23 weeks pregnancy update / ssw 23

Feels good to be back on track! This week many decisions were made. But I am starting from the beginning... 
Monday I got a migraine again in the afternoon and I stood through it for more than 24hours before I decided to take something against it, as tons of water and fresh air didn´t help. :(
Also on Monday was our first training lesson of our prenatal classes. The midwife who holds this course is a lovely person called Mechtild and has a lot of understanding and good tips for us. We were 8 couples and it was a funny evening! :) We are going to attend this class on a weekly basis now for around 2 months.

On Thursday I had a doctor´s appointment and many questions to ask. First of all the baby is fine!! :) However, my belly is still hard and he mentioned that the migraine is a sign that my body is easily ready for contractions - I don't exactly know why´s that, but there must be some kind of connection... Against that and the hurts in my belly I should take 15mmol magnesium per day. My iron level has risen again which is good, but I still need to keep up with supplements. My current body symptoms and the fact that I am high risk pregnant now brought me to the decision that I would not fly into holidays with Nico which was planned for next week on Tinerfe. :( We are both sad about it, but we are doing it for our little daughter, so that she will be fine and that really is the most important!
Then my doctor gave me a prohibition of employment and confirmed me to fill out an insurance form, this way we will get the money back from our travel insurance.
And for me personally the best news is, that I am allowed to do some smooth sports, like swimming, yoga or going for a walk easily. But only if my stomach is relaxed! Wohoo!! I am so happy about that :)

The work prohibition is dated until end of April. So I knew immediately I would not go back to work again, as my holiday and maternity protection phase would start at that time already. On the way back home I visited the office and my colleagues and delivered the prohibition notice personally. All the ones I met were very kind to me (they got re-organized very well already) and I had the chance to say goodbye properly to at least my closest colleagues and my boss. Strange feeling somehow leaving the office for such a long time after all these years... Now I am starting to find a routine for my time staying at home.

For Lillian´s room we got a carpet and ordered a window shade this week. The delivery date for her furniture to come has also been fixed! :)

And this is my bump for 23 weeks pregnant!

How far along? I have just finished my 23rd pregnancy week.

Total weight gain: 9,4 kilos.
Bump measure: This morning it were 89cm.

Maternity clothes? Yes partly, but I am also wearing a lot of my old clothes.

Stretch marks? No
Fitness: In regards of fitness I am so so happy that I am allowed to do some smooth sports, when my belly is fine! This was probably the best news for me this week as I start to feel a bit awful laying calm and put on loads of weight.

Sleep: It´s ok, I still wake up 1-2 times a night and I dreamed of dogs 2 times recently. Don´t know if that means anything... :)

Best moment this week: Maybe it was the relief after I had my doctors appointment and when I knew everything can and need to be managed now.

Miss anything? Moving as I want to - my belly has gotten so big!

Movement: A lot! 

Food/cravings: I dreamed of steak and also chocolate this week!

Anything making you quesy or sick? No

Gender: It´s a girl!

Labor signs: No

Symptoms: Monday I was surprised by nose bleeding again. I thought I am over it and this would only happen in the first trimester. And my nose is slightly blocked still, pain in the stomach and crotch, a hard belly and a big fat headache. Wasn´t one of my best weeks. From my experience with the 3-days-migraine from February I decided to stand through it for at least 24 hours before I would take some medicine. I lay in bed all day in the dark and felt so relieved when Nico my husband brought me Paracetamol which is allowed during pregnancy. I took 2 pills and I am not proud - but it wouldn´t have helped me, nor the baby, if I had stood through it for 2 more days either.

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or of? Still on.

Happy or moody most of the time? Hm, that´s a bit difficult I was generally happy but also a bit strained due to all decisions to come this week.

Looking forward to: Getting the babies furniture delivered in 2 weeks!

Please feel free to leave your comments in English or German, as you prefer!

Sani <3