Winter Cycle Friends 2009/2010 - Everyone Welcome!

[katie99]

Hazel- midwife appt on 3/24 - next u/s at 20 weeks - EDD is Sept 7
Lou- u/s on 3/29
Ronda- u/s on 3/29
Hope Yay! saw a strong HB! - EDD is Nov 7
Gi- u/s on 3/29
Ktelise- u/s on 3/24
Meganlynn- u/s on 3/19
Jacqueline-
Katie b/w on 3/30 - EDD is Oct 24
Positive thinking u/s on 3/31 EDD is Nov 14
Merri Released to OB! HR at 169!



Ashley -
Karen- released to OB! 1st appt 3/19 - EDD isOct 4
Stephanie 2 strong heartbeats 130 & 149!

[karenthescorpio]

Steph- Congrats mommie of twins! I'm so happy to hear all is ok. Big Hug.

I'm having another freak out right now with some spotting that hasnt' stopped......but no cramps or anything. I just stopped crying. Called the nurse/doctor on call and they said if it gets worse or painful, go to ER to get checked. I have my first OB appt tomorrow at 1pm. I also have the option to go back to the RE tomorrow early in the AM if it hasn't stopped. I'm so mentally exhausted from this on and off spotting. This round is just much heavier than before so I feel upset again. Nurse told me spotting is very common. But they can't tell for sure all is ok without looking...and quite frankly, nothing they can do about it. UGH. Say prayers for me. Gonna be a long night!

[ktelise]

Karen - Ugh...not again. I understand your fears but try to relax and get some sleep making the time pass by more quickly. I do understand that spotting can be very common especially when carrying twins. Remember that I had light spotting (mostly small read streaks in mucous) and went in only to find out that the bleeding was coming from the veins around my cervix because it is sensitive and there was the baby happy as a lark with a great h/b of 110. So, this really can be due to the increase in circulation to the cervix area and again this is more common when carrying twins (hey maybe I am having twins and don't know it yet...just kidding!) I pray that your spotting is something simple like this and that you get an answer tomorrow. Take care.

[lou71]

Stephanie -- Oh, thank heavens! I was praying so hard for you and I'm sooo happy that BOTH babies are alright. I'll keep you in my thoughts girl!

Karen -- I'm so sorry that you're dealing with the spotting again. I understand how scared you must be but listen to ktelise's advice from her experience... it's very likely nothing to worry about. You'll get piece of mind soon at your appt. I hope you are able to rest tonight.

Gi -- Glad your treatments are going well. What are "Chicago Bloods" that you mentioned? I've never heard that term before.

AFM -- I just got back from my spin class. I kept my heart rate between 130-150 for the most part. I felt great. I talked to the instructor who has kids of her own and she said that if you are used to working out and are fit, then as long as you don't go over your anaerobic threshold, you should be ok. I've had my AT measured and it's 165. I'll take tomorrow off from exercise I think. Still waiting for some "real" pregnancy symptoms. I'm sure once they're here, I'll be wishing they were gone!

[hjw]

Hi ladies! DH and I are just about to leave for a weekend away at a hotel on the south coast playing golf and chilling out (my birthday present from December - thank goodness my m/s has improved recently to enable me to make more of the weekend than just lying in a hotel bed feeling sorry for myself!) so I won't be able to check in with you again until Sunday. Hope you all have a good weekend...

Stephanie - I can't tell you how relieved I was to see your post when I got up this morning, you and DH must be so happy! Hoping that the bleeding and spotting has completely stopped now, and that they confirm all is OK once they review the scan today. LOVE your scan picture, definitely one for the album! Will they monitor you more closely now because of the subchorionic haemorrhage? When is your next u/s?

Karen - oh honey, I'm keeping everything crossed that the spotting slows up and doesn't mean anything.

meganlynn - good luck for your u/s today!

gi - good tip about Jamie Oliver, I cook a lot of his recipes so will definitely check out the crumble for when I'm back to cooking properly. Hope you start sleeping better soon, I think part of the problem is the long wait for that first u/s is always in the back of our minds - if you're anything like me, I kept waking up in the middle of the night thinking about it!

ktelise - so glad to hear that the spotting has stopped. Boo for the dizzy spells, headaches and bits of nausea but they won't last forever. Yes, I think we will probably find out whether we're having a boy or a girl, but my hospital doesn't tell you the sex as a matter of policy so we'll have to pay for a private scan to find out - if we do that, we probably won't do it at bang on 20 weeks as it seems better to spread out the scans to get more benefit from them (the 20 week scan is the only one I'm going to be offered by the hospital between now and the birth, unless they spot something which makes me high risk). My acupuncture lady has a feeling that I'm carrying a boy, as do I some days, but who knows... For now, we're still calling it Zorba (after the jolly Greek doctor who did my retrieval back in December)!

lou - sounds like you've got a handle on what level of exercise you can safely do. Re the constipation, increasing the amount of water you drink and upping your fibre is probably your safest bet - if you're tempted to take anything to help, check with your RE first. Bizarrely, I have had a sluggish digestive system all my life but since I got pregnant I'm as regular as anything, which is totally the other way round to how all the books say it usually happens - go figure! Yes, by all means why don't you come along to the Mum-to-be spa day? In fact, why don't we all go together and spend the day chatting about our pregnancies? Oh, how great would it be to actually be able to meet in real life...

Katie - hope that m/s carries on behaving itself and before I leave for the weekend, I must just say HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Sunday (just spotted it in my diary!). Carolyn is doing really great, one of the boys had to be monitored in hospital last weekend thanks to a bout of bronchilitis but he's doing well now. It was fun to see her for lunch (and to meet her DH, who she brought along to help juggle the babies) but scary to see how much she has her hands full with the twins! It seems so surreal to think that in another 6-7 months we're all going to have a newborn (or two, in some cases!) in our arms...

P.S. In the last week, my body seems to have replaced the morning sickness with heartburn. A pregnancy side effect that doesn't usually hit until the third trimester. Oh joy!!! I must just be lucky... I have been to the pharmacy this morning to stock up on Gaviscon (not sure whether you have it under the same name in the US?) for the weekend away!

[Positivethinking]

Stephanie: Thanks god you are okay and the babies are doing geat...That was really scrary... I love the picture you put. Congrats on the twins...How many embies did you put in there that you might had have 3?

Karen: hang in there, I am sorry you are spotting again. My friends was bleeding and spotting for her 3 first months and her son is now 4 year sold. But I know she spend the 3 months crying and being scared...I hope everything will be fine for you. Let us know how the OB visit went...As soon as you dont have any cramps, I think this is a good sign. I will be thinking of you...

AFM: Thanks you to everyone for your kind words. I am getting used to the idea I will be bored for 8 more months...However since the weather is soo beautiful in Washington DC I am really enjoying the free time walking my dog by the George Washington Parkway along the potomac...My mom is also visiting for one month in April so even if I had so many project to do once I had a job, I guess I will enjoy my free time with her (I see her once a year or so). The bathroom will be ugly for 1 or 2 more years and I will go camping near by instead of going to Peru....ohhh well ...I am counting my blessings. I am pregnant after 3 years... this is amazing...

[Arabsrcool]

Stephanie,

Hallafrickinluah! I am so happy both of your babies are doing well.! That is awesome. TWINS! WOW TWINS!. How exciting!

lou,

hehe, constipation is no fun. I had conviced myself the same thing only to realize it was constipation, not ectopic! I have done the same, upped my fiber and water. I have started stirring in benefiber to my drinks and its helping some.

karen,

oh no, not again!. I am sure everything is ok, but I know its hard to stay positive when your bleeding. I will be thinking of you.

Ronda

[katie99]

Karen aw, honey I'm sorry you're going through this. I know you dont need this extra stress at all. Thankfully your appt is today so you can have some peace of mind. Spotting is common with IVF and common with multiples so you fall into both categories. I'm sure it will be alright. Prayers for you. I'll keep checking in to hear that you and the beans are ok - xoxo

Hazel Have a great weekend away! Oooh that sounds like fun! Just take it easy on Zorba! It drives me nuts that we all live so far away - how great would it be to have a girls day out?

Positive I'm glad to hear that you're feeling good. and that you're ok with the job situation, I think things happen for a reason sometimes. think of how much added stress it would have been to make it to work on time with m/s. Are you still planning a trip home?

Lou it sounds like you're doing great! As long as you dont over do it, you need to be active. I get the impression that you'd go nuts just taking it easy.
How is the fiber situation working out?

Steph How is the twin Mommy feeling today?

AFM I feel normal today! Whoo Hoo thats 2 days in a row! And we finally have some like weather too! Now if I could just pull myself away from this site...

[Hope644]

Hi all -

I'm still feeling yucky. stayed home from work today, but i actually slept in... yay! i woke up, took my zofran and went back to sleep. was feeling so good, i didn't want to MOVE! but i finally got up when DS woke up (gave DH a break, since he did work until 2am last night - and he still always gets up with DS at 7:30am - he's such a trooper and a wonderful father- i think i mentioned, i think i'll keep him ) and strangely, felt well enough to not worry taking him downstairs. No shakiness or dizziness or major nausea. got our breakfast ready and ate with him. felt pretty good until about 9... could take the med again at 10:30 --- It works fairly well for me for the first 4 - 4.5 hrs, then I start getting icky yucky again. it's only 4mg, so if it continues, i may call and see if we could increase it a bit, because once it gets to 6 hrs, i'm trembling and have to lie down - want to curl up in a ball... to wait for it to kick in, which leaves me in panic icky mode for about 2.5 hrs or so out of every 6 - except at night - ah, i'm SO grateful for night... for now, i'm also a bit concerned that i'm a little dehydrated. (tmi warning - urine is a bit dark this am) so i am trying to pump more fluids in - but that's hard when u feel like u could easily lose 'em if u try too hard. oh well, all in the day of a life of a preggie. oh, and my mom... (she's doing well btw, thanks for those who asked - she goes back in for 6th treatment on th 25th, and hopefully the last one!!! WOO HOO!! - but i was going to say, she was pregnant 8 times - had 2 m/c and 1 son that died soon after birth - and i have 4 sisters... but she had m/s ONE day in her first pregnancy - that's IT!!! seriously? i was like, um, mom, do you think u could have spared a bit of that pregnancy bliss for your daughters?? (my 2nd sister was seriously sick for the entire 9 mo of her first pg... ) ... we are going to see her this wknd.. another surprise visit. should be good... plus, i'll have some help if i get sicky and want to rest!

ugh, enough about me!

steph - i could NOT be happier for you. I read all the posts from start to finish and was anxiously awaiting the results. WOO HOO!! TWO TWO TWO!!!! YAY! I'm SO glad they are both doing well. Hope the bleeding has stopped and you are starting to feel more at ease. they need their mommy to be relaxed! (easier said than done, right?!) well, maybe it will give u a little pleasure to have DH show his boss the NEW u/s photo! IN YOUR FACE, BOSS! Next time, why don't you stick to commenting on something you know something about - like grenades, or maybe just being stupid, you seem to be an expert at that! hahah... helps to write that kind of stuff out for me... therapy!

Karen - bless your heart, hon... you have been going thru a roller coaster of a ride. I hope the spotting has stopped. thinking of you, dear! hang in there!!!

Positive - I know you are disappointed in the job thing... u want mine? i'm so jealous of your time walking along the GW pkwy with ur pup! Things work out as they do for a reason! You will so enjoy your time with your mom... esp now that you're pg! you can shop together for baby (or babies!) enjoy your free time!! it's gonna seem rare when little one(s) come!!

Hazel - sorry about the heartburn! I had it really bad with DS - actually started having aspirations in my 3rd trimester! I had been trying to do the antiacid thing (yes, we do have gaviscon here), but it wasn't enough. I ended up taking protonix - will probably be starting back on that soon, as i've already been taking Prilosec OTC (re approved) because the acid reflux issues have made my m/s worse. Have a great time on your wonderful weekend away!! hope the heartburn stays under control!

Lou - you gym nut! good for you! I was quite heavy into my exercise routine - Pre-DS! I love working out... but I'm an all or nothing girl. I haven't worked out seriously since I got pg with DS. I stopped little by little while going thru tmt the first three times, and gained weight, felt awful.. blaa blaa.. anyway. I'm so happy that you are keeping with it. i wish i had that kind of will power and strength! hopefully when the real pg symptoms hit - they won't be so bad to slow u down.

Gi - sorry you aren't getting any rest. that stinks! but i am glad they are getting the super drugs in for the killer cells to knock 'em out!!! Hope you can get a few naps in here & there.

katie - thanks for the board updates! they are awesome. hope you are feeling good!

hi to Ronda, ktelise, meganlynn, jacqueline, merri, and ashley - hope you all are doing well!!!

hugs to all - gotta get going... ds is waking up!

[Stephanieford78]

Hope - Sorry you are feeling yucky. DH first phone call was to his platoon sergeant actually. lol He had to call him because he needed a replacement for his mission yesterday so it made sure to rub it in his face. He didn't get to show the picture yet though, have to wait till Monday for that. We actually have a bunch of pictures, but only two of the twins in the same shot. The rest say fetus A and fetus B on them. They are measuring small, not sure if they will change my due date a bit yet, still have to wait till Monday to find out.

Kaite - I am feeling nervous. I am still bleeding. I thought that it had stopped then last nightit started again. I passed a pretty big clot and filled up a pad pretty quickly, but it slowed down after. Still coming out, not quite as bright, but still red. I haven't gotten a true diagnosis of the subchorionic bleed yet, but I put myself on bed rest since that is what the internet says is recommended. I am so scared, some bleeds like this do result in miscarriage. I am not cramping, that is the only thing I have to comfort me right now.

Ronda - Thank you! I hope you are doing well!

Positive - They put three embies in me. I can't wait to find out for sure what it is for sure. From what I have read and the quick look from the doc, it's the bleed and not a miscarriage. I just hope my little peanuts stay safe and protected in their little sacs.

hjw - They should monitor me more closely, if I had a real diagnosis. I am suppose to get the call today, but we know how good this hospital is at calling. The visit with my RE for my US is Monday. After I get a real diagnosis, I should be considered high risk because of it and the twin pregnancy which should get me refered out to the hospital I want to go to.

Lou - Be careful what you wish for. lol I hope you are a part of that lucky 20% that doesn't get sick. Seems like you are doing very well. Keep up the good work mommy!

Karen - I know exactly what you are going through. I am scared to death, but luckily we have this support system so we are all here for you praying and rooting you on! Our babies will be just fine, we just have to get through this unfortunate and scary hump. Tons and bunches of hugs!! I hope things are better for you today.

Soooo.... if my bleeding hasn't stopped by tomorrow I am told to go back Monday, I think I will just talk to my RE and see what he says since my appointment is Monday. I really hope this ends! DH is so happy that it is twins, exactly what he wanted. He called everyone he could think of to spread the news. I just hope and pray that nothing bad happens. I am trying to stay positive, I really am. It would be a lot easier if things would have kept going the way they were before the bleeding. I was literally just starting to really feel great until then. BUT... have to be strong and calm, so I will do my best.

[lou71]

Katie -- Is Sunday really your birthday?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

[katie99]

Karen Hope you are alright and just had a later appt. We are waiting patiently to hear from you. You're in all of our thoughts and prayers today.

Steph A sub chorionic hemmorhage is just a pocket of blood trapped in the uterus, it has to come out vaginally or be reabsorbed. I can imagine how nerve wracking it must be to keep bleeding, but you have 2 good HBs in there, so lets just get that excess blood out of there. Rest as much as you can and drink lots of water (well every day for us preggos) I know its difficult but try to stay calm and not get all worked up. I'm so happy that you and DH got just what you wanted - twins! now maybe on Monday he'll out that platoon Sgt in his place! ( yeah, i know it wont happen with out DH getting in trouble - but its fun to think of anyway!) Thankfully you'll have another u/s on Monday and have more sono pics of the beans!

Hope UGH! i'm sorry that you're being held hostage by extreme m/s! it cant be making taking care of your DS any easier can it? Hoping they will raise your dose just to get you through the worst of it. But at least you know that your HCG levels are high and thats a sign of a healthy pg! - yeah, I know that only helps when you're not feeling like death warmed over - hope you feel better soon! And Whoo Hooo to hear that your Mom is doing much better!

Lou Yep, its true. I'll be 41 on Sunday - Eeek! it sounds so old! when did this happen? oh, right - I guess it snuck up on me during the last year of nonstop cycling and waiting to cycle, and in between cycles - he he How are you feeling?

OK I'm off to run errands - what fun - xoxoxo

[karenthescorpio]

Hi again, everyone. So my first OB appt was so awesome. Very long, but worth it. He was running an hour late and he spent nearly 1 1/2 hours with me. I think I hit the jackpot of all high risk OB's! He did alot more blood work to cover the basis that the IVF factory, I mean, clinic didn't already do. Which I thought would be nearly impossible, but they took 11 viles of blood! Wants to make sure no clotting issues are present but hidden given my family history of clots and having me start doing gestational diabetes blood sugar fasting test since I have had insulin resistance in the past...and my family has a strong history. So he's all over my case...which is just what I need. I have to go every two weeks for now. He did an abdominal ultrasound and was able to see everything he wanted to see. I personally thought it showed even more than the vaginal one. Both babies are doing fine and I feel so relieved. The bleeding has pretty much stopped and only have brown clumpy discharge. He said that is ok and normal after subchorionic bleeds. The areas are tiny now and shouldn't give me anymore trouble...for now anyway. Things can always change and I remain cautiously relieved. I'm sure once I catch up on my sleep I will feel better.

Thank you to all who were sending good thoughts and checking on me. It means very much to me. This process is even more stressful than I ever imagined...which also seems impossible when you think back a IVF stim cycle. I hope everyone is feel ok for the most part. I definitely feel pregnant. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich today and it came with a pickle spear...and the pickle was the best tasting thing I ate all day! ha!!!!!

[meganlynn]

Happy Friday Mommies!! Our first u/s went well today- I am happy to report 1 tiny baby in there with a healthy heartbeat! It was a very cool experience and I think it finally hit my DH and I that this is really happening. We got lots of pictures of our little baby! Even though I am still not feeling any different it was nice to see that things are moving right along inside my belly. Dr says and I am 6 weeks and 5 days along- how do you get one of those tickers..???
I go back in 2 weeks for another u/s- so, until then I am just going to do everything I can to make sure our little baby stays safe!
Happy to read all the good news ladies and happy baby thoughts to all the mommies.
-Megan

[ktelise]

Karen - Were you able to see the heartbeats with the abdominal ultrasound? I was wondering how soon you can see heartbeat with abdominal u/s???