Sleep Study Results

Severe sleep apnea. Cool that we know what the problem is but a bummer that I have it. It means sleeping with a similar crazy mask on while a machine pumps air into my nose and mouth - so that my airway doesn't close. Apparently when you have this level you can stop breathing as often as 50 times in an hour.

All I know is I went to sleep after being hooked up the the machine - and woke up about three times between 11 and 1:30 - by 1:30 the nurse was coming in to hook me up to the cpap machine. While it was SUPER claustrophobic feeling - especially when you were waiting for the air to start blowing - when I finally went to sleep - I slept without a dream - or having to pee - or moving for at least 4 or 5 hours. It was a beautiful thing and I have to tell you I wish I could go stay for a few more nights until they get me hooked up with the air part of the machine. But only if Dan could come too. Not sleeping next to him is weird. I wonder if the machine will freak him out in the middle of the night! Or piper! LOL.

In other baby new - she likes to move it, move it which I lay down to go to sleep. Feels like a squirmy doing circles sometimes. She also seems to start doing stuff in the car on the way home - or at least its very noticeable for the last week. Today she seems to be bouncing on my bladder a lot - making me think I have to go - but not so much.

No progress on names - we just keep trying them out and seeing what we think and if she responds :)

Oh and I had my eye exam today - picture perfect even with diabetes :) And still no glasses! Well, he didn't really check for that but I could read the chart - does that count?

Weeks 21-22

How your baby's growing:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

How your life's changing:

You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. At least half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching.

Let see - last week we went for our level II ultrasound or scan. It was somewhat anticlimactic - the baby was sitting right under my belly button and not as visible as she normally would have been (I guess). So not the best ultrasound we've had and it stunk because we waited 5 weeks to see her! The doctor did some in an check a bunch of measurements - she had normal looking parts for what he could check - like parts of the brain - kidneys- stomach, etc. You know the good stuff! She was measuring 1 day behind now but I am sort of convinced that we didn't have the stellar ultrasound tech - since she spent the entire time complaining about where she was sitting. Can i just say - not ONE picture! What a bust!

So the good news is that everything looks ok - and we get to go back in two weeks - well that got pushed to 3 weeks - so 8/5 is the next viewing. Hopefully with pictures!!

Woo Hoo! Only other news is - that the belly is bigger. Oh and it added a bunch of stretch marks. I'm still having a lot of difficulty sleeping for anything longer than an hour at a time and then wanting to falling asleep at other weird times, oh like when I am at work. I've even resorted to adding a little caffeine back in during the day. Not much help though. Sleep study this Friday to see what the deal might be. Belly is bigger - and it just got a bunch of stretch marks - new and extra strength ones apparently. I can actually feel them through my clothes. Weird. More movement down lower now - probably because the uterus is moving up and the placenta with it so I can feel more if she is lower.

Still working on names - we now have 5 first and middle name combinations we are narrowed down to...probably not much more until we see her! I can't wait! Well I can wait but I am so darn excited about that part of the deal!

20 Weeks (a little early)

Sorry I've been bad about posting! Here is what is happening these days:

How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of her head to her bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.)

She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).


How your life's changing:
Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. We'll I've gained 15 - but I'd estimate at least 3 lbs are water!

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations. Wow! Something I read said start looking at daycare now too so you have a chance of getting in!

Surprising Facts: Getting a good night's rest - OMG I wish I could get one!

It may become more difficult to sleep through the night as your pregnancy progresses, thanks to some obvious and not-so-obvious changes taking place in your body. You may be surprised to find that:

• You start snoring for the first time in your life, thanks in part to more estrogen, which contributes to swelling of the mucous membranes that line the nose and may even cause you to make more mucus. What to do: Sleep on your side and elevate your head slightly. I am able to snore now in any position!

• Heartburn and indigestion can make it extra uncomfortable to lie down in bed. What to do: Avoid foods that trigger your heartburn, give yourself two to three hours to digest a meal before going to bed, and try sleeping semi-upright in a comfy recliner or propped up with extra pillows under your upper body. Only had a few bad nights of this so far and praying that they stay away for a while!

• Leg cramps jar you out of a deep sleep. What to do: Ease the cramp by straightening your leg, heel first and gently flexing your toes back toward your shins, or walk around for a few minutes.
Nothing too bad here to report.

• You toss and turn all night trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. What to do: Lie on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs. For extra comfort and support, arrange other pillows under your belly and behind your back. Or try using a contoured maternity body pillow. Seriously - what they are not talking about is the crazy dreams - and then talking and yelling in my sleep. I am having 3d color movie like dreams but usually not with a happy subject matter.

• You become hot and sweaty in the middle of the night. It's common for pregnant women to feel a little warmer than usual thanks to shifts in your metabolism, hormones, and weight. What to do: Keep your bedroom cool and strip down to the bare essentials. Keep slippers and a snugly bathrobe handy for those nighttime trips to the bathroom.

• Getting out of bed is harder than ever! What to do: Roll over onto your side so you're facing the edge of the bed. Dangle your legs over the side and use your arms to push yourself into a sitting position. Plant your feet squarely on the floor and then stand up. I've noticed this awkwardness- and moving too fast causes weird ligament pains. I can't even imagine how much harder it will be!

Over the last two weeks - we've noticed increased swelling and blood pressure - back to the doctor for increase in meds. Very tired and low energy - possible sleep apnea. Will follow up on that after a sleep study. Otherwise I'd say the last few days have shown a slightly bigger and harder belly and feeling more movement (excellent!).

Next week on the 16th we have our level II scan for anatomy and all that jazz. Excited to see her again and will be relieved to see her with all her parts and looking healthy!