Today marks the halfway point for BW3! Of course, due dates are just an estimate — and it’s HIGHLY probable that this kid will be as late as it’s brother and sister were.
I had my 20 week appointment on Monday – which included the big anatomy scan! And it’s a….
Baby!
We stood strong and didn’t find out the sex. I CANNOT wait to find out in May!! I told the tech up front that we didn’t want to know and she was AWESOME about not revealing anything. We were with her for a good 30-40 minutes and there were 2 times that she had to tell us to look away.
Overall, the baby looked nice and healthy! I didn’t ask about the baby’s measurement (they, amazingly, can estimate) but when I saw the Dr. she said something about NOT changing the due dates — which makes me think this kid is measuring quite a bit ahead.
There was one minor blip that requires another ultrasound at 28-weeks. They found a Echogenic Intracardiac Focus, which is essentially a small deposit of calcium in the heart. It appeared as a bright spot on the ultrasound. The tech and the Dr. both explained that it was relatively minor (occurs in 3-5% of normal pregnancies without any complications) and is only a concern if multiple foci (that can also be found in other organs) (they CAN be soft markers for genetic disorders) – and in my case there was only one. A follow up ultrasound is standard and they are just going to check that it’s gone (or not noticeable, because from what I’ve read I don’t really think it goes away – it just gets absorbed). They also said that the focus has no bearing on the functionality of the heart whatsoever and that it’s relatively common these days now that the ultrasound technology has gotten so fancy. Of course, a part of me worries about it – but the other part trusts that everything will be OK.
Focusing on happier news – we saw the babies eyes/lenses, brain, feet, hands, arms, stomach, and legs and they all looked like perfect little alien parts. At the time of the ultrasound the baby was breech and squirmy and he/she gave the tech a run for her money. Yep, sounds like my kid.
As far as the pregnancy itself goes – I’m definitely in the honeymoon period! For the most part, I feel great and I’m still sleeping great (I SOOOO wish I could bank my sleep!). I can definitely feel the baby externally now and despite everyone telling me I’m carrying high, he/she is quite low. I am just really long legged!! Last week I felt hiccups for the first time (so cute unless it’s 3am and you’re trying to sleep) and today I’m pretty sure I felt a butt trying to bust out. Gotta love those baby butts.
Here’s a breakdown of everything else…
Cravings: Carrots (this is a new one), Apples (I think the baby is part horse), Lemons, Tomatoes, Jimmy Johns, salad — although these are all pretty minor cravings. My appetite is pretty normal and boring to be honest.
Workouts: I’m still getting in 4 workouts a week – including strength training (which I inevitably drop right around now, so go me!). I actually just signed up for Best Body Boot Camp so I can stay motivated on that front. Obviously, I will be modifying some of the workouts! I am SURPRISINGLY still running – even if it’s at an 11:00 min/per mile pace. Running is running – and it’s definitely when I feel my best. A lot of people have asked me if it hurts or if it’s uncomfortable and thankfully the answer has been no! I actually ran 5 miles on Friday only stopping once at the halfway point to stretch.
Weight Gain: I’ve gained about 3.5lbs in the past month (I don’t know how it’s not more. I mean Thanksgiving was included in that month) – so I’m up to 7.5 total. It feels like at least 25 — in each boob alone. I don’t remember what I gained at this point in previous pregnancies, but I do recall gaining a lot at once with L (and then going a few weeks without gaining anything) and gaining slowly with B. Each pregnancy has been truly different.
Symptoms (besides the obvious belly): SUPER emotional and hormonal, itchy all the time, and I have horrible acne (that is actually clearing up — I can seeee the light!), and I’m starting to get more and more brown spots (melasma) on my cheeks and forehead. Boo! The very fun varicose veins have returned. I had a bout with some lower back pain last week – but I think it was the baby growing as I’ve been fine this week. At this point I pretty much attribute all random aches and pains to the baby growing.
Just for fun — here is a comparison of my belly at 20 weeks with each of my babies. I was so small with B!! Paula is concerned I might be birthing a cruise ship at the end of this pregnancy, and I have to say I agree.
Anyone willing to takes bets on the sex? A lot of my friends/coworkers are guessing girl – but I really have strong feelings that this is a boy.
You look great mama!
Audrey had an EIF on her heart as well. The follow up ultrasound was great and she was born without any genetic anomalies. Sometimes technology can reveal too much!
That is really comforting!! I’ve over researched (thanks Google!) and most are the stories (thankfully) are like Audrey’s. I agree – technology can be good AND bad. The tech told us that the majority of the Drs at my practice HATE EIF’s because they are nothing the majority of the time — though a few will make a big deal out of it send patients to a high risk Dr. I REALLY didn’t want to have to go the high risk route and thankfully the Dr. I saw on Monday just wanted to do a follow up!
You look great. And I think it’ll be a boy too.
Thanks! Woo-hoo another boy vote 🙂
You look great! I’m voting boy!
I am 27 weeks with baby number three…seems like everyone pregnant runner’s experience so different. I’m having major hip pain lately and sadly having to really focus on other workouts.(OB says loose ligaments- keep hyperextending hips.) Limping around for a day post run just isn’t worth it. Awesome you are keeping it up! I’m jealous.
We’ll talk when I’m 27 weeks! I would NOT be surprised by sore hips at all or a incredibly sore back. This is my first time going to a chiropractor when pregnant and I really think it’s helped so far, but a lot can happen in 7 weeks!! Sorry you aren’t able to run. Only one more trimester though, right??
Whhhat? Half way there already!? My daughter always got the hiccups at night right as I was going to bed. Luckily it never lasted through the night! But she was a good little nugget while she was growing…except when she was kicking my ribs all day. 🙂
It’s seriously blowing my mind that I’m already halfway!
I haven’t really had the rib kicking experience – although, I might have just jinxed myself.
Once I inevitably have my baby dream about your baby, I’ll let you know what she/he is. I’ve only been wrong one time so far. If only I could use my semi-psychic abilities for monetary gain for us. 🙂
Your workout regime shames me. You’re an ANIMAL!
Let me know what your dreams tell you 🙂 Paula is really, really good at guessing as well – I don’t know that she’s ever been wrong!
If it makes you feel better – I did skip my run today. Just couldn’t drag myself out of bed. I might go after work, but I might not. Everyone has those weeks 🙂
Looking good! Yay for half way! Great job keeping up the running. I definitely have days I rock my runs and others that my bed sounds like a much better plan! Keep it up! I vote boy, just because everyone is doing it LOL, not voting I mean HAVING boys, including me 🙂
I think 2013 is going to be a BOY year 🙂 Today was one of those days where the bed sounded better!!
Michelle you are doing great you look so good and happy i say it is a BOY.
Woo-hoo another one for team boy 🙂 And thanks!
It’s a boy. Hee.
I don’t take this guess lightly 🙂
How is it possible that you are halfway done???? I can’t freaking WAIT to meet Baby CRL. Your belly is kind of amazing.
I feel like it was JUST YESTERDAY that you were 20 weeks – so I have no idea how it’s possible that I am. I can’t wait to meet Audrey — this needs to happen soon. Hopefully after the holidays!! When do you go back to work?
20 weeks was such a surreal experience for me…especially since I didn’t tell anyone about BabyBug until Week 16!
I go back on January 7th and while I have mixed feelings about it, I’m pretty excited to get back to work. I will definitely miss my days with Audrey, but we love our daycare and I think doing some adult, me-stuff will make me appreciate my time with her even more.