Published on March 29, 2006 By Texas Wahine In Health & Medicine
This pregnancy has been so different from the other two, and I feel like I'm spending a lot more time worrying than I did with the first two pregnancies.

The other day Adrian and I were talking and we actually remembered the date of my last period. It was Feb. 11th, not Feb. 15th as we had guessed at. This means I am 6 and a half weeks pregnant (gestational age), or currently in my 7th week. It's still so early.

I haven't had the "typical" symptoms of pregnancy. I was initially very fatigued, but I was also sick then. I haven't had any morning sickness. Every so often I'll get a little twinge of very faint nausea, but it's barely perceptible. With Xavier, I was constantly throwing up (I threw up water!) and with Orian I only threw up once, but always felt sick (lost 8 lbs. at the beginning of the pregnancy because of it). Some days my breasts feel a little tender, but that's about it.

Speaking of breasts, I think that's the only sign so far...they're huge...bubbling out of my bras!

This lack of symptoms has me worried.

I got out my pregnancy organizer from when I was pregnant with Orian (wow! I kept a really detailed account of *everything*) and my morning sickness started at 6 weeks with him. I don't remember when it started with Xavier because I was 2 months before I found out I was pregnant with him.

I've been reading a lot of anecdotal stuff, and many women have said that they didn't have symptoms or the symptoms suddenly stopped and they miscarried. I am so worried about miscarriage.

The other major concern I have is cramping. All along, like every 2 or 3 days, I'll have mild cramping. It's like menstrual cramps, but very, very faint. Not really painful, just the sensation of cramping. I've noticed that it typically happens when I've been very active or haven't been drinking as much water. I haven't had any bleeding at all, which is comforting, but the cramping bothers me. I never had anything like that with my other pregnancies.

I have an OB registration appointment on Tuesday, but I think that's mostly a paperwork appointment (it's not with my doctor, but with a nurse that is the "hub" for gyno and OB stuff). I don't have an OB appointment yet, and I think I'll have to do registration before I have one...and then the appointment may be several weeks from now. It looks like my first appointment with Orian was at 8 weeks. The nurse told me that at my first appointment (which he said was a ways off) we might be able to hear the heartbeat.

I've read that once you hear the heartbeat the risk of miscarriage goes down to like 5%.

At my regular doctor's appointment last Friday I had a urine pregnancy test, and it was positive, but I would have liked a quantitative blood test. I want to know that the HCG levels are normal. I'd really like some sort of reassurance that everything is ok. I don't want to bother my doctor, so I haven't called and asked to be seen, but I can't stop worrying.

It sounds wrong, but I think I'd be happy to be throwing up. At least that way I'd know everything's ok.

Comments
on Mar 29, 2006
OK, this is funny...I just threw up. BUT...I was brushing, flossing, and doing the tongue scraper thing, so maybe I would have gotten sick regardless?

Gah.
on Mar 30, 2006
Know offense, but why the heck would you be worried about "bothering your doctor"?! If you have ANY concerns, call your doctor. There is no reason for you to go on worrying. Sometimes just talking to the doctor can make you feel better. My doctor even did an early ultrasound to set my mind at ease.

Just like every child is different, every pregnancy is different. Your not throwing up or throwing up means absolutely nothing. I felt kind of crampy toward the beginning of this pregnancy too. I craved mexican food and carried low with my first and didn't really have any cravings with my second and carried him high. This time I'm carrying kind of low and craving mexican, hot dogs and ice cream!

Those first 3 months can make you crazy. I worried the entire time and really didn't believe I was pregnant. It is just now starting to truly sink in and I'm a full 20wks.

I say call your doctor and at least get blood work to settle your mind a little. You shouldn't have to wait that long.

Best of wishes to you TW!
on Mar 30, 2006
Yea Tex, I agree with everything Jill said! Do not wait to call your doc. Get on the phone and let them know your concern. You shouldn't have to wait to see him. And try not to worry so much. I know, I know, you can't help it, and of course your reaction is normal. My three pregnancies were all different. At least I did throw up with all three! But with the last one I threw up even longer. I didn't even know I was pregnant for at least six weeks and especially since I wasn't throwing up in the beginning. So, it does happen!


At that appointment for the paperwork, just let someone know your concern if you can't get to speak to the doctor before. They should talk to you and help to alleviate your concern. Just try not to worry, ok?
on Mar 31, 2006
Jill & ForeverSerenity: Thank you so much for caring. I was feeling really stupid for putting my feelings out there when it seemed that no one cared at all. Thanks for your replies. I appreciate it so much. I was feeling very alone.

Jill:
Know offense, but why the heck would you be worried about "bothering your doctor"?! If you have ANY concerns, call your doctor. There is no reason for you to go on worrying. Sometimes just talking to the doctor can make you feel better. My doctor even did an early ultrasound to set my mind at ease.


I have a fear of "bothering" anyone and everyone, but especially busy people. At first Adrian was downplaying my concerns and made me feel really bad, but later he told me that I should call if it would make me feel better. I have that registration appt. on Tuesday, so if things are ok over the weekend, I think I'll wait and talk to the nurse then.

Just like every child is different, every pregnancy is different. Your not throwing up or throwing up means absolutely nothing. I felt kind of crampy toward the beginning of this pregnancy too. I craved mexican food and carried low with my first and didn't really have any cravings with my second and carried him high. This time I'm carrying kind of low and craving mexican, hot dogs and ice cream!


Right. This is just so weird for me. I had symptoms with both my previous pregnancies, and NEVER had those crampy feelings. It's nice to hear that women have had "cramps" and their pregnancies still progressed well. The one thing that makes me feel better is that I haven't had any bleeding. I just wish I had some kind of confirmation that things are normal and ok.

Maybe I should call my doctor and ask for a blood test or an early u/s or fetal doppler or something.

Those first 3 months can make you crazy. I worried the entire time and really didn't believe I was pregnant. It is just now starting to truly sink in and I'm a full 20wks.


Wow, Jill, you're half way through! I suppose I was neurotic the first 3 months with my other pregnancies, too, but it's been a long time, and I don't remember that. I don't remember being so worried. It is weird when you don't particularly look or feel pregnant.

I say call your doctor and at least get blood work to settle your mind a little. You shouldn't have to wait that long.

Best of wishes to you TW!


Thank you, Jill, for the reassurance and the good advice.

FS:
My three pregnancies were all different. At least I did throw up with all three! But with the last one I threw up even longer. I didn't even know I was pregnant for at least six weeks and especially since I wasn't throwing up in the beginning. So, it does happen!


Maybe it's just too early. I don't know when I started getting sick with Xavier, but it must have been 8 weeks or later because I didn't know I was pregnant until I was 2 months. With Orian it was 6 weeks, but maybe it's just too early yet for this pregnancy. It's not that I want to be sick and miserable. I just want to know that the baby is ok.

At that appointment for the paperwork, just let someone know your concern if you can't get to speak to the doctor before. They should talk to you and help to alleviate your concern. Just try not to worry, ok?


Thanks. I think that's what I'll do.

In addition to all my worries, Adrian is leaving for some training on the mainland a few weeks from now and he'll be gone at least a month. Now THAT'S gonna suck.
on Apr 01, 2006
Thanks for your replies. I appreciate it so much. I was feeling very alone.


Sorry, Tex. Not having any advice to leave, I failed to even let you know that I had read this earlier and was thinking of you. Since I have no experience to offer--let me simply say that I hope that both you and your newest baby are 100% healthy. I'll keep my fingers crossed until tuesday!
on Apr 01, 2006
I had cramps with Jake and Davey, and he turned out fine. They started when I was 8 weeks along and stopped when I was about 12 weeks. Apparently it's just because your uterus is getting bigger and it doesn't care for that, so it cramps a little. Also, my uterus was tilted backwards with Davey (it's pretty common) and the cramps were due to it getting back in it's proper position As long as there's no bleeding, you'll be fine.

You'll be fine, and you ARE fine now. I had nausea with Jake, but that wasn't until I was almost 9 weeks. With Shea, I threw up all day but with Davey I didn't barf, I was just tired all the time. I could sleep all night and still need an afternoon nap, and anything that required any effort (such as mopping the floor or cleaning the kitchen) left me dragging ass and wanting to rest.

Every pregnancy is different. Every baby is different. Your body is different now than it was when you had your other babies. It's going to react differently to this pregnancy than it did with the other two.

Oh, and never be afraid to bother your doctor. If he's any good, he'll be happy to talk to you.
on Apr 01, 2006
Also, my uterus was tilted backwards with Davey


I have a tilted uterus too. It causes cramping and lower back pain. With Alex I had really bad back labor and with Ryan I had back spasms and had to go to PT.

I was just tired all the time. I could sleep all night and still need an afternoon nap, and anything that required any effort (such as mopping the floor or cleaning the kitchen) left me dragging ass and wanting to rest.


That's how I was for the first trimester all 3 times.
on Apr 01, 2006
No uterus here, so no comments. Ooops, wait, this is a comment, isn't it?

How about some best wishes comments, and hope that things go very smoothly the whole way through
on Apr 01, 2006
shades:
Sorry, Tex. Not having any advice to leave, I failed to even let you know that I had read this earlier and was thinking of you. Since I have no experience to offer--let me simply say that I hope that both you and your newest baby are 100% healthy. I'll keep my fingers crossed until tuesday!


Thank you so much. That's so sweet. You gave me warm fuzzies. Thanks again.

dharma:
I had cramps with Jake and Davey, and he turned out fine. They started when I was 8 weeks along and stopped when I was about 12 weeks. Apparently it's just because your uterus is getting bigger and it doesn't care for that, so it cramps a little.


It's really great to hear from women who had cramping with a successful pregnancy. I had read that it could be the uterus growing, but I keep thinking...shouldn't it already be plenty stretchy since I've had two kids? Then again...it's been over 5 years, so maybe?

Also, my uterus was tilted backwards with Davey (it's pretty common) and the cramps were due to it getting back in it's proper position As long as there's no bleeding, you'll be fine.


Thank you for that. It is reassuring. I've been reading far too many scary miscarriage stories. It seems like there are so many on the net.

I had nausea with Jake, but that wasn't until I was almost 9 weeks. With Shea, I threw up all day but with Davey I didn't barf, I was just tired all the time. I could sleep all night and still need an afternoon nap, and anything that required any effort (such as mopping the floor or cleaning the kitchen) left me dragging ass and wanting to rest.


I do find myself getting tired a lot, although not as much as I remember with my boys. And maybe it is just too early for nausea.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. It really is comforting.

Oh, and never be afraid to bother your doctor. If he's any good, he'll be happy to talk to you.


I think when I go in for my registration appt. Tuesday I'll mention my concerns to the nurse...then if she feels like it's warranted, I can have the doctor do some checking up on me.

I'm staying with my family doctor on post...I like her a lot. I'm wondering if it's the best decision, though, because I don't know how much OB experience she has. We'll see. I suppose I could switch if I'm not happy with the care I'm getting.

Jill:
I have a tilted uterus too. It causes cramping and lower back pain. With Alex I had really bad back labor and with Ryan I had back spasms and had to go to PT.


Wow. Ouch. I've heard that back labor is one of the worst pains there is. Bless you.

That's how I was for the first trimester all 3 times.


I was really tired with my boys, but this time...I don't know...the symptoms I've perceived have been so mild I wonder if they're in my head. Ugh.

terpfan:
No uterus here, so no comments.


Hehe.

How about some best wishes comments, and hope that things go very smoothly the whole way through


Thank you very much. I appreciate that more than I can express. And you get kudos for being the only male brave enough/interested enough to offer thoughts or well wishes. Thanks.
on Apr 02, 2006
Link

Worry is bad for ya.
on Apr 02, 2006
That was cute MasonM
on Apr 02, 2006
That was cute MasonM


very cute.

My son used to giggle when he was little when he heard that song. I'm going to send this to him. Maybe it'll be worth another chuckle.

I can't remember much about my day to day pregnancy woes. I do remember they were all different as the girls said above so I wouldn't worry much. I do remember worrying when I was pregnant for the first time because I was watching too much Donahue and at the time he was having all kinds of shows about kids born with birth defects. It scared me half to death.

If it's any consolation, my fourth pregnancy I threw up alot and had one especially bad 24 hour period of that and miscarried. With the others I hardly was sick at all ouside of the first and they were as healthy as can be.

I've learned that worrying is like a being in a rocking chair. You can worry all day long but it won't take you anywhere.

I wish you the best and hope the doctor can put your mind at ease soon. Who knows maybe this will be an easy pregnancy for you. That would be a blessing with two others to take care of.
on Apr 02, 2006
That was cute MasonM


very cute.

My son used to giggle when he was little when he heard that song. I'm going to send this to him. Maybe it'll be worth another chuckle.

I can't remember much about my day to day pregnancy woes. I do remember they were all different as the girls said above so I wouldn't worry much. I do remember worrying when I was pregnant for the first time because I was watching too much Donahue and at the time he was having all kinds of shows about kids born with birth defects. It scared me half to death.

If it's any consolation, my fourth pregnancy I threw up alot and had one especially bad 24 hour period of that and miscarried. With the others I hardly was sick at all ouside of the first and they were as healthy as can be.

I've learned that worrying is like a being in a rocking chair. You can worry all day long but it won't take you anywhere.

I wish you the best and hope the doctor can put your mind at ease soon. Who knows maybe this will be an easy pregnancy for you. That would be a blessing with two others to take care of.
on Apr 02, 2006
Hey, a chuckle negates an hour's worth of worry.
on Apr 05, 2006
Sorry I'm getting to this late Tex.

Can't really offer any advice...my pregnancies were high risk and very abnormal. I hated being pregnant. But I won't bore you with why.

I just wanted you to know I am thinking about you and your baby.

t