Medical Pregnancy Updates
May 26- The anatomy scan went well. They did look pretty extensively at the heart, which was making me very nervous. But I think Baby just wasn't in the best position for them to get a good look. The doctor was pleased with everything but told me that he wants to see me one last time around 28 weeks. (I'm assuming they want a better view of the heart). But then I asked about my cervix... because I'm paranoid and constantly worrying that something is bound to go wrong. (This pregnancy and baby seem too good to be true).
He tried to calm my worries but did not dismiss them. We talked about my history with infertility and miscarriage. From what they saw on the external scan, it was closed and long. But he agreed to do a cervical check on me at 24 weeks to ease my mind.
June 23- I went into the MFM doctor to have an internal ultrasound, JUST to check the cervix. The tech did an external ultrasound first and once again, spent quite a bit of time checking the baby's heart. Apparently, he did a massive flip and she had the perfect view so she started clicking and measuring. They really are making me feel worried about all the attention they're giving his heart. But she said everything looked great before moving on to check the cervix.
OUCH!!! That's all I have to say. Due to infertility, I've had a million internal ultrasounds but this one hurt like never before. I had to tell her how uncomfortable it was so she would hurry up and stop. She commented that my cervix was closed and long so I replied, "I'll quit freaking myself out then." BUT the doctor came in to view the images and said that my cervix has shortened since the last visit (from what he can tell). He told me not to freak out because it is still closed and long (3.4ish cm. or something like that) but that we need to keep an eye on it. Cue my panic! WHAT?!?!!? I really was not expecting that. Maybe my intuition was right?? I'm going back today (July 9) to have a look at it and make sure it's not continuing to get shorter.
Because of this, I've quit going on my morning walks and have limited the amount of physical activity I do in a day (as much as a toddler mom can). I saw a midwife on July 2 and she confirmed that it was a smart decision to quit the exercise until we know what's going on with my cervix. She also eased my worry and told me that anything over 2.5 was great! She doesn't think anything will happen and loves that the MFM is monitoring me closely. She did say that if all looks well at 28 weeks, she wants me to resume exercise and continue it throughout the pregnancy. So I'm really hoping today brings good news cause I can tell a difference in how I feel without the daily exercise.
I also voiced my concern with returning to work during the pandemic. She said that she can write a letter requesting that I work from home. So I'm considering that. Then I asked how they treat laboring mommas who have COVID. She said that patients are all tested once they're admitted into the hospital. If the results are positive, they're moved to an isolated room for laboring, which has a closed air/vent system. Everything with the labor and delivery is the same but all nurses and doctors are basically in a hazmat suit. Things are so weird right now. What a time to be pregnant!
**7/10 Update- I didn't get this post edited and published before my appointment with the MFM so here's the good news! My cervix has not shortened at all. In fact, he's happy with the length. He flipped through my chart and kept telling me that I was having a very normal pregnancy and even said, "I don't even think I need to see you anymore." I can't tell you how happy this made me! I just wanted him to repeat over and over that my pregnancy was really normal. Then he stops and says, "You'll be 35 when you deliver?" After nodding yes, he says, "Let's see you back at 32 weeks." lol!
So, I plan to begin easing myself back into exercise this week and start feeling good again. Whoo-hoo!**
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| The only face shot we could get... not creepy at all! ha! |
Non-Medical Pregnancy Updates
This little guy moves nonstop! It's so crazy! I don't remember Mertoddler moving around so much. He also seems to have the hiccups quite often. I can feel a foot or hand moving all the way across the bottom of my stomach almost daily. It is really the coolest feeling! And, although it seems I'm carrying him much higher than I did Mertoddler, all the movement I feel is down low. I'm assyming that'll change as he gets bigger and takes up more space. Maybe I just forgot how it felt to be pregnant during the late 2nd trimester phase?
My cravings for popsicles have dwindled down a bit and now I don't ever know what I want. The pandemic may be the one to blame for that problem. I'm tired of planning and cooking every single meal. It's a little exhausting and I feel like I'm running out of ideas and/or repeating recipes too often.
It's getting harder to get up and down and to bend over and pick things up. I'm not able to hold Mertoddler as much cause I can feel the strain and it wears me out. My stomach is too big for him to sit in my lap for story time now. So, he sits next to me while we read. He likes to pet my belly and often comments that it's getting so big. ha! I just love it.
I'm trying really hard to soak up every second of this pregnancy and not let the pandemic steal away my joy. I will admit that it's very anxiety-inducing to be pregnant during this time. There is so much unknown and I have no control over the situation. That "mama bear" protective instinct is in full swing but I can't do a lot with it. If I get COVID, will it be mild or severe? If it's severe, will they be able to medicate me without harming the baby? Will they have to choose me over the baby? What if they have to take the baby out early so that we can both be treated properly? And who will take care of Mertoddler if he's been exposed and we're all sick? It's a constant worry and I try not to let it consume me. But it really is a scary time to be pregnant. I'm focusing on the day-to-day joys. Trying to capture photos, record videos of my belly jumping around, and soak it in as much as I can.
**7/10 Update- During my MFM appointment yesterday, this little baby was doing somersaults! It filled my heart with so much joy. The tech said he's head down but was moving all around. At one point he pulled his foot all the way up to his face, which she captured on the screen as we felt the massive movement from the outside. He would not stay still. My belly was bopping all around, knocking the probe up and down, and making us both laugh. After she left the room to get the doctor, I just laid on the table with my shirt up to watch him move. It was the coolest feeling ever. I never want to forget it!**
Mertoddler Updates
We've been quite busy since the last post. We on a short beach trip at the end of May to a secluded area for 3 nights. My mom, Mertoddler, and I rented a condo and enjoyed every second of the time outside the house. We did not go out anywhere and kept ourselves socially distanced from others the whole time. Mertoddler had a BLAST swimming, jumping in the waves, and being somewhere different for a change. We basically had the beach and pool to ourselves. It was such a beautiful time of year and a great escape from everything going on around us.
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| Loving Beach Life with My Perfect Little Man |
Daycare reopened in June and we decided to start sending Mertoddler twice a week. It was a huge internal debate but, ultimately, it came down to me needing some time to rest and get things done, and slowly reintroducing him into daycare. I hated the thought of him suddenly going back to daycare full time (when work starts back) after being home with me for 5 full months... and then bringing a new baby into his life less than 3 months later. That's too much change at once for our little dude so we are easing him back into the routine of daycare. He's loving the social interaction and, most days, doesn't want me to pick him up cause he's having too much fun.
Last week was the 4th of July and the first year he was able to stay up late for fireworks. Because of the pandemic, we stayed home and had a really fun celebration here. We went swimming at the neighborhood pool for a few hours, grilled sausages on the driveway with chips and baked beans for dinner, ate popsicles, played in the yard, introduced Mertoddler to sparklers and poppers. When it got dark, we sat in the driveway to watch fireworks being set off by neighbors. I've never seen Mertoddler's eye light up so much. He was amazed! He was just giggling and laughing hysterically. His little squeals and leaps of joy were the best part of the evening. At one point, he screamed, "I can't wait to tell my teachers that I saw fireworks!!
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| 4th of July Belly! 24+5 |
We also celebrated his 3rd birthday this week! WE HAVE A 3-YEAR-OLD! How is that even possible?!?! We had a small "party" for him on Sunday with immediate family and two friends. It was outside at the neighborhood playground to allow for social distancing. The kids played until they were hot and sweaty. Then, we did cupcakes and presents. It was one of the easiest parties I've ever had to plan. He wanted PJ Masks, so everything was red, green, and blue. We did cupcakes instead of a cake and minimal decorations. It was a perfect celebration!
On his actual birthday, we decorated his play area and our breakfast nook with all things PJ Masks. We wrapped presents from Grandma and Grandpa (who couldn't fly in to visit because of COVID) and stacked them up on the table. His new big boy bike (with pedals) was sitting in the middle of the play room.
He was speechless when he came downstairs that morning and saw everything. After opening presents and trying out the bike, we went to the Children's Museum in the city. I was quite nervous with the pandemic but loved their safety guidelines and, essentially, decided to risk it. We agreed that if we got there and felt uncomfortable, we would leave.
IT WAS SO WORTH IT! We basically had the entire place to ourselves. Everyone was required to wear a mask. Mertoddler wore his the whole time without ever complaining and/or trying to take it off. Employees were sanitizing everything after we played with it. And Mertoddler was "in the zone." I've never seen him have so much fun and become so focused on exploring and playing. It was the best decision we could have made. He keep talking about it and begging to go back.
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| Painting the Wall at the Children's Museum! |
That afternoon, he colored in his new coloring book for AN HOUR and filled every page. Then we took a family nap. I actually let him sleep in our bed for the first time ever, which he just thought was so cool. :) We spent the evening playing with his new toys and trying to pedal the new bike around. His requested meal of Macaroni and Cheese was served for dinner (with veggies and a cupcake, of course). It was the perfect 3rd birthday.
OOOOhhhh, I almost forgot! He also graduated from his toddler bed to a REAL bed a couple of weeks ago. It's a beautiful white twin bed with a book case built into the headboard and a trundle bed underneath. I was a little nervous about the transition but he's done really well with it. He sleeps later now. :) I think the PJ Mask sheets have helped make the transition a bit smoother. I really like being able to crawl in next to him as he falls asleeps each night.
**7/10 Update- Today was Mertoddler's 3-year well check. He is healthy and doing great! The doctor commented on how talkative he is, as we could hardly have a conversation with all of his stories and commentary. He's 32.2 lbs (56th percentile) and 38.5 in. tall (76th percentile). We grabbed a cake pop from Starbucks after leaving the doctor and headed to the playground to get some energy out and soak in some Vitamin D.**
More to come...
Well, I was hoping to write more about life during a pandemic but life is still BUSY so I'm stopping here and will hopefully get some more writing in soon. This Momma is TIRED! :)
