20 weeks!

I wanted to update you all on this pregnancy.  Everything is going very well.  Of course, my OB and specialist both said that if anything goes wrong, it wouldn't happen until after 20 weeks...so we'll see.  My awesome OB, Dr. McClelland, who very accurately predicted Campbell's birth soon after I got sick, is confident this pregnancy will go well and he thinks if something does happen, it won't be until 34 weeks or later. 

I'm feeling pretty good.  My hips and back hurt occasionally due to sleeping on my side but I've been doing a pre-natal yoga video and it's been helping.  This baby is much more active than Campbell was at this time and it's been fun to feel her move.  Robbie has even been able to feel her kick.  My belly has definitely gotten bigger in the last few weeks and I'm hoping I'm beginning to look pregnant, rather than just chubbier :)  The Lovenox shots are getting more tolerable as I'm getting more used to them.  I am worried that as my belly gets bigger, it'll be harder to give the shots since I inject them into my belly.  We'll cross that bridge later, I guess...

So, right now I'm on the lookout for signs of problems such as swelling in my feet (had around 20 weeks with Campbell), hands, or face, headaches that don't go away, or stomach pain.  It's hard to predict since I didn't have any warning signs with Campbell (despite the early feet swelling) until I got sick at 26 weeks and we had her less than 2 weeks later.

My doctors are on the watch for rising blood pressure, protein in my urine,sudden weight gain, and restricted growth on ultrasounds.  These all can be signs of pre-eclampsia.  I got nervous at my 16 week appointment because my blood pressure was 134/78 (my highest this pregnancy) and I had a trace of protein.  Both of these can be normal but I freaked out.  Dr. McClelland was sure it was normal and when I went back the next week for a follow up, everything was normal.  While my blood pressure continues to be higher than my non-pregnant normal, it is within normal limits and it's common for blood pressure to rise during pregnancy. 

I go back next week for a routine visit with Dr. McClelland and then the following week to the specialist in Charlotte for a growth ultrasound. 

We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for a continued healthy pregnancy!