Hearing what a mom-to-be never wants to hear

How far along?: 26 weeks!

How big is baby?:  she's big, but could be a little bigger!

Stretch marks?:yup! my stomach is FAR from attractive

 Sleep?: not very well lately, but i think that is more from Kel's new overnight position than from the pregnancy.

Food cravings? nothing... i've been really really sick again this week and have barely eaten anything at all. however every time i see chicken wings i get really excited, so i am eating out with my little sister who is finally home from Spain at BWW today.... we will see how that goes

Movement?: she always seems to be moving UNLESS there is someone around who is really excited to feel her kick... then she gets shy!

 Gender?: GIRL!

Belly button?: still hidden!

What are you looking forward to this week? First i can say what i am NOT looking forward to this week:

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. Learned A LOT about what has been going on for the past 20 weeks. Turns out that there was a tear in the placenta as it was forming around week 15, that's what put me in the ER with bleeding. since then i have had ultrasounds and doctor's appointments every two weeks because they needed to monitor the tear. After 20 week the baby stops receiving nutrients directly from the mother and starts receiving them through the placenta (sorry if this is TMI for some people). Well now that i am 26 weeks the doctor measured and said that structurally baby is an appropriate size. She was VERY concerned through to hear that i am still sick and can't keep down any nutrients. I don't eat meat at all like i should (protein) and other than cheese and chocolate i am pretty much anti-food right now. for four weeks i only gained 1.5 pounds. The doctor is definitely concerned because at this gestation period the placenta gets nutrients DIRECTLY from what i eat- to simplify my food detours through the placenta before getting into my small intestine for me to receive nutrients. Baby takes what she needs and i get the rest, except i have nothing left in reserves and i am not eating enough (good or bad) to support us both. This means that even if Baby is 8lb (very possible) she will be all structure and no substance and will not be nourished like she should. This could lead to her being premature, very sick at birth, unable to gain weight after birth, breastfeeding issues, complications during birth, and finally this could affect EVERYTHING developing, brain, liver, lungs, etc.

However, there is some hope... The doctor has me on a special diet. I am supposed to be VERY VERY careful with foods all pregnant women are supposed to avoid, hot dogs, lunch meat, undercooked eggs, caffeine, etc. I also am on protein shakes that have extra vitamins in them. Along with that i am on a "nut" diet. since there's no risk of baby having a peanut allergy i am supposed to be eating cashews, almonds, peanuts (yes peanut butter DOES count!) and other nuts to help me get protein. a handful of EACH KIND possible a day! Not only that but since i am having a hard time keeping down fruit she told me to try and hide it in things... make homemade ice cream with TONS of fresh fruit in it, sherbert, cut it up and put it in ANYTHING i can stomach! Fruit Juice! basically anything at all. And on top of that i am to be eating very small slow meals ALL DAY! If i eat a large fast meal i risk upsetting my stomach, which i having a very hard time keeping up as it is, so i need to munch on food all day long as much as possible. This also means caffeine is a big no-no. She said i can drink no more than 12 ounces when needed to keep off headaches, but i am supposed to be weening myself off caffeine, especially if i am going to try breastfeeding... however chocolate is still allowed in small doses.

It's a lot to take in, and it's really scary to be reading about the possible effects of a malnourished baby. i would be lying if i said i didn't feel like a failure. It is all kind of ironic because eating has always been a strong point for me. The number one thing i have to do is make sure i keep up good exercise and healthy eating, two things i have never been good at keeping up with! however Cecelia is MORE than worth it and if it means we have to spend extra on our food budget and less on gas just to buy 8 different kinds of nuts each week, then that's what we will have to do!

Does anyone have any recipes that are yummy, low fat, high fiber, protein and vitamins???????