"Just Barely" Pregnant PS''ers

[pancake]

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Sha, thanks for popping in to let us know you're ok. Still thinking of you!

PG - fantastic that you have a bit more of a concrete answer now! I hope that the new management strategies work well for you. Does your doctor anticipate that it will improve as you move towards the middle of your pregnancy?

LC - ooooh new bling! Can you post pictures? (I know this is a JBP thread, but I still love my diamonds!) Appointment very close now - am hotly anticipating it with you all the way!

Marlie, the one comfort about it being the depths of winter here at the moment is that there is no danger at all that I will be forced into a swimsuit! My bloating has settled a bit but still gross. Ugh. I LOLed (literally) at your 16 slices of bread. I am like that at times too! CARBS CARBS CARBS. We can wait for our 12 week appointment together. I am kind of wishing I had scheduled mine for the week before (mine is at 12w3d) but oh well.

Yenny - haven't seen you here in a couple of days. Hope you are ok and that you managed to see your doctor.

NEL, you are SO right about symptoms being a double-edged sword. I hate the bloating, the vague sick feelings, the tiredness, the sore boobs, the constipation... and then when any of them settles a bit then I get freaked out! Poor husband just has to shake his head and laugh at me. Yes, my next appointment is with the NT scan - I have the scan at 3pm, and then go straight to the obstetrician. I'm being bled on Monday morning for the first trimester screen, so that all the results are ready to be integrated with the scan results at the appointment.

AFM, I'm at work today - not actually working per se, but I am on the organising committee for the hurdle paediatric exams that we are running here (not sure what the equivalent is in the States, but basically all paediatric doctors have to do two massive hurdle exams about 2/3 of the way through training - one written, and one clinical, the latter is the one we are running today). I weighed myself on the clinic scales out of curiosity as I don't have any scales at home, and I don't think I have gained any weight yet! Seems so weird as I feel humongous and puffy and bloated most of the time, and my tummy is definitely not the flatness it once was! That said, I have not weighed myself for at least 6 months, so maybe I had lost some and put it back on again?

Or maybe the baby is eating all those carbs after all?

 

[phoenixgirl]

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Marlie, yeah, the bloat is totally a real thing. You're like, my baby is the size of blueberry, how could my stomach be sticking out already?

LC, glad you'll have your sparklies to wear to your first appt. Keep us updated!

PC, I think it's OK not to gain any weight in the first trimester, so either way I think you're fine as long as you're eating well. I had gained 7 pounds by my first appointment with DD, which was a little traumatizing. Granted, I was very thin back then and I was possessed by an other worldly hunger, but I would have preferred a slow start to the weight gain.

Yennie, I hope you're doing OK. Hugs.


The first IV treatment did seem to help. I definitely was/am dehydrated because I didn't even have to pee when it was finished. This morning was better in terms of not feeling as dizzy or as nauseous. I'm sitting up and able to stand more, but I still have to lie down sometimes. We'll do the next treatment tonight.

Now that we had a good u/s, I feel like we can tell more people that we're expecting. My original plan was to wait until the second trimester, but since I'm having health complications and need extra help (and I don't want people to think I've fallen off the face of the earth), I'm telling mostly everybody.

 

[phoenixgirl]

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P.S. Somebody asked - yes, the doctor said I should start feeling better in the second trimester. Which is a relief because I was totally counting on it when I thought the problem was m/s. I would have been really bummed to find out it could last throughout. But from what I've read, it does sound like some women need IV treatments throughout the pregnancy. Of course, the random nurse who came to give me my IV seemed to have no idea why I was having it and kept telling me that my goal was to get off the IV. Yes, I would prefer that, but drinking tons of gatorade has not heretofore solved the problem, so I'm not sure it is something I can handle on my own. From what I've read and experienced, hormonal shifts like getting your period can cause an episode, so it would make sense that the same hormones that cause m/s would cause problems.

Before the diagnosis, my brother was like, "My wife threw up every morning and went to work each day," implying that I just wasn't trying hard enough or something. But I guess the problem is that I wasn't really able to distinguish which symptoms were causing me my distress, so when people hear morning sickness, they think, "Just drink some gingerale!" It was very frustrating to me to have to give up my mobility. I usually work out or run 5x a week; I eat well; I clean the house; I cook dinner; I take my daughter to daily activities. It's not like I want to lie around in my pajamas having to pay for babysitters and takeout and maids while I ignore my family so I can watch another episode of Extreme Couponing. I think if I weren't in relatively good shape before this, I probably would have been coping even worse.

I'm hoping the weather will get cooler so I can try to build some mobility back up with walking. Working out or running is out while I've got the IV in my arm, and I don't think I could do it anyway! At least I've had a baby before so I know that when you don't work out for the final month of pregnancy or the two months after your c/s, you can still get back in shape eventually. That's helping me mentally. I really wanted to go into this pregnancy running regularly until 4 or 5 months, but of course my and the baby's long term health is what's important.

OK, I'm just rambling on here. I feel like now that I have some answers and a plan, I can start thinking about things other than what food I can stomach next. Oh, and I'm totally able to eat better today. I don't know if that's the zofran or the syncope being treated.

 

[lliang_chi]

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PhG, I'm SOOOO happy that this diagnosis and treatment is helping you find your life back again. I can see how hard it is for anyone else to empathize, especially men, but I guess they just don't get it. It's not like you WANT to slouch around all day. Yep, that's definitely my goal is to lie in bed and totally ignore my family and household...? Y'know? But sounds like your DH was 100% supportive, and I would suspect very worried too. But I'm can't tell you how happy I am to hear you're doing so much better and you're back to a nearly fully functioning state. You feel so much more "human" for lack of a better word, y'know? So ramble away! I like reading your good natured banter and wise words

Pancake, I'm not a doctor but I think the States has the same thing that is called the medical board exam. It's done in their 4th year of med school, and then twice after they graduate, but I don't know when. Maybe 1 yr then 2nd yr after they graduate? I know it's a 3-parter. And they're VERY LONG written tests. Anyway, I bring it up because it sounds like you're BUSY! Wow! I have been maybe 70% productive at work, and look at you! Woo hoo for no weight gain though! Lucky ducky! I think I haven't gained anything, if I have it's been maybe 2 lbs. (1-ish kg).

So I picked up my ring, and... I love the diamond but the engraving doesn't look as good as the original. I dunno what to say. Just deal with it?

Pulling muffins out of the oven. Sis came back from her Croatian biz trip early! We're meeting up for brunch in a little bit

~LC (9W, 3D)

 

[KimberlyH]

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Sha, I'm so sorry for your loss. Be kind to yourself and spend lots of time enjoying your beautiful girl.

 

[Dreamer_D]

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Hmmm...all this talk of travel later on in pregnancy has me a teeny bit worried. DH and I bought tickets (before we found out we were pregnant) to fly out to Kansas for his brother's wedding at the end of September. I'll be about 25 weeks, but with twins, I'm not sure how big I'll be, and how uncomfortable my size/weight of the babies will make our 3ish hour flight. Hopefully it works out. For now, my doc is okay with my flying, as long as I see her a few days before my trip to make sure I'm looking good to travel...

PT just wanted to share that in my first pregnancy I flew about 4-6 times (can't recall exactly), and the last was at 32 weeks. All the flights were totally simple, but I did find the travel at 32 weeks draining and would not really recommend flying at that stage. Earlier was fine though! Not sure how that plays for twins. But that was my experience with a singleton!

 

[Dreamer_D]

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Sha honey I am so sorry for your loss

Thanks Lanie. I just want to be clear that, for me, there's no decision to be made. If this is what God has in store for us, then we will embrace it. I'm just nervous about DHs reaction, as well as my previous history of m/c.

Yenny,
I am just a lurker on this thread but wanted to post to tell you that you need to see your dr. asap. You have a much higher risk of having an ectopic pregnancy if you become pregnant while on an IUD, which can cause serious health problems for you. In addition, you will want to have the IUD removed asap and the farther along that you are the riskier the removal can be. I know that you are shocked and taking this all in and I don't mean to alarm you, but you really do need to get in to see your dr. as soon as you can.

Goodness, I was just wondering about this! Yenny please see your doc soon!

Yenny I can completely imagine your shock. A failed IUD and "oopsie" number three is a fear of mine too. We also think 2 kids is about right for us, but are not ready to commit with a vasectomy for DH yet. Even though in the long run I am sure you would love having another child -- a whole other person to add to the mix, someone as wonderful as your current kids, how fun! -- I think all your emotions are totally understandable. I would feel the same way. The good thing is that your kids are a little older, and while a newborn again would be a shocker to the system, it would be easier with a 5/7 year old than with younger kids. And many people do say having kids when they are older keeps them young Whatever happens in the coming weeks, I send you hugs and support. If it were me I would probably tell my husband sooner rather than later, because I would want his support if I had a m/c and he would be upset if he found out I kept it from him, but I can see how you might want to wait a bit too. Keep us posted!

 

[pancake]

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Hi all, just checking in. It's been quiet here the last 24 hours or so! Hope you are all doing well out there in JBP land.

I just need to vent - one of my best friends is getting married in October, and I am a bridesmaid. I have spent SO much time helping her plan and style her wedding, far more than I ever spent on my own. She has some baggage about the fact that I got engaged earlier, married earlier than she and her FI (they have been together far longer than me and my husband) but I could get over that because I knew it was not about me, it was about her own hopes and dreams and her secretly very traditional ideals about marriage and weddings. BUT now I am really disappointed and kind of hurt and let down. She has been very hyper-focused on her wedding; I never expected this but it is what it is, and like many brides she is completely unaware of HOW obsessed and fussy she is. This I can deal with. However, if you all remember, I had an episode of intermittent bleeding in my 7th week which was characterised as a threatened abortion. Because I was at her house (helping her with wedding stuff!) when it happened, I told her I was pregnant. She was quite excited initially and I was so pleased just because she was engaging with something important in my life, which she hadn't done in a while. I was also stressed and scared out of my mind. Since then she has not mentioned the pregnancy, apart from when I told her about the reassuring 8 week appointment. Every communication is about an aspect of her wedding - makeup, dress, bridesmaids, accessories, flowers...

Latest email:

"In case I forget - spoke to [dressmaker's name] today about the dress and your situation. She says not to bother with measurements etc until later on - says 3 weeks beforehand is enough notice for her to do it if the others are already completed."

So the first mention she makes of my (stressful) pregnancy in weeks is to refer to it as "your situation"?? This is one of the biggest - if not THE biggest - life event that I have been through, how is it only an entity in the context of her wedding???

I am so disappointed! I know weddings do this to people, and I guess she sees her wedding as HER biggest life event, but I want my friend to come back from Bride Island and re-engage with life and the people around her!

ARGH!!!!


/rant

(grumpy Pancake, 11 weeks today)

 

[KatyWI]

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Ohhh pancake... I'd be super offended. It's nice that you can see that she's just on Bride Island, cause I'm pretty sure I'd say something obnoxious like "If you're going to characterize one of the best things that's ever happened to me and my family as "a situation" to be dealt with and not be the slightest bit happy or excited for me, I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be standing up in your wedding."

She probably is just obsessed with the wedding and a little jealous, and hopefully she'll return to normal soon?

LC. your appointment is TODAY!!!! I am so excited to hear how it goes and hopefully see a little picture of baby LC later!!!

Sorry for skipping everyone else for now but I'll be late to work if I don't! Thinking of you al!

AFM, trying to be as normal as possible. Still exhausted, nauseous, and basically the same. Next appt is Wednesday! Right now sitting pretty at 8w1d. Yesterday I realized that I found out about this pregnancy over a month ago!! Seems so hard to believe, because it seems like time is crawling day to day.

 

[pancake]

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Hey Katy, thanks for the solidarity. Believe me, I am a pretty hot-headed person and I am so tempted to just explode and let her have it - but in the long term there is nothing to be gained from that and I am trying to keep this in mind! I definitely don't want her to feel anything but excited and positive about her wedding, and I also don't want to make my pregnancy into a negative issue in any way, shape or form. I can acknowledge that I'm not sure if our friendship will be the same afterwards, but I would not like that to come to pass in a way that involves out and out conflict. She is a really fantastic person, but emotional intelligence and insight are not always her strengths and I don't think this is "insensitivity" in the sense of wilful ignorance, it is just that she doesn't see it. It doesn't stop it from being disappointing though, and I think disappointment is a difficult sentiment to deal with in a meaningful relationship.

I can't believe you are 8 weeks+ already! Trucking along!

LC - waiting with bated breath and my fingers crossed for you...

 

[phoenixgirl]

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PC, ugh, I'm sorry. I tend to think that your friend has probably always been self-centered, but the wedding is bringing it out more. When I learn something like this about a friend, I usually file it away under, "Don't expect [x] from her in the future." I guess in this case it would be support and concern for you. Unless she really has been a supportive friend in the past and is truly suffering from some kind of bridezilla insanity? In her defense, though, she may just be totally clueless about how important your "situation" (ha) is to you since she's never gone through it herself. I've been doing a lot of "I normally wouldn't tell you this early, but" when I tell people, and that probably makes it more about my blood pressure issues and less about the pregnancy. She might kind of feel the same way about how you told her.

Speaking of being pregnant in a wedding, we thought about trying as early as January or February, but I was MOH in a wedding in April. We decided to wait until right after wedding, and I'm really glad we did. If I were feeling the way I feel now, I definitely couldn't be in her wedding. Of course, I didn't know I was going to feel this way, but the spacing between #1 and #2 is ideal so no regrets.

Katy, my due date was revised to March 4. Is that your due date? I'm also 8w1d today.


AFM, yesterday was not great. The best I can describe the "dizzy" feeling is like gravity is 5 times greater than usual. If I lift my head out of a horizontal position, I just feel weighted down until I lie back down again. I spent most of yesterday is bed. What is a million times better is the nausea/food aversion . . . that's almost gone completely. But I'm still woozy and unable to sit up or do things some of the time. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if I weren't lying down (which is a coping mechanism people with this condition develop to avoid fainting). But life is much better without the food issues, and I hope at some point that my hydration will "catch up."

 

[KatyWI]

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PG, so sorry you're still feeling awful. I barely got off the couch yesterday but it was just general exhaustion/nausea, not anything like what you've got going on. I know you feel terrible that you can't be active as usual, but just coping seems like a tall enough order right now... take care of yourself! My due date got pushed back to Mar 4, so yes we share one, assuming it doesn't get revised again! It's only a few days back from the Mar 1st I had calculated initially, and I'd rather have a later due date as opposed to a closer one since I'm super anti-induction unless it's medially necessary, so yay! NEL and I had the same date for a while, but she got pushed up a day and I got pushed back 3, so it's great to have another due date buddy! Race ya there?

 

[phoenixgirl]

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Katy, it's a deal! Although I will probably be having a repeat c/s. I have a platypoid/platypelloid pelvis that I probably inherited from my paternal grandmother since my mom and sister have had no problems with vaginal births, but my father's birth was very traumatic. So anyway, as long as I get confirmation on my pelvis shape I am not going to try for a VBAC. I think my only hopes in that regards would be completely med free so I could be mobile and trying a bunch of different positions to navigate my pelvis, and in my current state that seems beyond my capabilities, especially since there's the chance I could wind up with a c/s again. I've heard that a planned c/s is much easier to recover from than one after labor, like I had last time, plus I was able to successfully BF my daughter until I weaned her at age one. So anyway, this is all to say that I will probably be scheduled for the c/s around 39 weeks.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

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Oh boy, Monday morning. Blah!

PhG, I am really sorry about the dizziness--I know that makes it impossible to do ANYTHING but lie down, but I am so, so glad that the nausea is gone for you. If the dizziness would just go away now, you'd be in good shape! And yay for sharing a due date with Katy!

Pancake, I am so sorry about your insensitive friend--I agree with Katy that she sounds like she's on Bride Island with no ability to think about anything outside her wedding. I'd be pretty upset, too, but I'm glad you didn't confront her about it because I doubt it would have done much but caused tension. I think it's one of those situations where you just have to accept it for what it is, unfortunately. It sounds like you've already been very helpful, so it's sad she can't show you the same respect. I'm in my best friend's wedding this October, but neither of us were big into wedding planning so we mostly laugh about how annoying the planning is. The good news for both of us is that the weddings are in our second trimester, so we won't be feeling like we do now!

Katy, you make a good point about finding out a month ago, I haven't really thought about that. Each day feels like it drags (now that I'm not feeling so great), but all in all it doesn't feel like that long ago that we got our BFPs. I hope the next month goes by quickly! I'm eager to get to 12 weeks. And it sounds like we're feeling about the same. Yesterday really knocked me on my butt (and I'd been feeling better, too!) I noticed that I wasn't drinking much water, so now I wonder if part of the reason I was feelign so awful is that I was dehydrated. I never know.

LC, so sorry to hear that you don't love the engraving as much on this ring as you did the original ring. I wonder if you should post in RT. Does the engraving just not look as polished as it did last time? Was it the same jeweler? I'm glad to hear your sister came home early, though, that's a nice little bonus! Good luck today, I'll be looking out for your post this afternoon!

Yenni, how are you feeling? Did you end up seeing the doc? Did you tell your husband?

AFM, I had a good weekend--well, at least Saturday was good. Yesterday was hard to get through. And I feel really bad for D because I used to be so active on the weekends (hiking, doing a ton of stuff with the dog, driving for hours to try some new restaurant, etc.) and now I'm just a slug. I know he must miss the old me (though he'd never say so)--I miss the old me, too. The nausea and exhaustion is really wearing on me over time. Today is a long day for me at work, I need to stay for about 12 hours. Normally it wouldn't bother me, but right now I can't stand the thought of being here another 11 hours. I'm just really tired.

I think that this week I'm going to start to do more planning/prepping. First, I'm going to order a doppler. I don't think I'll be able to use it for at least a couple more weeks, but I would like to have one on hand. And second, I'm going to sign up for yoga. I don't plan to start until I'm at least 12 weeks (I don't think I'm going to be up for it until then), but there are two "mom" centers within 5 minutes of my house, so I'm going to compare class schedules and prices.

8w 5d

 

[lliang_chi]

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Morning ladies,

I took the AM off so I thought I'd send a quick post.

NEL, 12 hours is BRUTAL! I'm sorry you're there for so long. Any way you can take a long lunch and power nap a little? Sorry Sunday was so tough for you, but you had one good day this weekend. That's awesome. And I'm sure staying hydrated probably helps with the nausea.

PhG, Sorry about the dizziness. I hope the IV treatments can even you out. I'm really glad your M/S is under control. Do take care of yourself sweetie.

Pancake, OMG, you have a lot more level head than I do. I have a friend that I **KNOW** will be a total Bridezilla, so I've kinda already decided I'd rather decline being a bridesmaid. She was a pretty lousy bridesmaid for me, so I'm a little indifferent with it. You're a very good friend to keep your head clear and see that it's just her being self absorbed with the wedding. I hope it doesn't affect your friendship that much, but at first blush, I'd say it will. You're still a great friend though.

Katy, Hope you're feeling better. Wow, Hooray for your due date. I'm looking forward to actually getting an official one too. Right now I calc'd Feb 23rd. That's 5 days after my brother's birthday.

AFM, not much going on. I'm actually starting to get more nervous because of my lack of symptoms, but I figure there's nothing I can do so we'll just see when we see. It RAINED all weekend, 7 inches on Friday night. My condo was LEAKING so clearly the work they did on the window flashing did NOT help. UGH! DH and I are getting really frustrated, we've basically decided to lawyer up in the next few weeks, and go "hunting". As it is, our place pretty much cannot be sold. Bummer. I wonder what we'll do with it now. Maybe rent it if we have to, but I'm kinda not liking how that sounds.

My appt's at 11:30 today. DH is coming with me. I'm off to drop off some dinner to DH's friend's family. This is the one that had their 4th baby not too long ago. What a tough time they've been having. A week after the baby and mom get home they loose power for 3 days. Then from the tons of rain we've been having: their lower floor is flooded (duplex down apartment). So 3 kids + new baby + no power for 3 days and now a flooded lower level. OY!!!!

That's all for me. I'll post after my appt, I promise ladies

~LC (9W 5D)

 

[ChinaCat]

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Just popping in to send my love to Sha. It's something no one should have to endure and I'm sorry. Hang in there and get lots of extra snuggles from your sweet daughter. It plain sucks and I wish you much love and strength as you go through it.

 

[marlie]

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Hi girls,

LC...Happy Appointment day! So, so exciting. I'll be stalking this thread for a full report later.

NEL...Sorry you are feeling so sluggish. Hopefully that'll begin to pass soon and you can start to feel more like yourself. That's great that you are getting a doppler. I kind of want one but since I'm the opposite of tech savvy, I feel like i'd do it wrong and panic! How nice to be able to hear the baby whenever you want though. that's awesome. As for yoga, I think I'm going to do the same thing. I'm trying to find a studio near me that's somewhat reasonably priced and get a package. It's a great way to stay in the workout routine.

Pancake...Sorry your friend is stuck on Bride Island. What happens to people there? Ugh. You seem like you are able to be patient with her during her time of selfishness though! Shows that you are a great friend.

Katy...yay for your new due date! Sorry you aren't feeling great though. Hope that passes soon!!

PG...glad that the treatments are at least sorta working and that the nausea/food aversion part of the problem is somewhat better. As for not being able to be upright...that's just awful. i feel terrible that you are dealing with this! i'm sooo glad that they think it'll be better by 2nd trimester. maybe a few more days with the iv and you'll see a bigger improvement.

afm...i had a great weekend away from the city. it was a little cooler where we were which was great and i think helped me feel a little better. my bloat is still there and is reallllllly annoying. i thought i'd bypassed the bloat phase b/c i thought it was earlier on (5-7 weeks or so) but i guess i'm a late bloat bloomer or something. aside from that, still a little nauseous and tired but maybe it's getting slightly better? (of course that freaks me out a little) i am able to eat more variety now which is good and i hope that stays. i also have a metal taste in my mouth a lot but i'm sorta getting used to it. that's about it from me. just looking forward to my next appointment in 2 weeks. it feels like an eternity from now and i'm getting little bouts of worry that creep in here and there. i try to just ignore it and move on.

10 weeks today!!

 

[Mannequin]

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Pancake - kudos to you for keeping your cool. I think that your friend is just too wrapped in her wedding to realize that her remark was insensitive. Hopefully this is a one-time thing? If not, I believe your relationship will likely change. Her wedding seems to be bringing out her true colors a bit, and it would be hard for me to not speak up. When I got married last November, I asked only minimal things of my bridesmaids, and still one became very distant after the wedding due to a miscarriage and subsequent pregnancy. She all but disappeared and I have not seen her at all in the almost nine months that have passed since the wedding. Her only focus right now seems to be her pregnancy (it's her first baby) and associating with those who are also pregnant. Oddly enough, she knows that I am expecting now and I've heard very little from her. I am waiting to see what happens after her baby arrives (late September) and wonder if we will ever be good friends again.

NEL - Can you take a power nap partway through the day today? Twelve hours, ugh. Hang in there, momma! Yoga classes sound like a great option for prenatal exercise, I hope you will be feeling better to be able to go to classes.

PG - I am glad you are managing your nausea now. Hope the dizziness passes soon!

LC - Can't wait to hear about your appointment! What a good friend you are to help out with dinner for that family with the new baby and the flooding problem. Yikes, I can only imagine how stressful that is.

Katy - Hope you are feeling better soon. I'm about a week behind you and have had to take some naps recently to get through the day. It stinks to be so fatigued so easily!

Marlie - Glad you enjoyed your weekend away! I had the metal mouth going on just before I got my BFP, and have not had it since then. When I looked it up before, it is a fairly common first tri symptom and should go away as you come into the second tri.

AFM, I am 7 weeks today and my first appointment is in one week! So excited. Hubs wanted me to help with some yardwork yesterday and I had to take a nap in the middle of it because I got so pooped. Typical of this last week. I have been a little tired and sometimes a little dizzy, but no nausea. I feel bad that some of you have been so sick! My mother never had m/s, so I am hoping that I might not get it. My appetite comes and goes right now. Some days, nothing sounds good and I don't feel like eating anything. Other days, I am a food vacuum and can't get enough to eat (usually carbs - Ramen noodles nomnomnom)!

I haven't been working out as hard as I was before getting pregnant, but I am still trying to get some exercise when possible. Baby and I did some 4 minute walk/jog intervals this morning before it got too hot outside. Last year, I did Couch to 5K and ended the program with my first 5k race in October. Running goals have changed - I am jogging for a fit pregnancy now instead of improving time and pace. Depending on how I am feeling, I plan to keep jogging as long as I can.

Two years ago yesterday, my husband proposed to me with a beautiful Whiteflash ring on a rainy camping trip, and we just scheduled a trip back to that same campground for next weekend. Looking forward to it, especially after being able to see baby earlier that week. It will be great to spend time as a couple doing something we both enjoy and can't wait to do with our kids.

Finally, some good news... My cousin is having a baby today! Excited to meet the next generation of the family soon.

 

[lliang_chi]

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Hey ladies!

So I'm back from my first appt. To be honest a little anti-climatic. We sat in the doctor's office for fifteen-ish minutes and he gave us this "speech" how he's in such a happy field and sunshine roses, etc. Then the whole it's a happy time, and there's not a lot you can do to make this go awry, don't sweat anything. Answered some do's/don'ts questions, mostly common sense stuff. Then general statements about genetic testing and chromosomal abnormalities, whether to do it, etc. We told him we wanted to do it, we wanted to know.

Then we were in the exam room, I had an exam, DH said he really didn't want to be around if I was in stirrups. Then we had our U/S (dildo cam). Honestly didn't look like much. It was kinda blurry, the doc said it was because I had a really full bladder. I was like, "No kidding!" I didn't pee because I thought I'd have to when I got there. Anyway, I'm measuring 9W-4D, so I was just 1 day off on my calculation. Same EDD as I calculated, Feb 23rd. Anyway, he saw a faint flicker H/B, he did some button to show some kind of super-imposed image so we could see it better. No measure of what the H/B was just that it was there.

Manne, so happy you'll get a brand new niece/nephew! How fun! One wk till your appt! How wonderful. I had to stop running because it was kinda uncomfortable for my boobs. But Sis and I are going to do a Zumba class today. I've been lifting weights and have been walking a lot as my form of exercise. I should start yoga too.

Marlie, sounds like you had a fantastic weekend. That's great to get out and just relax a little bit. I dunno if the bloat ever goes away. Mine went down just a little but when I sit, I totally see a big bloated belly, I kinda hate it. I'm just waiting for the bloat bellly to be overtaken by the baby belly.

NEL, I forgot to mention that the yoga would totally help with your back too. But MAKE SURE you tell the instructor about your back! Some yoga positions might be bad for you, and if that's the case, she'll give you alternatives instead of making you do Wheel Pose or something like that.

~LC (9W, 4D)

 

[janinegirly]

Re:

Congrats LC! I don't see how you can say it was anti-climatic, you saw your bean and a h/b and confirmed this is very much real!! Your DH is funny - well he better get used to the stirrups b/c in 8 months or so he'll be seeing a whole heck of a lot more!

 

[lliang_chi]

Re:

Janine, OMG you're TOO funny lady! That's a really good point, I guess he'll have to get used to it. You're right, it wasn't anti-climatic, but it wasn't so, "life changing" if you will. And truth be told, I really didn't see any flickering, but just trusted my doc that it was there.

I've been trying to call the office to schedule the NT screen. The office is totally booked for that day, so I was told to leave a message with the Genetics department to get an U/S done with then, then I need to call the office back and book a doctor's appt for that day. Apparently 1.5 hrs after my U/S. So I think I'll be taking another half day.

PS, I edited my last post to label head and tail on the U/S pic

~LC

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Re:

LC, I get the anti-climactic feeling--I always thought I'd cry or something when I saw the first u/s, but instead I just stared at the screen. Or afterward I figured I'd go out and buy a bunch of baby stuff, but still haven't bought anything--I think I'm still just a bit scared that I'm not out of the woods. In any case, I am very, very happy to hear that you have a healthy little martini olive in there (I looked up comparable sizes at 9 weeks and a martini olive was the first thing I saw). Did you opt to have the NT scan done? If so, you'll be getting another u/s in just a few weeks.

And you make a very good point about letting the yoga instructor know about my back. I've done yoga a handful of times in the past--I did ballet through college and afterward I lost a lot of flexibility, so I used to do yoga as a means to regain some of my flexibility. It will be nice to get back into some type of exercise routine, I'm tired of feeling sedentary.

Anyway, I hope you continue to feel relatively good!! Enjoy Zumba!

MQ, awww, happy 2-year anniversary of your engagement! It will be really nice to go back to where he proposed, what a great idea!

Marlie, I have the exact same fear about the doppler. I don't want to cause myself any anxiety if I'm using it improperly and can't hear anything (or it's not powerful enough to pick up the hb at first). I've been told by friends that it's easier to use after your doc does it and I'm determined not to worry if I have no luck. And I'm a couple of weeks behind you, but am right there with you on the bloat. I feel so swollen all the time--it's definitely worse at the end of the day...by then I can barely button my pants.

ETA: Janine, just saw your post. If I end up not having a c-section, I told D that he's NOT ALLOWED to look at my nether-region during the process. I'm afraid it may scar him for life!

 

[marlie]

Re:

LC...so glad you got to see your little one! and i think i felt the same as you during my first US. somehow i thought there'd be more magic or something about it. And it just felt more like a doc appointment instead of the day i met my baby. I always felt closer to my little nooglet when reading about where it is developmentally than at the doc's office. BUT, i do sometimes stare at the blurry US images and am in awe of how this little blob is going to turn into a person that I am going to have conversations with one day. That always gets me a little bit. Anyway, I went on a tangent there, but my point is your US is beautiful and it's your first baby picture so congrats! but no worries about not feeling fireworks in the doc's office.

NEL...hope your 12 hour day is winding down and you are doing ok! i think you'll be just fine with the doppler and will get to listen to it's little HB all the time. i'm not kidding with how bad i am at tech stuff...i can barely upload pictures to the computer. so for me to try to do something medical AND technical...not good!

MQ...SO cute about your anniversary! Love what you guys are doing...so special. And big congrats on a new baby in the family today! how exciting!

hope everyone else is feeling good!

 

[pancake]

Re:

Marlie, LC, NEL, PG, Mannequin - thanks for your comments about me and my friend. Unfortunately I'm not nearly as honorable or kind a friend as you seem to all think - it is true that I haven't told her how I feel, but at the same time I have been feeling really frustrated about it for some time (the Bride Island occupation goes back months earlier than the "situation" comment!) and I do feel bad about it at times. I don't think that this is her "true colours" coming out - I think she really just is on Bride Island and I think that she will be back after the wedding - but I guess she just doesn't have the capacity to see beyond her wedding at the moment, and unfortunately she is missing some big life stuff in her friends' lives at the moment. Her other two bridesmaids are her sister, who has 2 year old twins and just moved into a new house, and another friend, who just bought her first house with her partner; I just had my wedding reception, moved into a new house, got pregnant, had a threatened miscarriage... she seems to be missing most of it and it's sad.

Anyway!

LC - even if the appointment was anticlimactic, I am really glad you got to see your bean and verify that it's really there! I know that sounds ridiculous but I didn't believe it properly (with my pregnancy that is) until I saw it, and even then my mind had a bit of a disconnect between the blob on the screen and my body. Even now! I am thinking that once I can feel my uterus in my abdomen it will feel more real. Actually that should be soon... I keep feeling and sometimes I feel something hard and smooth but I think it's just my bladder (which seems to be full all the time, lol!).

NEL - lol at banning your husband from your nether regions! I don't think I will... both of us have seen so many deliveries (we have done many jobs/rotations where we go to higher risk deliveries to make sure the baby is ok) that I hope that the gory stuff won't be such a big deal for him! The long days are horrible, I hope you got through yours ok.

Marlie - we are thinking about the Doppler too! Like you and NEL I really want one but I am worried that I will freak out if I can't find the HB; my husband thinks it's a novel idea but worries that I will freak out if I can't find the HB Might think about it a bit more until after my 12 week appointment.

PG - I'm glad the eating/nausea has eased up, try to think of it as improving, one symptom at a time.

Mannequin, your weekend camping sounds lovely! It is kind of overwhelming to look back at it like that, isn't it? Sometimes I look back at the last 3 1/2 years and it amazes me that in that time I met my husband, dated him, moved in with him, got engaged, travelled the world, got married, bought a house, got pregnant...! That place already has such lovely memories for you two, but it will only become more special over the years. Enjoy it!

AFM - I have actually taken my first morning off work this morning. The nausea, which has been coming and going, hit with a vengeance when I woke up this morning, and I spent the first 10 minutes knelt down in the bathroom. I didn't vomit but kind of wish I had - I think it would make this go away. I am cross because isn't it "supposed" to be going away rather than getting worse? The last few days have been queasier than the previous fortnight. I was meant to get my bloods done yesterday but didn't get the chance - so I will do them on my way to work this afternoon. I justified my laziness today by a) reminding myself that I'm pregnant and actually feeling bona fide sick, not malingering, and b) this morning I have educational stuff at a hospital on the other side of town, so I am not actually shafting any patients by not being at work - just missing out on some learning. My brain is not in learning mode right now!!!

Apart from that I have been pretty good overall. Eating frequently, a bit low on sleep but ok. I was talking to my mum about how I feel like I've been subpar at work over the last month and that I can't wait to tell them so that it's clear that I'm not just dropping my game for no reason, and she thought that it might be a good idea to tell even just my unit head, if nobody else. I'm thinking about it. I'm so close to the 2nd trimester now that I kind of think maybe it's just easier to wait?

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re:

LC, congrats on seeing your little blob for the first time I know you were worried about not having symptoms, but now you should just consider yourself lucky!

I'm having fun watching all of you ladies progress! Sending you lots of anti-m/s dust!

 

[lizzyann]

Re:

LC, congrats on seeing your little one and seeing a heartbeat! That is absolutely great news!!!!

 

[Krissie]

Re:

Hi MissJaxon! I also have Factor V - so good to see someone else on here who has it! I'm taking the 40mg Lovenox shot once a day, plus a baby aspirin. I may need to have this adjusted - I asked the perinatologist today whether the dosage would need to change since I'm having multiples, and she said I'd have to consult with a hematologist, have my homocysteine tested, etc. I only know about the disorder because it came up in my blood panel that I did prior to IVF - I have never had a clot and, to my knowledge, nor have my parents. I was very worried at the beginning, but I am doing all I can, and there are so many wonderful success stories.

Ladies, I had my nuchal screening today at 11w5d. I had my bloodwork last week. The nuchal folds are identical at 1.3 mm each. The babies are doing great - one sucking her thumb, one with his butt in the air Both had good, strong heartbeats. I'm guessing 2 girls or a girl and a boy - the u/s tech said she could tell me if I wanted to know, but it's TOO early, and I want to wait until DH is with me. We move in just under 2 weeks - crazy!!! So, when is it appropriate to announce on Facebook? I want to tell the world, but wonder if it's still just a little too early?! More importantly, how can I creatively announce it? It's my only chance - I don't think we'll have any others!!

 

[yennyfire]

Re:

Hi ladies,

Thanks so much for all of your kind thoughts. I had bw done on Friday and then repeat betas drawn yesterday. I got the results this morning and it looks like it wasn't meant to be, as the betas aren't doubling as you'd want them to. So, I'm prepared for another loss. Given the fact that this wasn't planned, I'm kind of relieved, which I feel terribly guilty about. I feel like I'm on a roller coaster and really just want to know what's going on one way or the other so that I can cope with things.

I did tell DH over the weekend. He was as shocked as I was. Then I had to tell him that it looked like it wasn't going to happen, so the poor guys head is spinning.

I have another beta scheduled for tomorrow, as well as an t/v u/s to make sure that there's nothing going on that would require a d/c. I'll keep you posted.

 

[lliang_chi]

Re:

Yenny, my dear, I'm sorry to hear that the results of your betas aren't looking that great. I think you should not worry about feeling guilty or anything like that. This pregnancy was as surprise, so of course you were a little unsure. But whatever God/the Universe has planned for you and your family will happen. Us mere mortals are just not privvy to it. Until then, focus on your wonderful family and take care of yourself.

~LC (9W,5D)

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Re:

Yenny, I'm sorry to hear that the betas are not doubling and have no doubt that you're feeling a myriad of emotions all at once--some sadness, some relief. Don't beat yourself up about it, this has been a roller coaster and your feelings are completely understandable. You and your husband have a wonderful family and I hope that is a healthy distraction/system of support to get you through this. I'm thinking of you.

Krissie, I'm so glad the NT scan went well and have to commend you on your patience for declining when the doc offered to tell you the sexes. How is all the packing going in preparation for the move?? It's so close! And I have no ideas for FB announcements, I've started thinking about that myself. My plan is to mention something after my NT scan (at 12 weeks, provided all looks good), so I don't think 11.5 weeks is too early.

Pancake, I'm so sorry to hear that the nausea is getting worse, but good for you for taking the morning off when you needed to. Sometimes I feel like we push ourselves too much in an effort to prove something (at least I do), so I think it's really healthy to know when you're just feeling too ill to push on. I hope you're feeling better today--if I've learned anything, it's that symptoms can ebb and flow for no reason at all.

marlie, how are you feeling?

LC, how was Zumba last night?

AFM, I had a four hour meeting this morning and no food was provided (which is unheard of at my company). If I go four hours without eating, I'm telling you it's bad news. I had a bagel and some diced peaches before the meeting, but ended up having to leave the meeting twice because I thought I was going to vomit. I did vomit the first time, but the second time I didn't. I left the meeting early to go get a salad and while I feel a bit better, I think it's going to be hard to climb my way out of this nauseous hole. Last week I was actually feeling better and now this week? Worse than ever! Even the preggie pops are making me gag--that's not fair!

It's not all bad news, though. I did make some progress on the yoga front. There is a gym for moms at one of the mom centers I mentioned yesterday--so for $39/month, I get unlimited access to all the prenatal fitness classes (I think yoga and pilates). My plan is to go to one class (they offer one class for free as a trial) and if I like it, I'll join.

Other than that, nothing exciting. 8w 6d and next appt. isn't for another week.