Journal

9/4/03 (10w0d): Went to the doctor’s on 8/29/03. Saw the midwife actually. She took urine, a pap smear sample, vaginal swab, blood pressure, etc. Detailed medical/family histories. We discussed my nausea and vomiting and settled on a combination of vitamin B6 and Unisom (of all things) to quell the “unpleasantness”. And I’m happy to report that it’s working! I haven’t felt this well in at least a month, and I’m so grateful. Still overtired – getting out of bed in the morning is a chore. Speaking of chores – they’re not getting done around here! Just don’t have the energy and I think it’s rubbing off on Chris! He’s really busy at the beginning of the semester (work) so he’s beat when he gets home too! Oh well! Next appointment is 9/19/03 (12w1d). Mom’s planning to come with me. This one will be with the doctor and we should be trying to hear the heartbeat (which we didn’t even try for this time).

9/10/03 (10w6d): Well, I can say that I’ve felt better than in the past – but still not feeling 100%. But I’ve only gotten sick twice this week so far and that’s better than a couple of weeks ago! I’m hoping that whether it’s the vitamins or just the fact that I’m finishing the first trimester, it just keeps getting less and less. I’m getting very excited for the doctor’s appointment at the end of next week and awaiting any movement from our little bean. The women on WebMD’s message board all say that it’s possible to feel the fetus move this early (though not likely). For first-time moms though, I imagine it would be difficult to discern between the fetus and just plan gas! I will certainly be paying close attention to any sensations in that general area. Other than those things, everything’s been maintenance for awhile. I imagine things will change soon enough though. One thing I didn’t mention before is that the midwife weighed me at 188 lbs (started at 180) with shoes on. Weighed myself Sunday, no shoes at 186; weighed myself today, no shoes at 183. Just keeping a running tab. Also all my labs from the appointment came back normal. I will be able to get paper copies of all my labwork next week when I complete some form – I would have to inspect them, being a lab rat myself, of course! So things are looking up – maybe I’m turning the corner.

9/16/03 (11w5d): OK, so I’ve discovered that the anti-nausea regimen (B6 and Unisom) actually works. Know how I know? I missed my dose at dinner last night. Boy, did I pay! I didn’t actually throw up, but I spent the entire day feeling like I was going to. Ugh! So, now I’ve got to figure out a way to remember to take my meds. Not hard you say? Well, when a majority of your oxygen-rich blood is directed away from your brain to the uterus – it’s not easy to remember your name, let alone medications! Oh well. At any rate, I may be “rounding the corner” into the second trimester. I’m anxious to listen for the heartbeat and feel bean move. It takes a while for first time moms (17 wks?) but I’ll be awaiting those first flutters. Decided not to get the AFP blood test done (triple screen marker). We’re not considered high risk for any of the genetic disorders it covers and we wouldn’t terminate the pregnancy if bean had any of them anyway. The test is also very inconclusive and very often gives false positives; why worry ourselves and possibly go through an unnecessary amnio? If I were older I think I would do it but for now we’re saying no. Chris and I are still talking about names – or rather, I’m talking. Chris is blocking it out, I think. I’d really like to use Simon, but he’s set on Jefferson. I like them both. Guess it’s a topic for later discussion. I’ll be singing up for my yoga and water aerobics classes this week along with childbirth. Found out that Anthem will reimburse for the childbirth education class – yippee! Tired…going to zone out with the Red Sox before bed.

9/23/03 (12w5d): We had a great visit on Friday with Dr. DeYoung. Didn’t start off too well though. Mom got lost on the highway and didn’t make it to the appointment. Luckily, Chris had arranged at the last minute to leave work and come with me. The doctor was a full half hour later getting to us. I’m still +8lbs and blood pressure was the same (~117/70). She talked with us for a few minutes and then whipped out the Doppler to try and hear the heartbeat. After 2-3 excruciating minutes, she gave up and suggested an ultrasound. I was psyched! She cautioned us that the technician had gone home already and we’d have to rely on her own skills (not familiar with the newer technology), but that if we weren’t successful, she’d send us to the hospital. But no worries – as soon as she put the probe on my abdomen there was the baby! We got to see the heartbeat right away (don’t know how fast it was beating though), the head, a hand, spine and feet. The doctor said she saw kidneys as well and that everything looked good. So we did well and have another appointment scheduled (with the other midwife) on October 20th. Should definitely be able to use the Doppler to hear the heartbeat then (I’ll be 16.5wks). Feeling okay lately. Still vomiting 1-2 times per week. Might start taking prenatal vitamins again and hitting the gym soon.