23 weeks

Here's my 23 week belly pic....

22 1/2 weeks

Had an appointment today and everything looks good. My cervix is still long and closed and my OB said that my appt. next week with the peri is probably the last time they'll check, since after 23/24 weeks there isn't much risk for IC. I'm guessing he'll still check things every once in awhile though. This is the gestational week that Makenna died, so he did an ultrasound for me to ease my fears...it was an extra long one too! Good news is it's still a boy. :) He's measuring exactly on target and weighs 1.12 pounds. My belly is still measuring 24 weeks. So we're looking good. My OB is SO positive, which is nice, but I can't seem to get there quite yet. Yesterday was the gestation that I delivered the girls last year, which seems so crazy to me...and sad. I can't believe it has been almost 10 months and it seems like yesterday. And next Tuesday is the gestation that I delivered Makenna. So next Wednesday will be the most pregnant that I've ever been. That will be strange.

22 weeks

Here's a new belly pic at 22 weeks.

Appointment Update

So I really over did it this weekend and was feeling really guilty. I also started to get super paranoid because I was feeling pressure the last few days and had some light cramping and tightening last night. I was convinced that my appointment today was going to show a shortened or even dilated cervix. I'm SO glad I was wrong! My cervix was actually longer than the last time it was measured 3 weeks ago...5.2 and last time it was 5. So it's super long and definitely closed. I was shocked. The baby also looks good and we took a quick peek at the heartbeat and fluid levels and everything looks good. He flipped and is now breech and we got to see him kicking my cervix multiple times, which I've been feeling for days and it's been driving me crazy. He kicks really really hard and seriously kicked it for hours last night, which didn't help with my anxiety. I love feeling the constant kicks, of course, I just don't like to feel like he's trying to bust out the door.

Last week I ended up gaining 3 pounds in one week, which I thought was crazy! This week, I'm down 2 pounds, so I guess in two weeks I really one gained 1! So now I'm up a total of 4 pounds. My belly is also still measuring big at 24cm (24 weeks).

My peri actually explained that pressure is normal, especially as I get farther along but I'm just not used to it because last time my cervix 'gave out' and so I wouldn't have felt as much pressure. Now that I have a strong cervix, thanks to the cerclage, feeling more pressure is normal. I usually only feel it if I've been up a lot anyway so she said just to rest if I feel it. My peri and OB also agreed that the tightening of one side of my belly was actually round ligaments stretching, not Braxton Hicks. If it was BH, it would tighten everywhere, which is what I was getting with the twins. So all in all, I feel so much better. I really needed that reassurance, because I was driving myself crazy. My next appointment is next Wednesday, so hopefully I will stay calm until then.

20 weeks

I am finally 20 weeks today...halfway there! I had a little bit of a stressful week and had somehow convinced myself that this little guy was going to 'fall out', if you will. I made Rob take me to Dr. K for an unscheduled appointment for reassurance. Good to know everything is closed up tight and he's looking good in there. I'm trying to stay calm but the next few weeks are going to be tough. A few days after 20 weeks was when everything started going downhill with the twins and they were delivered a little after 22 weeks and Makenna was delivered a little after 23 weeks, so you can imagine my paranoia. 24 weeks is a huge milestone for me because technically it is considered 'viability' and will be the most pregnant that I've ever been. 4 weeks is so close, yet so far away. Please keep praying...I'm a mess right now! :)

To the comment regarding my weight gain, I really wish I could give some awesome advice and talk about the amazingly healthy food that I eat. Since I have been on modified bedrest, much of the cooking has gone out the window and pizza and take out have been more of a staple around here than I'd like to admit. There is no logical reason why I've only gained 3 pounds...but I'll take it! During the day I'm good though, so maybe that balances it all out. Here's a typical day:

Breakfast: Yogurt & 6 prunes (don't ask)

Snack: Toast w/ PB&J or cheese stick or fruit

Lunch: Soup or Sandwich or Leftovers

Snack: Crackers & nuts or fruit

Dinner: Take out or pizza 3-4 days a week. The rest of the time, something simple like spaghetti, adobe chicken w/ rice, meatloaf, lasagna. You get the picture. 

Dessert: 6 prunes yum :(

I finally took another belly picture. I never realized how tired I look first thing in the morning with no mascara. And if I had any idea at all how to use my new Photoshop program, there wouldn't be a glare from the sun all over me, but here you go.