Queasy + Fatigue = 7 Weeks Pregnant

Wow, I didn't even know it was possible to be this tired. I have been bone-weary exhausted each day before, during, and after work. Sneaking in as many naps as possible sounds like a good plan, but what if you never want to wake up and sleep 24 hours a day? That's pretty much how I have been feeling. We helped our friends work at a food pantry Saturday morning (2 hours), and I needed a full 3 hours of dozing/sleeping just to recover.

To make matters worse, I feel a mixture of seasick, carsick, and hungover all at once, all of the time. It seems like I will never be hungry again. While I haven't tossed my cookies just yet, it has taken some major willpower to keep it all down! Sadly, for our 6-year wedding anniversary on Saturday, we did not even go to dinner because I felt so crummy. James has been very helpful and supportive (and quiet when I sleep!), and I have appreciated his support while my body isn't cooperating with my attitude since I am SO EXCITED to be 7 weeks pregnant!

6 Weeks: Easy Sailing!

So far, pregnancy has been a breeze! Aside from some heartburn, the hardest part has been keeping the secret! We went to a Royals game with our friends and neighbors Ben and Karla Busboom, and while it was very fun, I felt awkward going to the Yard House (known for its beer on tap) and then a baseball game and having Zero drinks. While I might have been the only one to notice, it didn't feel natural to order a water surrounded by 3 others partaking in the festivities.

First prenatal visit

I went in for my first prenatal visit. It wasn't very different from a typical yearly womanly exam, except the doctor talked 100 miles an hour faster and continually used the word 'moderation' as if he was getting paid to say it. I went in for some cold, hard facts after reading myth after nebulous myth online...This is pretty much what the conversation was like:

How much can you run? Anything in moderation.
How much weigh can you lift? Anything in moderation.
How much medicine should I take? Anything in moderation.
How much soda can you drink? Anything in moderation.
How much seafood can you eat? Anything in moderation.
How many calories should you consume? Anything in moderation.
How much coffee can you drink? Anything in moderation.
How much salt can you have? Anything in moderation.

I wanted to start asking about obviously dangerous activities just to see if he was even listening...

How often should I do crack cocaine? Anything in moderation.
How many cigarettes a day should I smoke? Anything in moderation.


So, needless to say, I walked away without any great answers. For example, when I really pressed him on running in 'moderation,' I challenged the notion of that because each person is different. I run 3-4 miles a day. For me, cutting back on speed seems like moderation, but the rules in writing provided by the doctor said nothing over 2 miles a day. So which is it? Even when I pressed him on this issue, I could not get a commitment. Basically, all he told me was to call if anything seemed amiss. I get it, he probably has dozens of newly pregnant women asking the same questions, but if prevention is the best intervention, should the man with the M.D. be able to tell me how to stop anything from going awry in the first place?

5 weeks: A little bit pregnant, a lot of restrictions

This past week, I was met with many challenges of what it means to be pregnant. Sure, you aren't supposed to treat pregnancy as an illness, but there are still many things that have went from Can Do to Can't Do. For example, we went out to eat with some friends to a nice Asian-fare restaurant. I was set to order the Ahi tuna, but first had to check if it would be seared or fully cooked. Then I remember to look up the amount of mercury in ahi tuna and found it on the no-no list of seafood. Bummer! I finally had a chance to go to a casino for the first time, and I couldn't enjoy myself because I kept thinking of all the second-hand smoke I was inhaling. We were invited to play sand volleyball, but I am so clumsy, I can see myself falling down or running hard into someone or something, so I passed on it. I wish I could at least LOOK pregnant so my excuses would make sense! :)

It's hard to believe it, but I'm 4 weeks pregnant!  We found out in a home pregnancy test this weekend, and the bloodwork was confirmed on Monday!

So far I have had VERY few symptoms beyond more frequent urination and bloating.  Hopefully both of those go away soon!

James and I are very excited, and we can't wait to meet Baby Mildren on January 14, 2012!