Colds, Flus and Other Ailments while Pregnant in the First Trimester

There is nothing more cruel than being in a weakened immune condition like pregnancy and not being able to take anything for it.

I have been battling the worst cold/flu I have experienced in over a decade.  There's head congestion, chest congestion, sneezing, coughing and a general feeling of death.

I waited a few days to see if it would pass, like most colds usually do for me, but a few days, I had gotten worse.  When I finally saw my Primary Care Provider, I was told it was a virus and that there was nothing they could prescribe, like handy antibiotics, to make it go away. 

She did mention I could take Tylenol, Robitussin (the alcohol free version) and Sudafed.  Being extra careful, I called my Labor and Delivery department and searched the internet to double check that these three medications were actually safe for someone in her first trimester.  As a result, Sudafed was out and only Tylenol and Robitussin stayed options.  And they didn't help much.

As someone who previously miscarried, I'm naturally a paranoid person and prefer natural remedies over medication anyway. 

Here are the things that did that actually did help:

Ginger Lemon Honey Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic
3 slices from a knob of ginger
1 tablespoon of honey
1/2 a lemon
3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1/2 a cup of filtered boiling water

 Take 3 slices of ginger and place into a mug with 1/2 cup of filtered boiling water and allow to steep for 1 minute.  Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the same mug. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.  Stir until honey is dissolved and drink quickly.  Repeat up to 3 times per day.

Neti Pot/Sinus Rinse
I used the Neilmed Sinus Rinse, though we have a Neti Pot also.  The Neilmed Sinus Rinse comes with directions.  Basically, fill the Sinus Rinse container with water up to the denoted line and microwave the bottle to disinfect and heat the water. Add the saline mix to the water and shake until dissolved. When the water has reached a comfortable temperature, place in the nasal opening and gently squeeze the saline solution into the nasal cavities while allowing the fluid to flow out through the other nostril until half the solution is gone. Repeat on the other side.

I repeated this once in the morning and once in the evening. It gave me immediate congestion relief that would last up to an hour at the beginning and half the day towards the end.

Vicks Vaporub
As a child, my mother had a magical green bottle of eucalyptus oil that was a cure all.  Headaches?  Dab some on your temples.  Stomachaches? Dab some on your stomach. Unfortunately, that miracle oil is not safe to use on pregnant women.  My mom claims that it's simply too strong to be used on pregnant women.  I think it might be that they haven't done the proper testing to prove that it's safe for us with buns in the oven.

Regardless, Vicks Vaporub, though not as strong as the green oil, acts much in the same way.  When rubbed onto the chest, it relieves some of the chest congestion.  At least it relieved enough to help me fall asleep.

Hot Towels and Heat Packs
When pregnant, heating pads are not recommended because it's easy to overheat the body which causes issues for fetal development. What helped me were hot face towels that would create a steam effect when on my face and rice based heat packs that I warmed up in the microwave and placed on my chest.


Chicken Stock Based Soups
As a child, my mother would always make Chinese chicken rice soup with ginger from scratch when anyone in the house was sick.  She made me some as soon as she heard I was sick and swore by the healing properties of fresh chicken broth and ginger.  DH, not being a Chinese mother, picked up a variety of canned chicken soup for me to choose from while I was at home.  My favorite is still Campbell's Chicken Noodle.  Either way, there's nothing more soothing that a blazing hot bowl of some chicken broth based soup while sick. It's just enough food and heat to lull me to sleep.

It took almost 2 weeks but I'm fully recovered and back in the throes of nausea and vomiting because of morning sickness instead of laying in bed, immobilized and congested.

First Trimester Purchases

In going with traditional Chinese superstition, I resisted the urge to buy things for the baby but as my first trimester proved to be uncomfortable, I had to pick up a few essentials. 

1. Jumper Prenatal Heart Listener/Detector. This is also known as a fetal heart doppler.  This is really a must have for anyone who has previously suffered a loss.  Being able to hear the heartbeat at around 10 weeks, between doctor's visits, especially when it's too early to feel any movements did a lot for my peace of mind.

There are other dopplers that will do things like track the Beats Per Minute of the heartbeat, compare records, or are hospital grade which allows for better detection of the heartbeat.  Those are higher in price and weren't necessary for me.  I just wanted to be able to check in and make sure all was well with the little bean. $28.18 at Amazon.

2. Nursing Bras.  I was told that my cup size would change wildly between pregnancy and breastfeeding.  Well, I ended up needing new bras pretty early on in my first trimester as I had gone up a cup size. Instead of buying regular bras, however, I opted for nursing bras so that I would have a large number and variety of them by the time breastfeeding and constant bra changes from leaking milk became an issue.

Walmart had the cheapest bras but they aren't very flattering.  Target had great bras that were very flattering but a little pricier.  Neither were nearly as expensive or comfortable as my typical Victoria Secret bras. $9.00 for two at Walmart.

3. Crane Drop Shape Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. There are things people don't tell you about pregnancy.  Like how in the first trimester, there is no glow.  There is merely dryness and sometimes itchiness.  And the dryness doesn't just apply to skin, it goes deep into nostrils and eyes.  A good humidifier helped me tremendously. $45.36 at Amazon.

4.  Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow. I used to sleep on my back.  And my stomach.  Sometimes my sides. But because of the Vena Cava, that blood pathway that helps get blood to the Little Bean, left side sleeping is optimal.  After a couple of uncomfortable nights trying to force myself into a left side sleep position, I gave up and bought the Snoogle.  It is by far my favorite First Trimester purchase.  It feels like being cuddled to sleep with the perfect amount of neck/shoulder support. A must have for those who don't naturally side sleep. $47.09 at Amazon.     

5. New Chapter Perfect Prenatals. There are a lot of prenatals out there that make women sick.  So sick in fact, they opt not to take prenatals at all.  These are the only ones that didn't make me sick and didn't require me to eat a meal when at the time I take them since they are made from whole foods already.  They are also organic and gluten free which makes them accessible for everyone!  And if you join Amazon Mom, you'll get 20% off when you order them via Subscribe & Save. $45.29 at Amazon.com    

Nausea, Morning Sickness, Vomiting

Nausea is that terrible feeling in your stomach when you're pregnant letting you know that everything is ok with your little bean.

Morning Sickness is a misnomer since it's more like All-Day Sickness or After-and-Between-Every-Meal Sickness, a friendly reminder that your body is changing into an incubator.

And vomiting, well that's baby's way of letting you know that he/she doesn't want you eating that. Or the other thing.  Or whatever else you're thinking about putting in your craw.

I have been battling these three symptoms for what feels like two months.  I've lost 10 lbs and gone through almost every natural remedy and here are my reviews of commonly suggested natural nausea cures.

Preggie Pop Lollipops and Drops. I opted for the Preggie Pop Drops because walking around with a lollipop sticking out of my mouth just wasn't going to communicate the level of professionalism needed in my workplace. The Preggie Pop Drops worked more often than not but I quickly got bored with the flavors.  It tastes a lot like an extra sour apple jolly rancher which is not very pleasant in your mouth for over a few hours a day.

I've read that people ate other sour candies like War Heads, Jolly Ranchers, Sour Jelly Bellies, etc.  I tried all of these and stand by the fact that Preggie Pops are superior for 2 reasons. One, the sour and sweet combination stay constant in the Preggie Pops which is actually what staves away the nausea when they work.  Warheads are only sour up front (and the extreme level of acid in the beginning does more harm than good.)  Jolly Ranchers simply aren't sour enough.  The same with Sour Jelly Bellies. Two, Preggie Pop Drops melt in your mouth much slower than any other candy out there which reduces the amount of sugar intake while attempting to keep nausea at bay.

I bought one of the organic boxes ($7.99 for 12 drops at my local Babies R Us) and then just bought 2 packages of the non organic ($7.99 for 21 drops).  When they ran out, I didn't buy more.

Lemonade. This seemed to be the only beverage that took the edge of the nausea while I was eating.  It didn't work all the time but when it did, I was grateful.  I hosted a Cricut Party during my first trimester and made a couple of gallons of Country Time Lemonade from a mix and added fresh lemons.  It kept my nausea at bay for hours.  My only issue is that a large intake of lemonade everyday is not great for tooth enamel. And I would cross a fine line where the acid from the lemons just became too much.

Lemonade is not pleasant to throw up.

Ginger Tea. Instead of using ginger tea bags, DH would just slice fresh ginger and steep in hot water for me.  This worked a total of two times and had to be at the perfect temperature.  Too hot and I couldn't drink it fast enough to make a difference.  Too cold and it upset my stomach more than helped.

Sea-Band. I'm not sure how these work at all for other women but all they did for me is irritate my wrists. I understand the concept is pressure points but they just didn't work for me and I'm a big believer in acupuncture and acupressure.


Vitamin B-6. I've read over and over again the Vitamin B6 or the combination of Vitamin B6 and Unisom can beat morning sickness.  Well, I'm not about to start taking Unisom (trying to stay all natural) so I opted to try just the Vitamin B6.  It is somewhat effective taking the edge off the nausea but not getting rid of it entirely.  I am continuing to use the B6, however, because it's supposed to work better over time.

Ice Chips. This has been my savior.  I read about it on my friend's blog and had DH immediately break me off some ice chips.  I ate 3 bowls of them keeping me both hydrated and virtually nausea free.  The combination of constantly having something in my mouth, a slow drip of water into my system and not adding any unwanted flavors or calories to my body seems to do the trick. A must try.

Ginger Mints. These work a lot like Preggie Pops for me except depending on the day the flavor may or may not be pleasant.  They are much cheaper than Preggie Pops and less of a tip off that you're expecting.  I prefer Trader Joe's brand in the tin but couldn't find the picture so you can see Newman's Own in the picture.

What worked for your nausea and morning sickness?
 

8 Week Appointment

Last year, DH and I switched over to Kaiser Permanente from Healthnet because I was expecting to under IUI since we were approaching 2 years with no results.  After comparing benefits between the different insurance companies we found that Kaiser does unlimited IUI under our plan so we switched.

Low and behold, before the end of the year before the switch to Kaiser went into effect at the beginning of the year, we were pregnant.  No IUI needed.  But we had already switched to Kaiser.  I had not done any research about Kaiser's actual prenatal care since I was so obsessed with fertility treatments!

Kaiser doesn't schedule the first doctor's appointment before 8 weeks!  During my last pregnancy, I had already seen my doctor at 4 weeks to confirm the pregnancy and by 7 weeks had miscarried and scheduled a D&C.  A lot can happen in 8 weeks and I was extremely paranoid from my previous miscarriage.

Luckily, when I arrived at my first appointment, everything went so extremely efficiently.  Here are the highlights:

-No wait time!  My old OB/GYNs (I have been through a few because I am one of those annoying patients who will leave a practice if I don't like the doctors or staff) have always had at least a 10-15 minute wait even with an appointment.  At Kaiser, it's a well oiled machine.  I went from checking in to starting my exam in 5 minutes!

-My new OB was patient in answering questions, didn't feel rushed at all and was extremely calming.

-She also recommended that I try natural/vaginal birth.  I explained that previous doctors had suggested c-sections because of my narrow birth canal.  She explained that what is narrow now can completely change towards the end of pregnancy and that many OBs suggest c-sections in order to avoid middle of the night calls and manage their patient load.  It's easier for them to schedule c-sections than deal with the unpredictable nature of natural birth.  She, on the other hand, feels that elective c-sections are unnecessary surgeries in many modern cases.  I was thrilled to hear that.

-Turns out that the OB/GYN services at Kaiser in Orange County is ranked top in Southern California! This is an instance that I lucked out with good care without doing my prior research.

-We heard and saw the baby's heartbeat.  It was the most amazing thing ever.  I didn't get to that point in my last pregnancy so this was monumental.  My OB also told me that since there was a heartbeat, my risk of miscarriage dropped to below 10%.  I almost cried.

All and all, my first OB appointment with Kaiser was a wonderful experience and I even got baby's first picture!  This is it ya'll.  I'm baking a bun!

Note:  These posts have been delayed because we have waited to announce our pregnancy until after the first trimester.

Maternity Rings: The Solution to Swollen Fingers

Today, at 4 weeks and 5 days, I bought a pregnancy ring to take the place of my wedding ring and engagement ring. Why?  Because I know from my last pregnancy that my digits are about to blow up like sausages.

I thought about putting my engagement and wedding ring on a necklace but a few years ago I lost a diamond solitare necklace at the beach.  I'm three times as forgetful now so I can't imagine not losing my rings this way.

I thought about getting my ring resized but the last time I had my wedding ring resized the inlaid diamond settings became loose and I lost a few diamonds.

So, the solution is obviously to lock up my current rings and use the pregnancy as an excuse to get a whole new ring!  Here are a few rings I've thought about before settling on the Trinity Ring.

Dior Oui Ring.  This has developed into an entire line of bands and engagement ring diamond settings. The price has increased over the years keeping pace with the increase in gold prices.  $650 (the last time I checked.)

Cartier Trinity Ring.  I have thought about getting this ring since we were planning our wedding.   It's both classic in style and versatile in color.  They've extended the line to bracelets and necklaces and now have black and white gold options as well.  $1,000.

Facets Maternity Ring. Turns out some jewelers are cashing in on this swollen fingers problem by developing maternity rings.  Facets makes the rings in 2 different colors (pink and blue) and a few different settings.  I didn't pick pink because I know anything about the gender but because I didn't like the look of blue. $1,533.


Paloma Sugar Stacks Ring. Each ring can be purchased individually and stacked to maximize the chunkiness.  Stacking this many rings normally isn't my style but it's so playful and what better time to take fun loving fashion choices? $600.

I know, I know, it's ludicrous to spend on a temporary ring when we should be saving up for the baby.  There's childcare, college funds and other related expenses to worry about.  But DH said, "Pick something you can pass down to our children.  Or buy a knock-off."

Solutions; that man is full of them.


Note:  These posts have been delayed because we have waited to announce our pregnancy until after the first trimester.

The Bright Side of Symptoms

During my first pregnancy, I was constantly tired with breast soreness and very little nausea.  When I miscarried, in my furious research for an answer, one of the common themes with women who miscarry is a lack of morning sickness.

This pregnancy, every little discomfort, soreness, pain or nausea (of which there has been plenty) has been reassuring as though the worse I feel, the stronger the baby must be.  For instance, the mere thought of seafood (one of my most favorite kinds of food) now makes me physically gag.  I wonder if I'll ever be able to look at a piece of salmon an not throw up a little in my mouth.

And I've tried everything.  Eating a small breakfast, eating a big breakfast, having a breakfast smoothie, snacking through out the day, eating 3 normal meals a day, no dice.  Everything either makes me nauseous, before, after, or while eating it.

And my chest is going through some serious soreness.  Sometimes it hurts just from the light movement of walking or from an accidental brush up against something.  Other times, usually when I've had plenty of rest (read 10+ hours because that's how much I've been sleeping) there is no pain and then the paranoia sets in.

In fact, at any given moment if I have the coincidence of feeling no nausea, no breast pain, no tiredness and no headache I then have paranoia that there's something wrong. I remember distinctly that before I started spotting as a sign of my miscarriage, my symptoms had disappeared almost overnight. No more sore breasts, a renewed energy, no big craving to lay on the couch and do nothing.  Naturally, any sign of feeling like my normal pre-pregnancy self is now met with insane paranoia.

And I'm glad to feel crummy if that means this baby is going to make it.  And I don't think I'm ever going to stop worrying.  Ever as long I live.

Is that the true essence of motherhood?

Is morning sickness and all the pains of the first trimester a lesson in the pain and selflessness that is supposed to come naturally with being a mom?  The paranoia and worry over things that are no longer completely in our control? In fact, are all of these symptoms and the range of emotions just getting us mentally trained for the reality that lies ahead?

I'm going to think about that while I lay here curled in a ball hoping trying to ease my nauseous stomach.

Note:  These posts have been delayed because we have waited to announce our pregnancy until after the first trimester.

I Drank Pickle Juice

DH has taken to following me around the house.  I believe it's a combination of wanting to help me with anything I need (reaching high places, lifting heavy things, opening stuck jars) and a genuine curiosity of what I'm going to eat.

For instance, last night ( 4 weeks and 4 days into my pregnancy) I decided a tuna salad sandwich just sounded AMAZING.  It didn't seem odd to me since tuna salad is fairly common.  But DH reminded me that I never make tuna salad, nor do I ever order it when it's an option.  Point taken.

But what did surprise me was that in opening the pickle jar, I thought that a little of pickle juice would taste pretty good so I poured an ounce or so into a goblet.  When I took a sip, DH's eyes popped out of his head, he whipped out his iPhone and snapped a picture of the first visible signs of weird pregnancy food cravings.

For the record, pickle juice is delicious.  Like having a cocktail without the alcohol.

Note:  These posts have been delayed because we have waited to announce our pregnancy until after the first trimester.

My BFP

I tested twice.  Once at 11dpo which resulted in a light positive then again at 14dpo which resulted in the line you see below.

It's all feeling a little surreal.

When I told my mom she said "Congratulations, you worked really hard for that!"

And I realized that this whole time I was so frustrated because it seemed like getting pregnant was something so simple that every woman should be able to do when they want but for me, and countless other women, it's been a long journey towards a most precious goal.

I'm finally pregnant!

Note:  These posts have been delayed because we have waited to announce our pregnancy until after the first trimester.

Summer Sander’s Prenatal Workout

didn’t know exactly what to expect from a Prenatal Workout DVD.  You know what I did figure?  That it wouldn’t be very challenging.  But yesterday, feeling a burst of energy, needing a break from my Chinese New Year cleaning and experiencing a renewed sense of Fitblr purpose, I popped in the DVD.

The menu is split into 3 different opening options, naturally, for each trimester.  Then each trimester has an introduction and the option for an extended workout (54 minutes) or an express workout (20 minutes?).  I’ve only done the extended workout so I’m not entirely sure.

Summer Sander’s is about 7 months pregnant as she’s being trained in the video by her sister-in-law and personal trainer Keri. It is seriously amazing to see how physically fit she is while working out with this ginormous belly!  And encouraging.  If she can do it with a beach ball in her way, I sure as heck can do it.

The workout is easy using plies, lunges, squats, resistance bands and basic ab exercises to tone up the muscles.  The pace is somewhat slow but that’s ok because I’m not trying to knock myself out.  In fact, I feel like this is a pretty typical training session that most non-pregnant people would do, just not as quickly to prevent overheating.

I can imagine getting pretty sick of this workout DVD, as I do with anything I watch over and over again for more than a couple of weeks.  Also, the extended workout basically takes the viewer through a series of workout moves and then repeats, which is also a little mundane.

I wasn’t at all sore the next day but I did feel great after I finished it.  I logged it as calisthenics in MyFitnessPal and it came out to about 220 calories burned in 54 minutes.

I imagine I’ll need about 5 different workout types to cycle through, including walking, prenatal yoga, some gym time and another workout DVD. 

Maternity Clothes Too Soon

There’s a few problems with me making this post in the middle of my first trimester.

1. I’m not supposed to even be showing until I’m into my second trimester.

2. I thought I would shun maternity clothes entirely.  I almost never wear pants so I figured I could get by with a combination of the belly band when I do wear pants and just pair all my high waisted dresses with some leggings until September.

3. I haven’t gained any weight so far so my clothes should fit just fine.

4. I’m trying to stay as active as my energy levels will allow to keep my muscles toned and my body healthy.  I’m also trying to avoid much weight gain in the 1st trimester (keeping it to a couple lbs per my doctor’s orders) since I know I’ll absolutely have to gain consistently half a lb or a lb every week or so of my 2nd trimester.

So when I tell you that I bought maternity jeans last night you should know it’s a total shocker. This is how it happened:

I have been unusually cold lately.  My body is usually pretty good at keeping a level temperature, especially in California where the range of temperatures is so small. So I wear dresses all year round. Until I felt like I was constantly freezing the past few days.

I decided I would go buy some new jeans which any woman can attest to as sometimes self esteem plummeting. But then I realized: any jeans I buy now that fit perfectly won’t fit in a few months when I’m actually showing and I have no idea how my hips are going to change after the baby so I might never wear those jeans again.

Le sigh.

My friend told me that early on in her pregnancy she had bought maternity jeans that didn’t have the full panel.  Just a stretchy adjustable waistband with buttons that adjust for each trimester. 

So I popped over to Target and they had these Liz Lange Boyfriend Jeans on clearance for $20.

They were pretty good looking so I bought them. When I got home and tried them on, they fit through the legs but of course the waistband was too loose which makes the pants feel like they’re falling down.  I popped on a belt and now I am warm and comfortable in jeans while still being a little embarrassed that I’m wearing maternity clothes at 8 weeks.

That Kind Of Gal at Week 8

never thought I’d be the kind of woman so obsessed with being pregnant.  In fact, for a while during my early 20s I didn’t even think I wanted to have kids.  And I when I realized I did have kids, I convinced myself that I wouldn’t turn into one of those women whose pregnancy and subsequent child becomes all she can think and talk about.

But I have become one of those women. Truth be told, I don’t mind.

I love being pregnant.  And until I became pregnant, there was no way I could know that my body would change in ways I couldn’t control.  I didn’t know how encompassing the idea of being completely responsible for a little being growing inside my belly would be. How could I?

I also didn’t know that I would have such a hard time toughing it through the first trimester.  My big plans of daily workouts, jewelry projects, photography trips, all fall lower in priority to my ability, nay, uncontrollable urge to fall asleep instantaneously. All I really have time for these days is eating right, working, getting in the occasional walk, reading everything I can about healthy pregnancy, cleaning here and there (not doing a good job, btw) and falling asleep for 12+ hours a day.

Don’t get me wrong. I still keep up with current events, entertain friends and family in our home, do a lot of the things I used to.  Just less often, with less energy, and always considering what I can or cannot do with a bun in the oven.

Like tempt myself with sushi appetizers.  Or get riled up and angry about some ridiculous political issue.

So life has changed from hectic and constantly being productive and occasionally spontaneous to something like this:

Wake up. Make a healthy breakfast. Eat said breakfast. Contemplate packing a healthy lunch. Maybe packing said lunch. Getting ready for work. Talking to my friend CJ about his daughter, pregnancy related things and random topics during the drive to work.  Drinking as much water as possible. Working. Debating the best lunch for baby. Reading Tumblr and pregnancy website. Planning classes to take Occasionally shopping for pregnancy related items. Going home and contemplating a healthy dinner that will hit my prenatal nutrient goals. Picking up dinner or cooking it. Having a big glass of ice cold milk. Eating dinner. Taking prenatal vitamins. Rubbing body creams like Lansinoh and tummy butter on my body. Falling asleep. Waking up after napping for a couple hours. Going for a walk, reading or doing something else that needs to be done. Falling sleep again. Repeat.

Yeah, it’s like that. And I love it. Most of the time anyway.

First Belly Post!

Random stuff I’ve been eating because I think it’s good for me and a baby belly picture.

Currently I love apples and artisan cheeses.

Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta enriched with calcium and fiber. It’s delicious.  I top it with a very veggie heavy meat sauce.  It has lots of shredded carrots, celery and onions in it to give it a nutritional boost.

Grilled cheese on Orowheat Double Fiber Bread and Trader Joe’s Organic Creamy Tomato Soup. 

My mom also gave J and I items for our Buddhist altar which we put fruit on everyday before lighting incense.  It’s resulting in a constant supply of fresh fruit in the house that fills my tummy with nutrients.  Yaaaaaay!

My OB and his Strictness

1.  shortmom replied to your photo: Good news guys, Jamba Juice is ok! Bad news, so…

   Not to make you nervous or anything, but I think your doctor seems very old-fashioned and un-knowledgeable?! How can we convince you to go see a different one? You can jog and do yoga and fly and c-section recovery is awful (I should know)!!!

   block
2.  happyhealthyheidi replied to your photo: Good news guys, Jamba Juice is ok! Bad news, so…

   Your doc sounds pretty strict… There were recently two pregnant marathon runners (of half runners) featured in Runners World. I flew at around 32 weeks. They discourage it very late in pregnancy, but I’ve never heard because of radiation…

   block
3.  beckyc liked your photo: Good news guys, Jamba Juice is ok! Bad news, so… block
4.  hifitness replied to your photo: Good news guys, Jamba Juice is ok! Bad news, so…

   Is the no jogging just for you, or is that what’s normally recommended? I thought jogging was ok if that’s what you’re used to doing.

   block
5.  runningmyassoff replied to your photo: Good news guys, Jamba Juice is ok! Bad news, so…

   UMMM YOUR DOCTOR IS CRAZY! You can jog- some mothers have completed half marathons while pregnant. Tea tree oil for pimples. I STILL use it. Flying is ok. I flew to Iowa for my baby shower at 34 weeks and Elin is Perfect!

Lol, I found these responses pretty on par with my response at first.  I was hoping that when I went to my OB he would tell me that I was being overly cautious.  I particularly hoped that he would be able to dispell a lot of the things my mom and mother-in-law warned me against (they are both very conservative when it comes to things like this and expressed their concerns about me jogging and running and what not.)

After meeting with him, it made me feel like I was actually not being cautious enough and I feel like I’m a pretty prepared type of person! 

In regards to the radiation worry, my doctor is talking about the new airport full body scanners which emit a higher level of radiation than previous screening processes.  1 in 20 people, more often in children, have a genetic predisposition to increased cancer risk from the scanners because their ability to repair the damage is inhibited. And because the scanners are so new they don’t know about all the possible side effects.  For instance, one recent study shows that the radiation intensity is actually 20 times higher than previously estimated.

As for the jogging and the running, I think it has to do with the fact that I wasn’t consistently jogging or running for an extended period of time before I got pregnant. I was only consistently jogging starting in November and ramping up to a consistent run in December when I got pregnant.  I’m sure he would say that there’s no problem if I had been running regularly for 6 months or so but I wasn’t.  :(  It’s not really his fault I didn’t start focusing on getting fit until a month and a half before conceiving.

He did say I could do Yoga, just that I should wait until my 2nd trimester (as do all the yoga schools recommend) and that I  might not enjoy it well into my 3rd trimester.  I am glad he gave me that warning because I might have bought a 6 month prenatal yoga package that might end up with 3 months wasted. But he said I could do it as long as I wanted to after my 2nd trimester.

As for the C-section, it’s kind of personal, but given a few different factors about my anatomy down there, I completely believe that he’s correct. And he’s an excellent surgeon.  I read a quite a few reviews of patients that had c-sections performed by him that said they were up and walking within 12 hours of the surgery with virtually no scarring.

I actually really trust this doctor.  He spent a good deal of time with J and I, he comes very highly recommended both by people I know and by numerous reviews from patients on review sites. 

I do totally appreciate all of your concern though!  The feedback really means a lot.

First Trimester Checklist

• Schedule your first prenatal visit with your practitioner when you’re about nine weeks along. Plan on seeing your practitioner every four weeks.  I saw my GYN immediately after my positive Blood Test.  I then scheduled a meeting with my new OB for 2 weeks after that which would put me at 7 weeks.
• Avoid alcohol, drugs and cigarettes. 
• If your immunizations are not up to date, let your practitioner know. I don’t remember the last time I was immunized!  
• Drink lots of fluids, especially water (8 to 10 glasses a day). 
• Stick to a diet naturally high in folic acid (oranges, melons and dark green vegetables). 
• Eat plenty of iron-rich foods (whole grains, beans, raisins and nuts). 
• Keep your blood sugar level elevated by eating lots of high-protein and high-carbohydrate foods such as breads, brown rice, potatoes and cheese. 
• As a general rule, avoid medication and consult with your doctor before taking any. 
• Get plenty of sleep, and try to nap if you feel tired during the day. I am actually really bad at this right now. I’m working on a deadline at work so I’m not really getting much rest at all.
• Exercise, but moderately. Don’t start a new exercise regimen when you’re pregnant, and be careful not to become overheated for prolonged periods. Also bad at this, probably because I am not getting enough rest to have energy levels for this. 
• If you’re a coffee drinker, cut back, switch to decaf or try herbal or decaffeinated tea. 
• If your family has a history of genetic disorders, you have a high risk pregnancyor simply desire it, consider prenatal testing. 
• Start budgeting for your new life with baby.
• Choose a place to give birth (hospital? birthing center? home?).
• Consider starting a pregnancy blog or diary and having someone take a picture of you (and your expanding belly) each month.
• Consider refraining from getting perms and other hair treatments involving heavy chemicals.
• Get smart — buy a few pregnancy books and dive in.

7 Week OB Appointment

Am I really at 7 weeks?  Holy moley. Why does 9 months seem so short and so long at the same time? 

Anywho, J and I walked around Disneyland and DCA last night for about an hour after catching dinner.  Yay for getting in a long long walk.  It wasn’t a very brisk pace but at least I was able to keep it up without getting so tired I wanted to sit down.

You know, the waves of tiredness really make me wonder if I’m just being lazy. All you wonderful fitblr mommies and pregnancy books have assured me that it’s just 1st Trimester fatigue and I believe it.  It’s just when it comes and goes like that it just makes me want to power through it which is probably the opposite of what I should be doing.

Lucky for me my OB appointment is today at 4:30.  I have a slew of questions like:

1. Is jogging ok?  2 books and a few articles I’ve read recommend not jogging. But then I was jogging before I got pregnant so I should be able to sustain that level of activity right? If Jogging is not ok, is there a list of approved exercises?

2. What should I use to deal with my pimples?  I usually have pretty clear skin but the hormones can reverted me back to high school.  I read in What To Expect (my wonderful neighbor got me a copy 2 weeks ago as a surprise) that salicylic acid might be bad for the fetus if absorbed through the skin. But how else am I going to get rid of the pimples? 

3. Is my prenatal workout DVD safe?  I’m fairly certain it is but I want to make sure there aren’t any weird complications that might prevent me from using it. 

It’s funny because almost every workout DVD I’ve ever used recommends contacting a physician before starting the program and this is the first time I’m taking the warning seriously.

4. Are my prenatal vitamins I’m taking sufficient? I’m taking standard prenatals but in case I have some kind of deficiency I want to make sure.

5. When can I take Prenatal Yoga? Do I really have to wait until my 2nd trimester?  One of the Yoga schools I talked to said I would need to provide a doctor’s note if I was going to start in my first trimester.  It’s not like I’m in a huge rush, I just want to know what the real dangers are in case I want to pick up a prenatal yoga DVD.

6. How much should I be sleeping?  Do I really need to sleep when I feel tired?  Can I just try to work through it or will that be bad for the baby?

7. What classes should I be taking to prepare for childbirth?  Recommendations for Lamaze and related classes?

8. What are my birthing options at the hospital?  Are there private rooms, birthing rooms, etc?

9. Can I really not have unpasteurized juices?  That’s got to be just something ridiculously over cautious right?  Jamba Juice can’t possibly be off limits!

10. What effect does early exposure to lidocaine have on the fetus? I had some dental work done before I knew I was pregnant, which included lidocaine (6% over the course of 3 visits, I specifically asked my dentist right after I found out I was pregnant because I was so freaked out).

11. Is there a checklist or calendar of items that I should be focused on accomplishing during each month?  I’m currently using the one on The Bump but I figure one from my OB is better.

12. What is better, natural birth or c-section?  There is just so much information out there on this and I originally thought c-section would be the way to go but after reading about how long the recovery is, plus I want to breast feed which means I won’t be able to take pain killers after the surgery, I just don’t know.

13. How much is the birth going to cost? I know the insurance will cover most of it but I’m making our 2011 budget now that we know a baby will be involved and this is a big ticket item.

14. Can I fly during each trimester?  We’re considering a babymoon, my friends are getting married in May in New Orleans, etc.  I need to know what kind of travel plans I can make during each trimester.

That’s all I have for right now.  Am I missing anything you would ask?

First Baby Pictures

So I have all these applications on my phone that show me what a fetus should look like at this stage in my pregnancy. I was engrossed in them and showed J.

ME:

Look at this picture! It's what the baby looks like!

J:

That's not our baby.

ME:

I don't think that fetuses really look all that different at this stage. Isn't it cute?

J:

You think that's cute?

ME:

Yeah, look at the little feet and toes that are starting to develop. It's only the size of a blueberry!

J:

It looks like an alien.

Awww... alien baby. So cute.

Low Energy Levels + Little Exercise = Sad Leah

In the past few days I’ve been trying to get in more movement.  For instance, I tried to get in a 30 minute walk around the local Town Center before going out on Friday.  Yesterday I took my mom’s dog for a walk while waiting for my brother to get ready to leave with me. 

It’s the little things that add up you know?

But I can’t help but feel weak and discouraged.  I used to be able to bust out 2-4 miles before J even woke up in the morning.  Or 20 minutes of the 30DS. And afterward I would feel great, pumped to move onto the thing on my checklist. That was less than a month ago!

During my leisurely walk, after about 10 minutes I just felt so *tired* inside. Zapped, like I was a drained battery. I kept going though for another 30 minutes. When walking Kona, my mom’s dog, I made it down maybe 2 blocks before my brother was ready and then I was hit with a wave of sleepiness.

The worst part is that I feel guilty. I know I should be getting in more physical activity.  There are amazing women out there who are maintaining their same workout routines throughout their 1st trimester.  And I’m complaining about walks!

And I know that the general advice is to do what feels good and natural to me.  To take it easy.  But where’s the middle ground?  How do I know when I’m taking it too easy and should push through?  Or how do I know when I’m pushing too hard?

I mean, I know that as long as I’m in my heart rate and temperature zone I’m ok but is it bad if I keep going after I’m tired?

How did you mommies stay active?

(I have an OB appointment on Thursday and I’ll ask then but I thought I’d ask all the experienced fit mommies.)

Prenatal Purchases

Hey tumblr friends!  You know who is awesome?  Karen! When I told her I was preggos she immediately sent me a list of awesome things that might come in handy.  Here are a few items I’ve picked up over the past weeks that I think are awesome.

Karen recommended this because of all the crazy stuff that happens in the frontal region.  It really has helped even though it’s recommended for breast feeding moms and I’m not there yet.

Karen also recommended some kind of shea massage butter.  She used Lush Massage Bar but I couldn’t wait to order it so I went to the store and this was the only one I could find.  I’m going to switch over to Lush once I run out of the Palmer’s.

I can’t even explain how important hydration has been for me.  I get SO thirsty.  But in California every time I buy a water bottle, I spend at least $0.05 on CRV, which I only get back if I recycle it.  But then I end up collecting all these water bottles that pile up in the back of my car in a water bottle recycling box because I don’t find the time to get the recycling done. 

Anyway, this is all resolved with the Bobble.  Made with recycled materials, filters water as I drink it allowing me to fill up anywhere there’s a sink. Lasts for up to 300 bottles which is about $15 in CRV alone and no clutter in my car.

As you might have noticed, I was having a hard time hitting my calcium minimum requirements because dairy and I just weren’t jiving all that well.  J picked me up these chocolate calcium chews that are pretty tasty and I just pop them in when I know I’m short on calcium. 

Side note: My mom made sure she got enough calcium when she was pregnant with my brother.  She didn’t have a chance with me because I was born in a refugee camp and calcium sources just weren’t readily available. And I don’t know that she was super focused on that for my sister (16 years younger than me) who was a surprise. But my brother happens to be 6” taller than the rest of us in the family and super strong.

I immediately started taking prenatals when I found out but I thought it was important to bring up that not all prenatals include Folic Acid and DHA which are both important for neural tube and brain development.  I used One A Day because it included both but it turns out it’s just 2 pill bottles in one box.  Lol.

Will do an update on fitness purchases soon.