August 8-14

[Delfina]

Hi Mamas-

Sorry I haven't been around in a while - my life has been crazy lately. Between trying to keep the house clean, the two puppies under control, my 3.5 year old occupied, and keep up with my job - I haven't had the energy to be on the computer. Mostly I just collapse on the couch when I have some down-time! :)

My pregnancy is going pretty well. I am about 18.5 weeks and my nausea is all but gone except when brushing my teeth. I think I have felt the baby move, but it is hard to tell since I have been so gassy lately! :innocent My appetite has also REALLY begun to increase - anyone else experiencing this? I have only gained 5 lbs so far, but I am little worried I might start gaining more with my appetite..... I have a quick question related to this - the books say it is normal to have gained about 15 lbs by now - mostly in amniotic fluid and placenta. If I have gained only 5, does that mean my body has lost a little bit of weight?

Anyway, a few weeks ago I had the triple screen test (AFP). I decided to do so because if there actually was a neural tube defect, we now have the technology to do intrauterine surgery to fix it. I didn't want to pass up the opportunity if there was a problem. Luckily everything turned out fine - I have a healthy little bub! This coming Saturday I will have the comprehensive ultrasound where we will (hopefully) confirm that the baby is a girl. Even before I took a preg test, I knew I had a little girl inside of me - now I get to prove it!! ;)

I hope you all have a great week!! :thumb

[Celtain]

HI. Almost 19 weeks here. Feeling really good. Lots more energy at this point. I have become a cleaning machine. My dh loves it!!!!! School started today, so it is much easier to accomplish things around the house insted of always playing the referee.

[Pam_and_Abigail]

17 weeks now! I've been feeling more and more movement, every few days. Got a bunch of little kicks yesterday. That foot has got to be tiny! I keep comparing the baby to dd's dolls, saying, "Our baby's just about as big as Dora (a life-like newborn doll)" and so on.

I have been having off and on mild cramping for a couple weeks, and I'm trying to decide whether it's worth mentioning to my doc next week. I'm trying to convince her I don't need the routine u/s and I'm afraid she might take any little thing and turn it into a good reason for one, even if it's nothing. The cramps are like really, really mild menstrual cramps, usually last less than a few minutes, and often disappear just by me drinking a glass of water (which I don't do quite enough). Maybe it's just the baby saying "I'm thristy". Could it be serious? Is it worth mentioning?
I haven't gained a single pound yet, I may have dropped a couple. I thought I've been eating better, and I don't think much milk is being made. This happened last time, I only gained a total of 12 pounds over the entire pg, but I had a lot more to lose last time.

Still haven't met up with the midwife I'm considering, as she's in a different town (near the one we are hoping to move to).

[jessitron]

This looks like the general chatting thread. I want to say hello!

I'm not yet 16 weeks, but feeling pretty pregnant. My belly button is less than half its usual depth - had to take out my navel ring already. :( It was a cute one too, with a little pacifier dangly.

Pam, you're skipping the ultrasound too? Did you have one with your dd? We also decided to skip it. It is easier for us since we've already switched to a midwife. I love being able to call her for stuff like cramps without worrying she's going to do an invasive test. When will you meet with your nearby midwife? How far away is she? Ours is 45 min.

I don't know what to tell you about your cramps. Maybe drink more water all the time and see if they stay away?

Embens, cleaning machine? Ack! Run away! Do any of you ladies use flylady.net? I want to start using her methods to get a cleaning routine going. Unfortunately step #1 is to shine the sink, with bleach and comet and SOS pads, three things I don't want to touch while prego. DH is less enthusiastic, and has not cleaned the sink despite repeated requests. And he's the one who has complained for years that our house is filthy and we have no routine. :eyesroll

Jess

[Malama]

I'm 17 weeks here and feeling pretty good. Well, I was, until I fell on my butt today- what a bummer. My belly immediately got all tight and now my butt is sore and my back too.... guess it's been awhile since I've fallen, so i was due....

My son who is 11, and who was begging for a baby just felt the baby kick :love - he's the first one aside from me to feel, and the look on his face when he felt it was priceless.... My kids are getting such a good education, watching this all unfold.