9 weeks

Another boring week. And by boring I mean I didn't have an ultrasound and no news.  But I think the old saying, "No news is good news," is quite suiting in this instance.  I just count my blessings that I haven't had any complications so far.  That's not to say that I'm not anxious to get back in there for another ultrasound.  The almost 4 week wait is killing me.  I go into the office on Tuesday, in only 5 days, but its for a nurses visit. Its a 'class' i.e. a power point presentation about pregnancy.  Not to say I know it all, but it is pretty basic, AND I already went to this last year, so I'm not anticipating anything too new or exciting.  I may also get some blood work done as well.  But it will probably take at least a couple days to find out the results.  I've been trying to plot out a way to get a nurse to at least do a doppler with me. I'm going to tell her that I'm think of getting one but wanted to see how it worked first.  We'll see if my scheme works, I doubt it though. Luckily I just have a week and a half more to wait till I actually get another ultrasound.

I've been taking progesterone since the day I tested a positive on a pregnancy test.  There's no way to know if it has contributed to my current success or not, but so far so good, right? I'm almost out, and only have about a weeks worth left.  I let the doctor know and she explained that you stop progesterone at 8-10 weeks because the placenta takes over. It will be nice to stop taking them because of the side effect of discharge (sorry TMI!).  But its also a little nerve racking because its kind of like a safety blanket for me, as irrational as I know that sounds. Most if not all of the pregnancy symptoms I've been describing the past few weeks can probably be attributed to the progesterone. So I guess that's good, but like a lot of women seem to feel like the symptoms are reassuring.  Mine are quite possibility a  false representation. We shall see

My symptoms haven't changed still, besides possibly some increased fatigue.  One thing I could note is that I've lost a little over 5 pounds so far. My favorite side effect yet! :)

8 weeks

Without an ultrasound to share and all the season finales on TV tonight I almost forgot my 8 week post!! It feels like an exciting milestone... 2 months down, only 4 weeks until the first trimester is over, baby becomes a fetus and takes a more human form. Its also meaningful to me because my first miscarriage, while it occurred at 10 weeks, I was told to be measuring at around 8. So that means that I've reached the same point in this pregnancy as I did my first. Of course I'm online reading baby boards and everyone is always excited to surpass this point. I won't have another ultrasound until 10+5 but I'm still feeling very positive. Some of my favorite things to do are 1. Of course to dream about baby, but as a more immediate gratification, think about sharing the good news with all my loved ones and how I should do it. It's fun!

By the way, the acupuncturist made his gender prediction based on my pulses!! His guess is.... BOY! Very exciting and interesting to see if he's right.

I'm still feeling mostly digestive symptoms:
Mild nausea
Food/food smell aversions
Gas
Bloating
Mild, random constipation (or feeling "backed up"
Little appetite
Fullness

7 weeks ultrasound

We saw Baby today! I'm so happy.

Measuring exactly 1 week farther along than I did a week ago :) Perfect! So even though I'm 7 weeks along, Baby is measuring .65cm which makes him 6 weeks and 4 days. Its kind of hard to tell with the measurement, but I see the little arm and leg buds too. Its so cute to see the little body coming into the human form. The doctor was having a hard time getting good pictures and measurements etc because Baby is squished up against the wall.  She said there's nothing wrong with that, just made the ultrasound a little tough.

It was also hard, but we got a heartbeat!!!  Here's  picture:

The heartbeat will grow stronger as the weeks go on. It was hard to hear the heartbeat but we could see it and that's all that matters.  Doctor is happy with how things are progressing.

I've been so lucky to watch Baby's progress so closely these past few weeks.  It has been very reassuring.  Its been tough to get out of work but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Now my next appointment isn't until the end of the month! Its crazy to think that during the month of May I will get to weeks 6 through 10! I will be so excited when I'm out of the risky period and I can share my great news with those I love.  My next appointment will be a pregnancy class and nurse's visit I understand.  I don't expect to see the doctor and I don't believe there is an ultrasound.  It would be so cool though because I will be 9.5 weeks which is such a cute ultrasound as far as I've seen.  And that means I will only have to wait 2.5 weeks instead of the 3.5 I'm assuming it will actually be because the appointment I have a week after that I will most definitely have an ultrasound. As long as I continue to have a healthy pregnancy is all I'm really concerned with.

Current Symptoms:
1. All previously mentioned symptoms, slightly intensified
2. Mood swings- Crying, Joy, Fury
3. Digestive upsets (however no vomiting/morning sickness)
4. Fatigue is increasing

Bottom line is, I can be uncomfortable at times, but nothing serious or anything that interferes with my life... at least so far.

6 weeks ultrasound

I know its grainy but I had to crop it because this was the best view today and it was from a far away shot.  Anyway, the round circle is a the yolk sac and the small mass to the right is baby.  :)   We were hoping to see a fetal pole or heartbeat but it seems to be too soon.  We're not concerned because the growth is good otherwise.  Like I mentioned last time, the gestational sac was 7mm then, now its 13mm!  I've read that its supposed to grow about a millimeter a day. By that logic I've grown twice as fast in the 3 days with the additional 6mm since then.  The doctor actually said she thought she could see a flicker (of a heartbeat) but she had to get her face REAL close to the screen and it would definitely not be something where she could measure the heartbeat.  The yolk sac just measured 1.5mm itself, so that gives you an idea of how tiny 'baby' would be to try and measure/see that.

Last time, the 7mm gestational sac was too small for the computer to determine how far along I am.  Today, I measured at 5 weeks 4 days.  Makes complete sense to me considering the 6 weeks is based on last menstrual period, with the assumption that you ovulated on day 14.  Well, since I ovulate day 16-18 those measurements would make total sense. Also, another reason probably why we don't quite see the heartbeat, its still probably a little early.  The doctor had already scheduled another appointment for me in a week before I got there.  So at my next appointment I will be 7 weeks (based on LMP) and we should very likely be able to see a strong heartbeat by then!!! Yayyy :-D 

All these appointment have been so difficult to leave work in the middle of the day.  I've managed though and I don't think anyone has caught on or is suspicious.  And I'm just so grateful I've had so many opportunities to see the baby and the progress... and that my doctor has been so enthusiastic and proactive!  Its very encouraging and comforting.  I've felt very positive about all this so its very exciting.

If not sooner, I will post my 7 week ultrasound next week :)