OB Check & Rundown of Symptoms
My husband finally met my OB, and fortunately, we were the first appointment of the day, so Doc had time to do more than run an U/S wand over my belly, announce with great aplomb “Your baby is still alive!” and walk out the door, which is his usual MO.
He chatted and made jokes and went over different indications of labor that would mean it’s time to call him. He reiterated several times that although pregnant women do sometimes call him for stupid things , he’d much rather that, than have them NOT call when they should have – which he said happened a lot more often, especially with IVF patients.
He mentioned that if I show up at Beth Israel more than 3 times for “false labor” they’d probably try to induce me, so to call him before heading to the hospital on my own if I want to avoid that.
He also mentioned that yeah, if this baby’s head proportions continue on at this rate, it’ll make a c-section much more likely. Especially given my age. And small size.
He also mentioned that he was pretty sure Thor wasn’t going to beat his current record of a 12# vaginal delivery. (Please, god, no!) This made me happy.
He also SHOWED me my GTT results, and I realized that although his phone message said (and I know because I listened to it 3 times) that my 2 hour results were 198 – the only abnormal results out of the 4 – they were actually 98. Way normal. Which makes his jokes about not being sure they even gave me the Glucose drink more understandable. I confess I got a bit scared again once I realized I was having a big baby, that maybe that one abnormal number out of four was enough of a warning that I should be following more of a GD diet regardless of numbers. But now? Now I say “Bring on the popsicles!”
Still haven’t gained weight, but doc’s not worried since I started out with plenty of IVF chub & the baby’s obviously not suffering any form of malnourishment. I officially (officially, because before today, he didn’t know!) weigh more than my husband – who’s got almost a foot of height on me. Oi.
Italy trip once again got the seal of approval.
My BP continues low/normal (110/70) and my next appointment is right before we leave for Tuscany. I’ll be on Lovenox until August 18, at which point he’s just taking me off the blood thinners entirely, not moving me to Heparin as some docs do. Still no stretch marks on my belly, though I’ve got a linea nigra all the way up to my ribcage, and I’m a little out-of-sorts that it’s crooked. But then again, so is my newly-outie belly button. And my belly in general seems to be bigger on the left than the right side.
Heartburn/acid reflux is either really really bad or non-existent on a day-to-day basis. Chocolate’s the only thing I’ve found that absolutely triggers it, though I have my suspicions about salsa/raw onions. Which sucks, but there it is. When The Reflux isn’t bad, so I can sleep on my side, the SI back pain is manageable the next day. I think those two things were definitely related – sleeping sitting up in bed, sort of on my tailbone probably exacerbated this whole back-pain-trauma is what I’m thinking. Now my back’s a bit sore, but after a hot shower to loosen everything up in the morning, I rarely have to limp at all during the day.
Hands and feet are swollen – no more wedding ring til after September, most likely. And thank goodness it’s flip flop weather. I’m definitely dealing with a bit of carpal tunnel in my hands, tingling & numbness, but so far it’s manageable.
Constipation? Let’s just say that I am very happy figs are finally in season. And that prunes are ALWAYS in season. Pomegranate juice is my friend. Feeling bloated and yechy has been, hands down, the worst symptom all along and will likely continue til the end.
Skin is clear, hair & fingernails are growing like mad, moods remain pretty darned consistent and cheerful. I am sleepy. Oh god, am I sleepy. I could sleep for days, weeks, months.
And I go back to see him in 2 weeks. When I get back from Italy, mid-August, it’ll be every week.
Dang. This is really happening.
(woohoo!)
Hi, I have been following you since last year, and following your pregnancy. You got pregnant two weeks before me and alas I lost mine April 1st. My question to you is about Lovenox. They have just prescribed it for me (after two miscarriages) and I read a study from NE journal of medicine that they ran a test study and found there were no benefits of taking it, considering the placebo group, the baby aspirin group and the lovenox/baby aspirin group. It hurts like hell, as if the needle is too thick. Have you taken this all along your pregnancy? Do you have any tips for it hurting less?
I am really hesitant about it, although I do want to get pregnant again and have a healthy baby, but I never got the tissue loss analysed and I am sure because of my age it was chromosonal rather than my thick blood cutting off nourishment to my placenta, as at 8wks its not really functioning for nourishment. Urgh.
Anyway, your thoughts would be welcome on this. Thanks and congrats that you are somewhat sailing through this smoothly.
Susan Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Hi Dee – I am so very sorry for your loss. Hoping very much that next time is different for you.
As far as Lovenox goes, I’m definitely in favor of it. I suffered a few chromosomal-related losses, but my last loss was for reasons unknown. Because of that, rather than for any ‘by the numbers’ reason, my RE decided that Lovenox/baby aspirin for 8mos. & steroids for 14+ weeks might be a good bet since I come from a family with clotting & immune issues even if I’m not displaying any problems myself. “Can’t hurt, might help” was his motto, and I’ve been more than willing to keep on with that protocol even though this is a DE pregnancy and so, theoretically, very much less likely to miscarry due to age-related chromosomal problems.
Google “Sprogblogger Lovenox tutorial” for Lovenox tips that seem to work for me, or just page back through – I think I posted it in April of this year. Quite honestly, the shot’s a bit uncomfortable, but it gets easier the longer you’re on it, and it really doesn’t bother me much these days. Doesn’t sting as much as, say, Menopur did, and that ‘kick in the gut’ feeling only rarely happens now.
I’ll be taking Lovenox til August 18, and I’ve been very grateful for the chance – if nothing else, it makes me feel I’m covering every base. And the side effects are minimal for both me & Thor, so what’s a little bit of ouch every evening compared to that?
Thank you for your good thoughts, and I hope you find a protocol that works as well as this one seems to be working for me. Take care.
Whoooo-hooooo is right! You are doing great, and I can’t believe you haven’t gained weight. Everyone’s healthy and you still don’t gain weight – a dream come true! When is the Tuscany trip? I hope you take loads of pictures so we can all go too!
Susan Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Oh, don’t misunderstand – I HAVE gained weight, just not really since the beginning of my 2nd trimester.
And yeah, photos galore are the plan. Gonna be my last vacation for a while, so I want to be able to enjoy this trip for years to come!
Whoo Hoo Indeed!
I am SO PSYCHED about your for-the-love-of-god-eat-more-carbs test result.
No matter what mode, down or out, just wanting a safe delivery for you both. And your darlin’.
It is REALLY happening, and this is the coolest thing ever.
And a trip to tuscany?
sublime. Please share photos so we can live vicariously.
xoxo
kate
Yuppers…I think this is really happening. And speaking of happening…when am I happening to see you???
Any chance you’re available tomorrow night? I’m sorry to be so lame about planning but i’ve been just befuddled by the lupron but time is passing and I need at least a couple more sprogblogger visits logged before you head for italy!
mo
Yay on it “really happening.” Oh, for your newly announced popsicle-fest–2 for 1 bonus: Edy’s has a Pomegranate juice bar that is to die for!
I hope you have a wonderful time in Italy. And I cannot wait to hear more updates!
Great to see another all is normal update!
Catching up here. The older entries have comments closed, so I’ll add comments for many posts here.
I just had to say how very delighted and excited I am to know that you and Thor are doing great. The plan for having the farm/house in NH sounds like a dream come true. I’m a sucker for great stories and it looks like this one will turn out as the magical true love story with a warm family happy ending. That, Miss Susan, makes my heart all warm and gushy and smooshy floaty.
Oh, and “Until the End of the World” is also one of my absolutely favorite movies and soundtracks. You are just toooooo cool.