I am now 16 weeks and I have been feeling the baby moving around over the last couple of days. It is so cool! It feels like a little fish or frog swimming around in my lower pelvis. It's not strong, but I know it's nothing I've ever felt in my body before.
Monitoring movement has given me something to do while I'm quarantined in the bed with my head on an icepack. My headaches have come back with a vengeance over the last couple of weeks. I don't know if it is the increasing blood volume and my blood vessels dilating or what, but it's been a headache almost everyday lately. Nosebleeds are more under control though.
I bought my first belly band yesterday, because my pants are getting pretty tight and unfortable in the waist. And my appetite has gone way up. I need to eat something every 3 hours. I don't think weight gain is going to be a problem, now that I past the first trimester.
Yay for the new year! I am very excited to but 2011 to bed. Time to roll out the New Years Resolutions. Last year, I resolved to mediate 30 min/day. That lasted about 2 days. This year, it is going to be to start waking up early (7am) and going to bed around 10pm. I want to spend less time surfing the net and more time walking my dog. I love reading blogs, but I have to say it's become a bit of a bad habit in that I am not attending to things that need to get done around the house. So maybe limit my internet time to 30 minutes a day. We'll see!
I am almost to to my quota, so I will sign off! Happy New year to all of you and may the New Year bring you much peace and happiness!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Rhinitis and Merry Xmas!
Well, I think my cold is actually rhinitis of pregnancy. I am 15 weeks today and saw this on babycenter corresponding to week 15 of pregnancy:
If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.
I went to the ENT a couple of days ago, but he didn't want to do anything about my nosebleeds without the blessing of my OB, so I'm just putting lots of ointment up my nose and sleeping with a humidifier on my face. Seems to be helping some.
I guess out of all the side effects to have this isn't too bad. I would rather have this than hemmorhoids or hyperemesis.
I wish I could say I have a bump, but I don't yet. [Sigh.] Maybe in another month?
I met with a friend of mine who is 29 weeks pregnant; she did donor egg IVF and was the first person who told me about IVF. Our local acupuncturist set us up. We were talking about the need for an infertility support group in our area. I would like to start one, but who am I kidding? I am pregnant, so I don't know if people would really appreciate seeing a pregnant woman when coming to a infertility support group (sounds like an oxymoron). However, I feel like I have alot of information and experience to share. This will probably go on the backburner, but what do you guys think about a pegnant woman starting a infertiliy support group?
I can't believe Christmas is in 3 days - doesn't feel like it. I wish this rain were snow. We are doing a low-key Christmas with my family (2 1/2 hours away). Most of my shopping is done except for stocking stuffers.
Christmas is a marker in the life of the infertile; "By next Christmas, we will have a baby or I will be pregnant. . . " I am so thankful that this year my prayers have been answered and my heart goes out to all of you who are still in the trenches and I hope that 2012 brings lots of BFP's and healthy pregnancies and babies to everyone.
If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.
I went to the ENT a couple of days ago, but he didn't want to do anything about my nosebleeds without the blessing of my OB, so I'm just putting lots of ointment up my nose and sleeping with a humidifier on my face. Seems to be helping some.
I guess out of all the side effects to have this isn't too bad. I would rather have this than hemmorhoids or hyperemesis.
I wish I could say I have a bump, but I don't yet. [Sigh.] Maybe in another month?
I met with a friend of mine who is 29 weeks pregnant; she did donor egg IVF and was the first person who told me about IVF. Our local acupuncturist set us up. We were talking about the need for an infertility support group in our area. I would like to start one, but who am I kidding? I am pregnant, so I don't know if people would really appreciate seeing a pregnant woman when coming to a infertility support group (sounds like an oxymoron). However, I feel like I have alot of information and experience to share. This will probably go on the backburner, but what do you guys think about a pegnant woman starting a infertiliy support group?
I can't believe Christmas is in 3 days - doesn't feel like it. I wish this rain were snow. We are doing a low-key Christmas with my family (2 1/2 hours away). Most of my shopping is done except for stocking stuffers.
Christmas is a marker in the life of the infertile; "By next Christmas, we will have a baby or I will be pregnant. . . " I am so thankful that this year my prayers have been answered and my heart goes out to all of you who are still in the trenches and I hope that 2012 brings lots of BFP's and healthy pregnancies and babies to everyone.
Friday, December 16, 2011
The dreaded cold
I caught a cold, which is not surprising considering the amount of people I was around last weekend at the wedding Lots of close talkers. My huband's jacket had dried spit marks on the shoulders from people spraying while attempting to have a conversation with him over the band music.
The only good thing about this cold is that it is moisturizing my nasal passages and giving me some relief from the chronic nosebleeds I have been experiencing lately. 2 nights ago I just laid my head down on my pillow and my nose started bleeding spontaneously. I think it's all this extra blood flow and volume I have going on. I had a capillary in my right nostril cauterized with silver oxide at the ENT this time last year and I really don't want to go that route again. Very uncomfortable and I don't think it actually worked that well.
My humidifier sucks. It's extremely loud and barely has any output. I ordered a new one on Amazon yesterday and am considering taking this one back to Walmart. But I hate going to Walmart, especially this time of year. Does anyone have a brand of humidifier that they like?
Last night, I watched Secretariat. I had always resisted seeing this movie for some reason, but I am running out of things to rent on Netflix. It was a great movie and a true story. I remember when I was explaining how IVF works to my aunt and she said, that's like Secretariat. So if you need a feel good movie for the holidays, this is a good one.
I started reading this book by the woman who created the Dooce blog. I seriously laughed until I was crying last night. She did not have infertility issues (knocked up the second month of trying), but she is so funny, you forgive her. I found it at the public library and I figured I might as well read about post partum depression and get myself prepared the that, because I saw a graph of what my are hormones do after pregnancy (it's like a complete cliff dive) and I'm a little scared it might send me off into the deep end.
The only good thing about this cold is that it is moisturizing my nasal passages and giving me some relief from the chronic nosebleeds I have been experiencing lately. 2 nights ago I just laid my head down on my pillow and my nose started bleeding spontaneously. I think it's all this extra blood flow and volume I have going on. I had a capillary in my right nostril cauterized with silver oxide at the ENT this time last year and I really don't want to go that route again. Very uncomfortable and I don't think it actually worked that well.
My humidifier sucks. It's extremely loud and barely has any output. I ordered a new one on Amazon yesterday and am considering taking this one back to Walmart. But I hate going to Walmart, especially this time of year. Does anyone have a brand of humidifier that they like?
Last night, I watched Secretariat. I had always resisted seeing this movie for some reason, but I am running out of things to rent on Netflix. It was a great movie and a true story. I remember when I was explaining how IVF works to my aunt and she said, that's like Secretariat. So if you need a feel good movie for the holidays, this is a good one.
I started reading this book by the woman who created the Dooce blog. I seriously laughed until I was crying last night. She did not have infertility issues (knocked up the second month of trying), but she is so funny, you forgive her. I found it at the public library and I figured I might as well read about post partum depression and get myself prepared the that, because I saw a graph of what my are hormones do after pregnancy (it's like a complete cliff dive) and I'm a little scared it might send me off into the deep end.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Post Wedding Weekend
I survived the wedding weekend, even though I had to suffer through 2 migraines. One started during rehearsal dinner (possibly triggered by fellow bridesmaid's strong perfume). I had to miss the wedding day brunch on Saturday which was hosted at my mom's house. I hid at my grandmother's house. Thankfully, the migraine subsided for the actual wedding ceremony and reception. The band was incredible, though I did not throughly get into the dancing as much as usual due to being completely stone cold sober. One of my cousin's bridesmaids, who is a 34 year old doctor, pulled out the worm on stage. I was in awe. I think the last time I did the worm was 20 years ago! In case you need a refresher on the worm, here is this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io6zGgZILYc
Needless to say, I woke up the next morning and felt like I had drunk a bottle of champagne. Another migraine. It completely sucked! I think it was the overstimulation of loud music, yelling over the music, salty food and freezing my ass off in a strapless dress in December. Tylenol doesn't help much.
I did share my news with my friends this weekend and everyone was so genuinely excited for us. My hometown is small and my mom has probably told half the town my troubles with getting pregnant. In a way, sharing the news is like an initiation into the "Club." People love to talk about their kids and now I can be interested and excited, instead of bitter and uncomfortable. It's weird, but I do feel a little bit of survivor's guilt. I don't want people to think this was an easy thing for us. So I preface the news, we are "finally" pregnant. I have absolutely no shame in doing IVF to get pregnant. I thought the whole process was fascinating and I am would happy to talk to anybody who is having trouble getting pregnant about it. I feel like it saved our life and our marriage in a way.
I ran into a friend at that wedding who is doing IVF at CCRM and she told me they have 11 normal embryos waiting for them! I am so excited for her. She did about 3 (or more) unsuccessful cycles in MS and decided she would go to Colorado for last resort. I can't believe she had that awesome of a result. Surely, there's a take home baby in there somewhere.
Well, those are the highlights of the weekend (minus migraines). I have had nice day recovering. My husband is on a business trip for 4 days in Denver, so I am enjoying the peace and quiet. Now time to get going with Christmas gifts for the fam. If Christmas came more than once a year, you'd have to put me in Whitfield (what my grandmother used to say all the time - Whitfield is a mental hospital in MS).
Love to all you out there - I am so excited about these great betas and BFP's that are popping up everywhere!
Needless to say, I woke up the next morning and felt like I had drunk a bottle of champagne. Another migraine. It completely sucked! I think it was the overstimulation of loud music, yelling over the music, salty food and freezing my ass off in a strapless dress in December. Tylenol doesn't help much.
I did share my news with my friends this weekend and everyone was so genuinely excited for us. My hometown is small and my mom has probably told half the town my troubles with getting pregnant. In a way, sharing the news is like an initiation into the "Club." People love to talk about their kids and now I can be interested and excited, instead of bitter and uncomfortable. It's weird, but I do feel a little bit of survivor's guilt. I don't want people to think this was an easy thing for us. So I preface the news, we are "finally" pregnant. I have absolutely no shame in doing IVF to get pregnant. I thought the whole process was fascinating and I am would happy to talk to anybody who is having trouble getting pregnant about it. I feel like it saved our life and our marriage in a way.
I ran into a friend at that wedding who is doing IVF at CCRM and she told me they have 11 normal embryos waiting for them! I am so excited for her. She did about 3 (or more) unsuccessful cycles in MS and decided she would go to Colorado for last resort. I can't believe she had that awesome of a result. Surely, there's a take home baby in there somewhere.
Well, those are the highlights of the weekend (minus migraines). I have had nice day recovering. My husband is on a business trip for 4 days in Denver, so I am enjoying the peace and quiet. Now time to get going with Christmas gifts for the fam. If Christmas came more than once a year, you'd have to put me in Whitfield (what my grandmother used to say all the time - Whitfield is a mental hospital in MS).
Love to all you out there - I am so excited about these great betas and BFP's that are popping up everywhere!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
13 weeks - Pink or Blue?
I have made it through the first trimester! I had a doctor's appt today. Pretty routine stuff. Got my flu shot. My doctor found the baby's heartbeat (151 bpm) with the fetal doppler. I will not go back to see her until Jan 3. That will be the longest time without seeing a doctor since before we started IVF. I feel free!
At last week's 12 wk NT ultrasound, we found out the sex of our baby and it's a BOY! We are revealing this tomorrow to my parents in person. I have the little pics that point out his little package.
Now that I know that I am having a little boy, it seems alot more real to me. We are already thinking of names and whether to circumcise or not. We will have a good long time to ponder these things.
The nausea and fatigue seems to be lessening. I am taking prenatal yoga classes 1x/week which is nice (I'm the smallest belly in the class). It's great to be at the point that I feel good about sharing the news with people outside family and close friends, though I am not ready for a FB announcement and don't know if I ever will be. I am in my cousin's wedding this weekend, so that should be alot of fun. Lots of socializing, eating, and dancing to look forward to.
Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!
At last week's 12 wk NT ultrasound, we found out the sex of our baby and it's a BOY! We are revealing this tomorrow to my parents in person. I have the little pics that point out his little package.
Now that I know that I am having a little boy, it seems alot more real to me. We are already thinking of names and whether to circumcise or not. We will have a good long time to ponder these things.
The nausea and fatigue seems to be lessening. I am taking prenatal yoga classes 1x/week which is nice (I'm the smallest belly in the class). It's great to be at the point that I feel good about sharing the news with people outside family and close friends, though I am not ready for a FB announcement and don't know if I ever will be. I am in my cousin's wedding this weekend, so that should be alot of fun. Lots of socializing, eating, and dancing to look forward to.
Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
12 weeks
Phew! Made it to 12 weeks. I am completely off the supplemental hormones and have "graduated" from CCRM. It's a little scary not to be on hormone support, but so nice not to have to drive to Tupelo just for a blood draw.
Today was our NT scan at the perinatologist's office in Memphis. We had a great ultrasound. The NT measurement was 1.4, so low risk for problems. It was so amazing seeing our little baby moving around. Placenta looks high and the u/s tech said it is posterior which means I may begin to feel movement around 16 weeks! Heartrate was 161. Overall, I am very pleased with the results, even though they are not entirely conclusive. We'll have to wait on lab results from the first blood draw and then another one in 4 weeks. I can feel my uterus starting to come up over my pubic bone, but still not a noticable bump and clothes fit the same. I have maybe gained a pound. I think it's because I am on synthroid which increases my metabolism.
I have a slight headache, so am going to keep this short and sweet. I am thinking about everyone out in the blogosphere, esecially Newbie at Infertile in the City who is now awaiting genetic testing of her embryos and Krista at The Infertility Road who is PUPO!
Today was our NT scan at the perinatologist's office in Memphis. We had a great ultrasound. The NT measurement was 1.4, so low risk for problems. It was so amazing seeing our little baby moving around. Placenta looks high and the u/s tech said it is posterior which means I may begin to feel movement around 16 weeks! Heartrate was 161. Overall, I am very pleased with the results, even though they are not entirely conclusive. We'll have to wait on lab results from the first blood draw and then another one in 4 weeks. I can feel my uterus starting to come up over my pubic bone, but still not a noticable bump and clothes fit the same. I have maybe gained a pound. I think it's because I am on synthroid which increases my metabolism.
I have a slight headache, so am going to keep this short and sweet. I am thinking about everyone out in the blogosphere, esecially Newbie at Infertile in the City who is now awaiting genetic testing of her embryos and Krista at The Infertility Road who is PUPO!
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