I will attempt to be better at documenting this pregnancy. This is how weeks 14-18 went for me.

achieving some normalcy

After my doctor’s appointment, my anxiety over the pregnancy lessened considerably (though it never completely went away.) The morning sickness started to ease up gradually, and my energy came back in spurts, but in such a fashion that I could manage things one day but then be laid out for the next two to three days. Rather than enjoy the good days, I let the bad days get deeply under my skin, so instead of beginning to feel better emotionally, I started to feel worse. This is one of the paradoxes I have had to face about myself this time around.

fatigue and “noodle-arm syndrome”

Even on the days with no nausea, I still had the tendency to suddenly lose all the strength in my arms while doing really benign things like standing in the kitchen watching eggs cook. I call this phenomenon “noodle-arm syndrome”, which I think I mentioned in my last update but didn’t really describe. I first remember this happening while pregnant with Eldore. It can be a little scary if it happens while I’m holding Beatrice. I haven’t actually ever dropped anyone or anything, but it certainly feels like I’m going to.

The noodle-arms were (and are) usually accompanied by a sudden shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat. If this sounds alarming, well…it is. But it’s also something that happens every pregnancy, and while I’ve mentioned it before to my doctors, it seems to just be part and parcel of the whole shebang. I have taken my blood pressure during these episodes and it is normal. Who knows? I keep a little stool in the kitchen in case I need to sit down suddenly (which I frequently do.)

useless afternoons

Ever-present fatigue meant that, while I could make it through each morning OK, I usually crashed after lunch and napped the same time that Eldore and Beatrice did. I did not accomplish much in the way of housework during this time, even though I was technically feeling a lot better.

the amazing pregnancy belly

I joke that my belly has given up and I look six months pregnant as soon as I get a positive test. Something funny I’ve noticed this time is that my belly size stayed mostly same during the late first and early second trimester. At least, it certainly felt that way. I suppose the rest of me grew.

weight gain

By the end of the fourth month I believe I had gained around 8-10 pounds. I’m going on memory, here.

doubts

Now that the time we’d learn the sex of the baby was nearing, I started having doubts about the middle name I had chosen for a baby boy. And I had no idea what name to use if baby was a girl.