Assisted conception success - due 2018 xx

[star25]

Juliet, last year we went at the end of Nov until 2nd nov and the queues were ok reall, I just hope it’s ok this time as we’re going closer to xmas, last year the weather was lovely too, freezing but sunny every day
Your poor dd, I hope she is feeling better today, my dd gets wheezy with colds and has an inhaler if needed but hasn’t needed it for a year now
Fingers crossed for your dd

Dogmommy, glad all went well at your appointment!

Afm, 26 weeks today! Sat waiting for my gtt, already been here 20 mins and nothing happened, so need my morning tea and I’ve got over 2 hours to wait yet!
My legs yesterday were awful with cramps and tight muscles, I don’t think I drank enough so will have to do better with that today

 

[Wish2BMom]

dog - SO happy your echo went well!! What a relief, I'm sure! There was a couple in our class last night that are having a girl and said she has a heart defect and immediately after birth, she'll be going into surgery. My heart broke for them.

juliet - your pregnancy is going fast for me too!! I can't believe you're almost 16 weeks already! Where did 15 go? Have you told everyone yet? I hope your DD is feeling better. Poor little thing.

You all are making me want to go to Disney at Christmas now! Maybe some year for the boys!

star - happy 26 weeks!! Almost to the 3rd tri!!! Good luck with the rest of your test. Let us know how it turned out. And yes, drink that water!!

scooby - hope you aren't in moving hell anymore! can't wait to see how you're doing.

afm - class last night was pretty good. It was held by a doula who may or may not be new to presenting - she seemed nervous. But she brought snacks! And they had couches lined up along the walls for us to relax in for the 2 hrs. The content was a lot of basic stuff that you can find on the internet (and I have) but it's good to see it again and see pics and such. It's pretty much been finalized that DH is going to be up by my head with zero insight into what is going on down under. He had to look away from some of the pics they showed

tomorrow's my next exam - can't wait to see the little buggers. I hope at least one of them has flipped but I don't think they have. I still have tickly little flutters right above my pubic bone sometimes. I wonder when they'll determine there's really no more room for them to flip and they'll schedule a c-section?

 

[star25]

Wish your class sounds like it was nice and relaxing, I went to one with dd which was helpful as was all about the birth and pain relief, the next ones I couldn’t make and they were about when the baby develops and up until 5 years old which I didn’t really want to hear before dd was even born lol

I’m home now, had a nice fried egg sandwich which I could live on a cup of tea!

 

[3chords]

Wish2B, I'm not sure how it works with twins but my OB seemed to indicate that with singletons if baby is breach around 34 weeks it's almost always a lost cause. I would imagine it would be much earlier with twins since there is less room in there to move around?

dogmommy - I don't need a fetal echo, kind of funny that I have had every other sort of test imaginable but not that one.

star - good luck with the GTT. I hate that awful juice they give you as it tastes like flat orange soda/pop, something I absolutely can't stand.

I have started Christmas shopping slowly but surely. I have to admit I am one of those last minute people and online shopping has been a lifesaver! So far I've finished shopping for my nephew (on my DH's side there are 4 grandchildren and they pull names out of a hat each buys one more $$ gift for one cousin rather than buying 3 gifts), bought a bunch of things for Henry (one toy and a bunch of books) and a pair of Nikes for my niece who will probably start walking in the spring time.

I am really struggling with work lately for so many reasons. I am a corporate lawyer and work way, way too many hours (like evenings and weekends too). I am on 2 very large transactions closing in December so it is insane. Because I have so many medical appointments on a regular basis (OB, high risk MFM with ultrasounds, endocrinologist and diabetes clinic, haematologist for my blood clotting disorder and platelet count and infectious disease specialist for my multi-antibiotic allergy), it means I usually end up out of the office two half-days every single week. So what happens is that I go home around 4:30 to get my son from daycare, then after he is in bed I work more. This makes my diabetes difficult to manage - once you do your overnight insulin shot, you should really go to bed and not stay up and work or worse yet eat or drink. My son is sleeping VERY poorly, like getting up 3-4 times every night since our vacation and his illness so I have been only getting 4-5 hours of sleep the last 3 weeks and am totally exhausted. I spoke to my work about reduced hours but they said it won't really work, either I am there or not there and they are supportive of me leaving early but not supportive of part time work. So I don't know what to do. I will speak to my OB next week, the problem is that it is pretty hard to get the insurance to cover short term disability leave during pregnancy for any reason other than bed rest, which I am not on. So I will see with her whether she thinks my multitude of health issues can somehow get me off early. My DH says just to go off and who cares about the insurance, just live without the $ but that really pisses me off because the insurance would pay my full salary (which is high) AND I pay into it every month, year after year. So it's pretty shitty to not even get to draw on it when I really need it.

 

[Wish2BMom]

man, 3c - I'd say you just need to quit!! I know that's certainly not the answer, especially if you're very dependent on your paycheck, but that's a lot to ask of you right now. And the response tells me that they'd just replace you if you don't play along. I had to wrestle with this earlier this year when I switched jobs - my job then wanted everything from me, all hours of the day. And I didn't have a child that required my attention or any additional health issues other than FINALLY getting pregnant. And I wanted to stay that way. I knew work wasn't going to care one way or the other - they just needed my output and they'd already shown me that they didn't care about my health. So I had to think long and hard about leaving and taking care of ME b/c I knew no one else would. So I switched to this job (I'm sure you've all heard me whine about it being boring) which has WAY more life balance. It may be boring now but I think I'll want that in a couple of months (or weeks - I'm almost over this now and ready to go on maternity leave but I can't...). Since babies aren't here yet, I'm still fighting against my own drive to have 'passion' and whatnot in my daily worklife. But I'm quickly getting over that. I'll go back to that in a couple of years, I'm sure.

So that's just my little anecdote - I know you're a smart woman and probably very driven in your career. Just remember to take care of you too, and baby. No. One. Else. Will.

 

[Juliet11]

wish, so exciting you have an exam tomorrow!!! can't wait to hear the babies positioning. report back to us as soon as you can!
i have told friends when i see in person, some through text... i think all the family knows now. yes soon to be 16 weeks, that will feel good!

star, i think DD i a bit better today but last night was rough... she was hacking away like crazy. after two hours of taking care of her, i had hubby help out ... he had to get up in an hour anyway for a early morning work call so i didn't feel too bad waking him. hope she takes a long nap for me today!

3chords, so sorry, that all sounds really tough. when is the earliest you can go on maternity leave?? curious to hear what your doctor says.

hope i didn't miss anyone... lack of sleep catching up to me.
oh and the pregnancy dietitian called to follow-up with me on how things are going. and encourages no more then 1/2 lb weight gain a week. holidays are so hard for me with my darn sweet tooth!!!!! and with waking up in the night i snack on some bread and small piece of candy... blah! and i have been unmotivated to exercise. when kids are sick i can't take them to gym child care so that limits my time i can workout. just hard trying to figure out the balance with all this

 

[koj518]

Hi Ladies!

Sorry I've been MIA recently. Work has been crazy as I'm trying to get things done before I go on maternity leave (which is in about 2 months.. what!?)

I had a rough week last week dealing with random bleeding (long story short, drs don't know the cause of the bleeding but baby is doing just fine!) but I'm hoping that's over and that it won't come back.

I also passed the GTT last Friday which is great!

I look forward to catching up on everything I've missed!!

 

[Juliet11]

Koj what is the GTT, is that glucose tolerance?
so sorry about your bleeding scare!!!
i had 2nd tri bleeding with my twins that was bright red, gushed out, it was so scary but they think it was a subchronic hemotoma, and even though i ended up in the ER twice, babies were totally fine!
hope you don't have more of that. so glad baby is fine

 

[Kjw26]

Hey everyone!

So sorry I have also been mia lately! We did some traveling to see family and lots of baby planning in the last few weeks. Poor excuse I know but I can't wait to catch up and see how everyone's pregnancies are progressing!

Afm-the twins are doing great so far! I'm almost 23 weeks and we decided with our ob I will go to 36 so it's really not seeming too far off! At our last scan they were both head down and measuring just a little above average but within 10 grams of each other. Feeling lots of baby kicks Pregnancy has been going really well so far and honestly right now my toughest symptom has been fatigue. I could take a 2 hour nap every single day and I do on my days off. My works days are 12 hours so I feel really tired after but so far it's still manageable.

 

[star25]

3c It really sounds like you’ve got it tough at the moment, pregnant with a toddler who doesn’t sleep well is hard, I’m with you on that one, last night was he 5th night in a row she nearly slept through but woke at 3:30, just a so thought we had cracked it we’re back to square one!

I see what you mean about the insurance and think you’re right hat with all the medical appointments you have you should be allowed to leave early and still get your pay, I really hope your dr agrees for you, be thinking of you

Juliet, fingers crossed for a long nap for you, it definitely sounds like you need it too!

Ko, glad you passed your gtt and that the bleeding is ok now, must have been a horrible shock for you

Kj, glad to hear you are all well and not long left! It’s getting very exciting in here!

Afm, my legs and knee were bad again yesterday, this is definitely my worst symptom this time, constant tight muscles in my legs which causes the knee pain
I know I’m on 26 weeks but I’m at the point I just want him here now, I’m always looking out for movements and worry so much if he goes quiet, hurry up February!

 

[star25]

The clinic called this morning and I failed my gtt

On 16the Nov got a scan (don’t usually have scans afternoon 20 weeks here) followed by an appointment with consultant then appointment with the diabetes centre so that’s going to be a nice long afternoon!

In the meantime they didn’t say what to do, 3c have you got any advice please?

 

[3chords]

Ugh, star, I'm sorry to hear you failed the GTT.

The first thing to do is not panic. It's not the worst thing in the world, but will be a bit of an adjustment. Do you know how bad your numbers were? If you are just borderline they will have you do diet control only, if your numbers are higher or keep creeping you may have to add insulin.

Basically you need to go on a low carb diet of 3 meals plus 2-3 snacks a day.
Breakfast = 15-30g carbs.
Snack = 15g carbs.
Lunch = 45g carbs.
Snack = 15g carbs.
Dinner = 45g carbs.
Snack before bed = 15g carbs (I never have one because it shoots up my numbers).

You can look up different foods and how many carbs they have. It means a drastic reduction in things like sugar, pastries, white bread, serving sizes of pasta and rice. Need to skip fruit juice altogether if you drink it. Pop stick to diet ones only. Fruit is tricky, most of it has a lot of carbs so you are restricted to super small portions. Fruit that is safer includes apples, berries, citrus. But even then, you limit fruit consumption. Chocolate, candy, chips, etc is basically all gone except a small treat here or there. I find dark chocolate is doable, just count the carbs.

Things with no carbs that you can load up on are meat and cheese and non-starchy vegetables (i.e. not potatoes, squash, or avocados). Breakfast you're kind of held to very little bread (like a slice at most), a bit of milk and then eggs, sausage, that sort of thing.

They will give you more info when you go there, you will be ok, it's just a bit of added stress. The diet change for me was hard for the first 3 weeks then I didn't mind it at all anymore as I was used to it.

But as soon as I give birth I am having like 5 croissants lol.

 

[star25]

Thank you so much 3c that definitely helps
Doesn’t sound like fun but all for the best
What about nuts? Just thinking of snack options as I seem to be hungry a lot lately!

 

[3chords]

Nuts have carbs so you will need to count how many they have. I would often have a nut + cheese snack as it was more filling than cheese and crackers.

 

[star25]

Thank you, forgot to say my first blood test after fasting was 3.9 then I had he glucose drink and 2 hours later bloods were 8.1 and she said they like them to be under 7.8 so doesn’t seem too bad?

I think I have done ok today considering I haven’t seen anyone yet, I’ve done a shop of new bits and written down what I’ve eateb so I can show them Tuesday just to check, I agree with you about the 5 croissants!
This is going to be hard over xmas /(

 

[Juliet11]

star, sorry to hear about the fail gtt, but it sounds like you are almost borderline. so maybe you don't have to make too many modifications?

how is everyone else feeling? having a good weekend??
any upcoming appointments? i am still waiting on nov 27th. 16 weeks pregnant now, yay!

2 kids have a hacking couch, that i think is irritation from sinus infections, taking DS into doctor tomorrow to see if he needs an antibiotic.
SO I FINALLY got hubby in the mode to organize our extra room! our extra room has a huge desk that everything gets dumped onto and doesn't function well as a desk that you can get stuff done on.... and we have two exercise machines. i would like to have back-up place for a crib to go. i will have a pack in play in my room or a co-sleeper for the first several months, but then if baby sleeps longer stretches, and before they can climb out of crib (my kids always can climb out at 18 months sadly), it would be good to have the crib set up in the office.. away from the other kids.. right next to my room, so all very close. and hubbys desk can be shrunk, a section taken away. so he got motivated, sorta nesting in his own way, and has completely organized and condensed everything going on with his desk! it is very happy, and because kids are sorta sick we stayed home this weekend and got all these these office and other parts of house projects. yay hubby!!

 

[scoobybeans]

Good morning ladies

star- Oh man, what a bummer about failing your GTT. It does sound like you're borderline so hopefully diet alone will do the trick. My hubby is a diabetic and it's definitely tough to adjust at first, but you'll get the hang of it soon. Nuts are good, also most veggies with either dip or hummus, cheese. Certain granola bars are pretty low carb but high protein and very filling like Kind bars. Drink lots of water. You'll do fine!

Juliet- Congrats on 16 weeks! That's awesome your DH made space for the new baby. Hope the kids feel better soon!

kjw- Good to hear from you! I'm glad the pregnancy is going smoothly and the twins are doing great. 36 weeks sounds like a perfect goal, I hope you make it! 12 hour days sounds rough, you poor thing. When will you be able to go on leave?

koj- I'm so sorry about the bleeding but glad to hear the baby is doing good! Congrats on passing GTT! How is your pregnancy going otherwise? Did you have your shower yet?

wish- How was your appointment on Friday? You must be getting so excited to meet the boys! Do they expect you to go to 36 weeks as well? Happy 3rd trimester my friend!!!

AFM, I had my shower yesterday! It was so lovely, I'm still in awe that I actually got to experience that. My sister and bestie did a great job planning it, food was awesome and we got some wonderful stuff for the baby. My ticker tells me I have 82 days left which seems like no time at all. I have moments where I get a little freaked out, I'm not going to lie lol. But mostly at this point I just can't wait to see him and hold him for the first time.

 

[Wish2BMom]

hi girls!

star - as with the other ladies, I'm so sorry for the failed GTT! But thankful you are borderline so hopefully simple diet changes will help out. Nothing's ever easy, huh??

koj - congrats on passing the GTT but WOAH about the bleeding scare! I'm so sorry you had to go through that! Glad everything turned out ok, though. But sheesh...

kj - hooray that the twins are looking good! Fatigue is no joke - around 2 every day, I need to rest my eyes. I'm still not sleeping great at night and barely make it to 9pm but man, when 2pm comes around, I need to figure out a way to sleep with my eyes open while at work!

juliet - yay for paternal nesting!! That's great, and I'm sure you feel accomplished even though he was the one that did it! Just makes everything feel that much more in line. Happy 16 weeks!!

3c - awesome notes for how to manage the diet - bookmarking that in my brain for if my results come back as failed this week.

scooby - I'm so happy for you that you had a great time at your shower! I felt the exact same way - it was so surreal that this was for ME! 82 days! yikes! it's getting really real now! I get freaked out too. I don't know how big my eyes have been in our prep classes, but I'm trying to be cognizant of it. Happy 3rd Tri!! Cheers!

afm - our checkup on Friday went really well! The boys are measuring at 12.12 and 12.7, A and B respectively. HBs were 141 and 147 respectively. Everything looks awesome. Baby A has flipped and is head down now, but B is still head up. Unless he flipped over the weekend -
he had some crazy dance moves a few times. I'm measuring at 34 weeks so that explains all the discomfort! All docs keep saying that we're looking at 38 weeks so that's what we're shooting for - only 10 to go. Wait, so that's only 70 days...
I got my flu shot as well. This week - GTT on Thurs morning, TDAP, RhoGAM shot, and bloodwork to check Thyroid and Iron. We are increasing to checkups every 2 weeks now, so next Friday I have another, though it's only a doppler. I've gained around 30lbs now and it's seriously all in my belly and maybe some in my boobs, thighs and bum.
The boys' kicks are SO strong now, it makes me make little grunts sometimes! And they are responding to me when I poke them
At my next scan appt, if B hasn't flipped or if A happened to flip back to breech, we'll discuss a scheduled C-section b/c around then is when they run out of room to make any drastic flips on their own.

 

[Juliet11]

I can't believe how close some of you are getting!!!!!!! So exciting!!! Anyone do a countdown chart or paperchain? I usually do something my last couple months.

Totally random, is discharge normal, like a clear and sorta slimy ??

 

[star25]

Thank you ladies, new doet going well so far! Diabetes clinic is today

Juliet, hope your little ones are feeling better now?

Scooby, I’m glad you enjoyed your baby shower, so exciting!

Wish, glad check up went well and babies are well, hope all is good for your gtt on Thursday