24 week Belly Pic and update!

Yes - I have grown that much since last month! I was just reviewing the pictures from each month and I cannot believe how different I look. 6 mos prego - 4 to go (yes, you are really pregnant more than 9 months - more like 9.5, but with the way you count from your missed period, it ends up being 40 weeks/10 mos). I cannot imagine where I am going to continue growing!

Things are moving along quite nicely - except, wow, I sleep more than I ever have before! Last night (a Friday night mind you), I feel asleep by about 9pm and crawled into bed at 9:30pm - what a fun date I am for PJ. Of course, I am up early with the dogs everyday......we are about to go on our daily walk.

Wednesday I went to the doctor for my monthly checkup. Things are progressing just fine - we are now seeing my family pracitioner (one of two that I regularly see in the practice), since my maternity doctor is on maternity leave herself! He specializes in maternity care as well, so it works out perfect. We heard the heartbeat, which was about 150 - it slows down throughout pregnancy, but when BBM is born, will still be much quicker than average and then continues to slow down the first few years of his life. Anyway, my uterus measured 24 centimeters - perfect! Each week it will continue to grow and usually you measure the amount of centimeters that you are weeks along.

Of course, I had a million questions for the doctor - I really started worrying that despite all my preparation and classes and research, that come time to delivery BBM, the hospital would force things upon me that I did not want, or that they would do things to my baby without my permission. So....Doctor K assured me that all of my requests were just fine and would be respected. His experience with the hospital is that they are very open to natural birthing methods/options and respect them. His wife delivered there, and supposedly is a lot like me, and had a great experience. Some of the things I was/am worried about include:

• How long I have to stay (most likely 24 hours, but no longer if all goes well - thank goodness!)


• What if someone tried to give BBM a nipple of some kind w/o my permission - I don't want any interference with breastfeeding - again, I shouldn't have to worry I don't think, at least I was told not too (thank goodness for rooming in!)


• I really don't want the cord cut until it is at least not pulsating, but most likely not until I birth the placenta


• No drugs offered - I really really really hope I can use my relaxation techniques and everything else I have learned in the Bradley classes to do this naturally. I have told PJ, when it gets to the point that I am begging for drugs and saying I cannot do it, I must be almost to second stage! And therefore almost through the worst of it. I don't want any undue pressure from the staff about it.


• Active birthing - I want to be able to move around, use a birthing ball, walk, whatever works for me - I think that this request is very common with most women.


• Inducing labor - I really don't want to be induced if possible - and want it all to be natural - like the bag of waters breaking (I would prefer that the staff not break it for me should it not break naturally).

Obviously I am worrying as usual about things that I have no control over, and worrying way in advance - I just can't help it - and yes, I know that come time for all of this, I need to be flexible (and I will be - I know this is about what is best for BBM and that is my main priority, which is probably why I worry!). Dr K assured me that my concerns were just fine and normal and that it was good to have them and ask questions. He appreciated my desire to be an active participant in the birth (as he is not an OB-GYN, his philosophy is somewhere between that of a OB and midwife - needless to say, that fits into my philosophy perfectly - though I came to the conclusion that I would really prefer to be doing this birth at home or at a birthing center, but I also want to respect PJ's fears/desires, and so the hospital will be just fine!).

The other thing I was worried about was if my doctor would FOR SURE be at the birth. Dr K told me that Dr G (my usual doc) told him she intended to be there. But he assured me that if something were to come up and she could not make it, he would be there for sure. So basically, one of them will be there - that makes me feel so much better. I appreciate both of them and their honesty and willingness to let me be so involved.

Oh - in about two weeks, I go in for my glucose test. Yay.

When I was there, it was neat b/c my regular family pracitioner heard my voice (shocking!!!!) and stopped in to say hi to PJ and me. That is why I love my doctor's office! They are going to become our child's doctors as well - which I am excited about. I know a lot of people choose to go to a pediatrician, but I love the philosophy of a family practice and what it means for the entire family - just a personal preference.

Besides doctor stuff, everything else is going well. We closed on our house on Wednesday, which was an exciting process (well, I thought so! - PJ might have been slightly overwhelmed). This weekend we are going to spend a lot of time over there cleaning. Then next weekend, while I am in St Louis for my shower, PJ and his parents are going to start painting. In June, my dad and step mom are coming up to help redo the hardwoods in the house. I just can't wait to get it all started. I think we are going to change the locks on the house today as well. Just as a safety precaution.

This week and next week, we have a walking challenge going on at work - so everyday I have been walking the dogs lots - to the point that the prong collar actually caused welts on Tucker's neck and we have now switched to a body halter for him - no amount of pain will stop him from pulling obviously (anything to lunge at a squirrel!). My goal is 10,000 steps a day, which really is not that hard - just requires at least a 1/2 hour walk each day in addition to my normal walking. Most days, with a longer walk, I am able to get somewhere between 11-14,000. Works for me!

Work is good for both of us - PJ still loves his job and mine is going along fine. Orientation season is around the corner, so I am prepping for that. I got a letter from the Chancellor this week congratulating me on my advising award, which was so nice! Trying to plan out how going to Baltimore for the conference will work out - the conference is in October - BBM will have to come with and then one of my many mothers will also join me! :)

Feeling BBM move a lot; mostly at night or when I am not moving around. My back is also starting to ache a bit, but I am trying to do my back exercises to help, though I need to be better about them. Hope all is well with all of you - looking forward to seeing many of you soon and hearing from the rest of you!

Doctor's Visit

Today I went for my monthly checkup. I have started seeing one of my family practice doctors who specializes in maternity care while my OB is out on maternity leave. They are in the same overall practice, just different locations. Tomorrow I'll see my regular OB for the last time before she has her baby next week - and then we'll know........what baby mccool is! The bets are pouring in - well, not $ bets, just verbal thoughts on what this little one is. Boy is winning out so far, but there are a few who really believe it is a girl. Tomorrow we'll know - well, we'll be 90% sure...... :)

The visit was good this morning - I am measuring just about right (19). I think I might be gaining too much weight too fast - but the Dr. told me that if it were anyone else, he might be concerned, but because he knows my athletic history and feels I am about as low risk as you can get (yeah!), he thinks my weight gain is fine (not to mention I had just completed a marathon a few weeks before getting prego! Speaking of, Boston is this weekend, next year next year). I told him that I work out 4-5 days/week, but probably don't eat as well as I should - sometimes I just eat what I want (not typical for me!). Again, he told me not to worry and to just eat what I want to eat. That's what I like to hear! He did tell me not to let PJ force feed me (LOL - he worries I sometimes don't eat enough - well, I can assure you I am!) - just a caring father thinking of his child!

The heartbeat was good - about 150 beats/minute - and he could hear baby kicking away in my belly - though I could not feel a thing! I am still not sure if I sometimes feel the baby or not......it is hard to tell. I guess in the next month it will become clear.

House update - made an offer on a cute on in Broad Ripple! Now it's the waiting game - will they accept, counter, or just ignore? We'll know by noon today hopefully! Once we have something for sure, I'll post pics. New belly pics will be up this week as well!

Hope you all are doing fantastic!

15 week update

Things are going great - I feel good, I have more energy - thank goodness for the second trimester!

JOB UPDATE - alert alert......yes, I was promoted to "Senior Advisor" in my office. Woohoo!! I am going to help coordinate our learning community program and coordinate special events for the advising center in addition to my regular advising responsibilities (though I will spend less time on those to have time for new things!). I am really excited about the new opportunities that await me. I officially start on April 1, though I really started already. And there is a lot to take care of!

BABY UPDATE - baby McCool is doing great! Had a doctor's visit this morning and things are going fine. I need to drink more water, which I can swing. Honestly, I thought I was drinking enough - I am so thristy all the time and drink a lot already! I have gained a total of 8-10 lbs since I found out I was pregnant (sometimes I like to quote my pre-prego weight at my ideal weight and maybe I was a little heavier than that - especially since I hadn't been running due to my IT band). Anyway, my doctor is not concerned in the least. It seems like a lot, but most people still can't tell I am pregnant unless they know me really weel and don't think I have gotten much bigger! I am eating well, working out, sleeping lots, all the things I should be doing! I tried running last week - ha ha, that was a joke, but want to try again this weekend. Walking seems like the easier option now.....

We heard the heartbeat on the doppler today - it was really fast, maybe 168! The baby is really low too....probably why my pants don't fit! What do the wives tales say about that? Girl? Boy? :)

At my appt, my doctor and I discussed my desire for natural childbirth. Obviously, I would never put my child at danger and if need be, am open to changing the plan at the time. But, PJ and I are going to start a Bradley Method class this April - I am so excited! My doctor also recommended that we look into hiring a doula, which is something I had previously thought about. She said the Bradley method and support from a doula complement each other. Evidence proves that an experienced doula CAN help labor and often women who choose to have a doula have a lower % of c-sections and less need for other medical interventions. They also tend to have shorter labors (BONUS!). Yes, I know, it all depends on the situation and how things are going along at the time, but I think a doula is worth the money (it's like going out for a fancy steak dinner, which we enjoy, so we'll just have to skip one to pay for the doula!). I had done some research previously at dona.net and think I will start doing that again. My doctor actually encouraged me to bring whichever doula we select to a few appts so they can get to know each other. Great plan!

Starting next month, I will be seeing a doctor from my regular family practice since my doctor is having a baby in April! I will continue with the other doctor until she returns, but am happy to see either doctor, as they are both fantastic!

Next month we will also be scheduled to have our ultrasound to determine the gender of the baby. Can't wait! I am headed home in April for Courtney's marathon, and hope we can get the ultrasound scheduled before then, which would allow us to share the news with my family in person!

My first doctor's visit

Monday I had my first visit to the doctor. It was wonderful - our doctor is fantastic and spent a lot of time with us - asking us questions, and answering our questions. We are so thankful to have such a caring and meticulous doctor.

During the visit, the doctor wanted to verify how far along I was, so we did an exam and attempted to hear the heartbeat. But because of the position of my cervix, it was not possible to hear the heartbeat. We were asked to come back for an ultrasound. Considering that I am only 10-11 weeks is also a reason that they might not have been able to find the heartbeat. Not to mention, the doctor thought I was too small to really be as far as I thought I was........

Of course, the 48 hours following our visit were SCARY! While my gut told me that everything was fine (and of course the queasiness and fatigue and overheated feeling that randomly overcomes me and excessive thirst), there was some worry. I wanted to get in sooner, but it was not possible. I read everything I could find about not finding a heartbeat this soon, and everything I read reassured me to the fact that most likely, everything was fine. The doctor did not really seem worried either - she just wanted to do the ultrasound to verify my due date, which she quoted as Sept 3.

When we finally got in for the ultrasound, I thought I was going to be sick! I was so nervous - and immediately, when she started the procedure, we could see BABY! Baby McCool is an energetic one, just like his/her mom - didn't want to sit still at all! The heartbeat was about 162 beats/minute - perfect speed! With the help of two different ultrasounds, we verified my due date and that there is only ONE baby. The doctor thinks I could be further along by a day or two, but we are going to keep my due date for Sept 3. Everything looks great! Baby McCool is about a thumb's length long - 4 centimeters. Amazing!

During it all, I wanted to cry - it was just so amazing and I felt such relief! We go back in 4 weeks for our next check up. Oh - and today I wore maternity pants for the first time (thanks for sending them mom!) - I was tired of not being able to button my pants and wearing a belt to keep them up (the rubber band thing isn't working for me!). The maternity pants are much more comfortable. People at work must think I am slacking on my running (which I am) since my belly just looks pudgy to the normal person. But I know the real secret........

Hope you enjoy the pics below!

6 weeks along!

I went to see my family doctor last week to do a follow up on my IT Band, but of course, we spent most of the time discussing the baby - how I was feeling, how much I should be doing, etc.... I do plan to continue running throughout the pregnancy, at least until the third trimester, when it will be a humid summer and I may take up non-impact swimming! Things are moving along well, the only thing getting bigger, well is not my belly yet.....but another part of my body!

It is really hard to not shout this news to everyone - I want to share it all so bad, but want to wait just about 5-6 more weeks before. I know I can do it, though some people are already suspecting something.......when I choose sprite over diet coke, or decaf earl gray tea over my normal double full-caffeine mocha! Luckily, since I have had this horrible cold, I have not really gone out anywhere socially, but I am sure that will pose more suspicions - especially when I choose water over wine!

This weekend I ran both days - which was great! I have not run essentially since the marathon - so it is good to get back into it all.

This week the nausea has really set in - I have not gotten sick, but just at various times during the day, start feeling really queasy. I need to make sure I eat consistently, which tends to curb the feelings. Last Thursday night at Tucker's dog class, at the very end, I kinda passed out....well, it was really hot in there - I had taken my antibiotic, and then forgot to eat the granola bar that I grabbed. I was standing there in the room, thinking, can I make it to the chair? Well, I did, but that was the end of that - the next thing I know there are tons of people around me - asking me if I am okay, putting cold rags on my head, giving my a sprite and food, asking me to "stay with us!". It was a little scary to say the least. I started sweating like no other....PJ came to get me that night, and then I got the lecture on making sure I eat consistently. And I am trying, but believe it or not, I just don't have much of an appetite most of the time. I am eating less at meals, but more often I guess.

Even though I have not been very hungry, I have been extremely thirsty! Usually when we buy a case of water, it lasts a few weeks, but it has only been a week and we only have a bottle or two left. Of course, I could refill the bottles, which I do at work, but at home, I get lazy. I know, it is wasteful, but at least I recycle!

Finally - debating on the doctor issue. Do I go with an OB-GYN or stick with the family practitioner.....I know most of my friends have used an OB-GYN, but I really like the idea of using my family doctor - he specializes in maternity care.....and uses a very natural approach, which appeals to me. Since I am low-risk, I can't imagine why it wouldn't be fine. He delivers at a hospital, and not matter what happens, is always with you - of course, there is an OB on call, should one be needed. I hope to tour some hospitals soon, and am very interested in a more natural/gentle approach to birth - such as a water birth. The place my family doctor delivers does have that option....so we'll see!