Sixteen Candles

Sixteen weeks tomorrow, and I am still experiencing "the sickness."  This was the sixth time I disposed of a meal I really wanted.  And it wasn't eggs this time, although I've discovered "Deuce" really does not like eggs.  It was mac-and-cheese this time.  One of my favorites.  Sigh....

Some things I've learned about this pregnancy:

• Exhaustion lasts beyond the first trimester if you've got a lot going on
• Don't feel bad if you feel "fat" more than pregnant or if your stomach sticks out more than the lower gut (where the baby is) - it's because as the baby grows, your intestines get pushed up (and out) to make more room for baby; hence, the larger stomach area (and larger waist)
• If the baby doesn't want it, you can't have it (even if you want it)
• Exercise is SO important to help with the fatigue (burning energy makes more)
• Fruit and water in copious amounts STILL may not prevent constipation
• It's NOT okay to drink Senna tea (AKA laxative tea) - even though it works!
• It's okay to take Metamucil
• It's okay to take Glucosamine
• It's okay to take Calcium supplements
• It's okay if you feel old while taking a small handful of very large pills (seriously, like my grandma)
• Probably best to take all those at night along with the prenatal vitamin to avoid stomach upset

I'm thinking the vitamins are what upset my universe today.  I just started taking all these extra supplements after getting the green light from a certified nurse midwife (CNM) provider.  Before you do it, it's best to talk to your provider as well.  Everyone is different, and if your pregnancy is "special" (anything from being extra complicated to carrying multiples, being an older mom [over 35], being a very young mom [under 20], having a history of complications or health problems during pregnancy, etc.) it's smart to get advice from a health care practitioner and not the Internet.  And definitely not from a blog!

Lots of friends and acquaintances have had babies recently, and it makes me (sometimes) wish we'd stepped up our game a little and had our bundle a little sooner as well.  Our first will be three before Deuce arrives, which makes the age gap a little less than ideal for me.  However, she may also be mature enough to handle the arrival a little better than, say, a two- to two-and-a-half-year-old might.

I've also started breaking out the maternity wear.  It kind of happened suddenly, the need to wear maternity pants.  This is not so far-fetched as it might seem.  Around 15-16 weeks is the beginning of a growth spurt for the baby.  It goes from being only 3 inches long (crown to rump) to 4 1/2 inches long in just a week or two.   By the time the spurt is over (around week 20), baby will be 6 1/2 inches crown to rump, and about 10 inches head to toe!  Take a look at Baby Center's picture for a Week 16 baby.  In sticking with the tradition of comparing the developing fetus to various items in the produce aisle, this week Deuce is about the size of an avocado.

Also, because I'm in the military I get maternity uniforms to borrow for the duration of the pregnancy.  I picked those up last week and will start wearing them to work tomorrow.  It's really unfortunate I'm not allowed to wear just the pants.  My regular uniform shirt isn't really snug or ill-fitting yet, but the maternity top looks like a tent.  Uniform regulations require that I wear the pants and top together, though.  So I'll be wearing a tent until baby Deuce fills it out.  Which, if memory serves, won't take long.  Even though weeks 16-20 only span about one month, that is the duration of one of the biggest growth spurts for the baby, and usually when the "bump" turns into a tell-tale "belly."

I'm actually excited about that part.