16 weeks

Update on the thyroid stuff from last week. I had an appointment with an endocrinologist. Dave took vacation to go with me to support me. Leading up to it I was definitely having nightmares about blood draws. Sigh. Those will never go away. Right before the appointment, I checked my electronic file just in case the bloodwork results were there and they were so I printed them out. I was reading them on the way in the car and noticed that my level was 2.591, NOT 25.91. I was literally jumping up and down. I didn't say anything to the endo when I walked in, just handed her the paperwork. (By the way I in general LOVE the midwife center but I am NOT happy that even though I called them a few different times asking them to fax over the paperwork, she had not received it by my appointment.) She looked at it and asked what I was there. I then said that I thought they misread it initially but I didn't realize until I was on the way so we proceeded to go to the appointment. The endo asked a few questions (family history, etc.) and felt my thyroid, shrugged, and said you're fine you don't need to be here. In fact she said she wasn't even going to charge insurance so she sent me home without doing anything else.

Sounds good, right? Except the Midwife Center is still insisting that this level is too high for the first trimester. They are saying it should be below 2.5. I've been reading up on this. This is hypothyroidism if it's a problem, because it's higher. (Note non-pregnant levels that are acceptable are between .4 and 4). Hypothyroidism means that your body is not producing enough hormone. Through the first 12 weeks the mom is generating this hormone for both the fetus and herself. Around 12 weeks the fetus starts developing its own hormone so from what I'm seeing the biggest danger is up to 12 weeks. Sure, there are still potential complications beyond that. But that would explain why they want the mom's number to be well under 4 in the first trimester. It is 2.5 first trimester and then goes up a little bit in the second and third trimesters. But it is SO DARN close. I really don't think I needed medicine. And I'm questioning the Midwife Center, who doesn't seem to believe what a specialist in the field said. So this is ongoing right now, in discussions. As of today they called me and insisted I get a blood draw to re-check my levels. I know, shouldn't be a big deal. But it is to me and if it's really needless (as the specialist said) then I don't want to have to do it. I will do anything to protect this baby. 

I also caught a cold (from Neil) and medicine you're allowed to take just doesn't cut it. I've had a terrible sinus headache that won't seem to go away. They say colds last 2 weeks so hopefully in another week I'll feel fine again. I normally don't take medicine but for this I would be if I could. (Tylenol just doesn't cut it for me. The midwife center said robitussin or sudafed is ok as well but I don't think those will do a whole lot either- I don't usually take those for something like this.)

16 weeks 1 day, taken at work

How many weeks: 16 (10/7/14)

Size of baby: An avocado and measures 11-12 cm or 5 inches. The baby also weights 100-150 grams or 3.5-5.3 ounces. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Down 4.5 pounds overall. I gained 1 pound in the past week.

Maternity Clothes: Not yet. I can definitely tell myself that my stomach area is starting to get bigger but nobody else can tell and especially not when I'm fully clothed. I also can tell that overall I'm a bit bigger so I think that's helping hide it. I don't remember in general feeling bigger this early last time (a bit TMI but my underwear feels tight so that's a big sign there). So I wonder if this is partly because this is my 2nd time at this point and my body has already gotten quite a bit bigger before.

Gender: Boy

Movement: I haven't felt anything at all this past week.

Sleep: Still just really tired.

What I miss: Every so often beer but not much else.

Cravings: None. Sometimes I want chocolate but I wouldn't call it a craving. And I'm starting to get ferociously hungry if I am late eating a meal.

Aversions: I think these have pretty much gone away.

Symptoms: My muscles are pretty sore when I exercise too but I haven't been exercising regularly. I need to step that up. And still sleeping quite a bit although I don't in general get enough sleep every night.

Best moment this week: Finding out my tsh level was NOT 25.91. Even though this is still ongoing.

Looking forward to: I want to get Neil's new room (guest room) picked up and ready for him. I'm not sure when we're going to do this but I'm looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to a trip to visit my sister in Savannah. (Same as last week).

Same this time: Ha I have a surprising one (to me) this week. Re-reading my week 16 post from Neil, I noted that you produce more saliva when pregnant. I didn't even make the connection this time but I have definitely been drooling more when sleeping again. This one made me laugh. It's funny what you forget. I didn't really put TMI information in last time and I probably won't this time, just because this is public, but sometimes I wish I had to remember.

Different from last time: This pregnancy is still flying by. I know I'm still in the first half but I can't believe how far I am already. I feel like I'm more tired than I was last time but that could just be me not remembering. And last time it seems like I had to pee a whole lot more, based on what my blog post said. I'm not really having problems with having to get up a lot during the night unless I drink something close to bedtime. I will say, though, that when I cough or sneeze I do let out a little pee and this has actually been a problem that I haven't talked about since Neil was born. It had been getting better but now being pregnant it's starting to get worse again. After this baby is born I will be seeing a physical therapist to take care of this issue.