Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Your baby is really beginning to develop more physical definition this week – their oversized head isn’t just large and oblong anymore, it’s actually a little bit pointy. The tiny receding tail bud is now starting to be overshadowed by the growth of their legs, which are now complete with knees and the beginnings of toes. Their eyes and ears are the most visible features on their head and their miniature bones are starting to harden throughout their body. You also have some variation on a boy or a girl at this point, although their genitals won’t be visible enough to determine which color cigars you’re going to buy until around the 16th week.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
We've gone public
Yesterday was my first ultrasound. Not much to see other than that the baby was there! Everything looks good so far, and I go back in about a week for another ultrasound just to monitor development. I'm almost 100% sure that I'm going to use my OB close to home. I was conflicted on that, but I do think it would be easier for my husband if the appointments are closer to home and for the delivery to not be two hours away!
Anyway, Phil couldn't make it to the ultrasound yesterday. He had an allergy attack, so I left him at home, had the ultrasound and then went to work. I showed him the ultrasound once I got home, and he was so excited. I found out later he had already told his sister, and so he thought it was okay for us to tell my family. I called my mom, my sister, my aunt, and my uncle. Then we posted the ultrasound on myspace and facebook, and today, I'm making individual announcements to people at work.
The doctor did tell me that most of my cramping is probably related to dehydration, and I need to drink more water. So, I have a water bottle with me today. It's hard to get used to drinking that much water, but I'm going to do my best!
Anyway, Phil couldn't make it to the ultrasound yesterday. He had an allergy attack, so I left him at home, had the ultrasound and then went to work. I showed him the ultrasound once I got home, and he was so excited. I found out later he had already told his sister, and so he thought it was okay for us to tell my family. I called my mom, my sister, my aunt, and my uncle. Then we posted the ultrasound on myspace and facebook, and today, I'm making individual announcements to people at work.
The doctor did tell me that most of my cramping is probably related to dehydration, and I need to drink more water. So, I have a water bottle with me today. It's hard to get used to drinking that much water, but I'm going to do my best!
6 Weeks!
This is going to be a busy week for your amazing little embryo. Their brain is still growing remarkably fast; miniature hand plates are starting to develop and the early formations of what will be their fingers are already visible. Also, the lower limbs do not develop quite as fast, so they’re pretty much still flippers. Up until this point, your baby has been very curled up with the head and tail in close proximity, but this week their trunk and neck are beginning to grow and straighten as their tail recedes into its resting position in the back. Even though your little miracle is only 6 weeks old, they’re already capable of demonstrating reflex responses to touch!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
7 days till my first ultrasound!
Well, Boston was exciting, but emotionally and physically difficult. I planned the trip, of course, before I was pregnant, so I didn't think that a red-eye flight would be that bad. When you're trying to operate after 30 hours of no sleep, though, it's not fun. I had lots of cramps and lots of heartburn. But, that didn't stop me from seeing lots of tourist attractions.
I am happy to be home and back to work, and I'm looking forward to my 6-week ultrasound. Today, I'm having lots of heartburn, and I forgot my antacids at home. I won't make that mistake again!
I am happy to be home and back to work, and I'm looking forward to my 6-week ultrasound. Today, I'm having lots of heartburn, and I forgot my antacids at home. I won't make that mistake again!
5 Weeks!
From Babygaga.com:
The changes to your growing embryo are not quite as drastic this week as they've been in the last few weeks. Growth is now largely focused on its little head, which is starting to develop much more rapidly than the rest of its tiny body. This is because its amazing brain is undergoing some very crucial and rapid development in order to effectively regulate its heart rate, blood circulation, and other vital functions. As for the rest of its miniature body, what were simple limb buds last week are limb flippers this week and the tail is more expressed. Amazingly, within a mere five weeks your little miracle is already developing the rudimentary forms of its liver, pancreas, lungs, stomach and nasal pits while its little heart is already increasing its circulation. Your baby is now a whopping 4-6mm in length.
The changes to your growing embryo are not quite as drastic this week as they've been in the last few weeks. Growth is now largely focused on its little head, which is starting to develop much more rapidly than the rest of its tiny body. This is because its amazing brain is undergoing some very crucial and rapid development in order to effectively regulate its heart rate, blood circulation, and other vital functions. As for the rest of its miniature body, what were simple limb buds last week are limb flippers this week and the tail is more expressed. Amazingly, within a mere five weeks your little miracle is already developing the rudimentary forms of its liver, pancreas, lungs, stomach and nasal pits while its little heart is already increasing its circulation. Your baby is now a whopping 4-6mm in length.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Boston!
I'm traveling to Boston tonight. All last night, I spent washing clothes and packing. I crashed around 1am and then couldn't sleep. I kept waking up every hour. I finally gave up trying around 7:30a. I packed those last minute things and then headed out for the day. My first stop was Motherhood Maternity where I was told I could pick up these sucker candies called Preggie Pop Drops. They were very easy to find, right near the register. The cashier asked me if they were for myself or a gift, and I stuttered -- For me. I almost started crying on the spot. I know I was shaking. She asked me a couple of other questions -- I think about morning sickness, and I told her I was flying and my doctor recommended them, and then I left. The whole walk through the mall back to my car, I was shaking near tears. I guess I can blame this on pregnancy hormones, but I think it's still the shock at realizing I'm pregnant. I'm not sure that I really believe it's real yet. Maybe once my belly is huge, it will finally hit me!
Well, now I'm at work for the next five hours and then off to the airport! I probably won't add anything until I return from my trip. Of course when I return, I'll be over 5 weeks! WOW!
Well, now I'm at work for the next five hours and then off to the airport! I probably won't add anything until I return from my trip. Of course when I return, I'll be over 5 weeks! WOW!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
4 weeks
Along with posting my personal thoughts, I thought it would be interesting to post what the baby is doing each week. From babygaga.com, this is the baby's development at 4 weeks:
By the end of this week the round and pointy ends of your little pear-shaped baby will be slightly more exaggerated and their body will look more like that of a miniature manatee. Despite your baby not looking particularly human without any eyes, ears or mouth, the earliest developments of what will become the larynx, internal ear, and eye lens are already forming, although you’d have to be a trained expert to recognize them for what they’re going to be in the future. Likewise, tiny bumps are forming on your little embryo which will eventually be their cute little arms, elbows, fingers, legs, knees and toes. What’s more your little swimmer will have a teeny tiny tail by the end of this week-- but don’t worry, it’s just the end of their developing spinal cord! A microscopic photo would reveal what seems to be their vertebrae filling out the spine and tail. Although they aren’t bones yet, but rather, the “bone seeds” that will give rise to your baby's tiny vertebrae, ribs and sternum.
By the end of this week the round and pointy ends of your little pear-shaped baby will be slightly more exaggerated and their body will look more like that of a miniature manatee. Despite your baby not looking particularly human without any eyes, ears or mouth, the earliest developments of what will become the larynx, internal ear, and eye lens are already forming, although you’d have to be a trained expert to recognize them for what they’re going to be in the future. Likewise, tiny bumps are forming on your little embryo which will eventually be their cute little arms, elbows, fingers, legs, knees and toes. What’s more your little swimmer will have a teeny tiny tail by the end of this week-- but don’t worry, it’s just the end of their developing spinal cord! A microscopic photo would reveal what seems to be their vertebrae filling out the spine and tail. Although they aren’t bones yet, but rather, the “bone seeds” that will give rise to your baby's tiny vertebrae, ribs and sternum.
A little history
Hello everyone,
Before I babble on about my exciting news, I thought it would be important for you to know a little bit of history.
In 1998, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. From the InterNational Council of Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID) website:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects an estimated 5-10 percent of women of childbearing age and it is a leading cause of infertility. It is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive age women. There is no specific cause, and there is no cure; though PCOS can be managed through medication and diet. As many as 30 percent of women have some characteristics of the syndrome:
At the time, I was told I would never have children. In the first few of years after my diagnosis, I was prescribed a variety of birth control pills and then metformin. Phil and I met in January 2002. We were married in August 2002. In March 2003, we began our journey of seriously trying to conceive (TTC).
We didn't have any insurance at the time, so I got Clomid through my doctor and monitored myself through taking my basal body temperature every morning. Some months, I think I might have ovulated, but I never became pregnant. At the end of October, we decided to use some of my inheritance to pursue intra-uterine insemination (IUI). We went through the GYFT Clinic in Tacoma, WA. At the time of insemination, my hormone levels were sky high, and I had many, many viable eggs. They should have canceled the cycle, but they proceeded with insemination. Within two days of insemination, I was in the hospital with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). I was dehydrated and my blood pressure was alarmingly low. Once I was stabilized, I was sent home. Two days later, I returned to the hospital with the exact same symptoms. This time I was kept overnight, and the following day, I was sent back to the GYFT clinic where they removed 4 liters of fluid from my abdomen. I did not become pregnant. We were prepared to give up at that point. The fact that I became sick so fast scared both my husband and me to the point that we never wanted to consider IUI again. And, our funds were drained.
January 2004 through May 2007, we were neither aggressively trying or preventing. I was taking actos, but that was my only medication.
In May 2007, my insurance at work changed, and we discovered that we would have significant health insurance coverage for fertility treatments. Still opposed to intrauterine insemination, we decided to try our luck once again with Clomid. This time, of course, I could be monitored, and we might get lucky. The months of May through October were extremely discouraging. The clomid wasn't doing anything, meaning I had no eggs growing to inseminate. In October, we switched doctors, and it was suggested that I undergo ovarian drilling. With insurance difficulties, I would not undergo this surgery until January 2008.
In January 2008, I went to Swedish hospital and had the 45-minute surgery. I went home a bit groggy but was ready to return to work within the next few days. March would be our next attempt. During the month of February, my husband and I discussed IUI. It was obvious that the clomid alone would not help us get pregnant. This new doctor understood our concerns and promised to keep me monitored, and promised to cancel the cycle if she saw anything that would indicate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. So, we finally agreed to try the injectable hormones again and if things worked, we would proceed with the IUI.
The month of March we finally saw something. Unfortunately, it was too much of something. I took five days' dosage of Clomid followed by three days' dosage of a hormone called Menopur. My ovaries basically quadrupled in size and my hormone levels skyrocketed. It was progress -- yes -- but not the kind of progress I wanted. The cycle was canceled, and I had to deal with the discomfort for a couple of weeks. The following month, we had to take a break as my ovaries had not returned to their normal size. The following cycle would begin in the middle of May.
The dosages of menopur were reduced, and we could finally actually try to inseminate. Two weeks later, I discovered I was pregnant! The excitement was shortlived, though, as I miscarried at 4 weeks, 4 days. They termed it a chemical pregnancy, and I was devastated. Again, we had to take a month break.
The next cycle started in the middle of August. Again, I had the right combination of meds. We inseminated on September 6. I had seven viable follicles/eggs, and we inseminated 34 million swimmers. They only gave me half of the normal dosage of HCG to make me ovulate. On September 20, I found out I was pregnant.
My first beta was 70. The second beta was 166. My third beta was 396. I am now waiting for my 6 week ultrasound on October 6th.
Welcome to my journey as I detail my pregnancy. It will take me 6 years and 9 months, but I'm finally going to be a mommy.
Before I babble on about my exciting news, I thought it would be important for you to know a little bit of history.
In 1998, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. From the InterNational Council of Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID) website:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects an estimated 5-10 percent of women of childbearing age and it is a leading cause of infertility. It is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive age women. There is no specific cause, and there is no cure; though PCOS can be managed through medication and diet. As many as 30 percent of women have some characteristics of the syndrome:
- Amenorrhea (no menstrual period), infrequent menses, and/or oligomenorrhea (irregular bleeding)
- Oligo or anovulation (infrequent or absent ovulation)
- Hyperandrogenism
- Infertility
- Cystic ovaries
- Enlarged ovaries
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Obesity or weight gain
- Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and diabetes
- Dyslipidemia (lipid abnormalities)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hirsutism (excess hair)
- Alopecia (male-pattern baldness or thinning hair)
- Acne/Oily Skin/Seborrhea
- Acanthosis nigricans (dark patches of skin, tan to dark brown/black)
- Acrochordons (skin tags)
At the time, I was told I would never have children. In the first few of years after my diagnosis, I was prescribed a variety of birth control pills and then metformin. Phil and I met in January 2002. We were married in August 2002. In March 2003, we began our journey of seriously trying to conceive (TTC).
We didn't have any insurance at the time, so I got Clomid through my doctor and monitored myself through taking my basal body temperature every morning. Some months, I think I might have ovulated, but I never became pregnant. At the end of October, we decided to use some of my inheritance to pursue intra-uterine insemination (IUI). We went through the GYFT Clinic in Tacoma, WA. At the time of insemination, my hormone levels were sky high, and I had many, many viable eggs. They should have canceled the cycle, but they proceeded with insemination. Within two days of insemination, I was in the hospital with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). I was dehydrated and my blood pressure was alarmingly low. Once I was stabilized, I was sent home. Two days later, I returned to the hospital with the exact same symptoms. This time I was kept overnight, and the following day, I was sent back to the GYFT clinic where they removed 4 liters of fluid from my abdomen. I did not become pregnant. We were prepared to give up at that point. The fact that I became sick so fast scared both my husband and me to the point that we never wanted to consider IUI again. And, our funds were drained.
January 2004 through May 2007, we were neither aggressively trying or preventing. I was taking actos, but that was my only medication.
In May 2007, my insurance at work changed, and we discovered that we would have significant health insurance coverage for fertility treatments. Still opposed to intrauterine insemination, we decided to try our luck once again with Clomid. This time, of course, I could be monitored, and we might get lucky. The months of May through October were extremely discouraging. The clomid wasn't doing anything, meaning I had no eggs growing to inseminate. In October, we switched doctors, and it was suggested that I undergo ovarian drilling. With insurance difficulties, I would not undergo this surgery until January 2008.
In January 2008, I went to Swedish hospital and had the 45-minute surgery. I went home a bit groggy but was ready to return to work within the next few days. March would be our next attempt. During the month of February, my husband and I discussed IUI. It was obvious that the clomid alone would not help us get pregnant. This new doctor understood our concerns and promised to keep me monitored, and promised to cancel the cycle if she saw anything that would indicate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. So, we finally agreed to try the injectable hormones again and if things worked, we would proceed with the IUI.
The month of March we finally saw something. Unfortunately, it was too much of something. I took five days' dosage of Clomid followed by three days' dosage of a hormone called Menopur. My ovaries basically quadrupled in size and my hormone levels skyrocketed. It was progress -- yes -- but not the kind of progress I wanted. The cycle was canceled, and I had to deal with the discomfort for a couple of weeks. The following month, we had to take a break as my ovaries had not returned to their normal size. The following cycle would begin in the middle of May.
The dosages of menopur were reduced, and we could finally actually try to inseminate. Two weeks later, I discovered I was pregnant! The excitement was shortlived, though, as I miscarried at 4 weeks, 4 days. They termed it a chemical pregnancy, and I was devastated. Again, we had to take a month break.
The next cycle started in the middle of August. Again, I had the right combination of meds. We inseminated on September 6. I had seven viable follicles/eggs, and we inseminated 34 million swimmers. They only gave me half of the normal dosage of HCG to make me ovulate. On September 20, I found out I was pregnant.
My first beta was 70. The second beta was 166. My third beta was 396. I am now waiting for my 6 week ultrasound on October 6th.
Welcome to my journey as I detail my pregnancy. It will take me 6 years and 9 months, but I'm finally going to be a mommy.
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