Assisted conception success - due 2018 xx

[koj518]

dogmommy - glad your checkup went well! your results will be here before you know it!! we just did a chromosomal check so we were told 4-7 days but got it back in 3 days hopefully your wait isn't as long as they say either! and yes, I am looking forward to settling down in the new house and being able to decorate this fall!!

star - we are allowed a cheat day every now and then! sounds like you picked a perfect day for it

 

[Juliet11]

thanks for the encouragement!!! i'm sure everything is fine... but weird to not have any symptoms at times.
just counting down to 31st ultrasound...
I REALLY want to tell people! but i know i need to wait....

it sounds like everyone is doing pretty well overall!!!
where is everyone located?
I am in san jose, california pretty far from most of you i suspect!

 

[koj518]

Boston, MA here!

 

[3chords]

Toronto.

 

[scoobybeans]

I'm just north of NYC

3chords- I'll definitely get lots of use out of these things! So is there anything your doctors recommend that can help ward off issues down the road? More water, special diet, vitamins, etc?

Ashley- Aww, so nice your in-laws were happy for you! My MIL has been having some health issues and she was getting a little down, so telling her was wonderful because it's cheered her up a lot!

Juliet- Quite a few people knew I was doing IVF, so we told my parents & in-laws as soon as we had our 1st positive beta. I told my sis after it had doubled (and her best friend who was there at the time and is like family). Then my two besties & DH's besties once I was about 5-6 weeks along. For everyone else, we waited until after the 1st trimester.

wish- I know, we're on a whole other level here with the things we do while TTC As far as old wives tales, the only one I kind of believe is the bad heartburn=lots of hair one. Just because SO many people have told me that was accurate for them. Logically it makes no sense though lol. I got my maternity stuff from Pink Blush and it's adorable & super comfy. I highly recommend! You guys are going to have an awesome time in Chicago. Enjoy!

star- They do a garlic fest by me too, it's awesome. So glad you had fun! That's adorable about DD loving the circus. Are you getting super excited for your scan?

koj- Wow, so exciting! I hope the big move goes smoothly and you guys have a blast decorating the new place.

dogmommy- So glad your checkup went well! I'd be shocked if the Natera test actually took 3 weeks. I used the same brand and it only took 6 days. Did you get the code to track the test online?

AFM, I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping. I have this U-shaped pregnancy pillow which helps me get into a more comfortable position, but I can't use it when it's too hot out. So I toss and turn a lot, wake up to pee 1-3 times a night & then can't get back to sleep because DH snores. I think this is just how it's going to be for a while, so I'll try to catch up on my sleep with naps on the weekend.

 

[star25]

I'm in the south of the uk

Scooby I'm so excited for next weds!

Had midwife today, urine ok, bp very low but she was happy with that and she listened to the heartbeat so all good!

 

[Juliet11]

a week from tomorrow is my ultrasound! okay i just had to say that even though it not that close, i am just so on edge and need to feel like it is getting closer!!!!

yeah after this ultrasound, i think i will feel like i can finally tell my best friend and a few close friends who will be the ones i lean if i need help and of course will tell mother in law. my moms visiting family in Europe right now, but she is the only one who knows! other then hubby of course!

 

[Kjw26]

3chords-so sorry you have those added things to worry about. That's really good news the screening for downs came back ok though. They told me I'm at increased risk for preclampsia because we are having twins and the only thing proven to help prevent it is a high protein diet. I'm not sure if that is the same in your situation too but it doesn't hurt to ask them. I hope you have a good wellbeing scan next week!I feel like I'm leaning so much I never knew about identical twins before and I agree I think it's going to be really fun!

Ashley-thank you! Glad your headache got better, those are seriously the worst! And that's so fun you got to tell the in laws, I'm sure they are so excited!

Juliet- I think it's normal for symptoms to come and go but I know it's way more reassuring when you have them! I think the only thing I noticed at 5 weeks was frequent peeing and bloating and nausea started a week or two later. We told our family right away and our friends after the first ultrasound. I just told work today and I'm 12+3!

Wish-congrats on the new job and your upcoming trip! I love Chicago! Hope the weather is awesome for you!

Star- that sounds like so much fun! And I agree a cheat day is well deserved! Can't wait for your scan next week!

Koj-congrats on closing on the new house! The moving part sucks but it will be so nice once you're all settled!

Dogmommy-glad you had a good checkup! 3 weeks like such a long time for the results, I hope you get them much sooner!

Scooby-that's do awesome you are feeling movement!! That must be incredible!

Afm- I'm 12w3d and counting down the long 2 weeks before our next appointment. I told my work today because some people were starting to notice and ask. It feels so much better not holding onto that secret anymore!

 

[Juliet11]

i definitely felt bloated today!!! and i can't stop munching, ugh!

what has everyone's doctors said about exercise? mine said no strenuous, and when i described some things i do, they said basically not to do them. i don't remember things being like this the last pregnancies but i know they don't want something to go wrong.
So what exercises are people doing? i was thinking of adding some swimming. but mostly i am just walking and some stationary sit down bicycle, very low impact. oh but was also going to start doing light weights, and i mean like 3 lbs for some arm workout. that should be really mild.

i hope everyone is having a lovely week!!!

 

[3chords]

scooby - there is nothing you can really do about low PAPP-A, and the studies about what issues it causes are very mixed so nobody can even tell me what to reasonably expect. There are some indications that staying on injectable low molecular weight heparin + low dose aspirin every day helps placental blood flow and keeps the placenta healthy in the end. I am already on this protocol because I have a blood clotting issue but with my DS I went off the blood thinners at 28 weeks and this time I may have to stay until a couple of days before the c-section. Hope you can get some sleep - I actually slept really well at your stage, my problems came before and after that.

kjw - yes, I'm also already on a high protein diet mostly because I have gestational diabetes so the diet is low in carb and high in protein (and fat). Hopefully that does also help with any pre-eclampsia issues in the future.

Juliet - I'm not doing any exercising other than walking right now because I had a subchorionic hemorrhage so was specifically forbidden from doing more. I have an ultrasound coming up in 5 days so if the SCH has cleared itself then I will be able to start again. I think that I'll just do low pace running on the treadmill.

 

[star25]

Juliet, I'm not doing any exercise really as I walk most places with dd, dh drives but I don't so when he's at work we're always out and about and wherever we go involves a lot of hills on the way back! Plus I just haven't got the energy lol

 

[AshleyButters]

Juliet- I have my first OB prenatal appt tomorrow and I am asking about exercise!


I exercised regularly lifting weights before we started IVF. During stimming and after the ER/ET they told me I couldn't exercise until a BFP. I can not WAIT to start exercising again especially since I am pregnant with twins I don't want my weight to get out of control.

How is everybody else feeling?

I have been feeling like crap. With my singleton pregnancies I rarely was sick. I believe I was sick ONE single time. But with twins everything is double! I have like stomachaches every day, and I have been getting more headaches

And to top it off, DH has been afraid to DTD with me! Um yeah. LOL These are his first kids, and first time dealing with me being pregnant and he is so apprehensive of DTD because the babies are inside/watching/feel it LMFAO! I did convince him the other day though lol. But I am also grateful because I have felt so crappy that a lot of times I am not in the mood.

I am weaning off of PIO but scared to death to be off of them completely. I think I may convince my OB to check my progesterone levels regularly.

 

[Juliet11]

yeah star, lots of walking is what i am going to try. we walked to the shoe store today, 20 mins each way, and i walk on the treadmill, but slow like 2.7 mph.

ashley, my doctors office gives me a list of things i can or can't do, and DTD is on the no list for now. i am only 5&1/2 weeks and i think it is like this till 12 weeks or so. but cute hubby is all worried!!!
also, 12 weeks is when i went of PIO in the past. this time around my PIO has really been bothering me... the shot hurts, the area of the shot gets sore or bruised. it has not been fun.

 

[Juliet11]

trying not to get worried yet.... but having some spotting and cramping which i've read are two signs of a miscarriage. the bleed i had with the twins, had no cramping.
my doctor isn't in till tomorrow but the clinic should have nurses around if I call. But i am sure they will say to just continue meds until thursdays ultrasound.
i'm wondering if a hcg test would be informative at this point?

 

[star25]

Hope you're ok Juliet, make sure you stay hydrated to help the cramps and rest, both can happen in pregnancy, I'm not sure a hcg test would tell you a lot, unless you compare it to the last? I hope you can get some reassurance sooner than Thursday

 

[Juliet11]

Star, thanks I need to increase the water intake for sure.
I left a message with my clinic who called back and basically said what I know. No strenuous activities, no heavy lifting, no dad, just keep taking meds and call back if the bleeding fills a pad in an hour or two or if the cramping becomes painful. Then they'll get me in sooner.

These are the times where I wish I was in the last tri and getting to safer zones. But in the meantime I'm binge watching Netflix and trying to relax and letting my kids snack and watch shows all day.

 

[3chords]

Hope all is well Juliet. I spotted with my son for almost 2 weeks from about 7-9 wks and it was super stressful but they never found a thing on ultrasound.

I had an exhausting weekend as my DS came down with croup on Friday night and basically didn't sleep the next two nights. He was up almost all night coughing and wheezing, very long fits that would then lead to him crying in pain and yelling no no no and that would make the wheezing and coughing worse, so just a vicious cycle. I barely slept as well. I was able to get him to have two long, great naps today thankfully and he went to bed well, though has been coughing on and off since. I really hope he sleeps better tonight. I'll keep him home from daycare tomorrow but I desperately need a night of sleep myself.

 

[Juliet11]

thanks 3. spotting is scary huh! what was your coloring? mine is a light pinkish-brown but thankfully has not started up again.

croup is rough. they say wrap them up in a blanket and take into the cold night air, did you try that? it is terrible and so painful for them! hope you can get a better night sleep! i dont funtion well on bad sleep... and lately we've had lots of bad nights around here with kids waking all the time!

 

[star25]

Oh no 3c, poor Henry, so horrible when they're poorly
Madeleine had hand foot and mouth a few months ago and had a couple of nights just crying most of the night, I hope he's starting to feel better

 

[Wish2BMom]

hi girls! back from the trip - it was awesome! Just fun-filled every day, we packed so much in. I'm glad I had the energy! Even the night of the concert, I stayed awake and was able to go out afterwards for a snack and another beer for DH. YAY! I hate being a sleepy downer.

Juliet - oh boy, that's so scary. I'm glad things have waned, though. How are you feeling now? oh, and re: exercise, I've been told that you can continue whatever you were doing before getting pregnant, once out of the first few weeks. So all that you are talking about seems absolutely fine. I need to actually start to do some arms and squats, maybe. I'm getting rounder in those areas and I'd like not to!!

oh - I'm in New Hampshire, by the way. Neighbor to Koj!

3c - I hope your little one feels better soon! how long does croup last? why do I think it lasts a long time? I remember a coworker's child had it for what seemed like forever. He'd come into work all red-eyed and angry. I felt so terrible.

man - you all seem so great with your cheat days and such. I swear I have a cheat hour every day! I can't say no to a little sweet something at least once a day. I gotta start behaving more. I'm definitely balancing out carbs, proteins, and the sweets, though. And trying to roll in more veggies now that the garden is in full blast and I have a salad bar at work.

weaning off of PIO was one of my best moments of this pregnancy so far! HA! I could not WAIT to stop all the shots. I actually just threw out my remaining PIO yesterday. We still have one frozen embie left but I don't know if we'd use it if anything happened in this pregnancy. I don't know if I could take it. So I just tossed the meds and figured if worst case scenario does happen, we will be sent new meds. But it was rather liberating to toss them!