Prescription Prenatal Vitamins

Citracal Prenatal + DHA Pak

Each prenatal tablet
Vitamin A (Vitamin A palmitate) - 2700 IU
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) - 120 mg
Calcium (Calcium citrate) - 125 mg
Iron (Carbonyl iron, Ferrous gluconate) - 27 mg
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) - 400 IU
Vitamin E (di-alpha tocopheryl acetate) - 30 IU
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) - 3 mg
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) - 3.2 mg
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) - 20 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - 20 mg
Folic Acid - 1 mg
Iodine (Potasium iodide) - 150 mg
Zinc (Zinc oxide) - 25 mg
Copper (Cupric oxide) - 2 mg
Docusate Sodium - 50 mg

Each DHA capsule
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) - 250 mg
DHA is contained in the oil derived from microalgae.

Upsides & downsides of being pregnant

Upsides
+ baby movements, kicking (affirmation that baby is ok)
+ thinking about life after baby is born
+ thinking about the Bean, and what he or she will look like
+ panhandlers leave me alone in Penn Station and on 8th Ave when they notice the bump
+ men and women more inclined to strike up conversation and ask about due date
+ can take afternoon naps without feeling as guilty as when not pregnant; can blame gas, burps and anything else unpleasant on the baby (that was the baby, not me...)
+ no periods or cramps for months!
+ people offer seats on the subway, and even offer to let me go ahead of them in line

Downsides
+ a lot of moles appearing on my neck and torso (increased hormones)
+ tired, overweight, absent-minded, clumsy
+ shoes are tighter
+ sore hip joints while sleeping on sides
+ frequent blood tests
+ getting knocked in the bladder
+ pants with fixed waistbands
+ no interest in getting dressed to go to work or socialize...elastic waistband pajamas and over-the-belly maternity pants preferred
+ chest has gotten bigger so that boobs now rest on top of the belly when I'm sitting down (not attractive), but not so big I need larger bra size...
+ crumbs in cleavage and all over belly after most meals

Car chase (March 10, 2007)

On the walk to Whole Foods to buy groceries this afternoon, I bumped into a crowd gathering at 7th Avenue on 25th Street. 7th Avenue was cordoned off to film a high speed car chase for the movie "Bourne Ultimatum", starring Matt Damon. Pedestrians were asked to wait inside stores and on street corners until the car chase scene was completed for safety reasons. Shortly after I arrived, Matt Damon drove a NY City Police car at high speed down 7th and took a sharp left at 25th, followed closely by a black SUV with a camera mounted on the roof. On the way home, along 25th while walking toward 8th Avenue, I passed several residential trailers (for cast or crew) as a trailer that had 6 lavatories (3 labeled 'Stunts', 2 labeled 'star', and one labeled 'ladies'), and one or two scrubby looking guys with cameras hanging around to get photos.

In terms of celebrity sightings while living in NYC, I've seen Sarah Jessica Parker shopping at Whole Foods, Jodie Foster shopping at Design Within Reach, Tom Brady and Giselle Bundchen walking hand-in-hand near the Spotted Pig, where we went for my birthday brunch in February, and Molly Shannon walking and talking on her cell phone on 60th Street.

My sugar test results were within normal range.

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.

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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

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.

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 ( 豬 ) 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

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.