*~* Pregnancy Diary *~*

May 1, 2008 - My prentatal check up went well today. I have gained 4 more pounds though, in 8 days! My total weight gain is now 11 pounds...I was hoping to keep it under 10 pounds since I stayed at 5 pounds for so long, but I guess it had to catch up to me at some point. The baby's heartbeat sounded really great, strong and loud. I recorded it this time so I will never forget what it sounded like. My doctor did an internal exam this time and I am 2 cm dilated! I am so glad that I have started dilating! He also stripped my membranes in hopes to naturally induce labour. I have another appointment on May 5, 2008 and he is going to do it again if I have not gone into labour by then. If that doesn't work either I am being induced on May 8, 2008, 1 week before my due date. He is hoping that by stripping my membranes I will go into labour on my own though and this way I don't have to have a medical induction using Pitocen. We'll see. I plan on going swimming tonight and doing house cleaning and having sex, this might just help me go into labour. Well I'm off to do laundry, will keep posted.

April 22, 2008 - Had another prenatal check up today, it was realyl quick and went well. I my GBS test came back negative, so that's a good thing. I won't need the antibiotics when I go into labour. The baby's heartbeat was super loud and clear and he is still head down, but the best news was that he has finally dropped! It does not look like he has, my belly is not any lower than before but according to the doctor, his head is definately engaged in my pelvis now, which is also why I am experiencing so much cramping and back pain. I am due in 23 days, but hopefully I will have him sooner. There is a good possibility seeing as I began losing chunks of my mucous plug at 31 weeks, and now at 36 weeks + 5 days he has dropped. I have also been having a lot of cramping, back pain and irregular contractions over the last few days so I may have started to dilate. The doctor did not check for that today because he knows I am so anxious to go into labour now, he did not want to give me false hopes if I am dilated a little because it doesn't necessarily mean that baby is coming right now. He said that if I am anywhere up to 3cm dilated, it doesn't mean I am in labour or about to start, he said I could stay like that for 2-3 weeks before continuing to dilate. He will check at my next appointment on May. 1 in which I will be 38 weeks + 1 day. The only bad news of today is that since my last appointment which was 6 days ago, I have gained 2 pounds! 2 pounds in less than a week! That is disgusting! Oh well, could be worse. My total weight gain is now 7 pounds for the entire pregnancy, still pretty good! 7 is not bad considering the baby weighs just under 7 pounds, so I will still weigh less after I give birth than before I was pregnant because the baby will be out and so will the placenta, the fluid and all that extra blood. My only concern at this point is that my breasts are still not leaking and I am 2 days shy of 37 weeks. I am afraid that I will not be able to, but the doctor has told me not to worry about it, he said that my milk may not come in until I go into labour. We'll see.

April 16, 2008 - Had a prenatal check up today, still no more weight gain, total weight gain since day 1 is 5 pounds! I have not gained anything since my appointment on Feb.26! I am so happy considering the baby weighs over pounds, which is more than what I have gained. Other than that all went well, did the GBS swab, will get my results next week at my appointment. Baby is still head down but has not dropped or engaged because the doctor said his head is still "floating." The really good news is that he is willing to induce me at 39 weeks if I have not already gone into labour, so that would be on May 8, 2008. I want to be induced because of the amount of pain I am always in and also because my grandmother is really sick and it is extremely important to me that she gets to meet her great-grandson before she passes away. I asked him to induce me at 38 weeks, but he said the earliest he will do is 39 since there is no medical reason for it, so I guess I will take what I can get. It's 7 days earlier than my due date and I am guaranteed not to be overdue.

April 10, 2008 - Had my final ultrasound today and it went well. He is most definately a boy there is no doubt about it! He weighs just under 6 pounds, he weighs 5.95 pounds. He is head down but has not dropped yet. They changed my due date from May 15, 2008 to May 12, 2008 so 3 days sooner, I'm excited but very scared!

April 8, 2008 - My baby shower was 2 days ago, April 6, 2008. It went great and I had a great time. I got so much stuff for this little guy that I don't know where I am going to put it all!! I have clothes from newborn all the way to 18 months! The baby's nursery is so full of stuff and is so messy now, it looks like a tornado went through it! I keep trying to organize it all, but it seems like I am only making it worse. Thankfully he won't be sleeping in his room for the first little while, he will be sleeping in his bassinette/playpen in our room so that will give me more time to get his room organized in case he comes early. The baby shower was given by my mom and I can't thank her enough.

April 4, 2008 - I am 34 weeks and 1 day today and I had another prenatal appointment today and all went well. My belly is measuring at 38 centimetres, should only be around 35 since I am 34 weeks (it can go 1 centimetre either way) but doctor says it is not because I am farther along, it is because my little boy is big. Baby's heartbeat sounded very loud and clear. I have not gained a single pound since my last appointment which was 16 days ago, so my total weight gain is still only 5 pounds! My next appointment is in 2 weeks, on April 16. I am officially off work now for the next year, my doctor has ordered my to take my maternity leave from work since I am starting to have stronger contractions that are not braxton hicks anymore, but not quite labour. I have let my work know and I have applied for my maternity pay, hopefully I will get it soon! I am so glad that I get a full year off paid! My baby shower is in 2 days, April 6 and I am so excited. There is about 100 people going (I have a very big family and a lot of friends). I have the baby's crib all put together and his dresser too but I don't have much else set up because I am waiting to see what else I get and what I need to buy. Will update after my baby shower.

March 26, 2008 - Well it's currently 4:18 AM and I am still awake...the bad thing is that I am supposed to be at work for 10:30 AM! I don't think that will be happening, I will most likely have to work the night shift instead, which I hate but what can I do? I can't seem to get any sleep! Right now it's just because I am not tired anymore since I took a hot bath around 1:30 AM and fell asleep in the tub so Rob came in and woke me up and ever since I am wide awake! It's a good thing that he woke me up but it's a bad thing since I can't fall back to sleep. Being tired isn't my usual complaint though, normally I don't get good sleep cause my little guy is so active that I can't fall asleep or he wakes me up when I finally do! I wish I could take a sleeping pill, but I know that I can't so I won't...hopefully I will get tired sometime soon.

March 19, 2008 - I am 31 weeks and 6 days today and just came back from my prenatal check up. I am really happy with the way things are going so far, no further complications with my gestational diabetes and baby seems to be in the head down position. Doctor is also happy because I have lost 1 pound since my last appointment which was 3 weeks ago! In total I have gained only 5 pounds this whole pregnancy! This makes me happy since my pre-pregnancy weight was 192 pounds and I was trying to lose some weight but had to stop when I found out I was pregnant. It means I will not have much baby weight to lose after the birth, I will actually probably weigh less after delivery then before I was pregnant! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't suddenly pack it on over the next 8 weeks! I also had another blood test done to check me for Rubella. I am now at a total of 14 needles since I found out I was pregnant, I am officially a pin cushion and am surprised that I have any blood left at all! LOL! I also mentioned to my ob/gyn that I have not been taking the insulin that the specialist wanted to put me on and he agreed that based on my blood glucose levels I don't need to as long as I continue to monitor my levels and watch what I eat. I knew I made the right decision!

March 7, 2008 - The diabetes has had me checking my blood-glucose levels for about a week now and today at my check up with him he told me that I need to start taking insulin. At first I was going to do it but after thinking about it and speaking to several of my family members that have diabetes, I have decided not to take the insulin. My sugar levels are not high enough to need it, in fact they are quite normal, maybe slightly elevated, but nothing that cannot be managed with proper diet.

February 26, 2008 - I just had my 28 week check-up and got good news and bad news. The good news is that I have only gained 2 pounds over the last 4.5 weeks, which puts my total weight gain so far at 6 pounds! The bad news is that I do have gestational diabetes. My ob/gyn is sending my to a diabetes specialist to find out how we are going to treat it. Other than that everything is normal.

February 20, 2008 - On February 15, 2008 my doctor's office called me to tell me that the results of my first glucose tolerance test came back positive so I just had my 3 hour glucose tolerance test and it was disgusting! I don't know why they cannot make it taste better! I feel like a pin cushion because what should only have been 3 needles turned into 5 for me! I had my first needle before drinking that nasty stuff and the nurse had to re-do it since she missed my vein, so I'm already at 2 needles. Then I had another needle 1 hour after drinking it, so now I am at 3 needles. Then I had the last needle 2 hours after drinking it but again she missed my vein and had to re-do it so now I am at 5 needles. Needless to say, I was not impressed and she knew it! I was ready to stick the needle in her eye! LOL. I will get the final results at my next prenatal check up which is on February 26, 2008. I also had an ultrasound done today to check the size of the baby and he weighed in at 3 pounds, 3 ounces! A little heavier than the average baby but that is because of the gestational diabetes. I got 2 great ultrasound pictures of his face, 1 where his eyes are closed and 1 where his eyes are open and you can actually see his eyeballs! He is absolutely perfect and beautiful and I can't wait to meet him!

February 12, 2008 - Found a new ob/gyn, I called the one that my friend had for her baby last year. He sent me for my glucose tolerance test today and it was utterly disgusting! I had to drink it in 5 minutes and then had a blood test 1 hour later. I don't know how I am still alive after drinking that nasty stuff! I should get the results back at the end of this week.

January 16, 2008 - I had a prenatal check up today, I am 22 weeks. Everything is normal, weight gain so far has been 4 pounds so I am really happy about that. Baby's heartbeat was really strong and loud and music to my ears. I also had an ultrasound and he weighs 1 pound, 4 ounces. They took the rest of the measurements that were not able to take last time since he would not cooperate. He didn't want to cooperate today either at first but then after while he did. Everything is measuring normal and his spine looks good. I will be looking for a new ob/gyn though, I have decided I really don't like the doctor I am seeing now and am not comfortable with him. I know it's kind of late to finally decide this but I kept giving him chances but I just don't like him.

December 19, 2007 - Had my 18 week prenatal check up today and everything was good, total weight gain was 2 pounds so far. Also had a morphology ultrasound where they took measurements of everything but since he did not want to cooperate very much they are re-scheduling my for January 16, 2008 to take the measurements they are missing. They confirmed what I was told at my last ultrasound, it's a boy! Results from my 2 IPS blood tests were negative, this means he does not seem at risk for birth defects such as down syndrome, spina bifida, trisomy 18 or any other neural tube defects. That is great news!

November 23, 2007 - Had an ultrasound today, I am 15 weeks! Baby looks good, heartbeat was great. Found out that I am having a boy! I am so happy and excited! I wanted a girl in the beginning but somehow I have known all along that he is a boy, must be maternal instinct. Also had my second IPS blood test, will have the results back at my next prenatal check up.

November 20, 2007 - Had my 14 week prenatal check up today and everything was good. Still no weight gain, yay! I am so happy about that!

November 2, 2007 - Had my 12 week IPS (integrated prenatal screening) ultrasound today where they did measurements and checked for birth defects such as down syndrome, spina bifida, trisomy 18 and other neural tube defects. I also had a blood test that checks for the same things and I have to go for a second blood test at 15 weeks. I will get the results back at my 18 week check up. Hope everything is normal, but none of these things run in my family and I am still young so the risk factor is very low. I heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time and it was the best sound I have ever heard in my life! I could listen to it all day! I wish I had a doppler at home but I don't have that kind of money.

October 17, 2007 - Had my first prenatal check up today and I am 10 weeks. I haven't gained a single pound yet, I am so happy! Didn't get to hear the baby's heartbeat as my doctor could not find it yet, but I am not worried. The baby is still really small and I was chubby to start with so that makes it a little harder. I've already had an ultrasound where I saw the heartbeat and I haven't had any signs of miscarriage. My next ultrasound is in 2 weeks so I will be able to see the heartbeat then.

September 20, 2007 - I had my first ultrasound today. It was to check how many weeks I am since I am not sure when I got pregnant because I did not have regular periods. The sonographer had to look for awhile and could not find the baby so she did an internal (transvaginal) ultrasound and after a bit of looking she finally found it! It was so small and we could barely see it, but it had a heartbeat although not very strong yet. According to the size and the heartbeat I am exactly 6 weeks pregnant today. They gave me pictures although it just looks like a small grain of rice right now. I need to schedule my first prenatal appointment now, but first I need to find an ob/gyn.

September 17, 2007 - FOUND OUT I AM PREGNANT TODAY!

*~* Pregnancy Survey *~*

About The Mother:

Name: Ashley

Age: 21

Height: 5'3

Pre-pregnancy weight: 192 lbs

Is this your first pregnancy/child? No it is my 2nd, but it is my first child

Pre-existing medical conditions: None

About The Father:

Name: Rob

Age: 37

Height: 5'8

Is this his first child? No, he has an 11 year old son

Pre-existing medical conditions: None

Are you still together? Yes, we've been together for 2 and a half years

About The Pregnancy:

Was this a planned pregnancy? No, but we don't regret it either

When did you find out? September 17, 2007

How far along were you? 5 weeks, 4 days

How did you find out? At the doctor's office. I went for blood test results for something else (they though I might have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) but it turns out I was pregnant!

Was anyone with you when you found out? Yes, Rob

What was your reaction? I was shocked because I was expecting to hear bad news (that I may have a hard time or not even be able to have kids) but I was also extremely happy! I cried a lot that day!

What was the father's reaction when you told him? Luckily I didn't have to be the one to tell him since he was there in the doctor's office with me when I got the news. I don't know how he would have reacted but I am glad I didn't have to tell him because I don't know how I would have. We were not planning on having any kids so he was shocked and his face kind of turned gray and he didn't talk much for a few hours but then he was ok with it and now we are happy!

Who was the first person you told? My cousin Sarah, she is like my sister and she is my best-friend

How did your parents/family react? My mom was shocked. I told her over the phone and she hung up on me! She was ok with it a few days later though and now she is extremely excited, sometimes I think more than I am! My dad was really happy, he has wanted me to have kids for awhile now because he is sick and wants to be able to know them. My grandma is also really excited because she is also really sick so this is what is keeping her hanging on. My little brother who is 12 thinks it's so cool that he will be an uncle. Rob's parents were shocked as well but are happy to welcome another grandchild into the family.

What was your first symptom(s)? Extremely tired and moody and nausea that lasted all day

What is your due date? May 15, 2008

Do you know the sex of the baby and if so what is it? Yes, a bouncing baby boy!

Have you picked out any names? We've finally decided to call him Jake Marcus. I really wanted the name Jake and he really wanted the name Marcus so naturally that is what we went with. Some other names we had discussed were Evan and Connor.

Do you have any stretch marks/scars/tattoos on your belly? I have some stretch marks but they are not really bad so I guess I am lucky. I have a scar from my belly button piercing that I had to take out.

Have you felt the baby move and if so when did it start? Yes, he never stops beating me up! It's so bad that my stomach looks like it's doing the wave! The first time I really felt him was around 22 weeks, but I think I may have felt light flutters before then.

Have you heard the heartbeat and if so when was the first time? Yes many times, but the first time was at my 12 week ultrasound. My doctor tried at 10 weeks but could not find it, the baby was too small and I was a little chubby to begin with.

Thoughts On The Birth:

Home, birth centre or hospital birth? Hospital

Regular or water birth? Regular birth on a hospital bed but I do plan on using the Jacuzzi that will be in my birthing room before active labour starts

Natural or medicated birth? I'm going to try to do it natural if I can as painful as it is, I mean after all, we are women and we were made for this! I will have an epidural if I can no longer bear the pain but other than that, I don't plan on it. As with any medication, epidurals do have some side effects and possible risks.

Are you going to have a c-section or do you think you will need one? I'm hoping that I won't need one because I don't want one

Who will be in the birthing room with you? Rob and my best-friend Samantha.

Would you let someone take pictures or video tape the birth? Rob is definately going to take pictures before and right after the birth, I have not decided if I will let him take pictures during the birth though.

Do you want a mirror to see the birth? Yes actually I do. I want to see my son being born and I want to be the first to hold him before he gets cleaned off or anything.

Who will cut the umbilical cord? As long as there are no complications and the doctor doesn't need to do it then Rob will be cutting it

Do you think you will cry the first time you see your baby? Absolutely!

What is the first thing you plan on saying to your baby? I love you, you're perfect!

Are you excited or scared about the birth? Both! I was in the room when my friend gave birth to her daughter so I will know what to expect, but I'm still a bit scared and a lot excited to meet him!