21w0d

WEEKLY UPDATE

How far along: 21 weeks 0 days. Cricket is the size of a banana! Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch. Average is 10.5", 12.7 oz.

Total Weight Gain: The first day in the hospital, I put on 5 lbs! Fluids, much? I had already gone up 2 lbs in a couple days, and no, I wasn't eating like a cow. My metabolism is shot to hell apparently. As of this morning: 144.4!!!! That's about 31 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Oh, yeah! Been using the bella band to cover gaps below shirts and cover up the maternity pants stretchy band. Plus it gives the belly more support...feels less jiggly, and therefore more comfortable. I am about to start wearing one of those support belts if I can figure the damn thing out.

Stretch marks: Hip and thigh ones are flaring up from puberty.

Sleep: Well, this week was a crapshoot. Pain kept me up most nights, plus 3 nights of not being in my own bed. First night home was a crapshoot, too. Turns out my bed is cozy, but not good for the back. I woke up yelling at one point, though that was sciatic pain. I have a fortress of pillows. I feel so bad for Hubby, he has no room anymore.

Movement: Some days it feels like she is doing gymnastics; others I barely feel a thing. What I do feel has gotten much stronger, and it turns out that as opposed to pain meds slowing her down, she LOVES them. Great. Oh, and since I got to listen to her so often I was able to realize that there is so much movement that I am NOT feeling! She has now slowed down a bit from the meds since they have built up in my system :(.

Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Potatoes. In all forms. Fries, mashed, scalloped, hashed...you get the idea. Aversions: All foods while I was on morphine. I had serious munchies, but everything made my stomach a hot mess.

Gender: Not intentionally finding out, much to everyone's annoyance. However, I REALLY think Cricket is a she. Hubby is of course still convinced Cricket is a boy.

Symptoms: Severe right-sided back pain so bad we thought I had a kidney infection or stone. GRRRRRR. Sciatic pain, especially on the left. And the swelling has begun...again, more on the left...I feel like I have cankles.

What I miss: This week was all about missing home, missing the ability to function as usual. I made ass-kicking risotto this week before the insanity began and haven't even gotten to eat any. Boooo.

What I look forward to: Seeing Hubby's face when he gets to feel her move. Viability!

Moods: Frustration, sadness, anger, resentment, excitement at making progress. I would like to NOT repeat this week.

Milestones: I KNOW I felt her from the outside this week. Hubby wasn't sure he did or not, but we are getting there!

Medical Concerns: Hypothyroid, anxiety, migraines, severe back pain. Ready for the list? Syn.throid 50 mcg, Zo.loft 100 mg, Zo.fran pump, Iron, D3, B12, Vitamin C, Folic acid, no more prenatals, Bene.fiber, stool softeners. Fentanyl patch, oxycodone as needed for extra help (every 4 hours). While in hospital, I had morphine, lidocaine patches, and reglin to help with nausea. Oh, and flexoril to relieve muscle tension. And antibiotics when they thought I had an infection. I feel like a major pill popper.

Weekly Wisdom: If I am offered a sleeping pill, take it. At this point, I have way crossed the no medicine limit, and they won't give me anything that would really hurt Cricket. Cricket knows when I am upset at this point, so I am doing what I need to to keep me sane and comfortable within the limits allowed.

Best moment this week: Ummm...Hitting the right combination of drugs that allowed me to walk unassisted and not be totally looped out of my mind. Bonus looks at Cricket (her bum, of course, she is camera shy!) and getting to hear her 3 times a day :) Being able to feel Cricket kicking more since I was inactive.

Worst moment this week: Feeling like a big baby. How am I going to handle labor if back pain lands me in the hospital??? I was so excited to be feeling better, and now feel as though I have fallen behind the game again. I think tattoos are fun, but this pain? Horrendous. Missed a week of work, unpaid, AGAIN. Barely got to see Hubby, who is having his own pain issues now that he is working 2 jobs, and I don't get to sleep next to him 4 nights a week :( Pain, lots of pain. Knowing the crib is at home waiting for me to put it together, taunting me...yeah, I had a rough week.

Oh! Rys asked if the pain was determined to be muscular, skeletal, or neurological. Because an x-ray was out of the question, and based on my reaction to palpation, the determination was made that it is muscular. Essentially, I threw out my back. It seems some people just don't react well to the changes in the body from pregnancy.

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