High Risk & Peri Appointment

 

It looks like I am High Risk Folks.

The OB Practice I am apart of has a Perinatologist on site. As a matter of fact they have just about everything in that office and it is on the compound of the hospital I will deliver.

 

A perinatologist is an obstetrician/gynecologist who has completed specialty training needed to understand and treat complex medical problems relating to pregnancy that can involve the mother and her unborn baby. They are also called a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist.

 

I chose to attend this practice because it is a big network and I wanted to be monitored closely for this pregnancy. I am not sure I will feel about it later down the road because at first glance, they have lots of patients and it is definitely busy there. Even so the staff was caring and the NP was very warm and did not rush through her time with me. Again later on I might be singing another tune.

 

Symptoms- Still dry heaving out of the blue, waves of nausea out of the blue too, weird taste in mouth still, telling hubby to buy food I do not want when I get it. EXHAUSTED. All in all nothing I cannot handle and will continue to gladly handle because I am excited to be at this point. Everyday is a gift, every moment a blessing. My fears are still there but the more I focus on the positives the more I can keep the negative thoughts at bay...

 

First OB Appointment

I had my first Ob appointment today and it went really well. The Nurse practitioner was the best. They did a complete work up on me including a pap which I told them I was nervous about since I was spotting off and on.  We went through some history and I did advise them this baby was conceived through IVF. I was told I may be monitored closely because of my age and because I have a Subchorionic hemorrhage (subchorionic hematoma). Yes you read that right, despite seeing the local R/E for 3 scans as well as going to the Emergency room neither of them told me about this. Both told me they had no idea where the spotting was coming from. I am now stuck with a $1700 bill from the ER for nothing.....just great.  Anyway the nurse said it is small so she is thinking it is collapsing and was perhaps bigger a few weeks prior, and mentioned this seems to be common with IVF babies. Also I have to take the glucose test twice, once now and then the other around 28 weeks. Yay me ( rolls eyes).

On Another Note- Who knew you had to pay the doctor for birth prior to getting there. I was told I have until 24 weeks to pay the practice $1800, granted $1500 of this is because I have not met my deductible.  Phew....thank goodness it wasn't higher or I would be completely screwed. Keep in mind this does not include the hospital costs so I will either have to get an estimate of that or switch to my husband's insurance if they out of pocket will be cheaper. While it could be worse, that is still pretty high.

Our Bambino is measuring spot on at 8weeks 1 day which is exactly what I am today. I heard the heart beating for the very first time, & it beating away at 166 bpm. It was one of the best sounds I have ever heard.  Unfortunately for this practice video or pictures are not allowed with the ultrasounds so the print out I received sometime later I will try to scan and upload. I have been bad at doing that I know. The good thing is they did an abdominal scan and boy did it hurt when she pressed down on my tummy. I have graduated to no more wands....Woot Woot. I think today may be the very day I start the bump pics, I want to document this pregnancy as much as I can but honestly I am feeling so drained.....so sleepy. I can't wait to get home and go to sleep and perhaps do the bump pic. I so my blogging at work......don't judge. I need the welcome distraction from the stress around here.

Symptoms-Dry Heaving.... :-/  I can drink soda just fine...don't worry only had a sip yesterday and 1q can today. Anyway I cannot seem to make water work so I am just to stay hydrated anyway possible.
I also do not like my husband right now, this must be a boy. I swear he can't breathe without me wanting to smack him. I hope this passes. Still have the metallic or weird mouth taste.

8 weeks

Let me start off with the weekend scare

...

So at 1:30 am Sunday Morning which was 7 weeks 6 days I was spotting.....yet again. I am just so dang over it. It lasted for a few hours and I spent the entire Sunday basically vegging around doing absolutely nothing.

There seem to be a trend where I am spotting weekly, could it be a Growth Spurt? Something else? I do not know but I am happy to say that at this very second it is gone. I did forget to put in the Estrace last night so I might double up later. One thing I also notice about myself, before I could drink at least 1/2 gallon of water per day and now I have to force myself to drink a liter. Now is the time to actually drink water and I cannot make myself just gulp it down like before. I have to really work on that. I think being hydrated helps with the growing.

 

On A Positive Note

Today I am 8 weeks and my first prenatal appointment is tomorrow morning.

I am excited and hoping to see our Bambino.

 

According to the Bump baby is the size of a raspberry and I am considered 2 months pregnant today.

I do get weird dreams from time to time. Some are really explicit so I wont even mention here. Yikes.

I don't have morning sickness, but I do occasionally feel queasy....and I still have that weird taste in my mouth after eating. It is not as bad these days which worries me but still there.

 

After week eight your baby is officially called a ‘foetus’ which means ‘offspring’, but is still getting nutrition from the yolk sac rather than the placenta. Over the next few weeks the placenta will develop, forming structures called ‘chorionic villi’ which help attached the placenta to the womb wall. See more details here

 

I have been trying to eat at least 2 fruit servings per day, I have to tell ya, this kid is not a fan of fruit, fried foods or burgers. I am powering through it anyway. Today I had Special K for breakfast and a plum an hour later.

 

I have mangoes and banana for snack today let's see how that  goes.

 

 

 

Food and Diet

Growing up we all have those little healthy tidbits that we were forced to do, take or hear about.

I was basically never sick as a child because I was given Cod Liver Oil, Liquid Bitter Vitamins & Ferrol all the time plus I ate only natural home cooked meals. That was the norm for me, and then I moved to Florida and it all went to hell. My diet had NO JUNK FOOD for most of my young live, none. The co-relationship with eating food that is bad with diet and health is a real thing ladies and gents. Living in florida with my mom she would work a lot so cooking was not frequent, it was KFC, McDonalds and whatever else she can grab and we all know how bad these are.

As an adult I try to limit but let's be honest how easy is it to reach for Junk? Last year I did clean eating for a few months, lost weight and felt great. Now that I am back eating junk I am sluggish, tired, gaining weight rapidly and having some issues. Since I am pregnant I cannot diet but I can certainly make as many changes for a cleaner diet as I can. First I need to work on hubby to use the Salt Free seasonings.

Let's talk coconuts. Hubby got me coconuts, & lots of them. I live in Florida so there are coconut trees lined just about on every other street. Sometimes while working he will see landscapers pruning the trees and tossing perfectly good coconuts away, which is a major SCORE for us. Do you know how much these cost in the stores? plus the ones in the stores are not all natural. We have a tree behind our condo but we never get the coconuts, they are so high and no one gets them down so they usually get over ripe and then fall and roll into the lake. Why am I going on and on about coconuts and diet? I forgot that drinking coconut water will bring down blood pressure. This is something I knew growing up and forgot. I drank a glass of water and blood pressure not only went down but is back to normal. Here's a little article on it as well but like I said this was something I knew growing up.... Read . It is so refreshing and if you found a really good husk it tastes just like water. Yum can't wait to get home and have some more.

Trucking Along & Graduation

Things are trucking along ever so slowly. I have good news & not so good news.


The God news I did an ultrasound yesterday at 7 weeks 2 days & bambino ( this is what my husband calls him or her) is growing and is spot on for growth, the flicker of the heart beat is there and of course there is no reason for the bleed/spotting. Per the Local R/E everything looks perfect so I can relax and breathe......easy for him to say right?

The Bad news - I have high blood pressure, they checked twice and it freaked me out. There are a plethora of bad things that can happen if it is not kept under control but most importantly I have to be monitored very closely. I am going to have to work on my eating habits and start exercising, even if it is walking. I already gained too much weight and I think I will definitely have to stop it right here where it is. Not dieting but choosing healthy choices. I went to Walmart and got a monitor, according to the reading this morning it all went down...a little elevated but down. I think it was high because I was nervous but since I have never had high blood pressure I am not taking it lightly. I am on

I graduated yesterday, after the clinic received the ultrasound they told me I am released and gave me instructions on how to continue meds to wean. I will be emailing them today because it makes no sense to stop PIO at 10 weeks and then continue Endometrin since it does not register in the blood as much for progesterone. They are also concerned and would like me in with an OB as soon as possible. I do not plan to stop cold turkey...quite the contrary I will wean myself from the PIO shots and go either to 11 weeks or 12. I am being my own advocate and will advise them of such, why stop me from the thing that actually goes to my bloodstream and keep me on the one that does not?

Symptoms- I feel queasy a few times here or there but I still have that odd taste in my mouth after eating. I will take it to see my bambino. LOL  I also have horrible gas pains that have me doubled over crying. I won't complain about my symptoms because I've waiting way too long for this. Let me just say that I believe everything going on is normal in early pregnancy

Side Note-What is it with these doctors and prenatal appointments? I feel like I am begging to see a Doctor & it is getting really annoying.

7weeks 1 day

**Warning Rambling Whiny Post**

I haven't been blogging like I thought I would about the progress of my pregnancy. Most of it has to do with this STUPID spotting that won't seem to go away and driving me crazy. Leave Me Alone!


The Events
Fathers Day I went to the grocery store, didn't pick up anything heavy and had hubby come to the car to get the groceries. I was home not doing much then went to Ross Stores., walked around got a few things in a cart...when I got back home there was wetness between my legs and you guessed it, Blood. I.WAS.NOT.HAPPY. Slight internal meltdown ensued but for the most part it is dark or brown and mainly only when I wipe so I wasn't in full on freak out mode.

Why is this happening to me? Everything I have read said it could be normal or it could be.....the M word. I have been praying and honestly I am not as afraid as I was the very first time it happened at 6 weeks. I did not go to the ER and unless there is blood gushing out of me I will not return to the ER. I feel like I was there for hours and still wasn't  told anything and given more anxiety for my time there. I meant they told me there was no baby, yes they said no baby....however 4 days later at the R/E not only was there a baby, there was a heartbeat....so I am not wasting time going there unless I think it is absolutely necessary. At this point I might even fight the hospital bill, I  don't think they did anything really to get paid for.

Anyway I have another Ultrasound tomorrow which will be my last local monitoring. The R/E from NY was planning to release me last week at 6 weeks 4 days but I was not ready. Anyway initially the scan would have been on 7 weeks 4 days but with this new spotting episode it is necessary to see things sooner. I am not anxious now but I am sure as the time gets closer tomorrow I will be a mess.
The worse thing of it all is that I won't see the doctor until 2 pm. Hopefully they can tell me why this is happening. Last week they thought they saw a degenerative fibroid, their words. The problem? I have never had fibroids, ever,  so not sure I can put much trust into that statement but they are the professionals.

I did book in with an OB for 6/27 at which time I will be 8 weeks 1 day. I am not so sure how I feel about this practice especially since the person making the appointment asked me to bring in proof I am pregnant...."Say what now?" Isn't this something they would do at their office? I will bring ultrasound pictures but plan to definitely ask them these things, seems silly to ask someone to do that. Are people calling and pretending to be pregnant coming to that office? Geez.

On a Side Note- I had to tell my boss. I had NO desire to tell anyone this soon much more my boss but I had no choice. I am going to appointments every single week. She congratulated me and said she suspected as much......hmmmm... Anyway onward and upward,  less than 24 hours to go until I get to see my little one. I have faith all is well, there is growth, heartbeat and there will be cause for this wretched spotting/bleeding episode.

Beating Heart

Today I am 6 weeks & 4 days pregnant.

I got my blood drawn and it was off to the ultrasound room where I got undressed and ready.  I hopped on the table praying to see a flutter.  The dildo cam was inserted and my pringle popped right up.  The empty sac from last week & this past Monday @ 6 weeks now had a fetal pole and a HEARTBEAT fluttering away! There was in fact a little one growing tight against the side of the gestational sac (they don’t do measurements because it will heat up the embryo) but the heart beat was there, and awesome and as always I stared at the screen in disbelief with tears in my eyes.  I am surprised that I did not cry, I did fight back tears.

As for me I was weighed and I am now 214 pounds…shit. I gained 6 pounds in a month. NOOOOOOOO I was already heavy prior to IVF at 194 in FEBRUARY, so 20 pounds is not good within 3 months. I will have to walk on my treadmill beginning today and start to watch what I put in my mouth. The thing is I have NO food aversions and I am hungry all the time. Snacks will have to consist of healthy fruits and veggies.

Official Symptoms:

• I have nausea I think…is it nausea when after eating you feel like you “might’ throw up?
• I have Dysgeusia. Dysgeusia is actually a fairly common symptom of pregnancy that generally occurs during the first trimester. It is the medical term referring to the change in your taste buds, specifically the feeling of a metallic or sour taste while pregnant. It tends to be present even if you aren’t currently eating. It sucks…your food is gross after you eat. YUCK.
• Hunger! I am hungry. Like I mentioned I have no aversions & I am hungry nearly all the time. I will feel starved, but then I will just eat a few bites and feel full - sometimes. Sometimes, I am so freaking hungry I will eat like I'm in a competition.
• Sore breasts – Off & On.
• Sleepiness- Not too bad but yes I am in bed at 7 and out like a light 30 minutes later.
• Bloated. I have the pregnancy bloat. My stomach is gross. Gas. It has to be said. And I know, I know...TMI. But seriously, I have it...bad.
• Cramping and spotting. I have off and on cramping but the tech pointed out Gas pockets in my stomach which explains all of that. I haven’t had any additional spotting since Monday whem I went to the ER.

More Waiting and Missed Appointment

Today I scheduled at Quest to do TSH blood work and I forgot or maybe a part of me just didn't want to. I really need to get this done so I will have to get up extra early and go without one tomorrow bright and early at 7:00 am.

The clinic likes to monitor this number in the event that I need to get medicated. I have also decided to not do anymore Endometrin inserts since the bleed. I upped the PIO to 2CC instead, my decision I haven't told the clinic yet but I plan to.

My head has been filled with thoughts about Monday's ultrasound and I am doing my best to block out the noise and negative thinking. I have read & while yes lots of people did see a fetal pole at this stage ( 6 weeks) there are many that did not but went on to have healthy pregnancies because it was seen either days or a weeks later.

The current focus is to work on my spiritual fitness, faith and so right now I am prayerfully claiming the below,

HCG Beta Over 75K & also seeing my baby with a heartbeat

 

 

Ultimately this is all in God's hands and his will be done.

So here I wait until Friday......

Lost in Limbo & Pain

 

So yesterday made 6 weeks, and I was unfortunately greeted with blood when I wiped at the end of the day in the office, cue internal meltdown. Since I was on my way home from work, I quickly gathered my things and went straight to my car where I called my husband and screamed to him "I'm bleeding".

 I could not concentrate on the road but was home in no time. I was there for no more than 30 minutes before I decided to call the clinic and they advised me to head to the Emergency Room.

After 3 1/2 hours I didn't get any further to knowing why I am bleeding and if this is a viable pregnancy. They saw  only seeing a gestational sac and yolk sack. I was told my diagnosis is threatened miscarriage which is devastating. I have been praying so hard, trying to stay positive , but broke down and cried this morning.  Here I am at work which I wish I didn't have to be, but I have no choice and no time.

My next consult is Friday 6/16th  for more blood work & ultrasound, I am praying for a miracle. At this time I should have seen a fetal pole...why is this happening to us?

 

My God, My God, where are you ? We need you.

5w4days Ultrasound Anxiety

**Will upload Ultrasound Pic Later**

 



Can I just say that I am in agreement with most clinics for NOT doing too early ultrasounds.

I did one today at 5 weeks 4 days and the stress it is causing me is so not worth it.

Before we began the ultrasound tech & the doctor tried to tell me do not freak out if we see nothing, this is just to see placement they kept saying.

 

You know what I saw.....NOTHING and freaked out, absolutely what they told me not to do.

Truth be told I did see the gestational sac and the tech had to zoom to show me the YOLK sac which I honestly still didn't see until I was outside holding up the picture. This worries me to no end. Now I find myself comparing with other women on the forum's pictures & Google.

 

Symptoms- NONE which makes all this that much worse.

 

I only had 2 Betas done and I did not push the issue for more, I hate blood work so naturally I was happy to not have to but in hindsight I should have done more to check progress.

 

The stress started before the scan though, I went to the clinic I typically do close to my house only to find they wouldn't do the ultrasound without a doctor and he is available at the other clinic north which was 30 minutes away. I was slightly annoyed but wanted to see so I went. It was over and done with fairly quickly and the tech was really nice.

 

Remember we transferred 2 embryos the 4BB & 3BB, well there is only 1 sac and I am actually sad about that, I wanted both. It's not that I wanted the twin novelty but more so I would not have to ever go through this process again. For right now I am still keeping faith for my little fighter in my tummy and hope the other will show up out of nowhere next week, stranger things have happened.

 

 

 

18dp5dt or 5w2days

Symptoms- NONE
Anxiety- Yes

The lack of symptoms  has me slightly worried. I am trying to stay occupied but honestly I do partial work at my desk and the other time I am logged on to Google trying to compare myself with others. I am having regrets for not demanding another beta, but then again what would that prove? If it went up I would be happy but worry, if it didn't I would worry, if it went down I would worry so the ultrasound for placement is best and Friday can't get here soon enough.

2 more sleeps until Ultrasound.

One thing I need to remember & was reminder after reading  the blog linked below,  "God is Faithful." I came across a blog here & the writer not only has an understanding of how I am feeling, but has scriptures to help me through it.  It's almost like it was written just for me, and I am so glad I found it.

The prayer dedication in my post I copied below but please go to the link and check out the full entry if like me you are newly pregnant and have fears.

Dear Lord,
 

I declare that you are the author and giver of life. Your Word says that all things have been created by and for you. You are before all things, and in you all things hold together. Today I ask that the spirit of life me on me and in me, providing everything this baby and my body need to bring forth life to the glory of God. I stand on the goodness and faithfulness of you, Lord, that will bless us with this healthy and whole child. May my life and theirs bring glory and honor to you.

 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

I also came across the below!

 

16dp5dt & 2nd Beta Results

 

Every time doubt starts to creep in I start to pray, every time I read something that will make me worry I pray and move on from it. I am trying my hardest to not spend too much time on social media but I admit, I  have hash tagged like crazy to see others journey for exactly where I am in this process on Instagram. I love going through the moments with them and then the watching their journey unfold. I cannot wait to do the same.

 

I also have been browsing maternity clothes at Mothercare ( UK store), Pink Blush Maternity and Peas in Pond online. I am trying not to put the cart before the horse, I did that before and, well that was the past and I won't even get into it.

 

My Current Feelings- Happy, I am genuinely happy but naturally a little cautious.

Today at 16dp5dt I feel good so far (O it is 9:00 am and I am at work ). I have been feeling some cramps but after reading up  online it is normal especially since I have nothing else with the cramps. I am considering another round of Acupuncture this week but honestly I would rather throw that money towards paying down my credit card bill.

 

Surprisingly, Quest got the results to the Doctor on Friday 6/2/2017, albeit at the very end of the day but they did. I called the clinic at around 4:15 because I was super anxious for the results which are......


BETA #2 1314
E2   882
P4   50.6
TSH- Missing Quest unable to do STAT, will take a few more days.

Doubling Time (Hours): 32.65
I used this calculator http://www.countdowntopregnancy.com/tools/beta_doubling_calculator.php


My next appoint is this coming Friday on 6/9th. They basically want the same blood work including ultrasound this time. Praying hard for a wonderful outcome.

13p5dT & Lessons Not Learned

 

Yesterday was 12dp5dt from my FET ( frozen embryo transfer) and I felt maybe some twinges or maybe I think I did, this whole thing is just a rollercoaster of being positive and then feeling scared. Lots of ups and downs which makes me crazy. Right now work isn't as busy which is why I have so much time to sit and think about what may or may not be going on in there. I think I will try to throw myself in a lot of projects to take my mind off things.

Today it's only 8:20 am on 13dp5dt and I have zero symptoms. Nothing....Nada....Zilch. I was in the shower trying to will my boobs to be sore but no luck. I am trying not to use the last test under the sink or buy anymore but I am getting antsy and really anxious.

Actually I have had lower back and tailbone pain for most of the week, nothing so far today. After checking doctor Google it's not a good thing to have so no more Google consulting.

 

So let's talk about the lesson I didn't learn, I went in to Quest for blood work this morning.

Remember 3 days ago I was going out of my  mind upset because they are incompetent with STAT requests, but this morning I went because I had to anyway.

 

 I set up the blood work with the R/E this morning originally but it would have been at 9:00 am. On the blood orders they want to see TSH results...for some odd stupid reason the R/E's office will not do TSH testing. I asked the clinic to send me separate orders the day before with the idea that I would do TSH at Quest & then the others at the clinic. Here are the logistics, The R/E's office is in a medical center to the Hospital ( the one I plan to deliver-see that I am thinking positive), various treatments centers and a Quest Center. I decided why not get up early and get into Quest at 7. I was the only one there and then I thought why hang out for 2 hours for the other 3 tests when I can just have them do all. It made no sense to be stuck twice so I bit the bullet and gave Quest another try. I think I asked the Phlebotomist several times to confirm they will be handled STAT.

**Sigh**I told myself this time that I made the decision to use Quest and I will not be upset if results are received late. It would be totally on me and I will have to deal with it.

 

Let's see what happen !!