Fun Changes During and After Pregnancy

1. I have thick hair. All my life, hairdressers have commented on how much hair I have. So I didn't really notice when pregnancy hormones made my hair even thicker. They didn't do this by magic, but rather by making less hair fall out. I suppose I should have realized this was happening when Blue stopped complaining about the hair in the drain after I showered.

Within a month of having the babies, however, I realized what had happened, and realized that without the hormones in my body anymore, my scalp was going to shed all that hair it should have lost during the previous nine months. Which pretty much means it looks like Cousin It is circling the drain after every shower. I know it's hair that was on my head only minutes before, but ewww. Three months later, and my hair is showing no signs of slowing down its abandon-ship mentality. I'm hoping it stops soon, or else I won't be worthy of "your hair is so thick!" comments anymore.

2. Another thing that can happen is problems with your vision. This is something I wish I'd known about BEFORE I went off and bought new glasses mid-pregnancy, but, then again, it's probably worth it to have been able to see and not get daily headaches. But be forewarned: Your vision might get blurry, and it might go back to normal after pregnancy. Mine so far seems to be holding steady, so those new glasses were a good purchase. So far. For all I know, a year post-birth my eyes will switch back and my new glasses will be useless. I'll keep you posted.

3. Allergies are a bitch. I didn't have them until I moved to NYC in 2006. I thought I had a cold for six months before finally getting tested. Zyrtec-D saved my life, and my nose. I did end up with a little notch in my nostril from having a runny, irritated nose for six months, but I just tell myself it gives my face character. While pregnant, I could only take regular Zyrtec. How I missed that D! I joked with Blue, saying that within minutes of popping the babies out I wanted a Yuengling beer in a 20oz frosted glass and a Zyrtec-D on a silver platter.

Neither of those happened. And when I did restart Zyrtec-D, it did not bring the blissful relief I'd been hoping for. Four months on, and once again I'm realizing that I likely do not have a never-ending cold. It's allergies, and my go-to meds aren't working. For extra fun, I now have a matching notch in my other nostril. The tip of my nose is sore and god help you if you accidentally knock into it. Which the babies often do with their heads, which OOOOUUUUUCHHHH! I'm hoping to hit up the allergist again once my new insurance kicks in March 1 (tomorrow!) to see about getting allergy shots. I cannot live like this for much longer. I want my nose back. I cannot say if this will happen for anyone else, but it happened for me. And it sucks.

All of this said, I am still grateful for my healthy, relatively easy pregnancy. I really have nothing to complain about.

An Eventful Week

No, the babies aren't here yet. But I've been a little distracted by other things and haven't gotten motivated enough to come on here, my apologies! Thank you to those of you who have checked in with me privately!

So, last Monday (the day of my last posts) I experienced a little spotting. So little I wasn't going to do anything about it, until the ladies on my baby board highly encouraged me to call my doctor just in case. At first the nurse said that since it was so little, and had stopped, I was fine. Apparently she then talked to my doctor, who wanted me to get to labor & delivery pronto. So I left work around 4pm last Monday and headed to my hospital. Blue had his last class session and then was going to meet me and/or pick me up, depending on how long it took them to check me out.

Note to self: Next time I head to L&D, stop for food and a gallon of water beforehand. They don't let you eat or drink, the bastards. I was so unbelievably thirsty and was never so grateful for a cup of ice chips in my life. In any event, they checked me out, determined that the bleeding was not coming from my pregnancy (and not reassuringly never found WHY I had spotted), that I still had a good cervical length and there were no signs of preterm labor. They hooked me up on the same monitors they use at my twice-weekly NSTs and left me there for a very long time. Luckily Blue had arrived by 8:30pm and helped keep me amused. I do have to say the "bed" they had me in was the biggest contributor to my discomfort and intense desire to go home. Not. Comfy. Also, watching Dancing with the Stars sans music just isn't the same... Oh, and apparently I had a few minor contractions while there. I didn't feel a thing.

Waiting for test results took us to about 11pm (still starving, but they finally gave me a glass of water) and we headed out around 11:30pm. And headed straight to Wendy's. Dinner at midnight, a kiss for our anniversary that we had just crossed into (two years!), and then to bed. See below for the beautiful flowers Blue sent to the office for our anniversary.

I somehow got up in time for work and headed in for a half day, as I had my usual NST and ultrasound Tuesday afternoon. My boss commented that we should meet and discuss my projects "in light of Monday's events." Which we did, and we came up with a list of about eight things I should aim to complete by November 6th, my planned last day (and election day!).

Well, at my appointment my doctor happened to be the one on duty. And due to the spotting and the minor contractions, and to her longstanding desire that I stop working, she told me to stop working. Pronto. I asked if I could complete the week, and she said no.

So I went to work the next day anyways. I planned to go in Wednesday and Thursday (mainly to say bye to my coworker friend who was out on Wednesday) and finish as much as I could off that list. Well, work wanted me to go home immediately. I insisted on staying the day, finished exactly ONE item on the list and updated my boss on the rest, and then bid sayonara to work until February. I left a note for my coworker to take care of my flowers for me, and took two stems home with me. Unfortunately tulips are toxic to cats so I couldn't take them all home.

Thank you to my Facebook friends who repeatedly insisted I not go in Thursday, which worked out well because my cold made me absolutely miserable on Thursday, so I pretty much stayed in bed all day.

It's so absolutely bizarre that I'm done with work already. Today was the first day it really hit me, as Thursday and Friday just felt like a few vacation days. But today it was real. No more Monday commutes for 15 weeks. Ironically, Blue has to go into the city for the week, so we've reversed roles. And I cannot be more grateful to my doctor for telling me to stay home. I think it was really time. Going to Target the other day was exhausting. Sleep cannot last long enough. My body is just worn out and needs to focus on the babies for these last few weeks. It was just perfect timing, although unexpected, and I'm so glad I have these last three weeks at home to get things ready without overexerting. And to have Blue there during the day in case something happens (although not this week, of course).

I tried to take it easy today, doing a few loads of laundry and reorganizing the freezer, trying to honor my doctor's wishes that I rest as much as possible. I've got a list of projects to keep my mind from going crazy, one of which is to blog more regularly again. It was always a quick mental break at work, so it takes more planning to do it at home. I also am excited I might actually finish our wedding album before the babies arrive. Actually, might START the album. I'm a procrastinator, what can I say?

So that's the big stuff from the past week. Still to come, an update on baby size, celebrating hitting 35 weeks, and an update on the nursery!

31 Weeks Down, 7 to Go!

So here we are, arrived at another Monday. Another week checked off the calendar. 1 month and 19 days to go. After lying down last night did nothing to relieve the pain in my ribs (aka Baby Girl), the next seven weeks can't go fast enough. It's the most frustrating thing, being able to find no relief anymore. Or maybe it was a one-night thing, and she'll move for me tonight. I can hope...

So this week, the babies are pineapples. Ironically, pineapples are my favorite fruit but I am allergic to them when fresh. Someone up there has a funny sense of humor... But I will enjoy my pineapple babies, at least. They're probably around 3.5lbs, if not almost 4lbs. I'll find out at my growth check Thursday (along with fetal monitoring and contraction testing).

I'm hoping Baby Girl cooperates this week so I can get a picture to show Blue. Shy little girl. No idea where she gets that from, as I was am quite the ham for the camera. I guess she just wants to make a grand entrance at her birth and might keep her cute little face hidden until then. We'll see on Thursday!

We finished setting up nursery furniture, and I have some cute pictures of the cats exploring in there, but that'll be for a separate post later on. Right now, mama wants lunch!

Afternoons

Lately, afternoons suck. I can't seem to get comfortable in my chair at work. If I sit one way, baby girl is in my ribs like crazy. If I lean back, my back starts hurting plus I'm not terribly productive. I get super restless and have ADD like whoa so I take frequent Internet breaks. Headaches aren't uncommon. All I can think about is 4:30pm and getting out of here. But then I have the trek to the train station, and the train that I can never fall asleep on anymore because my back/ribs/name your body part hurts. But then at the end there will be Blue, picking me up by the stairs, eliminating the long walk to my car I'd have to do if I drove myself. Best. Hubby. Ever.

So it boils down to this: When I'm sitting I want to stand and when I'm standing I want to sit. Actually, in all of the above cases I'd much rather be lying down. ::commence fantasizing about sleeping::

But mornings are generally fine. Weird.

1 hour and 15 minutes to go... and I have tomorrow off for doctor's appointments. Thank goodness.

So, tomorrow:

12:30pm: anesthesia consult for c-section. woo.

1:30pm: check on babies and contraction testing

3:30pm: seeing my doctor, plus cervical check.

I guess I'll get lunch between the last two appointments...

Woo. 1 hour and 13 minutes to go! I killed 2 minutes! I welcome any and all entertaining links to amuse me...

28 Weeks, aka 7 Months!

aka, am I done yet? It's probably just today's weather (muggy, humid, gross, take your pick of descriptive words), but I'm feeling ready to be done baking babies. I know they need more time and I will keep on truckin', but I really hope fall hurries up and gets here. Today I'm just too tired to be happily pregnant. It happens.

So, the babies are now eggplants. In my mind, that makes them pretty big. In reality, they are still hovering in that 1.5-to-2.5-pound range. This comparison definitely conveys length better than, say, a cauliflower, though.

They are now developed enough that if, God forbid, they were born today they would have something like an 80 percent chance of surviving, with proper medical care. Crazy. Let's keep them in there a few more weeks or even months, though. We still have work to do on the nursery, after all.

Babycenter.com actually has an image of what fraternal twins (or identicals who split SUPER early in the process) look like this week in utero. Kind of cool!

This is about how mine were at last check, with Baby A being the one on the right of the image (and the right side of me) and Baby B being the one on the left of the image (and the left side of me). I've been feeling Baby B moving around more, so the anterior placenta is becoming less and less of an issue. Unfortunately, still feeling Baby B using my ribs as a punching (or kicking) bag. Can I lie down now?

I can't remember if I mentioned this last week, but we found a pediatrician for the babies. She was super sweet, has kids of her own, and I think will be a good fit. There are other doctors there we can see as well, so we might try a few out before definitely settling on one as their primary. Plus the doctor's office is pretty much across the street from the daycare, which will make appointments easy peasy.  One more thing off our checklist!

27 Weeks on the 27th!

I guess this is my "golden" week! Like your golden birthday, which occurs when you turn the age your date of birth is. For me, my golden birthday was my fifth birthday. This seems unfair, as I didn't even know the concept existed. But I digress.

I'm officially wiped out. Uncomfortable sitting, as Baby B wedges into my ribs, but exhausted standing, as my legs and feet ache (but still no swelling!). The best word to describe it is "blargh." I have another cervical check after work and part of me is hoping she puts me on bedrest. But I also know that bedrest will drive me insane, which will drive Blue insane, so it's probably best that that doesn't happen. Wish me luck.

There is no way in hell I would be this zen on bedrest.

So I think I'm in the third trimester now. Some sites/books say third trimester starts at 26 weeks, others at 28, so I'm splitting the difference and declaring myself into the third trimester at 27 weeks. Plus my third trimester will likely be cut short by an early appearance from the babies. Crazy to think they will probably be here in ten weeks (hopefully not sooner). Apparently I will gain weight more rapidly this trimester than in the previous two. I think I need to buy bigger maternity clothes if that's the case...

As for the babies, they are rutabagas and are nearly 2.5 pounds (theoretically) each. That's five pounds of babies! No wonder I feel enormous! They are also getting smarter, showing signs of brain increased activity as their brains continue to develop (braaaiiiiinnnnss). Hoping for smart, nerdy babies.

thebump.com

By the way, what the hell is a rutabaga?

Another Week Gone By

Well, here we are: 19 weeks along! Time is seriously flying. Our busy summer is certainly helping with that! This past week I had a work event and a weekend trip to Vermont for a family member's wedding. It was at a ski resort, and we had to take the chairlift up to the ceremony site. I was a little nervous but made it up and back without falling on my face trying to maneuver on/off the chairlift.

It was a gorgeous day, and I felt rather pretty and less whale-like than I thought I would. You can judge for yourself once I get a photo from my brother, who did some quick "maternity" shots of me on top of the mountain.

This week, the babies are mangoes!

Their brains are forming neural pathways for the five senses so they'll be able to hear, see, smell, taste, and feel the world around them when they are born. Their hair is also starting to grow, which is kind of crazy to think about. If they are like me, they'll be born with lots of hair. If they take after Blue, they'll be bald. We'll just have to wait and see!

As for me, this week I developed a fun thing where, if I lay flat on my back for a while, the skin on my right thigh goes numb. It's really weird, but doesn't hurt or anything. Babies must be resting on a nerve! I've really been trying to sleep on my side, so I got one of those body pillows to encourage me to be on my side. My preferred sleeping position is on my back though, so it's really hard to be comfortable all night on my side. Plus being on my side all night is making my shoulders hurt, oddly enough. But I'll keep trying!

One more week and I'll officially be halfway done, although I highly doubt I'll make it to 40 weeks!

And if I don't make it on for another post before Wednesday, have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Do I Have to Eat?

Right now, I'm eating three slices of cheddar cheese. Am I enjoying them? Eh. They're okay. Which is bizarre, because cheese is one of my top five favorite foods EVER.

Number one is popcorn. I used to house a bag a day no problem, every day, year round (and we wonder why I was on Weight Watchers yet could never lose those last ten pounds...). I have allowed myself to have popcorn on a daily basis again, but I don't really want it. It's yummy, but I just don't care. I just feel eh about it.

My number one favorite food. Number two is probably cheese, followed by potatoes, pot roast, and mac 'n' cheese.

What is wrong with me? For the past decade I've been counting points and carefully planning meals and having daily battles over what to have for breakfast that will be tasty and low-points. Food was always on my mind, and I could never get enough of it.

Now I basically have the green light to eat, eat, eat, and I'm sick of food.

There. I said it. I'm sick of food. I'm sick of eating. I am eating constantly, searching for high-protein foods to help my babies grow. I'm supposed to get up to 120 g of protein a day. Tally your protein intake for a day and see how you do. I've had to more than double what I used to eat, as far as protein goes. And it's exhausting.

Breakfast is okay. Three-egg omlette with cheese and veggies gets me nearly 30 g. Then I have an Instant Breakfast with whole milk, which gets me another 12g. Then some cheese (7g). Then lunch, which is always the hardest meal for me. Even if I'm hungry, nothing EVER sounds good. Except maybe cream of tomato soup with brie melted into it, my go-to favorite lunch, but one I can't have at work because I'm not allowed to use the microwave (long story). So my options are basically soup from Hale N Hearty, a Subway sandwich, McDonalds, or a protein-packed salad from the deli. I'm a pretty picky eater, and these are the options I can at least tolerate most days. I was bringing in PB&J sandwiches, but they were making me nauseous. No idea why. So maybe I get 20g at lunch.

Then after lunch I have more cheese and a handful of almonds for another 10g or so. And then dinner, where I try to squeeze in 30g. And then popcorn, which has 8g in a bag. And then a glass of milk before bed for another 8g. And in between all that I do eat some fruits and veggies.

Most days I average between 2500 and 3000 calories, and around 100g of protein. I'm honestly not sure how to get more and not explode. It doesn't help that I get fuller faster because the babies are taking up more space and squishing my stomach. (To see an awesome interactive graphic from the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry of where your insides actually go during pregnancy, go here.)

I know this is all very "woe is me, I have to eat." I'm just so apathetic about food lately. But I keep chowing down, because the more I gain, the longer the babies will stay in (or so I'm told). And I've gained a whopping five pounds. I think I'm supposed to gain around 25 pounds by week 25, which gives me less than 10 weeks to gain 20 pounds. Ummm... not really sure that's going to happen.

But we don't want preemies if we can avoid it. And if eating is the main thing I can do, that I have control over, to make them grow and be healthy and incubate until at least 36 weeks, then I'll keep doing it.

Doesn't mean I won't bitch about it though.