.week 22.

This week went by in such a blur. 

Getting good sleep at night has been getting more and more elusive.  My already small bladder has become even smaller and for some reason as soon as I am in bed it seems to shrink even more.  It is also at this time that the baby likes to move around the most, which I love.  It is like he is telling me goodnight.  We are still waiting for his kicks to get strong enough for Leif to feel him.  As of right now all of his little movements are for me only but I don't think that will be the case for much longer.

The nausea, my ever-present friend for the last 22 weeks, may finally be starting to leave me. No zofran today and absolutely no nausea.  In the past when I tried not taking any of the medication I would still be terribly nauseated even if I never threw up.  So I am keeping my fingers crossed that for the rest of this pregnancy the only pill I will need to take everyday is my prenatal vitamin.


Every week that goes by is one week closer to the day I get to meet my son.  It is worse than Christmas.

Week 21

In about 18 weeks this baby is going to have to come out.  That has been the main theme running through my head for the last week.  I am simultaneously thrilled at the prospect of finally meeting my son and utterly weirded out by the idea of giving birth to him.  I know that homo sapiens have been giving birth for at least 200,000 years but that gives me no comfort.  As a student I have seen about a dozen or so vaginal deliveries (some with third degree perineal tears and if you don't know what that is then consider yourself fortunate and don't investigate any further, trust me you are better off not knowing) and I have been able to watch one cesarean section from start to finish.  I have to say that neither option looks appealing at this point.

Part of my apprehension stems from issues with my back and a large herniated disc.  Over the last two years I have been able to keep the pain under pretty good control through a series of facet injections, physical therapy, and exercise. The last five and a half months of pregnancy I have been good at keeping active and doing prenatal yoga two to three times a week, which I really believe has helped me last this long virtually pain free.  Still, my back is starting to feel the toll of being pregnant and sitting in class two days a week.  I worry about how bad it can get in the next few months.

This makes me wonder what kind of delivery I am going to be able to have, natural or cesarean.  Each one has it's own set or risks because of my back. At this point my OB isn't even sure as we need to consult with my orthopedic surgeon again and see how my back is doing closer to delivery time.  Now for anyone who knows me at all it is no secret that I am a planner and not having some sort of direction for delivery is causing me some significant anxiety.

For now all I can do is try to stay as fit as I can, both physically and mentally so I can handle whatever does happen when this baby decides it is time to join us out here in the real world.

Right now it is raining pretty heavily and I can feel him moving around so much.  I think he is going to like Portland weather, just like his dad.

Week 20

So, week 20...

Last week I could walk around and people would not have any idea that I was pregnant unless I told them. But something happened over the last couple of days and it involved an increasing waist line. My jeans have started getting snugger. Ok, maybe more than snug. I've already had to retire two pairs of jeans and I actually wore maternity pants to work last week. For the first time I'm starting to actually look pregnant.

This little guy growing inside of me is moving around a lot these days. I still haven't gotten used to the feeling. The other morning I was half asleep, laying on my stomach and I felt a kick (punch?) so strong that at first I thought he actually moved the mattress away from my belly.

And speaking of sleeping...I am having the craziest dreams lately. Last night I dreamed Leif and I were at an open house and the homeowners were taking internet requests from people who wanted to ask us questions. I got one question that was something along the lines of "At three in the morning when I was hungry why didn't you feed me back at Silent Hill Hospital?" Silent Hill, as in the horror video game. Complete with creepy nurses, dark hallways, and crazy cult members. In my dream I totally denied working there but in my dream reality I really did and just didn't want to admit it. I don't see any resemblance. Figure that one out Freud.


Tomorrow is the start of Week 21 and, I'm sure, a host of new feelings and experiences.