Second Appointment Update (10 weeks 2 days)

My second appointment was yesterday afternoon for my "nurse counsel" visit. She reviewed my medical history, family history, genetic history, and vital signs. Everything looks good so far! I had actually lost 1 pound from being sick, so that puts my net weight gain at -1, which is nothing to be concerned about at this point.

Then she reviewed the options for genetics testing, which were overwhelming to me. I agreed to get the cystic fibrosis carrier testing, since that just a simple blood test for me. Then she reviewed the options to test for the risk of Downs' Syndrome, Trisomy 18, and neural tube defects. This was the overwhelming part! I guess I knew I would need to have make these decisions at some point, but I just didn't think I would have to consider them so soon. I did decide to sign the consent form and set up the first trimester screening (risk of Downs' Syndrome & Trisomy 18) for the 12 week nucal translucency ultrasound and blood work. If I do that part, the I also need to have more blood work done at 16 weeks for the risk of neural tube defects.

I came home and discussed the tests with Jesse and gave him the information as well. He thinks it should be my decision to make, since I'm a nurse. I think I'll go ahead with the testing, but I just don't feel 100% about it all right now. I don't really have questions about the tests, but I just don't really know what I will do with the information that I receive from testing. My main motivation for testing is that I'm inherently an information gatherer and planner. I've always felt that more information helps me to plan better. However, I have learned that not all things in life are under my control.

I have an appointment with my midwife next week. I'm planning on gathering my thoughts until then, and if I still have concerns I can discuss them with her. At that appointment I will get a full physical exam and she will review my prenatal blood work, which I had drawn yesterday afternoon.

I'm feeling better from my GI illness, but not 100%. I think it might be from my electrolytes being a bit wacky. I'm still on a pretty mild diet: ginger ale, water, Gatorade, crackers, applesauce, and bananas. I did add yogurt and a cereal bar today for some protein. I also started taking my prenatal vitamins again last night, but then I didn't sleep well, so I might lay off them for a few more days.

Morning sickness???

Warning: this post may have too much information for you if you have a weak stomach!

So on Tuesday I was feeling rather blah during the day, and by dinner time I had no appetite and could not even look at anything food related. I wasn't even able to drink water because ingesting anything by that point was revolting to me. Jesse told me that it must be my morning sickness really kicking in at 10 weeks, and that's kind of what I thought as well.

I went to bed around 10pm and was unable to sleep because my stomach hurt so badly. At 11pm I woke up after I must have dozed off for a bit, and the vomiting began! Ugg! That lasted for 4 hours before I finally fell asleep on the couch. This was not morning sickness!

By the morning I was so dehydrated, and of course the vomiting started again when I tried to drink some liquids. By 9:30am I finally decided that I needed to go to the ER for some IV fluids. Normally, I would just suck it up and deal with illness, but I knew that a long period of dehydration was not good for me or the pregnancy. My dear baby sis was kind enough to take me, and I ended up being there for about 5 hours. After some anti-nausea medicine, 1.5 liters of IV fluids, and electrolytes in the IV, and some sleep on the uncomfortable stretcher I was starting to feel a touch better.

On the ride home I was able to keep down 8 oz. of ginger ale, yay! My diet for last night consisted of some Gatorade, water, more ginger ale, and a little applesauce. Today, I've managed a whole banana and some more fluids, and I'm feeling much more like myself! Woo hoo!

I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon to check on the little one, and then some plans with my husband this evening.

Brady is growing like a... TREE!

Here is my long overdue pic of Brady at Christmas time playing under the tree. He is getting HUGE now! In this picture he weighed about 15 pounds, and now I'm sure he's over 20 pounds! He loves playing in the snow and we went snowshoeing on Sunday.

First Ultrasound

Jesse & I had our first ultrasound appointment on Friday, January 2nd. All looks good so far... the little peanut was measuring 7weeks 1day and we could see the heartbeat. The doctor gave us August 18th as the due date. Oh, and she said, "There's only one, I hope that's okay!" LOL, there is no way I could handle that! I mean, after all, it sounds like we're going to have Irish twins in the house as it is! Brady's first birthday will be in August!