S.A.S.S. (A Military Support Group)

A Military Mom-to-Be Newbie

- Emalee Hibson

I cannot pretend to know everything. Especially since this is my first pregnancy and I've only been involved with the military (Marine Corps) since August. So all I can do is list my experiences as they occur. Hopefully I can find other women to share their experiences and tips. However, for now, I will just do the best I can.

Week 1-8

These weeks were the strangest. First there was finding out I was pregnant between my 5th and 6th weeks. I found out while my husband was on his leave and we were visiting his family in Colorado. Therefore, I could not do anything at first. As we drove back to California, I felt so sick. I was cramping terribly and it was worrying me. The day after we got home, I went to the E.R. at the Naval Hospital on the Marine Corps Base. I told them I had recently found out I was pregnant and I was experiencing severe cramping. One thing you'll learn very quickly is that being pregnant and having something out of the ordinary is a quick ticket into the ER. I didn't even have time to sit down before I was called back. They ran some tests and then drew my blood. I spent the next hour just lying in a bed waiting for some answers. A doctor finally came back and confirmed that I was pregnant (duh...). He basically told me that there was nothing they could do, and all they could do was suggest I come back in 4 days for another test if they cramps persisted. However, I didn't return despite the cramps because on day 4, my morning sickness began. Week 6 is the average week that women being morning sickness. And I was no different. The only suggestion I have for you is this. Don't take advice to heart. People are going to suggest so many different ways for you to cure your morning sickness. I'm not saying don't try everything, because you should. You need to make sure you've exhausted home remedies before you ask a doctor for medicine. January 6th, 1st day of week 7 for me I had an appointment scheduled for something else. I went in and changed the appointment for pregnancy. The doctor ordered me medication and referred me to the OB/GYN. I went to the desk and told them I had just been referred, they gave me a GIGANTIC stack of papers to fill out and sent me to the lab to get my blood drawn. Once that was all done, they signed me up for a Parenting Class that I had to attend in order to get my normal OB/GYN appointments started. A few days later, I received a phone call saying that my urine sample showed I had a UTI. (Btw, UTIs during pregnancy are normal and actually more likely to occur.) Once I started taking the medication, my cramps FINALLY went away. So don't assume the worst if you have cramps. It might just be a UTI.  

Week 9-16

January 20th, 1st day of week 9. I have my first OB/GYN appointment today. The appointment was just a nurse asking questions about our familys' medical history. Within a few days of the appointment, my morning sickness became incredibly severe. For three days I could not keep anything down, so I had my husband take me to the Naval Hospital on base. I should have gone to the ER. Anytime there is something that urgent, go to the ER at the Naval Hospital. However, I went to the Central Appointments to try and get an appointment. Luckily I was able to get one for right at that time. I was eventually hooked up to an IV for dehydration and given some nausea mediciation. Getting sick while pregnant is very common, but seriously, the moment you cannot keep liquids down GO TO THE ER!! The day after was my second OB/GYN appointment. I had the pelvic exam and then my first ultrasound. My husband and I were absolutely amazed with it. Our little baby was just almost 10 weeks old inside of me and moving around like crazy. It had a heart rate around 170 bpm. And we received four pictures to take home. The doctor did put in a referral for me to see a specialist since my baby sister was born with a hole in her heart, they just want to check on my baby. Week 11 was uneventful, but the day after week 12 began I was in the ER for chest pain. I caught a virus that was going around apparently. And if you have chest pain, go to the ER. The day before week 13 began I had some bleeding. I was really worried and again went to the ER. I was absolutely terrifed the entire time, especially since I had to go through it alone. My husband couldn't get off work, and all my friends and family are in Oklahoma. It was really difficult to do alone, and if you're ever in that situation, I recommend you take your cell phone in with you and call people just to talk to. It will make you feel better. I had a followup appointment with an OB/GYN two days later to check on the baby, and everything was thankfully fine. It was rolling around and rubbing its little face, and its heart rate was in the 150's. February 24th was the first day of Week 14, and I began a wonderful program called Centering Pregnancy. I'm not sure if it is true for every base, but here it is open to military dependents who are pregnant. They schedule all the rest of your appointments and you have the same doctor every time (something that might not be possible just making appointments) and you go with a group of women. They teach you a lot of things you need to know about your pregnancy and after the birth. And you will always get one on one time with the doctor. Week 15, I went to a 3D/4D facility for an ultrasound, I wanted to know the gender of our little baby. It was a fun experience, but a long drive. And they never got a clean shot so we didn't find out for sure. Week 16 was stressful because of some family issues that came up, and I ended up in the ER again. Fortunately I just caught another virus. And thankfully the ER is incredibly efficient at the Naval Hospital.

Week 17-24

Week 17 was a little stressful because of the issues the previous week, however my grandparents and mom were able to come visit me. Their visit helped to relieve some of that stress. Always remember that stress isn't good for you, and to try to relieve it any way you can. Week 18 I had another Centering Pregnancy appointment. My baby's heart rate was in the 150's still and we discussed my round ligament pain. It's a stabbing sensation in your lower abdomen. It scared me the first time I felt it but I looked it up online and realized it was nothing to be worried about. It's just my uterus liagments stretching as my uterus grows because of my little growing baby.

Week 25-32