About me...

My name is Gwen. I have been married 7 years to my loving husband. We have a wonderful 5 year-old boy. We are expecting our second child, who is Due Sept. 8th, 2008. Big brother couldn't be anymore exited than he already is. My LMP was Nov. 30th. I have 31 days average cycle, which to my guess my ovulation is off.

Pregnancy Survey

Is this your first pregnancy?: No
When did you find out you were pregnant?: For sure when I took a pregnancy test 1/5/08
Was it planned?: Yes
What was your first reaction?: Oh my gosh, I'm really pregnant!!!!
Who was with you when you found out?: Nobody, I was in the toilet alone.
Who was the first person you told?: My hubby and my son.
How did your parents react?: Happy to know they are going to have more grandchildren
How far along are you?: 18 wks / 21 wks / 25 wks / 29 wks / 31 wks
What was your first symptom?: hunger, no pre-mestrual cramps and late period
What is your due date?: Sept. 8th 2008
Do you know the sex of the baby?: Yes
If so, what is it?: On April 24th I found out that we are having a little girl.
Have you picked out names?: Maybe
If so, what are they?: Maybe Grace but I don't know yet
How much weight have you gained?: about 7 lb / 10lbs / 14 lbs / 17.5 lbs / 19 lbs
Do you have stretch marks?: From my last pregnancy but not any fresh ones. Only in my BBs.
Have you felt the baby move?: Yes
Have you heard the heartbeat?: Yes. Just amazing.
About the birth
Will you keep the baby?: YES!!!!!!!!!
Home or hospital birth?: Hospital
Natural or medicated birth?: I tried going natural last time. Too much of a wimp...medicated.
Who will be in the delivery room with you?: My husband and probably my sister again.
Will you breastfeed?: I'm planning to.
Do you think you'll need a c-section?: Hopefully not.
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time?: Maybe
What's the first thing you might say to him/her?: Hi Baby! Happy Birthday!
Would you let someone videotape the birth?: Never
Are you excited about the birth, or scared?: I'm excited.

BLAH-BLAH-BLOG

January 28, 2008 (8w 0d): I still have the feeling of being hungry all the time. Not only that but I have a feeling in my throat of wanting something and a feeling of hunger pain in my stomach. I have been trying to eat frequent small meals. Whenever I stuff myself I still feel hungry. I am also very nauseous. I'm going to see my Doctor next week for my first checkup. With the first pregnancy I also felt nauseous throughout my whole pregnancy. I wasn't this hungry though and the only foods I could eat where soups and deli meats. There are both big no-nos since they have a lot of salt. I gained 40+ lbs with my first pregnancy. I had gained a lot of water weight. Now, with this pregnancy I know better.

February 4, 2008 (9w 2d) : I went to see my OB-GYN today. According to her my due date has changed from Sept 5th to Sept 8th for the reason that my average cycle is 31 days. My blood pressure was 106/60 and I have gained 2.5 lbs. Since the Doc found that my uterus appears smaller for me to be 9 weeks along, I'm going to have an ultrasound this Wednesday so they can determine the gestational age of my baby. This was the same case with my first pregnancy.

February 6, 2008 (9w 3d) : I went to have my ultrasound done. I was told that it seems that I am 8 weeks and 2 days pregnant. The doctor at the place said that everything looked good. I saw my baby's heart beat. It was so beautiful. I saw the heart rate anywhere from 180-206. I don't know how they definitely tell what the heart rate is. I asked the nurse if that was too high she said no. When I visit my OB-GYN, I'll find out if I have a new due date. It keeps changing.

February 22, 2008 (11w 4d) : I went to have an ultrasound today because yesterday I noticed some spotting. I had a spotty mucus discharged. I called the Doc, because she said that if I had any spotting and had cramps to call. I had my ultrasound done. Everything thing looked good. My husband came with me and we got to see the baby making somersaults. The baby's heart rate was 167, which is good. We saw the baby's little toes. So cute!!! I'm happy to know everything is fine. The ultrasound says I'm 11 weeks pregnant.

I'm feeling a little better about this morning sickness. I'm not as hungry as I was at the beginning. My senses (smell, taste, sound) are still pretty sensitive. Hopefully by next week, they will go away.

February 28, 2008 (12w 3d) : I had my 1st trimester screening for down-syndrome and trisomy 18/13. Everything came back normal. The results put me on the 20th age range, which puts in the the lowest decreased risk zone. The lady at the sonogram place said I mesured 11 weeks 4 days.

March 4, 2008 (13w 1d) : Today, was my monthly Doctor's visit. She said that my blood platelets count was a little high. So she is having me retest my blood after March. 25th. My blood pressure was 108/57 and weight gain of 2 lbs this month. The Doc. tried to see if she could hear the baby's heart rate, but she said it might be too early to hear it. She was right, the only heartbeat she could pick up was mine.

March 28, 2008 (16w 4d) : I had a weird discharge today. I had a very thick mucus like discharge. It was very tough to pull. It was fleshy like, white-yellowish, it didn't smell, and it had blood streaks in between. To me it looked like a piece of chicken. I called the Doctor, and since I dind't have any contractions and any bleeding the Doc. said everything was fine.



April 1, 2008 (17w 1d) : My doctor said that my blood platelets count is down from last time and it's getting better. My blood pressure was 122/70 and my weight gain is again 2.2 lbs. She recomended I take 2 Citracal + D tablets since I'm not drinking enough milk, only 2 cups a day. I was spotting last month and I had a sonogram checking my ovaries, cervix and other areas of my uterus to see where the bleeding was coming from. The Doc. that checked said everything was fine. So I started to examine myself everytime I used the toilet to see where the bleeding was coming from. I noticed that only when I was constipated I would spot. So, I changed my diet to a more high fiver diet and the spotting stopped. I also asked her about the discharged I had the 28h of March and she said that sometimes women get very thick mucus discharge. After we were done talking she checked to the baby's heart rate. I heard the heart beating today. I said to her, "Well, that's a good sound to hear." She giggled and said, "That is always a great sound to hear." I forgot to asked for the rate rate. Maybe next time.

Also on this day I noticed that some people noticed my tummy. I think that I popped today, because my lower back was hurting. My sciatic nerve got pinched. So my body must have changed posture. Some days people can tell and other they can't. But so far it's all good.

April 24, 2008 (20w 3d) : I had my 20th week sonogram today. My husband, sister and son came with me. I asked about taping but they don't do that since they say they are a hospital or part of a hospital. Anyway, the tech lady scanned everything. The brain, spine, heart, kidneys, toes, hands, arms, legs, blood circulation, etc. She asked us if we wanted to know what we were having. And we said, "Yes!" She said, "You are having a little girl." My son immediately said, "No! It's a boy. I want the baby to look like me." When we got home I had a little chat with him and explained to him that the baby is a girl. He said but I want a boy first. So I told him that he is a boy and he was born first so now it's time for a girl. He said OK. Then he went to draw pink characters saying that was his little sister. He ripped all the papers that had boy on it with the name Mack and thought of the name Mackenzie for a girl. Ahh, I don't think I'll be naming my baby with that name. He just loves cars and wants us to use that name.

April 29, 2008 (21w 1d) : I had my 21 week checkup. Weight gain of 3 lbs and blood presure 94/60. The doctor went over the sonogram, she said everything looks great. She measured my tummy this time. I heard the baby's heart rate again. I asked the doctor about this ripping sensation in the right side of the abdomen I have been having whenever I stretch. She said that was normal.


May 27, 2008 (25w 1d) : Here is the next update for my 25th week. Blood presure 102/70. My weight gain was of 4 lbs this month. I asked the doctor about this feeling of separation of bones in my pubic area that I get at night after a long day of cleaning my place. She asked if it happens as I'm cleaning I said no, just at night when I'm resting. She said that's normal. I heard the baby's heart rate again. It's ALL GOOD again. Next week I'll go for my glucose test. This time around I'm not going to eat any sweet foods before going. I don't want to be stuck there again for the 3 hour glucose test.


June 4, 2008 (26w 2d) : Today, I went for my glucose test. I didn't have anything sweet to eat the day before hopefully this will help. I really don't want to go the 3 hour glucose test. I did that with my first born, it wasn't fun. Anyway, last night I almost fainted. It felt like I was about to have a panic attack but it was different. I was in the toilet doing my business, when my ears started ringing. Not only that but as they were ringing they were getting stuffed, I couldn't hear well. My legs started to tingle I started feeling some sort of hot flashes. Today evertything is good.


June 24, 2008 (29w 1d) : I had my last 4 week visit today. I will start seeing her every 2 weeks until my 35th week then it's every week. Blood pressure 120/60, weight gain of 3 1/2 lbs. Making it a total of 17.5 lbs. Anyway, I received a called from my Doctor yesterday saying, "Good News! Your glucose levels came back normal." I was like YEY!!! Baby is doing well and she is also kicking a lot. I still have to get used to saying SHE. Also yesterday, I had some palpitations followed by shortness of breath. I told my Doc. about this and she asked me if it went away right after I took a big breath. I said, "Yes." She said that is normal and not to worry about it. My little girl has been moving a lot. My son was able to feel her move. He was having a good time seeing my belly jump. When the baby would stop jumping, he would go to my belly rub it and say..."Come on baby. Jump!" So cute. He also told me that when the baby is born he wants to put the baby to bed and give her the bottle.

July 8, 2008 (31w 1d) : Today I started my 2 week visits. I got there at 9:25am and wasn't seen until 10:05am. There were a lot of people there, not the usual. The Doctor called me in. She didn't have my chart with her which she usually has and then she went to get it from the pile of files on the desk. She said, "Ah, I know why I din't have your chart with me. Your appointment is not until 1:30." I was like what?! She said, "Since you are here, I'm not going to make you come back. Just think you have the rest of the day off." I can't believe I went to the wrong appointment time. I said to her that I hope I didn't come on the wrong date. She laughed. Anyway, my blood pressure was 90/60. Weight gain of 1.5 lbs in 2 weeks. Making the total gained to 19 lbs. Everything is good with the baby. I getting a feeling like the baby is going to be here soon. Nine weeks left is not that long. I had my first born at 37 weeks. It would be great if I had the baby around the same time.

July 22, 2008 (33w 1d) : Today I had a couple of questions for the Doc. First, my blood pressure was 100/62. Weight gain of 2.5 lbs. My mom came with me to my appointment, she heard the baby's heartbeat. She was so happy. Anyway, I asked the Doc on recommendations for a Pediatrician. Also I told her about some gas pains I have been having making it really uncomfortable to sleep on my sides at night. She said to put a pillow under my bellly which will help with the pressure. Other than that she told me to call her if I was having contractions I forgot how many in an hour, also if my water breaks or I'm bleeding like mestrual bleeding.