FTM check-in • 5.8

echo-charlietango

Happy Tuesday first-timers!

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?

2. Any appointments this week?  

3. Symptoms? 

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?

morgantu

I missed this thread last week- so here i am bright and early this week! 

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
Edd 12/13, baby is as big as a pigmy seahorse, or a gummy bear!!!! Finally starting to seem like an actual size i can picture- crazy!

2. Any appointments this week?  
Nope. Nothing till the 25th for my 12 week US/NITP (i'll only be 11 weeks but i'm going on vacation during week 12 so the dr said come early, yay!)

3. Symptoms? 
Seems like they're lightening up a bit- i felt great over the weekend. Didn't take b6/unisom on sunday night and regretted it yesterday though. Still fatigued, but able to get more done in the evenings. 

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
I don't think so... Starting to think about making a registry which is crazy and overwhelming. I also don't want to start before 2nd tri because PGAL brain.  

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
Hmm.... Not sure I have any. Definitely take a walk every day it's nice out, which is starting to be more often, finally! I think i might be able to make it back to yoga this week as well. But as far as daily rituals....pretty much  just showering, though it's one of my favorite parts of the day lol. 

kelseyyh

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
Somewhere between Dec 13 & 25; still need to confirm! Baby is somewhere between a blueberry and a raspberry size . 

2. Any appointments this week?  
I might go to a walk in clinic on the weekend (there are none in my rural area so I have to drive into the city). Hopefully then I can get a requisition for an ultrasound etc. 

3. Symptoms? 
Morning sickness - nausea, gagging, food aversions, some vomiting. Lots of fatigue, some moodiness (but I think moodiness is because I've been tired and less productive). I also have a wheeze right now - feels like lung congestion, so that's something I want to talk to the doctor about at the clinic (I've heard of asthma being onset in pregnancy... but I also wonder if it's just allergies now that spring is here). Also just hip and back pain. 

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
I'm just hopeful to start setting up more appointments. My first scheduled appointment with a midwife is just so far away. 

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
I don't really have a lot of rituals. I like talking to the baby, because it makes it feel real even though I know it'll be ages before he/she can hear me. I've thought about a pregnancy journal too, but haven't made one. 

k_m10

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
12/26, so I’m 7 weeks tomorrow. As of tomorrow, baby is the size of a blueberry. Aww.
2. Any appointments this week?  
Nope, US is next week.
3. Symptoms? 
Exhaustion. Insomnia. Nausea with my first vomiting 2 days ago (fun). Boobs. A bit of cramping. Mostly the tiredness / nausea now.
4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
DH and I are leaving on a trip tomorrow and I’m afraid it’s going to suck because I’m not feeling well. Going to grab some Unisom tabs and B6 today. I really hope that helps.
5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
I’ve been eating an apple/banana sauce pouch first thing in the morning (marketed to toddlers, lmao) and it’s been helping. There’s not much I really want to eat. 

mag1cbeli3ver

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
Dec. 1, so I'm 10 weeks 3 days! Baby is the size of a brussel sprout! (As a side note, DH made brussel sprouts with dinner last night. I normally love them, but def couldn't do more than a bite a 2 last night ).

2. Any appointments this week?  
Physical exam/blood work/pap with the OB on Thursday. Hoping maybe she will get out the doppler, but prob not since I just had an US last week

3. Symptoms? 
Exhausted and gassy, mostly.

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
Nothing right now, really...

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
Not many I'm maintaining, sadly! I would really like to get back to running and doing yoga, and I pretty much tell myself everyday that "tomorrow is when I'm gonna start." Then tomorrow comes and I totally don't feel up to it! Checking BMB is pretty much my only daily routine, b/c it gets me through work!

@katem987 I've been living off of apple sauce pouches! They are so convenient and tasty. No shame!! lol!
@morgantu I feel your pain with the registry! DH and I started a Target one online a few weeks ago, and only lasted about 1/2 an hour. It's so overwhelming! There are so. many. things. We've put that on hold for now and will prob wait til the 2nd trimester like you mentioned.

kadeephd

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?

12/7 so I'm 9+4 today.  Baby is as big as a cherry in week 9 and strawberry in week 10, so I'm thinking we're close to strawberry since I was measuring three days ahead at my US last week.

2. Any appointments this week?  

Just to have my blood drawn for NT.

3. Symptoms? 

My symptoms overall seem to be improving, but the insomnia hasn't improved much.  Some nights are better than others.  I was up most of last night reading so today will probably be rough.

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?

I'm a little nervous for the NT blood work and ultrasound.  We've already starting telling more friends, but I want to wait to tell my work/school until after that point just in case there is some genetic abnormality that is incompatible with life.  It would suck to have to explain that to a lot of people.

I also am currently bidding on some maternity jeans on eBay.  That'll be my first maternity clothing purchase.  I'm excited to have them on hand when I need them and wonder when that will be.  My husband and I also started talking about how we are going to rearrange things to make room for a baby in our one bedroom apartment.  It's starting to feel more real.

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?

Like several of you, I wish I was doing more physical activity.  It would be good to do yoga daily, even if only for a few minutes.  Right now I feel like I'm dragging myself through the days and I don't have any rituals.

hkom

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
I am 10 weeks today - EDD Dec 4!  The app is telling me it's the size of a guitar pick, but shows me a picture of a strawberry, so I'm gonna go with strawberry because guitar pick is like the most boring thing they could choose.

*Edit*  My ticker says a prune.  How.... nice?

2. Any appointments this week?  
I just got back fro one!  I called first thing yesterday morning to request a doppler or an ultrasound because I spent the previous 4-5 days in absolute agony thinking that something was wrong, even though I had no reason to believe that.  I always trust my intuition so it was killing me.  Of course, there was absolutely nothing wrong and I got to see an image and a nice fast heartbeat on the portable ultrasound.

3. Symptoms? 
Nothing too terrible.  The nausea and extreme fatigue have stayed away for the past 2 weeks.  Right now it's just hormone emotions and my boobs are crazy.

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
Nope.  I feel 100000000x better after my appointment.  I'm hoping to start feeling happy and more normal now, and relieved I will be able to be excited when we see my husband's family next weekend.

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
The last few weeks have been such a roller coaster I've been lucky just to get my face washed every night before bed.  Now that it's nice out and my nerves have been settled I'm hoping to be able to walk/run more and to get the garden finished soon, so that maintaining it for the rest of the year will be more ritual and less work.

scaredunprepared

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?  12/23, 7 wks along

2. Any appointments this week?  Friday is initial prenatal exam and ultrasound!

3. Symptoms? Sore boobs, exhausted, ravenously hungry, bloated, gassy, extremely hormonal and cry at the drop of a hat!

4. Any questions/concerns/etc? Been having spotting on and off for 3 weeks, went to the ER, no issues found, progesterone levels checked and they are normal. I guess it's just normal for some women to bleed a little? Anyway to help significant others come to terms with an unexpected pregnancy?

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin? Not really sure, didn't really think about this.  One of the things I plan to do on at least two biweekly basis is belly pics. Haven't started yet, but will soon.

ab_canada

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
EDD Dec 1, baby the size of a brussel sprout.

2. Any appointments this week?  
Yes, mat complete (first physical of my life, lol) on Thursday.

3. Symptoms? 
still super tired.. went to bed at 7pm last night, woke up at about 9pm because the dog wanted to go outside (she was napping beside me all night ) and went right back to bed by 9:30. I'm such a terrible person - it was DH's birthday yesterday and I couldn't even spend time with him.. I did buy him ice cream, at least.

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
when will this fatigue end? Lol

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
i think I would like to start a journal. I want to be able to track the US pictures and heart beat and all that. Symptoms might be interesting for my next pregnancy. I found a cute "expecting you" journal on Amazon.

ChristenMA83

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
12/6 - 9w5d - the size of a jack

2. Any appointments this week?  
Nothing until Monday the 14th, it'll be our final ultrasound with the RE and blood draw for NIPT.
Finally got my 12 week appointment set up with the Midwife, so I'm happy about that.

3. Symptoms? 
Fatigue is starting to go away, which is nice.  Headaches and backaches seem to be more frequent though.

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
Still just nervous something will go wrong.  I'll feel so much better when we get the results of the NIPT, assuming everything is A-OK.

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
Daily breakfast of boiled eggs and oatmeal.  I was really good with this last week but need to get back on it this week.
I want to start evening walks when I get off work, weather permitting, just to get a little activity in my routine.

ab_canada

@hkom @mag1cbeli3ver
double digits club!

hkom

scaredunprepared said:

Been having spotting on and off for 3 weeks, went to the ER, no issues found, progesterone levels checked and they are normal. I guess it's just normal for some women to bleed a little? Anyway to help significant others come to terms with an unexpected pregnancy?

I had spotting pretty much continuously in weeks 8 and 9.  It just tapered off this past weekend.  Everyone assured me that it's totally normal for some people.  My mom said she had it intermittently throughout both of her pregnancies.  As I just had an ultrasound today and everything was fine, it definitely doesn't mean that something is wrong.  

I'm afraid I don't have much advice on your partner.  I do sincerely hope he comes to terms with everything soon and can be more supportive.  I know sooo many people who have had unplanned pregnancies (including my mom!  my older brother was a surprise and her and my dad did not have much support or enthusiasm from their families at first, but everyone eventually got over it and everything was fine!) and while everyone was scared and didn't always have the best support at first, everything eventually turned around and pretty much all of them have turned out great and everyone is now healthy and happy.  A friend of mine got pregnant with TWINS after only dating the father for like a month    They are married now and have 4 kids and have made a really really lovely family for themselves.  Fingers crossed that everyone comes around soon and you can have some support in your inner circle.  Sending lots of good vibes your way.

kadeephd

@scaredunprepared My pregnancy was not planned.  I think a lot depends on your personal situation and how your SO is reacting.  My SO has come around pretty quickly, but we were planning to start trying relatively soon anyway (I was still working on convincing him actually) so it was not totally out of left field.  I've tried to keep him involved in everything that is going on and I think that has helped.  He has gone to both appointments with me and has requested a book on how to deal with pregnancy/being a new dad.  I've been keeping him in the loop about my symptoms and anxieties too.

echo-charlietango

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
12/12, raspberry

2. Any appointments this week?  
Not this week, but next week! Not sure exactly what we're doing, but I hope we get another ultrasound since DH will be with me.

3. Symptoms? 
Ever-growing boobs, general fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and constipation. B6 supplementation is fending off the invisible nausea really well, yay!

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
Just general PGAL worries. Tomorrow is my week nine mark, which was a bad-news day last pregnancy. I just need to get out of my own head and remember that this time is different. 

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
So far all I can keep up with is listening to the news in the morning while playing Clash of Clans I like it because my boobs don't hurt, the dogs aren't bugging me, and I'm neither hungry nor nauseated that early.

@morgantu We're waiting for the second tri also! We've already decided that we'll buy the crib and high chair outright from IKEA before we move, then register for everything else.

@hkom Congrats on the good ultrasound!

@scaredunprepared Sorry your SO isn't on board yet! This early it's hard because everything is only affecting you, and it's all internal. It's hard to be involved and emotionally invested in something that can only be seen with machinery. Hopefully his problem-solving skills will come through and he'll learn how to cope and support.

@ab_canada We celebrated YH birthday with ice cream last night too! We were thankful that I only bought the single serving cups because we both wanted MORE.

@ChristenMA83 I need to get more activity into my routine too!

ChristenMA83

@kelseyyh I keep meaning to start a pregnancy journal/scrapbook.  I even bought some supplies, but that's as far as I've gotten.

@hkom so glad you got some piece of mind at your appointment.  I'm in an anxiety slump this week because it's the longest we've went without an ultrasound.  I can't wait to get that reassurance on Monday.

tumbleweed-1

@scaredunprepared I hope you’ve been able to talk to your SO about becoming parents and the pregnancy. I don’t know how distant he is. It’s ok for him (and you!) to mourn a little for how life will change. The hormones for us pregnant ones doesn’t help. Even though I’m pregnant intentionally, I still panic that maybe I don’t want kids (which is ridiculous, I baby sit all of the little kids in my life every chance I get. I even go so far as to play designated babysitter for grown up nights like NYE celebrations. It’s just my hormones making me second guess myself). But mine and my SO’s life will change dramatically- no more naps whenever I want, we have to plan when we leave the house and bring baby & baby stuff with us, we’ll have to be careful about our not kid appropriate tv, movies, and video games. Also, probably a lot less video games in our lives soon. Your lives will similarly change, and a fair amount of his sudden 180 in his behavior could be his worry about losing “who he is/what his life is”. It’s a big plunge! And one that was unplanned on top of that. I hope he comes around soon. Stay strong. 

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
12/26, Tomorrow is 7 weeks!! I think @katem987 said that means a blueberry. 
2. Any appointments this week?  
Nope
3. Symptoms? 
Not anything that I haven’t already shared in this weeks symptom thread
4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
Nope, I think I covered all my q’s this week in other threads. I’m trying not to be too redundant 
5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
A new one I’m starting is checking off if I’ve taken a prenatal vitamin on my white board calendar because I just can’t remember if I took one or not. Some days I’ve probably missed and others I might have doubled up. It’ll be a long 8 months more if I don’t come up with a system for that. 
I’d also like to try some yoga at home. I used to take a class, when I was a student. The type I did/learned is iyenger yoga which is fairly gentle. It’s about bringing the pose to your body with the assistance of blocks & straps, rather than forcing your body into a pose it can’t reach yet. I think it’ll be safe to pick it back up. I don’t want to do inversions or anything, mostly standing & sitting poses. Some forward bending ones. I’d like to think I can wake up early and start my day off with that, but I’m not a good morning person. I try to be and it just never works. I like to sleeeep. 

k_m10

@kelseyyh I got a journal but haven’t started it yet.
@tumbleweed-1 aww due date buddies! So exciting. Apparently today, baby is the size of a bumble bee! So adorable.

kadeephd

tumbleweed-1 said:

... It’s ok for him (and you!) to mourn a little for how life will change. The hormones for us pregnant ones doesn’t help. Even though I’m pregnant intentionally, I still panic that maybe I don’t want kids (which is ridiculous, I baby sit all of the little kids in my life every chance I get. I even go so far as to play designated babysitter for grown up nights like NYE celebrations. It’s just my hormones making me second guess myself). But mine and my SO’s life will change dramatically- no more naps whenever I want, we have to plan when we leave the house and bring baby & baby stuff with us, we’ll have to be careful about our not kid appropriate tv, movies, and video games. Also, probably a lot less video games in our lives soon. Your lives will similarly change, and a fair amount of his sudden 180 in his behavior could be his worry about losing “who he is/what his life is”. It’s a big plunge! And one that was unplanned on top of that. I hope he comes around soon. Stay strong.

Yes, this.  I have always known I wanted kids and I still get really sad sometimes thinking about the fact that the pre-kid part of my life is just about over.  I know I will look back on these adult-but-not-parent years fondly and I wish I had appreciated them more as they were happening.  Of course I expect I'll also enjoy having kids and will miss having little ones once I don't anymore.  In a morbid way I just feel one step closer to death, like it's all going by so fast.

mamajudec2018

@echo-charlietango We are due date buddies!

@ChristenMA83 I'm starting daily walks too! Today was my first!

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
December 12th! I am 8 weeks, 6 days!

2. Any appointments this week?  
We had one today! Baby is growing exactly in line with Sue date and has a strong heartbeat of 174. Tomorrow I start the transition off of my hormones over the next three weeks. I also start my transition from my fertility clinic to my normal OB!

3. Symptoms? 
I've been more nauseous the last couple days. Biggest symptom is insomnia which I think is coming from anxiety. Just what this little munchkin to be ok!

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
Thoughts on ranch? It helps me to eat carrots. I had Kraft Buttermilk Ranch but I know some people say no.

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
I am going to start walking 20 to 30 mins every day. Today was my first time! Getting pregnant was quite the process for me, infertility and loss, so I wasn't really supposed to do much until I was somewhat "released" today.

ab_canada

@mamajudec2018
If you bought it in a non-refrigerated aisle of the grocery store, it won't have raw eggs. That's really the only reason you need to avoid ranch and other dressings, as far as I understand

mamajudec2018

@ab_canada Thank you!

echo-charlietango

mamajudec2018 said:

Thoughts on ranch? It helps me to eat carrots. I had Kraft Buttermilk Ranch but I know some people say no.

I avoid commercial ranch dressing only because I try to avoid vegetable oils and soy oil - ranch usually has one or both. Instead I make a dry ranch seasoning (similar to the BYU Creamery Ranch Dressing MIX (the last recipe)) that I sprinkle on all the things. It's extra amazing on potatoes and anything pasta.

fancy-nancy

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
@echo-charlietango and @mamajudec2018  due date triplets... December 12th 

2. Any appointments this week?  
No appointments until the 22nd. 

3. Symptoms? 
Nausea, some vomiting and fatigue. I noticed that when I eat AND drink at the same time it causes me to sometimes to vomit. So I have to eat first and drink water about ten minutes after eating. 

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
None really. 

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
I keep telling myself that I’m going to go for a walk during the day especially on my lunches but naps are much more my speed. I really need to start walking... my boss told me I’m getting big fast. Which kinda hurt my feelings because I can barely stand to eat or keep much down

ChristenMA83

@fancy-nancy I can't imagine my boss commenting on my size, especially this early on.   

scaredunprepared

Thank you all so much. It is comforting to know that other people have experienced disappointment and grief for the life they are leaving behind when they find out they are pregnant. I am sure that is part of what SO is going through right now.  Also reassuring to know that other women do bleed during pregnancy and that it is not necessarily an indicator that something is wrong. Of course, it's even more reassuring knowing that all of my blood work came back normal!

echo-charlietango

@scaredunprepared Good blood work goes a long way! I'm happy that you're finding value in this community

nurse_good

@scaredunprepared; we are *almost* due date twins!  I’m the 22nd.
i have my first appointment on Monday and I’m so nervous and excited!

scaredunprepared

@nurse_good aw yay!  Are you a first-time mom as well? This week is taking forever! I just wanted to be Friday already so I can have my appointment for some more peace of mind. I have found that immersing myself in everything else is helping the days go by quicker! Keeping busy is my Saving Grace right now.

nerdeebird

1. When is your EDD, how big is baby?
Dec 14th, today baby is as big as a gummy bear! 

2. Any appointments this week?  
Not for another couple weeks, the waiting time in between sucks!

3. Symptoms? 
nada...I was fine with this after my ultrasound but I'm getting in my head about it again. Luckily I'm really busy with work right now so it's been a good distraction. 

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
After the recent discussion about sunscreen I'm kind of paranoid about everything I've been using. I didn't realize how many things aren't recommended and seems impossible to avoid everything. There is also so much conflicting information. Can I keep wearing my makeup? I use Selsun Blue shampoo that I'm now worried about...I even read today that antihistamines are not good, even though my OB and primary care doctor said it's fine to take a daily Claritin for my seasonal allergies...uggghhh. How strict are you ladies being with the products you're using?

5. GTKY: What daily rituals are you maintaining, or wish to begin?
I've been taking a mid-day nap and it's really been helping me maintain my schedule and fight fatigue - otherwise I'm an emotional mess.. I want to keep up a pregnancy journal but have been too busy. I'm going to try and take a weekly bump pic. Right now my schedule is too busy to do much but once it's June I plan to start exercising/stretching/doing yoga. 

@morgantu I feel you on the registry and having hesitation with PGAL brain. My husband and I kind of avoided getting excited this time for at least a couple weeks. But I found that acting as if everything will be fine really helped me get through some of my grief from my prior loss. I also talked to a friend who'd gone through 3 losses and she reminded me that if everything ends of going well (which odds are more in your favor than not) that I'd wish I would have celebrated this baby instead of letting my fear of another loss dampen my joy. It personally helped me, but I know everyone's experience with loss is different and you definitely have to do whatever helps you best!

@hkom we're going to get our garden up and running this weekend too. We just bought our house last December and I've been dying for one! I'm super excited. 

@tumbleweed-1 I had the same problem with remembering to take my vitamin. I downloaded a habit tracking app that sends me a reminder and then I can check it off when I do it so I can look back (basically a mobile version of your whiteboard). I also have an alarm set on my phone to remind me...because I need multiple systems to remember *sigh*


Ugh, this is so me lately... 

kadeephd said:

  In a morbid way I just feel one step closer to death, like it's all going by so fast.

hkom

nerdeebird said

4. Any questions/concerns/etc?
After the recent discussion about sunscreen I'm kind of paranoid about everything I've been using. I didn't realize how many things aren't recommended and seems impossible to avoid everything. There is also so much conflicting information. Can I keep wearing my makeup? I use Selsun Blue shampoo that I'm now worried about...I even read today that antihistamines are not good, even though my OB and primary care doctor said it's fine to take a daily Claritin for my seasonal allergies...uggghhh. How strict are you ladies being with the products you're using?

I tend to look at the source.  Unless it's from the APA or something similar (i.e.  like an actual medical source) I usually disregard it. I've found most of my products don't contain anything on those types of lists.  The only thing I really had to change was to watch out for Salicylic acid.  Hippie blogs and organizations with an agenda list almost everything under the sun and I ignore most of it.  I do plan on asking my OB about about sunscreen specifically though. She did say my daily Zyrtec is totally safe. 

mag1cbeli3ver

@nerdeebird The main thing I've been monitoring is my food. I haven't given much thought to other products, although maybe I should. I will definitely take @hkom 's advice though and listen only to reputable medical sources and my OB. There is soooo much out there, and you're right, lots of things are contradictory!

nurse_good

@scaredunprepared; yep- first timer here!  
How did your US go today?  I’m dying to get through the weekend and the first half of work on Monday before mine!

scaredunprepared

@nurse_good yay!  We are in good company, it seems.  No ultrasound at my appointment!  Was super bummed because was told over the phone that it would i got a script for one in about two weeks. More waiting game!  Ugh.  Hopefully time goes quick for both of us.

nurse_good

@scaredunprepared I'm sorry you didn't have your ultrasound like you were planning.  My appointment tomorrow is only an ultrasound, so I'm also looking forward to my first actual appointment with my doctor, which will probably be in a few weeks.

scaredunprepared

@nurse_good I saw your pic!  Glad you got to hear and see a strong heartbeat!  SO and I scheduled our ultrasound for this Friday.  This week is going to take forever! 

Found out today I am Strep positive, so started antibiotics. Kind of freaking out about that a bit.  Going to schedule with high risk OB in a few weeks due to my hypothyroidism and my weight and spotting. I feel like I am going to basically be scheduling my life around appointments now.  But hopefully it's all just precautionary and no issues arise.