We are closing in on the end of week 10 of the pregnancy. Apparently, the babies are the size of limes and growing bigger everyday. Its amazing how fast the time goes by. I am feeling better. The nausea seems to have subsided for the most part and the one Zantac at night keeps the heartburn at bay. I am less hungry....or it seems. I suppose that its because I'm not feeling nauseated every time my stomach gets empty. Its nice not to have to stuff my face all the time. I am still soooooooooo exhausted all the time and my feet have began to swell. I am going to try to increase my water intake. Hopefully, this will help and I won't have to watch my salt (which I probably will if not now, later) lol. It probably didn't help that I ate half a jar of salsa for dinner last night. And for those of you that know me...its totally not me to eat that kind of food. lol Oh, I also had creamy chicken soup that I drank with the chips and salsa. On second thought, maybe I should go ahead and watch my salt intake. Haha!
I received my extra calcium and fish oil supplements in the mail this week. (I had to order online because I couldn't find them in local stores.) Whoa!! Talk about horse pills!! Now, in the mornings after I eat breakfast, I have to take the prenatal vitamin, folic acid, 4 HUGE fish oil capsules, and 1 HUGE calcium tablet. Nothing like four lemon flavored fish oil capsules to make your breakfast super yummy. Haha! NOT!
I had some wonderful friends last week, loan me some maternity clothes! They have been lifesavers!! I am so thankful to have things in my closet that not only fit me but are stylish. Thanks Ladies!!
Overall, things are going wonderfully. Even though I'm listing all my ailments, they are so manageable. I am thankful to have such a smooth pregnancy so far. Our next doctor visit is just a couple of weeks away. I'm looking forward to seeing the babies again.
A side note: I found out last weekend that my cousin's wife is also pregnant. She is due just a day or two ahead of me on October 13th! How exciting to get to share this experience with family even though they are miles away. Congratulations Andrew and Sarah! You will be wonderful parents!
Chad and Linda
Chad's homecoming from Iraq 2010
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
First OB Appointment with the High Risk Doctor
Today was our first visit to the high risk doctor. We will be seeing them exclusively through out the rest of the pregnancy. We arrived at the UT office at 8 this morning and didn't leave until 12:30pm!!! There was a long wait and we covered a lot of information. First, we met with the genetic councelor and she explained all the genetic issues that they test for and how the tests are performed. She also said our pregnancy was a lower-high risk pregnancy compared to others. For that, we are so thankful!
Then, we went to ultrasound. The babies both measured 9 weeks and 1 day....which is perfect!!! Their heart rates were 175 and 171. Baby A was dancing and waving his/her little arms and legs. The ultrasound tech had a hard time getting a reading of the heart rate because of all of its activity. It was sooooo cool to see those little arms and legs!! Completely amazing!! Baby B slept the whole visit. But, the ultrasound tech didn't have any trouble getting a good reading on the heart rhythm and measurements. I said the dancing baby was little Chad and the calm baby was little Linda. The ultrasound tech said that both babies look great and the placenta and all the other stuff and junk look great too. We are right on schedule. Bonus....graduated to the regular ultrasound probe! For all those ladies out there....you know what I mean. Haha!
After a hugely long wait, the nurse practitioner came and took us to another exam room. LET THE INFORMATION BEGIN!! Holy Schmoly!!! That was a lot of information to absorb. She asked lists and lists of questions and answered my lists and lists of questions. She was so patient with us and took all the time we needed. The wait to see her was well worth it. Apparently, the most important weight gain for carrying multiples in the first half of the pregnancy. Who would have thought? Not me! So, I have to begin drinking two ensure shakes a day with strict instructions that they cannot replace a meal. Also, I have to begin taking more folic acid and add fish oil supplement and a calcium citrate tablet twice daily. (She said at the next visit she will add in a prescription for iron) She also said that I could take Zantac at night for the heartburn (Hallelujah!!!!!!) and gave me a long list of symptom relievers for pregnancy!! Its pretty cool that the NP and I are the same age and she has a 9 month old baby (and its her first). So, she's up on how it feels to be pg and the relief from symptoms. I feel like this is the right place for us to be. It all just fell in line with this appointment. After meeting the doctor for two brief seconds, he was off to do a c-section! At the end of the appointment they sent us to the lab where they took about 50 vials of my blood. The nurse was an excellent sticker!! Thankful for steady hands especially when they have a needle stuck in my arm.
Our next appointment is in three weeks, when I will have a fasting 2 hours glucose test, ultrasound, bloodwork and a physical. I am really looking forward to this next trimester coming up. Hopefully, I'll have more energy, not be nauseous, and feel better. I'm still not complaining....pregnancy symptoms are wonderful! I am so thankful to have those little signs of our babies growing inside me.
Then, we went to ultrasound. The babies both measured 9 weeks and 1 day....which is perfect!!! Their heart rates were 175 and 171. Baby A was dancing and waving his/her little arms and legs. The ultrasound tech had a hard time getting a reading of the heart rate because of all of its activity. It was sooooo cool to see those little arms and legs!! Completely amazing!! Baby B slept the whole visit. But, the ultrasound tech didn't have any trouble getting a good reading on the heart rhythm and measurements. I said the dancing baby was little Chad and the calm baby was little Linda. The ultrasound tech said that both babies look great and the placenta and all the other stuff and junk look great too. We are right on schedule. Bonus....graduated to the regular ultrasound probe! For all those ladies out there....you know what I mean. Haha!
After a hugely long wait, the nurse practitioner came and took us to another exam room. LET THE INFORMATION BEGIN!! Holy Schmoly!!! That was a lot of information to absorb. She asked lists and lists of questions and answered my lists and lists of questions. She was so patient with us and took all the time we needed. The wait to see her was well worth it. Apparently, the most important weight gain for carrying multiples in the first half of the pregnancy. Who would have thought? Not me! So, I have to begin drinking two ensure shakes a day with strict instructions that they cannot replace a meal. Also, I have to begin taking more folic acid and add fish oil supplement and a calcium citrate tablet twice daily. (She said at the next visit she will add in a prescription for iron) She also said that I could take Zantac at night for the heartburn (Hallelujah!!!!!!) and gave me a long list of symptom relievers for pregnancy!! Its pretty cool that the NP and I are the same age and she has a 9 month old baby (and its her first). So, she's up on how it feels to be pg and the relief from symptoms. I feel like this is the right place for us to be. It all just fell in line with this appointment. After meeting the doctor for two brief seconds, he was off to do a c-section! At the end of the appointment they sent us to the lab where they took about 50 vials of my blood. The nurse was an excellent sticker!! Thankful for steady hands especially when they have a needle stuck in my arm.
Our next appointment is in three weeks, when I will have a fasting 2 hours glucose test, ultrasound, bloodwork and a physical. I am really looking forward to this next trimester coming up. Hopefully, I'll have more energy, not be nauseous, and feel better. I'm still not complaining....pregnancy symptoms are wonderful! I am so thankful to have those little signs of our babies growing inside me.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
First OB Appointment
We had our first OB appointment Wednesday (yesterday). We were pleasantly surprised to have another ultrasound! The ultrasound tech spent a lot of time with us and we got to hear the babies heartbeat for the first time. It was amazing. There is nothing in this world like hearing your babies' heart beat for the first time. We are in awe of the whole thing. Baby A's heart rate was 154 and Baby B's heart rate was 158. Both babies measured 7 weeks and 3 days...exactly what they should. They are both doing very well.
Off to see the doctor: We began our visit with the doctor by her asking lots of questions. Then, she announced that because of my age (38 years old) that I was considered a high risk pregnancy. When I mentioned that we were also having twins she said high risk times two. lol The more we discussed our options, the more Chad and I decided that it would be in our (and the babies) best interest to go to the high risk doctor. The hospital where my regular OB/GYN delivers does not have a NICU. So, our appointment had an abrupt ending and we were referred to the high risk doctor. Our appointment is in a couple of weeks on March 13th. We will be delivering at University of Tennessee Medical Center.
All is still well with us. I'm still crabby with Chad for no apparent reason. Poor guy! He's being such a trooper. I love him so much for being so understanding. Nausea comes in waves most of the day and heartburn lurks around several times a day. But, absolutely no complaints here. We are so happy and humbled to experience these two new lives growing inside me. We are blessed beyond belief. We couldn't have asked for more. Our friends and families have been so supportive with kind words and well wishes. We couldn't have gotten this far without your prayers, love and support. We are forever grateful.
Off to see the doctor: We began our visit with the doctor by her asking lots of questions. Then, she announced that because of my age (38 years old) that I was considered a high risk pregnancy. When I mentioned that we were also having twins she said high risk times two. lol The more we discussed our options, the more Chad and I decided that it would be in our (and the babies) best interest to go to the high risk doctor. The hospital where my regular OB/GYN delivers does not have a NICU. So, our appointment had an abrupt ending and we were referred to the high risk doctor. Our appointment is in a couple of weeks on March 13th. We will be delivering at University of Tennessee Medical Center.
All is still well with us. I'm still crabby with Chad for no apparent reason. Poor guy! He's being such a trooper. I love him so much for being so understanding. Nausea comes in waves most of the day and heartburn lurks around several times a day. But, absolutely no complaints here. We are so happy and humbled to experience these two new lives growing inside me. We are blessed beyond belief. We couldn't have asked for more. Our friends and families have been so supportive with kind words and well wishes. We couldn't have gotten this far without your prayers, love and support. We are forever grateful.
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