Pregnancy Update: Week 15

If you follow us on social media, you may have noticed my inactivity as of late.  More likely, however, you probably didn't even realize said inactivity because who do I think I am.  Regardless, for those who are interested in hearing about this pregnancy with sweet baby number two, continue on!

As of October 4, 2018, I am 15 weeks pregnant and the baby is the size of an APPLE!  It has been such a delight to share these fruit comparisons with our toddler who (for now) loves to hear all about the baby and especially likes to hear what a great big brother he will be.  One of our favorite weekly activities is to take a picture with the corresponding fruit of how big the baby is measuring during our trips to the grocery store.  

Seeing the fruit comparisons each week reminds me of just how miraculous each child is and makes me think of Luke 13: 18-19. "[Jesus] said, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?   It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and ‘the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches."   The baby starts as small as a mustard seed and, God willing, develops and continues to grow strong. 

While I am finally in the second trimester, looking back, the first trimester was rough.  I had unending nausea and "morning sickness" that paradoxically lasted all day.  The nausea was coupled with soul-crushing exhaustion that caused me to fall asleep promptly at 8:00 PM each night.   

When I was pregnant with our little love three years ago, I had some nausea and felt tired but experienced nothing like I did this time around.  Needless to say, I was extremely excited for the second trimester and prayed that these symptoms would subside.  

While I know that these symptoms pale in comparison to many of the other symptoms I could have experienced, I still looked to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Anne, Saint Gerard and Saint Gianna (to name a few) for some strength.  

​This prayer for expectant mothers has been one of my favorites to pray during this pregnancy. 

Luckily, my prayers were answered and the nausea and exhaustion have subsided. 

---

What took their place instead is carpal tunnel syndrome.   "Wait, what? You've got to be kidding me!"  That was my first reaction when my husband searched online and explained the probable cause of the sudden pain in my hand, wrist and forearm.   My doctor confirmed his "Dr. Google" findings the next day.  Yes, carpal tunnel syndrome can be common in pregnancy and while it typically occurs later in pregnancy, it can occur earlier as well.  Yay!  

A wrist splint, ice and daily stretches have helped the pain subside and I am certainly more aware of how I am using my hands throughout the day.   It has also caused me to scale back a bit in my journaling and social meda-ing (if that is even a word.)  While I am not swollen and even though I have not gained a lot of weight, I am trying to ease the symptoms by limiting my sodium intake and drinking more water.

While we are unsure if the baby is a boy or a girl as of right now, we will be finding out within the coming weeks and are excited to call the baby by name instead of "baby" or our "newest little love."   We plan (for now) on having a small gender reveal gathering and plan on bringing our son to the ultrasound to see his little brother or sister again.  He went with us to the first ultrasound at 9 weeks and since then has told us the baby is "MY BABY!" and loves to point out the ultrasound photo on the refrigerator.

Overall, this pregnancy has been significantly different than my previous pregnancy.  Unlike last pregnancy, we declined all genetic testing, I have a new OBGYN doctor and I will be delivering this baby at Kent Hospital instead of Women and Infants Hospital.   Earlier this year, and before I was pregnant, I found out that Women and Infants Hospital performs abortions.   The moment I found out I changed doctor immediately as my former OBGYN only delivered babies at Women and Infants. 

Our son is excited that his nonna (grandmother in Italian) will have to get a car seat for her car so that he can visit the baby once the little miracle is born.   Actually, our son's real excitement in grandma having a car seat in her car was explained by him exclaiming: "Nonna, we go get food!"   Toddlers! 

As always, thank you for reading.  God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Please remember to like and share our ​Facebook page. ​