A month later!

ok first off, i spilled some juice sandy left in a cup near the keyboard, so the shift key is extra hard to push. i apologize for the lack of capitalization :-p

i can't believe its been a month since i last posted! so much has been going on. swim season started, sandy and i are moving, and i was in the hospital for dehydration.

well of course, red flag goes up when you hear hospital. i ate something that didn't agree with me; part of a sausage biscuit and part of a steak, egg n cheese bagel. both from mcdonald's. it didn't take long for my stomach to get upset. i had extreme diarrhea and even tho i'm adamant on my liquid intake, i was losing fluids faster than i could put back into my body. well, 24 hours later, i had about 6 extreme bowl movements that broke me into a light sweat and caused me extreme pain. it started on a tuesday around 8am while i was at work. wednesday, i was at work again. my shift was over at 11 and i started to notice i was feeling weak, but the thing that started to get me worried was i started cramping and my back was hurting.

i called my midwife and told her my symptoms. she said it sounded like i was dehydrated and that can cause contractions. she advised to go to the ER right away. i called sandy first to let him know what was going on and then i called my parents. my dad picked me up from work and drove me to prince george's hospital. not my first choice, but i wasn't going to laurel regional. there were some idiots upstairs, but when we got to the maternity ward, it was like walking into another dimension. it was quiet and serene with low lighting and friendly staff. i was seen after a very short wait and they got me undressed and hooked up to an IV. i laid in the bed for maybe 15 when sandy showed up.

i was strapped up to three different machines: IV, baby monitor and contraction monitor. i had to wear this awfully tight band around my belly that was very uncomfortable. shortly after sandy got there is when i started to feel really bad. the nurse, jessica, kept asking me questions and i was so dizzy, i was slow to respond. my weakness increased, and i couldn't even get myself out of the bed to go to the bathroom. i'm so grateful sandy was there. he had to literally lift me out of bed and help me back into bed. i couldn't even lift my own legs onto the bed. the plus side to all of this: our son was doing just fine.

dad had to leave and i started to drift off to sleep after over half of the IV bag was in my system. my nurse was very awesome; she barely left me alone, only enough to let me get some rest. i woke up and they changed my IV bag, seeing as i drained the first one quickly. i was feeling much better, and they gave me food, then monitored me to see how i would react to something in my stomach. it felt so wonderful to eat. by this time it was 6pm and i hadn't eaten since 10am, right before another bowel movement. i was fed and happy and feeling much better. i was discharged, sandy drove me to my car and followed me home.

i've been fine ever since! getting bigger, in fact. i'm starting to feel more like a planet. oh, we've decided on his name. RIVER SMITH. still working on a middle name. he moves a lot now, it's very cool. i felt him kicking me the other day and looked down and saw my belly move. sandy still hasn't felt him, but soon tho. i'll be 6 months this wednesday.

we're moving into the apartment soon. his aunt and uncle were here today to move furniture in. oh it looks so wonderful and it's starting to feel like a home over there! before and after pictures up soon. but first, have to post belly information and belly pix!

Week 20
(counting from first day of last menstrual period)
Around 18 Weeks After Conception

Please keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. If you have any questions, please check with your care provider.

Fetal Development:

We're halfway through the pregnancy, and the baby has as much sleep and awake time as a newborn. The scalp hair begins to grow. If your baby is a girl, her uterus is starting to develop. Multiples: Your twins are each 7 1/2 inches long and weigh close to one pound each! Maternal Changes: Your uterus is at your navel now. You may experience some tenderness as your belly button becomes an "outtie" from the uterus pressing on it. The line between your navel (linea nigra) and pubic hair has darkened; it will fade after delivery.

You're probably feeling the baby frequently now as the movements become stronger. If you're having an ultrasound to verify fetal age, it will probably be scheduled around this time. It's a good time to look into childbirth classes. Hey! You're halfway there already! Multiples: Your uterus is two or three inches higher than your singleton counterpart. Now is a good time to look into childbirth classes just in case you end up on bedrest. If you start now, you'll have you time to finish the class.

Ideas for Dad:

Mom may be checking into the various childbirth classes available in your area and reporting to you with dates, times, styles of childbirth and all kinds of things you may have never heard of before. This is important to Mom (and to you too) so jump in there and be ready to head off to class! Some dads feel reluctant to go while others are very excited. If you're feeling a little reluctant, remember that you'll get to ask the instructor lots of questions and meet other dads who probably feel just like you do; all of which can go a long way to squelch your fears. Week 21 (counting from first day of last menstrual period) Around 19 Weeks After Conception Please keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. If you have any questions, please check with your care provider. Fetal Development: The rapid growth phase begins to slow down this week. The heart grows stronger this week, and the legs are reaching their relative proportions. Multiples: The babies are kicking each other frequently as they move around. The membrane separating them is very very elastic so don't worry about them kicking each other. They are well protected and the membrane won't rupture from their activity. Maternal Changes: Over halfway there, and you're probably showing now. Your uterus is about 1/2 inch above your belly button. The average weight gainis between 10 and 15 pounds at this point. If you're eating a healthy diet, don't count pounds and calories too strictly. Emotionally, you're probably feeling more stable and comfortable. Your ankles and feet may be swelling, particularly at the end of the day. Drink lots of water and rest with your feet elevated. Multiples: Fluid retention can be exacerbated in a multiple pregnancy. Rest, drink lots of fluids, and put those poor feet up. Ideas for Dad: With the second trimester being the easiest, this is a good time for planning and preparing together. The "pukiness" of the first trimester is (hopefully) a memory, and the heaviness of the third trimester is yet to come. Now is a good time to do something special together like taking a vacation or a weekend away (check with your caregiver first about travel). If you can't get away, use the time to grow closer and spend quality time together. Week 22 (counting from first day of last menstrual period) Around 20 Weeks After Conception Please keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. If you have any questions, please check with your care provider. Fetal Development: The baby is probably close to a pound and very thin but very developed. The eyelids and eyebrows are now formed, and the brain begins rapid growth. If your baby is a boy, his testes have begun their descent from the pelvis to the scrotum. Maternal Changes: Your uterus is nearly an inch above your navel. You'll probably be gaining weight more steadily now as your baby continues to fill out. The extra weight may begin to take its toll on your back. Wear low heeled shoes (flat shoes can strain your back as much as high heeled shoes) and avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. When you sit, use a footstool to raise your knees higher than your hips. Multiples: Having leg cramps? You could be suffering from a shortage of calcium thanks to your babies. When the cramps hit, straighten your leg and flex your ankle. Have your partner massage the muscle. Ideas for Dad: Some parents have no problem agreeing on a name for their baby. Other parents go through World War III. Here are a few ideas . . . make a list of ten of your favorite names (if you don't know your baby's gender, make a list of boys' names and a list of girls' names). Have mom do the same thing and then exchange lists. Cross off the names on her list that you absolutely hate while mom crosses off her least favorite names on your list. If any names survive the process, start playing with those in various configurations. This may be one of those areas where compromise is a gift. Visit these sites for some naming help: Week 23 (counting from first day of last menstrual period) Around 21 Weeks After Conception Please keep in mind that this information is approximate. Each pregnancy is different and growth rates vary. If you have any questions, please check with your care provider. Fetal Development: Your baby weighs about a pound now! The body is becoming better proportioned each day, and the bones of the middle ear begin to harden. If born now, your baby has achance for survival. Let's hope, however, that the baby stays put for several more weeks! Multiples: Your babies will have periods of activity and sleep periods which may not coincide with each other. Maternal Changes: Your baby still has room to move around so you're probably feeling kicks, jabs, flips and flops. You may even see your abdomen move. Your uterus is about 1 1/2 inches above your belly button. If you're having some wild mood swings, don't fret. They're normal even if they don't feel normal. Try to be good to yourself when you're feeling blue. Multiples: Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of preterm labor. Carrying multiples puts you at a higher risk for premature birth. From Twins! Pregnancy, Birth and the First Year of Life by Connie L. Agnew, MD, call your practitioner immediately if you experience any of these symptoms: sense of pelvic fullness recurrent contractions (4 or more an hour) vaginal discharge ruptured membranes cramping Ideas for Dad: Do something nice and totally unexpected like doing the laundry without being asked or bringing home dinner after work. Let mom know how special she is and show her how special you are. thanksgiving belly :)