Delivery options

I had a detailed discussion with one of the providers at the OB practice. It was sort of what I expected. She tried to scare me with the worst case scenarios. Here is the gist of it -

They don't let their GD patients to go beyond 40 wks in any scenario. They don't let their GD patients who have to use medication to control it beyond 39 weeks. Also, they're ok with VBAC as long as you go into labor before 40 wks. Again, you can't go beyond 40 wks for VBAC. I'm pretty sure I'll get GD later because of my own history with it and my family history. The doctor suggested I check with the maternal fetal specialist in a few weeks and get on Metformin. I don't want to be on medication without any reason, I'm very anti-pills but I'll do this if this means skipping GD this time around. The risk with GD is premature aging of the placenta. I don't know how much risk is there but she kept switching between premature placenta aging and uterine rupture risks. When I asked her about monitoring the aging of placenta on u/s (as I know this is what my previous doctor did), she brought up uterine rupture scenario. Argh. So according to this practice policies, I am just a perfect candidate for a scheduled C though she didn't utter those words, I got that impression.

The plan now is to ditch this practice. They are not VBAC friendly (which I suspected to begin with) and they're also not in favor of GD patients going overdue. I have talked to a friend whose OB seems in favor of VBAC. Good thing they take my insurance! I'm going to talk to the practice next week or so.

Another lead I have is I've contacted someone from ICAN website who is a birth doula. Since we have not experienced this before and are not familiar with what kind of scare tactics the doctor/nurses/hospital staff might throw at us at the last minute to pressure us into a repeat-C, it is a good idea to have someone experienced. I just hope she calls me and it all works out. She will also have some other VBAC friendly doctor recommendations I'm sure. Fingers crossed!!

16wk: In maternity pants

Today is the first day in maternity pants. They're really loose in the middle but are holding up. I am comfortable. That is the good thing. I've been wearing my regular pants with the bella band but it wasn't comfortable and I always had to adjust it. I'll still use the band since the regular pants fit me fine except in the waist.

Another noteworthy thing today is that I'm finally above my pre-pregnancy weight. Yay! I have quite a belly already but hadn't gained any weight, rather lost some. So the weight gain starts at 16wks. I think I'll gain around 15lb this time around. Now I can start keeping track of how much I'm gaining weekly (or monthly).

The nausea has almost disappeared by now. I'll get it once a day, around dinner time but that is vast improvement over the all day event that was going on a few weeks ago. This may be the reason for finally seeing some movement in the scale.

Baby movements - Some days he's really active, like yesterday. I felt him move at least 10 times while eating lunch. Other days are like today - barely any movement since morning. I think he's sleeping. I'll eat lunch in a few minutes and hope he starts moving then. Grow baby grow.

I think I haven't mentioned that I passed the 3hr Gestational Diabetes test. I was tested early this pregnancy because of having had GD in previous pregnancy. I passed! Numbers -
Fasting - 75
1 hour - 163
2 hour - 129
3 hour - 110

14wk6day: Feeling the baby

Now there is no question these are indeed baby movements I've been feeling. I'm very surprised (and happy). I wasn't expecting to feel until like 18-20 wks and was thinking of getting a doppler to listen to the HB at home. At my 11wk5d appointment, I asked the doctor her opinion on home dopplers and she said they're waste of money and cause parents a lot of anxiety. She said they see it a lot. I decided against getting it. Last thing I need is more stress. Looks like the baby decided to cooperate and let me know of his presence early on!! Thank you God!

I should get my GTT results today. Not anxious about it surprisingly. I'll be fine if I get it as it would make me kick my butt into proper diet and exercise. Speaking of which, I'm at 0 gain or loss right now. My appetite is still not back and there is a little nausea here and there but mostly it is gone.

I think the honeymoon stage of pregnancy is starting!! I can feel the baby, nausea is gone, the only other thing I want gone is the tiredness. Sleeping on the couch at 8PM is not fun. I haven't been doing any knitting or other crafting (except while waiting at the doctor's office). I have so many unfinished projects it makes my head hurt thinking about them. Once the baby comes I'll not have time for anything for at least an year.

14wk1day: GTT tomorrow

Fasting starts now. I had rice(1/4 cup) and schezuan beans for dinner. Hope the bloodsugar isn't too high tomorrow. I have not been consistent with eating dinners because I usually don't have any appetite at night. I just have something snacky instead. Thought I should eat dinner tonight because I won't get to eat breakfast tomorrow. Test is at 8:45AM and goes on until 11:45AM.

I think I'll do a belly shot this weekend. There is definitely enough to see. My weight has dropped a bit from pre-pregnancy weight but the doctor doesn't seem concerned so I won't either. With DS, I remember I had gained 3-4 lb by the end of first tri. Overall weight gain with him was about 12-14 lb. This time it might be going the same way. I had the weight progress sheet from the doctor but it seems to have been lost :-o I has been more than 5 yrs and 2 moves so I'm not surprised just disappointed.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.

14 weeks! I think I'm in love

Upon seeing the BFP this time around, I didn't jump up and down with joy. I was very cautious. Didn't want to get attached to this baby early and get my heart broken. I tested very early, despite promising myself that I wouldn't. I had the symptoms and couldn't wait to test until 15DPO so I tested 5 days too early. I knew it could all vanish before I had even missed my period. At the time, I just had to remind myself of not thinking of anything beyond 'just a positive test, nothing else. It doesn't mean anything'. For a long time I kept testing just to see the test strip get darker and darker. Then came a point where the test strip was stealing all the dye from the control line and won't get any darker! I stopped testing eventually.
Saw the baby at 6wks and at 7wks. Recently had the NT scan and saw him again at 12wks. I can't not think in terms of baby now. I'm planning projects in my head, thinking about the nursery. We've told the families now and DS is very excited. So now is the time to be cautiously excited.

13wk6d: Feeling movements?

I have been feeling flutters at random times - usually once or twice a day. They're not gas, nor any other sensation. They do seem like baby movements and are in the right area. Not a 100% sure, but they do feel like it. With DS, I didn't feel movements until like 22 wks. Maybe it was the position of the placenta that time?
This is really early for feeling movements but not unheard of.

I'm going to schedule my 3hr GTT today. I've been avoiding it but it has to be done unfortunately. I'm not worried about being put on a diet. My biggest concern is having to take insulin like I did with DS. This time I'm going to try my best to avoid it. Certainly it is way to early for insulin. I have talked to the potential doctor if I do end up with GD again (which I'm sure I will, hoping not this early!) and told him my concerns. Fingers crossed!

Results for the Quad screening came back great! Down Syndrome risk was reduced from 1/400 to 1/8000 and Trisomy risk from 1/300 to 1/7000. The initial odds are calculated solely on your age and then the blood test and u/s results combined give the actual risk ratio. This is just a screening so they use this to filter out candidates for more testing - CVS and Amnio.

12wk2d: First tri screening and NT Scan

Saw the little bug on the ultrasound today. It has hands and feet! It has eyes! And was squirming around a lot. Doctor got the measurement of fluid behind the neck and I'm pretty sure it was 1.57. I think that was good because the doctor mentioned he was very happy with it. I wasn't much concerned about this screening before going in. Once I got into the lab, they had a counselor talk to me about the screening, what it will tell us, what are the risk factors, etc. Once I looked at the statistics and listened to her talk, I got concerned. When I was pregnant with DS, this test probably wasn't available. All I remembered was a blood test done around 14-16 wk for Down Syndrome. No fancy ultrasounds, no measurements, etc.

So when the doctor said everything looks good, I breathed a sigh of relief. They do a good job of scaring you.

The bug is measuring 12w5d so it's a little ahead. That's all good. I won't let them change my due date though, if this comes up down the line. With DS my due date was changed by a week (I think). This time since I was charting, I'm absolutely sure of gestation age.

In other news, I failed my 1hr GTT and have to go for 3hr one next week. I stupidly had a gum after drinking the glycola because I was feeling nauseous. This mint has been a life saver for me. After I had it I realized that was probably not a smart idea. Then I didn't tell the nurse about it because I wanted to get the test over with. Thought I can take my chances. So now I get to go for a 3 hr test. Hopefully the gum was the reason for the elevated sugar and it will come back ok this time.

11wk3d: Heard heartbeat on Doppler

I had the 1hr Glucose screening today and also got to hear the heartbeat on doppler. DS heard it too because he was with me. It was in 160s. For the glucose screening I had to drink the glycola 45 mins before reaching the Dr. office. As I got in the car to go to the Dr. I had a gum without thinking. Oops. It had 2g of sugars. Don't know how much it translates to. It might skew the results. I had to take the screening early because I previously had GD.

My nausea has been increasing and I have it most of the time, day and night. I get relief for just a few hrs after eating. Many food aversions so eating is a problem as well. I'm living on Taco Bell and PB&J sandwiches pretty much. Smelling everything within a mile radius and being hyper sensitive to it. Smells make nausea worse.

I'm a bit miserable but a whole lot happy to have these symptoms rather than a complete lack of them. I don't complaint because there are people who would give up anything in the world to have what I have. A few months back, I was in that situation. My bad luck has taught me this very valuable lesson.

Next, I have to schedule an NT scan before 14 wks. That will be a chance to see the baby again!

9wk 2d: Oh, the nausea

It is catching up with me. Just when I was thinking I will skip it this time around. I'm pretty nauseous after lunch until the evening and sometimes I have it in the morning too. Pickles help ;)

Starting around 8wks my bloating has gone down. Worried if that is normal or is something wrong. I hate feeling like this :( I wish the appointment was here already.

7wk3d: Saw the baby again :)

He looks perfect. I think it's a he. I got a picture too and it is not much more than a blob right now, perfect little blob LOL

Next appointment is in 4 wks. It will be hard to go without anything in between. Funny, with DS I was always looking forward to the appointments but not nervous about how long inbetween. This time is different for sure. I don't feel pregnant still. Wish the 4 wks pass quickly.

7weeks 1 day: Stress at work

There is way too much stress at work. That combined with our house guests, I am not getting any downtime at either place. I'm very tired everyday. Can't wait for the current project to be over.

Pregnancy-wise, everything is going well. At least, there are no indications of anything being wrong. I take that as a good sign. I have a Dr. appointment in 2 days which will reveal more. I hope I'll get some baby pics!

7 Weeks - Tired as can be

SO tired I can't keep my eyes open. Yesterday I almost nodded off behind the wheel. I'm starting to get anxious about my appointment which is still 3 days away. I am again thinking we'd have bad news. My only symptoms are sore boobs and sense of smell (and tiredness is related I think), and these too come and go. My waist is expanding. I don't fit into many of my regular pants. Hoping that is a good sign!! I haven't had the urge to test or temp in 5 days, which is the most I've gone since the BFP.

6wk2day: Saw the baby for the first time

DH and I saw the perfect little bean today. The doctor had ordered a sono to be done before I can see her for the first time. The order concerned me as 1) This is not standard practice for them, and 2) the doctor had spelled 'viability' to be confirmed along with dates.

The ultrasound tech was from Iran, and she was really nice. She may have been learning because she took forever to take the pics and had to have another tech check her work. The appointment was on Sept 24, 2009 at 1PM. I was out at 3:30PM. The baby's heart beat was 107 and was measuring 6wk1day. This is the best outcome we could have. I was so nervous before the appointment and bracing myself for the bad news. I was thinking of possibility of blighted ovum, or no sac present (like last time). The tech would not show me the screen until she had taken all the measurements. I asked DH to watch the screen and tell me if he sees a sac (i.e. an oval thing with a round thing inside it). He said there were many round things inside it. LOL I'm sure he was looking at something else. She did let him see the whole time and showed me only the baby. And no pictures. I don't know why they didn't give pictures. She said their office will be sending everything over to my doctor.

I had a freak-out the day before. I was feeling very few symptoms and mentioned it to my supervisor. I said I wish I could take a test right now. She is so sweet, she went and got it for me. I tested at work and completely freaked out because the line was medium dark, not dark dark like I had been getting. Somehow I made it through the night and POAS and temped at 3:30 on the sonogram day. Everything was well. Seeing that little heart beating and everything in its place was just so relieving. I felt completely calm about the whole pregnancy on the drive back to work.

21DPO-26DPO: In Disney!!!

Disney world trip from Sept 16 - Sept 21. Had minor freakout one day, tested in AM, got a super dark test. Mostly uneventful. Was really tired in afternoons and nights. Took naps where I could! Had an AWESOME time!!

19DPO: Betas again

19DPO beta = 3257. Overall doubling time is less than 48 hours. Nurse asked to scheduled an ultrasound and a first OB appointment.

Ultrasound: 9/24/2009 1PM
OB : 10/2/2009

Betas doubling

13DPO beta = 406
15DPO beta = 911. Progesterone = 20.26

Breathing a slight sigh of relief today. I went for another beta today and should get the results tomorrow. After this, I will set my first appointment with the doctor. I'm afraid to do it too soon and jinx it. Guess I'll set it up for after coming back from Disney. We're going from 9/16 - 9/22. I can't get on any rollercoasters though. But it's ok. I'd rather go to Disney with another little one in a few yrs.

16DPO: Stilll awaiting betas

I'm on pins and needles still waiting for my beta repeat results from yesterday. There is nothing else I can focus on right now. Since it is Friday, if I don't get them today, I will have to wait until Monday. Waiting sucks. I want the phone to RING!! I called the doctor's office already and they didn't have the results yet. They asked to call back at 3 since another set comes in the afternoon.

Symptoms - BB soreness has increased since yesterday. The nose is still hyper. Peeing more often now.

15DPO: I don't feel pregnant

Apart from soreness, there is no pregnancy symptom at all. I'm getting worried. Had the repeat beta done today and will get the result tomorrow. I'm officially late today. Yay! I am taking this pregnancy one day at a time, as I named the title. So today, I am pregnant and that is something worth celebrating. I had chipotle again today :-) With Mehul I craved mexican food as well so this sounds like a good sign to me.

14DPO: Beta at 13DPO

I had blood drawn for Beta (HCG) and Progesterone yesterday. My beta at 13DPO came out to be 406. It is on the high side for the DPO. I had what I call implantation cramps starting at 5DPO and ending at 8DPO. That might have been due to an early implanter and might explain the high beta. I am waiting until my 15DPO beta results to breathe a little easier. Going for the draw tomorrow and should have the results on Friday.

I have had sore boobs since 9DPO but the soreness comes and goes. I've read that is normal, but still worried. I POAS every other day to see the lines progress, and today was an off day but I couldn't stop worrying so I did. The lines came up darker so that was a relief.

When the nurse called me back with beta result, she said it was positive. Like I was expecting it to be negative?? What is the number I asked. I POAS that morning so I know it was positive. Would I get a blood test for that? Actually, with DS that is exactly what I got the blood test for -- to confirm it officially I got a blood positive and never asked/knew about the betas. Just goes to show how different this pregnancy is.

Symptoms tally - So far I have gas, bloating, sensitive nose and slightly sore boobs. This time around with DS, I had sore boobs for sure. I wasn't testing so didn't know I was pregnant. Ah, the good old times.

10DPO: I got a BFP!

I'm 10DPO and I just got a BFP!! This was our third TTC cycle since the miscarriage in April and we had 2 TTA cycles inbetween. I'm very cautious today to not get my hopes up. The loss of a pregnancy snatches that innocence from you.

This 2WW started with a skyrocketing temperature. The temperature jump was so high that I felt hot and feverish for a day. I have cravings Chipotle burrito already! LOL. So far in 10 days I've had it 3 times. I was very irritable starting 3DPO. Had a total meltdown at something stupid on 7DPO. It appears from my symptoms that implantation might have happened around 6DPO. Judging by the line I got, it sounds about right.



Starting 9DPO I started having sore boobs. I haven't had sore boobs at all since April. It was a very exciting symptom that I didn't have before so it made testing necessary. Instead of wondering about it until my target testing day (15DPO), I tested at 7AM today and got a nice pink line and a digital 'Pregnant'.

Gosh, it has been 1 hour since the test and the news has sunk in. I'm off to make some breakfast.