December babies 2013

[Suzy_Q]

Thanks August. That calculator did make me feel better as I'm right on track. Whew...

 

[ALISON69]

Vermeil the scans are such a reassurance - dunno how my mother coped without any during her pregnancies. My doc refers to my pregnancy as high risk too so up until our anatomy scan I was anxious. Since we heard all was looking good with LO at that I've allowed myself to start enjoying being pregnant more. Feeling the wee wriggler move everyday is a great comfort. Does your son know a brother or sister is on the way yet? Read the details of his arrival into the world in your signature, wow what a little miracle; I can't imagine the stressful time you had during his time in the NICU. A special wee man. Looking forward to hearing all about your scan next week. We keep getting asked do we know the gender but I think it's nice to stay team yellow too and have a Christmas surprise!

aww thank you! Yay for team yellow and Christmas surprises! And yes I feel the same way. Had our 20 week scan yesterday and everything measures right on track The doctor was AMAZING. He kept reassuring us and was light-hearted: "oh look TWO kidneys how nice is that! oh look little toes wiggling!" He sounded as happy as we were. Clearly that man LOVES his job I finally feel like I can relax now. My doctor said next milestone is to reach 26 weeks, which has high survival rates with little long-term effects.

Spoiler

I know soooo much about preemies. I know all of the stats and possible complications for say a 25 weeker vs a 28. I have a small confession. I always cringe a bit when I see people proudly announce having reached V day. I saw far too many 24 weekers struggling in the nicu to survive, and who had long term serious health issues because of it. And some who didn`t make it at all. I say we should aim for 26 weeks, much better number

We haven`t told our 3 year old yet simply because I don`t have much of a bump yet. Waiting for it to show a bit more before we explain it.

August3 congrats on the babymoon!! I have two weeks of vacation starting next week, going to the coast to relax for a few days. Amsterdam sounds much more exotic and fun!

Alison I always followed your encouraging threads in the 35+ ttc area, nice to chat with you again! Let us know how your scan went! I am taking at least a year off work too. First year is paid, might take another 6 months if my husband is working by then (please please heavens above make him graduate before then I'm 41 and my husband is STILL a student )

Hi Vermeil,

thank you for the compliment, but i have to confess it wasnt me in 35+ TTC area. as This pregnancy was accident and shouldnt of happened as wasnt trying for another baby.
but very happy with our suprise

 

[vermeil]

Whoops must have been in this section then!

 

[August3]

Hey ladies, how is everybody getting on?

The last few days I've been on a baking (but thankfully not an eating!) spree. I've been baking loads of scones and bread. Totally not like me, but I'm feeling very domestic goddess-like.

Beginning to fret now that I have nothing done for little one's arrival; would I be mad to hold off until 30+ weeks?

 

[vermeil]

My son was a surprise arrival at 27 weeks. We had nothing prepared, not even a name picked. We scrambled but we were fine. All you need really is a place for the baby to sleep, some diapers and a few pyjamas. The rest you can figure out as you go . Well that was our experience at least!

 

[ALISON69]

Hey ladies, how is everybody getting on?

The last few days I've been on a baking (but thankfully not an eating!) spree. I've been baking loads of scones and bread. Totally not like me, but I'm feeling very domestic goddess-like.

Beginning to fret now that I have nothing done for little one's arrival; would I be mad to hold off until 30+ weeks?

Hi August3,

I am not going to start buying bits and bobs and until i am nearly 30 weeks..

 

[August3]

Hi August3,

I am not going to start buying bits and bobs and until i am nearly 30 weeks..

I'm pretty much the same, Alison69. Have ante- natal classes starting now at the beginning of September so I'll hold off to see what they advise on purchases.

Good luck for your scan tomorrow; am looking forward to hearing all about it.

Vermeil, my mother advised us to hold off till baba's born. She reckoned little one could sleep in a drawer if need be!

Here are pics of my bump - the first at 20+1 and the second today at 24+1. I think I'm huge.

 

[August3]

Hope the scan today went well for you, Alison69

 

[vermeil]

haha august3, I`ve had an aunt use a small drawer for her newborn, just padded with a few blankets. Apparently it`s not a new idea

Found out something odd this week. I apparently have anti-M antibodies which can lead to anemia in the baby, so the specialist has set me up for weekly ultrasounds. They measure the bloodflow in the baby`s brain to determine if he/she is anemic.

Well the first ultrasound was Wednesday. Afterwards the doctor went through my file and noticed something odd. He asked half jokingly if I was sure that my husband was the father which made me laugh. This is an IVF baby, so unless the fertility clinic messed up (very unlikely), there is ZERO chance he is not.

The reason he asked is my husband`s bloodwork says he`s negative for anti-M. So am I. Soooo the baby is necessary negative also. Sooo... where did the anti-M antibodies come from?? The doctor said if I`ve had no pregnancies with other men (which I haven`t!) it`s impossible for me to have those antibodies. He did reassure me that hematology isn`t an exact science and (I quote!) "sometimes weird things happen".

Meh, I`ll just discuss it with my main doctor. So basically there is zero risk of the antibodies attacking the baby, so no risk of anemia, hurray! A little bummed of losing the weekly ultrasounds but oh well

To give you wonderful ladies an idea of how seriously my high-risk doctor is treating this pregnancy:

-I`m on blood thinner injections and strong blood pressure medication
-I see the doctor and the internal medicine specialist every two weeks
-I`ve seen a geneticist, a fetal cardiologist, a hematologist etc.

Sometimes I think they`re exaggerating with all this detailed follow-up, but then I remember the hell my son went through and how I`d do anything to avoid that again. Our next objective is to reach 26 weeks. Then 32.

ok I'm babbling now, just wanted to share a bit how intense this has all been. Sometimes I wish I could have a carefree pregnancy and not worry all the time, but the extra follow-ups are also reassuring!

 

[Suzy_Q]

I'm glad they are taking this seriously and following through on preventative measures! I've been seeing all kinds of headlines lately in the US about women being sent home from the hospital only to give birth in their car, or giving birth in the lobby of hospitals because they are not being taken seriously here! If only I were near the Canadian border

 

[August3]

So excited and in complete awe - just had to share!!

These are our 3D/4D scan pictures from yesterday at 25+4. Can't wait to hold this little bundle in my arms.

Hope you are all doing well, ladies, apologies haven't had a chance to read back over the thread. I'm just back from a wonderful week in Amsterdam and looking forward to catching up on everyone's posts over the next few days.

 

[Suzy_Q]

Great pics August! You're double digits tomorrow too

 

[vermeil]

wow august3 those pics are awesome! Exciting stuff!

I understand all too well, I`m pretty stoked to hold this little one in my arms too. How is your pregnancy going so far?

 

[August3]

Thanks, SuzyQ. Mad to be double digits; you'll be there soon too. My holidays are over come Monday and the eleven weeks until I go on maternity will no doubt race by! How are you keeping?


I'm getting on well, Vermeil thanks. I took a tumble yesterday but landed on my hands and knees mostly and after a check-up at the hospital baba seems ok. Plenty of movement since which is reassuring. How's life with you?

Alison69, hope things are going well with you.

 

[vermeil]

Overall I`m doing well august3! Next Monday is my V day but honestly it`s not nothing I'll celebrate. My first son was born at 27 weeks and had a really tough ride. My doctor said we`re aiming for 32, which is a much better number all round. Of course 40 would be even better

 

[August3]

Overall I`m doing well august3! Next Monday is my V day but honestly it`s not nothing I'll celebrate. My first son was born at 27 weeks and had a really tough ride. My doctor said we`re aiming for 32, which is a much better number all round. Of course 40 would be even better

I remember you mentioning that about v day in another post. It's true, until baba is in my arms I'll be worried about the whatifs. You seem to be getting lots of specialist care so hopefully your little one will stay baking for a good long while yet. The weekly check ups and scans must be reassuring.

Feeling tired these days after the week long city break. We're having the decorators in all next week and I should be putting away the small, light items from the rooms getting painted but I seem to have zero get-up-and-go. Must discipline myself tomorrow to start clearing out the contents of cupboards etc. My brother is coming to give my OH a hand moving the heavy items on Sunday so want to help out somehow. Will be moving in with my parents for the week to be away from fumes; it'll be very odd I haven't spent a night at
home since finishing college at 21!

 

[ALISON69]

So excited and in complete awe - just had to share!!

These are our 3D/4D scan pictures from yesterday at 25+4. Can't wait to hold this little bundle in my arms.

Hope you are all doing well, ladies, apologies haven't had a chance to read back over the thread. I'm just back from a wonderful week in Amsterdam and looking forward to catching up on everyone's posts over the next few days.

hi august,

what great pictures, i would love to have some done..
hope all is well

 

[ALISON69]

Overall I`m doing well august3! Next Monday is my V day but honestly it`s not nothing I'll celebrate. My first son was born at 27 weeks and had a really tough ride. My doctor said we`re aiming for 32, which is a much better number all round. Of course 40 would be even better

Good luck Vermeil, hoping your little one stays cooking inside until full term..

xx

 

[Suzy_Q]

99 days left! It's so hard to be patient but I'm sure I'll miss my quiet times when she's here... nah! I just want her to be here since I've waited 38 years to meet her

 

[maymyamay]

03rd December - maymyamay