16 Weeks

The time, it is flying.  Today I'm 16 weeks pregnant--and since I'll probably deliver at the latest around 38 weeks, that means we're just 3 weeks away from the halfway mark of this pregnancy.  It makes me pretty sad that there is a really good chance this is the only time I'll ever be pregnant, because I have really loved it.  I feel like I've missed out on the bad parts (namely, crippling nausea) and have had a really easy pregnancy so far.  It's sadly ironic that evidently my body was made to be pregnant, just not to get pregnant.
I have had a couple newer symptoms creeping into the rotation lately.  The most annoying of which is the almost constant sound of my blood pounding in my ears.  You know that sort of dull off-in-the-distance drumming noise you'll hear from time to time when you've exerted yourself?  Yeah, that's pretty much in my ears all the time and it is definitely a symptom I'd never heard of before.  It makes sense being that my baby book says that blood volume increases about 50% with just one baby.  I'm not sure if two babies means even more blood coursing through my system, but I would say there's enough to go around.

I've also been feeling faint a little more often.  I'll suddenly get really hot and clammy and a little nauseous, my head feels swimmy, and I need to sit down ASAP.  It's only happened two or three times in the past few weeks, so I'm just trying to make sure I'm eating and drinking enough and that there's always a place to perch nearby if necessary!  I also think my joints are already loosening up and my lower back gets pretty achy after walking for about 30-45 minutes.  It's not unbearable, but I think it's time to find some summer shoes with a little more support and cushioning than my constant rotation of ballet flats.
My belly button also looks about ready to give up on its long standing quest to be an innie.  It's dangerously close to being completely flush with my stomach, and the top part has already started popping out.  Colby is highly entertained by this scenario, and does belly button checks pretty much daily to see if I've popped yet.

He's also been pretty adorable about asking me if he can feel the babies kick yet.  Being that I haven't even felt the babies, I've explained that it'll probably be at least a few more weeks before he can, but that doesn't stop him putting his hands on my stomach and waiting intently to feel something.My 15 week appointment was pretty disappointing.  We spent about 30 minutes with a nurse, 20 minutes with a doctor, and 2 hours just waiting around to be seen.  The nurse was cute and bubbly, but didn't really teach us anything we didn't already know.  And the doctor was... ready to go home.  I get it.  He'd probably seen 20 babies that day and just isn't a warm and fuzzy guy, but I was ready to cry after the ultrasound.

I'm extremely happy that we DID at least get an ultrasound and heard the heartbeats, but he had the monitor facing away from me the whole time, and I had to sit up in a sort of half-crunch and crane my neck around to try and see anything.  Colby was behind the doctor, so he reported back that he could see their arms and that their spines and ribs had really developed, but sadly, no photos and no measurements to share with you.  The doctor spent more time going over all of the genetic testing we could have done than he did actually checking on our babies.

He also reviewed the labs that were run at my last OB appointment in the states, and evidently I'm anemic and RH negative.  For the anemia he added iron, vitamin C and Colace to my daily vitamin rotation (which already includes a prenatal, a calcium-magnesium-zinc combo three times a day that my last doctor prescribed, glucosamine-chondroitin for my achy joints, and a probiotic), and at my next appointment we're going to ask more questions about the RH negative factor.  Evidently that's only a big deal if either one of the babies is RH positive, so hopefully we'll know more soon.  I think I'll just have to get a Rhogam shot around 28 weeks if Colby is RH positive.  You can read more about the RH factor here if you're curious.
I have another appointment coming up on June 20th with the high risk OB, so I'm thinking she'll probably take a little more time with us, and hopefully it won't be such a bummer of a vist.  I don't know if I'll be considered high risk for the rest of the pregnancy or not.  I know that multiples can be higher risk, but no one has come out and said anything about me being high risk.  So.  We'll see.

The bottom line is that everyone is doing well and on track with where we should be, and we'll be getting another peek in just two more weeks!

Comments

[Molly]

Sorry the appointment was a bummer. But ya for "cooking those babies" well!

Is your German totally stellar or does your Dr. speak English? Was just thinking that a dr.'s visit can be challenging when you both speak the same language...add in the language barrier and that could get really sketchy really fast.

[Angela Noelle]

We decided to go to the on base hospital, so he's a US Navy guy. Just not a warm, fuzzy dude :) But the doctor for my next appointment is supposed to be really good, so fingers crossed!!

[Janet]

you are adorable! Glad everything is going well. How often will you get ultrasounds?

[Kristina]

I am loving these fruit pictures!! I am also someone who loves being pregnant and I'm glad you're taking time to try to enjoy it - it flies by!

[Molly]

I'm RH negative too. I had the rhogam shot 3 times now: 28 weeks with Owen, after I delivered, 28 weeks again this time and I will again after he is born. Hurts a bit, but otherwise no biggie!

[Jessica]

Maybe try something like this for more supportive shoes:
http://www.shop.puma.com/Saba-Ballerina-Flats/pna303661,en_US,pd.html&cgid=99900-Women-Footwear#!i%3D51%26color%3D03%26sz%3D60%26size%3DUS_5_5

I have a pair of Puma flats now I love and I'm looking to add a new pair to replace. These are on sale!!

Keep up the good work, Mommy!

[Kim]

The faint feeling may be low blood sugar. The first time i experienced it was when i was pregnant. Drink some fruit juice or have a piece of candy and it should help!

[melissa]

Love that you get to hold TWO fruits in all your pictures! Sorry your appointment was disappointing, I hope the next one is better. Has it been hard finding a new doctor that you like in Germany?

[Solange]

You look so cute! It's going to be interesting when you're having to hold two larger fruits...probably one on each hand :)
I hope your next appointment is much better.

[shelley]

You know your oranges were bigger than your avocados...lol:)

[Melissa]

Aw! I love how you do your bump updates, I have to say. Way more interesting than just a pic & a survey... :) I'm glad you're doing well & hopefully your next appointment is much better! xoxo

[Kate P]

I want guacamole now! :) I'm so baffled by non-warm-n-fuzzy doc, but thank goodness for Colby's vantage point.

[Brittany]

All that medicine talk makes me nervous--glad I'm not the pregnant one! You sure do make a very cute pregnant lady, which is wonderful, but you'll make an even cuter momma. Two hips for two babies! (Remember when you said that a woman's hips get bigger so she can hold babies? Baby Angel was so cute!)

[Margaret]

Angela, you continue to look just FAB! You are the most adorable pregnant person! I hope you continue to have such a great pregnancy. Do you know any other twin moms? Shannon at everydaystranger.net has adorable 4 year old twins (one of each flavor). She is the blogger I have known the longest, and very much part of the reason I started my blog. Her pregnancy was not without complications, but she might be able to help with some of the questions.

[Elizabeth]

You could not be more gorgeous! I'm so glad everything is going well. You should probably start working out your arms to each hold watermelons, hah!

[Elle Sees]

oranges!! i'm so excited!! i love hearing the updates!!

[[email protected]]

I'm glad you're all doing well!

[Jen]

You and your little avocado babies are so cute! I love the fruit/veggie comparisons - it is just so fun. Hope you continue to have an easy pregnancy and that you enjoy every minute of it. :)