When I was a kid, I used to get in trouble at Grandpa and Grandma Kyllo's house for plopping down hard onto their living room chairs and sofas. I still do it. Sometimes I even think I'm going to break our little self-assembled love seat, but it doesn't really stop me. But now it seems my body is. For the last few days after running around the office and back to my desk to alert someone their guest has arrived or just because I'm exhausted from being up so long (doesn't take long), I've learned all the ligaments attaching my uterus to my insides pull and cause some pain, particularly since I started out with cramps throughout my pregnancy. Whenever I watched pregnant women slowly back into seats and grab onto things for help, I thought it was just to steady themselves with all their extra weight, but now I see that it also physically just hurts to sit down too hard. Sigh.
The other thing is, I'm starting to waddle. Another thing I thought was due to weight, which I haven't gained a ton of yet, though more and more people that know I'm pregnant comment on the fact that I'm showing. I still think the average person would just think I look a bit round, but friends deny it. Anyhow, I thought from the start that I was walking differently, and saw just the other day an episode of Bones in which she could tell a woman was pregnant at 14 weeks due to the way her abdomen had started spreading and her legs were holding her differently. I know mom and dad are anxious to see me "waddle", though I'd like to think I'm just rocking back and forth a bit more for the time being.
Mainly I'm just getting annoyed (of course, as a giant walking hormone living in one of the most aggressive cities in the world, its easy to be irritable), because I can't maneuver through crowds as quickly as I used to and run through the office attending various guests that have piled up when we have five meetings starting at one time. The stairs from the subways are also seeming much longer than they used to. Sigh. I guess of all the things I have to get used to, this ones pretty obvious. And soon I can be assured a seat on the train and co-workers have already begun offering to carry my heavy trays of drinks when I get much bigger. I should just enjoy.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Randomness
At this point I seem to be all over the place. One day I feel miserably, headachy, nauseous, and the next I'm just fine, ready to go out. My mind is in a billion directions, mainly because I'm not going out as much and just sitting around thinking of all the stuff that's going to fly at me in the months to come. Some stuff going on right now:
- My dreams are getting quite vivid and insane. My most common one is of Jason cheating on me. Last night I dreamt I was weightlifting barbels and it turned out the weights contained pythons, and my trainer woman let the snakes out and put them into pillowcases, so I jumped into bed to hide from them (not a snake fan!). Then Jason came in and we discovered that a couple of close friends of ours had died, but instead he found solace in the arms of my trainer lady, and held onto her for a good many minutes. The snakes starting coming out of the pillow cases towards me. I screamed at Jason and pounded on his back as they slithered up the bed to my feet, but he just ignored me. I managed to get away, but then went around the house like a child slamming doors, attempting to get his attention, which I never did, as it was obvious he was having an affair with this woman. I woke up terrified in a cold sweat. Jason would never ever cheat on me, and of course he keeps telling me to stop dreaming about it! I also dream about fish, supposedly a common dream for pregnancy.
- I'm bemoaning the fact I don't have any pregnant friends, or recently pregnant friends, in my size. I do have a few, but they're all no taller than 5'6", tiny women. No way. So I'm taking advantage of places like Old Navy, where I never shopped in my previously life. I'm at that horrible in-between space, and not sure if I want to buy the over-the-belly kind of bottoms or the kind that go under, and would possibly feel like they're falling off. I did get my first Bella Band, so we'll see how that goes.
- Looking forward to a September or October move, and anxious to be close to friends. We've been invited over for dinner a few times, but it's a good hour-and-a-half train ride home from Astoria, Queens, to our place in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and that's just too much when I'm nauseous and/or exhausted. We are excited, though, because there's the possibility that one of Jason's oldest and dearest friends, now living near L.A., may move in with us for a couple months when we've got the 2-bedroom, before baby arrives. Hopefully he can handle bunnied-up wall paper.
- We're realizing we need to start figuring out the big items (and the billion smaller items) so we can budget for them. Crib, changing table/dresser, stroller, car seat (which we'll use maybe 10 times total, but we'll see), glider for momma, breast pump (surprisingly expensive, but I'm definitely a bargain hunter), and all the others. I don't really want to think about all of it yet. I'm in my second trimester and I should be confident that this baby's a keeper, but it still makes me a might nervous to really plan everything out, especially when I'm just barely showing. But I know if I don't start now, my third trimester (complete with feeling completely uncomfortable and having a hard time sleeping, taking birthing classes, not to mention the holidays), will be way too overwhelming.
- I'm having a hard time finding some of my favorite food items in NYC that I've always taken for granted. Namely, Red Hots (come on - don't people use them to decorate cupcakes, at least?) and Animal Cookies (though that one came to me just today, any pregnant or formerly pregnant woman knows when a craving comes, you need it NOW!). Mmmmm.... I'm going to search a few more places before sending money home to mom to keep them in stock for me. I just put in an order to the fudge shop I worked at for a short time in Michigan - needed some homemade caramels, cinnamon almonds, and saltwater taffy. Mmmmm...
- I keep thinking of a sign I saw once at a dry cleaner near the U-Village back home: "Days are long, but life is short." It rings so true. I'm only just over a third through this experience (the first of a few, I hope, with some trepidation), and each day seems almost longer than the last, but I know when January comes it will have flown by and I may even miss the experience of being this close to my baby, so I'm going to try and enjoy the days that are good to me, and even those that aren't so much, as a possible thrice in a lifetime opportunity.
- My dreams are getting quite vivid and insane. My most common one is of Jason cheating on me. Last night I dreamt I was weightlifting barbels and it turned out the weights contained pythons, and my trainer woman let the snakes out and put them into pillowcases, so I jumped into bed to hide from them (not a snake fan!). Then Jason came in and we discovered that a couple of close friends of ours had died, but instead he found solace in the arms of my trainer lady, and held onto her for a good many minutes. The snakes starting coming out of the pillow cases towards me. I screamed at Jason and pounded on his back as they slithered up the bed to my feet, but he just ignored me. I managed to get away, but then went around the house like a child slamming doors, attempting to get his attention, which I never did, as it was obvious he was having an affair with this woman. I woke up terrified in a cold sweat. Jason would never ever cheat on me, and of course he keeps telling me to stop dreaming about it! I also dream about fish, supposedly a common dream for pregnancy.
- I'm bemoaning the fact I don't have any pregnant friends, or recently pregnant friends, in my size. I do have a few, but they're all no taller than 5'6", tiny women. No way. So I'm taking advantage of places like Old Navy, where I never shopped in my previously life. I'm at that horrible in-between space, and not sure if I want to buy the over-the-belly kind of bottoms or the kind that go under, and would possibly feel like they're falling off. I did get my first Bella Band, so we'll see how that goes.
- Looking forward to a September or October move, and anxious to be close to friends. We've been invited over for dinner a few times, but it's a good hour-and-a-half train ride home from Astoria, Queens, to our place in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and that's just too much when I'm nauseous and/or exhausted. We are excited, though, because there's the possibility that one of Jason's oldest and dearest friends, now living near L.A., may move in with us for a couple months when we've got the 2-bedroom, before baby arrives. Hopefully he can handle bunnied-up wall paper.
- We're realizing we need to start figuring out the big items (and the billion smaller items) so we can budget for them. Crib, changing table/dresser, stroller, car seat (which we'll use maybe 10 times total, but we'll see), glider for momma, breast pump (surprisingly expensive, but I'm definitely a bargain hunter), and all the others. I don't really want to think about all of it yet. I'm in my second trimester and I should be confident that this baby's a keeper, but it still makes me a might nervous to really plan everything out, especially when I'm just barely showing. But I know if I don't start now, my third trimester (complete with feeling completely uncomfortable and having a hard time sleeping, taking birthing classes, not to mention the holidays), will be way too overwhelming.
- I'm having a hard time finding some of my favorite food items in NYC that I've always taken for granted. Namely, Red Hots (come on - don't people use them to decorate cupcakes, at least?) and Animal Cookies (though that one came to me just today, any pregnant or formerly pregnant woman knows when a craving comes, you need it NOW!). Mmmmm.... I'm going to search a few more places before sending money home to mom to keep them in stock for me. I just put in an order to the fudge shop I worked at for a short time in Michigan - needed some homemade caramels, cinnamon almonds, and saltwater taffy. Mmmmm...
- I keep thinking of a sign I saw once at a dry cleaner near the U-Village back home: "Days are long, but life is short." It rings so true. I'm only just over a third through this experience (the first of a few, I hope, with some trepidation), and each day seems almost longer than the last, but I know when January comes it will have flown by and I may even miss the experience of being this close to my baby, so I'm going to try and enjoy the days that are good to me, and even those that aren't so much, as a possible thrice in a lifetime opportunity.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Showing!
Apparently I am officially showing. I'm at 14 weeks, 2 days, so it's about right. I've always had some flab, but was able to suck it in or lie on my back and have it (mostly) disappear. Not so anymore! And today I'm wearing, for the last time, one of my favorite $20 3/4-sleeve H&M suit jackets. I'll miss it, but it'll be freeing to start cleaning out my closet. Unfortunately I don't know how I'm going to do the pants and and skirts, so I'll probably get a bella band and wait another month or so, since I just bought a bunch of tops (including a hippie yellow "Love Child" tee).
By the end of the month, apparently (s)he'll be some 6-7" long, which seems HUGE now, but at the end of 40 weeks will seem so tiny!
By the end of the month, apparently (s)he'll be some 6-7" long, which seems HUGE now, but at the end of 40 weeks will seem so tiny!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Hair and Nails
I've been waiting my whole life to get these kinds of fingernails, and here they are! I used to do them ALL the time, and just recently started up again, buying a french tip kit for $5 (as opposed to going to the salon and spending $20 each time). They used to peel easily and break, though, and bend like paper. Now they're hard as... um, you know, and oh so glorious! The only caveat: I keep trying to gently stroke my husband's face or arms and end up stabbing him instead. This morning my hormones took over and I cried when I tried to touch his neck and kiss him good morning and he shrieked and pulled away from the pain.
Less noticeable is any change in my hair. It had suddenly gotten greasy, but I think that was from the all-in-one Pantene Jason had bought to wash it in the hospital sink earlier this year, so I upgraded to some fancy schmancy "mop". Apparently the average person loses 100 hairs a day, but that stops during pregnancy, so I should have thick, lustrous hair soon enough, or so I hope.
Less noticeable is any change in my hair. It had suddenly gotten greasy, but I think that was from the all-in-one Pantene Jason had bought to wash it in the hospital sink earlier this year, so I upgraded to some fancy schmancy "mop". Apparently the average person loses 100 hairs a day, but that stops during pregnancy, so I should have thick, lustrous hair soon enough, or so I hope.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Breakdancing fiend!
I went to the doctor today, thinking I might have a UTI after missing a couple days of work and other crappy symptoms. Won't find out until Monday.
But anyhow, they did an ultrasound. I was nervous (I usually am just before they check it out, only because I can't feel it move yet and I'm still shocked there's something growing in there!), but had no reason to be! He put the wand on my stomach and, almost on cue, the doctor's cell phone went off with some crazy pop tune, and my baby was kicking up a storm on his little head, his hands and feet pumping in the air. He was totally breakdancing, and I've been giggling all afternoon, wishing I had a little video of it. :)
I'm still in total shock that this is actually happening!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
We may not be Park Slope parents after all
This weekend the owner of our building, Sheldon (really cool old New York guy, shrewd, but extremely good to his renters) came knocking at 10AM with a potential renter to look at our place. Every apartment from our 2nd floor to the 6th has the same layout as us, and the people who are actually moving were out. Anyhow, I mentioned to him that next year we'll need to move into a bigger place as we're with child, and he said he'd take a look and see what 2-bedrooms he had available then. I figured, OK, maybe he'll remember, maybe he won't, but our lease is signed through May and he's the kind of by-the-book guy that won't let us out, regardless, and hopefully we'll just rent from him because he is so great (hand chooses tenants, sends exterminators around once a month, and actually fixes things when they break).
Yesterday Jason got a call from Sheldon who said unfortunately he won't have a 2-bedroom available for us (though he rents his for $2400 anyhow, which would be a bit out of our price range), and told us he'd let us out of our lease at any time, and in fact we should move sooner than later, for my sake! (He really does love us, he even commented to the potential renter that he takes care of his good renters, like us.) So even though I'd been dreaming and glancing around online, looking for a potential place to move next year, now it's actually happening, and we can do it anytime we want! Crazy, especially in this city!
So now we've got to figure this whole thing out. We really love being near Prospect Park, so we may consider moving to the South Slope, which is a bit cheaper, not as upscale but has some really great restaurants and is close to the park. Then there's Windsor Terrace, which is a neighborhood over, also by the park. Or, in the next few weeks we're going to tour Astoria, Queens, where we know at least 3 couples and a few singles, and is fairly close to many friends and Jason's business partners in Greenpoint, and where we might pay what we are now for a one-bedroom. I'm also going to be picky - a dishwasher will be near a must, as will the option to have cats and dogs (we really want to get an English Bulldog), preferably a washer and dryer, and a little outdoor space, hopefully all for under $1900, and of course all my New York friends are laughing me as they read this post from all the wishful thinking. Oh, and 2nd floor of a brownstone or duplex would be perfect - don't want to haul a stroller up too many stairs (especially when I'll already be dealing with the subways), and first floor would be OK but not quite as safe. Yeah, we're dreaming, but why not? We've got a few months to decide. The crazy thing is, we could probably call the broker we used last year and, if he's still working there, he could find us a place super quick, as in within the next few weeks. I think that honestly scares me more than taking time over the next few months.
Plus, now we get to decorate a nursery!!!
Oh, and sadly I'm at home again, sick. Two days now, again having nightmares I'll be fired, despite my husband's reassurances that I won't, but even if I am, it'll be OK and God will take care of us and he'll work hard (though now with the move, we'll be likely paying movers and a broker, plus we've got a September trip to Jamaica). Waiting for a call from my doctor - I don't know if it's just morning sickness on the serious rebound since I quit my Zofran, or some kind of bug, but water is having a hard time staying down again. At least the cats are happy I'm home lying in bed all day to keep them warm.
Yesterday Jason got a call from Sheldon who said unfortunately he won't have a 2-bedroom available for us (though he rents his for $2400 anyhow, which would be a bit out of our price range), and told us he'd let us out of our lease at any time, and in fact we should move sooner than later, for my sake! (He really does love us, he even commented to the potential renter that he takes care of his good renters, like us.) So even though I'd been dreaming and glancing around online, looking for a potential place to move next year, now it's actually happening, and we can do it anytime we want! Crazy, especially in this city!
So now we've got to figure this whole thing out. We really love being near Prospect Park, so we may consider moving to the South Slope, which is a bit cheaper, not as upscale but has some really great restaurants and is close to the park. Then there's Windsor Terrace, which is a neighborhood over, also by the park. Or, in the next few weeks we're going to tour Astoria, Queens, where we know at least 3 couples and a few singles, and is fairly close to many friends and Jason's business partners in Greenpoint, and where we might pay what we are now for a one-bedroom. I'm also going to be picky - a dishwasher will be near a must, as will the option to have cats and dogs (we really want to get an English Bulldog), preferably a washer and dryer, and a little outdoor space, hopefully all for under $1900, and of course all my New York friends are laughing me as they read this post from all the wishful thinking. Oh, and 2nd floor of a brownstone or duplex would be perfect - don't want to haul a stroller up too many stairs (especially when I'll already be dealing with the subways), and first floor would be OK but not quite as safe. Yeah, we're dreaming, but why not? We've got a few months to decide. The crazy thing is, we could probably call the broker we used last year and, if he's still working there, he could find us a place super quick, as in within the next few weeks. I think that honestly scares me more than taking time over the next few months.
Plus, now we get to decorate a nursery!!!
Oh, and sadly I'm at home again, sick. Two days now, again having nightmares I'll be fired, despite my husband's reassurances that I won't, but even if I am, it'll be OK and God will take care of us and he'll work hard (though now with the move, we'll be likely paying movers and a broker, plus we've got a September trip to Jamaica). Waiting for a call from my doctor - I don't know if it's just morning sickness on the serious rebound since I quit my Zofran, or some kind of bug, but water is having a hard time staying down again. At least the cats are happy I'm home lying in bed all day to keep them warm.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Max or Sue?
So the question most friends/family/strangers ask when they first find out we're pregnant is if we're going to find out if it's a boy or a girl.
At first I begrudgingly pointed to Jason and said "he doesn't want to find out, so no". And no, there's no way that I can find out and not tell Jason. I'm a great secret-keeper for my friends, but when it comes to me, I'm an open book.
However, after seeing how some people seem almost angry that we're not going to find out - "How are you going to buy clothes for it?! How are you going to decorate for it?!" - my defiant, rebellious streak has kicked in and I'm more proudly stating "nope, we're not!"
For one, we're not even going to have a nursery the first 3 months, as we're locked into our our little one-bedroom Park Slope apartment lease through May of next year. So we'll buy a bunch of newborn outfits in green, white, and rainbows, even blue (please don't overdue the yellow for us!), and then go buy gender specific little bow ties and dresses after it's born.
I do have to say, though, that at each ultrasound, I'll try to figure out what it is, though I'm not an expert reader and will probably mistake the umbilical cord a pee pee or think the little pee pee is hiding if it's actually a little jay jay.
Seriously, so cliche, and I hate myself just a little bit for posting this, but all I really want is a healthy baby, Max or Sue, innie or outie.
At first I begrudgingly pointed to Jason and said "he doesn't want to find out, so no". And no, there's no way that I can find out and not tell Jason. I'm a great secret-keeper for my friends, but when it comes to me, I'm an open book.
However, after seeing how some people seem almost angry that we're not going to find out - "How are you going to buy clothes for it?! How are you going to decorate for it?!" - my defiant, rebellious streak has kicked in and I'm more proudly stating "nope, we're not!"
For one, we're not even going to have a nursery the first 3 months, as we're locked into our our little one-bedroom Park Slope apartment lease through May of next year. So we'll buy a bunch of newborn outfits in green, white, and rainbows, even blue (please don't overdue the yellow for us!), and then go buy gender specific little bow ties and dresses after it's born.
I do have to say, though, that at each ultrasound, I'll try to figure out what it is, though I'm not an expert reader and will probably mistake the umbilical cord a pee pee or think the little pee pee is hiding if it's actually a little jay jay.
Seriously, so cliche, and I hate myself just a little bit for posting this, but all I really want is a healthy baby, Max or Sue, innie or outie.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Baby Photos!!!
I went to an ultrasound center this morning to get the imaging done to see the chances of Down Syndrome, and they got lots of pictures for me!
Baby powpow is already stubborn, and of course I'm thinking "Oh no! I want a baby like Jason, easygoing, not like me!" He was happily lying on his back (I think it's a boy, but then I'm the one who was 99% sure I was not pregnant in the first place), and the lady tried having me cough several times, she pushed on my stomach a lot (I was hurtin' by the end, and she felt bad), but he just kept kind of swatting his arms and legs and shaking his head, not gonna move! She tried tilting me back but then he just looked like he was reclining with his feet up, so she finally went for the ultrasound the other way, which is how she got the one shot of his face.
The doctor came in and said he's got a good little skinny neck, very unlikely he'll have DS, but of course there's the bloodwork to come back (which my boss says often comes back positive, for some reason!)
According to the ultrasound tech, I'm in my 2nd trimester, now at 12 weeks, 3 days! This morning I went for the first time without taking any Zofran for my nausea, and I feel great! One of my coworkers also thinks I'm showing, as Jason has thought, but according to all the websites, that doesn't happen until week 13 or 14, so I'm pretty sure it's just from all the extra food I'm eating. I'm trying not to go too insane, and am actually now craving some fruits and vegetables, which is good, for once.
For those who can read ultrasounds, these are adorable. For those who can't, just fuzzy little blobs. I think they're perfect!
-Here's my favorite, with arm and leg!
-Cute little face with a perfect button nose!
-Either he was moving or we have a mutant on our hands!
-I think he already looks like Jason, if that makes any sense.
-Little smile here.
-Our little baby skeletor.
Baby powpow is already stubborn, and of course I'm thinking "Oh no! I want a baby like Jason, easygoing, not like me!" He was happily lying on his back (I think it's a boy, but then I'm the one who was 99% sure I was not pregnant in the first place), and the lady tried having me cough several times, she pushed on my stomach a lot (I was hurtin' by the end, and she felt bad), but he just kept kind of swatting his arms and legs and shaking his head, not gonna move! She tried tilting me back but then he just looked like he was reclining with his feet up, so she finally went for the ultrasound the other way, which is how she got the one shot of his face.
The doctor came in and said he's got a good little skinny neck, very unlikely he'll have DS, but of course there's the bloodwork to come back (which my boss says often comes back positive, for some reason!)
According to the ultrasound tech, I'm in my 2nd trimester, now at 12 weeks, 3 days! This morning I went for the first time without taking any Zofran for my nausea, and I feel great! One of my coworkers also thinks I'm showing, as Jason has thought, but according to all the websites, that doesn't happen until week 13 or 14, so I'm pretty sure it's just from all the extra food I'm eating. I'm trying not to go too insane, and am actually now craving some fruits and vegetables, which is good, for once.
For those who can read ultrasounds, these are adorable. For those who can't, just fuzzy little blobs. I think they're perfect!
-Here's my favorite, with arm and leg!
-Cute little face with a perfect button nose!
-Either he was moving or we have a mutant on our hands!
-I think he already looks like Jason, if that makes any sense.
-Little smile here.
-Our little baby skeletor.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The First Trimester
First of all, it was INCREDIBLY hard not to tell absolutely everyone I know the moment we found out we were pregnant. Originally we were going to wait a month, but that plan was blown out of the water pretty much from day one.
All medications were out the door the second I learned we'd conceived. I'd just begun physical therapy for my headaches, but was still relying on Excedrin way too much, as well as the ibuprofen for the cramps. Yes, I was VERY disappointed to learn that cramps don't necessarily go away during pregnancy. Online on all the boards I've been to they post "mild cramps are OK, and somewhat normal". There's nothing mild about what I've got going on, though I've always been privvy to more muscular pain than normal. The doctor OK'ed a heating pad, though, so that works. I ended up missing those first 4 days of work, headaches in overload and couldn't get up from the dizziness and sickness from it all. NOT fun. Having just signed my contract at work, I knew I had to tell my boss, who was incredibly understanding, having had some very rough pregnancies herself.
Two weeks later we finally hired on someone to work my front desk with me so I no longer had to pull the 8AM-6PM shift, plus 1 hour commute each way. Her first day, a Friday, I told her "I'm about to hit 6 weeks, which is when morning sickness often hits; in case I come in feeling crappy you'll know why." That Monday, 6 weeks began and it HIT. I asked the doctor if there was anything he could do. Not really, he said, and went over the normal dos and donts (mild food, always keep something in your stomach, stay hydrated, etc., etc.). But I missed 2 more days of work, just from the nausea being so bad. Finally I decided to "relieve" the nausea by letting it all go. Sadly, I couldn't stop, and ended up in the ER for a day getting fluids pumped in. It wasn't as bad as my previous hospital visits this year, though, in that they gave me a special gynecology private room off the main ER and we were able to turn on the TV and turn off the lights while I let saline fill my veins. Another three days the doctor had me take off work, and finally started me on an extremely low dose of Zofran to help the nausea, which I'm still on, but hope to be off within the next week.
So yeah, with the fact that my boss and my coworker knew, and that it quickly spread throughout my office, we had to call parents, close friends, and let the news gradually spread (not that our moms could keep it to themselves. My dad gave me a great reaction; I thought he was going to crash the car driving with his cell phone, and church friends excitedly jumping up and down was great, too. :) Some of my closest friends knew the second I called without having to open my mouth, though I let one go on for about half hour about her stuff before saying a word, because it does feel strange suddenly having all the attention on me (not that I entirely mind, of course!).
It's been tough; it's been tiring, headachey, nauseous, and I've missed out on some summer fun (particularly when my little sis came to visit for 10 days, pretty much the 10 days leading up to my hospital visit, so I was crabby the first 5 days, managed to get a hold of my emotions, and was then sick the other 5). But going in with my husband the other week for my 10-week check-up, and seeing my little ET-like spawn's heartbeat, knowing in 6-1/2 months it's going to give me a day of insane pain (I honestly have no idea if I'm going to try going natural or not) and a few months of sleepless nights, yet all the joy in the world, makes it all worth it!
All medications were out the door the second I learned we'd conceived. I'd just begun physical therapy for my headaches, but was still relying on Excedrin way too much, as well as the ibuprofen for the cramps. Yes, I was VERY disappointed to learn that cramps don't necessarily go away during pregnancy. Online on all the boards I've been to they post "mild cramps are OK, and somewhat normal". There's nothing mild about what I've got going on, though I've always been privvy to more muscular pain than normal. The doctor OK'ed a heating pad, though, so that works. I ended up missing those first 4 days of work, headaches in overload and couldn't get up from the dizziness and sickness from it all. NOT fun. Having just signed my contract at work, I knew I had to tell my boss, who was incredibly understanding, having had some very rough pregnancies herself.
Two weeks later we finally hired on someone to work my front desk with me so I no longer had to pull the 8AM-6PM shift, plus 1 hour commute each way. Her first day, a Friday, I told her "I'm about to hit 6 weeks, which is when morning sickness often hits; in case I come in feeling crappy you'll know why." That Monday, 6 weeks began and it HIT. I asked the doctor if there was anything he could do. Not really, he said, and went over the normal dos and donts (mild food, always keep something in your stomach, stay hydrated, etc., etc.). But I missed 2 more days of work, just from the nausea being so bad. Finally I decided to "relieve" the nausea by letting it all go. Sadly, I couldn't stop, and ended up in the ER for a day getting fluids pumped in. It wasn't as bad as my previous hospital visits this year, though, in that they gave me a special gynecology private room off the main ER and we were able to turn on the TV and turn off the lights while I let saline fill my veins. Another three days the doctor had me take off work, and finally started me on an extremely low dose of Zofran to help the nausea, which I'm still on, but hope to be off within the next week.
So yeah, with the fact that my boss and my coworker knew, and that it quickly spread throughout my office, we had to call parents, close friends, and let the news gradually spread (not that our moms could keep it to themselves. My dad gave me a great reaction; I thought he was going to crash the car driving with his cell phone, and church friends excitedly jumping up and down was great, too. :) Some of my closest friends knew the second I called without having to open my mouth, though I let one go on for about half hour about her stuff before saying a word, because it does feel strange suddenly having all the attention on me (not that I entirely mind, of course!).
It's been tough; it's been tiring, headachey, nauseous, and I've missed out on some summer fun (particularly when my little sis came to visit for 10 days, pretty much the 10 days leading up to my hospital visit, so I was crabby the first 5 days, managed to get a hold of my emotions, and was then sick the other 5). But going in with my husband the other week for my 10-week check-up, and seeing my little ET-like spawn's heartbeat, knowing in 6-1/2 months it's going to give me a day of insane pain (I honestly have no idea if I'm going to try going natural or not) and a few months of sleepless nights, yet all the joy in the world, makes it all worth it!
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