Baby's First Photo!

This image was created today, at my 2nd visit with the midwives at Athens Regional Medical Center. Tripp came along and luckily thought to ask the technician, "Do you have a doppler on that thing?" She said she sure did and turned it on. Almost immediately we could hear the baby's heartbeat and that's when it really hit me. What a miracle! The baby currently measures 0.892 cm and is about the size of a lima bean!

I visited the midwifery center last week for introductions, general and gynocological history and lots of blood work. So today, after a pee test, the ultrasound, and the weigh-in, Tripp and I met Monica, one of the Certified Nurse Midwives. She was lovely and informative, but was unable to give us my blood work results because due to a laboratory miscommunication, the results had not yet been received at ARMC. SO, we're waiting (im)patiently for a call. Monica was able to tell us upon the internal exam that "A good-sized baby should fit just fine through there!" I guess that's a compliment!?

As far as "morning sickness" I have been suffering from nausea but as of yet have not lost my lunch. The lack of appetite led to a 2 pound weight loss but we are not concerned at this point. There is plenty of time to make it up - Monica recommends gaining between 20 and 30 pounds, so we have a ways to go. Other than the nausea, symptoms so far have been quite mild; bloating, and tiredness the other 2 main enemies. We expect things to get worse before they get better but I am keeping my spirits high and appreciate that growing a baby is hard work and should therefore be a little uncomfortable at times.

According to my calendar, I am 6 weeks 5 days along, and today's ultrasound confirmed those dates to be pretty close, estimating our current gestation at 6 weeks 6 days. So far they're sticking with November 28th as the due date - the Friday after Thanksgiving - so clear your calendars!

I have a few co-workers that are also recently pregnant, so I am excited to know I will not be short of advice or commiseraters! The three (!!) of us are within 3 weeks of one another, so Merial will have some adjusting to do when the time comes!

We still haven't told everyone about the pregnancy; I was so paranoid I wanted to wait and see the heartbeat before getting my hopes up, so today really helped me relax. I hope to inform our friends and extended family within the next week to two weeks!