Our Pregnancy Journal
The First Trimester

Preconception
December 2002

This is the first month that we are charting my basal body temperature (bbt) in hopes of getting pregnant. I had my first visit with Dr. White this month as well, and I was very comfortable with him and his staff - everyone was so incredibly nice and helpful. I must have been with the doctor or nurses for over an hour just for an annual exam! I certainly was not used to such attention from a doctor's office.

Of course, this month was full of illness - Ivan and I exchanged variations of the same cold so that at least one of us was sick during the duration of the month. This made my visit back home to California a bit more difficult than usual, but we definitely enjoyed ourselves anyway. According to our bbt charting, we may have conceived around December 22, 2002 - just a couple of days before flying out to California. Because of our weakened health with all of the sore throat, fatigue and general malaise, we're not too hopeful that this was THE month. But of course, we'll just have to wait and see.

Waiting...
Monday, January 6, 2003

Well, I'm getting really eager to find out whether or not I get to take a pregnancy test this week. I thought that I wouldn’t have a problem waiting until Thursday, until today. I am so exhausted, and for no apparent reason. I don’t think that I’m getting sick again. This fatigue is pretty extreme and it feels, well, different. I kind of have a general feeling as if my period is coming which is really strange because I never have this feeling until a couple of hours after it has already come, if that makes any sense. So I think this is all very strange. Maybe it will pass.

Wednesday, January 8, 2003

This waiting is getting really tough. I almost broke down and got the E.P.T. pregnancy test out. Actually, I did get it out, read the instructions as if I didn’t already know how it worked, but put it away again. I told myself that I would test on Thursday so I wanted to wait until the actual first day of my missed period. I asked Ivan tonight if he thought we were pregnant and he didn’t think so - we’ve just been so sick this past month and the traveling probably didn’t help. But I don’t know, I just have this faint feeling that something’s going on inside of me. The fatigue is still strong and my back aches a bit (hmm, signs of pregnancy?). Well, if I wake up with another elevated bbt, then I’m taking that E.P.T. test first thing in the morning.

We’re Pregnant!
Thursday, January 9, 2003

I woke up this morning in quiet anticipation and hope as I took my temperature... it was still high! I woke Ivan up and went straight to the bathroom (he quickly followed me there in a state of grogginess). Just as I set the test down to wait out the three minutes before we were supposed to read it, Ivan saw me peeking and covered it. He wanted us to both look at it at the same time after the three minutes were up. So we set the timer and waited in the bedroom. It seemed to go by so quickly. When we went back to look at the test, I was ready to squint at a faint, imaginary line as in the past when we had negative results. I hadn’t known any other result before. But when we saw that dark second line shouting out to us, we couldn’t believe it. We’re pregnant! We went through seconds of excitement, disbelief, amazement, disbelief, elation, disbelief. We were just stunned and smiling from ear to ear. We got out the camera and took a picture of the test, just to record the result, and it’s funny because I looked at the lines in the picture, as if to make sure that we read it correctly. We’re having a baby!

Well, we wasted no time at all as we got dressed and walked over to Dr. White’s office. We didn’t have an appointment but we were too excited to worry about that. I just wanted the doctor to confirm our pregnancy, because it was just unreal at this point. The urine test was positive at Dr. White’s office and he confirmed the pregnancy. We were overjoyed. He performed my first prenatal visit right away, taking my blood, checking my vital signs, doing a pelvic exam and going over our health history. We probably spent a couple of hours there and it was very encouraging and informative. As far as they could tell at this point, we were in Week 5 of our pregnancy, but a more definitive due date wouldn’t be set until my ultrasound in April. Our current estimated due date is mid-September, probably around the 15th. They gave us a prenatal packet with information and a calendar, as well as prenatal vitamins to take (instead of the over-the-counter ones I had already been taking). We practically floated back home as the reality sunk in - we’re going to have a baby! I went to work, but was thinking about the baby all day.

Well, we always thought that we would wait until the end of the first trimester to share the good news, but we couldn’t even wait 12 hours! We celebrated together with a nice, quiet dinner before calling our families to share the joy with them. We were so encouraged by their excited and supportive reactions. This baby is going to be loved and spoiled!

Week 5
Saturday, January 11, 2003

It’s funny how pregnancies are dated back to the first day of your last menstrual cycle so that your baby is older than when he/she was actually conceived. So here I am, technically in my 5th week of pregnancy. Over the past two days I’ve been so fearful that something bad would happen and I would miscarry, but I’ve been learning that I need to trust God and His sovereign hand over our baby and this pregnancy. There are times when I have been too scared to really expect a baby, only to realize that whether or not this baby goes to full term, that it was conceived and as of now, we have an embryo growing inside of me (almost the size of an apple seed, according to the experts).

I have been so vigilant about what I eat and what I do over the last 48 hours. It’s amazing how much you want to be careful and do only what’s best for the baby, even when you can’t feel the baby. Upon doctor’s orders, I’ve taken up walking and other moderate exercise as well, and so far I feel great. Today, I even did some research on nursery and baby gear.

Week 6
Monday, January 13, 2003

A lot of my fears about miscarrying have subsided as I continue to pray to God that He would take care of our baby as he/she grows and develops inside of me. I got the lab results back from my first prenatal visit and everything looks great. I’m at a healthy range for all of the tests so that was good to hear. The fatigue is not as strong this week, and I don’t feel any nausea yet. I’m really hoping that I’ll have an easy pregnancy and labor, just like my mom. She didn’t have much morning sickness at all so I guess I won’t be surprised if I don’t either. Of course, not feeling sick makes me not feel pregnant sometimes, and that scares me, even though I should know better than that. But all in all, I am really excited to get to know our baby as he/she grows. We have a long 8 months to go still, but as of now, I’m thankful for the time to just learn about caring for our child both physically and spiritually. God certainly has much wisdom in giving a woman 9 months to prepare for the responsibilities of a child. Ivan and I are reading books and articles on the internet everyday now. It’s so exciting!

Week 7
Monday, January 20, 2003

This morning I went to the dentist for a regular cleaning and for the doctor to look at the impacted wisdom tooth that not-so-conveniently made its appearance right around the time I found out I was pregnant. He said that everything looks clean and my gums are healthy - praise the Lord! (I've been reading about pregnancy hormones causing gingivitis which could lead to an infection harming the baby, and so I've been vigilant in brushing and flossing daily - so far so good.) But as far as the wisdom tooth goes, it looks like I'll have to get it extracted during the second trimester when the baby is more stable (and there's less risk in general). I'm praying that God will continue to protect my gums and the health of the tooth in the meantime.

In general, I've been experiencing increased food cravings, but nothing consistent so far. I feel like I'm eating all of the time, just to get the minimum daily servings of protein, calcium, fruits and vegetables, grains, etc. At least I've been able to lay off most of the junk food, so I'm not gaining weight yet. I'm sure that that will change soon enough! I'm kind of excited to shop for maternity clothes (although my pregnant friends tell me that I won't be having that thought in a few months when I actually have to wear them). Every once in a while I get a mild queasy feeling, but nothing close to nausea or vomiting - still praying for morning sickness to stay far away. There were a couple of days where I felt tiny pains from my ligaments stretching - that was a bit weird, but not too bothersome. Ivan and I happened to be browsing at Babies R Us on Saturday so we took the liberty to rest in their super comfortable rocking chairs for a while - that was wonderful!

Week 8
Tuesday, January 28, 2003

Well, the tiredness is back in full force, even though we've pretty much been getting 8 hours of sleep every night. There are days when I'll be feeling just fine and then a wave of exhaustion will just suddenly sweep over me. It's so strange. These past few days I've had an increase in queasiness so I've been fighting back with whole grain crackers and anything else I happen to crave. So far it's been working well and my comfort level has been pretty good. I can't believe my uterus is the size of a softball now - I can feel a fullness or firmness there, and it's hard to believe that I will be home to a rapidly growing baby for the coming months. It's so amazing how God designed us perfectly for this.

Week 9
Monday, February 3, 2003

Yesterday, we celebrated Ivan's 28th birthday and had a great steak dinner. We're entering the third month of our pregnancy and at this point, our little embryo has become an official fetus. Praise the Lord! The nausea seems to be disappearing already. I had about two weeks of strange queasiness, and now I'm starting to feel normal again (whatever that really means when you're pregnant). If the worst part is over, then I had it really good, thanks to good pregnancy genes and a heavenly Father who knows I can't stand the thought of vomit. But I'm not surprised - I never really thought that morning sickness would be much of an issue for me. I think the fatigue was stronger than any nausea I experienced. Labor, on the other hand, is a big unknown and I'm beginning to pray that God would prepare me for it, both physically and emotionally. I'm trying not to think about it much yet - there's still many months for that. Right now, we're praying that our doctor's visit on Thursday will go well, and that the baby is developing just as it should be. We are excited to know that, by the end of this month, our baby will be the size of an apple! That's so amazing to us. Well, my next update will be after my second prenatal visit this Thursday. Praying that all will go well.

Thursday, February 6, 2003

I had my second prenatal appointment this morning. I’ve gained a pound and my vital signs look good (it was strange to hear my nurse congratulate me for gaining such a small amount of weight). They didn’t do too much this time in the way of testing so I was a bit disappointed. I had been praying that God would confirm the pregnancy in some way, especially since I’m feeling less nausea lately. I knew that the doctor was going to listen for a heartbeat but I was pretty sure that it was too early since everything I had been reading had said that a Doppler normally detects a baby’s heartbeat for the first time between 10 and 12 weeks. So when Dr. White began to search for a fetal heartbeat, I was pretty sure nothing was going to happen. But then I heard it – the rhythmic sound of our baby’s little heart – and in a matter of seconds it was gone. Dr. White had a very pleased look on his face and said that that was it – babies tend to float around and oftentimes those few seconds are all you get this early in the pregnancy. I was so elated – God had answered our prayers with a tangible sign that the baby was in fact growing inside of me. For our next appointment, the doctor suggested that we bring a tape recorder so we can record the sound of our baby’s beating heart (to listen to over and over again, no doubt). I spent the rest of the day full of joy.

Week 10
Wednesday, February 12, 2003

I’m now halfway into my tenth week of pregnancy and the nausea is almost completely gone. However, the fatigue is still hitting me with full force so I’m trying to rest whenever I can. The food cravings come and go, but still nothing consistent. It seems like my body craves whatever nutrients it needs at that particular moment (except the craving for onion rings, of course - that appears to be non-nutrient related). But I’m feeling pretty good these days, and wondering when I’ll begin showing. I do feel a little bit rounder, but nothing obvious yet. The baby is now between one and one and a half inches long (the size of a small shrimp according to one book) so that’s exciting. I can’t believe that the major organs are formed and hair and nails are actually beginning to grow - amazing. I can’t wait to actually see this little life growing inside of me... so many more weeks to go! The melodious memory of the sound of our baby’s heartbeat still makes my heart leap with joy.

In the past week, we shared the news of our pregnancy with friends back home in California as well as our sunday school class at Trinity Fellowship Church. The response has been so encouraging and we’re grateful to have the support of such dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I’ve enjoyed getting pregnancy and baby tips from various women, and hope to learn a lot over the months ahead. We routinely spend a few hours each week at the bookstore so I’m able to read lots of different books on pregnancy. I think that I still like What to Expect When You’re Expecting the most - at least I’m glad that I have that one at home to refer to often. I’m excited to start reading Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp. Ivan has read most of it and we’ve only heard great things about it.

Week 11
Wednesday, February 19, 2003

Last night in my seminary wives’ bible study, we talked about laying aside anxiety. One of the key verses we looked at was Philippians 4:6 where Paul states “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” And so I thought of my wisdom tooth and how my gum was a bit swollen again this week (after I accidently bit on it one day) and it occurred to me that I had never given thanks to God for this. During these easy first three months of pregnancy, one of my biggest sources of anxiety has been my tooth and what effects an infection or tooth extraction would have on our baby. But never once did I realize that it was such a great reminder for me of how weak I really am, and how much I depend daily on God to give me strength and to give our baby health and life. I pray with thanksgiving for this thorn in my flesh which serves as a reminder of how God is the One who will be taking care of this little child inside of me, in spite of my frail body and all of my attempts to be healthy. Praise God for being the giver and sustainer of life!

Today I felt some more ligaments stretching (or at least I think that’s what it was) on my left side. I don’t feel nauseated at all anymore, and the fatigue seems to be lessening. I’ve enjoyed talking to pregnant friends this week, sharing tips we’ve learned and things we’re experiencing. I keep thinking that one day I’ll wake up with a huge belly and I’ll finally look pregnant, but I know that it’s highly unlikely to happen that way - after all, the baby is only about 2 inches long this week. I thank the Lord that I have the benefit of gleaning wisdom from those who are further along than me. I’m really enjoying the pregnancy and even how excruciatingly slow this process seems at times. Ivan has been the sweetest husband, surprising me by doing little chores around the house for me and putting up with my middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom. He told me that I even woke him up in the middle of the night to tell him stuff about the baby (which of course I don’t remember at all). My dreams have been pretty bizarre ever since we got pregnant, but now I’m talking in my sleep as well - oh boy! It looks like we’re in for an interesting few months!

Week 12
Wednesday, February 26, 2003

It has been quite a wintry last few days here in Dallas. We've been "iced-in" so to speak. I came home early from work on Monday and the weather started to deteriorate ever since - we had freezing rain and sleet, and the temperature is just now climbing back up above the freezing point. The roads have up to two inches of a thick sheet of ice and cars are getting into accidents or just getting stuck all over the city. Praise God that I have been able to stay home and Ivan's classes were cancelled the last two days. It's kind of sad not being able to go anywhere, but I know that the Lord timed it perfectly because the baby definitely needed some down time. I've been able to relax and stay warm, and get some domestic stuff done around the house.

Not much has changed in the last week as far as pregnancy goes. I do notice that I'm getting a bit rounder at the belly and so I decided to go ahead and order a couple of maternity pants online so that I'm ready whenever the transition time occurs (well, actually I ordered them primarily because they were on sale and I figured that I'd eventually need them at some point). I've resisted the urge to buy any baby items so far. I'm sure that there will be a time for that later. We're still tossing baby names back and forth. I wonder when we'll settle on something. That's something I should start praying about - that God would give us a name for the baby. I have been reminded quite a few times over the last two weeks that this child is a gift from God, a person whom we were given to take care of, love and teach to walk in God's way. After all, our ultimate prayer for our baby is salvation in Jesus Christ, that he or she would be a child of God.

Week 13
Tuesday, March 4, 2003

I'm finally at the end of my first trimester and beginning the second. I hear that, for most women, the second trimester is the best as far as comfort level goes. It's nice not to have any nausea or strange cravings. I did suffer from tiredness occasionally this past week, but it comes and goes. The past two nights, I had normal dreams (rather than the weird, off-the-wall dreams I had been having for the last couple of months) so that's a change. Overall, I'm feeling great and enjoying this pregnancy very much.

Oh, one thing that's really odd is the bloating effect that spicy food has on me. On Saturday night we had a great meal, full of spices, and my tummy was pretty huge, even the next day. I didn't think I had overeaten, but a pair of pants that had fit me earlier in the week were suddenly tight overnight. I really thought that it was permanent until the next morning when I woke up - I felt normal again. Very strange. So I think I may have gained another pound or so in the last few weeks, but nothing drastic. I guess I'll know for sure at my prenatal appointment on Thursday morning. I'm really looking forward to hearing our baby's heartbeat again, hopefully for an extended period this time. I'm going to bring the tape recorder to record this bit of history in the making.

Click here to read our Second Trimester Journal Entries
(Week 13 1/2 to Week 27)

Back to Karston's Main Page

Graphics graciously provided by:
Graphic Garden

Copyright © 2003 May N. Yong. All Rights Reserved.