16 Weeks and Counting

So, I know that some of you are curious to know how my pregnancy is coming along because I really haven’t talked about it that much on here.  Well, I’m happy to report that I am sixteen weeks and some change and had my first appointment at my new OB/GYN office.  Like most celebs do, I didn’t want to start talking about it too much until I was further along in case something happened.  And not to mention, it took forever to get my insurance straight.

I can’t begin to tell you all the hoops these people had me jumping through.  Then on top of that my old practice is no longer in business and I had to find a new one.  Well, I am happy to report that I am happy at the Bradford Clinic here in Charlotte.  I absolutely love it so far.  All the staff is nice and so cheerful.  The OB nurse is just full of helpful information and even recommended some tricks and products to help with my morning sickness!!

When I walked into the office this morning, I felt like I had entered a spa or hotel at first.  I’d never seen a doctor’s office that looked less like a medical facility in my life.  It was so posh and glamorous.  I’m talking about designer couches, arm chairs and ottomans.  I can I just tell you how much I appreciate them for thinking to get ottomans.  They are pregnant woman’s dream when her feet and ankle start to swell up.

And they even had complimentary copies of some of  the latest parenting magazines in English and Spanish.  I could tell that my hubby was very impressed and he looked kind of worried as Moo hopped down from her chair and began exploring the place.  Yes, she going through the busy stage where she has ants in her pants.  That’s perfect for when we’re at the park, but not so much when we’re at the store, church or the doctor’s office.

Although, in her defense she is getting better about riding in her car seat.  So, I try to get too flustered when she doesn’t sit still in public.  I wish I would have had the hubby snap a picture, but I’m going back for an ultrasound next week and snap a few then.  I’ve decided to do a better job at keeping a pregnancy scrapbook.  I actually didn’t do one when I was pregnant with Moo. I was just so overwhelmed by all the physical and emotional changes of my pregnancy that I couldn’t handle the pressure of keeping up with something like that.

However, this time around I feel more prepared.  I know what to expect.  Also, the hubs is more supportive and understanding.  He’s able to recognize when I’ve reached my boiling point before I actually boil over.  He’s even making an effort on his days off to let me sleep in and takes over caring for Moo.  Plus, he’s pumped about being in the delivery room again.

I was sure that after seeing all the action down there from the first delivery he would be scared off.  But that’s not the case.  He actually said the only part that freaked him out about watching was when Moo’s head popped out and it was purple.  He was fearing that something was wrong.  Thankfully, I was able to push her out with my next contraction and she started to wiggle around because she did not cry.

Instead, as they placed her on my chest she kind of looked up at us like ‘Hey, I know you guys.’  The nurses thought it was the cutest thing ever.  She did however cry when they gave her her first bath.  She was not feeling that whole water thing one bit.  But now she loves it and I can’t get her to come out of the bathtub.  Anyways, I’ve digressed back to my current pregnancy.

My morning sickness is still here but not as bad as it was before. I’ve learned that drinking lots of water helps. Saltines are your best friend and sodas, cakes, cookies and some candies are the devil. LOL.  Believe or not I’ve only put on 4 pounds.  Personally, I think the scale at the doctors was broken because my belly looks like it weighs more than 4 pounds folks.  My hubby and family have joked that there might be twins in there.  I hope not.  Three kids all under the age of three would be quite the challenge.

So, at 16 weeks and some change my baby is about the size of an avocado and should be about 4 1/3 to 4 2/3 inches in length from crown to rump.  My baby weighs about 2 3/4 ounces which is roughly 80 grams.  Not much at all.  In fact, my cup of water weighs more than my baby does right now.  My amniotic fluid level is rising.

By now my little one is covered in lanugo hair ( those hairs on your arms, legs, face and everywhere else).  The fingernails are developed and the arms and legs have gotten longer and are flailing about wildly.  Not looking forward to those hard kicks in the middle of the night.  I’m certainly feeling a lot of fluttering and gas bubble action.  It’s crazy how much fluttering and passing gas this baby does already.  Guess that’s sign to be prepared for lots of stinkiness in a few months. LOL

Also, today at my appointment they took six tubes of blood to test for things such as Down Syndrome, AIDS, identifying my blood type and any other blood disorders that would be harmful to me and especially the baby.  They also took a urine sample to screen for any infections.  Infections can be very deadly for unborn babies as well as the mother if untreated.

So, far I have no sign of swollen feet or cankles.  I do however have some dizziness and lots of fatigue.  I could sleep all day really.  I get tired a lot faster than I used to.  One of the reasons I’ve avoided going to the malls as much as I used to is because I just can’t walk and browse like I want to.  After the third store, I’m looking around for a dressing room to catch my breath in and rest my legs.