Morning lovelies!
Woooohooooo! Lots of action this week! Look at all the ultrasound apts!!! I can't wait to hear the news!
:D:D
Amy,
Hi sweetie; I made the changes if you notice..
So sorry about the bloating. It's really tricky... you barely fit in your pants and you've only barely begun the pregnancy journey!!! But you'll see, it really tends to change during the week. The fatigue, well, I'm really plagued with that too. It's useless to just though it out; take naps and change your work schedule if you have to. I swear you'll see a difference right away, it's magical. That PIO is truly a pain in the...!!!!
:D I don't understand why so many docs stick to it... I guess it's necessary in your case. I hope the dosage changes after your ultrasound!
Valerie,
Bonjour! Comment ça va ces temps-ci? Et ta visite? I understand about the strange digestive system... boy, I've had diarrhea all last week, and I'm so gassy all the time. I, too, was both happy and bugged when I lost my bloated belly and realised I could fit very well in my pants. Ha, two days later I was back to bloaty land... If I were you, I would just take folic acid for the moment. Both a nutritionist and a pharmacist told me it,s almost all you need as a supplement for the first three months. The iron, among other things, in the multivitamin can be really agressive on the intestine (and I have irritable bowel syndrome, so I'm really careful with those things). I'm waiting until I see my new ob-gyn on October 9th, and I'll discuss that with her. I might be able to take supplements separately and avoid the nasty iron, who knows? So I'd suggest, take folic acid, or change prenatal vitamins brand. So many women report unpleasant side effects that it's normal to explore brands a little bit...
And as for work, well... legally, I'm not allowed to look into a patient's file or enter make a confidential contact if I don't have a signed referral from their doctor. It's like that for every professional here. But there's another reason. People often think psychologists are just people who like to listen to you and can show empathy, know what to say, and so on. Truth is, I did a Ph.D. and my training is specialized. I give more than empathy and psychological support, I provide a psychological treatment. Many people without formal training can sit down next to a patient and listen empathically. They're natural listeners and they can be super appropriate. I can do that too, but I wasn't hired to do that, I was hired because I can give specialized treatment to the people who really need it. So if I started doing what you suggest, I would send the wrong message to the staff, and I want to avoid that at all costs. Too often, people misunderstand our role and call us to evaluate and "treat" an old lady who's been hospitalized for two weeks and misses her relatives. Of course she needs support, but she doesn't need a psychological evaluation (1hour at least, plus 30 minutes for writing the report) and treatment (i.e. therapy). So she doesn't need me to come to her room, when other resources would be more appropriate. Other doctors panic when people react a little too much while hearing their diagnosis... when it's normal to react and be in crisis mode for at least two weeks after the diagnosis. So they ask me to evaluate people when they're still just processing the news... most of people recover from the shock, so very often it's also a waste of my time (studies show that debriefing is not only useless most of the time, but can also worsen the person's condition by "pathologizing" their reaction).
Anyway, lol, sorry for the rant, but I thought I'd explain the situation a bit better...
I really can't wait until your ultrasound too!! Woohoo! Don't worry about the variation of your pregnancy symptoms. It really comes and goes, appetite included. Yesterday I almost fell down my chair when I ate a second stuffed pepper half, but today I wasn't able to finish my breakfast!
smiles,
So sweetie, how was your pregnant weekend?
:D:D Oh, and by the way, your sticker always changes on all your posts (past, present and future) when you change your signature in your profile.
Stacy,
So, still no niece or nephew? Tomorrow is the big day!
Will you be around for the delivery? I bet the family is all excited! I also have lots of cramping. I remember during the first few weeks, I had weird cramping that shot all the way through my pelvis, from the front to the back, almost like post-ER pain or kidney pain. I also had cramps all over my pelvic area. Baby still growing and doing fine, so I don't think you should worry. Also be aware that your nerves are not very specific in that area, so they don't translate pain and cramps very accurately... as for the public transportation, I use only that for work. Yes, it's embarassing, but usually people understand. I had to take the seat of a nice woman once in an overcrowded train. She has two kids and she understood perfectly. One of my friends just came back from a trip to London (UK) and she "stole" 5 vomit bags from her plane trips for me. Much more discreet in one's purse than a big white plastic bag, lol! My advice to you is, don't hesitate and ask for someone's seat if you're dizzy or feel nauseous. People do understand that you're asking for a good reason. I usually tell them point blank that I'm pregnant and I'm feeling nauseous, and they understand right away.
Stefanie,
PMApsy and Sophie = same person!
It's strange, thinking you won't see those people at the clinic again, isn't it? Boy... they told me to come back and show them my big belly and my baby, don't know if I will. But I know it's what keeps them going on that job, the success stories, so I'll overcome my shyness and do it. How was your apt this morning? I agree with the others sweetie... twins means it's highly unprobable you'll deliver on your b-day! But won't it be nice to have your babies with you on your birthday? Awww!! And you'll have a big nice belly at Xmas! Believe me, I have that image in my head too!
How do you plan to break the news? (I'll post my plans a bit lower)
Anie,
Oh, sweetheart, I feel you're down these days... I bet you're looking forward to see that heartbeat (won't hear it until around week 11 minimum), it's an incredible sight and feeling!
:D Don't worry about the lack of pregnancy symptoms. There is a real proportion of women who'll never have symptoms before they start showing. Think of all the women, not so long ago, who learned they were pregnant around 4 months at their doctor's office? They didn't have any symptoms either!
I know it's reassuring in a way, those symptoms, but believe me most of the time it's a pain in the neck!!!
Hang in there hunny *HUGS*, you'll have a nice ultrasound pic very soon!
As for me, things are going well. My in-laws will arrive on the 26th. They will stay until October 12th. It will be nice to have them with us, but difficult to hide the pregnancy until we have a big family reunion with my family. I will push the idea to have a big family dinner or brunch in a restaurant. And when I know which one, I'll call the staff in advance and ask them to make a special cake. My husband's name is Buon, and one of his friends at work calls him "Bubu" all the time. When we married, I became Mrs Bubu. And now of course, I'm Mama Bubu. So on the cake, I'll have them write "Baby Bubu, May 5th 2009" in icing. That way, the whole family will learn the news at the same time and we'll already be in celebration mode. Technically, my grandparents and my sister already know, but they'll act all surprised.
In the meantime, we're preparing the house, lots of cleaning... Plus we're trying to organize a trip to Quebec city to visit my family, but it's not easy. They're very busy and not very well organized. So it's complicated, always. I really hope we'll work it out though, it would be nice to have both sides of the family at the same table again (last time was after our wedding). I'm also trying to find a nice cottage somewhere not too far from Montreal, a place where we can bring the dogs. It would be nice to do some hiking wtih all the fall colors.
Other than that, the dog trainor came last Thursday. Whew, she stayed for 3 hours and we learned LOTS. We have LOTS of homework too! lol! But the dogs are improving slowly. It's nice to know what to do and not do and why.. what messages you shouldn't be sending, and so on. With time, I'm sure our dogs will become far more relaxed and we'll have fun interacting with them. They're both very eager to please, so it's almost easy. It's really funny to see our youngest sit down reeeeeeally carefully, as if he wasn't too sure it's the right thing to do. SO cute! Plus our eldest is really good with the "stay" command, even if she's still very nervous. The homework is not always easy though... LOL, try blocking TWO big dogs from jumping on the sofa when you can't touch them directly or look at them (because it gives them a super nice reward: your attention)... let's say I watched TV in veeery funny positions! Thank God I'm 6' tall!
Okay, time to stop the babbling! Have a great day ladies!
Sophie xxox
Due dates 
Stefanie is due on May 3rd! TWINS ALERT! 
Ultrasounds and medical appointments 
Valerie ultrasound on September 23rd! 
