WEEK 32

Wow, I can't believe how time has flown. This pregnancy has been going so well until the end of July... then everything started going downhill. First off, my husband changed jobs and since I am under his insurance, we had to wait for his insurance to kick in before I could go see the doctor. In the meantime, I found out I had failed the 3-hour glucose test but I couldn't go in to get counseling until the insurance kicked in. Also, before then, I had so few symptoms, it all felt so easy. Then, I got hit by a whole slew of them... lightheadedness (to the point where I was calling in sick couple of times a week), itching (I'm taking 2-3 showers a day to try to alleviate that), and tiredness. I also had to stop my workout routine because I always felt like I was going to pass out even though I had dropped the resistances and speeds to the minimum.

Finally, after almost a month, the insurance kicked in, and I was able to see the doctor as well as the diabetes counselor. My reward is knowing the baby's doing good and I have to prick my finger 4 times/day now. I hate needles as it is... I just started this week, and I was so stressed because my numbers were over even though I followed the diet the counselor recommended. After two days, all my fingers had little holes in them and it hurt. Also, I couldn't eat anything that I normally would want to eat. And it felt so unfair because I had been so careful with my diet in the previous trimesters because I didn't want to gain too much weight. And after succeeding in only gaining 18 pounds so far, now I can't indulge and eat what I want. And, when I was finally able to see my doctor, I found out I had actually lost a pound this month! I finally broke down and started crying in the middle of dinner with my parents and brother's family this past Saturday. They were so worried but I was in no mood to talk about it.

I feel better after the cry, more like myself again... I'm usually very relaxed and able to deal with almost anything. I don't stress out much so this is completely out of character for me but, given the circumstances, I think I was due one.

WEEK 11

Silly me. Went to the doctor's today to get my screening ultrasound only to find out my appointment is actually two days later. Got up early and everything too. So silly....

WEEK 9

Just back from second prenatal appointment. Doc used the Doppler and we heard the heartbeat! So cool! It's my father-in-law's birthday on the 30th. He's in Taiwan so we're sending today's ultrasound picture with a birthday card saying "Get ready for fun. Happy Birthday, Grandpa!" It should get there in a week or so... we expect a late night call when they get it. It's their first grandchild.

I was getting used to pregnancy over the last couple of weeks, even the secrecy of not telling people. But the last couple of days, I started to worry as the few pregnancy symptoms I had were feeling less noticeable so the doctor visit today was a relief. Next appointment is for the ultrasound screening in two weeks. It's a constant rollercoaster... getting down with worry and anxiety, then the huge ups from doctor visits and proof that the baby is doing well. Can't wait till I'm showing and can feel the baby move so the anxiety can go down.

WEEK 7

First pregnancy, super excited, but trying hard to contain it because of all the miscarriage fears. Trying hard not to tell anyone until the second trimester but it's SOOOO hard! I ended up giving myself a one tell per week quota. It's now week 7 and I've told my brother, my direct supervisor, and my parents.

Went in on 2/26 (week 6) for first ultrasound and saw the heartbeat for the first time! So exciting and confirmation that everything is all right. The doctor told me chance of a miscarriage drops significantly once the heartbeat is seen so even more excitement. But now that it's been a week, the worry is settling right back in, especially as I have so few symptoms to begin with (no morning sickness, no nausea, no achy breasts, etc.). The only thing I seem to have is being a bit more tired than normal and breasts got bigger. The next doc appt is not until 3/25... so it's just a fretting game till then.