May 2009
35 posts
Birthing Center At Oakwood Annapolis →
Jacuzzi tubs, internet access, dvd player, mini-fridge… sounds like a nice hotel room, not the place I’m going to be giving birth. Tom and I visited the new birthing center at Oakwood Annapolis. It was wonderful and comfortable. Now the only hitch is that our doctor doesn’t deliver at this hospital, but the other two in her practice do. So much to figure out!!
The First Visit, The First Date
We had our first doctor’s visit today (as in we met the real doctor, not the nurse practioner). First… the disappointments…
Had to wait forever
No ultrasound, no heartbeat, but I got the doc to promise next time
Doctor still thinks my due date is end of December, not early mid January (like I think)… she says my uterus feels about 9-10 weeks?
Okay, now the nice...
“You guys are doing one of these right now (motions like a roller coaster)…...”
– Dr. Shari Maxwell
Recently Conceived: Drinks For A Pregnant Girl →
There is a whole assortment of non-alcoholic recipes out there, but often what I’d find is that 90% would be little more than fruit smoothies, dessert shakes, and high calorie fruit juice concoctions. Are there no good drinks that can bring me the pleasure of a simple glass of wine or a fizzy vodka tonic with lime?
Choosing A Name...
Deciding what to name our child is not going to be an easy task. I find it both interesting and irritating that everyone has an opinion on the matter. People ask me, “have you thought of any names yet?”, and when I list them off, they make no effort to hide their disapproval. I’m probably guilty of this too, so I shouldn’t complain, but it is annoying. So what if we like a...
Hearing the Fetal Heartbeat →
One reassurance before the pleasure of seeing our baby on the ultrasound for the first time, Tom is able to place his ear up to my belly and hear a heartbeat. Sure, it’s probably my placenta, but…
Body Check: Seven (Eight?) Weeks
Until I am able to get an ultrasound, I’m not sure if my baby is at blueberry size or kidney bean size. I’m not sure if the hands and feet are budding, or I’ve alredy moved onto webbed fingers and toes. Whatever is happening actually inside my body, I can’t say that I feel terribly “pregnant”. I find myself questioning if it’s true or not.
...
Pregnancy and Eyesight: I Can See Clearly Now →
I am noticing some blurriness that I don’t normally notice with my glasses. I guess my corneas are carrying some water weight? Pregnancy is so weird…
“Was lying on my tummy last night and I felt a heartbeat… It startled me...”
– Marta Strickland
The Search For An OBGYN
Friday was the first doctor’s visit… well the first visit to the nurse practioner. My first visit to my OBGYN will be after Memorial Day. So far, Oakwood is not scoring any major points:
The nurse made me walk through the same survey I filled out before I came into the office, question by question (5 pages). Can Obama get some electronic records up in our healthcare system please?
...
“Can you chew with your mouth closed? The smell of your cinnamon gum makes me...”
– Marta Strickland
Anyone else living on saltines and ginger ale? →
I fear that the “sickness” is inevitable. I’m getting stronger and stronger waves. Are the rumors true? Are ginger ale and saltines the magical elixir?
A cool experiment....?
I often think about what would happen if I could somehow raise my child in an environment where he or she was only exposed to technology and pop culture from a previous decade such as the 1980’s (my favorite of course).
Instead of watching Mew Mew Power, Barney & Friends, or Yo Gabba Gabba, what would happen if I only exposed them to old episodes of The Electric Company, Mr....
Body Check: Six Weeks
Now my baby is a little lentil bean. Did I mention how much the food references creep me out? It’s got a big ol’ head and is starting to grow ears and eyes.
Symptoms…
Extreme bloating = my tummy looks like a tree trunk
Upset stomach = sounds like a thunderstorm
Pimples (boooo!)
Shortness of breath going up and down stairs
Feeling both hungry and nauseous at the same time
Got...
“So where is the baby going to sit during the season premiere of LOST next year?”
– Tom Strickland
The Weighty Responsibility of Drinking for Two →
America has a messed up relationship with alcohol. What I hate more than the misinformation and insufficient studies is the judgment people place on a pregnant woman that just wants to enjoy an occasional glass of wine.
Pregnancy and Sleep →
“While the average adult needs about seven to nine hours of sleep, a pregnant woman should be getting two or three extra hours of sleep each night.” So is that why I’ve almost nodded off at work a few times this week?
“Since I got pregnant with Grace I have predicted 5 pregnancies, one even before...”
– Stephanie Patterson
What I'm (Not) Looking Forward To
Pregnancy comes with a lot of new sensations… and some old and familiar, long forgotten after puberty… not all bad, and not all good.
What I’m looking forward to:
A “pregnancy” glow (if I get one)
That first kick
Loving belly rubs
Planning my Halloween costume
Feeling more prepared and wiser
A 2nd trimester glass of wine
What I’m not looking forward to:
...
Bittersweet moment when a song from our Italy mix...
“What if I have a boy and he’s all macho. I have to create a life to play...”
– Tom Strickland
Body Check: Four Weeks
I’m getting even more motivated to run. The weather is great and I feel good knowing I’m being healthy for two.
Symptoms…
Pinching cramps in my ovaries
Fatigue, getting tired early
Temperature all across the charts
Occasional mild dizziness
Giddy grandparents!!
I can’t wait to go to the doctor, it’s like this all won’t become real until then. I’m just hoping I know the right questions to...
My Little Poppy Seed →
Can I even call it a baby yet? It’s the size of a poppy seed. As Tom and I look over gardening supplies at Home Depot today, I can’t help but think of the garden I’m growing in my own body.
“I still want sushi tonight, damn it all, how quickly do the rules change?”
– Marta Strickland
