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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

18 weeks

I had my 18 week appointment yesterday and everything looks good. The baby was moving around so much, she could hardly find the heartbeat. Sounds like a Schneiter--very active! My uterus grew 5 cm over the last month, so I am pretty much right on target. The babe is now about 6 inches from head to butt and weighs around half a pound--about the size of a mango. I am feeling it move more and more now, pretty much every day. According to various websites, it can suck its thumb and taste, and the myelin sheath is forming around the nerves. Here is what it might look like right now:


We are going to have an ultrasound later this week, so I will add those pictures when we get them.

My midwife, Jasmine, told me that I have to cut back on the running and may have to stop completely for the duration of the pregnancy. Last week, I did 6 flat miles with some friends, an easy and normal run for me. I had to stop halfway through the run because I had some pretty severe pelvic pain. I went to see Jasmine the next morning thinking I had some sort of infection and she told me I had strained the muscles and ligaments holding my uterus in place. I kept hurting for about 4 days, and yesterday Jasmine told me to buy a pool pass because swimming is going to be my new form of exercise. Luckily, Glenwood Springs is named after the local hot springs. We have the largest outdoor hot springs pool in the country--it is about 100 meters long. I can do some long laps there! If I can't run for the next 4 1/2 months, it is okay with me--things could be much worse! Overall, I feel great and have no complaints about the pregnancy. Things are starting to get more difficult, though, as my weight increases and the belly grows.


This past weekend was a blast. I went to Goblin Valley (near the San Rafael Swell in Utah) with 3 other leaders and 22 high school girls. We had great bonding time, knit for hours, hiked a slot canyon, roasted marshmallows, made pizzas, played flashlight tag in the dark, and just had fun together. Yet another reason my job is awesome!

7 comments:

aubyn said...

I hear swimming is great for preggers, and I bet your 'mango' would like the warm Springs!

Dave and Kasey said...

sorry to hear you won't be able to run anymore. I remember getting to that point! Swimming will be a great alternative for the next few months. Are you guys going to find out if it is a boy or girl?

Reese said...

I love your preggo updates! Sounds like you are at peace with the 'no running' order...good for you. I really enjoyed swimming during my pregnancy. It's nice to feel weightless when you are feeling so 'weighty' all the rest of the time :). I really miss you, dear, and am anxious to rub your growing belly!

**Check out the link to SouleMama from my blog. She's having a baby in a few weeks and has some great knitting patterns for sleep sacks, hats, and wool diaper covers.

Anonymous said...

did you ask your mw about hot springs. raising your body temp in a hot springs can put strain on your system and can be iffy with some pregnancies. you might have to go to a non heated indoor pool. you can still walk though. Nothing wrong with walking. If you are anything like me you want to do every thing you are used to like nothing has changed. (I was just over 7 months standing knee deep in freezing lake water and paddlefish shooting for a show.) Just remember, something has changed and there is nothing wrong with that. Take your time enjoy some peacefulness you have plenty of time to run back out in the wild. Enjoy your pregnancy.-Crystal

Joy Joy said...

Crystal-My midwife actually suggested the hot springs. She said I would feel very uncomfortable and would want to get out of the pool before I caused any damage. Thanks for asking!

Anonymous said...

you are so beautiful- maf

Anonymous said...

I wish I could have had a midwife. They aren't regulated in Oklahoma so insurance won't pay for them and I didn't have the money to take care of that on my own. It would have been so much better than the doctors I got almost ever visit was, "Hi, yep, um hum. Everything looks good. Bye." I barely got to ask any questions and those I did ask were not answered beyond, "you don't need to worry about that." I will have a midwife if I ever have another though. I was mad because I ended up with an unnecessary c-section. That wasn't fun at all. -Crystal