For the most part, the 19th week of pregnancy has been �normal� {my definition of normal has certainly changed over the past four years�.I think I have a higher tolerance for what would be considered in the �normal� category}. I did have a small scare at the beginning of the week, but it all turned out to be �normal� pregnancy related symptoms. Let�s just say that I fear that the more baby kicks, the more I smell like I wear a diaper!
But speaking of kicks, ever since last Tuesday I have consistently felt movement from Cletus every single day! It seems to be the most prevalent in the morning, at night, and if I am trying to take a nap {basically when I am trying to sleep}. At some moments the kicks are pretty strong, but other times it is just the fluttering feeling. The movement is still mostly in the lower region, so it is more exciting than resulting in any discomfort�I can�t imagine when some of these kicks are targeted at my rib cage!
Otherwise, at the checkup this week, Cletus�s heartbeat was in the 130s-140s. He was kicking around so much, it took awhile for my doctor to be able to get a consistent count {we could hear it, but it kept being muffled by what our doctor referred to as �a little ninja� kicking around in there}.
Also, after last week�s post I got a couple bump picture requests��for all those anxious to see the belly, I am waiting until my 20 week ultrasound. Even before I knew I was pregnant, I knew I would have a tough time with bump pictures. During my first pregnancy, I started taking them right away {I dreamt of putting together one of those �pinterest worthy� collages that showed the bump progression}. However, I stumbled upon these picture randomly a while later {and another miscarriage in} and it was really hard on me. So, I always told myself that I wanted to wait until I was at least 20 weeks before I snapped any photos. They will be here soon enough, though! Some of my family members keep suggesting to me that I should consider getting some professional maternity photographs taken so that I am able to look back and remember this time in years to come. Especially if we don’t have any more children. They say that if I do want these photos, that I should have a look at some services similar to what Olga Topchii provides, (www.olgatopchii.com). During the time that I haven’t spent wondering about whether I’m having a boy or a girl, I have had a look through some maternity photos on different websites, and I have to say, they all look really good. This is definitely something I can see myself doing, I’m just not 100% sure yet. I just want to enjoy this time speculating about whether we will be bringing a girl or boy into this world.
The countdown is on! Next week is the 20 week u/s and we find out the gender! That is, assuming Cletus cooperates. Maybe we should have looked into something similar to these prenatal gender DNA test Australia has available for parents that wish to find out the gender of their baby from 7 weeks onwards! Either way, the guessing game is in full swing. I think it is a boy, Graham is sure it a girl, Auntie Tam Tam thinks it is a girl {already sassy and troublesome like her momma}, Grandpa Hansen thinks {or wants} it to be a boy, and Grandma Hansen is just plain excited {boy or girl}!
{photo via Paging Super Mom who had the cutest gender reveal party}
I thought it would be fun to look at all those old wives tales to see what would be predicted for next week. Here is what the �old wives� have to say about what our baby is:
Heartbeat {currently below 140} � BOY
Weight Distribution {bulge out front} � BOY
Belly Looks {more like a watermelon than a basketball} � GIRL
Cravings {sweet and salty} � BOY
Age at Month of Conception {Odd numbered age} � GIRL
The Legendary Chinese Calendar � BOY
Moodiness {yes, I am moody!} � GIRL
Acne {nope, which is not normal for me} � BOY
Dreams of gender {yep!} � BOY
Morning Sickness {wasn�t all that bad�I have heard of worse!} � BOY
The Mayan Tale {age plus year of conception is an even number} � GIRL
Well, there you have it! If I were to listen to these old wives, I would be painting the nursery blue. However, I think I will wait until the ultrasound! What is your guess? Boy or Girl?
All about my 19th Week of Pregnancy :
How far along today: 19 weeks, 4 days
The baby is the size of a: A mango
The baby is working on: At about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces, Cletus is getting there! Cletus is also working on the five senses. Nerve cells for the sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in the brain.
Gender: Unknown {but not for long!!}
Maternity clothes: Just last night I discovered that even my stretchy jeans are now getting tight�.oh man!
Stretch marks: Not yet {thank you Palmer�s Cocoa Butter}
Belly button in or out: Still in!
Sleep: Sleeping okay
Best moments this week: Finding out my �scare� was nothing more than a �normal� pregnancy issue
Worst moment this week: Nothing really {yay!}
Miss anything: This week I am missing my sweet little god-daughter who turns THREE on Sunday {how did that happen!?!}
Movement: Yes, every day!
Cravings: I have reverted back to wanting mac n cheese for every meal. I am okay with that!
Queasy or sick: Still just dealing with the major heartburn
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender!!
If you want to get caught up on our four-year-long story that lead up to this pregnancy, make sure to check out my posts as a part of the �Surviving Infertility� category.
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My Entire Pregnancy Story
This post was all about being pregnant with my first son, Laughton. After a complicated, high-risk pregnancy, he was born on Mother’s Day 2014 at 28 weeks with a rare condition and passed away shortly after birth. If you would like to read about what my husband and I experienced during the pregnancy, and as we began the grieving process, here is a list of all the posts in order for you:
5 Weeks Pregnant :: pregnancy announcement
6 Weeks Pregnant :: morning sickness cure
7 Weeks Pregnant :: cramping, betas, and a heart-shaped uterus
8 Weeks Pregnant :: normal spotting and a 3D ultrasound
9 Weeks Pregnant :: a calm week
12 Weeks Pregnant :: subchorionic bleed
14 Weeks Pregnant :: the check after the subchorionic bleed
18 Weeks Pregnant :: the first kicks
19 Weeks Pregnant :: the gender guessing game
20 Weeks Pregnant :: when the abnormalities were discovered
22 Weeks Pregnant :: having to make a tough decision
25 Weeks Pregnant :: excessive amniotic fluid
28 Weeks Pregnant :: too beautiful for earth – surviving infant loss