I’m halfway through my pregnancy and I’m celebrating with a doctor’s appointment, which I would have canceled if it weren’t for the drugs. Say what?
You see, next Wednesday I have my anatomy scan, which means we’ll find out the sex of Gangsta baby. We’ll also hopefully hear that he or she is healthy and that’s really all I care about. I couldn’t care less if it’s a boy or a girl, so long as he or she arrives alive.
Now, about those drugs…
We’re flying to Orlando for our annual family reunion in Disney World soon. The past three years, we’ve taken the Amtrak Autotrain, which I love. But this year, during a moment of security, I decided flying would be fine. And I’m pregnant, so Xanax isn’t an option. However, I hear it’s safe to take Ambien, so today I shall beg. I will beg my doctor to be knocked out for the duration of this short flight. And I realize that means I’ll be a groggy, useless bitch the whole time and that Toby Joe will have to take care of everything, but that’s the way it goes. I would rather be drooling and half awake than worried sick and have that wear off on my 3-year-old. (Em is BEYOND excited about flying on an airplane for the first time. Who am I take away that excitement?)
So today I have an appointment where my doctor will put a device to my huge belly and we’ll most definitely hear a heartbeat. How am I so sure? How am I suddenly so secure? Because just like Baby Ndugu, this baby NEVER STOPS MOVING. And he or she is active at all the same times Emory was. Therefore, I’ve decided that we’re having a boy. They’re entirely too similar.
How I’m Doing Physically
Right around week 19, the nausea finally died down but not before throwing a 2-day grand finale. (I was laid up, sideways for two days at my mom’s house. Brutal.) I still have some nightly bouts of it but it’s easier.
The taste in my mouth has not gone away, however. And that blows. That taste is horrific and I think it’s here for the duration. I’ve read that if it continues for this long it won’t go away until the moment the I give birth.
But the heartburn! OMG the heartburn. About two weeks ago, it arrived. And I haven’t the slightest idea what to do about it. It flares up no matter what I do. Eat too much. It’s there. Eat too little. It’s there. Eat not at all. It’s there. No matter what I eat. It’s there.
So I’ve chewed criminally large quantities of papaya pills; I’ve even sipped milk (which I was told might help) and I hate milk. I’ve chewed on Tums but I’m trying to savor the Tums because I just know they are going to stop working eventually and I don’t want to be 35 weeks pregnant and sobbing due to acid reflux.
The heartburn sucks. I didn’t have it until very, very late with Em, like probably 37 or so weeks. So, this is new to me.
My belly is growing fast. It’s not at all shy, although there are still people who look at me as if I’m tapping the keg too early. But whatever. And I’ve put on way too much weight this time around. I know that today I’ll get a look from my doctor. The thing is, I haven’t the slightest idea HOW this happened. I haven’t been eating a lot. I don’t eat sweets as they make me feel the sickest. With Em I ate cupcakes and cinamon buns like it was my job. This one? Not so! So where are all these pounds coming from?
I’ve put on 8 pounds (probably more at this point but I’m terrified of getting on the scale after last time) in less than 7 weeks. Nuts. My calves are screaming.
But with this pregnancy, I was so sick for the first few months and so terrified of losing the baby again, I didn’t hit the gym. (With Emory I never stopped going.) That changed two weeks ago. I’ve been going at least 4 times a week hoping to curb this weight gain
Otherwise, what can I say? I’m pregnant! And I’m so excited. And every time I look at Em I realize he’s going to be a big brother. He’s told us he wants a brother. He wants to play ball with him. He wants to show him his toys.
“I want a brothah”
“What if it’s a girl?”
“I want a brothah. I want to talk to him.”
And I can’t wait.
I simply cannot wait for them to talk.
So happy to hear wonderful news! It is the most amazing feeling when the baby moves. Congratulations!
Try a handful of almonds for your heartburn, and check with your doctor about whether Prilosec is safe. I’ve had heartburn for my whole life and it kicks into high gear when I’m pregnant. Those two items saved me almost every day.
:) And congratulations. I’m excited for you and jealous all at the same time!
Just in case: Persimmon Tea really helped me with heartburn
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2009/08/02/persimmon-tea-eases-acid-reflux/
I’ll be 16 weeks tomorrow and I still have the morning sickness. You’ve giving me hope that it still might go away though.
Danny (my 6 yo) says he wants a little brother because ‘girls don’t like zombies’
To bad for him, I think it’s a girl. This pregnancy is soooo different than it was with the boys. (2 of them).
Congrantualtions and I’m happy for you that you’ve let go some of the anxitiy.
Good luck.
So happy for you. Sounds like everything is going along well and I love that Emory is so excited. It’s really cool and I’m just thrilled for you! Take care!
M
I had horrific heartburn with my baby. Tums and papaya were a joke. But, I found that chewing a piece of gum helped almost instantaneously. I don’t know why, maybe the swallowing? The heartburn would get so bad that I’d wake up in the middle of the night to chew some gum and then fall asleep with the gum in my mouth. Thought I’d throw it out there in case it helps!
I tried the gum thing too. The only downside is how absolutely disgusting gum tastes when it’s been in your mouth all night!
Honestly, watching your older child become a big brother will be amazing. Yes, it’s challenging for Evan sometimes because Joe is so active now, but it is an amazing bond that I cannot possibly describe. And, I think no matter if Emory gets a baby brother or sister, he is going to be an amazing big brother because he’s such an amazing little boy! :)
I too am having the heartburn early. In fact, it started as soon as I got pregnant. Last time it was just the last few weeks or so. And the nausea is still occasionally getting me too, although now its only a couple times a week. I have my anatomy scan tomorrow!
Ask the doctor for something to help with the heartburn. My heartburn was literally eating away at my throat, and he proscribed me zantac. It made all the difference for a while, then it didn’t even touch the heartburn. Then I got these tiny little pills, took 1 every 2 days and it was amazing.
You don’t have to suffer, just ask if there is something safe that you can take.
Believe it or not, PEPCID! It’s OK to take for heartburn. YAY ME! (Doc confirmed this, so on terrible days, that’s what I’m going for.)
I believe Rolaids are what I used when had horrible heartburn with my son they are much smaller than tums.
My son is almost 3 and we just got back from our first flying family vacation he too was super excited & loved the plane “can we have another turn”
Are you at all worried about the dynamic of second child & Em? I consider trying for another one in a year or so but am worried about sibling rivalry since we have so spoiled our wonderful first born :)
I’m so glad to hear things are going pretty well! Considering you are pregnant and there will be some downs of course! I can’t believe you are half way through! So happy for you! Can’t wait to hear if it’s a boy or a girl!
I swear these shoulder and chest opening yoga poses helped me with heartburn & reflux. I have crappy posture made worse by the huge pregnancy boobs. It is only 13 minutes with my toddler dancing all around me.
http://www.prenatalyogacenter.com/cmps_index.php?page=free-yoga-videos
Very happy for you guys!
I am so happy for you. Except for the heartburn etc. It’s wonderful you’re doing so well. I’ll be thinking of you :)
I can’t wait to see Em’s brothah, or sistah.
1/2 tsp baking soda with 1/2 cup water. Give a good stir and chug. I’ve never been pregnant but I have big time stomach problems and this has never failed me.
Hiya Mom! Its your puddle jumping friend here. I know this sounds gross but a tablespoon of that Fayeh yogurt always works for me. are you allowed to have that stuff?
sorry, I should have stated that I am not now nor have I ever been suffering heartburn due to pregnancy. Ive just always had it.
So happy for you for the brood! Also, when you fly, get the compression stockings and do the leg exercises during the flight. That’ll keep you distracted from worrying!
ZANTAC! I took two a day, maximum strength for almost my whole pregnancy–the doc said it was OK, the midwife said it was OK, and online it said it was the safest. I still had breakthrough symptoms but it was so, so much better than nothing (and let’s face it, Tums may as well be nothing). Also, gum (though this helped more with my first pregnancy) and yep, milk. I’m lactose intolerant and don’t like milk but a quarter cup when it was really bad would take the edge off for a while. I tried papaya too–nothing.
Good luck! I just had the baby on Wednesday and the heart burn is gone. Almost as excited about that as I am about my new babe!