November 2008 mommies, come join the fun!!!

[KathleenP]

Hi Ladies,

I had my last u/s with my RE today. Everything went really well. Babies measure 8w2d and 8w1d. Their hb were both 156 bpm. It was really exciting to hear them both beat so fast and strong. What a relief. They called me later today and said my progesterone levels are good, so I don't need to do anymore shots. Woo hoo.

I go for my first visit with my obgyn on Monday. Does anyone know what they will do at the first appt? I've read in some books that the first prenatal appointment is rather extensive, but I'm not sure if that applies to ivf-ers since we been monitored so closely already.

Hi Lynn, Good luck at your u/s tomorrow. Let us know how it goes. I can't believe you give your own progesterone injections. You're a brave lady. I guess you do what you have to to get through this.

How is everyone else? Any scans coming up?
I miss Sophie and her beautiful lists! I'd give it a shot, but I'm technologically challenged. I don't even know how to insert those happy face pictures in my posts. LOL

Have a good night.
Kathleen

[Xrayem]

Hi guys, To tired to write anymore than to say welcome newbies Deb and Lyn.

Will wirte more on the weekend when for some strange reason i think I will feel better.

I miss Sophie's lists too.

Em

[iriecricket]

Em, I hope you feel better real soon!

Kathleen, I'm glad your visit went well and that you have good news from your ultrasound. As far as the first prenatal visit with the regular ob/gyn, I've only had one with a non-IVF situation so I don't know how much help my information will be. The DR just performed a regular exam on me -- general questions about how I'm feeling, etc. (no U/S) and took some blood for testing. We also discussed what kind of screens I wanted and scheduled some of the appointments for them, including the glucose tolerance test.

I stay with my specialist through 10 weeks and then will go to the regular ob/gyn. It's funny how they all seem to do things slightly differently, isn't it?

My visit went well today. The fetus looks good and was facing right at the ultrasound wand so we got a great "face on" scan picture. The doctor has taken me off the estrogen patches but is keeping me on the progesterone at least another week. I guess with my spotting and cramping that he was a little concerned and just wants to play it safe. I feel a little better knowing that's the reason for my injection misery.

I hope everyone is having a great week and is feeling well. It's starting to feel a lot more "real" for me now.

Best,
Lynn

[Xrayem]

Hi guys,

My fertility doctor is also my obstetrician so I had great continuity of care with him. He knew my story and was sympathetic when I had fears. He was our natural choice for this baby even though we didn't use tmt. He was so pleased that we had "done it without him" and I feel safe knowing that he knew the troubles I had with the twins. He does his own basic u/s in his rooms so he really is a "one stop, baby shop!"

Am stll tired but feeling better. I went out for a friends leaving do tonight and it was so nice not to have to do the feeding/bathing/settling routine for once. I scanned myself at work today and my little blob is measuring 2.4cm which is 9w2d so it seems to have had a big growth spurt.

Hope everyone else is ok.

Em

[kmpfoley]

Hola Fellow Preggers--
Hoping all of you are doing well. I really enjoy reading all of your message. Its so nice to know that I'm not the only one with weird pregnancy happenings going on. This is my 1st pregnancy, so all these symptoms are brand new in my world. And at times, they flat out amaze me. How can something that the size of a blueberry cause so much change? I now require 9 hours sleep (it used to be 6 max) and feel like my stomach wants to do nothing but repel most food. Oddly, my waistline is definitely changing. Go figure.

But all these things equal one happy me...which may sound odd, but I'm sure you understand. I'm glad to not be feeling so well. It means there's a "Little B" growing and thats something I've wished for during the past 5 years.

I had my last appt with my ER on Mon. They did an ultrasound and we saw the heartbeat. I seriously think its the first time I've taken a deep sigh of relief since this whole process began. I know there's much more to get through, but I'm glad. I was 6w4d, so I thought there would be a very good chance we wouldn't have been able to see the little fluttering yet. It was quite cool.

I have my 1st OB appt on Mon, 4/7. And like many of you, I'm not sure what to expect either after going thru IVF, but I'll give a full report
afterwards.

Lyn-- Welcome & congrats!

Deblawson--- Ditto-- I'm totally with ya on the "holy tired, Batman." I keep telling myself its a good sign though

Iriecricket -- Wow, injecting yourself! You are to be majorly commended. I've had to do this a couple times, but not all the time. I'm very impressed-- you go, girl! Good luck on the 23rd!

Kristy -- Ditto on the beginnings of odd cravings. I'm totally not a sweets person (literally hadn't eaten icecream in over a year)...until now. I'm all about Graters Rasberry Dark Chocolate Chip. Yum & addictive, but it stays down when most stuff isn't for me. So I consider it a win!

Lola-- Loved your post--- and totally agree. Lets keep this site as updated as possible. My waistline is definitely fattening...and we're keeping my pregnancy secret for another 4 weeks. People must be saying the funniest things to themselves about my waist at work..."Geez Kris, lay off the doule whoppers with triple cheese (which I've never had in my life)." Oh well, in due time.

Em-- I hope your dad is doing better and that you're doing better. You've had a lot to deal with. When it rains, it pours. I hope ths sun comes out soon, as you totally deserve it.

Take Care Everyone!
Kris

[jen8675309]

Hi Girls!

I would love to join this thread as I too am expecting in November! I went through my first IVF last month and they transferred 2 day 3 8 celled embies. Much to my suprise and delight, they both stuck! My official due date is Nov. 26, but since they're twins, I'm sure I'll deliver the first week of November. I think there's another twin mom on this thread?

Today my mom took me maternity clothes shopping (bless her!) and it was really fun! I am already starting to need bigger clothes! The only major symptoms I have are: extremely tired, peeing all the time, hungry all the time, and getting a little bigger in the tummy! I love it! I wouldn't trade those symptoms for anything!

I'm so happy to go through this journey with others with similar circumstances! Take care, mamas!

Jen

[anacris]

Hi all,
Welcome Deb, Lynn and Jen!
Em I hope everything is better with your dad...
Jen I think there are three of us with twins now, Kathleen, you and me...

I have been sooo tired lately, and my m/s comes and goes, I have good days and bad days. I think it is because I have mild OHSS but I am showing a lot now, my clothes do not fit anymore.
I have my next u/s on 4/15 and I can not wait to see the babies and that everything is fine.

I hope everyone is great, hugs

Ana

[deblawson]

Hi ladies-

I had an OBGYN appt last week (forgot to post) and it was darn near uneventful! They told me to weigh myself and pee on a stick and write down the results for glucose, etc. They said I'd be doing this every time i came in. After a 30 minute wait in the examining room, the doctor came in (without a lab coat...kind of weird) and started her spiel. She gave me a huge folder full of brochures for everything from cord saving to what to eat to lamaze and child birth classes.

Then she did a pap which was very uncomfortable. She said that was totally normal since this is the time when you're very sensitive down there. She gave me a lab slip and I did that as well. Basically, that was it! Will see her again in 4 weeks.

I've gained about 4 pounds so far. Besides the extreme fatigue it sounds like you all are experiencing, I just got the lovely addition of morning sickness (or maybe a tummy bug) the last few days. I've read that by week 12 we should all be a heck of a lot more energetic...can't wait!!!

Is anyone else's middle back sore? Between the shoulder blades and a little below? Maybe due to bigger boobs??

[lolajones]

Hola amigas

How's everyone doing? I am so jealous of those with tickers that say 10 weeks and over! That sounds so far away right now!
It seems that you're all progressing well.
I'm still Captain Freak Out with every change in symptoms This past week has been particularly difficult, think its because this was when my m/c was last year. Today had weird low abdo pain so shlepped off home in doldrums. Better now.
Is anyone else getting odd pains? Is anyone else freaking out? Or is is just me......
Man I CANNOT wait until 12 week scan!!

Deblawson - middle back pain is the only pain I haven't had! Perhaps you're right about the boob issue though I think musculoskeletal pains are quite usual due to the relaxing of ligaments etc.

Em - how's your dad?

What shall we do about the list? Sophie's was lovely with all the little icons - I'm rubbish at those. Anyone with an artistic flair want to volunteer?

OK, I'm off to battle the kitchen - makes me so sick to even go in there - well, at least thats what I'm telling my dh... hush hush ladies

Take care
Love
Lola
xxxxxx

[doodah66]

Lola, you're not crazy for doing the freak out thing about your symptoms changing. Or if you are, then I am too!

I was getting ready for bed the other day (I work midnight shift) and when I took my bra off my breasts didn't feel as heavy or sore as they had been feeling lately. That simple little thing worried me enough that I had a dream that I'd miscarriaged into the toilet. Then that has really freaked me out!! I can't imagine having actually been through a miscarriage before and the extra worry that must go along with that. My heart goes out to everyone that's struggling with that worry.

Although I have to admit that maybe part of the reason for my dream is that within the past week we've had two 14 year olds here in Houston "not know they were pregnant" and have babies in bathrooms. One was on an airplane that arrived here at the airport where I work. Thank goodness I wasn't on duty or I would have had to go to the scene. The girl put the baby in the trash and went back to her seat like nothing had happened. The only reason the baby was found was because the aircraft cleaners found it. The initial coroner report is that the baby may have been stillborn. The other baby was born in a school bathroom and that one's just way too sad and sickening to talk about. That baby didn't make it. Talk about sad. I just can't comprehend things like that. They really p*ss me off! I want to cut the 14 year olds some slack, but deep in my heart I know they knew they were pregnant or they wouldn't have tried to hide it when their babies were born. I can't imagine how scared and confused they must have been but it still ticks me off that these babies weren't given a chance at life. Just my opinion.

Sorry, didn't mean to go off on such a tangent. It's just blowing my mind at how aware/paranoid I am about every little thing. Part of my psycho-ness is probably that I have an u/s Thurs and our last one showed the baby to be 6 days behind with a slow heart beat. I was really worried when we first got the news, then I leveled out, and now I'm in the worry phase again. The past 2 1/2 weeks have been sooooo long. I can't wait till Thurs afternoon when hopefully we'll see that everything is fine and I can take a breath.

Kristy

[iriecricket]

Kristy,
I totally agree with you about the poor babies not being given a chance. I hope you have great news on your next U/S.

I started bleeding and cramping last night and called the doctor. I had been on the road for two days and thought I overdid it rushing to catch a plane during a 25 minute connection at the airport. I went in for an ultrasound this morning and the doctor found a subchorionic hematoma in my uterus. It's basically a blood clot but mine managed to force part of the placenta to detach from my uterus. The doctor has given my pregnancy a 50/50 chance and we're just going to have to wait it out. I've been on bedrest and the bleeding has stopped so I'm just praying that everything is OK. I go back on Wednesday for another scan and then transfer to my regular OB/GYN on Thursday next week so God willing, it will all work out.

Anyway, when I was talking to my mom, I was telling her about a coworker's 15 year-old niece who is pregnant. I'm sure she'll deliver a healthy child. It just seems a little unfair. Sometimes, life is such a challenge and I find it difficult when I hear stories about teenagers dumping their babies in the trash, espeically when there are so many wonderful people having such a hard time conceiving and carrying babies full-term.

Anyway, I'll quit my rant now.

I hope everyone is doing well and feeling better!

[deblawson]

iriecricket- I am praying for you and the baby! You sound so strong...I am proud of you. We all know by this time that there are many things outside of our control on this roller coaster and all I can send is my love and hugs. Bed rest indeed.

[anacris]

Hi all,
Iriecricket - I will be praying that everything goes ok...

I had an ultrasound yesterday, I was a little bit worried because I have had strong cramping, both babies were fine, one measured 10w3d and had a HB of 178 and the other measured 10w1d and had a HB of 171. They were moving a lot!
I hope everyone is doing ok, hugs,

Ana

[lolajones]

Hello November mamas-to-be

Iriecricket - how are you feeling? Still on bed rest? I hope that things have settle and that wednesdays scan puts your mind at rest - I have my fingers crossed for you.

Ana - congrats on scan results! You have 2 strong beanies in there!

Kristy - how did your scan go on Thursday? I hope everything went well and you're feeling great.

Kris - how did your ob appointment go?

Em - hope you're ok and your dad is doing well

How's everyone else? It's been a bit quiet around here - are we all too tired to post! Thats a good sign, means out little beanies are growing.
My freak-out rate per hour has decreased but I'm still at Defcon 1. I can't believe how slowly the weeks are passing! I may have found the secret to eternal life! Anyway, counting down to my next scan which is 17 days away..... tick tock..... May crack before then and have another. Still waiting for my first ob appointment, seems to be taking ages so going to ring them tomorrow.

OK ladies, take care everyone.
I'm going to have a go at a list, it won't be as good as Sophie's so if anyone wants to jazz it up, please do. And if I mess it up or get any dates wrong let me know

Love, Lola
xxxxxxx

[lolajones]

DUE DATES

EMMA due Nov 3rd one little beanie!
SAGE due Nov 3rd
PINCUSHION due Nov 4th
ANA due Nov 5th TWINS!
JOANIE due Nov 5th
LAUREL due Nov 5th
KRISTY due Nov 7th
KATHLEEN due Nov 10th TWINS!
JENNIFER due Nov 10th, one beanie
LOLA due Nov 11th, one beanie
KRIS due Nov ??
DEBLAWSON due Nov ??
IRIECRICKET due Nov ??
JEN due Nov 26th TWINS!
LYN due Nov ??


Ultrasounds and medical appointments
?


In our thoughts and prayers
Amy and Sophie - take care friends, love, hugs and good luck xxxxx