Infertility and Me

I have been falling so behind on these posts lately!!  I’m not even sure why, because I haven’t been that busy.  Anyway, your getting week 18 today, and I’ll probably put 17 on when I do 19.  Yep, it’s confusing, but week 17 was the week I found out it was a baby girl.  I’m still speechless, and haven’t been able to come up with anything good to express the happiness I have for that week!!  I promise to be a better blogger in the future!!

This past week (and a couple days) was pretty low key.  We haven’t been back to the docs office since Jess graduated from her HG appointments.  I think our next scheduled visit is the remainder of the Nuchal translucency stuff, which I believe is just another anatomy scan.  We did receive the results of our second blood test, which was passed with flying colors.  1 in 10000 for downs, and trisomy.  And 1 in 8400 for neural tube defects.  Besides the one blood test, things have been real low key.

I did however get to psuedo celebrate my first Father’s day!!  I say say pseudo because I really don’t feel 100% like a father yet.  I’m not to sure why,but maybe it’s because our baby girl isn’t here yet, and technically the dog doesn’t count.  (Even though she gave extra love to her daddy on Father’s Day!!) 

Jess has definitely turned the corner and has started feeling better.  She went back to work, and has started eating way more items than waffles!!  She still gets terrible bouts of nausea, but at least they don’t last all day.  I think her biggest complaint now is the exact opposite of her problem just a couple weeks ago.  She couldn’t keep anything in her then, and now nothing wants to come out!!

How far along? 18 weeks 5 days!

How Big Is Choochie?  Choochie is now the size of a Sweet Potatoe!  At five and a half inches long and five ounces in weight, SHE is now large enough to feel twisting, rolling, kicking, and punching her way around the womb.  She’s developing yawning and hiccupping skills, and her own unique set of toe and fingerprints!!!!

Maternity clothes? Definitely!!!

Stretch marks? Not yet!!! (SAME AS LAST WEEK)

Sleep?  Seems to be getting better week by week.  

Movement? Jess definitely feels movement if she puts her hands on her belly and gently presses.  She describes it as more of a rolling feeling.  She says they are getting stronger by the week.  I have yet to feel it, but I try everyday! :-D

Food cravings?

Gender? DUH, it’s a girl!

Milestones? I had my first official Father’s Day (to be)

Emotions: It seems as though her emotions have evened out, or it’s just that I’m used to it now!!

We got another set of a bit more detailed ultrasound photos, to add to our ever expanding catalog.  We must have the most ultrasounds ever!!  CRL length was 4.78cm, and Heartbeat was 167bpm!!

Choochie

Headshot

Immediately following the nuchal scan, Jess had a followup OB appointment.  The doc was going to do another ultrasound, but since we just had one not two hours earlier, Jess convinced him just to use the doppler and find the heartbeat (166bpm).  The appointment was for a followup regarding the Hyperemesis Gravidarum.  The doc and Jess came to the conclusion, that things were definitely not getting worse, and kinda of getting better.  He took Jess out of work for 1 more week, and decided to try and start weening Jess off of the Zofran Pump.  Hopefully things will stay the same, and we can get back to normal!! 

As of Friday, Choochie was 12 weeks!!  Now, some books, and websites say this is the entry to the Second Trimester, while others say 14 weeks.  This is all a little confusing, so when we were at the OB visit on Thursday, we decided to task the Doc.  He said “technically” the second trimester would start 8 days after week 12, but most people, and docs go with the 12 week mark.  I think we are going to stick to the 12 week mark, because any relief from the crappy symptoms of the first trimester are welcome with open arms.  So here’s to the the start of our second and hopefully a symptom free trimester!! (On a side note, the last two days have pretty much sucked for Jess)

I purchased an at home doppler for Jess for her soon to be Mothers Day!!  I originally though it was too soon to hear anything, but we have been able to find the heartbeat almost every time.  I am waiting until its really loud to do any recordings.  As soon as It gets loud enough, you can bet that it will be posted. 

OK, enough about us, let’s get on to Choochie & Jess

How Big Is Choochie?  Choochie weighs a full half-ounce and is about the size of a large plum. Most systems are in place, though there’s still plenty of maturing to do.  The fetal digestive system is beginning to practice contraction movements necessary for eating, and the bone marrow is busy making white blood cells.  The pituitary gland has started producing the hormones that will enable him (or her) to make babies of his (or her) own in a couple of decades or so.  (Unless they pick up the old infertility trait from me!!   )

12 Week Old Fetus

Maternity clothes? Nothing too “Maternity” yet.  Shirts are fine, but jeans seem to be the problem.  Jess has a couple of maternity jeans, but she seems to be right in the area where she can’t fit into either.

Stretch marks? Not yet!!!

Sleep? Crappy at best!  Jess gets up many times during the night to pee, and just can’t seem to get comfortable

Movement? Choochie is out of control on the ultrasounds, but no feelings yet!!

Food cravings? Waffles, and pizza!!  (the only 2 things Jess can keep down!)

Gender? Still a little too early (plus the chooch doesn’t want to cooperate!) 

Milestones: Second Trimester WOO HOO!!!

Emotions: All over the place