Wednesday, February 28, 2007

6-Month Checkup (Wednesday, Feb 28th, 2007)

25 weeks
Weight: 160 pounds (!)
Vitals: 110/60
Bean: 132 beats/minute

Visit went quickly. I took a sugar test -- will get results next Wednesday. Doctor said he thinks my risk of gestational diabetes is low, and although I'm heavier than I've ever been, he said I'm within 25 pounds of my original weight, and has no worries. I'm ok to travel to San Jose in March.

Bean's heartbeat was 132 and my blood pressure is low, both of which are positive.

Next visit is in April, and I'll get a shot of Rhogam (becuase of potential differences in my blood type vs Michael's). No other blood tests will be needed now until it's time to deliver. We will have one more routine ultrasound at week 36 or 38.

--------------------------------------

Rhogam: Rh0 immunoglobulin, also called anti-Rh or anti-D immunoglobulin. An injectable blood product used to protect an Rh-positive fetus from antibodies by its Rh-negative mother. The idea underlying Rhogam is if anti-Rh antibody is given soon after delivery, it blocks the sensitization of the mother and prevents Rh disease from occurring in the woman's next Rh-positive child. Rhogam is now given routinely to Rh-negative women after pregnancies in which they carried Rh-positive fetuses to prevent the mother's immune system from reacting to the Rh-positive blood of any subsequent fetus. Rhogam was developed in the 1960s by Dr. Vincent J. Freda (1927-2003), professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University.Source: MedicalNet.com http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11961

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Hormonal changes or just heavier?

Michael and I can SEE kicks and movement sometimes, usually after dinner, and it's possible to feel my pulse rate easily through my abdomen.

At the 6-month mark, I now weigh more than I have ever weighed.
+ spreading feet - shoes and boots are tight in the width
+ hip joints ache (usually whichever side I've slept on)
+ itchy skin over the abdomen

According to the most recent update the Baby Center sent, my uterus is the size of a soccer ball and the bean is approximately 12 inches long and weighs about one pound.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Year of the Pig (Feb 17 2007)


February 18 marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year. This next year is the year of the Pig (Boar) -- DingHai-- year 4704 according to the Chinese calendar.

The Bean will be born in the year of the Fire Pig (Boar).


According to various sources,
the Boar ( ) is associated with fertility and virility. To bear children in the year of the pig is considered very fortunate, for they will be happy and honest. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_%28zodiac%29 [

Pictured: Melissa & the Bean at 5 months, 3 weeks... Demi Moore/Vanity Fair shot - Take 1]


More about the Chinese Zodiac:
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in pig years tend to have excellent manners, make and keep friends, work very hard, and appreciate luxury. They are very loving and make loyal partners.
Source: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/chinesenewyear1.html

People born in the Year of the Boar are honest and tolerant and make good friends, but tend to expect the same from everyone else, and more often than not they end up disappointed. They thrive in the arts as entertainers.
Source:
http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/zodiac.html

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Patterns Emerging (Feb 14)

I've been feeling the bean move every day since February 4th, and at various times each day. The two times of the day when I can almost predict the baby will move are in the early mornings before getting out of bed and in the evenings after dinner.

I mentioned this pattern to my mom on Sunday over breakfast, and she said those times correlated with times when Ben and I had been fussy as babies even though we'd been fed, changed, burped, etc.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Layla and the Monarchs (February 12)






This past weekend, we visited Mike and Latifa McQuiggan and their daughter, Layla (13 months old). Mike and Latifa shared lots of stories about their experience with Laya so far (all good!). Layla does not eat baby food; they feed her the same things they eat for meals (and have been doing so since month 6 or 7). She's a good sleeper, a determined walker now (see picture) and really fun to watch.

After lunch, we went for a walk to Elwood Grove, one of the largest breeding sites in the U.S. for Monarch butterflies, and the bluffs along the beach. The pictures here are of Layla and me starting the walk; and Michael and me standing on Elwood bluffs (size-wise, I've just passed the 5.5 month mark); and Mike, Latifa and Layla posed on Mike's favorite form of transportation. Here's Layla's website: http://www.pbase.com/layla_f/root

Sunday, February 4, 2007

First Movement

This morning I felt the first movement that can be attributed to the Bean! While laying on my left side (fretting about real estate costs and taxes), I felt a movement that was stronger than a flutter in the lower left area of my abdomen -- as though the skin had been given a push from the inside. I put my hand on the spot where it happened, and felt it again. Confirmed! Over the past 4 weeks, I've felt twinges and other uncomfortable sensations that later could be attributed to gas, hunger or random rumblings. Because I felt the bump from the outside with my hand, I'm ruling out gas or some intestinal thing. This is the best birthday present!

Friday, February 2, 2007

Maternity Pants

Finally bought maternity pants (on sale at the Gap): 2 pairs of jeans, a pair of black pants for work, and a pair of brown drawstring pants. The black pants are the most comfortable -- they have a panel that stretches over the entire belly -- but I live in the jeans every day that I don't need to be dressed up for work, which is most days. Hoping this set gets me through the summer.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

5-Month Check-up

20 weeks: weight 153 pounds; blood pressure 117/70.

Dr. Holden said everything looks good. Last week's sonogram at 19 weeks was normal so no follow-up tests or ultrasounds are scheduled at this point. True to form, the baby moved around so much it was difficult for the nurse to find the heartbeat with the monitor, but we found it eventually. **I love this little bean.**

Next month I'll go back for 6-month check-up (early March) and will get the standard sugar test. All pregnant women get tested in the US at 6 months for signs of gestational diabetes. The test will take an hour, and will involve drinking sugar water, waiting sixty minutes, and then giving blood for testing purposes (insulin levels).