have a healthy pregnancy

And my first ultrasound is in 4 days! I can’t wait to get a look at what’s going on in there. Plus I’m getting the H1N1 vaccine too, while I’m there.

I went off my prenatal vitamins on the advice of my nurse, and am now taking a children’s chewable multivitamin instead, plus folic acid separately. Those vitamins were just too much for me: They made me feel nauseated and constipated and crabby. I’m feeling much better now!

I guess it’s a milestone in every woman’s pregnancy. Ha!

Someone I told about my pregnancy today asked if it was planned. I guess she wanted to know whether to offer her congratulations or condolences… but still. I probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought if I hadn’t listened to pregnant friends complain about how when you’re pregnant, suddenly all kinds of personal things (like your reproductive intentions) become everybody’s business.

... and I’ve been having quite a bit of nausea, which seems like a good sign. Apparently the embryo should be about the size of a blueberry right now. Ten more days until my first ultrasound.

I have been inspired to step up my fitness routine, perhaps partly by the negative example of a friend who gained 80-100 pounds during her pregnancy. Yikes, that would be a lot to take off afterwards! So I swam laps for 30 minutes two nights last week, in addition to my usual dancing and biking to work. Biking to work will be tapering down in the next few weeks anyway, so it’s good to have some new routines in place.

Last time I miscarried at 7 weeks, and I will certainly be a bit jumpy until after I pass that milestone. But really, anything could happen in the first trimester and I don’t want to stress out for the next two months. No way! I’m just going to have to try to relax and let go, to allow nature to take its course (whatever course that may be).

I’m due late April 2010 and so far everything has been so well. This is how I plan to achieve this goal:

• eat healthy
• don’t eat/drink junk
• start going to the gym again in November
• exercise at least 30 minutes daily, even just a short walk
• remain physically active as long as possible
• try not to gain over 10 kgs
• update here weekly

After the miscarriage I had this summer, I will be much more cautious about telling people early on.

This is going to be our little secret for a few more months.

Everything has been running so smoothly. We couldn’t be happier. I wanted to post a picture that arrived today.

and he told me how pleased he was with this pregnancy. He said it’s been very good with no complications. It’s strange to hear, because I’ve been much less comfortable with this one, sicker, etc. He felt the baby and is guessing 8#2oz if she waits until the 15th.

She’s my normal GYN, but as an OB I don’t like her. She must have said 10 times during our visit today that my girl is big and I must have big babies…that’s why their early (andrew was 6lb15oz – not big). None of the other drs. say she’s big. I measure right on mark. She did say she’s in the clear if she was born now because she’s so big. (even though I’m 36wks on Sunday) I was so tired and so emotional today I started crying as I left the office and sobbed in the car. She did ask if I was still working – I thought about trying to get a note from her to excuse me from work:) I decided on the drive home to cancel my next two appts and reschedule them with the drs in the practice that are nice to me:) (meaning the men:)
Ultrasound today was quick. They just measured my fluids and they were good. I’m really not expecting a problem with that, I think it was just a fluke the one dr. thought he noticed pockets before Andrew was born. When my water was broken, there was plenty.

Remember, I’m very conservative and traditional and I was stuck with one of the ultimate 70’s names growing up and it took forever to dump the ditzy nickname that went with it.

So…

After listening to Barry whine about the names we had on the list, I finally asked him what name he would choose today for the girl. He chose one from the list, Claire. It’s one I’ve always loved, but I just don’t know if it goes with our last name – Hendges. (like hinges in a door) More specifically, Claire Elizabeth. I’m liking it, but not 100% sold on it. Any opinions?
My other choices were:
Elisabeth
Madeleine
Emma
Rebecca (NOT BECKY)
Caroline
Bridget (barry doesn’t like this)
Sarah