AUGUST 2008 ~ BUMP BUDDIES

[sharishu]

Rebecca-
Forgot to ask... are you still feeling those little flutterings at night? That is so exciting, congratulations! I can't wait to feel the little kicks and punches. Let us know if you felt anything new .

MBG-
Congrats on your friend's baby. I love hearing about births, but I agree that the painful details make me more squeamish now that it is (Please G-d) an upcoming reality for me. Can't wait for you to see the twins again on u/s.

Be well all.
Shari

[tryw8]

Okay, okay ... I'm suffering from u/s withdrawals. I went in for my WEEK 16 check in. No u/s but doctor took out a doppler and I got to hear my baby's heart beat for the first time. "ROWr, ROWr, ROWr..." Too bad my DH couldn't make it for the appointment. He felt kind of left out. He asked as soon as he got home from work, if our little one got any bigger and I told him what happened. He had this disappointed look on his face. He cheered up when I told him that my appt next week is scheduled on a day that he's off so we can go together.

Had a blood test done called the quad test. I was told that they are looking for abnormalities. I'll get the results @ our next appointment. I'm a little hesistant. Then I will be notified if/when I need to schedule an ultrasound with the Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist. At that time, I can find out if we're having a boy or a girl.

... my DH still wants to know. But since I don't, he's going to respect my wishes.

Hope all is well with everyone. Thank you for all the updates. It's very informative. I've got to go lie down now. My back is killing me.

Karen

[2ndtimer]

Hi Everyone,
Work has been crazy this past couple of days, hope everyone else is having a better couple of days than me. We did have a good weekend though, very nice weather. We went for several long walks. It was great.
I don't know about the rest of you but my belly is getting huge. I keep getting comments like "are you sure there's just one in there?" And "Wow you look a lot more pregnant than 4 months." I also had to bump up in bra sizes again. I went to Motherhood Maternity & had them measure me for a maternity/nursing bra. I've given up on regular bras, they're just too uncomfortable. The girl told me to get a 38E!! But the 40D fit much better with still a little room to grow. I feel like I have porn star size fake boobs now. It's crazy.
Needless to say my back has been bothering me. I start with prenatal yoga at the end of the month & I'm really looking forward to it.
Shari -I can't say I've felt the baby move for the last few nights but I've also gone straight to sleep as soon as I lay down, so maybe it is. I'm not too worried about it at this point.
I go in on Friday to for an u/s and to find out the sex of the baby!!! I'll keep you guys posted.
Take care,
Rebecca

[tinaO]

Hi, everyone! Sorry I have not posted recently - sooo busy at work! This new client is really making it tough on me with all the added work. Chicago was cold and yet my weekend with the girls was wonderful. We shopped, ate, and toured the wineries! I even sipped wine a couple of times which was such fun. They gave me some a great outlook on it all. They each have 2-3 kids between them and most of them laughed about having sipped wine during pregnancy and how there was nothing wrong with it...I know my doctor agrees. Everything they said just made me relax even more about everything with the pregnancy. I feel so good about it all!

I went to the doc yesterday for the 2nd part of my nuchal scan (that darn thing) and will find out the results tomorrow. I go back to my regular OB/Gyn on Friday, although I don't think I will get an u/s - darn it!!

I am happy to hear everyone is doing ok.

Rebecca - can't wait for you to find out what you are having!! I wish I could find out NOW!! And don't worry about the weight gain. One of my friends said she gained 52 pounds with one of her kids and she is skinny now - she looks great! They laughed me off when I said I was worried I was gaining too much weight. They said, "Enjoy yourself"! I am trying not to worry about it and I don't think I am showing yet, but I keep gaining weight!

Ok, I actually need to run. I will type more personals later!! "Hi" to everyone else!!

[sharishu]

Hey Ladies,
Well, I am still suffering with morning sickness unfortunately. It's actually gotten worse this week, but I think that is due in part to major work stress. My zany boss has really been unusually insane these past few weeks. Turns out that her insanity and my raging hormones are not a good mix. (Boom!) The situation reached a head two days ago, to the tune of me almost quitting. I told her the stress is too much for me right now, and I'll leave unless certain things change. I work the most hours of all her speech therapists, so I know if I left, I'd be leaving her high and dry (speech therapists in these parts are scarce, particularly bilingual english ones). So we'll see. On the upside, I do feel more calm today, thank G-d.

Anyway, enough about the stress in my life. How is everyone?

Rebecca- I am also showing already- quite a bit. A number of parents at work have wished me congratulations. Some even touched my belly! I didn't mind though, I waited a long time for this and I'm just soaking it all in. I am excited for you for Friday; have fun finding out the sex of your little one!

Tina- So happy to hear about your relaxing weekend with the gals. It is definitely healthy to discuss pregnancy with those who have 'been there done that' and who can put your mind at ease. BTW, my doctor also said to me that even a few small glasses of wine a week is just fine. I haven't had any since I'm pregnant, but I definitely wouldn't think twice about a few sips at a winery. Sounds like fun! Oh, also, good luck on the 2nd part of your nuchal test.

Have a great day, ladies. Health and hugs,
Shari

[tinaO]

Hello! Well, I got my results from the last part of the nuchal scan. I am pleased that this stupid testing is over!

Risk of neural defects or whatever = 1 in 4100
Risk of Down Syndrome = 1 in 1330
Risk of Trisomy 18 = 1 in 99,000 (huh - whatever, that is what she said).

Now, I am back to my regular OB tomorrow and I have listed a bunch of make-believe symptoms to use in order to try to get a scan out of him!!!

Karen - obviously I know how you feel - I have not had an u/s in 4 weeks!! It is killing me....

Shari - So sorry you still don't feel well. I feel blessed that I am still feeling good. I am nervous about work though as I have a lot of bus trips planned this month and I do feel like I get tired more easily now. I need to suck it up and get back to exercising - I have not done much in the past week or so. It helps my energy level. Surely you will start to feel better soon!!! I know that has to be sooo tough. I am so sorry.

Rebecca - Let us know what you find out tomorrow on the sex of your baby - I am jealous!!

Marybeth - how are you??? I hope you and the little ones are doing well!!

Dancinancy/Seltzer - Hope you are doing well!!

Gori - Hi, there. Have you heard anything else in regards to your testing? I don't recall when your amnio was scheduled. You are in my thoughts!!

Take care ladies!!

Tina

[seltzer]

Hey everyone,

Glad to hear everyone is, for the most part, well.

Shari - sorry to hear about your continued m/s. Have you tried any of the remedies they suggest (vitamin B, emetrol, etc.)?

Tina - congrats on your awesome NT results! Now it's time to move on to enjoying the rest of the pregnancy (that's if you get another u/s of course, LOL).

I had my big u/s yesterday (18 weeks, the anatomical scan) and it was awesome. The baby was doing somersaults throughout, and kicking up a storm and sucking its thumb, so it was hard for the woman to get me good pics of the face. But all the measurements were perfect, all organs present, heart has four chambers, bones look good, etc. Ten fingers & ten toes, all that good stuff. We didn't find out the gender...couldn't even if we'd wanted to since the baby had its legs crossed the whole time. What a modest child! I feel so grateful and fortunate that everything is going so well and the baby seems to be doing great.

I found out I've gained 9 lbs. since the embryo transfer, and for that I am thrilled. The OB said I am right on track to gain 25-30 lbs. I was really freaking out before because I was convinced I had put on a lot more, just going by the way my body felt. I told the OB how fat I feel, and he said it's the estrogen--it makes you feel fat even if you haven't gained actual pounds. Lovely!

I don't have access to the Net at home this week...so I'm writing this at work. Take care everyone!

[2ndtimer]

Hey Guys,
It's a healthy baby boy!!
DH & I are very happy, of course. I'll write longer when I have more time.
Take Care,
Rebecca

[gori]

Hi there ladies, it's great to hear that everyone is doing so well!

Rebecca - Congrats on finding out that you are having a baby boy!! What fun.... now you can start planning things accordingly. It begins to get more real now.

Seltzer - ultrasounds are really exciting as you get to see your little one doing all these amazing things...it's surreal!! Nothing comes close it it.

Tina - I am very happy for you for such great results! They certainly put your mind at ease for the rest of the pregnancy!

Shari - for morning sickness, I am sure you are trying that, but eating something early morning helps. If I delay eating, I start feeling sick.

As for myself, I am hanging in there. My first pregnancy [10 yrs back] was so hassle free that compared to that, this one has been a lot of anxiety/tension so far. Not to mention the challenges of fertility treatments: the meds/hormones/anxiety & wait. From 6-8 weeks pregnancy, I had spotting, so that had me worried - got 3 u/s, one every week. Then at 10 weeks, I got a nervous attack when they didn't get the heart beat on the doppler. Went for u/s again & thank God things were fine. At 13 weeks, my NT u/s was great but blood results came back with 1 in 46 chance of Down Syndrome, which was a total shock for me. I also developed flu/fever in between. Now, I go for my amnio on Mar 12, which is driving me insane. I will have to wait 2 weeks after that. Will be hoping everything goes ok [no m/c or bad results!!]. Just ordered a rental doppler, I will need that after the amnio for my peace of mind to ensure everything is ok. I hope this is the end of my challenges and things move forward smoothly from now on. I don't mean to complain but sometimes these things can really get to you. I will keep you guys posted!

On the positive side, I am beginning to feel the fetal movements [at 15 weeks] & that feels great. I have had 5 u/s so far & the last one was the best. The baby was so active, moving around so fast, it was amazing!! I feel great physically also.

[MBG]

Rebecca: Yahoo!! Congratulations on your little boy! I am sooooo jealous! I can't wait to find out what we are having!!!!!
I have an ob appointment on Monday, but they will not do an ultrasound if they can hear the heartbeats on the doppler..I have to find some way to sabatoge that darn doppler .....anyway...we will more than likely have to wait one more month until the 20 week ultrasound.....oh well...it will be here before I know it! Congrats again! Now you can start to buy all kinds of little boy things!! There really is a lot more to chose from for little boys then there used to be....I have already started to scope out the stores!!!

Seltzer:Glad to hear your 18 week ultrasound went so well! It is so nice to see the little ones and see for yourself that all is well! Congrats again!


Shari:Sorry to hear about your woos at work...don't let yourself get to stressed....at the end of the day, it is just a job. Your sanity and well being (and the babies well being) is much more important!! Tell her your pregnant and she needs to move out of your way!!

Tina: Congrats on your Nuchal results! Sounds like you have one healthy little one in there!!! Keep us posted on your how your doc appointment goes! If you find a way to get the doc to give you an ultrasound, let me know, I just might try it, if mine resists!!
Glad to hear you had a great time with your girlfriends! All of my friends drank wine here and there during their pregnancies and all of their children turned out just fine! Glad you were able to enjoy yourself!!

I hope i did not forget anyone...

You ladies need to get on the ball and post some belly shots! I want to see how everyone is progressing! I am going to have my dh take a new pic of my belly (16 week)...we are taking pics once a month. My belly is measuring 36" but feels much larger! I am having a hard time turning over at night...I kind of feel like a beached whale....scary part is ..how will i feel 30 lbs heavier!!


Hope everyone has a great weekend! It is snowing here today. Which is a big deal for us, since it never snows! It will be gone tomorrow, but I shall enjoy it today!!

Hugs to all!

Marybeth

[seltzer]

Congratulations on your baby boy, Rebecca!! Baby boys are the best!

[tinaO]

Rebecca - Congrats on a BOY!!! Yeah for you!!!! Do you have names picked out?????

I got an u/s today only because they had me confused with someone else and thought I was 10 weeks - they had already brought the machine in when they realized the mistake!!! HA!!! So, I got an u/s although it was weird - the screen was small and not very good....but OMG!! Our baby is just like its mother!!! It was moving ALL over the place!!! The baby clearly takes after me as my husband is much more laid back. It was cute!!! I begged my way into having my "big" appt at 19 weeks, rather than 20 weeks. So....we find out in 3 weeks what we are having!! Yeah!! My doctor thinks I am a total mess as I had a whole list of symptoms I had created just to get an u/s (thankfully - I didn't have to use it!!). He shook my husband's hand and said, "I admire you. If you ever just need to get away and have a beer, call me". We all laughed so hard. It was such a fun appt!

Anyway, I am at work so I gotta go. We are off tomorrow for the rest of the weekend to head to a baby shower in another city. I will chat more with you later!!!

Marybeth - Snow in Arkansas???? OMG!!!! Enjoy!!!

[dancinnancy]

Rebecca -

Congrats on the healthy baby boy! How exciting!!!!!

Okay MBG, I finally loaded pics to photobucket! What's so funny is that I really thought I was showing big time @ 12 weeks, at least I felt like I was. I really started showing this past week, as you can see in the 16 week shot!

I think I felt a little 'pop' the other night in my belly...it was definitely different than a gassy feeling. Looking forward to the actual feeling of being kicked by the little one. I have an appt coming up on Tuesday, I'm hoping to get an u/s.

Did anyone see the new show on Discovery Health channel?? It's called Deliver Me. It's a pretty intense show, and I'm not sure if I'll watch again this week....I think I'll stick to the TLC shows - since they always leave you feeling good.

[MBG]

Dancinnancy: Love the pics!! You are right...you are definately showing in your latest! I was the same way..I thought I was showing big time at 12 weeks, but I look at my belly now and I feel like I was tiny @ 12 weeks!!

I will get my dh to take a pic this weekend and post.

I saw some comercials for the show you are talking about....is it scary? Is it more realistic than the TLC shows? Not sure If I want to watch any births with unhappy endings!!

Marybeth

[dancinnancy]

'Deliver Me' is way more realistic than the TLC shows. The really unhappy endings weren't shown, & for the most part their stories were just discussed & those particular patients weren't shown. The three Drs are very sweet, they all have young children & it's nice to see how involved they are in their work - emotionally & otherwise. I guess for me, the show may just be an overdose of reality in some instances. I could feel myself tensing up during certain segments. But hey, OUR stories & what we all went through to get to this point might be too much for some people.