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| Olive You |
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| Week 9 |
My Baby’s Development: Good-bye embryo, hello fetus! Now the size of a green olive, my baby has grown about an inch since last week. Tiny muscles are beginning to form, so while he/she might not be ready to pump iron, he’s/she’s gearing up to move both arms and legs. They say I might be able to hear something at my next visit but guess what? I already have last week. The head has straightened out and is more fully developed, the ears are much more prominent, and some new organs (the liver, spleen, and gallbladder) are forming. My baby fetus is also making spontaneous movements of his or her arms and legs now that minuscule muscles are beginning to develop, though I won't feel my tiny dancer for at least another two months.
Moi: They say - Chances are you've never felt so tired in your life and for good reason: Your body is working overtime preparing for motherhood as it develops the placenta, your baby's lifeline. However, they must have never endured a roller derby practice! At the same time, your metabolism and hormone levels are surging, which triggers a decrease in blood sugar and blood pressure. The result of all this: pregnancy fatigue. Relief is around the corner as your energy level increases (and morning sickness decreases) over the next few weeks once placenta construction is completed. The most benign and typical type of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is called "implantation bleeding" and comes from the spot in the uterus your little fetus has chosen to implant. If the bleeding continues, your doctor or mid-wife will probably recommend that you avoid any heavy/high-energy activities and avoid sex. You may also be placed on modified bed-rest to improve implantation.
Frequent urination: “Extravagant” should be my word because it just seems to fit these days. I pee and pee and pee. If there were a pee fairy, I’d be freakin’ rich!
Breast tenderness and change: OHMG my nuggets are so tender. Not the kind that you think hmmm, can you spare some bbq sauce. I feel like I got hit with a dodge ball in both. I think I’ve gained like .25 ounces in boobage. Not much but definatley a subtle change. Can there be a boob fairy? Please?
Excessive saliva: Thankfully not yet.
Heartburn and indigestion: Chew some sugarless gum. Chewing increases saliva, which then neutralizes the acid in your stomach. Tums or Rolaids also eases the burn (and gives you a calcium boost to boot). So far no heartburn for me. Yay!
Flatulence: Got enough gas to rival a frat boy? But if you’d like to keep those embarrassing explosions to a minimum, try opting for small meals that won’t overload your digestive system as much as large meals do. I’m kinda glad at this point that I sleep alone because sometimes I feel like I’m in fraternity: ‘Lamda Gassy Beta Phew’.
Bloating: To keep that gassy, bloated feeling to a minimum, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation (see below), which can aggravate bloating. I think I need to hook myself up to an IV on some days…yesterday I felt like a bloated puffy fish it was uncomfortable and it sucked.
Constipation: To avoid even more bloating, try to get those bowels moving at their normal (or prepregnancy normal) pace. Besides drinking lots of water, have a go at fruit and vegetable juices to make you go. You could try hot water and lemon first thing in the morning (or last thing at night) — some pregnant women swear by it! Not so far, I have flaxseed and it will be my best friend
Increased sense of smell: You would think I have an aardvarks nose with my sense of smell these days.
Total weight gain/loss: Lost 1 more pound since 2 weeks ago (Total is 10.4 pounds that I’ve lost since Sept 1st).
Sleep: I-N-T-E-R-R-U-P-T-E-D from visiting the powder room so often I think I actually sleepwalk there just because I’m so use to it now
Food Cravings: Fruit and Veggies. Thankfully!
Best moment this week: When the father said he still loves me. Were going through a bumpy road right now. Also when my cousin sent me a ultrasound pic of a blueberry. Haha cute.
Movement: just my patas to the toilet.
Gender: Everyone says a boy but I’m hoping for a girl. In any case, as long as he or she are healthy and has all limbs joints and happy, then I’m happy!
Labor Signs: None!
Belly Button in or out: In
What I miss: Sleeping through the night, being able to skate and some of my friends who were in my life who I've sadly lost touch with.
What I am looking forward to: My nuggets growing, hey although its temporary, it's safer than a boob job! And when talking to my BFF Rosa, her son will only be a year older than my kid.
Weekly Wisdom: Tell the ones you love, that you love them. When someone means so much, don’t let stupid things get in the way, soften your heart, smash your pride and enjoy what time we have with one another. We never know when that time will be up. Sometimes I have to remind myself as well.
Milestones: Still losing weight and yes I’m still eating.
On a sadder note, my previous supervisor Dio Sanchez passed away this past Monday and I was lucky enough to send him an email to let him know that I'm growing a little human inside of me. My current supervisor Theresa let him know in person and he smiled. In my email I let him know of the wonderful traits he shared with his children that I would love to pass on with my little one, to be vested in his/her future and to not only teach them, but learn along beside them.
