18 weeks

by Veronica on April 1, 2012

in Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Pregnant. Finally.

Alternative title: Not an April Fools Day post.

18 weeks pregnant

I feel huge. And I know in reality that I am not that big, but my lungs are squished, my bladder is squished and my ribs are increasingly uncomfortable. We won’t even discuss the wonky things that my pelvis is doing.

18 weeks pregnant

 

The bad bits:

Nausea continues. I’m still medicated for the nausea, which due to the type of medication has made my breasts leak early. I call this blatently unfair. The meds also give me a constant low-level headache, which is miserable. At least, I’m blaming the meds, it could be the Ehlers Danlos and hormones.

Thrush. You know, thrush is pretty rotten at the best of times, but this pregnancy has thrown my system off seriously and I can’t seem to clear it up, no matter how many probiotics I eat. Hat tip to Blackmores Women’s Bio-Balance stuff that I first tried after a Bloggers Brunch, which seems to keep things manageable, if not cleared up. It’s miserable.

Itching breasts. WHAT IS WITH THAT? The last two pregnancies that worked, I didn’t get itchy skin until the stretchmarks started to appear. This time, my breasts are constantly itchy. It’s driving me batty.

Reflux. Something I am also still medicated for, considering the generalised laxity of my gastric system. My meds keep it mostly under control, until I try to go to bed with anything less than three pillows in strategic positions.

My inability to sit up in a chair comfortably. Apparently, my internal organs have decided that the best place they can relocate to is my ribcage. Unfortunately, my ribcage houses my lungs and there is not enough room to sit up straight and also breathe. I was hoping to get to Melbourne in May for the Emerging Writers Festival, but I may have to give it a miss, considering I don’t think I could sit up for long enough to attend any events.

My blood pressure, which is sitting slightly above dead and requires copious amounts of water and salty food in order to stop the dizziness.

The Good bits.

The increasing pokiness of kicks. I find myself worrying less about the baby dying and more about where it’s going to be placing its feet next.

No new stretchmarks.

An actual baby hanging around in there. That really trumps all of the bad bits, doesn’t it?

And hey, I got to go to the movies with Nathan last week, which was a huge deal. We saw The Hunger Games in gold class, care of vouchers from a mate and seriously, that’s the ONLY way to watch movies, especially when you’re pregnant.

I am contenting myself with the fact that I am almost half way there and that in a fortnight, we have our big ultrasound that will confirm that there is only one baby in there (one wiggly baby, who can kick in three places at once) and what sex that baby is.

If you’d like to start placing bets on what flavour of baby we’re having, feel free to do so.

Stimey April 1, 2012 at 12:15 pm

I’m so sorry for the bad bits, but so, so excited about the happy parts!

Veronica April 1, 2012 at 12:20 pm

Yes, the good bits (REAL BABY IN THERE) trumps all of the crappy stuff. And there is some serious wiggling and kicking happening. It’s very cool.

Melissa April 1, 2012 at 12:26 pm

You have the cutest baby belly! πŸ™‚ So sorry you’re not feeling well though.

Feels like a boy to me. But in all fairness, I suck at this. I don’t have a strong feeling (as I sometimes do. Though usually when I get a strong feeling, I’m spot on).

Do you have a hankering for one gender over the other?

Sharon A. April 1, 2012 at 2:10 pm

I am hopeless at guessing gender, even with my own kids!

But your bump looks great, and I’m sorry you’re having a rough time of it.

frogpondsrock April 1, 2012 at 2:21 pm

I guess. TWINS… da da da dun. And now because my guesses are always wrong and I never ever win these competitions, it means that you are only having one baby. YAY. (do you like my logic?)

Sarah April 1, 2012 at 2:32 pm

I vote for blue πŸ™‚

essie April 1, 2012 at 9:42 pm

that is one gorgeous bump! πŸ™‚

river April 1, 2012 at 10:47 pm

I’m guessing gorgeous healthy baby girl. As for kicking in three places at once, clearly she’s already multi-tasking by having feet and elbows going at once.

stinkb0mb April 1, 2012 at 10:48 pm

“An actual baby hanging around in there. That really trumps all of the bad bits, doesn’t it?”

yup it sure does, you nailed it.

my vote is for a healthy baby, nothing else matters πŸ™‚

~x~

Cat@jugglingact April 2, 2012 at 12:48 am

Beautiful bump? Sure its only one?

Happy Elf Mom April 2, 2012 at 3:05 am

I’m just gonna be SO EXCITED for you no matter which sort of baby you are having. Can I vote for curly hair by the second birthday?? Because no one else is expressing an opinion online. πŸ™‚

Lindie April 2, 2012 at 5:27 am

My daughter had a serious itching problem with her 5th child. She was allowed to sit in a tub with baking soda and it temporarily alleviated it. Don’t know if you can. On the head ache thing, again I don’t know if you are allowed caffein but I had a tremendous 18 hour headache last week and an extra strong cup of tea made it go away in less than 30 minutes. (once I remembered the doctor who had given me the epidural for leg pain had said that was what I should do)

Libby April 2, 2012 at 8:17 am

I hate the reflux. I have it, and I’m not pregnant. It blows. I feel your pain.

Signe April 2, 2012 at 10:22 am

Oh my God! Look at you. I did read the not so happy part, but I cannot help smiling. You look so right in those pictures. And baby is kicking, which is so exciting. I agree with the happy elf mom. Don’t care what you are having, just really excited that you are having a live and kicking baby. Judging on the others, it will be super cute. Congrats!

Kathy April 2, 2012 at 11:34 am

One. Girl. Squeeee!

Kristy April 2, 2012 at 11:39 pm

oh I feel for you – I’m now nearly 41 weeks pregnant and suffering from aches and pains, reflux, very low blood pressure but at least I know its nearly all over for me whereas you have much to go. And the problem is that our kids will never appreciate what we go through to make them until many many years have passed!

I’m hopeless with picking genders too – haven’t found out with either of my pregnancies and never had a feeling either way. Hope there’s only one in there though, two would be stressful

Marylin April 3, 2012 at 12:07 am

Christ! You’re big for 18 weeks, aren’t you? Mind you, you’re rather skinny at the best of times, eh?
Here’s to the good bits staying good! xx

Kristy April 3, 2012 at 1:17 am

Yay Congratulations!!! I haven’t commented for a while but have still been stalking you πŸ™‚

I found with my third pregnancy everything was horrible!!! It all hurt and everything seemed more painful. And I am young like you with kids close together in age. I think our poor bodies are just tired and those muscles dont really hold everything where it should be anymore. Plus I know that you have all the extra body/muscle problems to exaggerate the pain. Hang in there!!! Third children are awesome!

kell April 3, 2012 at 9:24 pm

Baby boy πŸ™‚ 6 pound 5

Jess April 4, 2012 at 2:55 am

Gorgeous bump!! For the low BP – check put Elite electrolyte water. All natural – electrolytes. Like having Gatorade minus the sugars, colors, flavorings etc. u just add a few drops to ur water n uv got an electrolyte drink giving u stacks more benefit out of each glass of water. I use it for my low BP and Dysautonomia n it really does help. Believe eBay sells the pocket bottles for $10 inc postage. xx

Veronica April 5, 2012 at 8:35 am

THANK YOU. This isn’t something I’ve looked into, but you bet I will now.

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