Our family

Our family

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Pregnancy #2 Compare/Contrast

I haven't really updated too much about my pregnancy this time around, so this post is more for me than anything.  There won't be any pics- sorry!

Since there are just 2 weeks left until my c-section, I figured I'd better do a comparison post before Micah gets here.  Once he's here, it's all pictures and all about him!!

People often ask if I can feel a difference between carrying a girl and a boy.  YES!  100%, this pregnancy has been a lot different.....it could be mental too, maybe I'm just more prepared for what is to be expected. 

During the first trimester, I was constantly nauseous with both kids.  However, I threw up a LOT more with Micah than with Caylee.  Both 1st trimesters were stressful and emotional... although, that probably would have been the case being pregnant or not.  We had plans to move during Caylee's first trimester (didn't move until the 2nd), so that was an emotional time.  We physically moved during Micah's first trimester (it kinda made the time pass quickly bc we had to find a house, go to a new area, all with a young child- so the pregnancy kinda got put to the side).  Both moves were emotional for different reasons, plus the added hormones probably made it not great timing, but we did it!  With Caylee, I had a lot more scares during the beginning and therefore, she has about 8 ultrasound pics before 12 weeks :)  With Micah, just one scare, and they didn't even give me a picture!  Thankfully, both turned out just fine. 

The second trimester brought relief during Caylee's pregnancy.  I was less tired and had more energy.  I also was SUPER hungry and was able to eat anything I wanted.  That was a problem....  Also, still trying to figure out a new area added a little excitement/nerves.  With Micah the 2nd trimester brought lots of heartburn and bloody noses (weird, but true).  Nothing severe, but I was surprised.  It could have been the new drier environment for the bloody noses, but I did read it was a pregnancy symptom that some women experience (What to Expect When Expecting).  I also had one weekend of high blood pressure... which caused an extreme migraine.  I've had migraines before, but it's been a while and this one last about 4 days.  Although, we figured it might have been the added stress of traveling I had just done because it hasn't been back since.  (Thank goodness!)  I ended up taking tylenol with codeine for the headache- it helped, but having not taken any medicines (besides my normal asthma and Crohn's meds) with Caylee, I was super nervous to take anything with Micah.  But it was better that I felt better and I haven't had to use it since.  I did have more energy and was thankful for that because we had a 1st birthday to celebrate and our weekends were full of figuring out this new area! 

Now I'm in the final stages of the third trimester.  With Caylee I remember spending many nights on the couch.  It was the only place I could find a little bit comfortable.  The sleepless nights could have been the result of the pregnancy, or the anticipation or who knows... but the couch had a little more support and just felt a little better.  By the beginning of the 3rd trimester I was extremely uncomfortable with her (could have been the unnecessary weight gain too-- but thankfully I would lose most of it in the months following her birth!).  With Micah, the beginning still felt great, except for one thing.  Charlie horses.... you know where your leg and toes cramp up?  I have NEVER had so many in my entire life!  As a kid, I'd get them in my toes while swimming.... now, I get them in my legs in the middle of the night-- SO painful!  I added bananas and other foods that were supposed to have potassium, but it doesn't seem to matter.... they come back every night and have left my legs very sore during the day.  Other than that, I haven't had as many sleepless nights (except when up with Caylee occasionally, but that's not pregnancy related).  It could also be the new mattress we got is awesome! :)  I do feel more forgetful this time around than I did with Caylee.  It's now 2 weeks until my c-section and we still have a list of things that need done before he arrives and before company arrives.... I was definitely WAY more prepared with Caylee and I think I had everything done before the 3rd trimester.  Again, this could be that I'm more relaxed this time, or that I have a 1 yr old or who knows.... either way, we have some work to do!  Also with Micah I have had more contractions.  Maybe I had them with Caylee and didn't realize, but because I didn't have full days with a little one I think I was more concentrated on drinking my water and resting- whereas now, sometimes I forget and by the end of the day the contractions start up until I can get fluids and rest a bit.  Nothing serious, and the dr says it's normal, just not super fun for me!  

I really didn't have a ton of cravings with either pregnancy... with Caylee it was mostly the desire for watermelon, which thankfully I had lots of with a majority of her pregnancy being in the summertime.  I was also always hungry with her (maybe that's why she's constantly asking for food!)  With Micah, all I have really wanted is Dr. Pepper and RootBeer. (Matt promised to bring me some when I have him!!)  However, I do mention random things to Matt and he's been amazing at indulging me with those (the other night was french fries from McDonald's- the salt sounded good-- he surprised me with some!).  Otherwise, I've tried to watch what I eat more-so with Micah. 

People also ask about my Crohn's during all this.  It really seems to do a lot better when I'm pregnant.  After having Caylee it flared a ton, but we figured out that it could have been intensified by the pain meds they gave me too (my dr wasn't too great on keeping tabs like my new dr is).  This time around we'll see how it goes, but my current dr is going to give me different meds.  We'll see how it turns out....

All in all, I am SO thankful that Caylee's pregnancy turned out wonderful.  She is so healthy and such a wonderful little girl!  We are praying that Micah is just as healthy too and that the surgery and all goes smoothly.  So far, we've been blessed with his pregnancy even though there have been a few surprise symptoms.  We're definitely excited and ready for him to join our family!

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