Whoa, baby!  I cannot even believe we’re at 16 weeks.

5 weeks pregnant 16 weeks pregnant

Here’s what BabyHTP is up to this week (source): “Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he’s about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too… He’s even started growing toenails. And there’s a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.”

 

I’ve seen a definite uptick in symptoms this week.  Admittingly, I’ve had a very easy pregnancy, with no vomiting or food aversions, but this week – oh man.  I’ve had uncomfortable round ligament pain (signs the uterus is stretching), especially when I cough or get out bed in the middle of the night.  And I’m very sensitive to hunger.  I waited until 11:00 AM to eat breakfast on Monday because I was with family and nearly fainted.  In response, I’m trying to be extra-good about eating regularly and resting, skipping all of my runs on days I have round ligament pain.  I feel SO much better now.

 

So – this week’s discussion topic is… worrying during pregnancy.

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I spent the first three weeks of my pregnancy feeling absolutely obsessed with every twinge.  One of the best things about the Internet and blogs is that we get glimpses into other people’s lives and learn from the experiences they choose to share. I have a much greater understanding of infertility and miscarriage because of the brave things other people are willing to write about, and I am extremely grateful for this understanding.  But at the same time, this knowledge is a bit of a curse.  Every time anything hurt, I would think, “Oh my gosh, I read a forum thread about this woman who had the same symptoms and ended up having an ectopic pregnancy!”  I’d spend hours working myself into a frenzy, trying to decide whether I should go to the hospital… and then, thankfully, I’d feel fine. 

 

Worrying extended to other issues, too.  Should I eat that cheese?  Should I take a hot shower?  Should I wear nail polish?  Should I stop running?  Will flying across the country radiate my baby?

 

After a period of scary spotting but a healthy early ultrasound, I decided that I had to take charge – I had to choose between constant worry and feeling calm and centered.  I am sure there is an in-between state that others can exist in, but I’m so all-or-nothing that it was just one or the other.  I decided that I’ll always be sensible and safe (of course), but I’m not going to worry about something happening until it is actually happening. 

 

Reading The Panic-Free Pregnancy really helped me, too.  Although I don’t agree with everything in the book, I really enjoyed the calming effect the book had on me.  

panicfreepregnancy

A reader e-mailed me the other day and asked what pregnancy books I recommended, and part of me wanted to say, “Don’t read anything!”  Hah.  There’s so much fear-mongering out there, and if you’re a certain type of person, it can feel so overwhelming when you’re already nervous and sensitive.  Recently, I read a sentence that really stuck with me:  “Pregnant women are in danger of knowing too much or not knowing enough.”  I think we all have to decide where our line is and draw it.  After all, the stress of over-worrying is harmful for our health, too!

 

But recently, I’ve found myself worrying more and more again.  There are new issues to stress about now.  What if the baby isn’t healthy?  What if something horrible happens during labor?  I’m trying to remind myself, bit by bit, day by day, that I choose what to worry about.  And that worrying never prevented anything from happening!  It’s a challenge, but I think this is part of the emotional evolution of pregnancy… and eventually parenting, too.

 

Here are my Babble posts from this week:

Your guide to those exciting nine months

 

Here’s Week 16, neatly summarized:

 

  • Total Weight Gained:  Up 5.5 pounds
  • Workouts:  A 2.5-mile walk, a 2.0-mile walk, and a 1000 yard swim.
  • Number of Nightly Trips to the Bathroom:  One.  And I hate every step! Hah.
  • Baby-related Christmas Presents:  Six (six!) maternity shirts!  A University of Miami toddler onesie.  And a Sleep Sheep.
  • Boy or Girl?:  In the last few weeks, I’ve really felt like it’s a girl.  But I thought it was a boy before, so who knows.

 

Did you worry a lot during pregnancy?  How did you balance a healthy amount of worry and a happy outlook?  I realize this is VASTLY different for everyone and is impacted by their experiences, so I’m interested to hear your thoughts!

{ 90 comments }

 

  • Mary Nell December 28, 2011, 8:56 pm

    Random thoughts: I loved reading What To Expect When You’re Expecting. My personal belief is that the nightly “waking up” and trips to the bathroom are there just to prepare you for the baby waking up in the night–I had a definite correlation even with the times :). On a final note, my husband helped me not worry. His favorite saying is, “What can you do about it?” If nothing, then don’t worry :). You are going to be a great mom and I can’t wait to see all the baby pics!

    • Caitlin December 28, 2011, 8:58 pm

      🙂 Thank you sweetie. The Hus says the same thing to me… that all this peeing is good practice. LOL

  • Lindsay December 28, 2011, 9:01 pm

    I worried a lot during the first 9 weeks of my pregnancy due to having previously experiencing two miscarriages but now I’m 12 weeks (well tomorrow) and I am starting to worry less. Now I feel much more relaxed and ready to take on the next 6 months.

  • Jen@FoodFamilyFitness December 28, 2011, 9:02 pm

    My first pregnancy I worried about every single thing, the second one I was still pretty uptight, but by the third I relaxed and had the best pregnancy of them all!! My sister is an RN and she said it’s best to sometimes NOT know everything and all of the “what ifs” because we will just worry ourselves silly!!!

  • Army Amy* December 28, 2011, 9:05 pm

    I don’t have a baby, but I do worry. People tell me all the time that I shouldn’t, but I have yet to find a way to turn it off. (It’s not like I enjoy worrying!) My only “cure” is to distract myself. Exercise, time with friends, fun activities. Anything to keep my mind off of my worries.*

  • Amy December 28, 2011, 9:05 pm

    Oh yeah. I get up every night like clockwork. I’m used to it now!

    About worrying — that’s been a real struggle for me. My pregnancy has come at a really weird time in my life; after two miscarriages, I found out I was pregnant just 36 hours before my mom passed away of cancer. I am POSITIVE that if not for those experiences, I wouldn’t worry nearly as much as I do. In my first trimester, after two weeks or so of panicking at every twinge and running to the bathroom to check for spotting every 15 minutes, I made the same conscious choice that you did, and it really did help. I’ve moved away from that (I think because now that I’m further along, I’ve had more time to bond with the baby and feel like I have “more” to lose?), so maybe a good 2012 intention will be to take a few deep, calming breaths and let my pregnancy progress.

    Great food for thought. I’m still jealous of your easy first trimester.

    • Caitlin December 28, 2011, 9:07 pm

      Oh my god, Amy. I am so, so, SOOOOOOOO sorry about your mom. Truly. A HUGE e-hug for you…

      • Amy December 29, 2011, 9:29 am

        Thanks. 🙂

  • Lee December 28, 2011, 9:05 pm

    Haha, I just read your name rules and my name defies 3 of them. It’s a “weird” name (my full name is Leidra) but I go by a nickname that’s unisex. Haha! At least it doesn’t end in an “en” though.

    • Caitlin December 28, 2011, 9:06 pm

      Hahah aw man. I love you, though!

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery December 28, 2011, 9:06 pm

    I love reading all your baby posts 🙂 They are so fun. I’m in my early twenties and still in college so I don’t have kids, but my cousin had a baby in February and stayed so calm throughout her pregnancy. What seemed to make her so relaxed was just learning what she could from her midwives, doing prenatal yoga, and eating lots of organic food or at least food without a lot of preservatives. She also had a water birth even though her baby was two weeks late and the baby is the calmest, happiest little girl I have ever seen. I know that she did acupuncture as well so maybe the Husband can help you do some of that?

  • Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) December 28, 2011, 9:13 pm

    I had such an easy pregnancy my first time around and was 23, so pretty much too young to be realistic. After miscarrying twice, my eventual (4th) pregnancy was a nightmare and I worried about everything. There is definitely a healthy balance with worrying.

  • Jen December 28, 2011, 9:23 pm

    Seriously, having ANY kind of health issue + internet access is just asking for trouble, lol. My husband was diagnosed with melanoma two years ago and even though I knew better, even though I told myself not to, within hours of his diagnosis I was reading every Google hit I could find and scaring the crap out of myself. Like you, I eventually had to make a conscious choice not to read everything I could get my hands on because I was just scaring the bejezus out of myself. There’s a fine line between wanting to be informed and giving yourself a coronary from what you’re “learning”! Compared to many of the other first time moms I’ve known, I think you’re doing a fabulous job of taking things in stride and not freaking out over all the little things. BabyHTP has one smart mama!

  • Marci December 28, 2011, 9:26 pm

    I’m a worrier and a planner and have made a goal to be more relaxed durin pregnancy. Stress is bad! My new years resolution is to roll with the punches and take things as they come. Worrying isn’t a solution, but you can take actions and research and plan!

  • katie December 28, 2011, 9:28 pm

    Perfect timing for this post….I have been worry free my entire testing, until yesterday I got a call from my md saying our baby is at risk for a serious birth defect. I have been freaking out! The odds seem slim, but the worry in her voice and the fact that she scheduled me for an emergency ultrasound isn’t comforting. I’ll be 17 weeks on Friday, and I finally just started to feel and look pregnant! My husband keeps telling me not to worry about what we can’t control….but it just feels so much more personal when the baby’s safe haven is supposed to be my body!

  • Jess December 28, 2011, 9:30 pm

    This is something I worry about (ha ha, ironic)! I have anxiety issues as it is, and I wonder if getting pregnant will send them into overdrive. I try to practice these same skills now – hopefully when we have children, I’ll be better at it!

  • Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) December 28, 2011, 9:33 pm

    A topic that hits close to home for me! I am 21 weeks pregnant via IVF. I went through over a year of infertility treatments, shots, ultrasounds, surgeries, canceled cycles etc that I learned early on to give up control. I worried a lot during the treatments and it did not help the situation one bit. Honestly, I am thankful for my experience and what I learned going through the treatments because I think God was preparing my heart and mind for a peaceful pregnancy.

    I know, without a doubt, that if I had not walked the road of infertility I would be a crazy woman worrying about every single aspect of my (now) pregnancy. It wholeheartedly believe it is important to be informed and to make wise choices but I agree – worrying doesn’t prevent anything bad from happening and therefore I have chosen not to worry about the “what if’s” because that is ALL they are… “what if’s.”

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 11:04 am

      You have a good attitude : Very half-full.

  • Margaret December 28, 2011, 9:37 pm

    Sleep Sheep’s are awesome, just sayin’…. 😀

  • steph December 28, 2011, 9:51 pm

    i spy a baby bump!!

  • Ellie@Fit for the Soul December 28, 2011, 9:53 pm

    wowww Caitlin!! You are looking awesome, amazing, and healthy!! And aside from the pudgy belly, I can’t tell you’re pregnant at all! haha. And one thing that does cross my mind for my future children is, what if I do something wrong during labor, etc.?

  • Andrea of Care to Breed December 28, 2011, 9:58 pm

    When I was pregnant, I didn’t worry about anything I didn’t have control over. Why waste my time on that when I could be putting positive energy and love towards my baby? Of course, that was easy for me because I’m not a worry wart in the first place, never had a miscarriage, and had a healthy, textbook pregnancy. The real worrying came AFTER the baby arrived 🙂

  • Heather December 28, 2011, 10:13 pm

    you are def starting to show more! How exciting! I am a control freak and know I will be such a worry wart when I get pregnant one day!

  • Jen December 28, 2011, 10:17 pm

    My 2nd baby was born at 35 weeks- she ended up being 100% fine, but it still stressful. So with my 3rd pregnancy, I was constantly worrying that I’d go into premature labor. I defintiely made a few panicky trips to the doctor, when everything was just fine. And of course, I ended up being 4 days overdue 🙂
    Looking back, I wish I had enjoyed the pregnancy more instead of worrying so much. But I ended up with a healthy, delicious little girl, so that’s all that really matters.
    My advice would be to not to worry about things you can’t control, but of course that’s easier said than done!

  • Keri December 28, 2011, 10:41 pm

    Can I just say that I love your blog? Seriously! I am such a worrier–about everything! And even though I’m not expecting, I HAVE actually worried about whether or not I can run, or eat cheese, or what sorts of complications might happen since I am already 32. And I worry about what effects my worrying my might have on my future child. Agh! Anyway, I appreciate your candidness, your honesty, and I wish for you every blessing of pregnancy and birth and motherhood that anyone could ever have. 🙂 Just breathe! Your karma is too good for anything less than a healthy happy everything!

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 11:05 am

      Thank you Keri!!!

  • Katie of Cabbage Ranch December 28, 2011, 10:48 pm

    You look amazing! I’m seriously a semiprofessional worrier, but strangely enough I didn’t worry a lot through my pregnancy. I felt like everything would be ok- and it was. It helped me to balance worry with fun things: I’d daydream about her, buy or make something for the nursery, or ditch the hyper-vigilant pregnant lady mindset for a few minutes by spending time doing something “normal”, i.e. taking care of my horse.

  • Chelsea December 28, 2011, 11:17 pm

    I’m not a mom and I’ve never been prego (hopefully since I’m only 19). I find pregnancy so magical though and love reading about all my favorite bloggers and their journey through pregnancy! I still can’t believe it’s already been 14 weeks!

  • Khushboo December 28, 2011, 11:39 pm

    You make pregnancy seem like such a positive experience 🙂

  • Alayna @ Thyme Bombe December 28, 2011, 11:40 pm

    I share all of your name rules except for #4. I really want an unusual name, but not one that’s so unusual as to be weird. Love that a lot of short classic names from the early 1900’s are coming back in style, like Henry or Evelyn. I think they’re charming. 🙂

  • Ashley @ Cooking for John December 29, 2011, 12:45 am

    look at that baby bump! you are adorable, and i love your attitude throughout all of this. you are a fantastic mother! 🙂

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com December 29, 2011, 12:46 am

    You are looking gorgeous! Take what you are reading with a grain of salt — talking to your mom would definitely help too 🙂

  • Amy S. December 29, 2011, 1:03 am

    I just have to say your boobs are a-growing! 😉

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 11:05 am

      Dude. They are seriously a-growing.

  • Karlee @ BringingBackBalance December 29, 2011, 2:26 am

    Your little baby bump is soo darn cute! I can’t wait to see how your body changes throughout the pregnancy (okay that sounds a little creepy lol).

    You look great 🙂

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) December 29, 2011, 4:48 am

    Having suffered two miscarriages, I was extremly anxiety ridden for the entire first trimester – and beyond!Even now, at 30 weeks, I still have my moments, but thankfully they are starting to ease up 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 11:05 am

      Congrats Lisa 🙂

  • Ami@dashofcurry.com December 29, 2011, 6:25 am

    I am not pregnant, but hope to be within the next year or two. Though I can’t quite relate, I think I will also experience a high degree of worry during pregnancy. One strategy for dealing with this is to remember how my sister was during her two pregnancies– she rarely worried about things beyond her true control, and really just enjoyed her pregnancies. I hope to use her as a pregnancy “role model” of sorts to combat the stress I know I will proabably experience. Also, congrats on your pregnancy– I love reading all your updates!

  • Charity December 29, 2011, 7:07 am

    Man I’ve been sick my entire pregnancy! And the last 2 weeks my 24 hour nausea is finally letting up and I’m not doing as bad now.. and NOW is when I worry. As I’ve read on ye ol’ book oh knowledge (the internet) a sign of miscarriage can be sudden loss of symptoms. :S How silly is that. Insted of thinking oh great I’m no longer sick all the time and feel 1/4 human now, my body is finally getting use to being pregnant. I’m worried about the worst :S

  • OntarioGirl December 29, 2011, 7:30 am

    I always guess the sex of the baby based on the shape of the mother’s belly and I’m usually right. I definitely think you’re having a girl!!
    I’m 6 weeks pregnant and worrying is definitely annoying! I have also chosen to just relax and what will be will be. Usually if something is going to happen to the baby, especially in the early days, you can’t really stop it from happening anyways so why worry about it?

    • Katie December 30, 2011, 10:38 pm

      Agree. Definitely having a girl! We didn’t find out what we were having but I guessed girl the way I was carrying. I was right! Guess I have a 50/50 shot huh?

  • Kelly December 29, 2011, 8:22 am

    I was the exact opposite. I got pregnant was so chill and laid back…I never worried. I unfortunately did have a miscarriage at 8 weeks and have shared openly about it on my blog. It was just this past October. The husband and I are allowed to start trying again in February and once I get pregnant again (I am not allowing myself to believe otherwise) I think I will be a lot more of the worrying type now…and that makes me mad. I want to enjoy my pregnancy and now I doubt I will.

    • Amy December 29, 2011, 9:36 am

      I was exactly the same way with my first pregnancy — I was just excited and the miscarriage caught me totally off guard. It takes away a lot of the innocence and excitement of pregnancy when you know that the worst really CAN and DOES happen. I am sure you will enjoy your pregnancy, but you’re right — a loss changes everything. Try not to let it take away the real joy in pregnancy, though.

  • Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous December 29, 2011, 8:36 am

    There’s so much to worry about but it’s important not to! Good luck staying calm and relaxing!

  • Amanda December 29, 2011, 8:40 am

    I worried a lot more with my first pregnancy. I was reading and reading, and looking online…..eventually I stopped. With my second pregnancy I didn’t really do all the worrying. Just listen to your body.

  • Ginna December 29, 2011, 8:46 am

    I can totally relate! I am currently 23 weeks pregnant (almost 24 :)). The worry never stops. Alot of my friends have said this is just a part of being a mother – you will worry until they are long out of the house. Our little miracle is an IVF baby and I am not sure if my worry has been more because of this or because I am a healthcare provider and I know too much. We also had a scary anatomy scan where they found some concerns so our worry has been substantial. However, we decided to stop reading the internet, and enjoy every single second of the pregnancy. So yes, I think you can choose what to worry about or not to worry and trust your body and baby and God if you believe in God. We are doing just that!

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 11:06 am

      I hope everything ends up being okay!

  • Tricia December 29, 2011, 8:47 am

    I am 38 years old so it is really hard not to worry when you are a bit older as the doctor encourages you to have every test run under the moon and scares the crap out of you about possibilities due to your age. However, after allt he tests, so far everything is fine. I have my 20 wk us tomorrow and if that is clear I feel I will be able to relax a little bit more. I had a rough pregnancy in the beginning with bleeding, a hematoma, vomiting, you name it. I thought for sure I would miscarry but I didn’t so know I am just trying to stay positive because I truly think the baby feeds off of our emotions. My husband is good about keeping me in check. And, as you say, worrying won’t prevent anything from happening!

  • Nikky December 29, 2011, 8:48 am

    Oh man, I had no IDEA what a pessimist pregnancy would make out of me! I have PCOS, so I’d convinced myself I would never get pregnant. Then I did, and was convinced it would end up ectopic, or that I would miscarry. That was just my luck. I’ve never been more nervous than going in for that first ultrasound. Up until then I’d started every baby-related sentence with “If everything works out…”, but I’ve managed to really get myself to calm down now and I’ve been pretty relaxed about it all going forward. I just wish I’d been so chill at the start, I really held off on letting myself get attached to the baby at first. I kind of missed out on all the excitement of telling people.

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats December 29, 2011, 8:49 am

    I am not, nor have I ever been, pregnant. However, I know worrying is bad later on in the pregnancy and I’m worried about a friend of mine! Her husband got laid off in Orlando and got a new job in San Diego and they are now moving across country in the next week and she’s due in 3 weeks! Now that’s some worry! She’s trying to stay calm though!

  • Sarah T. (Team Trader Mom) December 29, 2011, 9:06 am

    I have a 2 year old daughter and have had 2 miscarriages (one before and one after Isabella). When I was pregnant with Isabella, I worried about everything b/c I had already experienced a miscarriage and was just sure it would happen again. But the pregnancy was very easy and problem free. I basically had to tell myself that whatever was meant to be, was meant to be and all I can do is my part – take good care of myself for the baby. Worrying only adds stress and tension which the baby picks up on. Yoga helped a lot as did talking to other friends who have kids. It’s totally normal to worry – just try your best to keep it in check. 🙂

  • Laura @FoodSnobSTL December 29, 2011, 9:46 am

    I think it depends a lot from person to person. I worried all the time, and even now at 37 weeks I still sometimes worry. I didn’t let myself believe that it could really happen and end happy. The cost of this, in my opinion, is connecting with the baby. I wish I would of felt less worried and allowed myself to connect with and believe in the baby being healthy from day one.

  • Carolina John December 29, 2011, 9:48 am

    Very cool! 20 weeks will be here before you know it, then you can find out the sex. So much fun!

    Our pregnancy trouble all came through infertility, so we never worried about much through the pregnancies.

  • Tiff @ Love Sweat & Beers December 29, 2011, 10:02 am

    Good luck finding balance. I bet you don’t have to read a thing! You’ve got a supportive network of friends, your momma, and your doc. They’ll help you out – though I don’t blame you for being an information sponge and soaking it all up!

    Get ready for that growth spurt! How exciting! 🙂

  • Mary December 29, 2011, 10:15 am

    Wow!! A real BUMP! You are beautiful girl — totally GLOWING.

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 11:07 am

      Thank you Mary 🙂

  • Emily December 29, 2011, 10:27 am

    Wow! I can’t believe you are at 16 weeks already. It seems like just last week was your bun in the oven post! Watching you and others go through this is really inspiring, and also calming to me to know that you can do this so healthy. I have been terrified about getting pregnant and my husband will most likely be ready to start trying within the year. So thank you!

  • Kenley December 29, 2011, 10:28 am

    Girl, I worry just about every day. I’m 17 weeks and there’s always worries about food, exercise, even carrying just a little too much and feeling out of breath after. I’m pretty careful but there’s always some horror story that sticks in my mind and i think, that could happen to me too! But it’s true… I know I’ll wish I had enjoyed pregnancy. My husband says worry is probably doing more harm than the thing I’m worried about that I *might* have done unknowingly. My faith is in God and I know that, though the chances of having a beautiful healthy baby are overwhelmingly in our favor, if something unexpected happens, there will be some kind of help and grace to get through it and even enjoy life through any hardship that might occur. It will all turn out great! You’ll be a great, loving and super fun mama!

  • Morgan December 29, 2011, 10:47 am

    After 2 years of fertility treatments and 2 miscarriages I jokingly asked my doctor to put me in a medically induced coma while pregnant with my daughter. I was a neurotic mess and probably cried at least once a week absolutely convinced she had died. For me, my history just made a calm worry free pregnancy impossible. It is hard not to think of pregnancy as an illness when you are taking 8 pills a day and injecting yourself with hormones to stay pregnant because your body cannot do what it is supposed to.

    I have really gotten healthy since having my daughter (lost 30lbs and started running half marathons). I do wonder if my new lifestyle could make another pregnancy less stressful. Hopefully someday I will get to find out!

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 11:08 am

      Congrats on your daughter and on your healthy lifestyle!!!

  • Lisa December 29, 2011, 10:52 am

    Caitlin,
    The thing about all that worrying is that it continues after your baby is born. I used to think ‘This will be so much easier once I have the baby in my arms and things are back in my control,’ but honestly, there’s A LOT you can’t control about what happens even after they are born. So my advice is to try your hardest to curb the worrying now and concentrate on the fact that you can’t change anything by worrying. If you knew me, you’d be saying: “What a hypocrite!” right now, but I try to curb mine everyday — lots of sleep helps me see things more realistically!

  • jessika December 29, 2011, 10:57 am

    everytime i worried, either during the pregnancy or labor, i repeated a mantra along the lines of “everything is healthy and normal”, it changed a little for labor (i tossed in that labor would be painless which really helped).
    I still worried. Alot. Especially since i’d miscarried befor. But all you can do is try and tell yourself that everything is fine.
    And get massages 😉

  • Megan December 29, 2011, 11:25 am

    Oh goodness, I worried all the time, and now, even at 38 weeks, I’m worrying more than ever! It’s hard not to have doubts and fears about what your body is or isn’t doing.

    I guess I’ll say this: I’ve found that most of the things that I’ve fretted over have been nothing to actually worry about at all. Your body will do what it’s supposed to and as long as you’re making mostly healthy decisions on the outside, you’ll be good to go!

  • Emily December 29, 2011, 11:27 am

    Look at that baby bump girl! You’re definitely preggo now! Lookin’ good. 🙂

  • Jamie December 29, 2011, 11:44 am

    I remember being so self conscious at that stage of my pregnancy that people would just think I was chubby LOL. You look great though

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 1:11 pm

      I look like I ate a lot of pie 😉 Its kind of like growing out your bangs.

  • Becky December 29, 2011, 12:09 pm

    Oy. I’m 5 weeks and I finally had to stop reading those online forums. I freaked about an ectopic, too. Turns out I’m fine. Its hard not to obsess when you have as much readily available information as we to these days.
    My midwife brought up the genetic testing issue for us to discuss. Did you have them done? I have heard some people say the results put them at ease and others say they made them.worry needlessly. Thoughts on that?
    Props on keeping active through the first trimester. I’m exhausted already!

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 1:12 pm

      I think this is a highly personal choice and one of the things you have to consider is what you would do with the results. I do not think I could terminate my pregnancy regardless of what I discovered. Because we have zero risk factors and no known predisposition to any issues, we opted out of all testing. Also – it is REALLY expensive and we have a $10,000 deductible.

      • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 1:13 pm

        Oh also the Husband feels the same way re: termination. I think you have to balance how YOU feel with how your spouse feels because it is a joint decision for sure.

        • Laura December 30, 2011, 8:05 pm

          We made the same choice you made an haven’t looked back! I have seen so many women ruin there entire pregnancy because of false positives. And I am with you- no matter what the test said my hub and I both decided we would have the baby so it doesn’t matter! Almost 20 weeks and loving every second of pregnancy!

  • Tammy Root December 29, 2011, 12:23 pm

    Love your belly bump but can I tell you what else I noticed from the 5 week to the 16 week photos?? How much your hair is grown in only 2 months!!! 😉 Gotta love those pregnancy hormones.

  • ErikaMC December 29, 2011, 1:02 pm

    I did not worry about anything while I was pregnant. I think my husband worried enough for the both of us 🙂 I’m not one to worry anyways and while I was pregant I didn’t really ever feel anything to worry about and even when my husband did worry I just thought it didn’t do any good because you can’t change what is going to happen anyways as long as you are taking care of yourself. I had an awesome pregnancy – no symptoms or pains of any kind. After 39 easy weeks we ended up having an emergency c-section that was unpreventable and it all happened so fast that we didn’t even have time to worry. We are very lucky that both baby and I survived and we are doing great now 18 weeks later 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 1:12 pm

      🙂 Glad you are both okay now!

  • Shayla @ The Good Life December 29, 2011, 1:20 pm

    Caitlin, you look so so great!!! Loving the baby bump and you’re simply glowing 🙂

  • Angela @ Happy Fit Mama December 29, 2011, 1:24 pm

    I did worry a lot through my pregnancy but I was having twins. However, I was freaked out before I even found out that it was twins just because I had miscarried an earlier pregnancy and feared that would happen again. One thing that I stopped about midway through the pregnancy was searching the internet. That put more fear and worry in me. You want to be informed but I think there is a thing as too much information as well. Once I stopped looking up every single thing, I felt more at ease.

    Congrats and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! You look great!!

  • Rosa - Fitness Food Fulfilled December 29, 2011, 1:27 pm

    I love reading these week by week pregnancy posts since I’m right there with you (also 16 weeks).
    I found myself worrying a lot in the beginning, but now I’m doing okay. I’m having the necessary tests and doing what the doctor says throughout, which comforts me. Reducing stress has been more difficult given that I just started a new job, we just sold our house, we’re packing to move in a week, and we’re trying to buy another house before the baby is born. So much to think about!
    You’re going to do great and I love the baby bump! It’s getting to be so much more real now!

  • Brie @ Brie Fit December 29, 2011, 1:36 pm

    When I was pregnant, I would worry about my symptoms going away, or my low progesterone, and people would tell me, “stop worrying! You’re fine.” But it wasn’t. I wish I’d listened to my gut, which told me that something was wrong, and advocated harder for an early ultrasound.

    I do feel like the next time around (God willing)I will worry less. Even after having two miscarriages, I know that worrying won’t change the outcome. I’m sure I’ll be scared, but the silly worries about working out too hard or drinking half a cup of coffee just don’t seem as important anymore.

  • liz December 29, 2011, 1:37 pm

    My worrying ebs and flows as well – I really didn’t worry much at all the first trimester (I am 23 weeks now), mostly because I didn’t feel that different from before I was pregnant. I am a worrier by nature and once it became more real that I was going to have a baby, the more I had to lose and that freaked me out. I work really hard at calming down and taking it one day at a time – yoga helps a ton with this. Once we had our 20 week ultrasound and I started to feel lots of movement I find myself worrying less. It’s nice to feel the little one moving around in there – makes it feel like we are a team! I still get really superstitious and am afraid to buy stuff for the baby but then my husband reminds me that we are going to need a nursery once the baby gets here! I really appreciate your honesty – it’s nice to know we are not alone 🙂

  • MsZ December 29, 2011, 2:07 pm

    Mine is so fresh I probably don’t know enough to even worry yet (just have gotten the blood test but haven’t gotten to an OB yet). I was a little worried about drinking some Diet Coke yesterday and every time I feel a little something “down there” I’m convinced my period is coming. Worst of all, I have an extremely big mouth and can’t keep anything to myself, so not telling anyone until March is going to be a major challenge. I’ve already told way too many people probably. I hope it’s not a jinx.

  • Amber K December 29, 2011, 2:10 pm

    I’m a major worrier, so I don’t know how I will do if I ever get pregnant. But I do like what others have said. If I can’t do something about whatever it is, there’s no use in worrying. Hard for me to remember, but I’m working on it.

  • Tania December 29, 2011, 2:34 pm

    Hi Caitlin,
    worries during pregnancy is normal, i had them too, and i really think that knowing too much is not good, i used to read like you and freaked out for everything.
    I want to ask you something now, but i couldnt find your e-mail address, so i will ask here.
    You mensioned before that you had leep procedure, and this procedure is making you cervix shorter, did your doctor said anithing about that, because i had that procedure too, and planning pregnancy now, and my doctor told me that my cervix is 2 sm.
    Just a little exchange of experience, if you dont mind.
    Anyway, wish you all well, and happy pregnancy 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP December 29, 2011, 2:37 pm

      Yup! My doc mentioned that we will have to keep an eye on that.. sucks 🙁

      • Tania December 29, 2011, 2:49 pm

        yes, it sucks…

  • CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/ December 29, 2011, 2:34 pm

    oh my goodness you are the cutest pregnant person ever. i dont have any kids but i love following your progress. you and the hus are going to be fabulous parents!

  • Brigid December 29, 2011, 3:44 pm

    Caitlin,I’m so thrilled for you about the pregnancy. You look great!
    Your post here reminded me of my pregnancies. I could get into the details of them but I won’t. Essentially, I learned to stay off the internet. There is just too much information and people tend to self diagnose. You should enjoy your pregnancy and not worry! It’s a special time and you create a very special bond with the baby while s/he is in the womb. This time will go by fast, as does the time after the baby comes. Enjoy every minute!

  • Leoh @ Cupcakes in Paris December 29, 2011, 7:34 pm

    Caitlin, you have such a cute bump already! I have a 7 month old and I have to say I miss being pregnant. It was wonderful to experience the miracle of life first hand! Enjoy every minute!

    Believe me, the worry never ends… I found myself more worried after I had Maeva. I try to stay away from internet forums and I am glad I have found a pediatrician who is very calm and reassuring. If I have a question, I just go to her, not complete strangers with no medical education and worries of their own.

    I wish you the best! As a long time follower of your blog (but first time commenter), I am very excited for you and Kristien.

    • Caitlin December 29, 2011, 7:48 pm

      Thank you Leoh!

  • Emily December 29, 2011, 7:56 pm

    I think it’s hard not to worry during your first pregnancy. it’s hard to trust that your body knows what to do when it’s taking something so small and growing a baby in just 40 weeks! Just thinking about it baffles me haha but I stressed a lot in the beginning. In some ways, I wish I hadn’t, but in other ways, I’m glad I stayed informed and took a more careful route. If I had not been overly cautious, I might not have gone to the hospital when I noticed something wrong at 26 weeks and my twins might not be here today. So it’s a fine line between obsessive worrying and safely cautious. But in the end, nothing I could have done to stop a miscarriage or prevent my twins from being born so early so you just have to handle things as they come and not stress so much about the what-ifs.

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