FIRST VISIT WITH MY MIDWIFE

Today was my first visit with our midwife. Her name is Lisa Mattke. She is a midwife at our Health Partners clinic. She seemed nice and took the time to answer all my questions. I think Paul liked her too.

Last night was a very bad sleep night for me. I must have gotten up at least 10 times to use the bathroom. ARGH!!! Usually I only have to get up a couple of times. It is so hard for me to tell if I have a bladder infection or is this pregnancy related or interstitial cystitis (IC). I have been battling IC for a few years, but with meds it seems to be in remission for the most part.

I requested the midwife run a Urine Analysis, and it came back with white blood cells present so I will be treated for a bladder infection. Well hopefully with that cleared up I will be able to sleep better!

We heard the babies heartbeat. It was 150. It was kind of neat as she would find the heartbeat and my babe would quickly move again. The babe likes to move alot!

One question I had was how important is it to not sleep on my back while pregnant. To my great relief the midwife said that I could continue to sleep on my back until about 35 weeks. WHEW.....I can't seem to sleep on my side, drives me nuts.

I had questions about what the difference is in the birth process between a Dr and a midwife. She said that the midwife will be with me through the labor and delivery and will provide for labor support. She will get me up walking more and into the tub, etc for relaxation.

One confusing thing she told me was that I *could continue to take my Claretin for my allergies during the pregnancy. My allergist had told me not to and the midwife said to take it. It is so hard to know what you *can really take and what will hurt your baby. It think I will only take this if I really really have to.

THE SECOND TRIMESTER.......

Well everyone tells me life gets better from here on.   I will believe it when I see it.  Today is the official first day of my 2nd trimester/ 14th week.   I have seen some improvements but the tiredness is back again.  I seemed better over the weekend, but still dragging.   I want some energy, I have a ton to get done! 

Well of course you are all wondering what our little bundle of joy accomplished during their 13th week of development????

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH OUR BABY........

Measuring in at about seven centimeters, crown-to-rump, and weighing about two ounces, our baby-to-be will spend the rest of the pregnancy concentrating on growing and becoming strong enough to live outside the uterus. Our baby's intestines have now moved from outside the body to inside the abdomen. While our baby won't be saying "Mommy" for some time, vocal cords are now developing. Our fetus also has developed many reflexes and will squirm inside of me if my abdomen is prodded.

HOW AM I DOING??......
So far my total weight gain has been 4-5 pounds.  It seems to vary.  I am trying to do my exercises more often.  Hopefully that will help with leg cramps.  My next appointment is to meet out midwife, on May 8th.   Allergy season is starting to kick in, I am pretty sniffly but the asthma seems to be ok.