Weeks 3 Through 6

The Earliest Weeks - Poppy Seed to Sweet Pea

I decided to write one post about these very early weeks in my pregnancy, because I feel that they are all "lumped" together. Nothing exciting really happens until after the first trimester is over, but something about "8 weeks" or "month 3" just sounds so much more officially pregnant that I am/feel now.

 Today I am 6 weeks and 5 days pregnant. When I found out I was pregnant, I was only 2 weeks and 6 days along. This left my head SPINNING because not only being a nurse, but doing just a little bit of internet research on early pregnancy, I know how many bad things can happen in these early weeks. The most disheartening thing I read the day after I found out I was pregnant was the staggering statistic that over half of all pregnancies end in miscarriages before week four, but the woman never even realizes she is pregnant because the miscarriage seems just like her period. This had me SO worried. I went to pee about 20 times a day to make sure I wasn't bleeding!

"I'm LATE!"

 I finally started to feel more confident about my pregnancy AFTER my period had been missed. In the days before my period was actually due, I just kept thinking, "I will get my period on Wednesday, and I won't be pregnant anymore." February 19 came and went, and I finally felt a little bit better. Not only could I say that I had taken a positive pregnancy test, but also that I had missed my period (I have been doing this so completely out of order, lol).

It's a Poppy Seed

The only annoying problem I had during weeks three and four were EXHAUSTION. It wasn't fatigue, I didn't feel sleepy, I. Was. Exhausted. AMAZING how a baby the size of a poppy seed could suck nearly all of the life out of me. I ran a 10k on February 22 and a half marathon on February 23 (which I really didn't think I would be able to do), and I slept for two days afterward. Literally---woke up to pee and eat and watch an hour or two of TV, and went back to sleep. For two days. I also had quite a bit of period-like cramps during these weeks. This was not unbearable by any means, but left me very worried all day because it really felt like I was going to start bleeding.

Johnny (Or Janie) Appleseed

Week five made me SICK. Baby was the size of an apple seed this week. One major problem I have is heartburn (always have), and I was told I couldn't take my normal heartburn medicine while pregnant. So, I have been taking Zantac and Tums, neither of which are helping. The heartburn itself has gotten so bad that it has made me nearly throw up. Aside from the heartburn, I have the "morning" sickness from hell, that (thankfully) doesn't last long, but when it hits, I am down for the count. I haven't had any actual vomiting, but I almost feel flu-like, like I am going to throw up and just need to lie down (which as an ER nurse is NOT an option). Zofran works WONDERS, but as I am about to complain about...I can't get a prescription for more than another week.

Doctor Drama :(

I've not yet met our Obstetrician. I stalked her on Facebook, and she is a woman, which makes me like her. Our first appointment (for labs and a transvadge ultrasound) was scheduled for Friday March 7. Part of me was nervous because we were 6 weeks and 1 day that date, but nonetheless I was super excited for the ultrasound. I woke up two days before the appointment to a voicemail from the clinic telling me that I needed to reschedule, because my doctor was going to be out of the office that day. I called them back, and the SOONEST new mommy appointment they had was Thursday, March 20. I had already called the office wondering if there was SOMETHING I could get prescribed for my heartburn, but was told that they couldn't give me ANY advice or prescriptions until my appointment. Now, this pissed me off because it was two whole weeks after THEY cancelled MY appointment that I made weeks ago, but I am also excited. We will be exactly 8 weeks this day, and our ultrasound will be so much better, and I am just about guaranteed a heartbeat this day. I was nervous for a 6 week ultrasound because sometimes the heartbeat is unmeasurable that early, even though the pregnancy is fine. I can guarantee that if I had an ultrasound with no heartbeat I would be FREAKING out until the next appointment!

My Sweet Pea

Baby Gibson is the size of a sweet pea, and he or she is certainly being sweet this week (so far). I haven't had much heartburn, and the morning sickness has seemed to subside for the most part. I am sleeping a bit less, which is helpful when you work night shift and are trying to get a Master's degree online. I had a teensy bit of brown "bleeding" or discharge (in addition to the normal early pregnancy discharge that I have had pretty consistently for the past few weeks), but have not experienced any red bleeding or spotting. My boobs have been the issue this week. They have been tender since about week four, but this week they are the most tender they have been, and all of a sudden they are HUGE. I most usually wear a 36A, and when I went shopping with a friend on Friday I had to CRAM myself into a 38B, and luckily we were shopping at a mall with a Victoria's Secret. I got measured and ended up buying a non-push-up, non-padded, grandma style 38C. Damnit damnit damnit. If there is anything I have ever coveted, big boobs it is not.

My next post will surely be IMMEDIATELY after our 8 week appointment/ultrasound!!! (probably after a quick trip to the mall to buy some ridiculous baby items...)