Pregnancy Update: 20 weeks!!!
**Not my best pic ever, but this one was better than the first 10 we took 🙂
Whohoo- I love hitting the halfway mark! 🙂
Honestly, I can't believe I'm already at 20 weeks. Although 1st trimester feels long while you're in the midst of it, now that I've been out of it for a while and feeling better for almost the last 4 weeks, I absolutely cannot believe how the time has flown and how little time is left until we meet this new little one!
I think a sense of mild panic has set in. This is a way bigger topic than I can talk about in this update (I will get back to it in a real post, soon), but I am realizing that I need to completely revamp my system of organization and household management. That may sound extreme, but I really don't think it is. The mediocre systems of organization that I used while single continued to work into my early marriage and even somewhat with the birth of my first baby.
Fast forward several years and add another baby and a bigger house and a blog, etc. and I have seen my fragile system of "organization" come crashing down in many ways. Clearly, I need a stronger foundation as our family continues growing and just to handle the complexities that come with managing a busy home. Anyhow… more on that to come. It'll be a big topic for me this spring, I'm sure. 🙂
So I have a lot of work to do. But I am so thankful that I am feeling better, have my energy basically back, and by next week I will be back to really focusing on getting things in order in my own home and family after a month of being either out of town, having my husband out of town and/or having guests and a baby that I have been doing full time childcare for. As of next Monday morning, life will be more or less back to "normal" and I will be getting down to the business of getting ready for this baby's arrival!
In other news, the pregnancy itself is going well and baby seems to be doing just great. I visited my midwife last week, and was blessed to hear baby's heartbeat, strong and steady. These visits are always so reassuring for me, because I don't feel my babies very early. I did feel both Caden and this baby quite early, around 14 weeks (just teensy movements) but then as I hit around 15-16 weeks, there is something about the location of my uterus, and perhaps the placenta as well, that prevents me from feeling much of anything until somewhere around 20-22 weeks.
It can sometimes cause a bit of anxiety for me, but I am trying to be more relaxed this time around and realize that this just might be the way that it goes for me and to trust that God is quietly knitting this baby together in the depths of my womb, whether I can feel it or not.
Movement or not, I am definitely popping out! I am in full fledged maternity clothes for the most part and being asked unabashedly by people that I run into whether I am expecting, so I guess it must be pretty obvious. I love getting a belly, though, as it just makes it all the more real to me. I was so excited to find a cute maternity dress this weekend (nope, no great sale or anything, just a needed wardrobe item) that will work perfectly for the spring weddings we will be attending, as well as for going to church or out on dates with my hubby.
I've been seeing a Naturopath in addition to my midwife lately, just to deal with a few concerns. I haven't been sleeping well at all, which is probably due to the fact that we have had some stressful situations to deal with this past month (that unfortunately show no signs of winding down, as of yet), as well as being awoken each night and morning by the baby who is staying in the room next to us for three weeks.
All in all, insomnia has hit hard at times, I have been fighting a cold on and off for a month, my skin is incredibly dry, my eczema at an all time bad, and I am just feeling quite weary. My Naturopath has been wonderful to prescribe a botanical tincture to help support my adrenal glands (these are affected greatly by stress), a homeopathic remedy for my skin, and a herbal relaxation tea to take before going to bed, in addition to upping my dosage of Cod Liver Oil, B Vitamin complex and liquid Iron. Overall, it seems to be helping, and although I am back to fighting a head cold, I feel better in a general sense and hopeful that things will improve from here on out.
I've been off track with my exercise this past month, with all the things going on, but I am so eager to get back to both my Prenatal Yoga and also out to start my gardening and to go for some early spring walks and enjoy the sunshine! It always feels so good to be active during pregnancy, and I find the more active I am, the less I feel the aches and pains, and the more than I can manage the sciatica (that I am just starting to feel little tinges of- so early this time!).
So that's how I'm doing… how about the rest of the pregnant mamas out there?
Congratulations on reaching the half way marker. With both of my pregnancies I was very excited to be half way there. Our son decided to surprise us by coming 4 weeks early, so the last “half” of the pregnancy whirled by. I pray you’ll have the time and energy you need to prepare yourself, your home, and your family for the new little blessing that’s on its way. If you’d like to read about our son’s healthy early birth go here:
http://a-heart4home.blogspot.com/2008/09/birth-details-and-photos.html
Hello! I am not a pregnant mama (as far as I know! 🙂 ), but I would be very interested in hearing the treatment for your excema, if you are able to share. I have had excema since I was born and this past winter it has been the worst it’s ever been. Currently I diligently apply coconut oil probably 7-8 times a day and at night I apply a rather thick coat of hydrocortizone ointment. I realize this is not natural, but at this point it’s the only thing (besides extra-strength prescription creams that I’d rather avoid) I can find to work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!
You look wonderful. So sorry you are facing so many things at once healthwise.
Take Care,
Trixie
20 weeks for me too! I’m not popping out as much as I expected & many people can’t even tell that I’m pregnant. This really is an oddity for me, especially being baby #4. I’ve been only feeling tiny flutters from time to time that are hard to tell whether it’s my baby or not. Thanks for the great reminder that God is quietly knitting together my little one, whether I can feel it or not.
Only 20 weeks {or less} for both of us to go!
You look great! I am 28 weeks along, and also having trouble sleeping. My friend recommended a liquid calcium/magnesium supplement before bed and that seems to be really helping. I have been taking Bone Ami from Beeyoutiful.com, but she said any would work. Also, I second the Slippery Elm Lozenges for heartburn, I took them for a sore throat and found that it helped so much for the heartburn. Sometimes the heartburn also keeps me from going to sleep, so the Bone Ami followed by a S.E. Lozenge really helps.
I am 27 weeks and still feeling pretty good. I agree that staying active during pregnancy is key. Last time I had placenta previa and was put on restrictions at just 18 weeks. This time I have been able to keep excercising, and the difference in how I feel is huge.
I’ve never been pregnant (all my children are adopted), however, I have had sleep issues! A good night’s sleep is crucial because if we get worn down it affects our whole attitude and view on things (not to mention making a mom more cranky!).
My doctor had me switch taking my calcium supplement from the morning to the evening. The magnesium in it is what helps you to sleep. Think of it like having a warm glass of milk right before bed. It does the same thing, but I’m guessing the supplement will have more magnesium than the glass of milk. Finally, I found that if I take a warm bath, play soft classical music and read something that doesn’t stimulate my mind to start thinking of a bunch of stuff that I want to blog or research, then I sleep like a rock. It might not help much if your pregnant or ill, but it does help with stress.
Oh, if only I lived closer to you… I am right where you’re at! 🙂
It’s so nice to be at the “halfway point”- but I had that momentary “nesting panic” set in, too. Eek…
I would love to hear your eczema remedy. I’ve never had eczema in my life, but appears it is going to be a mild pregnancy symptom for me. I’ve had a small spot on my face since about 13 weeks, and nothing seems to be helping. I’m a bit baffled.
Since I’m on the “smaller side,” I’ve been “showing” for awhile, but I totally popped out right at 18 weeks. What a shock to wake up in the morning to! 🙂 You look beautiful!
I’ve found that a calcium-rich snack before bed really makes a difference in how well I sleep (such as a glass of milk, a bowl of yogurt or cottage cheese, a couple slices of cheese, or ice cream.) 🙂
Pilates for pregnancy DVDs have really helped with my aches, but I slacked off on doing them while moving. I really need to get going again!
Blessings,
Michele
You look great! And sound so… energetic. Me, not so much. But that’s okay, just 6 weeks to go to my due date.
I’ve had sleep issues with most of my pregnancies and to an even worse degree post partum. (Six weeks postpartum with my second I did not sleep a wink for over 3 weeks, it can get pretty bad.) For me it is very much a hormonal thing and I have resorted in the last few pregnancies to a prescription drug for depression. (Not that I am depressed, but it really does help for my sleep issue.) I have looked into natural remedies, like St. John’s Wort but the costs have always been prohibitive. If only my hubby’s extended medical covered natural remedies.
I am happy that you are doing so well. This is good because soon you’ll feel like a whale 🙂
I should have mentioned that I was already taking a Cal/Mag liquid supplement every night before bed, and though that has helped me significantly in my other pregnancies, this time around neither it nor calcium or protein rich snacks before bed were making much of a difference.
My Naturopath thinks that it has more to do with being stressed and a bit burnt out, which is why she is focusing on my adrenals and on relaxation, although I am still taking the Cal/Mag. The sleep is definitely starting to improve this last week, since I saw her, and I am so very grateful!!!
Michelle, I wish we lived closer to each other, too. That would be too much fun! One of these days, I’m going to go down and visit you and Lindsay and Kimi. 🙂
Alisa, lol! Sorry you feel like a whale! 🙂 You’re soooo close, though! And yes, I know to thoroughly enjoy this stage, because I know that I will be big and uncomfortable all too soon!
Since a few of you have asked about eczema stuff, I’ll make sure to post about it soon!
I’m just ahead of you at 21 weeks. I have been having terrible back and hip pains, but started seeing a new Chiropractor a few weeks ago and he has me doing lots of exercises…and…they are really helping!!! I haven’t had much pain in the last week. Because my youngest is only 9 months right now, my belly popped a lot sooner than I’d like. Someone at church said to my husband last week that I looked like I was ready to “pop.” My husband said “She wishes…” and that was exactly what I said to my husband when he told me that story!! So, I must continue on with God’s help!
ahhh, I am done! I have a beautiful 2 week old daughter! like I’ve said before pregnancy and I are not the best of friends…lets just say I’m down 30 pounds after not gaining but only loosing during this pregnancy again. It’s so nice to feel normal again! My new little one was having some constipation issues…nothing a little chiropractor visit couldn’t fix! Have fun and enjoy the amazing feeling of your baby inside of you!!
You look wonderful!!
Keep up with going to the chiropractor your body will thank-you!
I suffer from something called PSD and somedays I can’t walk. Makes it hard when you have a home and five children to take care of.
I’m around 12 weeks or so- I’m still guessing, as I haven’t seen a midwife yet!
Thankfully, I have not been nauseous at all. With my 1st, I was nauseous 24/7 in my 1st trimester. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been drinking my pregnancy tea which has red raspberry leaf and alfalfa- both are supposed to help nausea. I didn’t have it with my 1st baby. Or maybe it’s just coincidence. Some people are telling me perhaps it’s a boy. Who knows? Guess we’ll see! 🙂
Also, my energy level has greatly improved. Vitamins are important!
I’m still nursing my 1 yr. old. We’re down to 3-4x a day, but I’m ready to be DONE! I had originally intended to continue another 6 mos. or so, but now that I’m pregnant, I want a break before starting over again! Any weaning tips, anyone? 🙂
This is my first time to your blog. Congratulations on the baby! We too are expecting and are right about 20 weeks (maybe even today?) It is exciting to be half way there! This is baby #5 for us…I too appreciated the assurance that “God is knitting the baby together in my womb” even though I don’t feel it. With my other babies it seemed like I felt them quite early…but with this one it seemed to be fairly passive for a long time. I’ve just been feeling distinct movements in the last week or so. It had me concerned too, but I am now pleasantly reassured that baby is “alive and kicking!” God bless your pregnancy. I’ll have to keep following along with you!
Congrats on the half way mark! I can’t wait to hit that. I’m at 9 weeks today, and today has been such a rough day physically for me! I’m too exhausted to type it all out now though haha. I’m thankful that my little one is ok though.
I’m right behind you at 17 weeks! So glad to have my energy back.
You look so beautiful. I miss being pregnant.
I also would love to see a post about exema. With my first baby my hand got really bad during and after pregnancy. I finally used a homeopathic cream (the second one I tried worked) and it went away! I got a tiny patch of it starting with baby #2 but as long as I put the cream on it, the spot stays manageable.
You look absolutely beautiful!! Congrats on reaching that halfway mark!! ((Hugs))