdomen. You can purchase a heating pad or make one of your own by filling a sock with rice. Tie off the end, then heat it to a comfortable temperature in the microwave. If you choose fragrant rice, like jasmine, you'll have an added aromatherapy element ideal for relaxing your body.

Pregnancy Week 9: All About Baby

During your 9th week of pregnancy, your baby is busy growing. Her face looks more baby-like each day—her eyes are developed but concealed, and her nose, lips, and ears are becoming more defined. She's also starting to exercise her expanding muscles. Her fingers and toes are looking less like stubs. Although she's a wiggler—and you could see that on an ultrasound—she's still so small that you won't feel these movements. Her reproductive organs are developing, but even if you sneaked a peek you wouldn't be able to tell that she's a she (and neither could your doctor at this point).

How Big Is Baby?

Your growing baby is about as big as an olive this week.

8 weeks

8 weeks

Friday, December 16^th we began our 8^th week of pregnancy.  This week has been quiet and nothing much to report. I haven’t really been having too much morning sickness. There are times where I feel nausea coming on, but within a short time, it passes. I am very tired, most times I come home from work and head straight to the couch or bed to lay down.  I am falling asleep before 10pm, which is a huge change from my normal routine of midnight or later.  

Your Baby in Week 8 of Pregnancy

Your baby is growing at an amazing rate — about a millimeter every day — and now is the size of a large raspberry. Your little berry is looking a lot less reptilian (even though she has webbed fingers and toes, her tail is just about gone) and a lot more baby-like these days, as her lips, nose, eyelids, legs, and back continue to take shape. Her heart is beating at the incredible rate of 150 times per minute — about twice as fast as yours! And even though you can't yet feel it, she's now making spontaneous movements as she twitches her tiny trunk and limb buds.

Learn more about your baby and baby's growth this week.

Your Body in Week 8 of Pregnancy

While your raspberry-sized babe isn't exactly causing you to show yet, chances are your clothes are feeling a little tight around the tummy and you might need a bigger bra. You may also be feeling perpetually queasy. But take heart — your baby feels just fine even while you're hugging the bowl with morning sickness. Try to eat often, but only a little at a time. That should also help your body battle another stubborn woe coming your way soon: pregnancy heartburn. Most likely, you'll find relief as you move into your second trimester, but for now, try to focus on the positive: Morning sickness is usually a sign that your pregnancy is going well.

Learn more about your body this week and morning sickness.

Week 8 Pregnancy Tip: Eating Fruit During Pregnancy

Fruit is always your friend — but consider it your best friend while you're expecting. Not only does nature's sweetest bounty contain essential vitamins and other nutrients that are good for you and your baby, but it plays a starring role in keeping you regular (pass the prunes, please!). More sweet news: The right fruit can stand in for just about any vegetable you're shunning when pregnancy aversions and nausea may be keeping you from bellying up to the salad bar. (For instance, opt for dried apricots when you can't stomach broccoli.) A good rule of nutritional thumb when it comes to fruits (and veggies): Stronger colors spell better nutrition. But more often than not, it's what's inside that counts. So while a cantaloupe pales in comparison with a red apple on the outside, the inside tells a different story; the deeply hued flesh of the melon way outscores the white apple in vitamin and mineral content. Select your produce, then, by the color of its “inner” rainbow when shopping and you'll find nutrients worth their weight in gold.

Learn more about eating well in the first trimester.

Week 8 Pregnancy Symptoms

Fatigue: What’s making you so tired these days? Try everything! Pregnancy is hard work, and you should ask for help — from your partner, from your family, and from your friends. Having your partner (or a pal) lend a hand means you might have enough energy to go out for a walk (and then go to bed!).

Nausea and vomiting: Those queasy feelings may still be sticking around this week. Try eating foods with ginger (many studies show it works for reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy) — ginger cookies, real ginger ale, or ginger candies. And try taking your prenatal vitamin during dinner rather than on an empty stomach. The chewable kind might also make you feel less queasy.

Food cravings and aversions: Craving weird substances such as clay or laundry starch? Call your practitioner. These types of cravings are called pica and could be a sign of a nutritional deficiency, especially of iron.

Flatulence: Along with the bloating and constipation comes that other common scourge of pregnancy: flatulence (aka farting). The (aptly named) hormone relaxin, along with progesterone, is working to relax the muscles in your body, including those in your gastrointestinal tract. This causes food to move along more slowly, which leads to indigestion and gassiness. What can you do about it (except apologize to those around you)? Try to relax when you eat — tension can cause you to swallow air along with your food, which can form gas pockets in your belly.

Bloating: Those swell pregnancy hormones may cause you to swell as they slow down your metabolism. Try to drink lots of fluid and follow a healthy diet to avoid constipation, which only aggravates your bloated feeling.

Can't believe we are already 2 months pregnant!!!!  Let's hope everything continues to go smoothly and soon your babies will be here!!!!

WEEK 6

How your baby's growing:

This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil.

See what's going on in your uterus this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:

You may find yourself developing a bit of a split personality — feeling moody one day and joyful the next. Unsettling as this is (especially if you pride yourself on being in control), what you're going through is normal. Ricocheting emotions are caused partly by fluctuating hormones. But hormones aside, your life is about to change in a big way — and who wouldn't feel emotional about that?

Surprising Facts: Could it be twins?

Sure, twins run in families and you're more likely to be carrying multiples if you've undergone fertility treatments, but any woman can become pregnant with more than one baby. Could you be one of them?
Your odds of carrying twins

• Overall, about one in 31 births (greater than 3 percent) are twin births. But your chances of having twins are much less — 1 in 89 — if you conceive without medical assistance. The overall odds of bearing triplets or higher-order multiples is about 1 in 565.
• Identical twins usually happen by chance. Your likelihood of having identical, or monozygotic, twins (when one fertilized egg divides in half) is about 1 in 250.
• A number of factors affect your odds of having fraternal twins or higher-order multiples. Fertility treatments dramatically increase your odds. On average, 20 to 25 percent of women who take fertility drugs or undergo in vitro fertilization or other assisted reproductive techniques end up carrying more than one baby.

Other factors that influence the likelihood of having fraternal twins

• Once you have a set of fraternal twins, you're twice as likely to have another set in a future pregnancy.
• Fraternal twins run in families, so if you're a twin or related to twins, you're more likely to have a set yourself. Your partner's family history doesn't appear to affect your odds of having twins.
• The older you are, the greater your chances of having naturally occurring fraternal twins or higher-order multiples. Hormonal changes in older women are a likely cause.
• Fraternal twins are more common than average in African Americans and less common in Hispanics and Asians.
• The more pregnancies you've had, the greater your chances of having twins.
• Twins are more common in large and tall women than in small women.

Video

Inside pregnancy: Early fetal development

A 3D animated look at development of the embryo, which quickly develops from a single cell to several million cells all working together.

When you'll find out whether you're carrying twins
These days, women typically discover they're having more than one baby during an ultrasound, often in the first trimester. If you opt for first-trimester genetic screening, you'll have an ultrasound between 11 and 13 weeks. If you're pregnant as a result of a fertility treatment, you'll probably have an earlier ultrasound, usually within the first eight weeks to count the number of embryos that have implanted. Your practitioner also will recommend an ultrasound if your uterus is larger than would be expected given the number of weeks since your last period. Ultrasound is almost foolproof at revealing multiple pregnancies, particularly after six to eight weeks. However, the more babies you're carrying, the easier it is for one to get overlooked.

Next appointment...

So we went back to the doctor's office to double check everything. This time hubby came with me. I have been having issues with morning sickness. Actually---it's all day sickness.  At least 2-3 times a day I find myself in the bathroom.  It has not been fun or easy.  I try and try so hard to eat.  But I find food so nasty. The smell, the look....everything about it. I just can't handle it. And when I finally do get an appetite, I end up throwing it all back up. 

The appointment went well.  The ultrasound showed that the third sac did not grow, and there was no heartbeat or anything in sac 3.  I had a feeling that this was the case.  I was really hoping that only two were growing---and I think the guys were too.  

Week 5

At this point, it really is starting to get real that we are pregnant. Of course, this is the time when we lost the last pregnancy. I am fearful, worried that anything could happen again this time.   I had a scheduled doctor's appointment and ultrasound to make sure everything was okay, since this was the time frame that we lost the last pregnancy. So the doctors really want to make sure that everything is good.

Laying on that ultrasound table, my thoughts rushed through my mind.  Twins---it has to be. I just knew that there were more than one in there. My stomach is in knots.  My symptoms are way more than I have ever dealt with in any of my previous pregnancies. 

 

The ultrasound tech is flying through the ultrasound, doing measurements.  And sure enough---SHE FOUND TWO!!!  I was so excited and nervous at the same time.  But then she got quiet and said she had to get the doctor because she wasn't sure what to make of something. So they had the OB come in and go through the same things again.  By this time, I was a little tired of having the weinie wand moving around up there....but what she said next would change the way I seen everything----THEY FOUND ANOTHER SAC.  Triplets. 

You could hear a pin drop. I just started laughing.  And told the nurse--"and you thought nothing exciting would show on here" LOL

So she gave me some pictures---and told me to come back in a week to recheck everything.  I left there, smiling....shaking...excited and yet scared.  TRIPLETS....what the heck was I gonna do??

I went home and emailed the guys. They were nervous, excited, scared and happy. They have always wanted two children...but three? The next week took over my life. I thought about everything, from how I was going to be, to how I was going to carry three. We were all very cautious. But at the same time, so freaking excited that FINALLY....it had worked.  My guys were going to be daddies in 2012.

How your baby's growing:

Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.
The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.
His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.
The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.
See what's going on in your uterus this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing 

You may notice some pregnancy-related discomforts already. Many women report sore breasts, fatigue, and frequent urination starting in the early weeks. You may also have nausea, though it's more likely to show up in the coming weeks.

The outside world won't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside you — except that you're turning down that glass of wine with dinner, perhaps. It's important to avoid alcohol throughout your pregnancy since no one knows exactly how much — or how little — alcohol can harm a developing baby.
You'll also want to continue or start an exercise routine. Exercise helps you develop the strength and endurance you'll need to manage the extra weight you'll be carrying. It may help prevent some of the aches and pains of pregnancy, and many women find that it's a great stress-reducer. Exercise can also help you get ready for the physical rigors of labor.
Finally, it's easier to bounce back after you give birth if you've continued some form of exercise throughout pregnancy. Choose a safe, moderately vigorous activity you enjoy. Walking and swimming are fine choices for pregnant women.

WEEK 4

Pregnancy Week 4

  How big is your baby?
At this stage of your pregnancy your baby is already 2 weeks old and measuring about 0.04 inches or about 1mm in length. Your baby's development
Although fetal development is still in the early stages there is still plenty of changes taking place.
By this stage of your pregnancy the blastocyst would have embedded itself into the wall of your uterus even deeper and the amniotic cavity, which will later be filled with amniotic fluid, will already have started to form.
The germ layers, which are different layers of cells, will have begun to form. These layers will later form specialized parts of your babys body and various organs. There are three germ layers: the ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm.
The ectoderm will form the nervous system, the brain, skin and hair. The endoderm will form the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas and thyroid. Lastly, the mesoderm will become the skeleton, connective tissue, blood system, urogenital system and the muscles.
One of the key developments which may take place this week is the development of the 'primitive streak'. The primitive streak is the forerunner of the brain and spinal cord. This also now makes it possible to identify the head from the body.

Your development
At this stage of your pregnancy you would still be expecting your period to begin, or may even be a little late. You still wont be showing at all and it will be a long time before you do start to show.
Early pregnancy symptoms
You may be feeling a bit tired and queasy, but then again, maybe not. Many women feel as though they have jumbo PMS. Their period is due... but it doesn't arrive because this little embryo produces a hormone which stops your menstrual cycle. Your hormones responsible for most of what is happenig to you is hCG - also known as human Chorionic Gandotropin - and these levels will increase rapidly in the earlt stage of your pregnancy.
Some of the early signs and symptoms of being pregnant include:

slightly enlarged and/or tender breasts
weight gain or even loss of up to five pounds
fullness or an aching sensation in the pelvic area
increased vaginal discharge
frequent urination, morning sickness, mood swings and possible fatigue