9w 4d - Appointment

My appointment was good yesterday. I met with the nurse educator who mostly went over things I've reasearched and know already. General pregnancy highlights, and a semi-lecture on nutrition. I guess she was trying to make me feel a little cautious about my weight since my BMI is on the low end of "normal." And it would not be abnormal for me to gain up to 40-50 lb, although 25-30 would be what the books say is a healthy gain if your weight is normal. (And I am not underweight...)

We got each other quite confused on the due date discussion. I guess she is supposed to go by the LMP (last monthly period) only and told me to "hash it out" with my practitioner later. I explained about my ultrasound measuring younger than that, and if you use my ovulation date you would get an even younger fetus age. So basically they are using January 2 due date, and I am using the u/s age of a Jan. 5 due date. If I go with ovulation, which would probably make the most sense, it's January 8.

The baby will come out when it's ready, but getting this date as close as possible to being accurate is important because a woman gets so uncomfortable by the end, you want the practitioners to know exactly how overdue you really are (assuming you get that far, and many first pregnancies do). She relucatantly offered me an ultrasound, but I didn't want to stress over another early ultrasound, and I knew it's not normal practice for them, so I dropped it and declined. (Later ultrasounds aren't able to measure correct age as accurately.)

So, if I haven't confused you enough... :) My next appointment is the 27th, the first one meeting a CNM (certified nurse-midwife). I should be around 12 weeks and we should be able to hear the heartbeat then! How thrilling!

Arrived Safely

Jason is in Obregon, Mexico again for 2 more weeks... I've just received word that they arrived safely. Please pray for safe travels!

January Sunset

from our backyard looking out on our pond

9w 2d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• I got pretty queasy on Friday. I was really busy at work and had forgotten to eat between 12:30 and 5! I finally got something around 6 and was fine.
• Still pretty moody. No crying fits or anything but I just don't feel like "myself."
  Jason left today for Mexico for work for 2 weeks.

Ups

• I heard another raving review about the practice I chose with the OBs and CNMs. I spoke to a woman at church who mentioned that they were even wonderful and caring through her miscarriage a couple of years back. Hmph! Go figure that a woman would need that level of care!
• My first appointment with them is tomorrow... already!

9w 0d - "Little K" This Week

• The crown-to-rump length of your baby is about 1.25 to 1.68 inches (between 3.1 and 4.2cm). He weighs about 0.18 ounces (5g).
• The placenta is now producing progesterone which helps to make nutrients for your developing baby.
• Your baby has passed the stage when he is most susceptible to damage. By the end of this week, the danger zone for congenital abnormalities has passed.
• The plan for your baby's body has been completely laid down by now. Further growth and cell division will build on this plan.
• Taste and tooth buds have appeared.
• Your baby has recently developed fingers and toes which are now well-formed. Ankles, wrists and the inner ear have formed. Your baby's nose is flat and his eyes are far apart. His eyes, ears, mouth and nose are all recognizable. The tail is disappearing.
• Your baby is moving around the amniotic sac, and moving his feet and ankles. You still will not be able to feel these movements but you may be able to see them on an ultrasound.
• Blood is circulating through the arteries and the vein of the umbilical cord.
• The brain of your baby is developing at a phenomenal rate. About one quarter of a million new neurons are produced every single minute at this stage in your pregnancy.
• If your baby is a boy, his testes, though they are not even clearly visible, are already producing testosterone.
• Your baby is no longer called an embryo, but rather a fetus.

Source: http://preg.fertilityfriend.com