Heart Strong

Week 16, Day 3

I am on my 4th month! How time flies! I haven't been writing much, since I've been worrying instead. It's been a long time between Ob-Gyne visits, and I've been wondering: without the ultrasound or the Doppler device, how do mothers make sure that the baby inside them is A-ok?

Just past the 1st trimester, I can't see or feel my baby just yet. I know that in the first few weeks of my pregnancy, I've been weighing myself warily, not sure if the 10-lb weight gain during the 1st trimester alone was normal. Now that I've hit the 2nd trimester, I'm worrying that I am not gaining enough! I've plateaued at 131 lbs for the past 2 weeks already...why am I not gaining weight? Is the baby not growing inside of me?

My fears were calmed when I visited my Ob-Gyne a few days ago. She confirmed that my weight and my blood pressure was on-track, and then we listened to the baby's heartbeat using the Doppler device! I was so happy to hear the thump-a-thump of the baby! It look awhile for her to find it (it was a bit further down my belly), but when I finally heard it -- ahhh, music to my ears. :)

She made a fearless forecast that my baby is a boy. She said that she usually can tell from the heartbeat. Girls' heartbeats usually sound like a whisper, but the heartbeat coming from my belly was strong and fast. Awww, my heart strong baby. :) 

I will know the gender for sure in a month's time; I have my Congenital Anomaly exam (ultrasound) scheduled for November 9. Time to place your gender-bets! Haha!

My husband and I will be seeing him/her for the first time, in all his/her developed glory. :) I'm so excited. Still continuously praying for the baby's health.