Say Hello to My Little Friend

Last week, we got to see our little blob again and got a picture:

Everything was measuring on track (you can see the numbers on the bottom right) and the RE said the heartbeat looked good. The cross hairs on the photo mark where baby's head and bottom are. To me, it's the cutest little blob I've ever seen.

I couldn't stop staring at that photo for the rest of the day but had a hard time connecting the tiny person in the picture with what was happening inside me. It seemed like two separate things, neither of them completely real (even though I threw up right before we left for the appointment that same morning). Today, I could actually feel the beginnings of a bump forming above my pelvic bone and now it's starting to sink in. This is really happening.

Next week, I'll have my first appointment with my family doctor. It looks like the midwife thing is a no-go so I will have to spend some time researching good OBs. Nothing is guaranteed but my GP at least asks if we have a preference for specialists, so I should be able to make a request when referral time comes.

The first trimester has been a bit of a drag so far but I'm starting to see glimmers of my former self again in between bouts of nausea and exhaustion. I'm hoping that will start to taper off soon and I can get some energy back. Now if my body can just figure out the whole "sleeping through the night" thing again, we'd be all set!

Being Thankful

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I also have a lot to look forward to, starting with the 8 week scan this Thursday when we'll get to see our bean again. I will confess, however, that I've been doing more complaining lately than giving thanks.

I promised myself that I was not going be one of those women who tries for so long to get pregnant only to constantly complain about it once she is. As it turns out, that's a lot easier said than done when the first trimester is a rough ride. I've been doing my best to limit the moaning and groaning but this week, the insomnia, nausea, aching breasts, bloating, gas, constipation, and exhaustion really started to wear me down. Not being able to predict my appetite, my mood, or my energy level from one day to the next (or from one hour to the next) is getting frustrating. Work has been slow so I had hoped to get all kinds of things done around the house. Instead, it's all piling up while I lie on the couch staring at it.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought this might be a good time to revisit the Good Things project and remind myself that there are still good things happening while I'm semi-conscious on my couch. Here's what I came up with:

• All of those symptoms are caused by a baby. There's still a baby in there.
• We'll get to see it again in a few days and finally get a picture to keep.
• DH has been wonderfully patient and understanding, and willing to live on carbs with me while I continue to avoid most meat.
• We survived three consecutive days of family meals this weekend without our secret getting out and without me feeling horrible (at least not in public). 
• I don't have to worry about lesson planning and facing my classes every day feeling like crap this semester. Supply teaching has its advantages.
• Egg McMuffins and hash browns. Breakfast of champions (and the only breakfast that appeals to me these days).
• Just 4.5ish weeks to go until the second trimester and hopefully some relief.

If you're in Canada, I hope you've had a great Thanksgiving weekend!

A New Type of Waiting Game

They say that there is a magical time (also known as the Second Trimester) when the nausea goes away and energy returns. I am very eagerly anticipating this magical time because right now, I am a useless lump.

On Thursday, we had our viability scan with the RE. It didn't go exactly like I'd expected but the important thing is that all is well so far. We saw the yolk sac and fetal pole on the ultrasound, and a beautiful flickering heart beat. It still blows my mind that there's a little creature in there with a beating heart!

We didn't get a picture; Doctor P. said he doesn't give them out this early (I was 6w1d at the time) because everything is too small. We also didn't get any measurements. They prefer to just check to make sure that everything that should be there at this stage is there and wait until later on to start measuring. This seemed odd to me but it all went so fast I didn't have a chance to question it. I am supposed to go back in two weeks for another scan and at that time, they will do all of the measurements and give us pictures to keep. I thought I was supposed to be done with the clinic after the initial scan so this was a surprise, but I'm not going to complain about another opportunity to see our bean!

If I am done with the clinic after that 8 week scan, I'm not really sure what happens next. I've contacted the two midwife clinics in my city and am on the waiting list with both of them but it doesn't look good. The demand in my area is much higher than the supply and one of the clinics I spoke with already had 30 women waiting with May due dates. I will most likely be stuck with my GP until the time comes to refer me to an OB.

For the time being, we wait - for the next scan, for midwife call, for me to start feeling somewhat normal again. Turns out, that game doesn't end with a +HPT ;)