Headaches for days!

It seems like everything this pregnancy is going to be rougher on me. From more acne, to hair shedding, horrible Pelvic pains, to now headaches that won't stop! I was so spoiled the first pregnancy. Thanks Hormones!

Yea, yea your body conforms faster the second time around. Doctors love to say that when you tell them what you're experiencing. Which makes perfect sense but not something you really want to hear when it feels as if your pelvic bone is ripping apart. "Oh it's normal, this is your second pregnancy. Your body does things a lot quicker." Gee, Thanks.

This time around I am also getting HORRIFIC headaches. I'm not a whiner. I don't like to complain. In pregnancy, yes a lot of crazy things happen to a woman's body when she's helping create a new life inside her. So most of it I just try to take it in stride. But these headaches, they're horrible.

I did have some with my first pregnancy. But they were healed by some Tylenol, or some Pregnancy-approved OTC tension headache meds. This time, nothing is helping! Currently since Jan 23rd, I've been struggling with an ongoing headache, today is the 29th. I've only felt semi-normal 1 day last week, and still my head was foggy. I finally broke down and called the Nurse on the 26th because I couldn't take the marching band playing in my head anymore.

My blood pressure has been good, I'm not seeing "floaters" or having blurred vision. But I am having horrible throbbing pain that makes me not be able to move at times. Try coping with that with a toddler running around. So, they told me to come in. They checked the baby heart beat. Checked my Blood Pressure. Checked Urine for Protein. Asked me about all my symptoms. Also took blood to do a Complete Blood Cell count to make sure I wasn't getting sick. Then prescribed me Fioricet. I don't like taking any type of meds. while pregnant, but I have no choice to be able to function this time around. The Fioricet works, until it wears off then like clockwork here's a nightmare of a headache returning. I'm getting 1 or more a day. There's not a day that has passed since last Tuesday that I haven't had a throbbing headache.

Yes, Headaches during pregnancy can be completely normal. Hormones make our bodies do crazy things! But an ongoing headache makes you wonder if something else is wrong.

I feel it's obviously better safe than sorry when you're carrying another life inside you.

So the doctor wants me back this friday for a follow-up. But the Nurse called me today to see how the headaches have been. She said all was well with my blood tests. When I told her, everything I've told you, she relayed it to the doctor, who wants me to take the next step of doing a 24 hour Urine Test. Yay.

This was my Urine Test Package I picked up today from my OB. This will be interesting. Nothing makes you feel sexier than a Jug of your pee in the Fridge. I start tomorrow.

The Instructions are:
1) Pee in the morning, but don't save that pee.
2) Every single time you pee after that pee in the container on the right, and pour it into the jug. Every single time, all day and night.
3) Keep it Cold.
4) When you wake up the next morning DO keep that pee. That's your final collection
5) Turn it into your doctor.

I am also going to have another blood test done. Which my wonderful Sis-n-law who happens to be a labor and delivery nurse, told me it's probably to check my liver, and check my platelets to make sure they're not dropping. 

This Pee test is going to monitor for any protein in my pee through the day, to rule out Preeclampsia. I'm really hoping that's not it. They can say that's not it, & write it off as hormonal. Then I'll put my big girl britches on, keep popping my Fioricet as needed, and make it through the rest of the pregnancy (17 more weeks, give or take). Ready to deal with whatever my hormones throw at me next!

I will updated you all with the details on Friday when I have my follow-up visit.

UPDATE 2/3/18:

Well for now we can rule out Preeclampsia which I am thankful for. Headaches are still coming. At least one a day. Today I've had one this morning but it did go away on it's own! Which makes me happy, anytime that I don't have to take medicine is a good thing! My urine test was normal, she said the protein level was at 133, and anything below 150 is normal. The blood test was great as well. It makes me happy that I'm healthy & all the tests came out well. Everything in this pregnancy has been harder, so I guess the headaches are just going to be too. Maybe they'll behave by the third trimester, we'll see!

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Anatomy Scan & Gender Reveal!

Yesterday we went to the doctor to do my anatomy ultrasound. We had been looking forward to this appointment for weeks! Mainly because you finally get to find out the sex of the baby, IF the baby cooperates for the Ultrasound Tech.

But more importantly, you get to see all the little parts of your growing baby & see if they're all working properly. This makes me a nervous wreck! Moms minds always think the worst. At least mine does! 

For a more in depth idea of what little parts I was referring too this list I found at Baby Med gives a perfect breakdown:

The following fetal parts are checked during the anatomy ultrasound:

• Face
• Brain (ventricles, choroid plexus, mid-brain, posterior fossa, cerebellum, cisterna magna, measurements of anterior and posterior horns of lateral ventricles)
• Skull (shape, integrity, BPD and HC measurements)
• Neck (nuchal fold thickness)
• Spine
• Heart (rate, rhythm, 4-chamber views, outflow tract)
• Thorax (shape, lungs, diaphragm)
• Abdomen (stomach, kidneys, liver, bladder, wall, umbilicus, cord, abdominal circumference AC)
• Limbs (femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, radius, ulna, hands, feet femur length FL)
• Genitals (gender, abnormality)
• Cervix (length and opening)

Our ultrasound tech was very nice & thorough. She described it as visually slicing through the baby, as if it were cake, to see all the different parts. It is so awesome you get to see the lobes of the brain, the chambers of the hearts, the lungs, diaphragm & everything listed above. It is so amazing to see on the screen. It's even more amazing & enjoyable when you have a tech that is nice & explains to you everything you're seeing. I was definitely moved to tears!

That's a full body shot, all curled up 😍

So once everything is done & the Tech had all the info she needed, she obliged (because they don't have to... they're there to find what's in that list above, not obligated to figure out the sex) to try to get a shot of the genitals for us. With Jacen he was so stubborn, he wouldn't spread 'em at all for the first ultrasound, so we had to go back again to see. With this baby it had it's little legs curled up too, but the Tech played around with my belly some and had me lay on my side, and we got to see just what we needed...

There's no denying what that is!!! I am officially a Boy Mom x2! Hubby just knew that this was a little girl since my pregnancy has been so different. Last pregnancy I knew without a doubt I was having a boy, this time I was clueless. We were hoping for a little princess, especially daddy, and big sis, she actually cried, poor thing is outnumbered. But we got us another Prince! At he end of the day we're just so thankful he's healthy and growing right the way he's supposed to! Couldn't be anymore thankful!

Now... to figure out what to name the Lil' Peanut!

One thing about having another baby of the same gender so close together is we won't need much for this baby, just essentials. Big Bro has plenty to share! They're bond is gonna be unbreakable growing up together! At first I was so nervous! "How am I gonna do this, two kids this close in age?!?!"... "Jacen is gonna be so jealous! He's too young to understand!"... But now I'm excited and ready for the challenge (remind me I said that when I'm ready to pull my hair our from exhaustion). I cannot wait to meet this little guy & see him and his brother playing & exploring together. They're gonna be amazing together! My Boys!

  

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Lost in Motherhood

Motherhood is a beautiful blessing. I cherish every single moment that I am able to share with my kids. I am very thankful for the opportunity to be able to be the one to stay home & raise them.

But Truth Moment: Some days it feels like I have completely lost myself, Where has April gone?

Today was surely one of those days. I haven't left the house since Monday, it's Thursday... The walls really closed in today. Of course I could get out and go for a walk or take little man to the park, but  I'm BEYOND exhausted! I'm keeping the toddler alive, and growing a new human at the same time. I'm tired. The past few days I have felt like I'm back in the first trimester, I would literally have not got out the bed if it wasn't for the needs of my son. Then here comes the guilt, he's stuck in the house with me, we do flash cards and he brings me multiple books to read all day, but the rest of the time he's rotting his brain out to Paw Patrol or Finding Dory for the 500th time. I feel like a failure to him on days like this. I want him to be outside exploring, or if we're stuck in the house to be making a mess with play-doh and paint, or something constructive.

There's only so much I can do when my body is begging me to lay down. 

Before motherhood took over, I was a Nail-tech, working at spas, pampering others & getting pampered. Having adult conversations, albeit it most was them bragging about the things they had, but hey, it was another adult. I made them feel brand new with some seriously cute nails.

Something I enjoyed to do very much. But now, I don't have the time, I barely do my own anymore. Feels like I'm wasting my talent. I hope to get back into it one day.

We decided when I got pregnant that due to our finances it just made since for me to stay at home, and once again, YES I am very thankful for this. I couldn't imagine dropping my son off at day care, with strangers. When he starts school I'm sure I'll be THAT mom who's crying her eyes out in the car. This was the best for us, and that's why I am doing it. It is a HARD JOB! Everything about being a SAHM is still new to me. It's still an adjustment. Even 17 months into the role.  There's no clocking out. No Sick days. No Vacation. When I think I got it down pat, life laughs at me. In May I'll have a toddler, a newborn, a 7 & 11 year old up in this house with me! I honestly don't think there is enough caffeine to get me through the days! 

The new April is a mom 110% of the time 365 days of the year.

I may have lost the more independent, working, nail-artist April, but what have I gained? 

The Love of my son, the pure unconditional love. I have watched him grow each and everyday, stronger & smarter. I haven't missed a single milestone! That assures me that I'm not failing him after all. He's happy & healthy. Tomorrow is a new day. As long as he is smiling, I'm doing my job well! 

Over the next few years I'm sure that I'll adjust better into this Motherhood thing. No Mom is perfect, we are our worst critics. It's OK to get tired. To get frustrated. To be mentally & Physically drained, you will always bounce back, why? Because those big brown eyes (in my case) are depending on you to brighten their day & you wouldn't have it any other way.

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