{Hidden Baby Chronicles} Week 8 - A Raspberry

May 8, 2014

This was a very exciting week.  We had our first OB appointment and got to see our little peanut in an ultrasound- but more on that later.  Things are getting real here, people! 

I think it's about time that I switch over to one of those more standard pregnancy survey forms for the rest of these weekly updates... now that more is actually starting to happen with this pregnancy.  So here goes:

Photo Thoughts:  Full disclosure.  Basically in every weekly photo so far, you might have noticed I've been wearing loose-fitting, flowy tops.  If I had instead chosen a t-shirt, you would for sure be seeing some bloat that could definitely be mistaken for a bump.  Which is exactly why I've been avoiding wearing clothes like that so far.  I'm definitely experiencing that lovely symptom of pregnancy bloat, and I'm not ready to show that off.  Once something more "bump-like" appears, I'll put it on display. 

How I'm Feeling: Pretty great still.  A very small (minuscule) part of me kind of wishes I was experiencing some of those miserable 1st trimester symptoms that a supposed 3/4 of preggos experience.  But I mostly am just glad to (so far... knock on wood) be missing out on those lovely things. 

Baby/Bump:  This week our baby is the size of a raspberry and is growing about a millimeter a day- grow baby, grow!  The best news though, is that his/her tail has finally disappeared- phew.  That would've been weird...

 



Symptoms:  As I mentioned above, very few... at least, very few of the unpleasant ones.  I've noticed that in the evenings (around dinner time and after), I have some very vague feelings of nausea.  Nothing serious, but I tend to sit down to dinner and whatever is in front of me just doesn't seem very appealing.  I get most of it down without any problem, but I'm basically just not too interested in eating by that time of day.  The cramps that I was experiencing the past few weeks have become less frequent, but still in the early mornings or evening if they do show up.  If I get up too quickly from sitting, I get very dizzy and see stars- so that's fun.  Still having some freaky weird dreams.  Oh, and it's official- I can't sleep through the night any more without getting up once to pee.  I always thought that that happened later in pregnancies when the baby was bigger and taking up bladder room, but apparently, it's common in the first trimester, too. 

Weight: + 2.  This regular weight gain will take some getting used to... vain, I know, but still.  And it doesn't help that I was up about ten pounds (I blame it on Australia) from where I am most comfortable when I got pregnant. 

What I'm Anticipating: I'm so excited for the Mother's Day pregnancy reveal that I have planned for my mom and dad!  Can't wait- I'm almost positive they have NO idea!

What I'm Stressing About/Worries: Not too much.  Seeing that strong heartbeat blinking away on the ultrasound provided me with a huge amount of reassurance. 

Cravings/Aversions:  Nothing specific that I crave or can't stand.  Just a general "indifference" to anything food-related in the evenings. 

Sleep: No problems sleeping at all!  Just the new once per night wake up to use the bathroom, but I am always able to fall right back asleep. 

Exercise: Still sticking strong to my 5-6 days a week workout schedule.  Haven't had any problems with this yet, but I have noticed that my endurance for running has really decreased already. 

Movement: WAY too early for this.  Although supposedly, the baby has begun wiggling his/her arms and legs already.  Crazy!

Boy or Girl: Also WAY too early for this.  But yes, we will find out when that time comes.

Milestones: I bought my first baby onesie this past weekend- it was a "I Love My Grandparents" onesie for my parents that I'll give to my mom on Mother's Day.  It was exciting to buy something cute and tiny that my baby will wear someday... but I also got very overwhelmed in the store and left quickly. 

Highlights of the Week: Our First Prenatal/OB Appointment!  I was the stereotypical uptight first time pregnant girl with the two page typed list of questions for my doctor (this was my first time meeting him).  I was worried that I would have a hard time finding a doctor that I liked and whose philosophies lined up with what I was looking for.  But I really lucked out!  My OB spent a good two hours with us, he answered all of my questions thoroughly- never once making me feel hurried, and he is pretty much right in line with what I was looking for as far as philosophies on interventions, delivery, etc.  Huge relief! 

They ran me through the typical screenings- vitals, pee in a cup, blood work, medical history, etc.  And then it was finally time for the much anticipated ultrasound!  I actually wasn't 100% sure that we would get to do this at the first appointment, but I was hopeful.  I had a major case of butterflies in my stomach as he rolled the machine into the room and got things set up.  He mentioned that at this point, it was still somewhat early in the pregnancy and he isn't always able to detect the heartbeat at this point but not to be alarmed if that was the case.  However, it was probably less than a minute before he found the baby AND what he called "a very strong heartbeat."  We didn't have the machine that let us hear it, but we could sure see it flickering away.  Of course, I teared up when I saw our baby alive and well... and when I saw the big smile spread across David's face.  I was surprised that I wasn't a crying mess though.  Just a few tears in my eyes and what I'm sure was a huge, goofy smile.  The doctor measured the baby at about 1.50 cm. and said that that was right on track.  This was such an amazing experience, and I'm so glad David was there with me.  It's absolutely incredible to know that a little life is growing in my belly... and in a short seven months, he/she will be in our arms!  I'm sure this is a moment I will always remember.  This made things very real, and now I am even more excited!