Pregnant Dopers - how YOU doin'?

[Stainz]

Me, I'm in my 14th week, had an ultrasound 2 weeks ago, which was amazing. Heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time today, which was of course very cool.

No morning sickness, just super-tired.

Have already bought way too many maternity clothes.

I'm showing a bit but I'm convincing myself that no-one can tell yet, 'cos mainly I just look extra-pudgy.

How about you ...?

S.

[Geobabe]

16 weeks, just saw the OB today. Haven't heard the heartbeats yet, because it's apparently pretty difficult with twins, but we saw them and their little hearts are going just fine. I have a Level II ultrasound scheduled for next week; we opted against invasive testing (amnio, CVS) so this scan will look for any signs of defects. Hopefully we'll find out the genders then, too.

My tummy is expanding, but I've only bought a couple of maternity things--Target, by the way, has THE CUTEST maternity clothes--mostly making do with my husband's shorts and big t-shirts for the moment.

The morning sickness has eased up, though I'm still pretty tired. I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately--what the heck is up with me waking up at 5 AM almost every day? Sheesh.

[Stainz]

Hi Geobabe ... glad to hear all is going well with you and the twins! Have to admit, I was hoping for twins too, but there's just one little booger in there.

They will do a Level II ultrasound here if the Triple Screen blood test indicates a possibility of Down Syndrome, but if you want to know anything else, you have to have amnio, which is a little scary. Still undecided about going down that road. My Triple Screen isn't until the end of May, so we have a little while to decide how we're going to deal with it if the results are anything but 'normal'.

They won't usually tell you the gender here either, even though I would love to know! McDeath would prefer a surprise, so I guess he'll get his wish, unless they slip up at the next ultrasound in a month.

I'm having the same sleeping problem ... except for me it's waking up at 4:30, then getting back to sleep around 5:30-6:00, shortly before the alarm goes off. Then by 2:00 in the afternoon I'm ready for some serious napping.

No Target stores in Canada, but I did check one out in Seattle - the mat. selection was pretty small - 3 racks I think - but I did get a few things. Unfortunately work requires me to dress up a bit, so that is consuming my wardrobe budget right now. I also bought some stuff on eBay and a couple of things at Old Navy and Motherhood Maternity. Not a lot to choose from in our small town, so I'm hoping to get to Vancouver in a few months to pick up some more things.

My boobs are still pretty tender, but not as bad as a month or so ago. Need to find some more comfy bras - I'm used to going braless most of the time, but that just isn't cutting it anymore. For now I'm making do with tanktops that have a built in bra.

[lee]

The thing about amniocentesis is to try to find out the complication and misscarriage rates for the place you go to. They used to say there was a 1 in 400 chance of having a miscarriage, now the rates I find most often is 1 in 200 and even 1 in 100. A study a couple of years ago found that the actual misscarriage rate at different places they looked at with different doctors varied to as low as 1 in 38 with 1 in 200 being about the best they saw.

[Stainz]

Thanks lee ... we'll definitely do as much research into it as we can ... and we'll use the results of the triple-screen to help us decide if it's even necessary, which of course hopefully it won't be.

I wish I'd found this great guy years ago so I could've gotten started sooner on this baby-making business!

Not that 35 is old, but they sure make you feel old and rickety ... yesterday my dr. called me an "elderly mother". Geez!!!

[lee]

I was 34 when I got pregnant with Loren. She has been perfectly healthy from day one and now at age two she is starting to show signs of reading!!!

I was very cautious during my pregnancy because it was such a miracle.

[Cyros]

I'm 23 weeks, 2 days. Hanging in there. The projectile vomiting and nausea from hell seems to be over, but the burning, searing throat pain from acid reflux has kept me up many a night.

The baby is kicking, and quite forcefully. My husband finally got to feel it a few weeks ago, and now he's pawing me all the time - although not in the usual way I'm really happy he's so excited about the baby. I rapidly cycle between excitement and terror.

We had our one (and probably only) ultrasound at 19 weeks. The pregnancy dated to exactly when I told them it would. I don't know the sex because the bastards here won't tell me

We did not do maternal serum testing because of the high rate of false positives. 19 of 20 positives for a possible problem prove to be nothing, but most people go on to have amnio to make sure everything is okay. I'm not comfortably with the rate of miscarriage for the procedure, especially when the odds are heavily in favour of nothing being wrong. Regardless, it wouldn't affect my decision to carry to term. I certainly wouldn't discourage other people from having screening or amnio done, of course. I felt in our case it would only increase our anxiety, not lessen it.

So, lots of aches and pains and bizarre sensations. Really stressed out for a multitude of reasons, but the pregnancy seems to be progressing well, even if I am not at my best.

Stainz, I hear ya on the "old" thing. I'm 32, and my mother continually tells me I'm having such a hard time because of my age.

So happy to hear all you pregnant dopers are doing well!

[Stainz]

lee ... how wonderful to hear about your beautiful (& brilliant!) daughter!

Cyros - I was hoping to hear how things were going with you ... I've been having a bit of heartburn (for the first time in my life) so although I can't fully sympathize, I would imagine your acid reflux is 100 times worse to deal with!

The way the triple-screen test here was explained to me, is it tells you the odds of having a baby with Downs Syndrome (e.g. 1 in 200 or 1 in 20000), spina bifida, and one other one that sounds quite rare but also quite scary and, from what I understand, is normally fatal. They're not sophisticated enough here to have the quadruple-screen, which is too bad.

I've been doing the reading about the pros & cons of the test - I'm sufficiently freaked out and will definitely have it, and then my husband and I will decide afterwards, with the assistance of the doctor, how to proceed. We are both VERY curious types and really want some reassurance that baby is okay.

They won't tell gender results at our hospital either, although there are some clinics on the Lower Mainland (about 3 hours away) that will do it. I want to know, but McDeath doesn't, and there's NO WAY I could keep it a secret, so I guess we will both be surprised on the big day!

I'm really looking forward to feeling the baby move and kick ... I'm just so impatient ... November 20 (or thereabouts) seems SO far away!!!

[squeegee]

Originally Posted by Stainz

you have to have amnio, which is a little scary.

Maybe. For us, the concept was scary. The reality turned out to be not that intimidating: MrsSqueegee was relaxed and joking with the techs the whole time, barely noticed the procedure. I, on the other hand, nearly fainted when they produced and then used that bigass needle. YMMV.

[Cyros]

Originally Posted by Stainz

Cyros - I was hoping to hear how things were going with you ... I've been having a bit of heartburn (for the first time in my life) so although I can't fully sympathize, I would imagine your acid reflux is 100 times worse to deal with!

Hopefully, your heartburn won't get any worse. I found Tums to be useless, but found out I could take Gaviscon as needed and Maalox occasionally. As well, apparently if it is severe enough, they can prescribe medication. If you have a doctor's appointment coming up, you may want to ask what you're allowed to take in the event that Tums don't work. Good to know in advance!

Originally Posted by Stainz

The way the triple-screen test here was explained to me, is it tells you the odds of having a baby with Downs Syndrome (e.g. 1 in 200 or 1 in 20000), spina bifida, and one other one that sounds quite rare but also quite scary and, from what I understand, is normally fatal. They're not sophisticated enough here to have the quadruple-screen, which is too bad.

Yup, it's a screening test, not a diagnostic test. I was offered it at 15 weeks, I believe. My OB said that sometimes the numbers are skewed due to something completely harmless, such as incorrect gestational age, multiples, maternal infection. So a "suspicious" result does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. In fact, odds are, it's not.

Originally Posted by Stainz

I've been doing the reading about the pros & cons of the test - I'm sufficiently freaked out and will definitely have it, and then my husband and I will decide afterwards, with the assistance of the doctor, how to proceed. We are both VERY curious types and really want some reassurance that baby is okay.

Totally understand. Half the people on my online group are getting the testing because they would like some reassurance and hope it will lessen anxiety. Although I didn't get the testing, I know getting the ultrasound results made me feel a bit more secure.

Originally Posted by Stainz

I'm really looking forward to feeling the baby move and kick ... I'm just so impatient ... November 20 (or thereabouts) seems SO far away!!!

I know time has seemed to move much more quickly now that I'm out of that dreaded first trimester. Hopefully it will be the same for you! I think I felt the first little flutters around 15 weeks (only after having something sweet and lying on my stomach). I felt definitive movement at 18 weeks, and kicks at about 20. This week, I've actually seen my belly move a few times. Sugar seems to be baby's drug of choice.

Maternity clothing is in short supply in my area, but I discovered something today: I can buy larger, but still kinda stretchy T-shirts at Penningtons (plus sized clothing) for much much less than maternity T-shirts. Do you have a Penningtons, Stainz?

[Stainz]

Good advice on the heartburn remedies Cyros - I'll ask my dr at the next visit. It would be great to be prepared ...

I've found my appetite to be weird these days - consistently hungry but nothing tastes quite right and I'm not craving anything in particular, like I usually do. Plus, my usual favourites just aren't tempting anymore. Probably why I've actually lost a few pounds since my first weigh-in.

Yep, we have a Penningtons here ... I haven't checked it out yet though. I did buy a couple of pairs of pants and capris that are a size or two bigger than my normal size - they're getting me through, but are too big in the butt so they kind of hang back there ... not too flattering but at least I can zip them up and not feel like I'm being cut in half! I'm actually looking forward to wearing my maternity clothes - I'm such a keener!

At one store they had the 'belly' that you strap on, I put that on under one outfit and it was the WEIRDEST thing to see myself looking so pregnant ... hard to explain but it really gave me butterflies.

[lee]

Ginger helps nausea. A little bit of ginger ale or ginger candy will do.

OOHH! I just thought of a Big Tip! Your bones will start to soften. Your feet may spread. It is not just water retention, your feet may actually get bigger during pregnancy. DO NOT WEAR TIGHT SHOES! That is a good way to give yourself nasty bunions.

I asked my doctor what tests would show something that I could do something about, other than an abortion. Ultrasound was the only test that fit that criteria for finding out fetal defects.

[Anecdote]Warning: I worked with a woman who had tried to get pregnant for years, and finally managed to do so. She was talking about she was going to have amniocentisis and sneered at me when I said that I would not get amnio because of the dangers. She miscarried and pretty much lost any sanity she had as far as I can tell. She dropped out of work after that.[/anecdote]

The one situation I can understand is when the pregnancy is a real danger to the mother's health. I can quite understand not wanting to continue a pregnancy thay may not be viable when your own health/life is endangered by doing so.

By starting to read, I mean that she knows her letters and is starting to identify some words soley by what letters are in them and not from pictures. The first one was "like" and there have been more since. She can write O's, Q's, and L's on request.

[Geobabe]

I had my visit with the perinatologist yesterday. As I said in my earlier post, we'd opted against having amnio or CVS, due to the risk of miscarriage--we'd been trying for a couple years, with a couple miscarriages, and since I'm 40 now, this is pretty much it, so we were going to continue the pregnancy no matter what, barring a risk to my health.

The Level II ultrasound revealed no major defects, doc said she couldn't find a darn thing wrong with either baby, which is a huge load off of my mind.

Oh, and it's two boys. What with the husband, male dog and male cat, I'm completely outnumbered in this household now!

I'm still feeling good; still having trouble sleeping, but I've decided to look at it as preparing for when the babies come. I'm not gonna get any sleep then, for sure. My tummy is getting noticeably bigger, and I'm starting to look pregnant rather than just chubby, which is nice. Starting to have a little trouble bending over--walking the dog is going to become an adventure, because we have a Corgi. I'm going to have to put a chair by the front door so I can sit down to clip his lead on.

[Stainz]

Geobabe - that's great news! I'm so glad for you ... and the boys!

We're hoping to be sent for a Level 2 ultrasound as well ... they don't do them in our city, so we'll have to go to Vancouver - I believe their machine is the only one in the province.

I'm looking forward to getting to the "looking pregnant rather than chubby" stage myself. I'm not gaining any weight yet which surprises me because I sure FEEL bigger and of course my clothes are fitting differently. My doctor says it's because I'm probably paying much more attention to what I'm eating now and making healthier choices.

[Cyros]

Congratulations Geobabe!

Stainz, I have my fingers crossed that you can finagle another ultrasound. I've had my only scan already, but I must admit, I'm dying to know what's going on in there.

I'm 24 weeks and a few days, and I'm starting to get really uncomfortable. It feels like the baby is as low down as humanly possible, and it is kind of painful, whether I'm lying down or sitting up. It feels like a large rock sitting on my pelvic bones. We went to the mall to pick up a couple of things yesterday, and I had to sit down several times. For some reason, when I'm standing for any period of time, my belly starts to hurt.

Everything seems to be fine, however. Lots of movement, lots of kicks.

[Cyros]

Ugh. I would really like to hibernate from now until September.

So, I had a dentist appointment today because I have a toothache, and he refused to take an X-ray despite my OB's approval. He insisted he would be able to see if I had a cavity, and came to the conclusion that I need a root canal. I'm frustrated... and suspicious.

I am nauseated again. Why? Because we're having seasonal temperature for the first time this Spring. It's only 23....but in my un-airconditioned apartment, it's ten degrees hotter. When I think about what the Summer is going to bring, I just want to cry.

The baby must be positioned oddly. S/he feels like a rock lodged between my pelvic bones. It's hard to walk, can't get comfortable. My back aches and I'm just tired. I expected this to happen at the end of the pregnancy, but I'm only 25 weeks. The thought of three and a half more months of increasing "discomfort" is disheartening to say the least.

Gestational diabetes test tomorrow. I've got my fingers crossed. Truly don't think I can handle more crap right now.

[Stainz]

Awwww Cyros ... that sucks ... I hope your test goes well today and that it's the beginning of an upswing for you!

((((hugs))))

[Cyros]

Originally Posted by Stainz

Awwww Cyros ... that sucks ... I hope your test goes well today and that it's the beginning of an upswing for you!

((((hugs))))

I should hear results by Monday. The drink itself wasn't so bad, but after about ten minutes, I became incredibly dizzy and had trouble focusing. No idea if that is because I was so tired, or stressed because of a ridiculous wait at the lab or what.

Baby's heart rate has slowed. Nothing to be concerned about (used to be 150, now 135), but if the old wive's tale holds true, that's supposed to indicate a boy. We'll see, I guess.

[skittles]

Another pregnant one checking in here.

I'm just over 17 weeks. To say this pregnancy has been difficult would be an understatement.

Its my first pregnancy - and possibly my last.

I've been out of work on disability since March - basically when I found out I was pregnant. In the beginning it was severe hyperemesis - basically severe morning sickness. That came with dehydration and weight loss of 15 pounds in about a month. That finally leveled out around week 11/12. My weight gain started and then the bleeding started.

I basically bled for three solid weeks. Unexplained bleeding is VERY scary. I had to have two additional ultrasounds during that time - so now I've had three. They can see where I am bleeding from, but can't tell why I'm bleeding. So that was interesting. The bleeding has stopped for a little over a week (knock on wood.) The unfortunate part is I've been on bedrest for basically three months.

That has taken its toll on me (and my housework.) It is EXTREMELY boring here. And not being able to do anything at all doesn't help. I go to my doctor weekly at this point...and will have another appointment tomorrow AM. I'm hoping with the bleeding being stopped that he'll let me go back to work.

I have tons of cute maternity clothes that I'd love to wear! Another suggestion for some things - relatively inexpensive is Fashion Bug.

I'm glad to hear all the other pregnant dopers are doing well. What an exciting time!

[Cyros]

Originally Posted by skittles

Another pregnant one checking in here.

I'm just over 17 weeks. To say this pregnancy has been difficult would be an understatement.

Its my first pregnancy - and possibly my last.

I've been out of work on disability since March - basically when I found out I was pregnant. In the beginning it was severe hyperemesis - basically severe morning sickness. That came with dehydration and weight loss of 15 pounds in about a month. That finally leveled out around week 11/12. My weight gain started and then the bleeding started.

I basically bled for three solid weeks. Unexplained bleeding is VERY scary. I had to have two additional ultrasounds during that time - so now I've had three. They can see where I am bleeding from, but can't tell why I'm bleeding. So that was interesting. The bleeding has stopped for a little over a week (knock on wood.) The unfortunate part is I've been on bedrest for basically three months.

I'm sorry it's been so difficult. I must say, I'd have to have a wicked case of amnesia (and win the lottery) in order to consider another pregnancy. Even if we decided we wanted more children, I don't think I could go through this process again.

I've got my fingers crossed that you've turned a corner and everything improves. At least the second trimester has a few bonuses.....feeling movement and kicks has been very satisfying. Makes it seem more real, somehow.

[skittles]

Thanks for the well wishes.

I am looking forward to feeling the baby move that is for sure! I do need some good things to balance out all the bad things that have happened so far.

As of this exact moment I am having some moderate cramping on my right side. They are continuous - meaning they keep happening like hiccups. I'm not too sure what that is all about...but I will bring it to my doctor's attention tomorrow. It does not feel like baby movement (not that I would know what that would feel like) because it doesn't feel like it is happening from deep inside. More of like menstrual cramping. Who knows anymore!

[Geobabe]

Ugh, skittles, I'm sorry you've been having such a rough time of it. I hope it gets better for you.

[Stainz]

Ditto skittles - I'm sending you good wishes too!

I'm waiting for the results of my triple-screen - had the test on Monday. It's nerve-wracking ...

Have a meeting with a doula this week - there are only 2 in this city and one is on maternity leave, ironically enough, so I'm hoping I "click" with this one.

So far physically I've felt pretty good ... the exhaustion is waning as well. Started going to a weekly prenatal yoga class which is very cool.

[Eleusis]

You have to admit, this almost sounds like a fetish thread.

I recently sold pregnantchicks.com for ten grand.... There IS a market.

[Geobabe]

Originally Posted by Eleusis

You have to admit, this almost sounds like a fetish thread.

I recently sold pregnantchicks.com for ten grand.... There IS a market.

Heh. Very true.

Updates? I hope everyone is still doing well.

I'm at 22 weeks now, and going great. The boys are getting big enough now that I feel them kicking a lot, and they can be felt from the outside as well, though they rarely cooperate when Daddy wants to put his hand on my belly to feel them. Little boogers.

I'm getting pretty big, but still getting around quite well; we did a little hiking yesterday with the dog, and I was able to get up and down the hill about as well as our little Corgi. Met a group that included a gal about as far along as me with a singleton, and she was *very* unhappy at being dragged out in the heat, but I'm figuring I'm going to be mostly immobile in a few months, so I'll enjoy being able to get out while I can.

[Cyros]

I'm 29.5 weeks. Everything is going okay, I guess. I failed the first glucose screen by a huge margin, did the three hour test and had the lab screw up, just did it for the third time. I narrowly escaped vomiting 10 minutes prior to the last blood draw and having to do it again. Still waiting for results.

The heat is killing me. I am back to projectile vomiting and having horrible abdominal and muscle cramps. How I wish I had access to air conditioning or a pool or some relief.

On the plus side, the baby is very active most of the time and that's encouraging. Can't wait for September.

[Muad'Dib]

Raise your hand if you expected this to be a disturbing fetish thread.

[Stainz]

I'm 20 weeks ... haven't felt much in the way of baby's movements yet ... but I hear that's normal for a first-timer.

No real physical discomfort except my boobs are still SOOOOO tender, and my feet really ache, which is weird because I don't spend much time on my feet at all - I have a desk job. Yet at the end of the day they feel as if I have been standing for 9 hours!!! Very uncomfortable.

Had a few little cramps and twinges but nothing too crazy or scary.

We've hired our doula and she seems very great - exactly the kind of person we were looking for ... we've had our second ultrasound and all looks good ... I'm just very impatient for this little person to arrive, and I have a LOOOOONG way to go yet.

(PS Muad'Dib and Eleusis - the title of the thread was a joke designed to get attention ... glad to know it worked ... )

[Cyros]

Originally Posted by Stainz

I'm 20 weeks ... haven't felt much in the way of baby's movements yet ... but I hear that's normal for a first-timer.

Sometimes it takes a while to recognize the movements, and the placement of the placenta can affect that as well (anterior placement tends to cushion movement). Also, you're spending most of your day working, and I know in my case, movement is most obvious only when I'm lying down.

Originally Posted by Stainz

No real physical discomfort except my boobs are still SOOOOO tender, and my feet really ache, which is weird because I don't spend much time on my feet at all - I have a desk job. Yet at the end of the day they feel as if I have been standing for 9 hours!!! Very uncomfortable.

I think in addition to the bones kind of spreading in your feet, not being able to elevate them makes them swell.My breasts were incredibly tender for the first 15 weeks or so. Then, they seemed to improve. Now they hurt again! It has a different quality - it's not constant anymore and is more of a short single pain then tenderness. Perhaps they're preparing to lactate?

Originally Posted by Stainz

We've hired our doula and she seems very great - exactly the kind of person we were looking for ... we've had our second ultrasound and all looks good ... I'm just very impatient for this little person to arrive, and I have a LOOOOONG way to go yet.

That's so fantastic about the doula! I wish there was a practicing certified doula in my area, but apparently there is not. And you got a second ultrasound too? I'm jealous. I'm dying to know what is going on in there. I'm curious if my interpretation of the baby's position is right (and I'd like a little reassurance that the cramps I've been feeling aren't an indicator of distress). Alas, there is nothing I can do but wait and hope!

[Hal Briston]

The kittenlm report:

Doing good at 19.5 weeks. Lots of round ligament pain, hurting feet and complete loss of memory ("baby brain"). Finally has most of her energy back and no more nausea, so she's just enjoying the second trimester.

The baby loves to travel, zipping all over his home. Lotsa kicking, although I haven't been able to feel anything when I put my hand on her belly as of yet.

As a bonus, we have some friends visting from Indiana along with their five-week-old daughter, so I'm getting a little preview of life to come.

[Cyros]

What great pictures! Please let kittenlm know she looks fantastic!

Do you know what flavour you're having? I assume we're having a boy, although I have no proof of this. Someone emailed me an article about a study that says women who are carrying girls have more frequent, uh, mental lapses while pregnant. I believe they were suggesting to me that I must be carrying a girl. I was going to link to the article, but I can't find it.

[Hal Briston]

Originally Posted by Cyros

What great pictures! Please let kittenlm know she looks fantastic!

Thank you much, Cyros! I've been letting her know that every day.

Originally Posted by Cyros

Do you know what flavour you're having? I assume we're having a boy, although I have no proof of this.

Well, we're not finding out, but I usually default to saying "he-his-him". With only two exceptions in the past century, my family does not produce girls. We'll have to see if I keep the male-domination of our family going.

[Geobabe]

Originally Posted by Cyros

Someone emailed me an article about a study that says women who are carrying girls have more frequent, uh, mental lapses while pregnant. I believe they were suggesting to me that I must be carrying a girl. I was going to link to the article, but I can't find it.

*snerk*

I'm glad I'm not having twin girls, then, because I am completely brain-dead. I have to write things down if I'm going to remember anything at all.

I hope you start feeling better, Cyros. I can't even imagine trying to cope with the heat without AC. Ugh.

[Cyros]

Originally Posted by Geobabe

I hope you start feeling better, Cyros. I can't even imagine trying to cope with the heat without AC. Ugh.

Thanks. Obviously, if I had my way, I would have gotten pregnant in September, not be due in September!

I'm a wee bit upset today. I just found out I do indeed have gestational diabetes. As I mentioned before, I had failed the 1 hour, and the first three hour test was screwed up by the lab and missed by an inattentive office dimwit. As a result, I didn't know there was a problem until a month after I was told I had passed that screen. I redid it last Wednesday and found out today, I did fail.

I'm worried because for the past month, I could have been eating a proper diabetic diet and getting medical attention and who knows what kind of damage I might have done in the meantime?

It will be a few days before my referral to the dietician and diabetic counselling nurse goes through, and then I should get a call to arrange an appointment. In the meantime, I think I just might drive myself complete crazy wondering "what if".

[Iris]

Another newly pregnant doper checking in here.......this is my first pregnancy and so far everything is going ok. I'm just over 8 weeks and we heard the heartbeat for the first time today! This was the second sonogram I've had in two weeks. My doctor wanted to do a second sonogram today so we could determine the due date (I was on the pill so it wasn't easy to calculate) and hear the heartbeat. We couldn't be more thrilled, especially after hearing the heartbeat and seeing what actually is starting to resemble a baby on the monitor.

Fortunately, I haven't experienced any morning sickness at all but I feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster. The other morning I cried over some sappy credit card commercial. A credit card commercial! Of course I'm exhausted most of the time and I've had a few moments where I feel like I'm going to faint. My clothes are getting a little snug around the waist, but I haven't gained any weight. Other than that and the terribly sore breasts, I really shouldn't complain.

It's great to hear how the rest of you are doing. I'd also be curious to know when you told your employer that you're pregnant? We've told our family and close friends, but no one at work yet. Everyone says to wait until 3 months, but I'm fairly close with my boss and the earlier I tell her the better for planning purposes. I also understand that once you can hear the baby's heartbeat, the chance of carrying to full-term is 95-97%. I'm thinking about sharing the news with my boss this week, and waiting until 12 weeks to tell the rest of my co-workers.

[Stainz]

Thanks for the good advice & the encouragement Cyros ... I'm sorry about your diabetes test mix-up ... what a pain in the ass, plus scary too. Please let us know how things turn out after you see the dietitian.

Yep, two ultrasounds so far - one at 12 weeks because we were considering going for amnio, and having an ultrasound for dating purposes is mandatory here. Then the standard one at 18 weeks.

We feel very lucky that there are a couple of doulas in our city, and I'm so glad I was early enough to meet one before she was booked - they'll only take one patient / client per month.

And Hal ... I have been meaning to take a belly picture every week but haven't gotten around to it yet .. there hasn't been much to see anyway, at just 20 weeks, I think I've gained about 8 pounds. But you and kittenlm have inspired me and I will start soon!!!

Iris - I told my immediate manager about my pregnancy right away because I was going through a mini-job change at the time and I wanted her to know. I trusted her not to tell anyone. DH and I told our other friends at work (we work for the same Corporation) at about 14 weeks.

Emotionally how is everyone doing? I just find it's almost the only thing on my mind most of the time. Most of what I read is pregnancy related, most of what I surf is pregnancy related, etc etc ... it's a blast, but I try really hard not to be a bore around my non-pregnant friends etc ... but if they ASK, well then, they're going to hear all about it.

[Geobabe]

Originally Posted by Stainz

Emotionally how is everyone doing? I just find it's almost the only thing on my mind most of the time. Most of what I read is pregnancy related, most of what I surf is pregnancy related, etc etc ... it's a blast, but I try really hard not to be a bore around my non-pregnant friends etc ... but if they ASK, well then, they're going to hear all about it.

It's definitely on my mind a lot, especially now with the babies kicking so much, but since the pregnancy has been going pretty well so far, it's not a major thing. I post about it a little in my LiveJournal, but there's usually not that much to report.

I have been noticing that the hormones are really kicking in lately. I had been feeling pretty normal emotionally, but I've been slightly more irritable than usual, and a LOT more weepy for the past week or so. Funny.

Oh, a couple tips I was thinking about and meaning to share:

One, Target has these great maternity tank tops with a built-in shelf bra, so if you've been having trouble with regular bras, check those out if you have a Target near you.

Two, especially for those still in the first trimester, if you're having trouble with the prenatal vitamins, ask your doc for chewables (PreCare is the brand I got). The regular vits were making me SO queasy, but the chewables have been great.