April 2010 Babies

[tortillachip]

Truebeliever: I know what you mean about the fear taking over at times. It's really hard so if you ever need to vent we are all here for you. I'm so glad I have you group of gals to bounce ideas off of!

Cressy: Thanks for your thoughts. How are you feeling these days? Have you told anyone yet?

Babiesgalore: Please let me know how it goes. Does your insurance pay for FSH results? If so, what insurance do you have? Also some facilities do not offer the FSH results. My doc takes 2 weeks for the results!!! UGH!!!

Angie: I'm trying to get finances in order as well...paying off debt and getting to a better position financially. I'm trying to work more now so I can take a few months off. I'm thinking at least 3 but probably no more than 6 months. Then I will work 2 days a weeks from my home office with my clients. It's nice when you have your own business-you can make your own hours

LW: I'm due on April 19th...which will be my 7 year wedding anniversary!! Pretty cool.

AFM: So my cvs test is September 29th at Cedars-Sinai in Beverly Hills with the director of genetic testing. He has done over 17,000 CVS tests over the past 34 years...having performed the highest number of these tests of any practioner west of the Mississippi! Makes me feel a lot better about having the test.

[Liana]

Hi everyone!

So sorry I haven't been around. I am just so tired at the end of the day, I come home and collapse!

Babiesgalore, thank you so much for sharing your story about CVS. Every story is helpful to me as I try to learn about all this testing. And thanks for your thoughts about the flu shot, too.

Skipper, my best wishes to you. My fetal measurements were also behind, but they caught up, so I know that is possible.

lw, that is great that you saw both babies. I am heartened to hear that your symptoms have gotten better!! I am 11 weeks today and I think my nausea is very very slightly better--am hoping it gets better as time goes on! My due date I think is the same as yours, April 15. I think we had the same ER date, from what I remember from the July/August cycling board.

Cressica, I'm glad your appointment went well.

Truebeliever, I definitely feel what you're saying about the fears.

Tortilla, I think that is so great that your CVS will be done by an expert. If I could find an expert like that, I wouldn't be as hesitant about doing CVS.

AFM, I have this weird insurance situation, so I am going to do my Nuchal test around Oct. 2 or so. I would prefer to do it earlier, but I paid so much for the IVF and medications and the follow-up ultrasounds (all self-paid) and I really need for insurance to start covering stuff. Sigh. I am holding my breath until then.

Blessings to all of you.

[BabiesGalore]

Tortilla: I responded to your question about the insurance on your other post. Basically i have federal blue cross blue shield and they covered it last time. That is great that u are going to an expert. Good luck with everything.

Liana: you are welcome. Hope the nausea subsides soon now that u are nearing the end of the first trimester.

Angeinhull: I go in tomorrow for the CVS and hoping to get the preliminary results on Monday. After that i should be able to breathe a bit easier. I am now gearing to be off for 3 months to start off and then will see if i need more time. Still need to see if i can use all my sick leave given that am with the federal govt and we do not have maternity leave which sucks. The bill is stuck in the senate. Can't they just pass it!

Will do more posts later and will let everyone know how the cvs goes tomorrow. Pls keep me in your prayers and thoughts! Trying to be in good spirit plus i get to see the baby again!

Hugs to everyone

[tortillachip]

Liana: I know what you mean about paying for everything out of pocket. It's financially draining, not to mention emotionally draining. I too am super tired in the afternoon/night-time and feel so damn lazy. hopefully, we'll get some energy back.

Babiesgalore: So I got the nurse at the CVS doc's office to call my insurance and it's covered-YAY!!! They don't give preliminary results at all. So now I don't have to agonize about it for 2 weeks...I will get the results in 48 hours. So my test is Tuesday and the results I assume are on thursday. I'm excited and super scared at the same time. Please GOD give me a healthy baby. Good luck with your CVS tomorrow and let me know how it goes/went. I'll be thinking of you and praying for a healthy baby

[BabiesGalore]

My cvs went well. The doctor was awesome and gave me a numbing injection. All is felt is pressure. Also I had the dr take the nuchal measurements and by the grace of god it is well within the average. Last time it was really high. I get the results Tuesday morning. Going to be the longest weekend ever. Am so glad your insurance covers it and u won't have to endure the long wait.

I also got to see my baby who was all over the place and has grown so much. I am a bit ahead at 12 wks which is way better than behind. Good luck with the test and sending u lots of positive vibes and praying for healthy babies for all of us.

[Liana]

Tortillachip, I am glad to hear that your insurance covers the 48 hours results. Otherwise the wait is so long! I will think of you on Tuesday, sure it will go fine.

Babiesgalore, I am glad your CVS went well and I am sure you will get good results. Sending my prayers and good wishes your way.

AFM, I did my bloodwork today for the PAPP-A and hCG so they can have the results by the time I do the nuchal test in a week or so. Doesn't it seem like we just keep waiting, first to do the stims, then for the retrieval and transfer, then the 2 week wait, then wait for the first ultrasound, now waiting for the testing results...?

[dogzrule]

Hi all you pregnant ladies!!! It's been a CRAZY busy week at school, so I haven't been on this week. As far as the H1N1 vaccine, I know I have to get it. I'm pregnant AND a teacher who comes into contact with 140 different kids a day (2 of my classes have 38 kids, a FULL house), so my odds are much higher, and I know I cannot risk it. If I didn't work in a high-risk field, I would consider not getting it. Wednesday was my LAST endometrin. Feeling ok, but I HATE hamburgers now lol. Go figure!

lw - My due date was given as April 7, but I have measured one day behind on every u/s, and at my 1st OB appt, was told it was April 8. Whatever, I think we all know a due date isn't really a due date.

Boobs HURT omg, and most of my pants no longer fit even though I've only put on about 3, maybe 4 lbs.

To all of you awaiting your CVS results - I know everything will be perfect for all of you!!!

[cressicaw@hotmail.com]

Hello mommies,

What are all these tests everyone is having? The only thing my OB is doing in measuring my cervix in 2 weeks.

I personally, do not plan on taking any additional tests unless they are mandatory.

As far as the vaccine goes, I am anti-vaccine. The swine flu vaccine is not safe for pregnant woment (please do research on this) it is a LIVE virus. So often a vaccine is safe today and then years down the line they realize it was not, I could go on and on... but just be careful!

As for changes, wow... my nipples are dark (I know TMI), I have a dark line from my belly button to my pelvic bone, I can smell anything a mile away and I am already wearing some maternity pants (my friends were so nice to give me all these chic maternity clothes) because the belly band is too tight and I dont like to restrict my belly. I am just a little over 9 weeks now and still have all day sickness, but I drink a glass of chocolate milk and take my vitamins in the morning, before when I just ate crackers it seemed my body was depleted of something, which makes sense because I cant eat while I am asleep, well this really helps me get by till about noon... then I really have to watch what I eat... the baby can't handle anything fried, like a grilled chesse or I will get sick.

Also, my DH and I went and purchased an airmore and crib for the babys nursery, it looks perfect in the room that we already designed before IVF, it has seafoam green walls, dark wood floors and 5 1/4 base and crown... it looks so great!!! I cant wait to tuck in my little miracle!

[dogzrule]

cressica - I too am not getting any of those tests, just the usual ones they do with every pregnancy (alpha fetoprotein). My OB only does mandatory CVS etc if you are 35 or older. I JUST squeaked in under that age cutoff. I will definitely research the H1N1. I understand there are two types, so we'll see!

[Helengb]

Well hello ladies! omg how did i not spot this chat room earlier !!
It's so great to hear how you are all getting on after all the traumas of the treatment. i am really not used to these message boards and struck gold when i first found the July/august cycle thread - you girls truly helped me keep my sanity - and i was a bit sad when the thread slowed right down. But my heart jumpedd when i popped back and spotted this thread - i have read all the messages and am loving knowing how you are all getting on now. We have had 2 scans up to now and on the second our little miracle waved at us!!! Can you believe that? It just blows my mind!!

I am now 10 weeks pregnant and the nausea seems to be easing off - but just hits hard on the odd occasion now. The worst thing for me though has been the absolute exhaustion - i am just drained after a days work and can't keep my eyes open in the evening. Even through the day - i have just felt so tired it has been unreal. This is what i hope goes soon more than anything -coz its actually starting to get me a bit down now (although i'm a bit scared to compllain about anything just because - i have wanted this to happen for so long now and so part of me keeps saying just shut up and get on with it ). I am normally pretty active and wouldn't dream of lying around like a couch potato so much but - it just seems to be what i keep gravitating towards. Hopefully this will ease pretty soon too though and i can feel a bit more normal again.

Its really interesting to read that so many of you are expanding already! My trousers and jeans are all feeling quite uncomfortble and i had no idea this would happen so fast - infact i was starting to convince myself that there may be something wrong or my newly adopted couch potato lifestyle was hitting my waistline already!

Anyway - i am now officially signed off from the clinic and the next appointment we have is on the 16th October for our 12 week scan at a normal hospital!! This is all just so new and exciting now - although - dh and i still have a lot of fear about something going wrong to get too excited yet - when will the worrying end???!!!

Anyway - take very good care of yourselves girls and i look forward to keeping updated on everyones progress

H
xx

[tortillachip]

HelenBG: Welcome! I'm so glad you found us. I just love having my little support group of gals online to talk through things I'm going through and to bouce my worries off of. I totally understand what you mean about worrying and wonder if/when it will ease up. I look forward to getting to know you!

Cressy: Your baby room sounds beautiful...how exciting! I can't wait to do some furniture shopping too. Have you let the cat out of the bag yet?

Dogzrule: I know what you mean about not fitting in your pants. Me too! I bought a bella band but haven't tried it yet. I just put a hairband around the button and through the loop and that's been working so far.

Liana: Thanks for your thoughts regarding CVS, I appreciate it. I know what you mean about waiting...it's neverending!!!

Babiesgalore: I'm so glad your CVS went smoothly!!! What a relief for you and that's great about the nuchal measurements. I wonder if my doc will do that. Did you need to ask or did he just automatically do them?

AFM: I had my last ultrasound with my IVF doctor on Friday and my hubby got to come this time and I was so happy because the baby was moving around a ton and actually waved at us. The baby spread the fingers on one hand so we could see all the digits and we got a picture of it!!! I can't believe how much the baby has grown over the past 2 weeks. My CVS is scheduled for Tuesday morning and I took the whole day off to take it easy after the procedure. Results will be in Thursday. i cannot believe the first trimester is almost over and I have not had ANY morning sickness or nausea of any kind. Hopefully I don't get any in the second trimester.

[cressicaw@hotmail.com]

tortillia - Yes, the cat was let out of the bag today. I am almost 10 weeks and the doctor said I can breath easier... and I just couldn't hold it in anymore. I know this varies for a lot of women but I felt this was the right time.

helen - welcome! I feel the same way. I am kind of getting a little depressed because I too am very active and I feel like I always end up on the couch napping but if that is what it takes, so be it. I would just LOVE to be able to exercise but doc says not till second tri-mester... so I guess I'm a couch potatoe for a coupel more weeks since this is all supposed to ease up by week 12-13

QUESTION - Is everyone getting a flu-shot? I just don't know what to do.

[lw918]

Hey girls!

Cressicaw: I think I'm opting out of the flu-shot. I know they say h1n1 is terrible for pregnant women. However, the vaccinations are live and they say pregnant women shouldn't recieve live vaccinations. Also, since they are so new I just don't feel they have any way to determine the effect it will have on people and our babies. I'm not working so my only real risk is my daughter picking it up from school. I also know that, as a nurse, if I start having even the slightest symptoms I'll be heading to a hospital and I believe it can be taken care of if I seek help. I'm just going to keep praying that all goes well
Also, I'm not getting the rest of those tests- just to normal preg. ones. When we were seeing a specialist he wanted us to have one because he has all clients have the nuchal test. We opted out. In the 2nd trimester they test for those chromosomal abnormalities. Knowing in the first trimester wasn't going to change anything for us and there is no one closer than 2.5 hours that could do the test anyway. We're just waiting.

Helen: welcome! I'm the same way- tired allll of the time! I have a friend that keeps saying "You're going to sleep your entire pregnancy away!" I know people that havn't been pregnant just don't know how tired it makes you. I also know what you mean about not wanting to complain- I just always say "But it's SOOOOOO WORTH IT!"

Liana: That was my original date, but since I'm having twins I've been bumped up. The latest they are going to let me go now is April 1st, but more than likely a bit earlier.

AFM: My first OB appointment went really well. This Dr. does not like to rely on doppler for twin heartbeats so she does a quick u/s at each visit. My mom went with me this visit so she was excited to see the babies.
Something weird that is kind of bothering me and I know it shouldn't: During both of our last two ultrasounds the babies were big enough to really see. One baby is moving NON-stop- go go go, twist, turn, jumping jacks, etc. The other baby doesn't move. I don't know why but I just felt kind of weird about it. We have another ultrasound in a few weeks and I'm going to mention it if the baby is just laying there again. My husband keeps saying that having a 2 minute ultrasound to check heartbeats really cannot be enough time to even see anything. Now, each ultrasound the baby was in a different spot. Maybe it's just lazy I know someone else having twins and she said she has one that kicks non-stop and the other is really calm and she always worries, but has been told over and over that it will probably just be a calm baby. I need to stop worrying. I'm sure both babies are just fine!
I ordered a bunch of maternity clothes off of ebay and I'm officially regular clothes- free. These maternity pants are just toooo comfy.

12 weeks on wednesday! YAY!

[EYCI]

Hi Ladies -

Thread crashing here... just wanted chime in with my 2 cents regarding flu vaccines.

The H1N1 flu shot IS NOT A LIVE flu virus. ONLY the nasal spray is the live, attenuated virus. This comes from the FDA's website:

"What makes up the Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent vaccines?
The Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccines are manufactured using the same approved processes used to produce the seasonal influenza vaccines. Ingredients used during the manufacture of influenza vaccines include substances to help prevent bacterial contamination, to inactivate or “kill” the viruses, and stabilizers to prevent the vaccine from changing. Vaccines that are packaged in multi-dose vials use a preservative to prevent contamination.
The Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent vaccines are made from a single influenza virus strain that is an A/California/7/09-like virus. For the injectible vaccines, or shots, the virus is inactivated, using the same processes the manufacturers use for seasonal influenza vaccines. The vaccine administered via nasal spray contains a live, attenuated virus."

http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccin ... 182335.htm

Both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 virus are available in thimerosol free doses. You just need to ask your doctor for them, although for pregnant women it is unlikely that they would give you one with thimerosol.

I am not saying you should or should not get the shot. Just giving you some information that I feel is accurate in all of the research that I've done. Believe me, I've gone round and round with this one myself. But, unless you never go out in public (grocery store, mall, gas station, restaurant, etc) and nobody in your house goes out in public, then you are at risk.

Why do we all need ONE MORE THING to worry about?

Good luck to all of you and hope you all have healthy and safe pregnancies!

[BabiesGalore]

I just got my CVS FISh results back and everything is normal. I am so relieved. I know this is still preliminary but at least it gives me hope. She forgot to tell me the sex so hopefully i will find out tomorrow. At least now i know there is a 99% chance that my baby will not have trisomy 13, 18, or 21.

I had a bleeding episode yesterday and it was horrible so i went in for the sono today and everything looked good. the baby was waving at us and the HB was great. The doctor said that it prob was from a blood vessel. What a weekend it was! Really scary. I totally thought that i was losing the baby from the CVS.

I can now start to enjoy this pregnancy a bit even though i know i am not out of the woods yet.

Tortilla, good luck tomorrow and get plenty of rest for the next 24 - 48 hrs after. Yes ask them to do the nuchal measurements if u want some relief while u wait for the results.

Eyci: thanks for that info. Very helpful. I am def going to get it.

Lw: am sure that the babies are doing just fine. u prob have one more active than the other. I need to start ordering my clothes now.

Cressicaw: I am def getting the shots.