MASTERPIECE

My first trimester of pregnancy has not been a walk in the park.  I have been experiencing the classic symptoms, i.e., nausea, vomiting, food aversion, cramping, bloating, gastritis and ultra sensitive olfactory sense.  The odd thing is that as opposed to the more common "morning sickness," I begin to feel sick later in the day and become worst at night before *my* bedtime (I'm a night owl).  Blessed wife I am, my husband has been very supportive and fully hands-on in taking care of me and attending to all my needs and quirks.  However, when retching and heaving at 3:00 a.m. proved to be no fun at all and total energy sucker for me, he called up the local women's health center, and we scheduled an acute visit with an obstetrician the following day.

During the OB visit, I understood how strong pregnancy hormones are in that they reduce the ability of the stomach to empty its contents at a very much more slower rate explaining the conglomeration of symptoms I have.  I was given reassurance with regards to that, and the doctor even said that babies who cause nausea and vomiting are usually those who latch on pretty strong.  To curb my nausea and vomiting, I was advised to take doxylamine (sleep aid) and vitamin B complex, other than diphenhydramine (Benadryl) which I had been taking for the past weeks.  At the end of our visit, the doctor ordered an ultrasound just for baseline and to make sure that there's only one and not two (or more) babies inside ;)

Sheer bliss!  That's what I felt when I saw the black and white reflection of the 7.7-cm miracle inside my tiny womb.  I couldn't describe how happy I was to have caught an early glimpse of our first bundle of joy, and I will never forget how amazed and dumbfounded I was of God's greatness, realizing that behind all my weird and difficult symptoms the past 10 weeks, He has a wonderful masterpiece in progress.  Something tells me that the next 30 weeks of my pregnancy are going to be extra exciting :)

"Before you had a name or opened up your eyes,

Or anyone could recognize your face

You were being formed so delicate inside

Secluded in God's safe and hidden place...

You are a masterpiece, a  new creation He has formed

And you're as soft and fresh as a snowy winter morn

And I'm so glad that God has given you to me

Little lamb of God, you are a masterpiece...

- Masterpiece by Sandi Patty"