33 weeks

 

I had my 33 week check up yesterday and my regular high risk doctor is on vacation. Her replacement was quite clinical and I didn't really like him but he did tell me he thinks my blood sugars are fine, despite my fasting levels are always 2-4 points over the normal. I asked what is the delivery plan for Gestational Diabetes most people are induced at 38-39 weeks and he said no just flat no there is no plan. I  definitely cannot wait to see the regular MFM at 37 weeks which to me is way too far out but then again I did say I am not in love with this practice so whatever.

And now, as I look down at my ever-growing baby bump, I can no longer see my toes. Yep. Gone. I also have a whole slew of uncomfortable symptoms that have decided to both pop up and stick around, but a lot of great things are going on too, so while a lot of things feel TERRIBLE… it’s all so worth it.

How big is baby? At 33 weeks baby is about the size of a pineapple.This week Baby weighs a little over 4 pounds, since I did an ultrasound with my appointment per the tech baby is 4 pounds 10 ounces. She is in the head-down position and may descend into my pelvis at any time in the next six weeks and begin to press into your cervix. Funny, I thought she was already pressuring down there.

What's up with me- Gained 12 pounds so far this pregnancy, having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions but I think I need to drink more water. Shortness of breath & definitely pregnancy brain.

Sleeping on my side! Side sleeping is my nemesis. I hate it with a passion so much that I find myself dreading going to bed at night. Gone are the nights of getting a goodnight sleep– I guess this is prepping me for the after-birth, right?

32 Weeks today

I am getting really uncomfortable, sleep is getting difficult and heartburn is only getting worse each day. She has been quite the mover this weekend mostly when I am trying to sleep. Even through all the discomfort I wouldn't trade it for the world. I will admit, pregnancy is not easy, my hat is off to the moms that are pregnant with multiples. My prayers also go out to the ladies that are still waiting...while my journey is not over until I have safely delivered and I have my baby in my arms, I still think about those still waiting to see those 2 lines.

 

 

 Baby Specs

 

By now, your  baby weighs 3 3/4 pounds (about the size of a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. She'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth. To accommodate your and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. And with your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be  shortness of breath and heartburn.

 

 

We hit the 30's

 

31 Week STATS

Your baby is about the size of a coconut, and she will now gain as much as a half pound per week until she's born.

Baby's Length: 16.18in.

Baby's Weight: 3.31lb

 

At 31 weeks pregnant, development of your baby’s major organs and body parts is largely complete, and she'll gain weight rapidly during the final leg of your pregnancy. This week, your baby weighs about 3.3 pounds and is between 16 and 17 inches long. Her taste buds have started to develop, and her eyes are open. You may start experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, which are practice contractions that help prepare for labor.

 

I saw the Nutritionist a day before thanksgiving and I now am using a glucose monitor to check blood sugars 4 times per day. YAY me...rolls eyes. I am doing ok with eating but my fasting tends to still be slightly elevated. I got to see the little one and as always she did not cooperate which brings me to present. I did an elective ultrasound on 11/30/2017 and guess what.....she still did not cooperate. I absolutely give up, the kid will not show her face. I was told though that she was estimated at 3 pounds 10 ounces.

I did the hospital tour on 11/28 and I was completely underwhelmed. It doesn't help that the hospital does not have great reviews but as my husband said, "you are going to have a baby and then leave not live there". The plus to this hospital is that they have a level III NICU, which I hope we don't need.

My OB appointments are now every 2 weeks and I start NST's ( Non Stress Test) bi weekly next week.

It’s strange to think that in no more than 8-10 weeks I’m going to be writing with a newborn. As I’ve been writing, our little one has been squirming and punching me internally, a not-so-gentle reminder that baby is getting ready for the world. Maybe some of the strangeness of all of this will dampen after we actually set up the area for the baby. We live in a tiny condo so no nursery unfortunately. Gifts are still coming in and we are so incredibly blessed. I am pretty sure we won't need to buy diapers for the first 2-3 months or even more.

Cravings/Aversions: Nope. I’m perhaps pregnancy’s most boring craving/aversion person.

29 Weeks

At 29 weeks, baby is the size of an acorn squash. Your 29 weeks baby already measures about 15.2 inches long. And he or she weighs about 2.5 pounds, but still has a way to go—can you believe baby will triple in weight before birth?

Though she's getting pretty close to her birth length, she still has to chub out a bit. In fact, over the next 11 weeks, she'll more than double — or even come close to tripling — her weight. As more fat is deposited under the skin surface, her wrinkled skin is smoothing out. This white fat, as it's called, is different from the earlier brown fat your developing fetus accumulated. Brown fat is necessary for body temperature regulation, while white fat (the same kind you have, Mom) actually serves as an energy source.

Counting Baby's Kicks

Since space in your baby's living quarters is now at a premium, you'll be feeling jabs and pokes from elbows and knees, mostly. And they'll be more vigorous (and also less erratic) than before because your baby is stronger and excitedly responding to all sorts of stimuli — movement, sounds, light and that candy bar you ate half an hour ago. That means now's a good time to start doing a kick count twice a day to make sure baby's doing just fine (plus, it's a good excuse for a rest).

 

 

I failed........

Well just as the title states I failed the dang glucose test.
I took the test on 11/13th @ exactly 28 weeks and found out I failed on 11/15th.

I am not sure about the specifics but I see the MFM doctor tomorrow and see the nutritionist the very next day ugghhh. The irony is I bought a Gestational Diabetes book for a $1.00 some weeks back so I guess I subconsciously knew this was coming.  The nurse called and told me that I needed to cut out all sugars. I am ball of  worry, guilt, & sadness but from this I guess on the plus side it is a good incentive to eat healthier & try to get more physical activity during my pregnancy or the rest of it for that matter.

My baby shower was this past Saturday & I have mixed feelings about it. It was chaotic, crazy, late and everything that could go wrong did like a wedding but at the same time it was beautiful and I finally had a chance to have a shower. I will add photos once they are sent to me.

Time Does Not Stand Still

Hello World,
Today I am 27weeks and 4 days. We have showers upcoming, glucose tests, and doctor visits oh my!!

Let's see where did I leave off?

I had my elective rescan of my little one on 10/27/2017 and it did not go much better, she is not cooperative. I did receive 1 photo and a CD that was basically a waste since you cannot make out any details. Sigh she is just not a fan of scans I guess. I have the glucose test coming up in a few days and then the following week I see the MFM and the OB a day apart.....oh joy. I love the MFM visits so I can see my girl but the OB visits to me are a waste of time....I am literally there waiting for 30-40 minutes for a 5 minute appointment that is not really all that helpful or informative.

So I went to HR somewhere in the Interim and was advised they ONLY offer 6 weeks for natural birth & 6- 8 weeks for C-section recovery despite that it is Federal Law to go up to 12. They said I will need a doctors note to extend beyond the time they allot. I was incredibly pissed off at first but then realized that I am sure the doctor will respect my wishes and even if they do not I am not returning to work prior to when "I want to". I hate the maternity leave system in the US and especially hate that companies think they can dictate when a mother "should" be ready to return to work. We are not rich and as a matter of fact because of all the expenses to get pregnant we did deplete our savings but we trust that God will see us through this next chapter in our lives. I have been such a dedicated employee for 4 1/2 yrs. I thought for sure it would not be an issue but I see now that I am just a worker at the end of the day none of that matter. My direct supervisor said she will work with me, but we shall see. I have seen so many women get terminated because of this. Ok vent over on that matter.

Kicks a plenty have been happening lately and I am feeling her more now which is awesome This is exciting because now I am not panicking as much. 2 days ago I was laying on my right side......and my hand was resting on my tummy, I guess she was not liking it and gave one heck of a kick. I responded by smiling but reminding her while she lives with me now, she will have to respect this is my body and I can rest my hand where I choose.

All of this is so surreal, we have been waiting for so long, I have been so nervous for so long and the reality has been setting in that I am going to have a baby. Wow. As for me, I feel TIRED, throwing up again, still have no energy to go walking like I wanted to. I cannot hide being pregnant anymore but believe it or not many of my coworkers still do not know and I still do not plan to announce. They will see soon enough. Come on thanksgiving break so I can get a longer weekend of rest. My baby shower will be in a week and I am HAPPY my best friends asked me to do it sooner. I cannot imagine doing this much later on.

27 weeks specs.

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (about the size of a head of  cauliflower and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning – with a lot of medical help–if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Holy Crap What was that.......

I am officially 25 weeks pregnant and  I look like it! I am realizing that we have only a few months left until the baby comes. We’ve still got to  order the furniture, tour the hospital where she will be born, wash and put away all the baby clothes we’ve got for her, and finally, set up area in our bedroom. We live in a small condo for now so no nursery until we move.

Let's start with my appointment yesterday this is with the regular OB and they checked my fetal tones and everything was fine heart beating away at 161 bpm...... On my way home I stopped at Walmart for some essentials and decided to try the deli for the prepared wings..... HOLY CRAP.

While it tasted ok......apparently it was not received well. I had a splitting headache, no exaggeration splitting, mind numbing I wanted to cry headache. Immediately after that I was throwing up and felt pains in my stomach. I was so scared. I drank water and took a nap which helped a little but I didn't feel better until today. NEVER.AGAIN.

Pregnancy Side Effects:

• Heartburn – Whether it’s water, plain toast, or a few pickles I get nasty heartburn that just doesn’t quit. Good thing there’s calcium in Tums because I’m popping those things like chalky little candies.
• Exhaustion – I seem to be giving all my energy to the baby right now because when my eyes are open, all they want to do is close.
• Joint pains- where is all this coming from.....my knees hurt and back. Starting today I am going to take a stroll in the evenings to get more activity in. I have been doing kegel exercises though.

Currently Craving: Still nothing.....I have the urge to eat nothing really. I basically wing it, it is either received well....or not. The thing I have not been getting are lots of fruit and veggies, this kid is a junk foodie. I don't know why but it will NOT be that way when she is here. It is a challenge to drink even water but I make myself gulp it anyway.

Feelings:

Feeling worried! I put together our registry & realized just how much we need to do before our little bambino arrives…and it’s a lot. We still need to get furniture ( well a bassinet & mini crib), set up and organize her things, wash the tiny baby clothes we’ve got so far, purchase various baby gear.

Thankfully we will be having a baby shower, to offset the cost of a newborn & some of the things we need. I am not looking forward to this 2 1/2 hour party to be stared at  & to be the center of attention and asked to open gifts. Fingers crossed I handle it well when the day comes.

YAY to being 25 week !!

 

Viability & The Past Weeks

I have been a little M.I.A but things are thankfully progressing well. I have been slowly coming out of the closet and telling everyone.

So the Fetal Echo with a specialist was on 10/3 and I am glad to say her heart is not only fine but they see no need to see me again.

 

Yesterday at 24 weeks 2 days I saw the MFM and things were well..... quite interesting.

I am up 12 pounds total....yikes I am only supposed to gain 15 this whole pregnancy.

She was balled up tight in a fetal position and would not give a good view.

I mean they tried having me change numerous sides, peeing and it DID.NOT.WORK.

She is a stubborn one. She kept giving butt shots. This kid of mine that I love so much already.

 

My baby shower is in a month and I can't wait. While I have waited forever to have a shower honestly I am on the fence about it as well. I feel like I am being a little demanding with my friends and I am trying not to be. They wanted to do it in a restaurant per person and I didn't want that.

Unfortunately me and hubby live in a small condo so having it at home is out of the question, the plan now is for it to be in a meeting room at the hotel. One of my friends that is throwing it is on board for the decorating and the other said it sounds like "too much work" which pissed me off.

I decorated and planned her baby shower all by myself 7 yrs. ago and prior to that her Bridal Shower and Bachelorette party. This is why I am on the fence, when it is your turn people seem to have amnesia.

 

On a much brighter note hubby said if we have to do it ourselves then so be it.

 

 

 

Interesting Twists and Turns along the way

Quickie Update, Let me start of with the positives

I went on a wonderful cruise from 9/18-9/23. I had a blast..... Ahhh I miss the ship, room service and hanging with my friends and the best part..... I did not get sick not even once.

I did however have some swelling walking around in the sun but not much....a nice pedicure onboard and elevating my feet fixed that.

Now for the Baby




Now for the Not so great News.

I received the call to do a Fetal Echo next week with the Pediatric Cardiologist. They were not able to get good shots of my little one at the Level II ultrasound. I am nervous but I will not allow the negative thoughts to win.
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After the Storm & 19 weeks

Wrote this post on 9/13/2017

Hurricane Irma came through Florida with a vengeance and damages many areas.
While thankfully I was spared many were not.

 

19 weeks: Your baby is about the size of an heirloom tomato or Mango depending on the app.

Baby is about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces, your 19-week fetus continues to get bigger! Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. Your baby's kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

I am 19 weeks 2 days today.

Limbo

I had my Level II appointment yesterday and meeting with the MFM.

 

Little girl was NOT being cooperative at all. She turned her back, covered her face and just would not show what they needed. However something alarming happened, I noticed the Ultrasound tech took a long time to look at her heart, she went outside and in comes the Doctor who tries to scan as well. That's when little girl must have had it so she went into a fetal position.....she was just not in the mood for the ultrasound at all.

Over all the visit went well, they told me everything looks great but they are recommending that I see a pediatric cardiologist to look at my babies heart closer.  They tried to re-assure me that everything they saw was fine but it was for a precaution, I did not believe them. I mean I saw something typed that said "Septum" . I appreciate them trying to convince me all is well and it is precautionary but I prefer the cold truth. I will be praying that everything is ok and try not stress about it. Right now I await the call from the Hospital to set this all up within the next few weeks. I go back to the MFM in October and I am hoping all is well.

Side Note- I did some blood work on 9/1 and was told they were routine....apparently one of the tests was to check for the Zika Virus & the good news is I am negative & hopefully still at the moment.
It's the small victories while in the storm right?

Currently getting ready to face Hurricane Irma in South Florida, it is a Category 5 hurricane that will be a 4 at land fall.

I'm 18

Ok not really but I hit the 18 week pregnancy mark on labor day, 9-4-2017.

On another psychotic note, despite having a doctors appointment later today  I still did an elective ultrasound yesterday because I wanted to see my baby. I know...I know.... I keep saying I will not do that but I am not doing such a good job. Plus it is costing me a fortune.. at $49 a pop and I have done about 4 or 5. I could have bought the Mamaroo & the Halo Basinet by now, both of which I am coveting. Not to mention the truly expensive co-payment I have to make to the doctor in October for the birth.

I wonder if I will be the kind of mom that will need a day care with cameras or perhaps not want to return to work.....well we shall see but my anxiety is killing me.

I hope when I start to feel kicks it will get better. Speaking of kicks she was kicking, but I didn't feel a thing. This is all due to my anterior placenta. Uggh......

Trucking Along

I am 17 weeks 2 days today & I think I’m going to start posting these updates (when I remember!), so feel free to skip over them if you so choose! I'm not keeping any kind of pregnancy journal so I want to have something to look back on during this part of my journey. I'm learning that time goes very quickly, so I don't want to forget any of it! Plus I barely took any documenting photos so this will work.

Size of baby: Baby is the size of a Pomegranate or Onion or Turnip, it all depends on the App you are on. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop. Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord – her lifeline to the placenta – is growing stronger and thicker

Symptoms: Still throw up at times….I never know when these days. I'm also still super tired all the time.

Weight Gain:  Not sure, will know at the next apt at 18 weeks 3 days.

Cravings: None

Aversions: It depends on the day, most days everything

Sleep:  Not too bad other than the nightly potty breaks I have to take.  I'm ready for bed by 6:30 or 7:00 , awake at 2 for a snack and them down at 4 to be back up at 6!

Maternity Clothes:  It's a work in progress, my clothes do not fit and the things I did buy 1 dress and 1 pant are too big so in turn it makes me look bigger.  

What I Miss:  Eating what I want…..but it is worth the sacrifice right now!

What I'm Looking Forward To: My 18 week sonogram.  Haven't seen the little one since 16 weeks because I did an elective scan at an outside facility.  If not the last scan was at 12 weeks 3 days for the NT. Also, the OB practice does them 6 weeks at a time. Hate that.

Special Pregnancy Moments: Telling my friends this weekend. They took it well considering I waited until so long but they also understood which is why I love them so much. Everyone was so excited and happy for us! I was really happy to be able to tell them in person.

Bump Update: One minute I look huge and the next the bump disappears.

Exercise: What’s that? Anyway I keep saying I am going to start walking but when I get home I crash. It is a shame considering I have a treadmill in my tiny living room and it is in front of the TV, surely I can walk for 15 minutes………

Actually after I got it I realize I prefer to walk outdoors. It has been collecting dust for 8 or 9 months now. It will need to go when baby is here. We just do not have the room for it.

16 Weeks and a Solar Eclipse

I have been horrible at documenting this pregnancy. What is wrong with me ( well besides being sick still) I thought I would take weekly pictures but no such luck.  I will pledge to do better or at least try to do better.

There are so many things happening this week, Solar eclipse, OB appointment, & me being in a wedding out of State.

.

• For most American scientists it is perhaps the most accessible total solar eclipse since the last one to touch the lower 48 states in 1979. And in those 38 years, their equipment and ability to study the phenomena have greatly improved.

 

Awesome the last one came the year I was born, and now this one is here the year I conceived, how cool is that?

 

Now onto the Babe, yesterday at 15 weeks 6 days I got violently ill after eating shrimp. I was throwing up so hard tears were running down my cheeks. Hubby was not impressed and demanded I take the pills I was prescribed weeks ago for this. I defiantly have been avoiding them, just trying to stay away from drugs. It is bad enough I crave and drink coke which is horrible and I cannot help it, I try to drink water and it makes me ill. I think I get 1 bottle in per day. I want this to change, I use to drink close to a gallon a day so this is really rough. I have tried flavoring the water which helps some...I use ginger, lemon, and mint. My goal is at least 2-16 oz bottles per day, sick or no sick I will have to get it down.

 

How far along?  16 weeks!  4 months folks.

Baby's size? An avocado! measuring 4.6 inches long and weighing in at 3.5 ounces.

Weight Gain? I have no idea I have been going up and down 2 pounds.

Maternity clothes?  Not really but I could use some. My stomach looks small in the morning but bigger by dinner

Sleep? Hit or miss, some days I sleep down to the morning, others I am up between 2 am-4am and cannot go back down.

Food?  Not really, some things make me sick and I don't know until I try.

Best moment this week? Solar Eclipe, Doctor Appt & Going out of State for my friends wedding.

Movement? Not sure, I have felt a few flutters but again I have no idea if that's the kid.

Symptoms?  Still not sure what to eat,  acid reflux, laziness and irritability. 

Gender?   It's a girl, it's fun to hear my close friends tell me they think it's a boy though. I remain with my lips sealed. I am not sure how long I can hold out because the plan is a gender reveal baby shower.

What I miss? Eating and drinking water. 

What I'm looking forward to? Appointment with our OB on 8/24.

Milestones: Another week down.

Recap & 15 Weeks

Recap
On Wednesday 8/9 I went to the OB for a Doppler check. It was a no fee visit that was just to hear the Doppler tones. The idea was to put my mind at ease between appointments since they are 4 weeks apart. What this visit did instead was give me anxiety....why? It took the nurse a while to find the heartbeat cue silent freak out. In the end she did find it and it was pumping away at 156 bpm. Thank you god. I am not so sure I want anymore of these.

Another weird thing also happened last week. While I was sleeping I felt a sharp pain? Pull? Stretch? something which caused me to yelp and my husband to run out of the bathroom.

15 Weeks

  

Your baby is about the size of an Apple or Navel Orange depending on the app you are using. Baby's brain now controls all the muscles in her body; she is able to move. Yes, she'll even do somersaults! But if this is your first baby, you probably won't feel him moving for several more weeks.

Baby's Length: 3.98in.

Baby's Weight: 2.47oz

 

At 15 weeks pregnant your baby is quickly growing bigger each week — he's as long as four inches right now.And with each passing week, your fetus is also looking more and more like the baby you're picturing in your dreams. By now, the ears are positioned properly on the sides of the head (they used to be in the neck) and the eyes are moving from the side of the head to the front of the face — where they'll soon meet your loving gaze.

On Monday 8/14 at exactly 15 weeks I did another elective ultrasound.........yeah it's out of hand but oh well. Anyway little girl was jumping all over the place and wiggly. This time I received a CD of the ultrasound and a picture. She was measuring 2 days ahead, this makes me happy because I have been eating like CRAP.  I will do a whole post on expectations and reality of pregnancy.

Today I am 15 weeks and 2 days and I have to say you do not have to be nauseous to throw up. If I eat something that is not right it will promptly be seen again. I feel much better so I am now combing my hair and looking decent for work again... I do need more clothes but will keep squeezing into my Express wardrobe for now....... I should add I was squeezing into them anyway :-)

14 Weeks

 

So today I am officially 14 weeks. I will shamefully admit that I did an elective ultrasound yesterday, but it was the best $50 ever to hear my daughters heart beat. She was super active yesterday, so active that not only could we not get a profile pic but none of her face. She flipped, kicked and kept turning & facing my back. I have been feeling flutters but everything I have read said I wouldn't feel anything until much later so I just completely disregarded it. The tech said while yes it is mostly much later some people do start feeling flutters starting now. My cute kid was kicking up a storm I tell you, I felt so proud. This is so surreal for me....I have been waiting for years to feel this.

I know I have such a long way to go to meet her but January is not getting here soon enough. My due date is 2/5/2017 however I am now measuring a week ahead so I am assuming she will be here by mid January. Please God, nothing sooner and no NICU is my hope, prayer and goal. I am having a hard time with finding clothes for myself but have also been lazy with going to consignment shops.

Thredup.com seems to be a good place to start as well as Ebay. I did go to Goodwill at the advice of a friend and didn't see anything but then only spent maybe 5 minutes, the store had an odd smell. A mixture of dust, & old things. There is a more modern location closer to my home so I will try that one to see if it is better. Either way I will need some new clothes and soon. I am in my fat pants and those are tight.

 

At 14 weeks pregnant, baby is as big as a peach, measuring 3.4 inches and weighing in at 1.5 ounces. Baby has almost doubled in weight since last week, and keeps on growing at super speed at week 14.

 

You are now in your second trimester and your baby is beginning to be a real 'individual' – even down to gaining their own unique set of fingerprints!

 

Total Weight Loss/Gain: I haven't weighed myself but from the doctor I was down 2 or 3 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: I ordered a dress, a pant and a shirt. This week is a must. Everything is too tight and hurts.

Stretch marks: None from pregnancy, I had some before

Sleep: It hasn't been bad

Movement: I think I feel flutters, maybe it is stretching sensations but who knows. First time experience so hard to tell or decipher.

Cravings/Aversions: Basically nothing is appealing really, I just try to eat to see what stays and what I will never touch again.

Gender: Girl, I did an NT scan and genetic testing.

Symptoms: The lower back pain and sore breasts continue but I feel pretty good everywhere else. I have been having slight cramping every now and again. Feels like period cramps, but all the books say that it's more ligament stretching. It was bad Friday night...

What I miss: Not having heartburn, it truly sucks.

What I look forward to: Feeling the baby move!

Milestones: 2nd Trimester!!!!!! Hooray!

Genetic Results

 

I received the best call this morning....

The Harmony genetic test results are in, I have low risks across the board for all abnormalities. I didn't ask numbers nor do I need them because I believe in God's report, not statistics. While it is great to hear confirmation that nothing is wrong I had already declared it was not so and rejected all negatives against my pregnancy. My Faith waivers because I am human but I know in the toughest of times I have to hold fast and keep my mind on God and his word.

They told me the sex of the baby as well and since I called and told hubby I can share here as well... I am having a.....



In between

Written 8/2/2017

13 weeks and 2 days

Being on this side of infertility is uncharted territory, what do we do now?  No more tests, no more, surgeries, no more calling in to the clinic. It is like sitting out in a world of nothing.  I have the Doppler, I took it out the box once and tried to find the heartbeat and gave up after 10 minutes. It was not my intention to get it and I knew it was going to be more of a pain than help. I stopped PIO shots a few days ago and didn’t look back, and then last night I started to worry. I also haven’t been taking my prenatal vitamins; this is more because I keep forgetting. I swear when I get home, I take a shower and my eyes are closed before I even know it.  I will HAVE to do much better with this, it is very important for baby. I hate the kinds I have but still I am eating crappy so the vitamins will need to provide the right nutrients.

Working is hard while pregnant; I am always so sleepy and tired. I just want to go to bed right now. (Yawn)

I did a little online shopping for Maternity Clothes and didn’t think anything of it…at first. After I hit complete order then my head went into over drive. I am showing, to be fair I already had a chubby tummy after stimming but it was still ok, now I cannot even pull in my stomach.  I think I am going to be huge.

I received a call 8/1/2017 from the nurse at the OB,  that the genetic testing facility was on hold asking about my donor egg ivf.  “Uhhm  excuse me what?” They needed the age of the donor. Well that Donor is me and IVF was this year.  All of this should be on the notes there….**sigh**So clearly someone obviously messed up the information sent for the genetic testing.

Let me say there is absolutely nothing wrong with Donor Egg IVF, I would have gladly used that option if I could afford to and also if it was the next step.  It was just a weird question considering I never told the clinic that information.  Let's just wait on the results they have me all worried....well kind of I will go pray instead.

NT Scans and MFM Visit

Let me just get right into it kind of long post.

7/27/2017
I had my NT scan on Thursday when I was 12 weeks and 3 days, all looked great and the kid was measuring 13 weeks. They did not adjust my due though I guess because it is still so close.

The scan was with my favorite scanner, did I mention that I did elective scans at 9 week/10 weeks because I was anxious and crazy? Anyway at the elective scan facility the scanner told me she worked at the OB office I go to and she hoped she would get to do my NT scan and God worked it out that it happened just as we both hoped. She is very patient and explained everything we were looking at.  All measurements were fine, baby was sleeping and was not moving so she had me cough and pushed on my stomach and the kid started wiggling..

After the scan she led me to the OB's office for the visit.. She was really nice and thought I was a pretty easy going patient. So anyway I told her about my spitting issue, yes I have the gross excessive saliva thing in my pregnancy. *sigh*  *expletive sigh*
Currently spitting in my trash can at my cubicle. I sooooooooooo hate this darn symptom. I told her that a month was too long for me to come back so she has me scheduled for Doppler 8/9th, then I go back 2 weeks for the anatomy scan? Not sure...then I go back for a level II scan? I wasn't paying too much attention, I was on cloud nine from a great NT scan. I am not completely out of the woods so I asked for the Harmony Test. It was at the end of the day but I was able to have my blood drawn and should hear back in 10 days...maybe less. The Harmony test is a genetic test that can detect abnormalities as well as tell the babies sex.  For more details visit here http://www.ariosadx.com/

MFM Visit 7/28/2017
So I had to go back to the clinic the VERY next day. This was not fun nor my idea, this was to meet the MFM specialist and this was how they scheduled the appointment.

Dr. J asked me general questions, and told me why I was considered high risk. I am advanced maternal age & pregnant via IVF so I am an automatic candidate high risk patient..... YAY me ( being sarcastic....well kind of ). She asked me about the NT scans then went into the computer to
review the results. There was talk about if I did any genetic tests and if I would like amnio
to which I responded  " I will not do any invasive testing" she then asked me if I used my own eggs and I said yes and I can see the slight judgment in her eyes. That's right I will not do it, am I the only woman over 35 that got pregnant and not wanting to do these invasive test?...NO then
be a peach and not bring it up again unless I ask. Overall she is a nice lady and just doing her job but I just didn't like the judgment in the eyes about the amnio question. After our talk and her notes she asked me to go to get an ultrasound, I am thinking she either has no faith or did it to see if the bub is ok. Anyway the babe had it's back turned and was facing my back, with a perfect heart beat. This scan was literally perhaps 2 minutes long, the tech said you just did NT yesterday and she wants heart tones we both kind of rolled our eyes... LOL . I didn't mind it as long as it doesn't hurt the kid.

12 weeks & A Day

I do not have much to report except that waiting and waiting and waiting is killing me.

Just 2 more sleeps until the NT Scan and my meeting with the OB this Thursday 7/27th and then of course the very next day I have to do back and speak with the MFM or Peri. Uggh why couldn't they schedule it all in the same day. This practice is so huge..... just like for air travel you have to check in online for your appointments as you would for your flight. Like I said I am ok with a huge practice for now, sometimes I think perhaps I should call Dr. C but then I say no. Dr. C was my OB from 2003-2012. I ended that relationship after he performed the D&C from my miscarriage from my first IVF cycle. He was very nice and all but I just think of him and that time period and I just have not set foot back in that office.

Nothing exciting happening except I have been a nut job all weekend thinking the worse. I cannot wait for this Thursday to see what's going on inside. I also turned off notification for the FB group I am apart of. It's not that the women aren't the best and supportive but reading the negative things put me in a bad head space. I have been trying to pray the negativity away but it still gets to me. It especially gets worse since for the most part I feel normal.

Symptoms- Still queasy, and threw up twice Sunday but overall feel great. I had a pounding all day headache that was so bad that I took Tylenol which did absolutely nothing to ease it. So I tried sleeping it off and that worked, but then I woke up and there is was.

My Body: I think I have a bump or it is still fat but it is rounder more at the top so I believe it is fat? The baby is tiny and a plum so this is either bloat or just as I said fat. I can rock it and pretend it's a bump LOL.

Baby- 12 weeks: Your baby is about the size of a lime.
Your lime-sized little one now weighs 1/2 ounce and is just over 2 inches long from head to bottom.

11 Weeks & 4 days

I have been seriously slacking on trying to keep up but since I don't have my appointment for another 7 days there isn't anything much to report.

I gag daily at least 2-3 times, still throw up here & there but I will say this week has been much better overall. Everything I have read said nausea should be waning and I will go as far as to say it has gotten better but it is definitely still ever present. If I eat something that is not baby approved I pay for it big time.

The odd thing is I still fit my clothes but they are uncomfortable. I think maternity clothes will be in my future soon unless I decide to wear only dresses........which I LOVE right now.

What's Going On with My Body: Feeling lots of twinges, stretching and perhaps cramps too.

What I am looking forward to: NT scan at 12weeks 3 days.

What's Going On the Baby:
It's now the 11th week of your pregnancy, and your little one has officially graduated to the status of "fetus." This is a big step in his prenatal development. Now that all of your baby's major organs have started forming, his growth will be all about maturing and putting on pounds.

 

I got this from the Bump Box website here https://bumpboxes.com/week-by-week/

At 11 weeks pregnant, your baby is now the size of a macaroon, around 1 1/2 inches long and weighing a 1/4 of an ounce. If you got a peek inside your uterus, you would see her kicking, stretching, sighing and hiccupping. She’s looking more and more like a baby every day she matures. The bones in the face are forming nicely, and the proportions of the body are starting to get closer to those of a newborn’s