Update

I saw my midwife this morning. It was a basic weight/blood pressure/pee in a cup appointment. We reviewed my lab work. The results were as-expected and all appropriately positive or negative. She noted that I'll need two RhoGAM shots, which I knew, one at 28 weeks and the other postpartum to prevent complications if the baby has a positive blood type.

We chatted a bit about forming a birth plan. I'm reading and working on it in spurts.

I heard the heartbeat again via fetal doppler. It was hugely reassuring to hear the swoosh, swoosh, swoosh sound as the Insider wiggled. I still haven't gained any weight but I was only down half a pound this appointment. She wants me to aim for a half pound to pound per week from this point on. Total weight gain should be between 20-30 lbs.

I go back again November 13 for the same type of appointment, plus the quad screen. On November 19, we have the big ultrasound/fetal anatomy screen where we will -- if the Insider is cooperative -- find out the sex. The anatomy scan will be at the Center for Advanced Fetal Medicine at University of Maryland just across the street from my midwife's office. They prefer to have a perinatologist read all the scans and to use a more sensitive ultrasound machine. So, off to the hospital I'll go.

I'm planning to schedule a tour of the birth center in January or February, about the same time as we take a birthing class.

When Other People Don't Understand

The morning (noon, and night) sickness I've been dealing with -- and still am, to greater and lesser degrees, depending on the day -- is a medical condition.

It is extremely frustrating to have other people ask "Have you tried saltines? What about ginger tea?" after you've explained that every home remedy failed. And believe me, I tried everything from ginger to saltines, to a high protein diet, to drinking very cold beverages, to upping my B6 and B12, to sucking on peppermints, to getting enough rest, to eating a snack in the middle of the night, to eating before I even got out of bed.

Nothing worked.

And it is difficult for other people to understand that morning sickness exists on a spectrum. From mild nausea all the way to Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Having your overwhelming, debilitating nausea and vomiting labeled as "just morning sickness" or picking up a prescription and having the pharmacist ask "Have you tried ginger?" is insulting. I wish that more medical professionals were better educated about peripartum conditions.

In other news, I'm not showing exactly but I am starting to notice my waist thickening. I have two belly bands, thanks to my mother-in-law. They let me wear my normal pants unbuttoned and/or unzipped. The bands, which are akin to extra stretchy tube tops, are worn folded over the unbuttoned area to hold up your pants. They are a lifesaver. Maternity fashions have come a long way but I didn't really want to have to buy a 2d wardrobe.

I'm looking forward to looking pregnant rather than tubby. At the moment, I just look like I've been having second or third helpings.

I have a regular appointment tomorrow morning. I'll be 12 weeks, 6 days pregnant so the doppler should be able to pick up the heartbeat. At the appointment after that, sometime in mid-November, we'll schedule the 18-20 week ultrasound. It'll either be either immediately before or after Thanksgiving. The later ultrasound will examine the vital organs and check for any congenital defects, and, if the Insider is cooperative, let us know if we're having a boy or girl.

Priorities

No, we don't yet have a crib. Baby proofing? Eh, the kid'll only pull over a bookshelf on itself once. Daycare? We'll get to it.

BUT DARN IT WE HAVE A DESK AND A BOOKSHELF FOR THIS CHILD.



My aunt Connie was in town last weekend and we found the desk at an antique store in Hampden. It's super-cute (and was a steal at the price), but I suspect we're just ensuring that we're going to raise a total jock.

Reference Photo!

Here's M, circa the end of September.