16 Week Belly Bump

I'm finally getting those looks that ask "is she pregnant or has she been eating too many ho-hos?"

16w 3d - Midwife Appointment Yesterday

We had a great appointment yesterday! Met a second midwife, Barbara, who was also great. Baby's heartbeat was 145 bpm. Heard that glorious sound again via the doppler machine. I read that it's possible to hear it through a stethescope at 20 weeks. I can't wait to try! My weight gain is right on (about 5-6 lb) and my BP was 112/76. So far, so good!

Then came our questions. I'll try to recap briefly:

• The hospital we chose has a free, volunteer, on-call labor doula service. I'm a little wary just because their views could be swayed to "typical" hospital practices. But the extra free support would be hard to pass up. I think I'll sign up for that!
• According to Barbara, all the midwives are familiar with hypnobirthing. She noted in my chart that I plan to use it and will take Kate's class to learn the techniques. Barbara had 5 natural childbirths, so that helps too to know she knows the approach I'm coming from.
• A lactation consultant will stop by, and I shouldn't need to request to see her.
• Due to our conversation, I feel better about having the RhoGAM shot at 28 weeks (I'm O-, Jason is A+). I'm still undecided but fairly certain I will accept this in just 3 months!
• Her opinion is that a flu shot is safe and necessary. I'm still confused on the use of the thermisol in the vaccines, though, and it's potential side affects. Any advice here is welcome!
• I told her about my headaches. She said Advil is OK from weeks 13 to 28! I will try to use just 200 mg as a last resort only.
  

Our next back-to-back appointments are 8/24 for our 20-week ultrasound and a checkup/ultrasound review with another midwife.

Remembering The Angels

Today I remember a year ago when we lost our angel to a "missed abortion (miscarriage)" and my D&C surgery at RMH. In many ways I find it hard to believe it has already been a year. 365 days. A full 12 months. God is so good in healing and providing peace. I recognize how much I have to be thankful for. Of course, our current pregnancy and the life we pray to have the honor of bringing into the world in just a few months... But mainly today I think of the ever so kind nursing staff of RMH... The loved ones who sent a card or who approached me with a difficult conversation concerning our loss... And the friends and family with whom I will always share a bond of having lost a pre-term baby.

I also remember today all the sweet babies lost by miscarriage, still birth, and premature delivery. I imagine them all playing in Heaven together!

16w 1d - "Pason" This Week

Your baby now weighs more than the surrounding placenta. She measures about 4.4 to 4.8 inches (about 11 to 12cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 3.5 ounces (100g). She is positioned halfway between your pubic bone and your navel.

Fat, which is important for your baby's metabolism and heat production is beginning to form around this time.

The placenta, which will weigh more than a pound at full term, is also developing rapidly. It is now a large and well-established network of blood vessels responsible for exchanging nutrients and waste to support your baby.

Source: http://preg.fertilityfriend.com

16w 1d - Ups & Downs

Downs

• I've been a little more tired lately.
• Headaches have been a pain for me lately! Luckily I haven't had a very noticeable one for about a week.
• I started getting a cold last Thursday. I'm hoping I'll have it licked within a few days.
• I'm still not really showing.
• Jason wants to find out the gender at the 20-week ultrasound but I'm still trying to convince him that we should keep it a surprise.
• Today marks the anniversary of my D&C / missed abortion when we lost our first baby. I truly cannot believe it's been a year, and that our baby would be 5 months old already if it were born around the due date of 2/11/07!

Ups

• My hubby bought me a really cute shirt last night at Steve & Barry's. It's a size L for when I get LARGE! and it has a cartoon picture of a chick in a iron skillet. The words read "Hot Chick." Yeah! :)
• I'm still sleeping great--just not getting enough of it!
• We were away for the weekend at a lakehouse with 2 other couples who had small kids (5 and 24 months). It was fun watching them and imagining what life might be like for us next summer at the same location!
• My next regular checkup appointment is tomorrow. :)