Pregnancy

12/13/20:

Period late by 2 days, got pregnancy test: it's positive! According to pregnancy week by week app, I'm 4 weeks along. Poppyseed size, developing diff layers that will become the heart and skeleton, the internal organs, and the nervous system. Need time for info to settle. 

We found doing ovulation tests was much more accurate than calendar for me. We did ovulation test for 2 months, and now I'm pregnant. It had been about 1 year since I had stopped birth control, 4 months of not trying too hard, 3-4 months of using calendar, and maybe about 2-3 months of using ovulation testing. Turns out my ovulation date is 5-6 days later than what the calendar had been showing, so we hadn't been trying on the right days. In fact, we would try too much too early and by the time ovulation day rolled around, we were out of stamina. Also helped to track vaginal fluid. 

YW first impression: couldn't stop smiling, happy.

AB: mix of excitement and anxiety. Anxiety that everything is going to change like travel, seeing friends. 

AB: "When I heard you were smiling, then I was happy" 

YW: why? Because you thought I wasn't going to be happy? 

AB: Because all I care about is you being happy.

Other first thoughts: 
*Yay! (but also kind of expecting it because I was 2 days late for my period). 
*Good to know that we are able to get pregnant after a few months of uncertainty.
*Thinking about next year what to do for childcare. 
*Download pregnancy week by week app. Fetus is supposed to be size of poppy seed or sesame seed. 

12/14/20:
AB: Oh my gosh! Can't believe it's developing circulatory and digestive systems! Seems craaaazy!

12/18/20: week 5 sesame size. 

Tadpole with tail.

AB: it's crazy that something can develop a heart out of nothing. 

1/4/20: Week 7: 

AB: Oh my gosh it looks like an alien! 

First OB visit.  First ultrasound, we saw and heard the heartbeat (133 bps).  YW got teary seeing the heartbeat.  AB was very surprised it was already visible.  It's a confusing time, bc miscarriages are most frequent during this stage, but we are seeing the first signs of new life.   

 

YW has started feeling more nausea.  Usually, it is in the evenings, or when a passenger in a car.  Not sure if it is connected to hunger or meals.  

no baby bump yet

1/23/21

Yay week 10! Baby is size of a kumquat! Last week, blueberry. Oh man, this past week nausea has been it's worst! Nausea and feeling full every evening and vomited 2 nights! Seems like exercise helps. Hope this week is better! 

1/30/21

Told parents pregnant. Dad was way too excited and told my grandmother before I could tell him not to tell anyone yet because it was still early. They were all pretty excited :) 

2/9/21

Told AB's parents about pregnancy.  AB wanted to wait until after parents had gotten 2nd COVID vaccine.  Before this week, he thought Mom would be distracted or worried about getting a COVID vaccine appointment.  It has been a chaotic and stressful process getting appointments for everyone.  Now that process is finished, parents can relax and be happy, without distraction.  

AB talked to Dad about our vaccine appointment and side effect experiences.  Then AB asked to share some news with Mom also (who was upstairs).  Mom talked about her vaccine experience.  Then she considered telling a dark story (likely some misfortune of a neighbor or a friend's friend).  But Dad said that wasn't a good idea right then, and AB/YW had some news to share.  AB's parents were very happy about the news!  We talked about AB as a child, who did not sleep through the night until 2 years old.  AB was worried our child could be like this.  But YW thinks that sleep training methods could encourage better sleep patterns.  We asked AB's parents not to tell anyone yet, since genetic testing is next week. 

2/19/21 

First trimester nuchal scan and NIPT test. Strange to see a little head, body, arms and legs moving around. Glad we had good news on the NIPT test regarding no mutations. We decided not to read the gender and do a gender reveal video with help of our friends MC and TC. Idea is AB will hit a ball filled with the powder colored with the gender. Very creative idea from AB (and to make the balls from Easter eggs!). Hope to reveal pregnancy and gender to friends and family at birthday party. 🎉

 

159 bpm

3/8/21

We completed the gender reveal.  AB guessed we would have a girl, because many of our friends had boys.  YW thought we would have a boy.  MC and TC looked at the chromosome test results, and gave us an Easter egg filled with the correct color chalk.  (AB made chalk Easter eggs for both results).  YW was not nervous, but AB was anxious to visualize our family and parenting.  After YW tossed the egg in the air, AB thought time stood still.  In a few seconds, would he see pink chalk as he guessed?  After years of imagining having a family, the moment was here: would our first-born child be a older brother or sister?   

AB was shocked to see the blue chalk.  The chalk was lighter than expected, so YW was not sure.  AB thought about how a son might interact with our friends' kids and AB's brother's son.  We could also have more clarity in names and buying supplies.

Next day, we went to AB's parents, and AB's dad hit a chalk egg.  They had not heard of gender reveal games or videos.  The families of AB's parents had included many boys, so they were amused at the results.   

3/13/21 

Birthday party and gender reveal for community group and friends. Blue center cupcakes with blueberries and blue ice cream cake with blueberries. Too much effort to make! 

 

3/25/21

Deciding where to go for babymoon. Iceland opened to vaccinated people, so we are planning to go there. But not sure about Greece yet, who said maybe open May 14th. Fingers crossed! We would like to travel before the kid, because it might be more difficult afterwards, and it has been a while since we've gone international. 

Nausea has improved! But still need to make sure not to overeat at dinner. 

We've gotten some supplies from our friend MLC. Now that more people know, we've been asking people for advice Re taking time off work, parents visiting, etc. 

3/31/21
Notes from Pavillion tour:
3rd floor registration
11th floor for normal delivery, ask for jacuzzi tub. Bridge on 3rd floor to icu
5th floor planned C-section
9th surgery unplanned (induced)
Button down shirt for skin to skin
Bring pillows , car seat, 1 outfit, nail file, toothbrush etc
Floors 12/14 for mom/baby

What to take from hospital: https://www.thebump.com/a/what-to-take-home-from-the-hospital?utc_medium=sms

$750 for suite

4/7/21
Anatomy scan went smoothly! Got to see baby who is now 12oz big. Size of a belgian endive or ear of corn, 10 inches. 

Took a baby bump pic:

And felt first kick! 

4/24/21

Trying to think of names. Nothing seems perfect yet. Ab says I'm over compensating so that's why I keep on trying to find strange names. 😂

5/4/21

Feeling a lot more kicking and AB is able to feel it too. Went camping while pregnant, not too bad! A little trouble sleeping sometimes, but the maternity pillow helps. Belly is also getting bigger and noticeable for the casual observer. 

Talked to work and learned I can be part-time after maternity leave, which is a big benefit because with AB's paternity leave and PTO, we can be sure to have someone with baby for the first 6 month. 

5/11/21

24 weeks and 6 days: 

 25 week 5/16/21

Very thankful that my glucose tolerance test came back normal! 

Celebrated with eating cake and sweets (office birthday parties). But still gotta remember to be careful.

5/27/21 

Learned from lactation class:

6 months goal breastfeed 

Baby does not need feeding immediately. Wait 45 min

Don’t swaddle - they will be too hot to feed

Hold lower skull

Good latch produce more swallowing. If not latch, reposition tummy to tummy. Bring baby to breast (not vice verse). Offer both breasts. If cry and not eating, just hold. 

2nd day: 2 diapers. 5 days: 5 diapers

1st day: eat 1oz only.   3-5 days: 24 ozs

1st 2 weeks determines milk supply. More milk produced when more used. 

Learned from birth video:

Cold compress on face, hot compress back 

5-1-1 go to hospital

Bring massage devices and change positions often (video 2- times with contractions)

Usually water break at hospital, clear ok

Everyone gets iv , still move

Induce only medical reasons (41 weeks)

Episiotomy (incision) if necessary 

Bathroom shower before epidural (after 4cm) 15 min to take effect, 2 hrs to wear off after delivery 

Csection due to position

5/28-6/14: 

1 week  in Iceland

1 week in Greece. 

6/23/21:

Installed car seat! A little more difficult than expected. Finished packing hospital bag. Still so surreal. 

Made calendar of baby-care after delivery (who's gonna be with kid for first 6 months). We are fortunate due to my future part time schedule, my mom coming, and AB's paternity leave, we won't need daycare/nanny for the first 6 months. Thank God! 

Booked flight for mom to come for a month after delivery. 

Attended some more church informational zoom sessions on becoming parents. 

7/25/21:

Measured low fundal height at in-person appointment.  Doctor ordered ultrasound for 2 days later, and images showed normal growth.  Thank God for good news and smooth pregnancy so far.  

Friends threw baby shower with National Park theme.  We were not sure how large of an event to have, due to space and other considerations.  YW's friends did a great job doing creative decorations, organizing snacks and games.  The games were able to entertain both in-person attendees and online guests, which is hard to do.  We have been blessed with many supplies from church community and friends, and we have continued to accumulate supplies from Nextdoor as well.   

We narrowed our list of names to our favorite couple picks.  We want a name to be: not easy to make fun of, not too common, not too difficult to spell, and not identical to someone we know personally.  YW has always liked the name Wesley, so that is our current plan.  Our other final options are Atticus , August and Tobias.

7/27/21

36 week NP appointment went smoothly. Baby's pulse 135. Cervix 25 percent effaced and less than 1 cm dilated. GBS negative. 

8/1/21

Started to feel more full and burp more often. Definitely feeling those kicks. Also my feet started to swell if I let them hang too long. 

8/2/21

Doctor appointment went smoothly. Got my maternity band prescription. Cervical check still fingertip.  But afterwards I had some spotting for a day. 

8/8/21 37wk and 4 days.

We got the dresser for baby cloths, which also came with bed frame and night stands. Thankfully friends helped move it upstairs (since I wasn't able to help). 

Been trying to eat out while we can! 

Baby's been having a lot of hiccups. He has also been poking his butt or leg or arm out occasionally. I'm still having some pubic symphysis pain and also my left flank hurts when I sleep on my L side sometimes (goes away when I change position/stand up). I'm hoping the maternity band will help! 

We've been watching the Olympics as well - inspirational! 

Fellow pregnant friend delivered today! What an auspicious day! 

8/21/21

Went to play tennis few days ago, and maybe over did it because pelvic pain was worse the next day. Today we went to a community water park, and it was so nice to be in the water and not feel super heavy. 

Ab: Everytime my phone rang at work, or YW expressed discomfort, I would think that it might be time to go to the hospital.

8/25/21 Wed - Due date!!!

Yesterday had my 40w appointment (39w6d)! Baby's pulse 140. Cervix 50 percent effaced and 1cm dilated. No contractions or Braxton Hicks yet. Just waiting! Scheduled non stress test, ultrasound, covid test Friday. And induction likely Sunday evening. 

Baby moving a lot and a lot of people asking how I'm doing..baby still chilling! Now that mom made it in ok Monday evening, ready for baby to come. 

3am: some wetness on my pad...did my water break? Little bit, slight pink. A little cramping. Will watch and see...

5:30am: gush of fluid! Water definitely broke! No contractions yet though. Heading to the hospital...