2nd Trimester! (14 weeks)

I apologize that I haven't been keeping up with the blog.  I've been very busy, and distracted with my husband preparing to leave to BMT for the Air Force.   But this will update you on everything!

I am 14 weeks pregnant this week, which is the start of my second trimester!   Yippee!  The nausea and vomiting are slowly fading, though I do have an episode everyone in a while.  I have started maternity clothes shopping, and although I loathed the idea of having to put on those hideous pants with the  stretchy waists that go up to your boobs, I must say they are VERY comfortable.  I don't feel restricted at all, and it's actually kind of nice.  Speaking of boobs, my boobs are huge, and everyone finds it necessary to let me know that they are.  Thanks guys!  Well lets look at the up side, at least my baby won't go hungry! HA!

Speaking of people telling you things that are unnecessary, why is it that everyone who is or has ever been pregnant feel the need to tell me their horror stories, or things like "I know it's going to be twins because I was that big when I was that far along and I had twins!" and "You have so much to look forward to, like a weak bladder and irritability, and don't forget that you are going to be so uncomfortable during your last weeks that you're going to do anything to want that baby out of you!"  Yes people I've heard it all.  Even when I wasn't pregnant, I heard it all.  Don't get me wrong, I welcome stories, advice and suggestions, but not ones that are condescending, or scary.  I plan to have a natural birth, with the help of a midwife, and I would like the support of everyone I meet and tell that too.  I'm so tired of the rolled eyes, and scoffs when I tell someone I'm going to have a natural birth.  I know it's not the norm, but people look at me weird when I tell them this.  In my opinion I don't think women give enough thought to their labor and birth plan as they should.  It's not like I woke up one morning and thought...Hmmm I think I'll have a non medicated home birth.  Tyler and I have put a lot of thought into this decision, for it is not one to be made lightly.  I know labor and birth are going to hurt like hell!  I know it's not going to be easy.  I'll be pooping a kid out of my vag for christ's sake!  There are tons of risks involved, and I am aware of these risks.  I have given this plenty of thought, and have decided this is what will best for me and my baby.  I have wanted a natural home birth for as long as I can remember.  The horror stories are annoying, but also don't scare me because I know every situation is different and mine will be a beautiful story to tell of it's own.  I trust my body and know it will do what it needs to do when the time is right. 

I've been feeling pretty good at this point in my pregnancy.  It is rather exciting now that I a starting to show a lot more.  My belly is starting to poke out more and more everyday.  I have an appointment with Terri and Jenny, my midwives, on Tuesday the 21st at 2:30pm.  I am very excited since this will be my very first prenatal appointment!  I will tell you all about it on Tuesday.  So stay tuned. 

PS:  Happy Birthday to my wonderful loving Husband!  I miss you dearly and can't wait to see you! 

Midwife or OB? (11 weeks)

Ok so I missed a week.  Yeah yeah yeah, so sue me!  I've been tired and nauseous, and just feeling poopy all the way around.  I just haven't been in the mood to do anything these days, but sleep, and try to take my mind off the nausea.  Last night was the first night I puked in a few weeks.  I thought it was getting better, but alas it was too good to be true.  Will it ever go away?  I'm hanging in there with 3 more weeks to go until the 2nd trimester when all this nonsense is supposed to be gone.  On a happy note, I can feel my bump getting bigger!  No picture yet, you gotta wait until next week.

So back to the topic, I have been pondering this decision for quite some time now, even before I was pregnant.  For years actually.  I have always wanted to see what it was like to have a home birth.  An "out-of-norm" experience in child birth.  I don't have anything to "prove", nor do I want to gloat about how I gave birth naturally and you didn't.  Those that know me, know that's not my character.  However, when I mention this to people they often give me funny looks, or make blunt comments such as "HA! Good luck with that", or "TRUST ME, You're going to want an Epidural!" My response to them now would be, I am preparing my mind, body, and spirit to have a non-medicated natural birth, because you wouldn't run a marathon without training your body first.  Others are terrified about the possibility of something going wrong, or if God forbid an emergency were to arise, and the need for an intervention were necessary what would a midwife be able to do in than?  It's much "safer" to have your baby at the hospital.  Is it really though?  The truth is that for a low-risk pregnancy, a non-medicated vaginal birth is actually safer.  Midwives are becoming more and more popular here in the U.S but once again we fall behind other developed industrial countries in this area.  Birth by a midwife in the U.S. is an astonishingly low 1% where as the UK, New Zealand, and Australia being 10% or more.  These countries also have a far lower infant mortality rate than the US.  

See what most people don't realize is that a Certified Nurse Midwife is someone who is a nurse, and was than certified as a midwife by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.  A Licensed Midwife and Certified Professional Midwives have received years of training as apprentices, and Midwifery School and are certified by the North American Registry of Midwives.

Most midwives use non-medicated birthing techniques, yet still carry IV's, and pain medication.  They also work closely with hospitals in their area in case the need for an intervention were to arise, a transfer to the hospital would be fast and efficient.  They are trained to catch unusual things early, and suggest a transfer to the hospital if they see something is not right, so it won't be too late to get to the hospital.

Obstetricians go to medical school and are mostly taught interventions.  Most people don't realize that an OB is a surgeon.  They are trained to find complications and do something about it.  They are trained to use medication, not just when necessary, but all the time.  If a birth isn't going quickly enough for them, they start a Pitocin drip.  Pitocin serves as a substitute for the hormone Oxytocin.  Oxytocin is the body's natural hormone that stimulates uterine contractions.  Pitocin increases those contractions unnaturally.  If a woman has received an Epidural, she can't feel the strength of the contractions.  If too much Pitocin is administered, and Mom can't feel the contractions, it puts the baby at risk creating a stressful birth for the baby.  A lot of times this puts the baby in fetal distress ie. causing the baby's blood pressure to drop, and proceeding with an unnecessary intervention that could have been avoided in the first place.

I am not knocking OB's by any means, nor am I saying doctors are jerks or assholes.  I am merely saying,  the hospital experience is not what want.  I personally want an intimate setting, with minimal interruptions, and the intimate personal care a midwife.  I trust my body and know that it will not let me down.  It is a spiritual experience that I want to have with my family, close friends, my husband and my baby, without the chaos that usually goes on in a hospital

So, that being said, Tyer and I had a meeting with a couple of midwives yesterday.  We asked them all sorts of questions, they reviewed my medical history, and also asked me questions.  They were very sweet ladies.  I encourage you to go to their website and read their bios, and look around their website.
Seven Cities Midwifery Care

9 Weeks

Although it seems like I just found out yesterday, it feels as though this first trimester is just crawling by (pardon the pun). I think it may have something to do with the morning sickness and me wishing I was 14 weeks already to be rid of this constant nausea! :( My belly hasn't really changed at all, but I do feel bloated. Ooo I also gained a pound! In weighing 127lbs. I know it doesn't seem like much, but considering I've been sick and weighed about 123lbs prior the pregnancy. That's my update, not much to report this week, everything's about the same as last week. Stay tuned for any more interesting news!

I feel "Pukey" :/

Welp...I thought I was going to get off easy!  I should have known it was too good to be true!

I feel "Pukey"!

 These past couple days, the nausea has hit me pretty hard.  Nothing seems appetizing, not even those infamous "saltines" everyone raves about.  Today was the very first day I had to run to the bathroom and hug the toilet.  Nothing came out, I was just heaving and spitting up, but hugging nonetheless...oh no, excuse me while I go hug some more!  This time there was puke, YAY!  I'm sorry, but I have warned you I would go into extreme detail!

If there is any feeling I hate most in the world it's feeling nauseous, and if there is any act I hate most, it's puking.  So I'm sure you can imagine what a time I'm having!  The only thing that seems to settle my stomach is ice cold water.  I've tried ginger, that helps a bit, but the relief only seems to last a few minutes, than I feel it again.  I've been craving mostly proteins which is good.  Trying to limit those carbs however.  No gestational diabetes for me...no thank you! 

Another symptoms that's hit me pretty hard is exhaustion.  I seem to be tired all the time.  I slept until 1:30pm yesterday.  I don't think I've done that since I was a teenager.  Taking Stanley for walks does help, not to mention the occasional nap.  Speaking of naps, I think I'll go take one now. :)

8 Weeks and counting!

Today I'm 8 weeks, so I guess that makes it 2 months?  I don't really know if my belly looks any different, being as though I always thought of myself as having a skinny person belly.  When I tell people that they just roll their eyes and say "Oh Please!"  But it's true!  I have a belly that pops out over my belt, I swear!  It may not be as big as some other belly's from "bigger" folk, but it's there nonetheless.  OK so Since I didn't take a picture of my first month.  I'm starting with this month.  I will take one every month to show you my belly's progress, as well as my chubby cheeks that I foresee in the very near future.

I've been feeling pretty good so far.  Pretty tired all the time, but that doesn't seem to be any different from pre-pregnancy.  As I believe I mentioned in a previous post, my sense of smell has increased tremendously.  This is causing me to have food aversions.  I know pretty crazy huh?  We were on vacation last week and the family was steaming Shrimp.  If any one knows me, they know I LOVE Shrimp!  Not this time however! YUCK!!  "Have you ever smelled anything more rancid in your entire life?" I thought.  It took everything in me not to toss my dinner in the toilet.  If there's one feeling I hate most, it's the feeling of nausea.  It just makes everything miserable!  Ok I gotta stop talking about it because talking about it is making me nauseous.

Let's talk about craving, yummy.  I was craving cream soda last night, and my sweet sweet husband went to the store and got some for me.  He did however, have an ulterior motive...beer. 

My boobs are getting bigger.  I mistakenly bought a 34D bra, instead of a 34C, and the D fits great now!   I think it's the only one I can wear with out them popping out all over the place.

So far so good people!  More updates to come next week!  Until then, happy baby shopping! :)

6 Weeks!

Today I'm 6 weeks Pregnant!  Haven't told very many people, only a select few who won't blab it to my family until we tell them this week!  They're going to be so shocked!  I'm a little worried about Mom.  I think she's going to have a stroke!  I didn't even think of taking a picture, but I gave them a frame and wrote on it " Great Parents get Promoted to Grandparents!"  than where the picture goes, I wrote, "Picture to come August 2012".  I'm very excited about this!   For Tyler's family we made a plate at Color Me Mine, and wrote "Tyler and Keila are going to have a Baby!"  I'm making cookies, and putting them on the plate.  once they're gone, they will see the surprise! :)  I'll let you know how it goes.

So I'm Six week today.  Honestly I don't really feel pregnant.  Aside from being a little tired, and peeing a little more often than usual, so far there's been no sickness or nausea!  I'm considering myself very lucky!  The "Show" has finally ceased, and things are pretty normal.

I have been craving a cocktail though...very bad! :(  oh well just one of those sacrifices.  Oh yeah and I've cut caffeine completely!  I know right?  Hard to believe coming from me!  Picture to come soon! :D (though I'm not really showing yet)

The Great G

This whole pregnancy thing is still pretty weird.  I went to visit my good friend Amy in New York this past weekend.  We had a fabulous time!  We walked around the city, baked cupcakes, and fondued...is that a word?  I don't really have any real symptoms yet except for tender breasts.  Though I have noticed that my olfactory's have been extra hard at work!  But believe it or not, no nausea for me, not YET any way.  I also find myself in the bathroom a little more frequently too.  All of this, and still hasn't really hit me yet.  When I got home, Tyler asked me if I should take another pregnancy test.  "Great!" I thought to myself, "all this and he's still skeptical, and is now making ME skeptical!"

We are planning to tell the family during Christmas.  However we want to tell the Haslip side (Tyler's family) in a very unique way.  So today we had lunch with G ("G" is Tyler's Grandmother) so she could help us brainstorm on unique ways to tell the fam.  When Tyler started talking, she already had a inkling of that he was going to say.  She was so touched that she couldn't hold back her tears.  The first thing she said was "Well you know, what that means don't you?  That means I'm going to be a Great Grandmother."  We told her she was already a Great Grandmother! :)  Thrilled, she congratulated us and told us how special we were and how happy she was for the both of us. 

On our way home, (still skeptical me) says "Should I take another test?"  "If you want," said Tyler.  "Well you got me all skeptical now."  So we stopped my Wal-greens and bought another test, got home took it, and STILL pregnant"

 This is great!  I'm getting more excited as the days roll by!  I can't wait to tell my family and friends!

Welcome to my Spotty Show! :-/

There was no spotting at all yesterday!! Yahoo! Well not exactly, but I'll get to that later...So I bought a pregnancy test. :)

Last night I Skyped with my good friend Amy Sharp and cried all my woes to her about this spotty show! Before our skype date, there WAS no show. Not even a commercial, the entire day! Right before our chat, via the Skype, the "show" reared is horrible, ugly head once again!! To keep the "show" company, frustration decided to tag along. Ugh! "Don't tell me I bought this stupid thing for nothing!" I thought to myself. "If it gets heavier tonight and by tomorrow morning, than I won't test. Well it did not get heavier...so I tested and...

What in the...?

Excitement, confusion, frustration, excitement, confusion, frustration...those are the feelings and emotions I'm going through.  UGH!

Please STOP reading if you're squeamish about menstrual cycles! :)

So, I've been having some light spotting since Saturday.  I thought it was just my cycle starting, until my temp. was reading high, that's when I became suspicious.  After yesterday's post, I had a very small amount of pink blood.  I was devastated because I knew it was my cycle starting!  As the day went on, however, it didn't get heavier it actually got lighter.  "What in the World!?" I thought!  So you can imagine my frustration. 

In my reading about early signs and symptoms about pregnancy, some say light bleeding and spotting is normal.  Others say if you're bleeding or spotting around the time of your menstrual cycle, than it's just your cycle.  But what about the high temperature?

I took my temperature again this morning and it's still reading high and no heavy bleeding yet.  So I'll just have to wait and see.  If it's still the same tomorrow, than I'll test Friday morning.  Stay tuned!

Could it be?

After what feels like four long months of trying to conceive, I think we did it!  It was August 3rd 2011 the day Tyler and I decided we were going to start trying to get pregnant.  We were so excited!   My very best friend, Dagmarie always joked about how I was so fertile, because of my extremely regular cycles, "They could just blow on you and you'll get pregnant" she'd say.  Chuckling at those words, I was elated, because I knew for sure the first time would be it.  Boy was I sorely mistaken!  "Okay," I thought to myself, "I just have to figure out when I ovulate, and that will be that."  This was not a problem since I keep a menstrual cycle tracker on my iPhone!"  Could I have been wrong again?!  DING! DING! DING!, The answer was YES!  Now I had horrible thoughts about infertility come to my mind. "what if I can't have kids?" (I know, so dramatic right?)  So I started reading books and researching about conception and fertility.  I started cutting back on the caffeine and alcohol, and started taking my temperature every morning.

*Side note:  For those that don't what taking your temperature has to do with fertility, please let me enlighten you... :)    You have to buy a special thermometer called a Basel Body Temperature thermometer.  When you menstruate, your temperature is low.  As soon as you Ovulate, your temperature should rise about 4-6 points and stays high until the day before you start menstruating again.  Than it plummets back down.  If it doesn't do back down, it could be a very early sign of pregnancy.  The reason for that you ask?  Hormones of course!

So now for the good stuff.  Saturday afternoon I noticed something...  My cycle starting again, DARN IT!  We took a day trip to my mother in-laws house, who lives an hour away.  On our way there, a thought popped into my head.  "Hm that's weird, my temp. didn't drop.  Maybe it didn't register right.  I didn't have my thermometer with me because we weren't planning on spending the night.  So Sunday's temp. was not taken.  Monday morning rolls around, disappointed I take my temp. expecting it to be low, but wait, what!? It's still high?  Hmmmmmmm.   "That's interesting!"  Now it's Tuesday and you guessed it my temp. is still high,  higher than yesterday even!  (my cycle was supposed to start on Monday by the way).  So now the thought's in my head are, if my temperature is still high, and my cycle was supposed to start yesterday,  I've got some symptoms going on, but nothing abnormal from my PMS symptoms.  Could it be?  Am I carrying a bun?

As I stated before, today is Tuesday December 6th.  I will test on Thursday if my cycle has not come by than.  So stay tuned!!