AUGUST 2008 ~ BUMP BUDDIES

[2ndtimer]

Hi Everyone,
I've had a nervous couple of days. I started spotting yesterday morning, mostly brownish color but it still made me worry. At first I was just keeping an eye on it, then it got a little heavier so I called the MD on call. She said because I wasn't having any cramping and it was mostly brown it probably wasn't anything to worry about but to call back if it got worse and to call the office first thing in the morning. I laid down on the couch for the rest of the day afraid to move very much. Today I went into see the MD, the bleeding has pretty much stopped. Everything is fine, I got to hear the heartbeat again. It turns out that my cervix is all irritated from the pap smear I had last week. The MD said it's normal for pregnant women to bleed for up to a couple of weeks after a pap smear. Of course I would have been nice to have known that before hand! But I'm just very relieved that everything's OK.
Rebecca

[sharishu]

Rebecca-
How scary for you! I am so glad all is just fine. Be well and take good care of yourself...
Shari

[2ndtimer]

Hi Everyone,
I got very good news from the 1st trimester screening. Risk of Downs Syndrome is 1/1961 and Trisomy 18 & 13 is 1/3581.
We go to Mexico on Saturday & I can't wait. Work has been insane! I'm going to tell my boss I'm pregnant when I get back.
Hope everyone's well.
Rebecca

[tinaO]

Hello All! Hope everyone is doing well! I officially graduated from the clinic yesterday back to my regular OB/Gyn doc. We had our 12 week scan last week and all went great. I STOPPED my PIO shots!!! Yeah!!!! They said my hormone levels looked great. We are going out Saturday night to my favorite restaurant to celebrate. I hated those shots. I am so happy to be done with them!!!

Other than that, I have been exercising my little butt of with my 3 mile walks every day. I have only missed one day this week so far, so I am proud of myself. My doctor's office only shows I gained 2 pounds because they didn't weigh me for the first time until like 7 weeks (whereas I have been tracking since the transfer), HOWEVER I saw my weight from when we first went to the clinic and started tretament (right at a year ago).....uh yeah, I have gained 10 pounds since then. Geez - really makes you aware of what this stuff does to your body, huh? Oh well - screw it. Whatcha gonna do about it now, right? I just wish I could lay off the peanut butter. I crave it all the time now.

Rebecca - Great news on your screening. We just had ours done today. I love how they basically looked at me and said, "Well, you are old and your eggs are old, so your chances of 'this and that' are greater". So reassuring!!!

I hope everyone else is doing well!
Tina

[2ndtimer]

Tina, I know what you mean about the screening. Based on my age, the odds were 1/98 for Downs. That sounded really high to me and plus, it seemed like they made a big deal about how "old" I am. After the tests my actual risk dropped to 1/1961, thank goodness.
I never feel that old except when the MD's start talking about my "old eggs" and "advanced maternal age" !
Rebecca

[squeezan]

Rebecca - sorry to hear about your scare. Must have been worrying - like you said they should have told you it was a possibility after the smear. Congrats on the screening results. It seems I'm in the minority but I decided not to have the tests done.

tina - well done on finishing the shots, that must be such a relief, def something to celebrate

I had my hospital appointment today and it was really good. The doctor was lovely and really made me feel she had all the time in the world for me even tho' I knew they were short staffed and busy. I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. She was careful to warn me that it might be too early and not to be concerned if she couldn't find it but it came through really strong straight away, absolutely amazing

As for weight, I don't know how but I've still only put on about 1 lb My clothes are getting really tight, I look like I've gained and I've been eating normally so I don't understand. maybe I'm just peeing it all out

Is anyone else suffering with indigestion? I've had it mildly almost every afternoon this week but today was really bad. The only other time its been so bad was after my 12 week scan and I thought maybe that was 'cos the sonographer pressed so hard for so long on my full bladder. Even gaviscon didn't help today. Anyone got any natural remedies?

Su x

[MBG]

Hello ladies!!

2ndtimer: Great news on the testing!! Have fun on your trip to Mexico! Get lots of sun (with sunscreen of course ) and lots of relaxation! I have to say, I am a little jealous...there will be no vacations for us this year, I am saving my vacation days for maternity leave. Enjoy and come back with lots of stories!!

Squeezan: You are not the only one getting tested. I am not getting tested. My ob does not do the nuchal testing in his office and did not recommend I take the test unless I was planning on ending the pregnancy due to positive results. He said it is hard to test with twins and can create some unneccessary worry...so I opted to not test. I just constantly pray for healthy babies!!!

TinaO:Glad to hear your testing went well! Yeah! You have graduated!! Doesn't it feel weird! I still miss my RE's office...they were just so on top of things (except for missing the 2nd baby ) Congrats on no more PIO shots!! I stopped taking the shots @ 8 weeks, but have been on suppositories ever since...however, I am almost through with those..YEAH!!

I am having my 12 week OB appointment on Monday! I do not think they normally do u/s's at this appointment, but I am hoping to get special treatment, with the twins.....If they do not offer to give me an u/s, I may have to come up with some reason, why I really feel I NEED an ultrasound! I need to see my babies again!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

MBG

[sharishu]

Squeezan and MBG-
I am right with you gals as well. I am not going for the nuchal test. Like you, I am just thinking positive thoughts, and I would not go for an amnio anyway, too much risk involved for my taste. MBG, I can totally relate to wanting the ultrasound; I NEED to see my baby already! It's been a month and I miss the little tyke! How are you holding up with your pair? BTW, I don't see why your doc would deny you the scan, he probably also wants to check in on the twosome. Squeezan- as far as the little weight gain, I wouldn't worry at all. As long as you are eating well, your little one is getting just what s/he needs. And if you heard a nice strong heartbeat, that's a good indicator that you and s/he are doing just fine. And as far as indigestion, I definitely have my share. For the heartburn, I started taking TUMs and it seems to help. For the 'other', I just drink some cola to try and settle my stomach. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Rebecca-
Have fun in Mexico, and enjoy the rest and relaxation before the baby arrives!

Well, I am going for my 13.5 week appointment tomorrow. Can't wait!

Health and hugs,
Shari

[sharishu]

Hello all-
Well, had my 13w5d ultrasound yesterday. The little guy/gal is growing and the doc said the heartbeat looked good (TG). The baby wasn't moving much, and the doc said 'he's just taking a rest' and not to worry. After reading about all the acrobatics some of you have witnessed in their growing babies, I just got a bit concerned. Anyone else out there have an ultrasound at this stage and not seen movement? I know I'm being neurotic, but I just need a bit more reassurance.

Over here, they do a very involved ultrasound at 20 weeks, and also at 15 weeks, which is a bit more than a week away. Can't wait, and hope the tyke is in the mood to boogy then!

Health and hugs,
Shari

[tinaO]

Hey, Shari. I wouldn't worry. There was one scan where our baby wasn't moving much at all and then this last one, it was all over the place! Of course, that might be because it was the nuchal scan and the tech was pushing into my stomach so hard and hitting it with the wand to get the baby in position - poor kid had no choice!!! Anyway, if they really want to get the baby moving, they can prod it along. Ask them to next time if the baby isn't moving much. Our worries never end, do they?

As for me, I have an appt with my cardiologist today....long story, I used to have high blood pressure and was on meds for a couple of years. The scary thing is that I have mentioned that I am small and very thin and exercise regularly and eat healthy. It doesn't run in our family. Well, whay it is scary is that once I quit my last job that I was at for 10 years, my blood pressure went back to normal. I was in a tough role and having to launch a new segment of our company, traveling across the country, etc. I left that job in March of last year and within 3 months, my blood pressure was normal again. Anyway, being pregnant, the doc still wants to keep his eye on me throughout the pregnancy. I guess it makes you aware how a job IS NOT WORTH IT!!! I am still amazed that quitting that job made that much of a difference. It is the only change I can attribute the blood pressure change to as everything else stayed the same. Amazing, huh? Anyway, after that I am off to my regular OB/gyn for my first appt back with him on Thursday. Oh - and I should get my nuchal results this week. Keep your fingers crossed!!!

[MBG]

Hello ladies!

Shari: I would not worry about the movement. He/she may have been taking a nap. If your Doc was not worried, then I would not be worried. Did you get to see/hear the heartbeat?

TinaO: Good luck at the cardiologist. It is always better to be safe than sorry. I am sure all is well! Keep us looped in!

I went for my 12 week OB appointment today. The Doc came in and I was like "so no u/s today?" and he told me insurance companies were getting very particular about u/s's and not wanting to pay for them, so the clinic only gives them when neccessary. Then he pulls out his doppler to listen to heart-beats...but could not find them, so he decided it was indeed neccessary for an u/s...needless to say I was more than happy to oblige!!

Both babies were going crazy. Flipping to the left and to the right, kicking and waving their arms around. It kind of looked like they were throwing a tantrum! I was like oh boy...we are going to have our hands full with these two! They have caught up to each other. Baby A has a hearbeat of 160 bpm and was measuring 12 wks 5 days and Baby B has a hearbeat of 163 and is measuring 12 wks 6 days. I could have sat in that room and watched them all day long!! We got some GREAT side profile shots to add to my baby/belly book!! You can see their little noses! How adorable!!!!!
I have only gained 2 1/2 lbs since my last visit. I think my brief illness has something to do with that. I was a little concerned (thinking I should have gained more weight by now...(I look like I have gained more weight than that!) but my doc was fine with it....so I guess I am fine with it!



I hope everyone has a great week!

MBG

[MBG]

One other thing....anyone's belly getting really itchy? I have been putting that Tummy honey on every morning, but some morning's and evenings, I still itch like crazy! I am not sure if I am dehydrated or if it is my skin stretching!!

[sharishu]

Tina and MBG-
Thanks, I do feel better about it now, just gonna look forward to the 15-wk. u/s which is more in-depth on the more hi-tech machine. Tina, lots of luck at the cardio. Glad you left your old job, nothing is worth your health. It's amazing what stress can do to our bodies! MBG, congrats on that u/s, sounds like it was fun, and glad you were able to score one after all! As far as belly itching, none for me, but you are stretching double what I am, so it's no small wonder .

Well, hope everyone is feeling well and getting plenty of rest.
Health and hugs,
Shari

[Dexter]

Hey Shari,

Just thought I'd pop in to give my 2 cents..

I'm 16 weeks along with twins and at each u/s one twin is very active and the other is subdued and laid back. I thought this was odd at first too but after seeing a few u/sounds I quickly came to realize that they change around a bit and the subdued twin was doing leg exercises at my last scan! MInd you I was having scan each week at that stage !

It's hard not to obsess over everything. That twin was also measuring one day behind twin B, but I hear that is also quite common for multiples.

See how your bub looks next time! And then wait til it starts kicking

Dexter

[sharishu]

Dexter-
Thanks for your input, and congrats on your twins pregnancy!

MBG-
I keep meaning to tell you... I remember reading that you will not be taking a trip with dh before the birth. Hmmm. Perhaps a, pampered, romantic weekend with hubby is in your vacation-day-budget? Not even far away, just something a bit luxurious and relaxing for a night or two. A memory and bonding for you and dh before the twins change your lives forever. We personally are planning to go for a weekend to a 5 star hotel in Jerusalem that I've always dreamed of going to. We also can't afford a big trip, but I want a last truly 'alone', romantic weekend with my dh before the baby comes. Again, with twins on the way, I wish you as much rest and relaxation as possible at this point while you can. Just a suggestion from a caring fellow bump buddy. If you don't feel the need to get 'away', then disregard please. Whatever you choose to do, I wish you (and all fellow bump buddies) a wonderful pregnancy

Shari