Summer 2011 Pregnancy Group - Welcome! Pg.1 Has Intros!

[deidraj]

Hello ladies. Between recent posts and current events, I'm finding it hard not to worry. My best friend at work just had her pastor's baby die at 3 days old. The coroner ruled it out as SIDS. She died in her mom's arms. She was feeding her and she stopped breathing. The father performed CPR for 30 minutes before the EMT's got there. There was nothing they could do. My friend is heartbroken for them. It has me so worried. I finally told her that I was sad for them but it was too hard for me to talk about and I don't even know them. How do we not worry every moment of everyday? It has taken so much to get to this pregnancy and I know it can be taken away at any moment. I am sad for these families who have lost their babies. I'm hoping that I never know their pain personally. Will I ever be able to breathe easy?

[annashope]

Sorry girls I have been MIA. My sister in law just miscarried because of a sch bleed and I am so terribly sad for her.We were just 3 days apart.

[baby_blu73]

Rio - YAY for a great u/s! A happy wiggle bean is always so much fun to watch!

Gina - Sorry to hear about DH feeling the need to share. CONGRATS on SCH getting smaller!!!

Mellow - I always get so happy to hear a good u/s report from you! Doctors can be so... technical... at times. Though I fully understand their cautiousness, sometimes it's nice to just be happy and worry free (well, not AS worried). I love how optimistic of a person you are, it's very refreshing!

Deidra - Wow, that's just awful! My heart goes out to that family. My perspective on your question is that's the definition of motherhood... NEVER being able to breathe easy again. But all the worry is well worth it!

Anna - I'm so very sorry to hear about your SIL. Your family will be in my prayers. Take all the time you need to be with her through this horrible experience.

[mellow4]

Oh Anna, I am so sorry. These bleeds are so scary. I pray you are able to be of some comfort to her. Hang in there.

Deidra, there will be lots of hold your breath moments as a Mama. It just comes with the territory. It hard to hear the bad news when it comes...all we can have is hope that things will be okay for us. Try not to worry.

Stephanie, thank you. How are you doing, and feeling these days?

Gina, have they told you the size of your SCH? Here's to hoping it's getting smaller! Have you been taking it easy or just doing what must be done since you have a young one at home? They put me on pretty restricted activity, and said it's quite large..the only measurement of it that I saw was 8cm...but that was just the length, it's not that thick thankfully.

[MamaBoo]

I am so sorry to hear of the SCH's on this thread. I thought I might offer some hope. I had a SCH when I was pregnant with my son. I read a lot about it on the internet and it said that it only causes mc in about 3-5% of cases. Of course, I still worried. However, thankfully, it resolved itself and I had a healthy baby boy born the day before his due date. I am cheering for you all!

[Happy Bunny]

Bah... I'm having some serious fears. On Wednesday, we are doing the anatomy scan - it's early but the doctor says that they should be able to see everything. Of course, I'm excited to see the baby but I'm terrified that something will be wrong. Also, we're going to do the 2nd trimester quad test (blood test for abnormalities)... This scares me too.

The first trimester was a nervous time because of the increased risk of miscarriage but the second trimester has it's rough times too with all this testing for abnormalities. I can hardly wait until we hit the viable mark.

On a positive note, we should be able to find out the gender on Wednesday.

[DandMe]

Bah... I'm having some serious fears. On Wednesday, we are doing the anatomy scan - it's early but the doctor says that they should be able to see everything. Of course, I'm excited to see the baby but I'm terrified that something will be wrong. Also, we're going to do the 2nd trimester quad test (blood test for abnormalities)... This scares me too.

The first trimester was a nervous time because of the increased risk of miscarriage but the second trimester has it's rough times too with all this testing for abnormalities. I can hardly wait until we hit the viable mark.

On a positive note, we should be able to find out the gender on Wednesday.

Barbara I know you're not alone... I'm having my blood tests for abnormalities on the 19th, and having a (non-medical) 3D scan on the 24th. My 20 week scan is not until Feb 16th. I think about it, but really, even with my 1/135 chance of something being wrong is about .06%

I know it's a bit easier for me because I've had a super boring pregnancy, and I'm sure my fears would be higher if I'd had challenges... but try to keep yourself positive and engage in good thoughts and distractions!! Yesterday I started sewing my baby's quilt (one of a few I have planned) and it really made me feel super maternal and positive.

Yay for finding out the gender!!! We're not going to find out - we want it to be a surprise. Sometimes I change my mind on that and want to know but ultimately we want to wait to see what the delivery room brings.

I'm getting more nervous about the birth than anything else! LOL

Are you hoping for a boy or a girl? Any names picked out yet??

[DandMe]

Sorry girls I have been MIA. My sister in law just miscarried because of a sch bleed and I am so terribly sad for her.We were just 3 days apart.

That's really sad... and must have a profound impact on you. How is she doing? Did she have difficulty with conception? Sending all my best wishes..

[DandMe]

Hello ladies. Between recent posts and current events, I'm finding it hard not to worry. My best friend at work just had her pastor's baby die at 3 days old. The coroner ruled it out as SIDS. She died in her mom's arms. She was feeding her and she stopped breathing. The father performed CPR for 30 minutes before the EMT's got there. There was nothing they could do. My friend is heartbroken for them. It has me so worried. I finally told her that I was sad for them but it was too hard for me to talk about and I don't even know them. How do we not worry every moment of everyday? It has taken so much to get to this pregnancy and I know it can be taken away at any moment. I am sad for these families who have lost their babies. I'm hoping that I never know their pain personally. Will I ever be able to breathe easy?

Remember that for every tragedy, even though there are thousands of happy stories of births and healthy childhoods the only ones people talk about are the sad ones, the heartbreaking ones. I know it's hard to not worry, but if I might suggest something that works for me... take a look around at all the children the next time you go to the mall, or drive past a school. There are many, many more happy stories than sad ones. And honestly, as a mother of two young adult boys, when we become parents, the risk of losing a child is ALWAYS there.... they do dangerous things, they get sick, they get cancer, they drink, they experiment with sex and drugs... This is motherhood... there's no way to avoid the worry... but we can't afford to dwell on it... or we'll be miserable!! Happy, positive thoughts are the strongest weapon you have.

[DandMe]

Today I met with the MFM, and things went pretty well. He is concerned about the size of the bleed, and is keeping me on bed rest until we can get it healed. The babies both look great, but he warned that it's still 50/50 with a bleed like this. I am determined to prove him wrong. It was a really cool ultrasound today and they showed both babies in 3D, they do have separate placentas, and one measures two days ahead of schedule with the other one right on. They are little wigglers! So cute. He said he won't let me go beyond 38 weeks, but I don't think we will even get there based on my history. I feel much more comfortable with this hospital than the one we delivered our son at, and it has a level 3 NICU...so that is a lot of peace of mind right there. I go back in 2 weeks. Off I go to be as lazy as possible!

How are you all doing? I am hoping it's been uneventful since there haven't been many updates.

Mellow, how wonderful to get another look at your babes!! I love your determination. They are, in my mind, already miracle babies and just as determined as their mama. Do you have photos? It sounds really positive about the new hospital and the medical attention available if it's needed. Enjoy being lazy and looking forward to your next update... do you have a doppler??

[Happy Bunny]

Bah... I'm having some serious fears. On Wednesday, we are doing the anatomy scan - it's early but the doctor says that they should be able to see everything. Of course, I'm excited to see the baby but I'm terrified that something will be wrong. Also, we're going to do the 2nd trimester quad test (blood test for abnormalities)... This scares me too.

The first trimester was a nervous time because of the increased risk of miscarriage but the second trimester has it's rough times too with all this testing for abnormalities. I can hardly wait until we hit the viable mark.

On a positive note, we should be able to find out the gender on Wednesday.

Barbara I know you're not alone... I'm having my blood tests for abnormalities on the 19th, and having a (non-medical) 3D scan on the 24th. My 20 week scan is not until Feb 16th. I think about it, but really, even with my 1/135 chance of something being wrong is about .06%

I know it's a bit easier for me because I've had a super boring pregnancy, and I'm sure my fears would be higher if I'd had challenges... but try to keep yourself positive and engage in good thoughts and distractions!! Yesterday I started sewing my baby's quilt (one of a few I have planned) and it really made me feel super maternal and positive.

Yay for finding out the gender!!! We're not going to find out - we want it to be a surprise. Sometimes I change my mind on that and want to know but ultimately we want to wait to see what the delivery room brings.

I'm getting more nervous about the birth than anything else! LOL

Are you hoping for a boy or a girl? Any names picked out yet??

Thank you! Hopefully, this will be the last round of worrisome medical testing. I'm at the point where I just want to be left alone (by doctors) to enjoy our pregnancy.

You are so patient for waiting to find out the gender! Are you getting set up with gender neutral colors like yellow and green?

We have selected the names Eli James and Brooke Marie. Hopefully, on Wednesday, we will learn which it will be. I don't have a preference for gender - either way, I'm going to be really happy. I have a gut feeling that the baby is a girl but my gut feelings are usually inaccurate. I am looking forward to using a pronoun instead of calling the baby Boingy (because of all the movement, lol).


Also... Has anyone started on their baby room? We're waiting for this next round of tests and then are going to start getting the room ready.

[annashope]

Girls thanks you so much for your kind warm words. My SIL is doing as well as can be. She doesn't have infertility but as much as we all think "oh she can just get pregnant again" she is really heartbroken and so am I for her. We always hear that once you see a heartbeat your chances of a successful pregnancy increase by much but this was a case where the sub chorionic bleed just got worse and worse over a span of a week. My husband woke me up at 1 am and told me that my brother called and that he and my sil were at the hospital and that they lost the baby ( no more heartbeat) and after that we just couldn't sleep. After our loss this summer I guess this just felt like reliving that experience. Ugh thank you for letting me vent.

deidraj I am with Sonya in that as a parent you do worry all the time but we just say a daily prayer and try to enjoy your life.

Mellow I am so looking for ward to seeing a picture of your little miracles you are always in my prayers

AFM We had our 8 week ultrasound last Thursday and got to see little arms and legs on the baby. It was so cute. The baby's heart rate was 168 so our RE told us to schedule an appt with our OB and that we would only see him 1 more week but I am gonna try to stretch it to 2 more weeks. Seeing the baby every week gives me such a peace of mind and I know that once we are transferred to an OB we will hardly ever get to see the baby.

So here is my question for anyone who can answer it- how soon can I use a Doppler to listen to the baby's heart rate at home?

[kizmet]

Mellow - Glad to hear the bleed isn't getting any worse and that both babes are doing well. Good on you for your PMA!

Annashope - So sorry to hear about your SIL. My niece was about 2 weeks behind me and miscarried just prior to Christmas. Like ours, her baby was much anticipated and longed for, so it was absolutely devastating for her to lose it, both physically (she very near bled to death) and emotionally (her parents, my brother and his wife, are extremely religious and didn't approve of her trying for a baby before she was married and they told her she deserved to lose the baby and nearly lose her own life as it was God's punishment).

[klinger13]

Annashope - I'm so sorry to hear about your SIL. Sending thoughts and prayers her way. As for your question about the doppler, I know it can vary but we were able to find the h/b on our home doppler at 9w5d.

Barbara - So cool that you'll be finding out the gender on Wednesday! Woo-hoo!! We've selected the bedding for our registry and our color scheme will be a mint green & brown. We are going to find out the gender (hopefully on 2/22 at our "big" u/s) but we still want gender neutral decor. Since we live in an apartment complex, decor will be minimal - most likely wall hangings or things that won't require us to repaint when we leave. I think once we have that appointment on the 22nd and see that all is ok, we'll really go to town with purchases and setup of the nursery.

[DandMe]

Girls thanks you so much for your kind warm words. My SIL is doing as well as can be. She doesn't have infertility but as much as we all think "oh she can just get pregnant again" she is really heartbroken and so am I for her. We always hear that once you see a heartbeat your chances of a successful pregnancy increase by much but this was a case where the sub chorionic bleed just got worse and worse over a span of a week. My husband woke me up at 1 am and told me that my brother called and that he and my sil were at the hospital and that they lost the baby ( no more heartbeat) and after that we just couldn't sleep. After our loss this summer I guess this just felt like reliving that experience. Ugh thank you for letting me vent.

deidraj I am with Sonya in that as a parent you do worry all the time but we just say a daily prayer and try to enjoy your life.

Mellow I am so looking for ward to seeing a picture of your little miracles you are always in my prayers

AFM We had our 8 week ultrasound last Thursday and got to see little arms and legs on the baby. It was so cute. The baby's heart rate was 168 so our RE told us to schedule an appt with our OB and that we would only see him 1 more week but I am gonna try to stretch it to 2 more weeks. Seeing the baby every week gives me such a peace of mind and I know that once we are transferred to an OB we will hardly ever get to see the baby.

So here is my question for anyone who can answer it- how soon can I use a Doppler to listen to the baby's heart rate at home?

There are a few things that are really important with those early ultrasounds.... including yolk sac size, gestational sac size and heart rate... and considering there is no bleeding, placenta is well placed.... yadda yadda..... I personally think that if those things are all in place you're pretty much golden... the three month/twelve week 'now you are safe' thing comes from the fact that MOST women don't get a heartbeat check/ultrasound doctor appointment until that time! I see so many women hitting that first appointment to find out they've had missed miscarriages, or blighted ovums. Most of the embryos in missed miscarriages measure around 6-8 weeks... barely enough time for a heartbeat to start, or not at all.

I know that those early ultrasounds with our IVF clinics are wonderful! I don't blame you for wanting to wait another week at all! I heart my first heartbeat between 9 and 10 weeks with our doppler... it takes practice and make sure it's not your heartbeat. It really does sound like galloping horses! Remember it's going to be really low, behind your pubic bone, so you'll have to go slow and use different angles, and wait a few seconds before moving the wand around.