Spider veins, support hose and kicks by the carrot

From Babycenter (this is from the weekly email I get 'cause I signed up with an EDD [estimated due date] and a first day of last menstrual cycle] I usually click through, compare what I'm feeling to what is expected.)

"How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well."

So, let's see: kicks and nudges, YES as of Saturday pm, I am fully feeling her. So, excellent, finally on schedule for that. I wasn't worried bur Mr. Ross was a bit anxious as the lit. says first timers can feel movements as early as 16 weeks, AND if movements aren't detected by week 22, midwives/doctors should be alerted. Kicks = yay!

And more:

How my life (should be) a changin':
You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.

That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.

You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.

You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery."

What's really up with me and my bod:
--Yes, I feel great. Though I never felt bad. During the first three months I was very tired, so I napped a lot, 'cause I could. As well, I was ridiculously horny. But that's kinda par for the course — when I have down time, well, I wanna get down.
--Grr. Veins. Yes I can see them growing and wanting to do mean things to my legs. My mother got her first vericose veins when she carried me, her first child.
--Spider veins: I have one cool, kinda pretty little spider vein sunburst on my right calf. It gets very bright after yoga, but calms down a lot as my body cools. No pain there. The v.veins kinda pound with my heart beats.

To do this week:
--Give up. Get support hose. So far, pharmacies only have nude (!!!) hose and they tell me that maternity support hose might be found at a medical supply store (!). I will buy a $20 pair of icky nude hose and then find other colors online or elsewhere. We'll see how long I can put off going into a medical supply store. Since when is being pregnant a medical condition, oh, yeah, right, enter Western Med.

--Buy a bra. Mom and Ross agree. It's time. Fine.

--The midwives will be here tomorrow for a visit: Reading material includes: vaccinations decisions, chopping off part of a baby boy's penis, and gestational diabetes screening.

Also, I should expect to gain a pound a week! More ice cream, please. Thank you.

And: photo: Ducks!!! Yellow is not pink — thanks, mom!