Feeling recovered now, so that's a good thing.
Do you ever get in moods where you just don't want to see people? I just feel like I have a ton of things to do and I am not particularly social at the moment. Of course, it's always when I'm in these moods that people call me the most, or maybe it just seems like it. I feel bad, but I'm just now coming around the bend from the sickness, and mainly I just want to get all of the work I have to do out of the way. I'm focused right now, and I figure I should capitalize on that while I can. When I'm not working, I want to let my brain go on vacation, usually by reading a book under the covers.
15 weeks today, and I can see The Bel is starting to round out. Nobody would know just looking at me, unless looking specifically for it, but I can certainly see a difference. I think in a few weeks' time, things will really start getting exciting. For now, I'm just trying to keep my hands out of the guacamole. I've been taking totally sporadic pictures, but they're dated, so some time I'm going to put together a progressive slideshow. At this point, though, I just feel flubbery -- I'll be happy to move on to the next stage.
Speaking of the next stage, I'm really shocked at how the doctors just leave you hanging around these parts. I had my last appointment on Nov 16, and my next one isn't until Jan 4. That just seems like a REALLY long time to go without getting some sort of confirmation that things are moving along smoothly. And my Jan 4 appointment is just an introductory session with the medical team (although I'm sure they'll find a way to get me naked), my "real" appointment isn't until January 30 (the Big U/S)!
Time always moves slowly when you have a big date up ahead. IT moves even more slowly when that date is almost two months away...
I remember week 15 and you will start to feel much better very soon! Where are you going to have your accouchement? In a clinic or a hospitol? I'm going to a private clinic and I'm being followed by my doctor every month and then starting I think in the 8th month it will be every two weeks.
Soon you will be able to feel tbe baby move and that will be assurance enough that everything is a-ok. If you have any questions, you should be able to call the sage femmes and asky our questions. They are very helpful.
Enjoy yourself! It's a fun ride!
glad things are going well... besides the cold. do you have any french info sources on how many appointments/ultrasounds should be done during your pregnancy?
From my experience so far, I'd suggest asking for something written that shows what should be done during which weeks. I think in France it's normal to meet with your doctor once a month and to get regularly tested for toxoplasmosis/listeria without any costs. Certain tests can only be done during time periods so if you want to have the option to take them it's good to at least know when.
All the best,
Does the Secu still send out those silly stickers with dates on them? That should give you an idea of when visits should be including blood tests (which I had to get monthly).
Also, is your gyne an ob-gyne? Mine wasn't so I had my son at a hospital which was very impersonal and a bit standoffish where I was never getting nekid in front of the same person each visit. It is still early so you might want to scout around for a doctor that will actually do the "accouchement" (which is how I had my second and can attest that it was a far more positive experience...). I recommend Clinique over Hospital in this sense...
Also, Also: though it seems as though your employers are awesome to the max, for any other pregs out there, never forget that all "monthly checkup" medical appointments are considered obligatory and as such, any appointments made during office hours (where you would normally be at your desk or otherwise on the job) do NOT need to be made up in overtime on your part.
Not many women know this and, in my case, I got exploited... I'm still fuming.
Technically, I'm supposed to be seen every month. But since my last blood tests I did the week of Nov 20-somethingth, my OB-GYN said that I might as well just wait for my appointment at the birthing center on Jan 4, because it makes no sense to try to squeeze in a checkup on December 21 or 22 when I'll be going in to the birthing center two weeks later. The hand-off of power is then (from OB-GYN to birthing center) and she thinks waiting 12 days to see the doctors at the center is not going to put me in any sort of harm. If I have any problems, of course, I can call her, but I agree with her that that makes more sense. Plus, it's the holidays so I'm sure it's a little more difficult to get seen. So that explains the gap in time. It feels ENORMOUS!
Aimee - I forgot to add that I am doing the accouchement in a clinic (clearly, by my previous answer). It's a great, great place. That's partially why I'm not getting seen until January -- they don't start their visits until well into your 4th month. After that, I will be seeing them every month, and then every 2 weeks, just as you described.
congrats :) it really is an amazing experience in general, particularly seeing how you (and the baby) grow...and grow.....