Weight Loss

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

Monday, January 25, 2010

Shifting Focus...

Dear Blog,
I'm not avoiding you. I've just had a change of focus, and wasn't sure whether, or when, or how to address it on the blog. I'm not trying to lose weight right now. I'm pregnant.

I have been struggling with the "who to tell, when to tell" thing ever since I found out just over a week ago. On the one hand, with my first pregnancy at an "advanced maternal age", I am, naturally, at a somewhat increased risk for miscarriage. I don't want to have to tell dozens of people if that happens.

On the other hand, I had to tell the people I work with early, because I can't do certain kinds of cases anymore. (Very early pregnancy is an especially critical time for exposure to radiation and nitrous oxide.) And I have told my family, and a few close friends. But the blog? The blog, and my blog friends, are kind of different. Here I can talk about what I have been obsessing over ever since I found out. And if I am unfortunate and do lose this pregnancy, I can say it once and everyone here will know. Plus, someone might wonder why I'm not still trying to lose 15 pounds.

So, yes, I am excited and so is hubby. There is so much going on, trying to study for boards, finish school, and not barf in the middle of it all. I am hoping against hope that my nausea (which really just started a couple days ago) doesn't turn into vomiting, because I don't want to have to have the fill removed from my band. I know a lot of people do automatically. But because I have never had barfing or heartburn before, and because I can get plenty of calories the way I am (OBVIOUSLY, more than I need if not pregnant), I don't see why I can't let the band keep my weight gain to a reasonable amount. I am starting overweight, so if I can keep my weight gain to about 20-25 pounds I'd be happy. I doubt I can do that with an unfilled band, though. But if I have any barfing or reflux, I will have the band unfilled. And my OB may insist, when I see him in March, that I have it unfilled before the end of the first tri anyway, while they still can. We'll see.

In the midst of the exhaustion, the soreness, and the nausea, I am sharing my "secret" with the internet. I am so scatterbrained right now, I'm really having a hard time focusing on school at all. If all goes well, I am due Sept 26.

11 comments:

Mom2Two said...

What fantastic news! Healthy babies are born all the time from mother's of "advanced maternal age." I was one of them. The funny thing was that my doctor would always tell me I was no spring chicken :) The nausea is an excellent sign that things are going well with your hormones, but hopefully you won't actually barf. I never did - just felt queasy all the time for the first 3 months. Even if you do have to have the band unfilled it will be there when the pregnancy is over and you can get right back on track. Just worry now about getting in nutrient packed foods and try not to be too overly concerned about it. Your body is growing a baby and if you feed it properly it doesn't matter how much you gain. Good luck and thanks for sharing!

- Shannon

SuperMegaAnna said...

Congrats! What exciting news!

Jo said...

Congratulations Gwen! I know you have alot on your plate right now and many changes in store for you in the next year. I wish you and your hubby the very best and a healthy pregnancy. Keep us posted on your progress and remember ginger is supposedly good for nausea. Try and keep your stress level down is possible. I've got my fingers crossed for you!

Band-Babe said...

Congratulations! I helped with inductions all during my last pregnancy, and no problems. During my last month, I didn't avoid nitrous at all, but I still had to be induced. You'll do great.

Heather said...

Congratulations. Our WLS blogs are definitely where we can share these personal private things. I'm so glad to hear one that is such happy news. We're going to be trying to get pregnant later this year so I'll be following your news.

Snippety Gibbet said...

Aw, congratulations, Gwen! How exciting for you. That is just the best news!!! jan

Janet said...

Congratulations! I am excited to see how you progress.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing with us. Hope it all goes well for you. :)

She Smiles said...

OMG! So exciting! And so pleased you shared it with us here. Congrats to you and hubby xo

Dinnerland said...

I wish you all the best and hope things work out with the pregnancy... I don't know your exact age: but I was 33 when I had my son, and no complications.

Sparkly Jules said...

Gwen...I'm so delighted for you. I will keep my fingers and toes (and eyes) crossed for you. Tabitha over at fromsingletomarried is your age and experiencing her first pregnancy. She's due in a week--she just passed 39 weeks. My sister had her twins at 38. All things are possible.

My wish for you is all that you wish for yourself.

Jules