I love doing these weekly updates. It makes it feel like time is moving very quickly. Heh.
(I promise that wear shirts beyond tanks but I think it’s good for comparison’s sake to repeat outfits.)
I feel like something definitely happened this week. I’m up three pounds, none of my pants have a hope in hell of buttoning (more on that later), and I can tell a slight difference in the pictures. Wahoo! Here’s what BabyHTP is up to this week: “Your baby is now the size of a small lime [last week it was a strawberry]. The baby has distinct human characteristics by now, with hands and feet in front of her body, with ears nearly in their final shape, open nasal passages on the tip of her tiny nose, a tongue and palate in the mouth, and visible nipples. The placenta has also began to form.” (Source)
The most exciting baby-related thing that happened this week was touring CMC Pineville’s Maternity Center. It’s really important to me to investigate my birthing options and check out various birth centers and hospitals.
Like many people, I’m wary of the idea of being in the hospital (i.e. who wants to be there?)… but probably even more so because of my family’s holistic, natural medicine mindset. But I’d heard really great things about CMC Pineville – that they don’t push drugs on you, they encourage natural births, and their c-section rate is the lowest in the area.
During the tour, I was pleasantly surprised to learn they had whirlpool tubs available for moms to labor in (although you can’t deliver in them), they allow you to get up and walk the hallways (provided you haven’t been induced or are on drugs and need to be monitored), and they allow you to take your placenta home (we will have it encapsulated in pill form – here’s why). They also believe in skin-to-skin contact and allow the baby to lay on your chest for an hour before they do any exams. And – I’ll admit – as a first-time mom, it was very nice to see all the high-tech equipment, just in case something goes terribly, terribly wrong. Also, the maternity ward is BEAUTIFUL. Brand new, private rooms with TVs, refrigerators, nice big tubs and showers, and pull-down Murphy beds for the partners.
The only downsides to the hospital? It’s 20 minutes away without traffic (up to an hour with) and the earliest they let you leave is 24 hours after delivery.
So – lesson learned. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. I can admit when I’m wrong – and just because it’s a hospital doesn’t mean they won’t help you have an all-natural birthing experience if that’s what you want (and can medically receive). I really want to work hard through this pregnancy not to let my personal biases get in the way of making balanced decisions. And one of the things we MUST consider is finances. Although we have health and maternity insurance, our deductible is high. If we delivered at the all-natural birthing center (which is not covered anyway), we would have to pay $4,500 out of pocket… and 25% of new moms have to be transferred to the hospital, where I would be responsible for several thousand more on top of the birthing center fee. Since I have a 1/4 chance of ending up in the hospital anyway, I think it makes the most financial sense just to start there. Now that we’ve found a hospital that we like and are comfortable with, we just need to find a new OB-GYN that delivers at that hospital! Whew.
(Husband giving acupressure to Jen last night at the hospital.)
Here’s Week 11 in a nutshell!
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Total weight gained: 3.5 pounds.
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Current food craving: BBQ chips. Frozen yogurt. Chips and salsa. Raspberries. I ate an entire carton of raspberries in one sitting the other day – I would’ve eaten two if we had more.
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Workouts: FOUR! I am so proud of myself. The Pregnancy Training Plan has been a total lifesaver and SO motivational. I did a 5K, a 750 yard swim, a 1000 meter swim, and a 2.0 mile walk.
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Pregnancy Books Read: None. Dropped the ball on my readings.
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Food Aversions: Zero… feed me anything and everything.
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Hormone-Induced Titty Tantrums: One small meltdown because I was tired and cranky.
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Baby Items Purchased: Since my pants no longer button, I invested in some BeBands. Basically, they hold your pants up and flatten the gaping fly so you can wear your normal pants longer. LIFESAVER. Will probably continue to wear these for the rest of time.
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Number of Weird Dreams: Approximately 32. Every night, I have the craziest, craziest dreams. Multiple nutty dreams every night that are so complex and realistic. I hear this is a side effect of the hormones.
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Acupuncture Treatments: Two. It really helps with feelings of nausea.
Countdown to the second trimester: 2 weeks to go!
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{ 157 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel like it would be fun to have pregnancy cravings!
I love to hear your pregnancy updates! I also think it’s great that you are taking the time to check your options. cudos!
Ahhhhhh!!!! Baby news! Just so you know I’m not having a baby for a long time. So one day I’ll be babysitting your bebe’s while I’m expecting mine!
I’m jealous you have no aversions! Hummus sounded like the most disgusting thing in the world to me… along with almost any vegetable
Love the updates!
This was fun to read. I literally tortured the nurse yesterday with my questions since I am experiencing minimal nausea, no funny dreams, craving food like normal and no aversions and don’t have that much of a “bump” at 12 weeks. Not that I am complaining just curious
you certainly have a tiny bulge there
I think that means you are just lucky
Also I have read that pregnancy ‘balances out’ some women’s hormones so they feel normal. Did you have hormonal issues before?
I didn’t have any hormonal issues before, may be I am just lucky
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I just looked fat until about 22 weeks. By 24 you could tell I was pregnant. It’s normal not to have a bump yet.
Did you miss the morning sickness boat??? I guess that is my biggest fear about ever getting pregnant is just puking everywhere!
The placenta thing….just wow. I know nothing bout birthing babies, so I’m a little in shock that people actually do that.*
Hahah yes – it’s a foreign concept to most Westerners but VERY common in other parts of the world. Some women even make soup with their placenta – that is definitely pushing it for me, but I can swallow pills.
Yeah, I’ve heard of “placenta smoothies” too – yack!
omg literally gagging.
Seriously had no idea people did this and a SMOOTHIE? My mom gets grossed out by Green Monsters lol.
You’re giving ME cravings for BBQ chips with all these posts
BBQ chips for all!
Aah, the weird dreams. Be prepared, they will probably get weirder. You look lovely, and I am SO glad you had a good experience touring the hospital. We went the hospital route and were really, really glad since I ended up having some totally unpredictable, potentially serious issues.
You are just so adorable! And I feel like I can sense your glow from way out here in Texas!
eek. i just cannot with the placenta. my friend’s roommate is in midwife school (is that the term? haha) and they had an article hanging on their fridge about a man coming home to find his wife in the kitchen eating the placenta. im gagging as i type this. she was “craving” it or something. she just HAD to eat it. omgomg i cant. anyways, love the updates =) sorry to scare people haha
This comment KILLED ME. LOL.
Ew, ew, ew! WTF?! I think I’m seriously scarred after reading this.
@Gina @ Running to the Kitchen: hahaha i am so sorry to do that to you
I had a completely natural birth at the hospital with a midwife and it was wonderful! Our hospital was also about 20 mins away, without traffic. Luckily I went into labor on a Sunday morning. The drive seemed to take FOREVER because I was already in transition by the time we got in the car to go.
I used the tub, which was awesome, for about 20 minutes before it was time for me to push.
Man, that 1st trimester really flies by, doesn’t it?!
Ha! I thought it lasted AT LEAST a hundred years.
exactly. it’s really fast when it’s someone ELSES pregnancy. I thought mine would neeeeevvvveeeerrrr end.
Wow, I had no idea that it cost so much to have a baby at a natural birthing center. I had no idea what Bebands were before this post, but they sound like they are really useful for pregnancy – and Thanksgiving dinner maybe?!
Have a great afternoon Caitlin, and happy 11 weeks!
Happy for you and the Hus & I like seeing the weekly updates
Just wanted to point out that “most people” are not wary of hospitals & I would say that the general population does not have a problem with Western medicine. In fact, I bet a lot of the U.S. population would be very happy to have health care available to them in any form.
Wanted to point that out, because although I know you (and lots of like-minded readers) have done research on alternatives to hospitals/Western approaches to medical care, they are appreciated by the vast majority who rely on them.
By this comment, I meant that ‘most people’ do not the ENJOY the idea of having to go to the hospital for any reason. Probably not worded the best way though.
I would agree with that, I think it was just the way you worded it and then proceeded to incorporate your family’s alternative medicine background in the same sentence.
Yeah it was shit wording.
So sorry.
Aww you look beautiful and it sounds like someone is developing nicely! Best wishes!
Time IS flying by! I’m glad you enjoyed your hospital experience! Are midwives allowed to deliver at that hospital?
Yup! If you have a doctor who works with midwives.
placenta pills? like small bites? or it is processed somehow? im so confused. i’d love to understand it though if you feel like sharing more information.
Basically, they dry out the placenta, pulverize it, and make it into pill form. This is pretty graphic (I warned you) but you can even do it at home (I will pay someone else to do it, I don’t think I can handle it nor do I want the husband cooking my placenta): http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1577334/Placenta_Encapsulation_Instructions_w_Pictures
Gaaaah, why did I click that link?!
Haha i warned you!
Oh SICK! I clicked it, too. Well, now I’m not as hungry for dinner…
I’m too much of a baby (and too cheap) to consider anything but a hospital. Plus if there’s an emergency, I want someone there STAT who can really help me. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned.
Naw, I think it’s wise. That’s one of my major reasons for hospital birthing. It shit goes down, I want an OBGYN there who can cut out the baby and save our lives.
I hope someone knows what I am talking about/watches Private Practice or Greys
But in my head I keep hearing ‘page Dr Addisoon Montgomery’ lol
The whole time I was there I felt like I was in Grey’s Anatomy.
I love my band, instead of investing in a bunch of work maternity pants I wear the band with them. Granted at this point I love wearing dresses instead, but I think its just because it makes it easier to go to the bathroom!
I know this was said in earlier comments, but I was THRILLED to be able to have my baby in a hospital. I did an internship in Uganda and one of the things the health co-op I was working for did was pass out “Mama Kits” to pregnant mothers who could not get to a hospital to give birth. After seeing how some of those women give birth, I feel incredibly lucky that I was able to be in a modern facility with EXTREMELY competent and caring doctors and nurses.
Amen to that!
That looks and sounds like a really great place to give birth!
For what it’s worth, I delivered there with a midwife and it was wonderful. No joke, I cried when I had to leave ( with both kids). The nurses are amazing, as was my midwife ( and the doc that delivered my first daughter).A few days after my second daughter was born I had to come back to the hospital briefly for something minor ( a heel prick for the baby) and I begged to be admitted. A little post baby craziness going on there, clearly.
Aw well thats wonderful for me to hear! What did you like so much about it?
The nurses, mainly. Every single one of them was amazing and felt like a close friend very quickly. The nurses and my midwife understood our birth plan and made suggestions ( but never pushed) when they thought it was time to deviate from the plan. Also, they go easy on the interventions. I had to be induced but after they started pitocin they very patiently let me walk and walk and walk until contractions began. There was no rush to break my water and no rush to do anything to speed things along when it wasn’t necessary. They seemed to want things to go as normally as possible, despite having to use pitocin to kick start things. Additionally, the rooms are beautiful and comfortable, the baby can sleep with you or be sent to the nursery and brought back at feeding times, and (best of all) no one looked at us funny when they walked in the room to find us toasting baby’s birth with a glass of wine.
Heheh you sound like my kind of woman
The Beband! Best invention ever. It’s totally normal to be in a belly band at this point – I transitioned to maternity pants somewhere around the 11-12 week mark too.
I’m jealous that you have no aversions. I hated everything except cheeseburgers and cereal, basically.
Titty Tantrum? I find that term really offensive. I really hate perpetuating the myth that women are just crazy and hormonal. Sometimes people have a bad day, and sometimes hormones play a part in it, but it’s a chauvinist sounding term.
I hope you consider not using it again.
I agree. Very sexist term.
Agreed x 1000. I actually just came to the comments to see if anyone else was bothered by that.
There were better ways to express that you are attributing your temper tantrums and irrational responses to hormonal changes in your body.
It’s kinda odd to preach body awareness, self love, and how the media is so horrible to women and then loosely use terms like ‘titty tantrum.’ It’s probably along the same line as when girls refer to each other as b()&*Y(ches. Not really harmful but probably not the best choice of words either.
Thank you!!
Yeah…that’s a really lame term-yuck.
It sounds like you already found a great hospital, but just wanted to throw in to look at your caregiver’s standard practices before ruling out a certain place- my hospital doesn’t do any of those things you mentioned as standard practice, but my care group does, so the hospital policy means nothing.
Yes definitely! Thanks for reminding me. When I interview OBGYNs, I am going to verify that they will let me do all those things too.
I am so excited for you guys !
It will be fun to follow along
….and good for you for the workouts.. that’s great, !!
Caitlin, I think that women have so many sources of pressure – and whether one believes that pregnancy and childbirth ought to be highly medicalized or not, the options can be overwhelming at times! Ultimately, whatever you chose will be what’s best, because only you and your hubby are experts on what’s best for YOU. One of my best friends is a ‘give me the drugs’ kind of person, while I am a ‘keep me as far away from intervention-happy practitioners as possible’ person, but we both made the ‘right’ choices because we know ourselves.This is the best part about having babies today: choices! I know that sometimes finances can steer us one way or another, but all of us readers will cheer you on, and support whatever feels and fits best for you! We dn’t need one homogenous culture of birthing that is ‘best’, but one in which all women come away feeling like their choices were respected by friends and practitioners and that they had the best possible experience, given the circumstances! We have to cheer each other on and learn from all of these wonderful ways of bringing babies into the world!
Agree – totally well said. We are very lucky in our society to have such endless choices. Thank you for the support.
Love this comment- I agree- it’s so wonderful that there are so many options and people can choose what works best for them
Hormone induced titty tantrums. That actually made me laugh out loud. I mean, I have them and I’m not even pregnant.
You look great by the way. It’s been a while since I’ve commented but I’m really excited to follow your baby journey.
Looking beautiful with that pregnant glow!!
I knew I could count on you for great information on alternative pre-birth/during birth/post birth options. I’ve never had kids, nor do I plan to, but I am fascinated by pregnancy and child birth and I look forward to your updates. Placenta pills…amazing to know about the benefits of this. Thanks for letting us all in on your decision process.
P.S. I talked my admin assistant into seeing an accupuncturist for her neck problems based on knowing about your husbands work. Happy to report her neck problems are no more after meeting with one. Eastern medicine is so cool!
Thanks
I am so glad your AA found relief!!! Neck pain blows.
love the updates!
just wondering why you think it is a downside that the earliest the hospital will let you leave is at 24 hrs. I would think it would be nice to stay the full 2 days to get a bit of rest before going home with a newborn!
Good question.
The thought of being stuck at the hospital, not in my own comfy bed with my own delicious food and without my doggies, just seems REALLY unappealing to me. Maybe I will feel differently when I’m actually there, though. Honestly, if they would let me deliver and immediately leave, I probably would, if I knew the baby was okay!
I have been feeling the same way as you, but my mom told me (after two natural child birth experiences) that she was happy the hospital made her stay. Even though she was breast feeding, and didn’t allow the hospital to feed me or my brother formula in the middle of the night, she said she was greatful for the few days in the hospital so she could rest. I think it probably depends on your labor.
I think it does. I had my first in the hospital and the 24 hour stay killed me. I can’t sleep in hospitals and that was by far the most sleepless awful night I’ve had, even with 2 kids. I just wanted to go home.
Hospital beds are miserable! We booked it out of there right after 24 hours… dry air, stiff beds, ucky food… TAKE ME HOME PLEASE!
I agree that it totally depends on your labor..but holy hell, am I glad i was at the hospital for the full 2 days. I had my first bebe 4 months ago and am still reliving the nightmare and HOT MESS that is childbirth. Albiet uncomfortable, I was much happier to use thehospitals, um, supplies (read:.giant diapers..) and !
sitz baths than my own. And it was hard being away from my two doggies too..but all in all…so glad I stayed.
It’s crazy how many changes the body goes through and the mind as well! I haven’t heard of turning the placenta into pills, but I’m intrigued. I definitely couldn’t eat it straight (or make it into some other sort of food), but pill form is a lot easier!
This is just so exciting!! I hear you big time on everything you are saying about all the options to take and it is all about what is best for YOU.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I HIGHLY suggest getting an Epidural!!!!
WAHOO soo excited for you!
And congrats on staying on the ‘ball’ on the fitness front
Placenta pills?!? That is absolutely horrifying and disgusting, period.
agreed.
Though that choice may not be for everyone, humans are the only mammals who don’t consume their placentas and the health benefits have proven to be many and great. Taking something that looks like a multi vitamin isn’t disgusting. And reducing your chances of postpartum depression and increasing your energy during the first few very difficult weeks of your baby’s life is amazing
It is disgusting. I’m actually so disgusted that I will no longer be reading this blog and I know I can’t be the only one. After I had my baby, I was exhausted with some baby blues. I would take that any day because it’s completely normal. There is NO way I would ingest (in ANY form) something that came out of my own body for ANY reason whatsoever. There is a reason that this “practice” doesn’t occur in our society… most understand that some sleep and time will help you to thoroughly enjoy the time with a new baby.
Actually, May, other societies that engage in this practice actually give their woman MORE time off work and MORE assistance with childcare than our society does, and they have significantly lower rates of PPD and other post-pregnancy hormonal problems. If me saying that I would ingest my placenta in pill form is so disgusting to you that you will no longer read my blog, well – sorry. Part of what makes blogging and reading blogs awesome, to me, is that you learn about other people’s viewpoints and experiences and hopefully increase your own understanding of the vast range of experiences of all the people of the world. That doesn’t mean you have to do it for yourself. I read blogs written by Mormons – do I agree with their religious views? Well, no. But I still find their perspective interesting. I think you would be hard pressed to find a blog out there that has the exact same views on life that you do, and if you did, I imagine it would seem pretty boring to read.
I agree, I’m a mother of 4 and think this is just gross. But, what I don’t really get is that once you dry it out, pulverize it and make pills out of it, you would be losing a lot of the benefits. Especially, taking it tiny bit by bit, I think it is a scam, and would really research it further before sending my placenta off to get made into supplements.
You will like that beband! Mine got me through til almost 23 weeks. Then, the buttons of my pants were just digging into my stomach too much and it was slightly uncomfortable. Congrats on 11 weeks! Your hospital plan sounds like a good one!
I honestly cannot tell one difference in you at 1, 10 or 11 weeks. You look exactly the same in my opinion. Which I guess is a good thing. But I dont think you want to look the same, but WANT to look pregnant so badly that you are pushing it there just a bit.
Congrats on your lack of food aversions!
Also, I so wanted to love my beband (and I do wear one quite a bit) but by the end of the day I am so sick of dealing with it. Pulling it up to go the bathroom, or having my fly come further unzipped so my pants end up falling off out of the beband. I also by the end of the day am SICK of feeling it around my tummy. For some reason I don’t experience this with maternity pants. I now have 3 pairs of maternity work pants, and 3 pair of maternity jeans. Fingers crossed for them to last the whole pregnancy.
I guess the placenta stuff is kind of horrifying at first thought, but if you look at some things we do here…particularly drastic elective cosmetic surgery – at least the placenta pill or however you do it (I was LOLing about the woman’s husband walking into the kitchen) is natural and seemingly beneficial.
Glad you won’t be cooking it up at home though
Agree… While I wouldn’t want to eat straight placenta (mainly because of the meat factor), I can think of a lot less ‘disgusting’ things we readily accept in our society. Just because its different doesn’t mean it’s wrong.
What in the world is a titty tantrum? I have never heard of that term…ever! A tantrum ABOUT your titties? Like an “omg my bras don’t fit!” tantrum?
LOL no it’s slang for hissy fit.
Sexist slang.
Is it really sexist though? Because many times I’ve met both women AND men who have had titty tantrums. I think you’re grasping at straws here.
Agreed. I have never heard of it called a titty tantrum, but it made me LOL.
Men can soooo have titty tantrums. And get PMS. And apparently menopause.
Did you miss this comment thread further up?
http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2011/11/babyhtp-11-weeks.html#comment-237095
I didn’t know that about placenta pills. Neat!
I wore all my same clothes through pregnancy. Never owned any maternity clothing.
I’m glad the hospital had such great features! I think that’s a great option, especially if you have a 25% chance of ending up at a hospital anyway. And I love the descriptions of what the baby looks like! So cool!
I love these updates!! So fun seeing you coming along.
Glad you found something and someplace that you’re comfortable with and that you think will work for you on a variety of levels…there are always so many decisions and options and pros and cons to weigh.
““Your baby is now the size of a small lime [last week it was a strawberry]. ” <– I remember those days and calling my now almost 5-year old a strawberry. TIME FLIES!! Feels like 6 yrs ago was just..yesterday that she was a strawberry
you look wonderful my dear!!!
Um, so your black tank top totally offends me. The color of death on a pregnancy post?
I’m kidding. People are a little punchy today… all that holiday stress!
You look and sound great. This increase of expectant/delivering bloggers is making me want to get on the baby train.
Hahahah I love you.
I love how selective you are about your feminism Caitlin! Consistency is overrated.
Lighten. Up.
I’m upset Caitlin is pregnant. Everyone knows feminists don’t have babies.
Personally, the BeBand never worked for me. It was always rolling up. If it is working for you that is awesome… but the company also makes a tank that I got at Target, same material, but it wore a lot better than the BeBand for me. Maybe check it out sometime? I also found it easier to use the beband and/or tank to keep up maternity pants when they were too big, than keep up my regular pants when they were too small.
I can definitely tell a difference! Loving your updates, and wow that hospital sounds awesome! I think that I would have to choose there. High tech equipment makes me feel better about things like that, too.
I was eating lunch when I clicked on that placenta link. No joke, I almost barfed!
Yep. I had great natural births in hospitals with his C-section rates – I’m not convinced that hospitals WANT you to have anything other than a birth that is intervention free? Certainly, here in Australia that is the way.
Just don’t rush out of hospital too quickly….I left with my first after 3 nights and was PETRIFIED being home without the midwives at the end of the buzzer. Fab as my husband is he didn’t have their knowledge and I felt so very scared out of my wee hospital cocoon.
Also my hospital gave us the option of putting our babies in the nursery overnight if we wanted some sleep and they brought them to us to feed every few hours. So people baulk at this idea, but honestly, this was wonderful. I was EXHAUSTED and so full of hormones and adrenaline a few hours alone to sleep were very healing. Our hospital’s philosophy is that hospital time was about the MOTHER – healing and learning about the baby. The rest of the time my babies were naked on my chest (except a nappy of course). Best of both worlds.
Glad to see the HTPregnancy is going great!
You must have had very tight pants to begin with, heh, and possibly just normal post-meal bloat!
You wouldn’t really be showing at 11 weeks. I don’t think I started to show until about 25 weeks, although my waist started getting a little thicker about the 20 week mark.
I think it’s lovely that you’re so excited about your pregnancy, though. So many children are born unwanted and suffer for it.
* Uh, sorry, not that you look bloated! Your stomach looks flat as a pancake to me!
It’s okay
I know what you mean. My pants WERE tight and a lot of it is definitely bloat. But there’s a baby in there somewhere! LOL
Looks like a nice place! Can I say you might not mind having to hang around the hospital for a while after the birth? We live overseas and I had little choice but to give birth at the military hospital here (there is a birthing center, but if you start there the military hospital won’t take you and you have to go to the crappy civilian hospital if something goes wrong) and they require first time moms to stay 48 hours. I was so upset by this, but really it ended up being beneficial-it gave me extra time to get the hang of everything and the LC was so helpful since I had some trouble getting the breastfeeding thing down. Anyway, just food for thought!
Yes! I’m glad I had my kiddo in the hospital, but I really wish there had been a birthing tub. So, do that. Hospital with a tub
just wanted to say i TOTALLY had the 11 week bloat and i totally understand! (i feel like everyone thought i was crazy). at 21 weeks, it is pretty obviously that it’s a baby now, but that ‘awkward stage’ was hard for me!
i think your decision is smart, for a number of reasons. from the pediatric angle, things CAN go wrong (even though usually they don’t!!) very quickly and being able to get help quickly is important.
Sorry I’m so late, but Congratulations!!! You’re so cute! I have to admit that I’m pretty nervous about giving birth. We will probably wait for a couple more years. Will have to catch up on your updates to know what to expect.
Yay! So glad you found a place you feel comfortable with. It looks like a great option! And you are looking good.
It’s great that you’re so excited about your pregnancy (and you should be!), but don’t you think this is all a bit much for so early in the pregnancy? I enjoy your blog but I personally am finding the pregnancy hysteria a bit overwhelming. I understand taking these photos for your personal records but they seem rather unnecessary when your stomach is as flat as it was pre-conception, and is smaller than most peoples will be after Thanksgiving dinner. I don’t know you but since you blog your food intake online every day, I would wager that your weight gain and tight pants are due to the fact that you’ve eased up on your previously very repetitive diet (beans + quinoa + mmm sauce) and are eating totally normal foods that most people “crave” without pregnancy. I’ve gained 10 pounds and not had to unbutton my jeans, never mind buy extenders etc.
I hope this comes across as I intended – I don’t mean you shouldn’t be excited, and of course you want to share! This is obviously a wonderful time. I’m merely trying to comment on the amount of attention you’re giving it on the blog.
Stay stay stay at the hospital! Looking back it was so great to have the help and to have any questions answered. Sleep in a hospital bed is better than no sleep at all!
you look great and seem happy! PS…the BeBand rocks..and is great again after baby!
I really wish I knew about those BeBands when I used to have to leave work during the day to buy new pants because my stomach would get so bloated after lunch. I even ordered maternity pants! Oh man. I should keep one of those around in case I get sick like that again.
Ugh – I hope you NEVER get sick like that again!
Caitlin…One of the best books that I read (and reread, and then reread again) is called The Baby Whisperer! You look amazing! Please keep the updates coming…I am 14 weeks into my second pregnancy, and although its exciting, its not as much as the first one was, so I love hearing about your experience!!!
I have a general aversion to ALL food lately.
Question: is your due date based on your LMP or the fetal measurements? Based on LMP, I was due June 7, but yesterday the doc measured the fetus for the first time and it was only at 10 weeks, 2 days. This put my new due date at June 17! I was so surprised.
Mine is based on my LMP. The first ultrasound that they did, I measured about 4 days behind, but by the second one, I was back on track. The doc told me that ultrasound measurements can vary as much as 3 days either way. Were your cycles longer? Did you test positive a week or so past your expected period?
I loved reading all of this! I have do many pregnant pts that tell me their only adversion is meat. You’re already ahead of the game on that one
Placenta pills….sounds strange…..but I say do whatever your comfortable with
I’m excited because our hospital offers free chord blood donation! I just have to request a collection kit to bring with me and they do the rest. If my baby’s blood can save a sick kid with leukemia …or even if it’s just used for stem cell research….I’ll be happy! It makes me feel blessed to be able to donate such a powerful gift 
That is AWESOME (and you are so thoughtful). I wonder if my hospital does anything similar. I will have to investigate!
you can also pay to have your own child’s cord blood banked in case they ever need it. i’m not sure whether i’m going to do this but i’m thinking about it! (if not i will DEFINITELY donate).
The placenta pics gave me flashbacks to delivering babies in medical school! (I’m a resident in internal medicine now, so no babies/mommies for me – though I’m studying for my boards and realizing I do surprisingly need to have a decent knowledge about pregnant women and babies, since lots of kiddos with congenital diseases are surviving to adulthood these days). Anyway, oh the horror of the placenta… it’s like a big blob… always thought it looked like a brain… ick.
I’m enjoying the pregnancy updates! You’re blog is definitely a bit different now, but I like it and very happy and excited for you! I’m so hoping to get to experience pregnancy one day!
Congrats on your pregnancy Kate
So exciting.
I don’t really want a baby (I’m only 24 and totally single, so I’m cool with it!) ever, but damn Caitlin – I want your BOOBS. So jealous of that!!!
So glad everything is still going along swimmingly!!!!
Haha you can have them!!!
Just wanted to pass on the best trick I learned for nausea, try eating watermelon. Something in it works wonders. Two kids later and I still swear by it!
My Fiance and I just found out this week we’re expecting. Thankfully I’m from canada and all our hosptial stuff is covered by medicare. However we have no cool birthing places like you do
Some of those places look so nice to deliver in!
Heheh trade ya! Congrats on your exciting news
I am so excited for you.
Way to go on the workouts!!! You rock. I struggle with early pregnancy work outs because of nausea and fatigue. I’m 14 weeks pregnant and hoping it chills out a little. I’m starting to take walks more.
love reading this – so good that you’re researching birthing options so well (and I get to benefit, so thanks!!). Have a great week
Heidi xo
I can’t believe how quickly the bump is growing- so exciting !
Is it weird that I am like, extremely excited and happy for you? Like, way more than I should be for someone I’ve never met. Sooo excited to watch this process!
Thank you so much Dari Marie
I appreciate it so much.
I encapsulated my placenta w/my second! I still have some hanging around. Do you have to go the OB route or will your insurance cover a family practitioner too? Another fyi, hippy crunchy baby stores and doulas usually know the most natural birth friendly doctors.
One of my best friends just did a natural birth in a tub and she said she would do it again. Also, you might already know this, but the skin-on-skin contact is good for the baby because a mom’s chest changes temperatures based on what the baby needs. Just a little fact I learned the other day
Congrats on the pregnancy!
My husband and i just went through the same birthing dilema. To do a home birh in california, it’d cost around $3800, but a birth at a natural friendly hospital with a doula? around a $1000. We drove 40 minutes to iur hospital if choice, and i think it was worth it. My doula helped me walk the halls, apply pressure at my hips during contractions, pushed food and water on me, and was just a steady rock during my birth. It let my husband be more in the moment and get to enjoy the process. all of the nurses were super supportive, and all of the nurses in the maternity ward of scripps encinitas were trained lactation consultants. It was really nice to have everything right there, especially since i was one of the rare few who need medical assistance after birth.
So anyway, natural friendly hospitals aren’t bad, 20 minutes away is most probably ok, and natural birth was so worth it and not that bad (for me). I hope that next time will be a home birth, but if it’s not, it’s cool.
Oh, one more thing. Most hospitals do NOT understand a healthy veg diet. I’ve never seen so much dairy and sugar in my life. Have people smuggle you food
Good advice
I will def have them smuggle me food!!!
i think you SHOULD wear the same shirt (same color and everything) for comparison’s sake! Excited for you!
You look so great! Your observation about having weird dreams makes me very excited – I am 10dpo today and just waiting (dying!) to take a test, and this whole week I have been having the most vividly strange dreams. At first I thought it might just be from all the anticipation, but I am glad to hear it’s a possibility that it could be from the hormones! When did you take your first PG test?
That is definitely a symptom! I had the weirdest dreams right away. I hope you get a big fat positive soon!!!!
I tested positive 6 days before my missed period. I was using a low sensitivity test that detected 5 units of the HCG hormone.
Let me know what happens! If not this month, next!
Oh and I think I was like 10 DPO
Trust me – it goes faster han you could ever imagine!
Are there any CNMs that deliver at that hospital? I wanted a midwife birth, but we thought a hospital was the best choice for us for the same reasons as you (insurance being a huge one!!). I was blessed to find a CNM that is part of a practice of OB/Gyns. She has the backup if she needs it, but they leave her alone otherwise. Plus the hospital’s policies are very similar to the one you described.
I’ve been assured by the midwife & a doula that attends births there often that if nothing is long with the baby, I can have the baby on my chest immediately and have exams done with her in my arms or at least delay them. The baby can room with me the entire time, too.
Are there any “mommy message boards” for Charlotte? I found my provider on the Pregnancy message board of DFW Area Moms and got AMAZING background info from there. I don’t know what I would have done without it.
There are CNMs that deliver at Pineville but you just have to find a doctor with CNMs at that proactive.
I will have to hunt for a message board!
I can see a difference in the pics this week. Most definatly!! Looking great!
I love your positive outlook and the way you are ignoring all the negative comments. Not sure why people feel the need to be critical, but I love reading about the different philosophies you are considering and feel like I am learning a lot from your posts, even though I am nowhere near pregnant. Anyway, congrats!
Can’t please everyone
Thanks girl! I appreciate it.
I love the comparison shots when I was pregnant, too! And yes… bellabands are a life savor! I wore them post pregnancy too!