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Fri, May 9, 2008 3:14 PM
How does that Duggar woman keep up? I read today that she is pregnant with baby #18. I don't know how she keeps going.

This is my 3rd pregnancy, 4th baby. I'm utterly EXHAUSTED. I barely function, to tell the truth. I work full time during the day, go home to my kids - take care of them, bath, and by 8 pm, Bella and I are in bed together and I'm on the verge of going into an immediate deep sleep.

I was telling Slawek last night how difficult this pregnancy has been on me. I don't know if it's the fact that I'm 35, or that we did IVF/FET to conceive this frozen embryo, or that we have 3 toddlers at home (or maybe ALL OF THE ABOVE), but I am completely exhausted and out of time to do most anything these days.

The morning sickness has gotten MUCH better. Today wasn't such a great day, but generally I am feeling better these days. I'm hoping that by 16 weeks it is completely gone. I have maybe 1 bad day and then 4-5 good days. Up until today, I have had an entirely great week!

I am continuing to take 2 iron supplements a day for my anemia. I seem to always become anemic when pregnant (which I am sure doesn't help with my exhaustion).

I am feeling better and better after my surgery. Looking forward to my ultrasound this next week (gender determination!??!?!?!?!) and appt. with Dr. Lambers.

Happy Mother's Day all!

Comments:
Sheila H: I dont know how the Dugger woman does it either- its crazy! Hang in there! Sounds like your close to being rid of the sickies.......Glad you are recovering from the surgery!

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Thu, May 8, 2008 8:45 AM
15 WEEKS!

How your baby's growing:
Your growing baby now measures about 4-4.5 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Fine hair called lanugo covers your baby and fingernails are well formed. Your baby already has his own unique fingerprint pattern!

Your baby can hold his head erect and he can also make faces with his slightly developed facial muscles. Your baby may practice squinting, frowning and opening and closing his mouth.

Your baby's bones have enough calcium deposits to show on an X-ray. If your baby is female, her ovaries will be in place in her pelvis and more than five million ova (some of which may be fertilized to become your own grandchildren in another generation!) have formed.

How your life's changing:
You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.

If you're having amniocentesis, it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.

Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.

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Thu, May 1, 2008 12:22 PM
I got my NT Ultrasound risks back (had to wait a week until the bloodwork was processed).

My risks according to my age (35)

Down Syndrome risk ~ 1:250
Trisomy 13/18 risk: ~ 1:465

My new risks based on Integrated NT Scan (ultrasound + bloodwork):

Down Syndrome: ~ 1:4,921
Trisomy 13/18 ~ 1:9,281

WOO HOO! Awesome news!!!!!!!!!!

My test results are normal and the according to statistics, we have a 97% chance that our baby is healthy and free of chromosomal abnormalities.

Comments:
amy: Oh that's great news! I am 37 and I have my NT next week...I'm so nervous! Congratulations!

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Wed, Apr 30, 2008 10:23 PM
The surgery went ok. Baby is ok and that is most important. Dr. Brady said I was allowed to leave late after the surgery if I wanted to, but he left and the Resident said I was an overnighter - so it took me until about 8 pm for them to let me leave. Ridiculous, for some reason I just wanted out of there. And also, they wouldn't let me leave until I could pee on my own. I could NOT pee. It wouldn't come. They had to drain my bladder (catheter). It was so frustrating. They gave me a spinal this time, instead of the epidural, and it seemed to take longer to wear off. I thought I would get up and try to go potty around 6 pm. I stood up and Slawek and the nurse had to catch me because I was going down. Ugh.

First of all, let me say that one of nurses (Shirley) looked just like a dear friend of mine, Aimee. OMG, and she was the sweetest thing ever. She could be Aimee's sister (same height, EXACT same hair, same eyes, same face shape, same everything). It actually made me feel relieved, and that sounds hokey - but for some reason I imagined Aimee being there at my surgery. I immediately took to her and felt a sense of relief/closeness to Shirley.

The pre-op stuff wasn't fun. I have always had small veins. They ALWAYS have trouble getting blood and IVs started on me. And to top it all off, I was slightly dehydrated because they told me NOT to drink for 13 1/2 hours before the surgery. I did cheat and have a few sips of water and some ice chips, but still, my veins weren't exactly plump and full of fluids. They blew 6 veins trying to get an IV started. It was MOST painful. Here I was worried about the epi/spinal, which was cake this time... it was the IVs that almost sent me over the edge. They blew my veins in my left hand and left a HUGE ole bruise from her digging around trying to "catch" the vein as she said. Then she (nurse Candy) blew the veins in my right hand. I said, "Please try something else other than a hand, they are already so sore I can't bend or flex my fingers now." She went down to a child size IV and said, "Well, I believe 2 and out, so I'm gonna let someone else try." Another nurse did try.... twice (in my arms). It didn't work either. On a third attempt, she yelled, "I've got flash back!" or something like that, indicating she had a good stick. Thank God. But she couldn't get any blood from it (needed 3 vials) so she had to stick me elsewhere for the blood vials and just left that IV in. She drew barely 1/4 of a vial of blood, which turned out not to be enough for a CBC and they definitely didn't have enough for the other tubes (full panel and blood typing or something). They gave up on the bloodwork. My IV lasted through the surgery but immediately blew when I was transported to my room. Long story, I know.

Dr. Brady did the same Shirodkar cerclage that he did with Izabella. He said there isn't enough cervix of mine to do a McDonald (less invasive, faster recovery) cerclage. He made the 4 incisions 2 cm long each and after tying me off, sutured up those 2 cm incisions. I am bleeding a lot and in a lot of cramping-type discomfort. He said those sutures will come out and not to be surprised because they will look like "little worms." Ewwwwwwww.

They did an ultrasound immediately after the ultrasound to look at the baby and the sac/amniotic fluid. They wanted to make sure it wasn't pinched or anything. Everything looked good and I could breathe a huge sign of relief. Our baby's heartrate was 164-168 BPM.

I was given painkillers for the pain ~ Perocet (won't fill it) and 800mg Ibuprofen (which I will fill). I am taking the Ibuprofen around the clock because the pain is painful enough already while taking it. I don't want to imagine it without the Ibuprofen. Dr. Brady said Ibuprofen is fine, but not in the 3rd trimester. I refuse to take Perocet since I am pregnant and the drugs can't be good for the baby.

Slawek and my dad stayed with me in my room the entire time. My mom was sweet, she made a huge dinner for me (that I ate a little of when I came home). They had had me eat a tray of hospital dinner to see if I could keep it down, so I wasn't that hungry, but it was really nice of her.

And now, I am to stay down until Monday. No working and no walking around for me.

Hopefully by Monday I will feel better and the bleeding will have stopped. At least I have my doppler so I can listen to the baby's heartbeat and make sure he/she is ok. :)

Thank you for all the prayers!

Comments:
Ticker: Soooo relieved to hear that all is well! Very sorry about the blown IV's and pain though! Big hugs!!!!

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Tue, Apr 29, 2008 9:55 AM
Please say a prayer for me and our baby. Tomorrow at 1:30 pm I am having my shirodkar cerclage surgically stitched by Dr. Brady. I'm nervous. The pain and bleeding aren't any fun, but I am more worried about the baby and the risk of rupturing the amniotic sac. Please say a prayer that our baby is ok.

Thanks!

Comments:
Veon: I am praying now and also setting a pop up calendar reminder to pray at 130. :-)

ashlee s: your in my thoughts and prayers..

jen73: My prayers are with you and your baby!I had the surgery done April 1,by Dr. Brady also and everything went well!you`re in great hands!

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Thu, Apr 24, 2008 2:42 PM
My repeat Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan went well today! The baby cooperated this time and I was on there for 45 min!

* Nuchal Fold measurement = 1.4mm (should be <3mm) ~ awesome!
* Nasal bone detected, Yayyy!
* Length = 7.08cm (about 3 inches long)
* Heartrate 165 BPM

The NT sonographer told me everything looks great. We have a 97% chance of this baby being chromosomally normal (not having Down Syndrome, Trisomy 13 or 18). So, all good news!

Next, cerclage surgery on the 30th. :(

Comments:
Angela: Congrats on the great appt news. I don't know where people are posting but I wanted to sign in and see what happened. Love the pics of this little pumpkin.
:)

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Thu, Apr 24, 2008 8:47 AM
SECOND TRIMESTER! 13 WEEKS

Your baby measures about 3.2 to 3.5 inches (7.6 to 8.9cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 0.9 ounces (25g). Your baby is now nourished by the placenta.

His face is developing and his cheeks and the bridge of his nose are appearing. His ears are moving from the sides of his neck to higher on his head and his eyes are moving closer together. Your baby's external genitals are now distinct and may be recognized on an ultrasound. Your baby will move away from stimuli near your tummy, such as noise and light.

Your baby's eyebrows have formed and a small amount of hair, called lanugo, has appeared all over his body. Lanugo, which will be shed before birth and replaced with the hairs with which your baby will be born, is thought to have a protective function.

Insulin is present in your baby's pancreas. Some bones may be well outlined. Your baby's thyroid gland, already developed by this week, begins to make hormones.

Baby boys begin to develop the prostate gland at this time and the ovaries of baby girls descend from the abdomen into the pelvis. A girl now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries.

By now your uterus is about the size of a large grapefruit. If your due date has not already been predicted, an ultrasound measurement of your baby's head can be used to make one.

Your pre-pregnancy clothes are probably too tight by now. If you haven't already got some maternity clothes, now is probably the time to get some. You'll be most comfortable in loose-fitting clothes. Make sure you really like your maternity clothes- you'll be wearing them a lot. Friends, family and thrift shops can be a great source of maternity clothes.

You may feel less exhausted than you did earlier in your pregnancy. Some women even start to experience a rejuvenating surge of energy at around this time. Many women report that the second trimester is the best time of pregnancy as the morning sickness of the first trimester has usually passed, and the discomforts and weariness of the third trimester have yet to begin. If you would like to take a last holiday before your baby arrives, the second trimester, with your doctor's approval, is probably the best time to do so. This could be a good opportunity for you and your partner to connect and share some couple-time before the baby arrives.

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Wed, Apr 23, 2008 5:00 PM
Slawek and I just spent 3 1/2 hours at Good Samaritan Hospital attempting to get our Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound. I spent those 3 1/2 hours jumping up and down, drinking cold fluids, drinking caffeine, rolling on my left side, rolling on my right side, and having an NT sonographer push my stomach to the point where I was worried about the baby because he/she looked to be in distress. Ugh. And the worst part, they DID NOT GET THE NUCHAL FOLD MEASUREMENT. I have to go through all this again tomorrow at 11 am. :(

This is what I know about the baby:

* The baby measures 7 cm long.
* His/her heartbeat was 164 BMP.
* It "looks" like a girl, but we all know it's really early at this point.
* This baby loves to suck his/her thumb - and it was incredibly adorable to see the thumb in the mouth and watch the chin move up and down while he/she was sucking.
* And this baby likes a reclining/relaxed position that isn't good for taking NF measurements. GRRRRRRR.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's NT Scan - hopefully WITH results!

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Wed, Apr 23, 2008 8:08 AM
Today is our Nuchal Translucency testing at Good Samaritan Hospital. This ultrasound will be a detailed look at the baby. We are looking for a Nuchal Fold measurement of <3mm and a nasal bone.

This test is to rule out the possibility of our baby having a chromosomal abnormality like Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), or Trisomy 13 or Trisomy 18.

Please sent prayers and good luck our way for 1 pm today!

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Wed, Apr 23, 2008 4:11 AM
Happy Birthday Slawek!!!!!!!

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