My Pregnancy and Delivery Story

Sometimes 2022 December

I didn’t back up my old posts from another domain so I need to re-write this before I forget. I really should have saved it. I’m now writing this 16 months post delivery so this is to my best memory.

About a week before my last OB appointment, I started having really bad itchiness on my hand and all around my body. I googled it and learned that this could be something called cholestasis. It has to do with  some liver condition during pregnancy. I brought it up to my OB but he didn't think this was too concerning. He ordered a blood test just to be sure. I got my blood results on Sunday, 12/18/22 and my liver function tests in the blood were abnormal. I texted my OB doc within 30 minutes to an hour of seeing my result and he told me that he wants me to get admitted for an induction that day. 

My husband and I went out for brunch and ate at my parent's house for dinner and checked ourselves into the hospital by 6:50pm.

Around 9pm, I was given induction medication misoprostol vaginally once (1 out of 3) and also got put on oxytocin IV.

Nothing really happened until about midnight. Starting at midnight, I started having contractions, STRONG contractions. I can't even explain what it felt like because it is truly indescribable. Then, I told the nurse at 1:30am-ish that I think I need the epidural. I felt bad because it felt so early for me to ask for an epidural but then it was so painful! The nurse gave me some assurance that it was okay for me to get it now because I was dilating so fast. I didn't even need Around 2am, the anesthesiologist came and he was done by 2:40am. It took so long only because I could still feel on my right side, right leg. But, the left side was all completely unfeelable! Wow, the relief that epidural gave me was amazing. 

Around 3:30am, the nurse came to check on me and said she thinks I'm ready to start pushing! I was shocked because I was told that induction can take anywhere from 12 hours to 48 hours. By 3:50am, I was starting to push. They had me push for like 3 breaths and then a break in between. I thought I was going to pass out! Even though I was on oxygen, I felt so dizzy from pushing. By 4:31am Monday 12/19/2022, baby was born. I had a second degree tear and only about 40 minutes of pushing, ambulated by 7am.

12/13/2022 Week 38-39

Week 38

This week, we really started doing baby laundry. We’re doing clothing, swaddles, mats, covers etc.

We were so blessed and did not have to buy a single item of clothing! But, oh man, we have gotten so much

stuff that I feel like I’m drowning in baby clothes. I’m taking naps almost every day before it even hits noon!

It’s getting harder and harder to breathe and the heartburn is coming on pretty strong.

At the OB appointment, we learned that the baby is at 7lbs 2 oz at 48th percentile. That’s how I like it!

I just want everything about the baby to be at average. Is that weird to say I just want an average baby?

We went on what we think will be our final date before the baby comes. We ate out and saw Christmas lights! I

t makes me a little sad that it’s never going to be just him and me. It’s going to be him, me, and a baby!

Another human being to be responsible for! It’s scary but I can’t wait to meet this little human!

I thought once I was on maternity leave, I would be seeing all the people that I couldn’t see because of

work and school. But I lost my first 2 weeks of maternity leave to COVID and now at 38 weeks I just

don’t really want to leave my house. 2 out of the 3 social events that were supposed to happen this week

got canceled, but the 1 that I went to…. It ended up being a surprise baby shower! It was really sweet and

they got us so much stuff and the conversations were really special.

Week 39

Okay, Any moment now. It’s Monday and I’m at the OB office. Due date is this coming Sunday (6 days from

now). So it could be really any moment. I thought I was in labor 2 days ago Saturday because I thought my

water broke! But I think it was just left over pee. I feel like (and I hope) the baby is going to come this

Saturday. I feel like I might go into labor on Friday and have baby Saturday. I hope it works out that way.

OB appointment went well. The baby's head is engaged, which is kind of shocking to me because everyone

around me have been saying how high my belly looks. And, I feel like my belly's pretty high up there too!

12/8/2022 Week 36-37

Week 36

So excited to start maternity leave!!! I change my gestation week every Sunday, so I started 36th week right at the start of Thanksgiving week! This week, we'll be driving up to northern California to visit family for Thanksgiving. The drive to and from Big Bear (about 2 hours of driving) was a little rough. I'm hoping that it won't be too hard for me to stay in the car too long. It's going to be triple the time (6 hours) to northern California so I am nervous.

The baby's head is downwards and from here on, I'll be visiting my doctor weekly!

Sleeping at 36 weeks is not fun. It's so hard to get into a comfortable position. Luckily, I fall asleep pretty fast but when I wake up in the middle of the night, it's so hard to go back to sleep. I'll wake up at like 2 am and stay up until 5/6am to fall back asleep just to be up at 7am again. Plus, sleeping in a new bed in someone else's house is pretty rough :/

...I got COVID. on Thanksgiving. I started coughing on the drive up (Tuesday) and I thought it was the dry car/norcal air. Doing COVID test didn't even cross my mind. Thursday morning, I woke up with a stuffy nose and my sister-in-law told me to do the at-home test. It was freaking positive. I couldn't believe it. I haven't even had patient contact for the past 3-5 weeks because I was on modified/light duty. My husband and I had to quarantine/isolate ourselves and "to-go" food from our SIL's place and bring it to our place next door to eat it. Luckily, husband's testing negative for now.

My symptoms were mild. Mild cough, stuffy nose, and fatigue. But then, I started to psych myself out and started Googling COVID and pregnancy. There were so many scary information on Google. I anxiously counted the baby's kicks and THANK GOODNESS baby was active as usual. I left a message for the doctor's office and called the maternity unit. They just told me hydrate and if my symptoms were mild, there was nothing to really worry about. We drove back home on Friday and just stayed home separated from each other all weekend masking around each other.

Week 37

My husband now has tested positive. Luckily, his symptoms are also mild, but it just sucks because this is the busiest week for him.

I had to get admitted to the maternity unit briefly (about 2-3 hours) to rule out pre-eclampsia. When I went to the doctor's office, my diastolic blood pressure was 90, which I thought was fine. But, I guess once your blood pressure is 140/90, it's danger zone. Also, my blood pressure readings have usually been under 110s/80s so it was particularly concerning to my doctor. I went to the maternity triage to get my BP read every 15 minutes, urine tested, and blood drawn. I was hooked up to the baby monitor and blood pressure cuff and every 15 minutes I would anxiously look at my BP reading. Luckily, everything was fine and I got discharged within 2-3 hours. I guess I was just so shocked that the doctor sent me from his office straight to the hospital with the warning, "you may have to stay overnight," it was really scary for me. Thank god everything okay and I didn't need my husband to bring all my electronics for an overnight stay at the hospital. But, for sure, from now on I'm always going to pack my external phone charger to the OB appointments.

 

11/16/2022 Week 31-35

Week 31

This kid is a coconut at 16 freaking inches!

Okay, I feel a little better about gestational diabetes (GDM). I mean it still sucks, but I've come to be okay with it already. Husband's efforts to pack all my meals have really helped. I was feeling overwhelmed about the meal packing part, but him doing it for me relieved the stress. My sugar has been well controlled for breakfast and dinners but lunch sugar checks are usually high. I have a meeting with my OB and the dietician again tomorrow. Hopefully my sugar is good enough where I'll meet them in a couple weeks and not next week.

I had the most wonderful dream about having a baby! In my dream, my baby latched on immediately and breastfeeding was a breeze. I hope it goes that way. 

My belly button is almost ready to pop out but it hasn't yet! aaannd, I definitely cannot shave myself safely anymore.

My sleep quality is not good. I wake up constantly trying to find a comfortable position or on my back and I kind of freak out and try to lie on my left side. Although, I've read that it really doesn't matter as long as you sleep well. But, I still freak and turn to my side. I also wake up from horrible leg cramp. Usually it happens to my right calf and it feels so bad. Last night, I teared up because it hurt so bad :(

For our wedding anniversary this year, we got a full body (pregnancy massage for me). But honestly, the best massage comes from your partner's hands :)

Part of me wants to do maternity shoot, but another part of me doesn't want to do anything. Another part of me wants to do a baby shower, but then again... I don't know. It's so hard to make any decisions anymore these days. I don't think I'm nesting (I haven't had the urge to prep the house or anything), but I find myself not wanting to do anything besides just rub my stomach on the couch. Now that I've written this, I think I should cut myself some slack! I'm freaking on a diet for GDM, working full-time, going to school full-time, and growing a human being inside of me! Of course, I don't want to do anything!

I just met with my dietician and OB. We made an adjustment to my morning snack and lunch carb given that my post-lunch sugar is high. I'm moving 15g of carbs from lunch to morning snack, I also told my dietician that I feel really hungry and she said consider vegetables and protein to be free foods, which made me feel so much better. Although... She doesn't know that I can consume so much protein in one seating. I'll still try to stick to my allotment of protein, but if I"m still really hungry, I'm going to bump up the protein and veggies. I told her I cheated and had ice cream one night, and she said, "I'm never going to tell a pregnant woman not to have ice cream." This also made me feel relieved. I was getting teary eyed there again! ah! I guess most women struggle with the fasting glucose (the one you take when you wake up before any meal), but mine is weirdly lunch. But, there's a plan so hopefully that helps! And then... I kind of cheated for couple meals after this. But, my sugar was fine! :D

I thought that I wouldn't have anything from anyone because I'm not really close to anyone who had a baby recently (I'm not really close to that many people to begin with in the first place). But I've been so blessed with all these stuff from unexpected places! I thought I would have to buy everything myself but the baby stuff is coming along!

Besides the baby stuff, my sweet sweet friend made freaking turkey meatballs for me in my hot kitchen to help with my diabetes meal plan. It's so so nice.

This job accommodation was supposed to last me for weeks 30,31, and 32. But the department no longer needs me after this week. So... what am I going to do for week 32, 33, 34, and 35 until I go on maternity leave??? I mean I would love to go on leave early but I just need to make sure there's going to be some kind of income!

Today is week 31 day 6. This might be the last day I work. I'm still unsure as to whether I'll be eligible for disability leave with my no lifting more than 15 pounds restriction note. This is what I posted in forums and I'm still collecting answers:

I'm 31 weeks pregnant and I'm having the hardest time figuring out maternity leave.
I work as a registered nurse but due to back and hip aches, I got a note from my OB that says I cannot lift more than 15 pounds.
I've been taken off of my job and have been given office work as modified duty (job accommodation).
However, after this week, the hospital I work at no longer needs me in the office and there will be no more accommodations made. My HR said I can go on leave.
Will I qualify for disability insurance since my employer cannot accommodate me?
Will weeks 32, 33, 34, 35 be paid through disability insurance (60-70%)?
And will disability insurance last through 6 weeks after birth?
*Total of 15 weeks: 9 weeks until birth (32 weeks to birth) AND 6 weeks after birth.

Week 32

My anxiety right now is at an all time high, My job modification ended and now I have to do something else which I am so so so nervous about. I literally feel like I'm going to throw up. But, I think I can do it. I just feel nervous doing something new and I'm so afraid. The anxiety is too much.

I guess I'll be doing a new job for the next 3.5 weeks. I really hope everything goes well and I can peacefully take my maternity leave a 36 weeks.

Week 33/34

I feel like I have so much more discharge! Sometimes, I have to change my underwear multiple times a day. I hate wearing pantyliners, but I don't know what else to do because it's just so much.

I had my husband pluck my hair from in between my belly button and crotch area. I get some thick hairs there and usually I like plucking them. But now that I can’t really see, I had him do it for me and it was so intimate!!! I don't think I can ask him to shave me, but it is pretty tempting...

We went on a smol babymoon to Big Bear. Sitting in the car for more than an hour was actually harder than I expected. My stomach felt like it was so tight and balled up. All the windy road didn't help either :/

Week 35

My finger joints are hurting. This was something that I did not know would happen. Every morning, I feel like such a grandma because it feels like I have arthritis all over my joints. It hurts to curl my fingers and I can't even make a fist in the morning.

I have stuff coming out of my nipples! It is the weirdest thing ever! I randomly squeezed my boobs and oh man... clear stuff with some whiteness comes out. It really is the trippiest thing ever.

This is my last week working and I CANNOT WAIT TO BE HOME!!!

I got a baby shower in the end! My husband's current work place was so kind to throw us a baby shower. They decorated so nicely and I was really grateful. I didn't think I would be getting a baby shower from anyone and it was really making me feel sad. I didn't have the guts to ask anyone for it. There were people who offered, but I couldn't follow up with them because I felt bad. But, husband's co-workers threw me one and I was so so thankful.

9/19/2022 Week 27-30: sick and gestational diabetes

Week 27

The fetus is cabbage size now!

Why is navigating through maternity leave so freaking hard!!?? I’ve watched so many YouTube videos and talked to people but it’s still so confusing. It’s even harder to find someone at HR at work to talk about because everything in regards to HR at my work is done over the phone.

I’ve been feeling sick. Cough, sneeze, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, and sweating. I’ve tested for COVID but it’s not COVID. Man, I really wanted to save my PTO and sick time for maternity leave but I’m going to have to use it. It sucks that you can’t even be sick without having to worry about money.

 

Week 28

I’m starting to feel pretty overwhelmed. Maybe I’m just moody because of pregnancy or maybe it’s the combination of work, school, and pregnancy! Or maybe it’s the fact that I got a call from my OB saying my one hour glucose test was abnormal. It made me feel horrible. I had done one pretty early on in my pregnancy and it was normal then. Since then, all my tests have been fine. But this is the first time that something we came back abnormal. I’m going to be going to my doctor’s office for a two hour glucose test in about a week. I just kind kind of down 😮‍💨

I can flex my belly to have my belly button come out. That’s pretty insane!!

Week 29

I had to do 2 hour glucose test and I had to fast for it. I felt so sick after the drink. I was nauseous and had to wait at the doctor's office for 2 hours. Just sit around waiting for the blood draw to be done. They made me drink that sugar drink when I got here at 9:30 and did a blood draw at 10:30 and then again at 11:30. I really hope I pass! One of my coworkers said she didn't pass and had to give herself insulin shots. I hope I don't have to go there.
I'm getting work accommodation. It's still getting figured out, but I think it's going to happen. I did not know that I was suppose to tell someone about the weight limit I got from my doctor. I told my charge nurse about it and he didn't tell me I had to let my manager and HR know. I guess I should've figured that a male charge nurse wouldn't know what to do with the note. Anyways, I sent the note from my OB about not lifting more than 15 pounds and now HR is looking for a different job in the hospital for me. I'm hoping I can work until 36 weeks and then start my leave. It sounded like they have something for me to do for week 30, 31, and 32. And then, I/they need to figure out week 33, 34, and 35. Freaking maternity leave and all these pay/job protection programs are so confusing!!!

Oh my gosh, it's week 29 day 6 and I just started my modified/light duty work. I should've asked for this weeks ago when I got the doctor's note! Today has been pretty chill at work and I regret not asking for this earlier! I mean, the morning was pretty crazy but it was way better than being on the floor!

Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this is how I look!

Week 30

UGH! I failed my 2 hour glucose test. My fasting glucose at 9:30 was normal 68 (normal range is 65-91). My 10:30 reading was 199 (normal range <180) and my 2 hours (11:30) blood draw was 163 (normal <153). My doctor now wants me to check my sugar before breakfast, after breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner.. I thought he was going to tell me to just watch what I eat and exercise, but he added on the sugar checks. I tried one on myself and oh the fear of poking myself was too much!!! I wish I didn't have to do this :( I have to check in with my OB next week for a follow up to see how I'm trending and I have to have a meeting with a freaking diabetes educator! AHHH.

I met with the diabetes educator and I've been put on 1900 calorie diet + macro counting + 4 sugar checks/day). I had a total mental breakdown yesterday because it just seemed so unfair. I thought I'm supposed to be eating 2400 calories! I was so hungry all day and fixated on time, specifically the next time i could eat. I was literally sobbing because I was so upset. My poor husband had to take all that emotion in while he was feeling sick from his flu and COVID booster shot. I felt a lot better after a walk but it still bothers me that I'm at 1900 calories!

After a day or two of extreme sadness, I came to terms with it and was somewhat okay. It's such a hassle to have to count how much of what I eat, but it's better than increasing the baby's risk of getting diabetes.

This is my life now :( Poking myself 4 times a day)

8/22/2022 Week 21-26 (End of my 2nd trimester + 30th birthday)

Week 21/22

Ahh! I don't know how time is going by so fast.
Some things that I remember from the past week or two are that: I think my feet are swelling up.
I seem to not fit into my shoes as well.
I learned that even with insurance, some people pay thousands in hospital bills.
Through my husband's insurance, I think my delivery cost is going to be about $850, where as with my work insurance it'll be all covered.
I was hoping to stick with my husband's insurance because that's where I've been going since high school, but the copay and deliver fee is not worth it.

I had a really bad stomach pain couple nights ago.
It was not quite cramping but I have no other way to describe it.

On a brighter note, I'm starting to feel the kicks a lot more.
The baby starts kicking the most around 9pm to 10pm when I'm getting ready to go to sleep.

It's a really sweet feeling to have him kick and have both of us feel him.
We have baby kicking time every night these days.

Week 23

He's a grapefruit now!

I'm getting rounder and rounder everyday.
One weird thing that I've noticed is that everything scares me.
Someone calling me from behind me scares me so much!
My husband and co-workers are just literally calling my name but I get freaked out.

It was a hard day at work with a cramping belly. It wasn’t exactly cramps, but I have no other word to describe it beside cramps.

I had an emotional breakdown about 30th birthday and baby shower. I really want to do something but I feel like such a loser. I don’t know how to plan one and it’s so embarrassing to have to ask someone else to do it for me. I don’t know what I want, who would even come/participate, and I just started feeling so bad about myself.

I also had a total breakdown because I though I lost my work badge and I got the wrong badge for school. I think the stress work pregnancy, work, school, and the lack of social life is really getting to me.

Week 24

The kicks are now visible! I can see the movements on the stomach. The visibility is still subtle but it’s there. The kicks are stronger and stronger. It starts to worry me when I can’t feel the kicks.

My belly button is getting shallower and shallower. I’m not an outie yet, but if I push the sides of my bellybutton, I turn into one! It’s the craziest thing ever.

I’ve started my second and last semester of bachelor’s in nursing program this week. The next 16-17 weeks will be tough with full time school, full time work, and growing a freaking boy inside of me!

I bought a pregnancy belly band to not only support my belly but my back. My back has been killing me! Standing up and around for 12 hours as a nurse is not an ideal job as a pregnant lady (or for anyone really).

Week 25

Eggplant size now!

I canceled my membership to the gym because I felt so much pressure to go, My gym is kind of expensive so I didn't want to have to pay so much. Plus going to full time work and school is not really allowing me to have the time to commute to the gym. I really have to start working out at home though. I haven't really exercised in the past 1.5-2 weeks and even on the days that I did exercise, I didn't really do much. I can feel my arm muscles shrinking (I didn't even have that many to start with so it's making me a little sad).

The heat wave in southern California has been horrible. I'm sweating so much at home! We got a portable AC unit in the bedroom on a whim because it was unbearable! Plus, the extra weight is insulating me more.

Week 26

This my final week in my second trimester!
On the last day of this pregnancy week, aka literally the last day of my 2nd trimester, I turn 30. Although, it seems like some people count 28 weeks as the start of 3rd trimester. I’m going to stick to 27 weeks as my 3rd trimester so that my 30s start with my 3rd trimester.

Hip and back pain are worse than ever and I guess it’s just gonna get worse and worse. One time, I got up from my chair and I could feel a sharp, shooting pain all up my right leg up to hip.

 

2022 so far has been a year of big changes. We bought a home, I’m pregnant with a boy, and I’ve entered a new decade of my life. I guess a lot is happening even though I always seem to down play my life. C

Cheers to the last quarter of 2022 

8/22/2022 Week 16-20!!

Week 16

The anticipation of going to next ultrasound is too much to handle!!!
I want it to be next week already!!!

I BLEW up on the weekend going from week 15 to week 16.
I can feel my body really blowing up.
The stomach is rounded and dense.
There's a mound of bump on my lower stomach.
I love feeling this mound when I wake up in the morning because I can feel it the best first thing in the morning in bed.
I'm starting to watch Youtube videos on what I need for a baby.
I only have about 5 months left until the baby is supposed to arrive.
I'll be working full-time and going to school full-time for the next 4 months so I am pretty nervous about getting it all ready.

I can't wait for my 17th week ultrasound to make sure the fetus is okay.
It's still so hard to believe that I have a baby and I can't shake off the feeling that something might go wrong (even though I haven't had any signs that signifies something's wrong).
So far, I think I've had a pretty gentle pregnancy with mild symptoms of nausea (no vomiting or bad food aversions), minor body aches, and minor allergies.
I just want a healthy one to come out of me!

Week 17

Week 17's ultrasound was exciting but also very anticlimactic at the same time.
I got to see the baby rubbing his/her face and I swear I saw him/her kicking their legs!
We got so distracted by the images that we forgot to ask for a picture of the ultrasound.
I feel so annoyed at myself for not getting the ultrasound photo because I was looking forward to it so much.
It gave me so much peace though to see the fetus move around and to know it's safely there.
I bought my first piece of maternity clothing.
I got maternity leggings and it really feels so much more real.
At the same time though, I feel bad about my growing body.
I feel like my stomach is so much bigger than where it should be and I'm gaining a little too much weight (not much, but just a little too much).
Yes, yes, yes, everyone has different bodies but I can't help the fact that I feel bad about myself.

Week 18

I got another piece of maternity clothing.
I got maternity bras!
I should've gotten them a while ago, I guess.
They feel and fit so much better than the bras I've been wearing.
I'm starting to feel more cramps.
There are few seconds in the night where the lower stomach cramping is so bad!

Week 19/Week 20

We did our anatomy ultrasound in week 20 day 2 and we found out that it's a BOY!
As exciting as the ultrasound was, it is quite scary to not know if something is wrong.
The tech will not let us know if something is wrong, because only a doctor can interpret the results.
She told me if something is wrong though, we will hear back from the doctor pretty soon.
Basically no news is good news.
We should be getting our results within 2-3 weeks.

 

6/15/2022 Surprise! It's week 13 and not 8!

Week 13 Day 1 (6/13/2022)

So today was actually what I thought was Week 8 Day 4,
We went in for our first ultrasound.

We were told that the ultrasound over the stomach was to see the size of the uterus and there's going to be a vaginal ultrasound to measure the baby.
At 8 weeks, it was not likely that we were going to see the baby over the stomach.
So, I was laying there all naked just looking at the screen and I saw a full head and limbs.
The nurse practitioner said, "you have a good sized uterus and a baby!"

Suddenly, tears started rolling down my face.

I couldn't believe that the baby features were all there.
The nurse practitioner moved on to the vaginal ultrasound while I was still in shock that I could see everything when the baby is only supposed to be about a raspberry size!
She measured the baby's length at about 7cm and told me that I'm actually 13 Weeks Day 1.
We were able to see the head, limbs, spine, heart pumping, and listen to heart sounds.

How was it that my previous visit timed me at 8 weeks?
I had a negative pregnancy test early April + timing of sex = made sense to be at 8 weeks.

But, if I'm 13 weeks that means I was already pregnant at the end of March.
So, the only explanation is that the pregnancy test that I did in early April was a false negative.
That April urine pregnancy test was done at a hospital so I believed it. But, I guess it was too early to detect it.

So... I'm actually 13 weeks Day 1 as of today.

Week 13 Day 3 (6/15/2022)

I went in for another prenatal check up.
It was my 2nd ultrasound today for nuchal translucency test.
Good new?! Yes! It was less than 3mm! It was 1.8mm (I think?).
Plus, we were able to visualize 2 arms, 2 legs, multiple phalanges.
It was such a relief to know that so far the baby is growing well.
We also learned that the baby is very active.
This baby has been seen to be active at my first ultrasound 2 days ago as well as today.
It was pretty exciting to see all the wiggling.

Another update: I think I have yeast infection.
I've definitely seen curd-like discharge, but no other signs.
I emailed my provider and I was recommended to use Monistat 7, so I guess that's what I'll be doing for the next 7 days.

Week 14

Just kidding. No yeast infection. The discharge cleared up by itself and I didn’t have any other symptoms. I asked my provider what I should do about Monistat and I was told to save it for later.

I feel like my lower belly is permanently going to be protruded. I feel quite chunky. My new symptom for this week is hip and lower back pain. They feel so sore/tight.

I’m eating out more than I used to and I really don’t want to eat salads anymore!

Week 15

I had a pretty mild day at work but i was so fatigued. I thought fatigue was supposed to decrease in the second trimester? I feel like I’m still so tired just like first trimester. My bones and joints are starting to ache a lot! I feel like such a grandma!

I’m starting to really worry about miscarriages and stillbirths. I’m googling rates of miscarriages and stillbirths.

Ooh! Also I’m having vivid dreams and nightmares. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s really really vivid.

I can feel my stomach starting to swell but it's at a stage where it's hard to differentiate between a big meal and pregnancy.
I kind of wish I was already at the "I'm SUPER PREGNANT" stage so that I don't feel so bad about my body changes and weight gain.

5/30/2022 Week 6-Week (what was supposed to be) 10

Week 6

I’m using an app call “What to Expect” and it counts the days like this:

Week 1, week 1 day 1 … week 1 day 6, week 2. So that’s what I’ll be following. This week I’ve realized that I want to relish in the joy of spreading the news of my pregnancy to people I see.

And, I might be slightly insane. I bought 4 extra pregnancy tests and used 2 in the last 4 days just to make sure. So… that’s so far 7 tests that have confirmed positive pregnancy.

I've been so tired. I think fatigued is a better word for it.
Some days, I just rot in bed all day.
But then, I don't feel too bad because... my body is working to create a human being!

literally in bed all day if I'm not working

Week 7

It’s officially blueberry time!
The little pea is now supposed to be a size of blueberry.
I’ve let all of my family know now and it feels so good to have everyone be so happy and excited for us.
There’s still that feeling of, ”ooh… should I have waited longer to tell people?”
But, it’s my body, my story. I’ll tell whenever to whoever.
We’re on a family vacation and a glass of rose sounds so good, but not drinking has not been that challenging.
Drinking decaf is not as bad as I imagined.
I don’t really feel the urge or desire for drinking alcohol or caffeine.
Besides fatigue, random occasional minimal nausea, and couple moments of indigestion, it’s been great so far.

I’m just so excited to go to my first ultrasound next week.

Decaf coffee does it

Oh my gosh… the indigestion at night is HORRIBLE. For couple days this week, I’ve been waking up several times in the middle of the nights because of the discomfort. I feel like there’s an elephant sitting on my chest. I can’t burp well and it’s a terrible feeling.

I’m also starting to worry about my weight. I’ve gained about 3-4 pounds this year (pre-pregnancy) and I’ve gained 3-4 more pounds only during 7 weeks. Internet tells me I should only gain 1-4.5 pounds in the first 12 weeks so I’m a little freaked out. I’ve been searching “Reddit first trimester weight gain” just for some assurance that other people go through this. Surely, there were many. But I still feel bad. I’ll be seeing my OB soon and I hope I can get some comforting words there.

Week 8

HELLO RASPBERRY!

I'm so excited for my first ultrasound that's going to happen this week!
I can't wait to actually see something!!!

Day of Ultrasound on Week 8 Day 4:

WAIIIIITTTTT HOLD UP. I'm not at my week 8!?!?!

5/23/2022 Week 0-5

So... I guess I'm pregnant!
I found out that I was pregnant through a home pregnancy test kit at around 4 weeks and 5 days.
Backstory:

Week 0-3

0 idea. 0 symptoms. No clue.

Week 3-4.5

My breasts have been extremely tender.
I assumed my period was coming, so I was waiting for my period to come.
I was also extremely tired, but I assumed it was because it was my finals week of BSN classes.
But the tenderness was so intense. It was a type of tenderness that I have never felt.
But I was just waiting for my period to come.
There was no way I was pregnant because I had my "period" 3 weeks prior (now I know that really wasn't my period).
But the tenderness kept growing and growing.

Week 4 Day 6, 8:30pm

The tenderness was too strong to ignore.
I had pregnancy test at home from that one time I thought I was pregnant and bought pregnancy test kit (it came in 2. I wasn't pregnant that one time).
Also, I had gained a couple pounds and I needed something to blame it on.
So, I took my first pregnancy test from the Dollar Tree at 8:30pm after work, when my husband was out exercising.

Week 4 Day 6, 8:30pm

I could not.
I COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS.
I JUST REMOVED MY IUD only couple months ago! HOW?
My husband was supposed to come home around 10pm.
8:30pm to 10pm felt like FOREVER.

Week 4 Day 6, 10pm

Husband came home after exercise and I sat him down and showed him the test. He couldn't believe it either so we drove to Ralph's and got a set of 2.
I took one that night at 10:30pm.
So... two tests in one night. They both confirmed it.

Week 4 Day 6, 10:30pm

Week 5

6am: I took the 2nd test from the set from Ralphs. Again, positive.
I called my health insurance and booked an appointment with OBGYN for the day after.

Week 5 Day 1

10:30am: Husband and I went to the doctor's office.
We were told that the first meeting would be with a registered nurse.
She started asking us questions about our health history and potential dates of conception.
I had to stop her and ask if she was going to do any tests to confirm I'm actually pregnant.
She told me to get a urine sample and she used droppers to put it on a stick.
It also confirmed I was pregnant.
I just thought they should confirm that I'm actually pregnant before going ahead with all these interview questions?!
Wouldn't want to waste her time or our time. But, yes. It was test #4 that confirmed it.
From what we could gather, I was anywhere between 2-5 weeks pregnant.
And then from the length of symptoms that I've been having (fatigue, breast tenderness), the nurse thought it was more probable that today was my week 5 day 1.
She had some questions for us and asked me to drink a juice to test for diabetes.



We were given 3 additional appointments, 1 in June, 1 in July, and 1 in August.
Then, a booklet on first couple weeks of pregnancy.
And then, we went down to the laboratory for more urine test and blood test.



That night, my parents and we were going to get dinner.
I brought my two Ralphs pregnancy tests and showed it to them.
My mom freaked out at the news but also because she had a pregnancy dream 2 nights ago!
She said she had a dream of koi fish swimming in the living room.
We video called my aunt and let her know too.



Week 5 Day 2-7

Got my pregnancy confirmation #5 from the lab (urine test).
It really is real!!!???

Test Result from 4/6/22

Test Result from 5/20/22

Okay. Nausea is actually real.
I had no symptoms besides fatigue and sore breasts up until yesterday.
But. OOF. My chest seems like it's swirling, like I"m hungover.
I'm also falling asleep as soon as my head hits the couch.
At this point, baby is only as big as an orange seed but why does it feel like I'm so out of breath?
I climbed for like 15 minutes and I was so out of breath.
Even at work, masks make me so out of breath.
The fatigue is so real too. I need to take a nap every day that I don't work.
I feel like I'm ready for life for about 2 hours and then I need to rest/take a nap for 2 hours and just switch between these two.
OOH! I also started taking my prenatal vitamins in gummy form.

I am trying to eat 5-6 meals a day, rather than 2-3 big meals a day. This is supposed to help with nausea.
I did that today and I think it's actually helping.
It's Week 5 Day 4, and I had 4 snacks/meals so far and I feel good.
This morning, I went to do CrossFit for the first time and I felt really good after that too.
Although, after the workout, my face was SO red and bumpy.
I got so worried that I did something wrong, but when I Googled it, it seemed like it happens after you sweat a lot.
Luckily, it calmed down after AC and putting ice on my face.
But, I was so worried that I did something wrong.
Guilt already kicking in!?